Planning

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 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 graduated in the Summer of 2024 with a first-class honors degree in Software Engineering from a reputable UK university. However, it's been nearly two years since graduation, and I'm still struggling to find a job. I have no prior work experience, not even an internship or placement, which has made my job search particularly challenging. I've applied to over 1,000 positions across various fields, including software engineering, office roles, and even retail jobs, but I've had little success. I've managed to secure 5-10 interviews, with one notable experience where I reached the second stage of the interview process for a position at a large betting company, but ultimately, that didn't lead to a job. Currently, I'm on Universal Credit and participating in the Restart program, which has been helpful in providing job leads, but nothing has materialized yet. It's been a demoralizing journey, and I often feel like a failure for not having achieved anything in these past two years. I've tried to keep my skills sharp by working on personal projects, but my motivation has been inconsistent lately. I'm reaching out for advice—has anyone else faced a similar situation, and how did you eventually find success?

I recently received a job offer for a marketing position at a tech startup, and I'm really excited about it. However, I have an interview scheduled for a different role at another company next week. I'm torn about whether I should cancel the interview since I've already accepted the offer. I reached out to some friends for advice, and they strongly suggested that I shouldn't cancel the interview. They mentioned that it's a huge mistake because the new company could potentially rescind the offer before my start date. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the whole situation and trying to figure out the best course of action.

I recently graduated and started working as a junior solutions consultant at a start-up. Initially, I viewed this role as a backup while applying for graduate positions at larger companies. After facing multiple rejections, I accepted the offer from the start-up, which pays well and has allowed me to engage with clients on various projects. However, I just received an offer for a six-month internship at a well-known company. The catch is that there's no guarantee of a full-time position after the internship. I'm torn between staying at my current job, where I'm gaining valuable experience, and pursuing the internship, which could open doors but also comes with uncertainty. Should I continue applying for other entry-level jobs while staying put, or take the leap into the internship?

I recently took some time to review my job applications and realized I had a significant number of companies that never got back to me. It's frustrating because they haven't rejected me or invited me for interviews; they just left me hanging for months. To manage this chaos, I started using eztrackr to keep track of my applications. It was eye-opening to see how many jobs I had forgotten I even applied for. This experience has taught me that one of the toughest aspects of job hunting isn't the interviews or the rejections, but rather the endless waiting and uncertainty. You send out applications, move on to the next opportunity, and then a few weeks later, you can't even remember if a company has ghosted you or if they're still in the decision-making process. I wonder if others also end up with a large stack of pending applications like I do.

I’m currently on the hunt for a job in the UK, and honestly, I’m feeling a bit lost. I’ve tried using sites like Indeed, but they haven’t been very helpful for me. I’m reaching out for advice because I really want to improve my job search strategy. I’m not sure what specific steps to take or how to make my applications stand out. Any tips or resources would be greatly appreciated!

I am a 31-year-old professional who has been with my current employer for just under two years. This role was a long-awaited opportunity for me, as I had applied multiple times before finally being hired. The company offered me a higher salary and better benefits compared to other positions I had considered. Initially, I received positive feedback, being told I was a quick learner and impressive. My supervisor and her manager even suggested that I might consider a supervisory role in the future. However, the workload has been overwhelming, and I’m not the only one feeling this way; my coworkers have expressed similar concerns in surveys. I recently went through a tough semester that heightened my anxiety, leading me to seek psychiatric help and take three months off on unpaid FMLA. After returning, I received a negative performance evaluation, which affected my confidence. It felt like management was more focused on correcting my work than before. Just a month after my return, my supervisor scheduled an unexpected check-in and indicated that my current pace could lead me back to the overwhelming feelings I had before. She acknowledged that the organization is undergoing significant changes, which has made it harder for everyone to adapt. I explained that I prioritize accuracy, which sometimes slows me down, and she reassured me of my capabilities, suggesting that I might just be overthinking things. She even offered to set up a meeting with HR to discuss possible accommodations if I needed them. I asked to leave early on Friday to gather my thoughts, and I’ve been feeling anxious about my situation all weekend. I genuinely enjoy my job, the students, and the workplace culture, but I’m starting to question if this role is the right fit for me given the recent challenges.

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've been struggling to find a decent job for about a year now. Currently, I work as a server, but I'm looking for advice on how to improve my job prospects. I'm open to suggestions on certifications that could help me stand out in the job market. My interests are pretty broad at this point, so I'm not picky about the field. I'm just eager to learn and improve my skills. If anyone has ideas on certifications I should consider, whether they are remote or in-person, I would really appreciate it. I'm also open to any general advice based on my situation.

I recently applied for a role at a small company with about 300 employees. After going through three interviews, I was informed three weeks later that I didn't get the position I originally applied for. However, the hiring team believes my background might be a better fit for a different role, specifically a managerial position. I'm intrigued by this opportunity, even though it's slightly different from my usual work. The recruiter has suggested that I meet with the manager for a chat, and I'm feeling optimistic about the potential to excel in this new role. Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I’ve been struggling to write my CV lately and have tried several online services, but they all seem to require credit card information for trials. One service even charged me 20 euros, which turned out to be a scam, forcing me to cancel my credit card and get a new one. I ended up using a tool from a GitHub repo to download my resume, but I’m still looking for reputable CV makers that don’t have a subscription model. I’m also feeling frustrated with the job market; no matter how much I tweak my resume, prepare for interviews, or work on projects, something always seems to derail the process. I’ve heard from others that keeping a master CV and just adjusting the summary and bullet points for each application might be a better approach, but I’m still unsure if I should just write my CV from scratch instead. I’m considering joining the /r/jobs Discord for feedback, as I know I need to take the initiative to improve my resume myself.

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 landed a mid-level data analyst position at a logistics firm after an intense five-month job search. Since January, I had sent out nearly 400 applications and tailored my resume countless times, only to face a barrage of automated rejections and silence from employers. Feeling defeated, I decided to take a break from the monotonous 'Easy Apply' process and instead focused on engaging with technical content on LinkedIn. While browsing, I came across an insightful thread by a senior manager discussing her team's approach to solving a dashboard lag issue. Intrigued, I left a detailed comment with a specific question about their data pipelines. To my surprise, she responded quickly, and we ended up having a great conversation that shifted to direct messages. During our chat, she mentioned her department was looking for a new analyst and encouraged me to send my resume directly to her, bypassing the external job board. I sent my resume, and we had a casual 30-minute video call to discuss my portfolio. A few days later, I met with two of her team members. The interview process was refreshingly straightforward—no coding tests or tricky psychological questions—just a genuine conversation about my approach to data. This morning, I received the official offer, which includes a compensation package 10% higher than what I was aiming for on the job boards. It’s incredible how a simple connection over shared interests can lead to such a significant opportunity. For anyone feeling lost in the application process, I highly recommend stepping back and engaging with professionals in your field. It truly makes a difference.

I’ve been applying for jobs non-stop, but I feel like I’m stuck in a loop. I’ve never had a formal job before, only over 10 years of volunteer work, and I’m not sure if that counts as real experience. My resume is pretty bare aside from some basic homemaker skills and a bit of technical knowledge. Going back to school isn’t an option for me right now because of my student loans, and I’m starting to worry that I’ll be in debt forever. I’ve been told that I need to network with people in industries where my skills might transfer, but I’m not sure how to start. Some advice I’ve received suggests I might need to take a low-skill job, like in a restaurant, to begin building a work history. It’s frustrating to think that being 30 and having no work history could be such a huge red flag for employers. I know I need to show my willingness to work, but it feels like a long road ahead.

I took a week off from job applications, and it was a game changer for my mental health. After five months of relentless searching, I was feeling completely burnt out. I had created a detailed system with spreadsheets, tailored resumes, and cover letters, but every day felt like I was just going through the motions. I would wake up, check job postings before getting out of bed, and spend hours applying, only to receive silence or automated rejection emails. The stress was overwhelming, and I dreaded seeing phrases like 'exciting opportunity.' So, I decided to stop for seven days. I avoided job boards, LinkedIn, and application portals. At first, I felt guilty, thinking I was wasting time, but gradually, I started to feel like myself again. I slept better, cooked meals, and even enjoyed some fresh air without the nagging thought of job applications. While my job situation is still unresolved, this break helped me realize how consuming the job hunt had become. I wish more people understood how applying for jobs can turn into a full-time job filled with anxiety.

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 have my first interview tomorrow at Ross, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Since this is my first interview ever, I’m unsure what to expect in terms of questions or the overall process. I’m trying to stay calm and confident, but I could really use some advice or tips from anyone who has experience with interviews, especially at Ross. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found myself out of work after the school year ended at the school bus company where I worked from October 2025 to June 2026. I filed for unemployment right after the school year finished, but I received a finding stating that my unemployment benefits are zero. After doing some research, I learned that I'm ineligible for unemployment based on the standard base period. However, I can request a redetermination using the alternate base period, which requires me to upload my check stubs to show that I earned enough during that time. It's been almost two weeks, and I haven't heard from anyone regarding the redetermination process. I'm unsure if I should wait for them to reach out, call them myself, or even file an appeal. I'm feeling a bit lost and could use some guidance on the next steps.