Planning

I have been a contractor software engineer for over two years, and I used to think I loved my job. However, after experiencing burnout last year when my team was downsized to just two of us, I realized things have changed. I recently took ten workdays off, the longest break I've ever had, hoping it would reignite my passion for work. Unfortunately, my first day back was a harsh reminder of how much I dislike my current role. Working from home has become draining, and I find myself frustrated by trivial problems and the immaturity of some colleagues. During my vacation, I traveled to national parks and discovered so much beauty in life, only to return to a job that feels unfulfilling. I dreaded going back to work, and it hurts to admit that this position is just not for me anymore. I love technology, but I need a job that challenges me and offers a structured environment. With my wife in school and unable to work, I need a stable job that provides a clear path to better pay. I'm feeling lost about what field to pursue next and would appreciate any advice on how to move forward.

I’ve decided to leave my current role and am actively pursuing leadership positions at two companies. My top choice is Company A, where I've been discussing the job description, my strategic approach, and compensation with two contacts for the past two months. Company B is my second choice, but I would accept their offer if it comes first. I've formally applied to both and gone through multiple interviews, feeling confident about receiving offers from each. Company B is preparing an offer that I expect by the end of this week or early next week, while Company A has been slower in their process. I have one last panel interview with Company A that was supposed to happen last week, but scheduling conflicts have pushed it back, and now it might not occur until after Labor Day. Given that Company B requires a decision within 72 hours, I’m trying to figure out how to encourage Company A to expedite their process without coming off as pushy.

Today, I’m feeling really overwhelmed with my job search. As a college student, I’ve been applying to jobs all summer, but I’m still struggling to find anything. I’ve sent out countless applications, but most places have been ghosting me. I’ve had a few interviews, but then I never hear back, and it turns out they weren’t even hiring. I’m just looking for a retail or fast food job—nothing too crazy—but I have years of experience since I’ve been working since I was 15. With school starting up again, I really need a job to help pay for my expenses. Unfortunately, I don’t qualify for FAFSA, and I feel like I’m running out of options. It’s frustrating because every time I follow up on my applications, they just tell me to check online and that they can’t provide any help. It honestly feels like I’m sending my applications into a void. I’m starting to feel really desperate and lost about what to do next.

I recently interviewed for a retail position at a store and received a rejection email from HR just yesterday. However, this morning, one of the interviewers reached out to inform me that I essentially got the job, but that some administrative processes are taking longer than expected. I'm a bit confused about the situation, as I suspect that the top candidate might have declined the offer, leading to my unexpected job offer after the rejection. I'm considering whether I should seek clarification about the rejection email in my response, but I'm worried that it might come off as rude or confrontational. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently applied for a part-time position at IKEA for a branch that won't open until December. It's been a while since I submitted my application, and I haven't heard anything back, while a friend of mine, who applied after me, has already been contacted and is now waiting for a job offer after her interview. This has left me feeling anxious about my own application status. My friend shared the contact number of the hiring manager who reached out to her, and I'm considering whether I should reach out to them for an update. I also have to admit that I don't fully meet the qualifications for the position I applied for, but I have some relevant experience from working in a call center for four months, which involved handling customer calls. I'm wondering if my background might still make me a viable candidate despite the qualifications mismatch.

I'm currently working as a cook in a late-night kitchen in a small town, and I'm juggling two jobs while dreaming of pursuing a career in academia as an anthropologist. My current job keeps me busy until late on weekdays and even longer on weekends, which makes it tough to manage my time. I received a call this morning about my dream job, but I'm unsure how to transition since I can't just leave my current position. The kitchen is understaffed, and my boss frequently changes my hours and days off, adding to my stress. I also pick up occasional shifts at a bookstore, but it's not enough to make ends meet. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation and make my dream a reality.

I've been on the job hunt for over 10 months now, and honestly, it's been a rough ride. The constant rejection, ghosting, and even scams have really taken a toll on my mental health. Watching my bank account dwindle each month is just as frustrating. But then again, having a job isn't exactly a walk in the park either. I've loathed every job I've ever had, whether it was in a restaurant, doing manual labor, or working in an office. They all felt like soul-sucking experiences, and I hated every minute of it. Sure, I was making some money, but it was only enough to scrape by—no extra funds for vacations or even new clothes in the last five years. It feels like a classic 'damned if you do, damned if you don't' situation. So, here I am, back to scouring job boards, preparing for more rejection. Yay me!

I recently started a new office job about six months ago, and while my boss is incredibly kind and allows me to work from home when I have migraines, I absolutely dread going to work every day. I feel constantly on edge and have been struggling with depression. I used to work in a high-intensity medical job, which I thought I hated, but now I realize I was just burnt out and needed a break. I still hold my license and have picked up a part-time per diem job on weekends, which pays significantly more and gives me the chance to further my education. I'm planning to put in my two weeks' notice, but today I'm really fighting the urge to just walk out. I've cried at work twice this week, and I just want my life back. I feel guilty about leaving my boss with loose ends because they've been so supportive. I know I need to focus on wrapping things up to make my exit as smooth as possible, but it's tough when I feel this way.

I was recently terminated from my position at a major bank due to absence concerns after taking approved FMLA leave. It's been almost four months since then, and I've been actively applying and interviewing for new roles, but I haven't had any luck landing a job. During interviews, when I'm asked about my previous employment, I've been honest about my termination. I didn't expect that the reason for my departure would impact my job search so negatively, especially since it wasn't related to any ethical issues. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation and improve my chances of getting hired.

I recently accepted an offer for my dream job, which I've been pursuing for quite some time. I'm beyond excited to leave my current position, which has been incredibly miserable. I work in a similar field, but my current job pays poorly, and I've had ongoing issues with a coworker who has disliked me since I started. My boss is also very controlling, and I've caught them gossiping about me when they think I'm not around. I've reached my limit and want to leave as soon as possible. The new job requires a background check, which I was told should only take a few days. However, I'm concerned about how to handle my notice period. My current contract states a two-week notice, but if the background check takes longer than expected, I might not be able to give that full notice and start my new job on time. I'm considering whether it's acceptable to give just one week's notice instead. Has anyone else faced this situation and managed to navigate it without burning bridges? I'm still in my probationary period, and honestly, the only reason I haven't been let go is that my boss is overwhelmed with work right now.

I got laid off today, which has been a tough experience for me. Along with 40 other colleagues, I lost my position as a Process/Project Engineer at my company. I'm currently based in the UAE and I'm feeling quite overwhelmed by the situation. I'm reaching out to my network for any help, referrals, or leads that could assist me in finding a new job. I'm actively seeking urgent opportunities and would greatly appreciate any support or connections. If anyone is willing to help, I can share my expertise and CV through direct message. Thank you in advance for any assistance!

I recently took a new job in television, moving from a graphic designer role in marketing where I worked for two years. The decision was primarily motivated by a significant salary increase of $10,000, along with better benefits like PTO and a 401K. My previous position had limited financial growth opportunities, and I thought the new role would enhance my resume. However, I'm starting to regret this choice. I remember the fast-paced environment of my first job out of college at a production studio, which was challenging for me due to my OCD. I managed to stick it out for two years until I was laid off, but it took a toll on my personal life. Now, I'm worried that returning to a high-pressure job will set back my progress in managing my mental health. I have a good relationship with my former boss, who mentioned she would reach out if there were any open salaried positions. I'm considering contacting her to see if there's a chance to return to my old role before it's filled. I feel torn between the financial benefits of my new job and my need for emotional stability. I know I should probably give it more time, but I'm anxious about closing the door on my previous job.

I was laid off from Oracle as an M3 back in March, just two days before I was scheduled for knee replacement surgery. After finally settling my severance, I reported it to the Texas Workforce Commission, as required. Oracle needed to confirm that my severance was a one-time payment, but they never responded to either my request for confirmation or my initial unemployment benefits application filed in April. As a result, the state cut off my benefits and even sent me a bill for $2500 to pay back what I had received. Now, Oracle is asking me to contact the state to change the contact address, but the state pulls this information from the employer's federal unemployment number, which is all electronic in Texas. Has anyone else experienced something similar in Texas or elsewhere? I would appreciate any feedback.

Today, I had an interesting experience during an interview for a project manager position at a tech company. When asked about a time I disagreed with a decision, I launched into my well-rehearsed answer, detailing the context and my calm disagreement, but halfway through, the interviewer interrupted me. He asked, "That's a good interview answer, but what actually happened?" This threw me off a bit. I ended up sharing the less polished version of the story, where I admitted that I hesitated to voice my concerns initially, got a bit frustrated, and had to apologize before presenting a revised suggestion. Surprisingly, this seemed to ease the tension in the room. The atmosphere shifted, and we ended up having a genuine conversation for the next twenty minutes, during which they showed me more about the role. I have a second interview scheduled for Thursday. Now I'm reflecting on whether my prepared stories are too sanitized and lack authenticity. How can I practice delivering concise yet genuine responses without losing the human element?

I recently started a new job at the end of April after getting let go from my previous position in March. The timing was stressful since my partner and I were in the process of buying a house and planning our wedding for next summer. I took this new job quickly because I needed stability, and initially, the company seemed excited about bringing me on board, which felt like a relief after my last experience. However, as the weeks went by, I realized that the role was not what I expected. The company is chaotic, and the turnover rate is alarmingly high. The leadership is hard to read, and I often feel uncertain about my performance. Some days I feel like I'm doing well, while other days I question everything I do. This situation has started to take a toll on my mental health. I find myself feeling irritated and overwhelmed, to the point where I've started attending therapy. I'm genuinely concerned about how this job is affecting me, but I'm also hesitant to leave so soon, especially since I'm new to my career and worry about how it might look on my resume. I'm at a crossroads, trying to decide whether to stick it out or start looking for something new while still holding onto this paycheck.

I was recently laid off from Visa during their mass layoffs in July. It was communicated to me that my compensation was significantly higher than what Visa typically offered for engineers at my experience level, which contributed to my being impacted as part of their restructuring efforts. I have over 4 years of experience as a software engineer, having worked at Visa and a mid-sized product-based startup. Currently, I'm based in Bangalore and I'm actively seeking my next opportunity. I'm looking for SDE-2 or equivalent backend roles, preferably in Bangalore or remote positions. My tech stack includes Java, Spring Boot, Python, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Redis, Kafka, Kubernetes, and AWS. My experience has primarily focused on scalable distributed backend systems and LLM applications, including RAG, guardrail, and large computer vision model inference pipelines. If anyone knows of any openings or could refer me to a hiring manager or team looking for SDE-2 backend roles, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm happy to share my resume over DM.

I have interviews lined up with Transworld on the 26th and TransUnion on the 27th. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I prepare for both opportunities. I'm hoping to connect with others who might be interviewing around the same time or have insights about these companies. Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I recently experienced a tough situation at my job at the YMCA in Florida, where I've been working part-time for a few months. I'm a 22-year-old woman with a BS in criminal justice and currently pursuing my master's degree. I started at the YMCA in late May and was making decent money at around $14.25 an hour with about 40 hours a week. However, now that summer has ended, they've drastically cut my hours. While I understand that scheduling can change, I can't help but notice that I'm the only employee getting significantly fewer hours—just 1 day and 4 hours last week, compared to my coworkers who are still getting 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week. This has me feeling like they might be trying to push me out. I've even talked to the scheduling manager about it, but I suspect she doesn't like me due to some issues with a coworker who's her friend. To make ends meet, I'm also working at my old job at Jimmy John's and have been applying for various entry-level positions and internships in criminal justice, but I haven't heard back from any of them yet. With tuition and bills piling up, I’m feeling increasingly anxious about my financial situation. I owe $830 for tuition each month and another $830 for my phone and car bills. Luckily, I live with my parents, so rent isn't a concern right now. I'm reaching out for advice on any high-paying part-time or full-time jobs suitable for someone with my background. I'm open to working two jobs if necessary, but I really need some guidance or leads to help me navigate this challenging time.

I recently left my office job after a year, and it was a mutual agreement, but honestly, I felt sort of fired. I hated every moment of it. I tried to push through, thinking that everyone has to deal with job dissatisfaction, but it was more than that for me. The constant emails, the confusing prioritization of tasks, the harsh office lights, and the lack of personal space were overwhelming. I found myself working late into the night just to catch up because I couldn’t get anything done during the day. I would isolate myself with headphones, listening to music and podcasts, but my co-workers would comment on my 'weird vibe.' I can't help but wonder if I might be on the spectrum because I thrive in other work environments, like giving music lessons or working with charities, but corporate settings just drain me. Now, with bills piling up, I’m in a tough spot. My freelance work isn’t enough to support my family, and I feel completely burned out. I need to find a job quickly, but I dread the thought of putting myself through another corporate office experience.

I was recently placed on a 90-day Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) after five years at a large government contractor. The main issues cited were my attention to detail and a perceived lack of proactivity during slower work periods. The PIP outlines specific expectations, such as improving accuracy, quality-checking my work, and better communication about my workload. I admit I got too comfortable in my remote, low-stress role, and now I’m regretting not pursuing other job opportunities that came my way. My manager is still involved, assigning me work and providing training, which makes me wonder if this PIP is a genuine chance for improvement or just a formality before termination. I’ve started applying and interviewing for new jobs, and I’m torn about where to focus my energy. Should I really try to meet the PIP goals, or should I prioritize my job search instead? I’m seeking advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or managed someone on a PIP. How did you allocate your efforts? Did you find success after completing a PIP? What are the signs that management actually wants you to succeed versus just documenting your performance for termination? I’ve learned that comfort doesn’t equal security, and thankfully, I don’t have any major personal responsibilities that would complicate my situation.