Planning

I had a virtual job interview scheduled for this morning at 10:20 AM. I logged on and waited for 40 minutes without any sign of the interviewer. After that, I called the company to check in, and they informed me that the manager was busy but could interview me now. I got back on, only to find that the manager was conducting another interview. They told me to return at 11:20 AM, which means I’ll be waiting for another hour. I'm starting to feel like this is a waste of my time because the whole situation seems quite unprofessional.

Today was a tough day. I was working at a company in Florida when I was called into the conference room and let go after just 1.5 hours on the job. Now, I'm trying to navigate the unemployment benefits process, but I'm stuck on the portal's 'Request Benefit Payment' section. It's asking for the number of hours I worked, but it doesn't allow for decimal entries. I’m worried about how to report my hours accurately because if I enter 1.5, it could lead to discrepancies in my pay, and I definitely don't want to end up in any legal trouble. I’ve seen some suggestions online about rounding up to 2 hours, which seems like the most sensible option to avoid complications. Just hoping to get this sorted out soon.

I've been working in a training capacity at my company, which is currently consolidating IT functions across the US. Each region previously had its own CIO, but now there's going to be just one CIO overseeing all regions. This change is part of a plan to reduce the workforce by 15%, and so far, they've already cut 6% this year. With around 7,000 employees, things have really slowed down as we await further announcements, which won't come until January 2027. I'm contemplating whether to ride it out for the severance package or start looking for other opportunities. I'm open to any advice on how to navigate this situation.

Today, I received an email from Centene about their Voluntary Separation Program (VSP). It seems like a lot of my colleagues, possibly around 95%, got the same notification. The email stated that I am "eligible" to apply for the program, which essentially means I can choose to be laid off—if I approve it. However, just because I'm eligible doesn't guarantee that my application will be accepted, which adds a layer of uncertainty. Everyone around me is feeling pretty distraught about this news, and it's hard to gauge the overall impact on our team and the company. I’m curious if the severance offers are consistent across the board. My package includes the standard 12 weeks of severance plus an additional 4 weeks, totaling 16 weeks, along with 4 months of COBRA coverage and 3 months of outplacement assistance. While I recognize that some companies offer nothing at all, this package feels pretty underwhelming given the seven years I've invested in my career here. I’ve seen comments from others who are also unsure about whether to take the offer or not. Some are worried about the direction the company is heading and how many people will actually be laid off. It's a tough situation, and I’m still weighing my options.

I'm a 22-year-old woman who recently moved to a big city in Florida after living in a small border town where I worked as a nanny for two years. The pay was great, but job options were limited. Since moving, I've been applying to jobs daily without any luck, so I've started petsitting to make some cash in the meantime. I'm currently on a break from college until the end of August and I'm eager to find work. I'm considering whether temp or staffing agencies might be a good option for someone like me, who has little job experience. I would love to hear about any positive experiences others have had with staffing agencies.

I've been on the job hunt for a part-time position in retail or food, and I'm currently 17 years old. I've had a few interviews, and while the interviewers seemed pleased with my responses, I never received a call back. I can't help but think my appearance is a factor. During my first interview, the guy actually laughed at me, and in the second one, the manager called over a coworker to gawk at me because they couldn't believe I was really 17. I'm quite short and skinny, with a baby face that makes me look much younger than I am—like a typical 13-year-old. This has been a source of frustration for me, especially since I have some prior work experience and feel confident in my interview skills. I'm reaching out for advice on how to present myself better in interviews and get employers to see past my youthful appearance. I want them to know that even though I might look young, I'm dedicated and capable of doing the job well. Any tips on how to dress or carry myself would be greatly appreciated!

I'm in my mid-20s and have been struggling to find a job due to my disabilities, which include autism and several physical issues. I often get overstimulated, have difficulty with social interactions, and face challenges like fainting and heat intolerance, especially since I live in a hot climate. I've applied for SSI but have been denied multiple times, which adds to my frustration. It feels like most job opportunities are either too physically demanding or require too much social interaction. I'm currently feeling hopeless about my situation. I'm considering reaching out to a lawyer for my SSI case, but I'm unsure if that's a viable path given the recent changes in requirements. I'm looking for any suggestions on jobs that might be a good fit for someone with my challenges.

I recently accepted a job offer as a Marketing Specialist at a tech company after successfully negotiating an increase of over $8,000 from their initial offer. I was thrilled because this company is actually my top choice. However, I'm still waiting to hear back from another company where I interviewed and I believe there’s a good chance they might extend an offer as well. Now that I’ve accepted the first offer, I’m wondering about my options if the second company comes back with a significantly higher compensation. I’m torn because I genuinely prefer the company I accepted the offer from, but I also want to make the best decision for my career and finances. I have a few questions: Is it acceptable to reach out to the first company about the possibility of adjusting my compensation if I receive a better offer? Given that they already increased my offer, would it be seen as inappropriate to ask for more? And for those in recruiting or hiring positions, how would you feel if a candidate approached you with this situation before their start date? Should I just commit to my accepted offer unless the new one is substantially better? I haven’t started yet, and I’m not trying to play companies against each other, but I’d appreciate any insights from recruiters or anyone who has faced a similar dilemma.

I'm currently working as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) and making about $53/hour, but I only average around 24 hours a week due to the small office I work in. I completed my A.S. in Science and Arts in 2016, followed by a BSc in Geology with an Environmental Concentration in 2018, along with minors in Biology and Humanities, plus a certificate in mapping software. My work experience includes a year in a Hydrogeology Laboratory, a year in a Histology Laboratory, a brief stint as a Construction Materials Technician, and a few months as an IT Analyst before I settled into my current role in dental hygiene. While I am somewhat comfortable with my salary, I’m frustrated with the lack of employer health insurance and paid time off, which is common in the dental industry. I’m not facing any major financial burdens right now, but I feel lost in terms of career direction. I’ve been contemplating a transition into a new field that offers a 40-hour work week, employer-provided health insurance, and a salary comparable to what I currently earn. I’ve thought about returning to the Environmental field, but I’ve heard it can be underpaid and often demands long hours. I also considered pursuing a role in chemistry lab work, but I faced challenges breaking into that area due to my educational background. I’m open to suggestions and would appreciate any guidance on potential career paths that align with my skills and interests.

I recently learned that my role will be eliminated in a few months at my current job. They've offered me a severance package that includes a retention bonus, which I believe is tied to my unique responsibilities and knowledge that others may not possess yet. I'm curious if anyone has had success negotiating severance packages in similar situations. There is a policy outlining how severance is calculated, but it seems like the leadership made some decisions on the fly, especially regarding the end date. From a personal standpoint, I think staying until the proposed end date would negatively impact my mental health, so I would like to negotiate for an earlier departure or a better retention bonus if I do stay. Given the current job market, I would have likely quit already if things were different. This isn't my first layoff, but for some reason, this one feels particularly challenging. I'm open to any insights or experiences others might have.

I recently went through a layoff at my second company, where I was asked to resign voluntarily. After submitting my resignation, I received a severance package. I then moved on to a third company and am now preparing to join a new one. My main concern is whether my second company will indicate that I was laid off during the background verification process for my new job. I have all the necessary documents, including experience letters and relieving letters, but I'm anxious about how this might affect my background check. I’ve heard that if I resigned instead of being terminated, it might not come up unless someone specifically mentions it. I'm hoping for the best!

I was recently let go from my job after 2.5 years in a position that I thought I was performing well in. The termination came as a shock, especially since it happened right after I returned from my first month of paternity leave. I received a notice on Teams stating that I was being fired for "poor performance" following a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) that felt completely fabricated. The timing was incredibly frustrating; my manager and HR had been discussing the PIP with me for weeks, but they chose to finalize everything just hours before I was heading to the hospital for the birth of my child. I can't help but wonder if my manager's decision was influenced by my upcoming paternity leave. I understand that corporate environments can be ruthless, and I didn't expect much empathy from my manager, but it still feels unfair. I'm left questioning whether there's a legal basis for a case against them, or if I'm just being overly sensitive. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I'm considering my options, including the possibility of legal action, but I’m also worried about how to support my family financially in the meantime.

I recently quit my job at McDonald's after working there for about four months. I was a reliable employee, only late once and never missed a day or received any write-ups. Unfortunately, I had to leave suddenly due to personal issues at home, and I didn't have the chance to give notice. Now, I'm trying to apply for new jobs, but I'm feeling really anxious about my resume. Most applications ask for prior experience, and I'm torn about whether to include my time at McDonald's. On one hand, I worry that it might hurt my chances of getting hired, but on the other hand, not including it feels dishonest. I just want to make the right choice as I start my job search.

I was terminated in November and have been job hunting since then, but unfortunately, I've had zero success. This is my last month of unemployment, and I'm feeling the pressure as I have no idea how to keep my lights on. I thought my management experience would make it easier to find a job, but I've been applying to everything possible, and the only roles I'm not getting rejected from are manual labor positions, which I can't do due to a terrible ankle injury. I even reached out to a staffing agency, but that didn't yield any results either. I'm really looking for advice on how to make myself more hirable in this tough job market.

I’m a 25-year-old electronics engineer currently living in Amsterdam after moving from Sydney about a year ago. I've spent the last six months searching for a job and recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma. I verbally accepted a job offer from a semiconductor security startup here in Amsterdam, with a salary of €60k plus the 30% expat tax ruling. My contract is set to start in a few weeks, but I haven’t signed anything yet. Amsterdam has been a fantastic city to explore; it’s compact, bikeable, and generally easy to live in. I’ve been enjoying my time here, but I can’t help but wonder if I’m just in the honeymoon phase of living in a new city. I’m concerned about how it would feel to live and work here long-term, especially since I don’t speak Dutch. I’m holding off on signing because I’m expecting an offer from a medtech startup in London tomorrow. Living in London would be about £400 a month more expensive, so I would need a salary of around £55k just to break even. My conversations with the London company lead me to believe they might meet that figure. I also have friends in London, which is appealing, but I’ve been trying to push myself out of my comfort zone during this trip. However, I know that day-to-day life in London can be more challenging compared to Amsterdam, especially when it comes to getting around. On the visa front, London offers more flexibility, whereas in Amsterdam I would be tied to one employer. If London meets my salary expectations, I think I would prefer to take that offer, but I feel guilty since I’ve already said yes to the Amsterdam position and they’ve been supportive throughout the process. I’m grappling with two questions: Is it really that bad to back out before signing the contract? And which job would you choose?

I have an interview scheduled for Wednesday for a Personal Assistant to Partner position at an accountancy firm. I'm feeling pretty confident but would appreciate insights from anyone currently working as a PA, Executive Assistant, Secretary, or in the accountancy/professional services sector. I'm curious about what a typical day looks like in those roles, what skills are most important when supporting a partner or senior leader, and any common interview questions I should prepare for. In my current role, I handle calls, take detailed notes, conduct workplace training, process debts, and liaise with both internal billing teams and external debt collection agencies. I'm especially interested in which of these skills are transferable to the new position. Any advice or insights you have, especially things you wish you had known before starting in a similar role, would be really helpful. Thanks in advance!

I'm feeling really frustrated with my job search lately. I've been applying to positions that are advertised as being in high demand, yet I keep getting rejected. It makes me question my qualifications and whether my resume is effective. I have experience in my field, but it seems like I'm not standing out to employers. I'm trying to understand what I'm doing wrong and how I can improve my chances of landing a job.

I recently found myself in a frustrating situation after starting a job as a Social Media Manager. I'm a 23-year-old male from Africa, with an Associate degree in Computer Science and a certification in Data Science and Analytics that I completed in late 2024. After being jobless until May, I accepted a position with a starting salary of $200, which is typical in my country. Initially, my role was to manage social media posts, update website products and prices, and handle sales calls. However, my responsibilities quickly expanded beyond what I signed up for. I ended up doing sales, managing IT tasks, handling databases, and even supervising technicians on-site. Feeling overwhelmed, I approached my manager to discuss a salary increase due to the increased workload, but instead of a constructive conversation, I was met with shouting. This has left me feeling incredibly frustrated and considering handing in my resignation. I've been applying for various positions in both blue and white-collar sectors, but the thought of leaving this job without having another lined up is daunting, especially given the current economic climate. My mental health is suffering; I've lost 8 kg in the last six months, and my social life is almost non-existent. At this point, I'd rather work as a farmhand in an Italian grape yard than continue in this stressful environment. I'm really torn about what to do next and would appreciate any advice.

I recently cleared my minicase for a Business Analyst position at Capital One, and I'm currently waiting for the rescheduled date for my powerday interview. It was originally set for the third week of June, but I received an email saying the interviewer wasn't available. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights or experiences to share regarding the powerday process for roles like Business Analyst, Business Manager, Product Manager, or Data Analyst. Any tips or resources would be incredibly valuable as I prepare for what I know will be a challenging interview. I promise to share my own experiences and cases after the interview!

I'm currently exploring job opportunities as I'm feeling a bit lost in my career path. At 20 years old, I haven't had my first job yet, but I'm eager to change that. My cousin's boyfriend is a district manager at a retail company, and I've seen him a handful of times over the past year and a half. I'm considering reaching out to him to ask if there are any job openings or to get some insights about working there. However, I'm unsure if it would be appropriate to ask him directly since we don't know each other well. I'm thinking about asking my cousin first if she thinks it would be weird or if I should just go ahead and ask him.