Miscellaneous

I'm looking for advice regarding my mom, who is 61 and currently working in Quality Assurance for a non-profit. She's been under a lot of stress lately, especially after losing my stepfather last December and dealing with mini strokes due to that stress. Her job has been particularly tough, filled with office politics that she struggles to navigate. Recently, she came home in tears after facing another issue at work and expressed a desire to quit, but we can't afford that right now since we're still recovering from her previous unemployment and my own financial situation isn't great either. I'm considering whether it would be better for her to stick it out until she can retire in a few months or if I should encourage her to look for something else or even pursue a small business idea she had. I want to support her, but I'm unsure of the best approach.

I was laid off from my job in California on May 29 and received three weeks of severance pay on June 2. I filed for unemployment on June 1, but when I was certifying my claim on June 14, I completely forgot to report the severance pay. I only remembered after a coworker, who was also laid off, asked if I had reported it. Now I'm worried about whether I should report the severance in my next certification period and if I might get into trouble for not mentioning it earlier. I've heard that it could affect my benefits, depending on the amount and how it's allocated. I'm feeling anxious about this situation.

I'm currently facing a frustrating situation with my unemployment claim in Colorado. It's my first week needing to submit weekly certifications, but my claim is stuck in manual wage verification. This means I can't submit my certs online or through the automated phone line. The only way to resolve this is to speak with someone directly, but I've tried calling about 12 times today and haven't been able to get through. I'm really worried because I've read that if I don't submit my certs, my case could be closed, which would mean losing out on payments and having to reopen the case, putting me back in the same predicament. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has dealt with this and if they have any tips on how to get through to the office.

I work in my thirties at a company where a new boss has recently taken over. Last week, a hiring freeze was announced, and now my boss is auditing each department's work. It feels like everyone is being asked to justify their roles and prove their necessity within the company. I have a gut feeling that layoffs are coming soon, possibly by August. I'm based in the European market and I'm looking for advice on negotiating severance or layoff packages with US companies. Thankfully, I have strong savings, so I’m in a better position than some, but I lack experience in navigating layoffs and negotiations. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I've been reflecting on my job search journey lately and I think I've hit a wall. It's not just the typical work burnout that people talk about; it's job search burnout. I've spent countless hours tailoring my applications, updating my resume, and writing cover letters, only to find myself staring at an empty inbox most days. The waiting can be so exhausting and demoralizing. I feel like many of us are going through this without even recognizing it because we aren't technically employed yet. Has anyone else experienced this kind of fatigue during their job search?

I’ve been unemployed for 10 months now, and it feels like I’m losing my mind. Despite having a degree in software engineering and graduating with highest honors, I haven’t even landed an interview. The job market is brutal, and I feel like I’ve invested so much time and money into my education for nothing. Everyone tells me I have a great CV, but my confidence is plummeting. I moved back home, which has made things even harder. I haven’t seen my friends in over six months, and I feel completely isolated. I’m turning 27 soon, and I’m starting to think about pivoting to a different field, even though I really want to stick with software engineering. Life at home is tough. My parents mean well, but I have a brother with schizophrenia and a mother who is emotionally dependent. My father, while never directly saying it, makes me feel like a failure. It feels like I’m the issue because I refuse to change my career path. I can see the judgment in people’s eyes, as if my unemployment is my fault. Maybe it is. I feel like my life is falling apart. I’m reaching out to anyone who has been unemployed for this long—how do you cope with this situation?

I'm currently in a tech role at a company where I'm feeling increasingly insecure about my job stability. There's a high likelihood I could be laid off within the next two years, which has led me to seriously consider relocating to a lower cost of living city or even a different country. I've been thinking about the financial benefits of such a move, especially since I live in a very high cost of living area. I'm curious about what others are doing in similar situations. Are you moving for financial reasons? If so, what are your plans once you get there? Are you looking to study, retrain, or find local or online work? I know moving can be expensive, but staying here after a layoff seems imprudent given the costs. I'm weighing my options and would love to hear about your experiences.

I had a frustrating experience recently with a recruiter from a tech company where I had applied for a Content Strategist position back in February. After going through three rounds of interviews, I received the standard rejection email in mid-March. I was disappointed but moved on and continued my job search. Fast forward six weeks, and I get a call from the same recruiter. I thought maybe they were reaching out with good news or a change of plans. Instead, she casually checked in on my job search before pivoting to mention a junior coordinator role that had opened up. This position pays about $22,000 less than the strategist role and is two levels below what I had originally applied for. I’ve been in the content field for seven years, so I politely declined, but I was annoyed by the way she framed the call. Instead of being upfront about the role, she made it seem like a casual check-in. I appreciated her reaching out, but I wish she had been more transparent about her intentions.

I just finished my junior year of high school and I'm really struggling with the idea of finding a summer job. I had hoped to land an internship or a summer program, but I missed the deadlines because I was too scared to even look into them. Now, with summer here, I realize I need to find any job to fill my time, but I feel completely paralyzed by fear. For the past two years, I haven’t had a job because of this same anxiety. I feel like I’m not capable of doing anything right. My self-doubt is overwhelming; I’m convinced that I wouldn’t deserve any job I apply for and that I’d just get rejected immediately. My resume is practically blank, and I don’t have any extracurricular activities or volunteer work to fill it out. I genuinely feel like I’ve missed the boat on summer jobs since it’s already mid-June, and I’m sure all the positions are taken. I also struggle with the lack of guidance. I’ve never been taught how to apply for a job, so I have no idea where to start. I’m terrified of the process—do I just walk into places and ask if they’re hiring? Should I bring a resume? I feel embarrassed asking anyone for help because it seems so pathetic. On top of that, I’m really worried about being judged. I used to be around people who would criticize others for making mistakes, and now I can’t shake the fear that if I get rejected, people will talk about me. Since I’m applying for jobs in my neighborhood, I worry that I’ll be recognized and ridiculed. I know I’m being my own worst enemy, and I’m trying to find a way to break out of this cycle of fear and self-doubt. I’m at a point where I really need some advice or a reality check to help me move forward.

I recently owned a family business for a year, but unfortunately, it failed. At 27 years old, I graduated with an ordinary degree in electrical engineering from the UK. Since childhood, I worked alongside my father in his construction/EPC business, which gave me about four years of experience. My responsibilities included cleaning up AutoCAD files, driving, preparing technical proposals, engaging with clients, and handling supplier communications and advertising. In 2022, I started a new business that generated no revenue initially, and by 2025, we pivoted to align more closely with my father's EPC operations due to the original business's failure and significant debt. My father managed the new venture, which I initiated using power of attorney, and we achieved around $800k in revenue from a single project. My role expanded to include working with banks on guarantees and reference letters, conducting laser measurements on-site, and more direct client engagement, alongside the usual proposal editing and contract signing. Regrettably, this new business has also failed, and I've found myself in a tough spot with cash flow issues. Over the past four years, my involvement in these family businesses has yielded little financial gain, and it seems like things would go wrong just as we started to see success. I've attempted sales roles in the past, but they weren't a good fit for me. Now, I'm considering administrative, project support, or coordination roles to help me get back on my feet. However, I'm unsure about what title to use on my CV. I've been advised to simply list "Family Business," but I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what titles I could use, what jobs I should target, and how I can further develop my skills. I'm based in the UK, but the family business is located abroad.

I recently reached out for help with my resume because I haven't been getting any calls for interviews. I shared my resume and asked for honest feedback. I mentioned that while I may have slightly inflated some numbers, I can justify them if needed. One of the top comments I received praised my technical qualifications, highlighting my certifications like CKA, CKS, and multiple AWS associates, along with my GCP ML Engineer certification. They noted that my achievement of saving $2M annually through a MongoDB-to-Kubernetes migration would definitely catch the eye of budget-conscious recruiters. However, I also received some constructive criticism. One commenter pointed out that while my resume has the right keywords for ATS, it might be too much for a recruiter or HR person to digest. They suggested I consider how I tailor my applications and mentioned tools like free Gemini or GPT that could help me score my resume without needing to rewrite it completely. Another piece of advice was to condense my resume to one page, as it might be a bit too lengthy. Overall, I appreciate the feedback and am looking to make improvements to increase my chances of landing interviews.

I was recently fired from my job in California just before the end of my 90-day probation period. My boss, who was new to her position, was very temperamental and made my work environment quite toxic. Despite having a lot of experience and trying my best to support her, she seemed to deliberately undermine me. She excluded me from important emails and meetings, and I felt like she was sabotaging my reputation. I received two performance evaluations during my probation, both praising my work, but unfortunately, I didn't keep those documents. After I was terminated, I filed for unemployment and was initially approved without any issues. However, about three weeks ago, I received a letter from the Employment Development Department (EDD) stating that my former employer was disputing my unemployment claim, claiming I didn’t do my job as instructed and that they were downsizing. EDD determined these reasons were insufficient to deny my benefits. Just last week, I got another letter saying my former employer is filing another claim against EDD’s decision. I'm really worried because my former boss has shown herself to be vindictive and dishonest. I fear she might fabricate stories to make me look unfit for unemployment benefits, which I desperately need since I haven't found another job yet. Now, I'm waiting for a hearing date and I’m unsure what to expect. Will I be in a room with her and a judge? I have no proof to defend myself since I discarded those performance evaluations. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation and whether she can be held accountable for her actions.

I currently work at a vape shop in Michigan and have been facing numerous issues related to my job. I have endometriosis, which I disclosed during the hiring process. Due to this condition, I've had to call in sick multiple times for medical appointments and even a miscarriage, all of which I have documentation for. Initially, my employer was understanding, but recently when I called in for a non-medical reason, they demanded a doctor's note. Since I couldn't provide one, they transferred me to a different location with significantly lower commission, cutting my hours in half. When I arrived at the new store, I discovered a serious cockroach infestation. There were dead roaches everywhere, including in the food stock and fridge. I documented everything with pictures and had to throw away food I had purchased. Thankfully, I was moved back to my original store, but I felt it necessary to inform my bosses about the roach situation, which they brushed off. Additionally, I have concerns about the store's practices, such as selling to minors and encouraging employees to do the same, as well as illegal sales of nitrous tanks. They also take deductions from our commission for 'inventory shrinkage' without any signed agreement from us. I've reported the infestation and wage theft, but I'm hesitant to escalate the situation further because I fear losing my job, especially since I rely on the commission. I have everything documented, but I'm unsure if my case is strong enough to pursue further action.

I'm currently seeking remote job opportunities and would love some advice on my career path. I have over 9 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, leadership, and customer service. My background includes working for 3 years with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where I also had remote work experience. I've held roles such as Lead Mental Health Technician and Interim Supervisor in various settings, including hospitals and residential treatment facilities. Additionally, I spent 4 years as a Behavioral Health Technician in a school district and have experience in customer service and team leadership at a small business. My strongest skills are in crisis intervention, team leadership, customer support, documentation, training, conflict resolution, and remote communication. Due to transportation limitations, I'm specifically looking for fully remote work and am open to exploring fields beyond behavioral health. I've considered roles in remote customer support, community management, trust & safety, gaming industry support, healthcare administration, and operations. Despite submitting hundreds of applications over the past year, I've had little success. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has recommendations for job titles, industries, or companies that might value my experience. Any leads or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I'm currently working at a Chinese takeaway, and it's been a real struggle for me. Some days I love it, but other days, like today, I come home feeling defeated. I'm 17 and still a student, and I rely on my parents to drive me since I don’t have a car or a license. The takeaway is just 10 minutes away, but it’s in a small town, making job options limited. At work, I handle the till and have always been accurate, except when this one delivery driver, whom I’ll call Max, is on shift. Max has a reputation for being dishonest; he's been caught stealing on camera multiple times, yet my boss refuses to let him go. It’s frustrating because I end up taking the blame when the till is short, which has happened a few times now. My coworkers and I have pleaded with our boss to fire him, but nothing changes. I’m really tired of this situation and need to save money for college and a car since my parents can’t afford it. I’ve been searching for another job for a year and finally landed this one, but now I’m stuck. I’m not picky about where I work, but I’d prefer to avoid cash handling due to my anxiety. I’m reaching out for advice on how to find a new job quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently seeking internship opportunities in Electrical Engineering, particularly in areas like Power Systems, Power Electronics, Electric Vehicles, Smart Grid, Automation, Renewable Energy, and Electrical Design. As a B.Tech Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-3 engineering college in India, I have a solid academic background with a CGPA of 9.17/10 and valuable research exposure. Right now, I'm a Research Intern working remotely under faculty mentorship in the EECS Department, where I utilize MATLAB for signal modeling and computational simulations. Additionally, I have hands-on experience at RRVPNL's 400 kV EHV Substation, where I've worked with autotransformers and SCADA systems, and at a 132 kV Substation focusing on relay testing and protection coordination. My experience also includes designing rooftop PV systems at a Solar PV company. I have completed projects like a Hydrogen Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Propulsion system for UAVs and an IoT Home Automation System. My technical skills include MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino IDE, SCADA, and programming in Python and C/Embedded C. I'm particularly interested in companies such as Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, and Honeywell. I know that my Tier-3 background may present challenges, but I believe my research and practical experiences demonstrate my capabilities. I'm looking for referrals to open internship roles, advice on breaking into these companies, or connections to hiring managers. Any feedback on my profile would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I just got a job at Target, and my first day is scheduled for June 15th. However, I'm facing a huge issue because I can't access my MyPortal account, which is critical for me to know my schedule and other details. I've tried resetting my password multiple times, and even though I have screenshots of my credentials, nothing seems to work. I'm really anxious about this since it's my first job, and I don't want to mess it up. I've received emails confirming my acceptance, but without access to the portal, I'm in the dark about when to show up. I'm hoping someone can offer advice on how to resolve this quickly!

I was recently affected by the second wave of layoffs at IQVIA. It was unexpected, and I'm trying to connect with others who were also impacted. If anyone else has experienced this, I'd love to hear your stories and how you're coping with the situation.

I was terminated from my position as a Business Development Executive and Operations Executive at a fintech company where I had been working for 4.5 years. I was the first employee, joining in January 2022, and despite my consistent efforts and contributions, I didn't see much salary growth. Initially, the salary was low, but I was promised growth as the company expanded. Over the last two years, they started hiring more staff, and I even took on additional responsibilities like interviewing new candidates. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing, along with a Data Analyst certification I completed in 2024. My current salary was 32,250 per month, and I am 32 years old. At the end of May, I received a call from management informing me of my termination, effective immediately, with a notice period until June 30. After dedicating so much to the company, it feels disheartening to be let go like this. I’m now searching for new job opportunities in Pune, as I need to support my elderly parents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my job as a QA Engineer for a service-based company in India. A few days ago, my Team Lead called me at around 10 PM, asking if I could join a Teams meeting in 15 minutes. I was out having dinner with my family at the time and asked if there was any urgency or production issue that required my immediate attention. My Team Lead insisted that my presence was necessary, but since no specific urgency was communicated, I requested to reschedule the meeting. Ultimately, I chose not to join. The next day, I was shocked to receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from HR. This was particularly confusing for me because I had received Best Achiever awards for the past two years, and there had been no prior performance concerns raised. I have always documented my work and contributions, especially during appraisal cycles. Now, I’m trying to figure out if the timing of the PIP is just a coincidence or if my refusal to join the late-night call was indeed linked to this decision. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What should I be asking my manager and HR? What should I look for in the PIP document? How can I determine if this is a genuine improvement plan or the start of an exit process? Any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.