Planning

I’m a 33-year-old female who has been working at my current company for the past 5 months. Unfortunately, my experience has been quite tumultuous. I've faced serious issues, including sexual harassment, which I reported to the owner and HR, but nothing was done about it despite having footage. I was then transferred to a new location where another manager exhibited aggressive behavior, verbally and physically assaulting staff. I brought this to the owner's attention as well, but he initially hesitated to take action, showing sympathy for the manager who was close to retirement. It took the involvement of higher-ups and the support of a few other managers to finally get him terminated. Now, we have a third new General Manager at the new location being built, and his attitude has changed dramatically. He’s expressed his dislike for closing shifts, which is a requirement in our line of work, and has received complaints from staff. I brought these concerns to the owner again, and after I mentioned that I was putting in my one-week notice, he suddenly offered me a raise and the option to move to another location or stay where I am, which is only a temporary setup. He insists that I’m too valuable to lose and wants to know what it would take to keep me. I’m really torn about this decision. While the prospect of more money is appealing, I feel like serious issues are consistently ignored and swept under the rug. I'm not sure if staying is the right choice.

I was wrongfully terminated back in March and filed for unemployment, successfully receiving the first week. However, my account was locked for fraud because my social security card didn’t match my married name. After updating my card and uploading it, I filed claims for two more weeks but didn’t get paid due to the ongoing fraud flag. I assumed those weeks went through, but my account was eventually closed due to inactivity. When I called to resolve the issue, I was told I couldn’t open a new claim with the fraud flag still on my account and was advised to wait until it was cleared to file weekly claims. They mentioned that it was likely still locked due to an appeal decision, which I won in June, but my account remained locked. In person, I brought my social security card to ensure it was uploaded correctly, hoping it would unlock my account so I could claim those past weeks. Fast forward to now, October, and my account was finally unlocked at the end of last month. When I called to input my weeks retroactively, I was told by a supervisor that it wasn’t possible, despite my explanation of the situation. We went back in person, but they said it had been too long and without proof, there wasn’t much they could do. I only have a screenshot showing my account was inactive and proof of my job applications. I’m feeling overwhelmed and anxious about this whole situation. It’s been a significant stressor in my relationship since we really need the money. I’m reaching out for advice on what steps I can take next to get paid. Are we just out of luck, or is there something I can do?

I recently found myself in a challenging situation after accepting an internal promotion at my company, where I've been working for less than a year in an operations role. I enjoyed the fast-paced environment and the variety of tasks, but after a few months in my new position, I started feeling burnt out. The training I was promised has been delayed, and I've been left to study independently without much support. Additionally, my relationship with my new supervisor isn't great, and the office atmosphere feels isolating. I often find myself eating lunch alone, which is a stark contrast to my previous role. Given these circumstances, I've applied for a retail operations/logistics coordination role at an apparel company that I admire. The job responsibilities align closely with what I enjoyed in my previous position, and the compensation is better. I have an initial interview with HR soon, and I'm concerned about how to explain my desire to leave so soon after my promotion. I'm wondering if HR professionals would see this as a red flag or if they would appreciate my honesty about the mismatch. I want to convey my reasons without badmouthing my current employer or appearing to give up when faced with challenges. Any insights from those who conduct interviews would be greatly appreciated.

I have a long history in the tech industry, but after surviving multiple layoffs, I had to take some time off for personal health reasons. When I was ready to get back to work, I took a minimum wage job to help me get moving again while I figured out my next steps. I thought this would be a good way to ease back into things, but I now realize that it might not look great on my resume. I was in a fog mentally and needed something mindless to do, which is why I chose this path. Now that I'm back to feeling more like myself, I'm worried about how this unskilled job will affect my career continuity and my chances of getting past applicant tracking systems (ATS). I'm looking for advice on how to move forward from here.

I recently made a risky career switch from my stable job as a marketing coordinator at a well-known company to a role in tech sales. I was excited about the potential for growth and higher earnings, but now I find myself regretting the decision. The learning curve has been steep, and I’m struggling to keep up with the fast-paced environment. I feel out of place and unsure about my future in this field. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has advice on how to navigate this situation and possibly transition back to a role more aligned with my skills and experience.

I recently graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree and have been working for a Fortune 200 company for about 16 months. My role involves building controls and PLC programming, and while I did two internships with them, I'm starting to feel burnt out from the constant travel and lack of passion for HVAC work. I just received a job offer from a new company that specializes in building drones for the military, which sounds exciting. The salary increase from $80k to $95k is appealing, but I also make some extra money from overtime at my current job. Plus, I have a company-provided Tesla that I love, which I can buy out for around $30k-35k. The new role would mean a much shorter commute and potentially more enjoyable work, but I'm weighing all these factors carefully. I’m seeking advice since this is my first significant career decision.

I've been unemployed for almost 10 months now, and it's been a tough journey. I moved to this country as a last resort, hoping to find better opportunities, but I've only managed to land a few interviews without any success. The pressure from my family to find a job is mounting, and I've started preparing my documents to return to my old job at a wiring harness factory. I spent three years there, but I remember why I left: the long 12-hour workdays and a grueling 55km (about 33 miles) commute each way. The pay isn't great, and I feel the strain of waking up at 3 AM just to catch the company's bus. While I need an income, I feel rushed to accept this job without considering my well-being. I would prefer to find something, even if it's low-paying, that doesn't involve such a harsh commute or hard labor. I'm looking for any insights or advice on how to navigate this situation.

I recently received a job offer from a new company, but I'm facing a dilemma regarding my start date. During the interview, I mentioned that I could potentially start ASAP, but I also expressed my preference for a two-week notice period at my current job. After I was offered the position, I tried to clarify that I would like to honor my current employer by giving them two weeks' notice. However, the HR representative from the new company responded by threatening to rescind the offer if I didn't start immediately. This situation feels really uncomfortable, especially since my current employer has treated me well, and I don't want to burn any bridges. I'm now questioning how serious of a red flag this behavior is from the new company. It seems unprofessional to me, and I’m starting to wonder if I made a mistake by indicating my availability too early. I’m considering reaching out to the hiring manager to clarify my stance and ensure that my current employer is respected.

I’m currently facing a tough situation as I prepare for an interview tomorrow. I’ve been out of the traditional job market for a while, having spent the last 10 years at a small company that recently closed down after my boss retired and the CEO left. Since then, I’ve only worked at a few small places, including a church where the pastor has moved across the country and the staff were often at odds, leading me to resign. Now, I’m in a bind because the job I’m applying for requires three professional references, and I genuinely don’t have anyone to provide. Most of my previous colleagues have retired or relocated, and my last job in security was challenging, especially as a woman in that field. I feel stuck because I know my qualifications should speak for themselves, but the lack of references is a significant hurdle. I’m considering reaching out to friends to pose as references, but I know that could backfire. I’ve thought about explaining my situation to HR, mentioning that my previous company is no longer in operation and that my last supervisor has moved away. I’m hoping they might accept alternative references or understand my unique circumstances. I just need some advice on how to navigate this without compromising my integrity.

I am currently navigating my job search after being informed by my employer, **P**, that he will be retiring and closing his law firm at the end of 2026. I have spent the last ten years as a legal assistant and office administrator for him, and prior to that, I worked for another sole practitioner, **B**, who moved his practice to **P**. My career in the legal field spans nearly thirty years, starting as a senior bilingual paralegal's assistant and progressing through various roles, including bilingual legal assistant and office management. I've been fortunate to work with three great lawyers who have mentored me, but now I find myself feeling overwhelmed and discouraged as I enter the job market for the first time since 1996. At 55, I am concerned about age discrimination and the challenges of the modern job search, including AI resume screenings and the expectation of multiple interviews for even entry-level positions. Networking has never been my strong suit, and the job application processes I’ve encountered seem overly complicated and micromanaged, which is frustrating given my extensive experience. I’m reaching out for advice and any insights on how to approach this daunting task. Any honest feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently looking to transition into remote Healthcare Business/Data Analyst roles. I have a background in cybersecurity and health tech, but I'm finding it challenging to get responses from hospital systems like Sentara. I'm reaching out to see if anyone knows of companies that are actively hiring in this space. Also, I'm curious if obtaining an Epic certification is necessary for these positions. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I spent some time helping my husband with his job search. He’s a senior-level operations professional, and we've been at it for months without much luck. I’ve been wondering if part of the issue could be that he hasn’t been calling hiring managers after applying for positions. I’ve always been told that calling isn’t appropriate anymore, but lately, I’ve seen some recruiters mention that they actually appreciate those calls. I’m curious if anyone here has had success with calling hiring managers after submitting an application. I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to improve his chances. Just to clarify, I’m the one looking into this for him; he won’t be the one making the calls. I’ve seen mixed opinions on this topic. Some people argue that calling can be intrusive and might even hurt an applicant's chances. Others suggest that following up with an email could be a better approach. I’m trying to navigate this landscape and figure out the best way to support him.

I have a job interview tomorrow at Burger King for a temporary position that will last about three months. I'm curious to hear about others' experiences working there. I've seen mixed feedback, but since it's only for a short time, I'm hoping it will be manageable. Given the current job market, I feel like I might not have many options, so I just want to know if anyone thinks it's worth it.

I’ve been working at a gas station that also serves fast food for about two months now, and it's been a rough experience. The job itself isn't difficult, but the company policies and my coworkers are making it unbearable. Most of my colleagues are consistently rude, and it feels like I'm constantly being criticized for every little thing I do. This happens even in front of customers, which is incredibly embarrassing. I tried addressing these issues with management, but they haven't taken any action and seem to side with my rude coworkers instead. Recently, I got in trouble for attendance despite having medical excuses for being sick. The stress from this job is really affecting my mental health; I've had to increase my anxiety medication because of it. I'm seriously considering looking for a new job, but I'm torn about whether I should quit outright or give a two-week notice. I do have some savings, but I'm unsure of the best way to handle this situation.

I've been on a job search recently and have been inundated with random phone calls, most of which turn out to be scams. It's frustrating because I can't distinguish which calls are legitimate and which ones I should ignore. I reached out to the community to ask if I should expect voicemails from companies calling about interviews. The consensus seems to be that most recruiters will leave a voicemail with their contact information if they can't reach me directly. Some also mentioned that they prefer to send an email first to schedule a call, which makes sense given the current spam situation. It's definitely a challenge navigating through all the noise while trying to find a real opportunity.

I've been working at my current company for 4 years in a role where I've consistently exceeded expectations. Despite my manager advocating for my promotion to the leadership team, I've faced repeated pushbacks with vague reasons. They keep saying they want to wait for new salary bands and other team changes before promoting me, even though others have been promoted during this time. My manager has even gone to HR, who agrees I should be promoted, but leadership seems unresponsive and possibly indifferent to my situation. Recently, my manager mentioned a competitor that had reached out to him about a role, and I jokingly mentioned another company that had contacted me. This seemed to alarm leadership, and I worry they think I'm looking to leave, even though I've not pursued any offers. I took a bereavement day recently, and I found it inappropriate that my manager's boss questioned whether I was interviewing during that time. It feels like they are scrutinizing my time off, even when it's legitimate. Additionally, I've noticed my manager's boss scheduling meetings during my blocked time for appointments, which makes me feel like they are trying to undermine my commitments. They have suggested additional projects and paying for my continuing education, but I feel overwhelmed with my current workload and don't think this is the right approach to keep me engaged. It's confusing because part of me thinks they might want to keep me until I train someone else, yet they haven't formally assigned me to do that. I've been interviewing outside of work hours, but I don't think they are aware of it. I genuinely enjoy my job and my team, but the lack of a clear career path and the mixed messages I'm receiving from leadership are disheartening. I love what I do, but I feel like I'm being pushed to explore other opportunities.

I recently found myself contemplating a job at Walgreens as I'm looking for something simpler. I have an associate's degree in network engineering, but I realized after graduation that it wasn't the right path for me. I've had various roles involving internet and networking, but I never really used the skills I learned in college. My last position involved installing networking equipment and running lines for businesses, which I enjoyed, but it was too physically demanding due to a heart condition I have. I was actually relieved when I got fired from that job. For the past few months, I've been focusing on my mental health, as I have bipolar disorder. Now that I'm feeling better, I've decided I want a less complicated job. I remembered my time working at CVS before college, where I enjoyed the simplicity of the work, the lack of physical strain, and the camaraderie with coworkers. I'm considering applying for a photo specialist position at Walgreens, aiming for a part-time role of three days a week. I don't see this as a step down; rather, I value a good work/life balance and a healthy mental state. However, I'm concerned about how to explain my desire for a simpler job during interviews, especially since I have a background that might seem overqualified for this role. I've heard that candidates who appear overqualified can be overlooked because employers think they're just settling for something while searching for better opportunities.

I recently started a part-time job at a franchise eye care office about a month ago, and my first day was two weeks ago. I’m a 20-year-old female and my schedule has been a bit concerning. Since I have classes, I can only work half shifts, and my manager was supposed to manage my schedule accordingly. However, after my first week, I noticed I wasn’t scheduled for the following week and had to ask my manager to put me on the schedule. Now, as the new week starts, I keep checking our scheduling app, but I still haven’t been scheduled at all. I was trained for two positions, so I’m confused about why it’s so hard to get me scheduled. In my previous job, schedules were released three weeks in advance, and I realize now how much I took that for granted. I don’t want to keep bothering my manager about getting scheduled, but it feels like it should be their responsibility to include me. As a new hire, this experience is making me feel less welcomed than I expected. I’m considering looking for a different job, ideally at a smaller private practice that aligns more with my values. I’ve learned the basics here, and I’ve even had a few other places reach out for interviews.

I'm currently working as a shift manager at a large company, earning $68,000 a year. While it seems like decent money, the reality is that I often work 45 to 60 hours a week, and the stress has become overwhelming. I'm the only manager in my department, which means all the responsibility falls on me, and if something goes wrong, I'm the one who gets blamed. Recently, the management situation at my company has deteriorated, with five supervisors let go in the past two weeks and others resigning. To make matters worse, I'm on a final write-up for performance issues, which has left me feeling insecure about my job stability. I've been offered a new position at another company that pays $26 an hour. It's an hourly job, and while it pays less, I would have the chance to work overtime and, importantly, I would actually be allowed to take breaks—something I can't do in my current salaried role. The main thing holding me back is the financial aspect. I have bills to pay, including a hefty student loan payment of $905 a month, and I'm trying to get ahead financially. However, I'm also exhausted and worried about the long-term sustainability of my current job, especially since I'm the last manager standing in my department. I'm torn between sticking it out for the salary and the perceived stability, or making the leap to a potentially less stressful job that would allow me more time and energy for my studies. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who's faced a similar decision—would you take the lower-paying job for a better work-life balance, or stay at the higher-paying job and hope for improvement?

I’m in my early thirties and currently facing a career crisis after spending over a decade in journalism, editorial, and digital media. I had a successful stint at a major tech company where I led a team and felt proud of my contributions, all without a degree. However, now that I’m unemployed, I can’t shake the feeling that my lack of formal education might hinder my future job prospects. Originally from the Middle East, I’m contemplating my future here, especially with the geopolitical climate and the possibility of needing to relocate. As I explore international job opportunities and immigration pathways, I worry that not having a degree could limit my chances before I even get to showcase my abilities. It’s frustrating because I know I have the skills and experience to excel in my field. I was even offered a spot for a Master’s program in the UK based solely on my professional background, yet I still lack that crucial degree that seems to hold so much weight in hiring decisions. Now, I’m considering whether going back to school is the right move. Is it worth the time and financial investment at this point in my life? Will it genuinely enhance my career prospects, or am I just reacting to the uncertainty I’m feeling? On top of this, I’m dealing with the grief of losing a parent, which adds to the pressure of finding my footing again. I’m not looking for platitudes about how degrees don’t matter; I want real advice from those who have faced similar challenges. If you’ve built a career without a degree, did it ever become a barrier for you? Did you choose to go back to university later in life? And for those who have relocated internationally without a bachelor’s degree, how challenging was it to secure employment and obtain a visa? I’d really appreciate any insights as I navigate these tough decisions about my future.