Planning

I've been with my current company for over 8 years, and while I appreciate the flexibility of remote work and setting my own hours, I feel undervalued and underpaid. My title doesn't reflect my responsibilities, and I've taken on duties that were supposed to belong to a C-Level manager who is retiring soon. I've learned that they don't plan to fill that role, leaving me with additional responsibilities without recognition or compensation. The benefits, like being 100% remote, are great, but the medical insurance is costly and the coverage isn't ideal. Plus, since I live in a different state than where the company is headquartered, I face extra taxes. I've realized there's no real chance for upward mobility here, and without a proper title and salary, I'm worried about my job prospects elsewhere. Recently, I started gathering my achievements and salary comparisons to discuss my situation with the CEO, but I expected little to change. However, after updating my LinkedIn profile, a recruiter reached out to me about a potential role that aligns with my current responsibilities but offers significantly better pay—$47K more than what I currently make. The new job is in my state, only 40 minutes away, with free parking and full medical coverage. I have a second interview with the VP tomorrow, and while part of me feels like I'm experiencing imposter syndrome, I can't ignore how life-changing this opportunity could be. I'm torn about whether to approach my current company for a counteroffer or just accept the new job if it's offered. I'm anxious about making the right decision.

I’m currently working as a contractor in a remote job that I absolutely love. My boss is fantastic, the work is decent, and the pay is pretty good. However, I've been in this role for about 1.5 years, and while they keep extending my contract, there have only been vague discussions about potentially making me a full-time employee. I really want to secure a full-time position for better benefits, pay, and job stability. Recently, I received an offer for an in-person job that pays about $15,000 more per year. The thing is, I really don’t want to take it because I enjoy working from home, and I have plans to relocate in the next year. The in-person job would also require more hours and come with a lot more stress, which would disrupt my work-life balance since I value being home with my pets and managing my chores throughout the day. Now, I’m wondering if I can use this new job offer as leverage to push for a full-time position with my current company. I want to turn those vague talks into a concrete offer. I’ve never negotiated my salary or anything like that before, and I feel a bit intimidated since I’m a young woman in the corporate world. Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I just received the call from HR that I've been laid off, and I'm still in shock. After 13 years at the company, I'm being offered 2 months of non-working pay along with up to 8 months of severance. I'm feeling a mix of panic and uncertainty about what to do next. I'm planning to search for more information and advice here, but I could really use some guidance on whether I should apply for unemployment benefits right away or wait until my severance runs out. I've seen some comments suggesting that I might not be eligible for unemployment until the severance payments end, while others say I should apply immediately. It's all a bit overwhelming right now.

I have been working in the oil and gas industry for about 3.5 years, and recently I approached my manager about the possibility of being laid off. However, after our conversation, he didn't provide any updates or mention discussing it with HR. Tomorrow, I plan to speak with HR directly about this. I'm curious if anyone else has asked to be laid off, even though there haven't been any layoffs since March. In a recent department meeting, it was mentioned that employees could reach out to either their manager or HR representatives regarding this matter. I'm looking for insights or experiences from others who have gone through a similar situation.

I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 7 years, and before that, my work experience was primarily in retail and the food industry. I became a stay-at-home parent at 19, which worked well for my family at the time. However, now that most of my kids are in school, I feel the need to re-enter the workforce, especially given the current economic climate. During my time at home, I earned an Associates degree in business technology, but I'm struggling to find a job in that field in my small town. Most employers are looking for candidates with a bachelor's degree, years of experience, and are only offering around $12 an hour. Additionally, I have no childcare support, so I am responsible for getting my kids on and off the bus every day. I see other parents managing this, and I’m unsure how they do it while working full-time.

I recently faced a confusing situation regarding my career path. I applied for a trainee program but unfortunately got rejected. However, the company then offered me a research position related to data science. I'm unsure how to approach this new opportunity, especially since I was initially aiming for the trainee role. I'm worried they might question my confusion about my career direction during the interview or onboarding process. I'm considering whether I should accept this research position or hold out for something more aligned with my original goals.

I had two job interviews last week with a company, starting with a phone screening with HR and then an in-person interview with the training lead. On Monday morning, I received a voicemail from HR stating they had a formal job offer for me. I quickly called back within an hour and left a voicemail, but I was so anxious that I called again later that day, convinced I hadn’t left the message properly. Unfortunately, they didn’t return my call on Monday afternoon or the next day, which has left me feeling stressed. I’m eager to finalize this offer so I can start looking for an apartment and get out of hotels. I’m wondering how long I should wait before reaching out again. I’ve received some advice to call the main line and check if I have the right contact number, or to send a gentle reminder email by Friday morning if I don’t hear back. I’m considering calling multiple times a day to ensure I connect with someone.

I graduated with my master's in psychology two years ago, and I've been struggling to find my first job since then. It feels like everywhere I apply, they require either connections or extensive experience that a fresh graduate simply doesn't have. I'm not even in the US, so even entry-level positions like those at McDonald's are out of reach for me. In my frustration, I've been considering embellishing my resume to increase my chances of landing a job at private schools, which I think are less critical environments. I'm contemplating stretching the duration of my internship at a government-run hospital from six months to a full year and exaggerating the responsibilities I had there. The reality is, I mostly shadowed the psychologist and assisted with minor tasks. I'm also thinking about adding some unverifiable experiences, like freelance work or tutoring, but I'm hesitant about how far I should go. I want to avoid telling any big lies that could come back to haunt me later. All I really want is a chance to enter the job market, but the pressure to present myself as more experienced is overwhelming.

I have been self-employed for the past 2.5 years, but I've been struggling financially and am now looking to return to a full-time office job in the HR industry. Despite being qualified and even overqualified for many positions, I keep getting rejected before I even make it to the interview stage. I'm feeling quite discouraged and would love to hear about others' experiences with re-entering the corporate world after self-employment. Should I consider applying for lower-level positions than I previously held, or should I stick to my qualifications? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been working as a team lead at a group home in Germany for almost two years now, right after I graduated university. Initially, it felt like a dream job. I loved the part-time supervision, the manageable shifts, and the supportive coworker I had. We worked with clients who were generally not high-risk, and I enjoyed teaching them skills and helping them navigate their lives. However, things have drastically changed. Recently, I was promoted to team lead, a role I didn’t want, and now I bear the brunt of any issues that arise. The workload has increased significantly, with longer hours and night shifts being introduced starting in September. The residents are more challenging now, with one young man I’m responsible for being severely depressed and frequently needing hospitalization. I’ve even faced threats from another resident who has a background in martial arts. The environment has become toxic; my favorite coworker had to resign due to illness, and the remaining staff are either unreliable or resentful. My boss oscillates between being supportive and harsh, which adds to the stress. While the company offers good pay and opportunities for professional development, the conditions are unbearable. I feel guilty about leaving the kids I’ve bonded with, but I dread going to work every day, often crying on my way there. I’m torn between wanting to stay for the kids and recognizing that my mental health is suffering. I’m considering looking for a new job, but I worry it might be worse.

I recently learned that BMW is planning to cut 8,000 jobs as part of a voluntary redundancy program. This decision was announced by a company spokesperson and is expected to affect employees in the administration and development divisions, while production operations will remain untouched. The program was agreed upon with employee representatives and is set to be implemented by the end of 2027. It's concerning to see such significant job cuts in the automotive industry, as it seems many manufacturers are making similar moves lately.

I recently experienced a significant reduction in my work hours at my current job. I used to have a consistent schedule from Monday to Thursday, often picking up extra shifts to make it five days a week. However, my hours have now been cut down to just one day a week. The only explanation I've received is that it's due to labor costs, yet I notice that new employees are being hired. I had even picked up a shift for the upcoming week, which was approved on the 26th, but it was later removed from my schedule. Thankfully, I took a screenshot of my original schedule as proof. Additionally, I found out that another employee, who was recently hired, can't work on Tuesdays, which complicates things further. I'm also concerned about my health insurance since I'm only working one day a week. I'm worried that I might have to pay the company back, which feels like I'm essentially working for free. Given these circumstances, I am actively looking for a new job and have filed a claim for unemployment.

I recently started job hunting after being out of the workforce for 20 years. I took time off to raise my children and focus on family responsibilities, but now I'm feeling overwhelmed about how to address this significant gap in my resume. I'm not sure how to present my skills and experiences in a way that potential employers will find valuable. I'm considering taking some online courses to refresh my skills and maybe even volunteering to gain some recent experience. Any advice on how to effectively explain this gap during interviews or on my resume would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off from my first job today due to a major restructuring initiative that affected nearly 800 employees. As a recent graduate, this was my first role after college, and I feel completely lost and scared right now. I just moved into my own apartment and recently got a dog, which adds to my worries about finances and the job market, which seems daunting. I'm reaching out for advice on how to cope with this situation and what my next steps should be. I’ve been advised to check my expenses and trim anything unnecessary, and to consider staying in my current area if it increases my chances of finding a new job. I’ve also been reminded that my dog is important for my mental health, so I should only consider rehoming if absolutely necessary.

I recently completed my Master's degree but have been struggling to find a job in my field. In the meantime, I'm looking for any entry-level position to stay afloat. My work history primarily consists of internships I did during college, and I've focused on my education since I was 18. I'm contemplating leaving my Master's off my resume because I fear it might deter employers who think I won't stay long in a lower-level job. However, I'm unsure how to represent the four years I spent earning my Bachelor's degree. I want to be honest but also need to make myself appealing to potential employers. I’ve heard suggestions to apply for unarmed security jobs and to include my Bachelor's degree while omitting the Master's. I'm hoping to hear from others who might have faced a similar situation.

I’m a teenager in a tough spot trying to find a job. I’ve applied to so many places but keep getting rejected. With college starting soon, my schedule is getting tighter, especially since I have a lot of afternoon classes. Our financial situation isn’t great, and I really want to help out at home, but it feels impossible right now. Most local jobs are only hiring for night shifts, which doesn’t work for me at all. I’m feeling really frustrated and overwhelmed. Everyone around me is pressuring me to get a job, which just adds to my stress. I’m really hoping to find something in the morning hours, but it’s proving to be a challenge.

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I’m 23 years old and have applied to countless entry-level positions, but I rarely hear back from anyone — not even rejection letters. I've tried all sorts of advice that people have given me, like not including my degree on my resume, applying in person, and even changing how I present my work experience. Despite my efforts, I still feel stuck. Currently, I have an associate's degree in general studies science and I’m planning to pursue a bachelor's in engineering in spring 2027. Right now, I’m working part-time at a martial arts school, but it’s more of a volunteer role with minimal compensation, so I don’t usually list it as a job on my applications. My last actual job was at Chick-fil-A back in 2022, where I was terminated after less than six months. I’m available on weekends and holidays but can’t work nights. I’ve applied to some places multiple times, trying different strategies, but I still get no responses. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something fundamentally wrong with my approach or if I’m just not cut out for this. It’s disheartening not to even get a response after all this effort.

I have a group interview with a grocery store tomorrow, and I'm feeling really anxious about it. I'm 19 and have been trying to land a job since I was 16, so this opportunity means a lot to me. I plan to dress formally, but I know I need to do more to stand out. I'm wondering what kind of questions I should ask during the interview. My sister advised me to avoid questions about wages and benefits, which I think is sound advice. I’m considering asking about the work ethic at the store or how they handle busy times, especially at the deli counter. I want to show that I understand the challenges of the job and that I'm committed to being reliable. I also heard that asking about what a good first 30 days looks like for someone in this role could be a good way to demonstrate my interest. I'm really hoping to make a good impression.

Today, I finally submitted my resignation after 6 months of feeling completely miserable in my role as a Sourcing Specialist. From the very first month, I knew this job wasn't right for me. My boss is condescending, and I feel like I'm not learning anything valuable. I’ve been underpaid and overqualified for this position, which has only added to my frustration. I had my resignation letter drafted by the third month, but today I mustered the courage to send it off, even though I don’t have another job lined up. I’ve worked in Sourcing for over 2 years and was hoping to transition into finance, but this experience has left me feeling confused and stressed about my career path. I know staying in a job that makes me feel suffocated isn’t worth it, so I’m ready to figure things out on my own.

I recently completed several interviews as a New College Graduate (NCG) and have had some promising leads in my job search after struggling for about a year. I just finished technical interviews with two companies that have shown strong interest in me. Company 1 has moved me to the next step, which involves meeting with their HR manager. My interview with their senior manager went well, but we had some differences in expected starting salary. On the other hand, I had a fantastic experience interviewing with Company 2. I connected really well with their leadership during four separate interviews, and I felt that my background aligns perfectly with their needs. They mentioned that they still have a week of interviews to conduct and that the decision would likely come in the second week of August. If I receive an offer from Company 1, I plan to inform Company 2 about it, as they are my first choice. However, I need to be practical and not miss out on opportunities in my field, especially since I’m currently working a blue-collar job to make ends meet. Now, I’m wondering how much time I can reasonably ask from Company 1 to make my decision before they might rescind their offer and give Company 2 a chance to respond.