Planning

I was recently fired from my job in California just before the end of my 90-day probation period. My boss, who was new to her position, was very temperamental and made my work environment quite toxic. Despite having a lot of experience and trying my best to support her, she seemed to deliberately undermine me. She excluded me from important emails and meetings, and I felt like she was sabotaging my reputation. I received two performance evaluations during my probation, both praising my work, but unfortunately, I didn't keep those documents. After I was terminated, I filed for unemployment and was initially approved without any issues. However, about three weeks ago, I received a letter from the Employment Development Department (EDD) stating that my former employer was disputing my unemployment claim, claiming I didn’t do my job as instructed and that they were downsizing. EDD determined these reasons were insufficient to deny my benefits. Just last week, I got another letter saying my former employer is filing another claim against EDD’s decision. I'm really worried because my former boss has shown herself to be vindictive and dishonest. I fear she might fabricate stories to make me look unfit for unemployment benefits, which I desperately need since I haven't found another job yet. Now, I'm waiting for a hearing date and I’m unsure what to expect. Will I be in a room with her and a judge? I have no proof to defend myself since I discarded those performance evaluations. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation and whether she can be held accountable for her actions.

I currently work at a vape shop in Michigan and have been facing numerous issues related to my job. I have endometriosis, which I disclosed during the hiring process. Due to this condition, I've had to call in sick multiple times for medical appointments and even a miscarriage, all of which I have documentation for. Initially, my employer was understanding, but recently when I called in for a non-medical reason, they demanded a doctor's note. Since I couldn't provide one, they transferred me to a different location with significantly lower commission, cutting my hours in half. When I arrived at the new store, I discovered a serious cockroach infestation. There were dead roaches everywhere, including in the food stock and fridge. I documented everything with pictures and had to throw away food I had purchased. Thankfully, I was moved back to my original store, but I felt it necessary to inform my bosses about the roach situation, which they brushed off. Additionally, I have concerns about the store's practices, such as selling to minors and encouraging employees to do the same, as well as illegal sales of nitrous tanks. They also take deductions from our commission for 'inventory shrinkage' without any signed agreement from us. I've reported the infestation and wage theft, but I'm hesitant to escalate the situation further because I fear losing my job, especially since I rely on the commission. I have everything documented, but I'm unsure if my case is strong enough to pursue further action.

I am currently seeking a part-time office or desk job in the College Park, Maryland area. As a business management student with over 6 years of experience in customer service, I am looking to transition from cashier roles into office-based positions where I can further my career in business and management. I am open to both in-person and remote opportunities. My ideal roles include receptionist, administrative assistant, office assistant, data entry, or any entry-level business positions. I pride myself on being reliable, a quick learner, and able to thrive in fast-paced environments. I also possess strong communication, teamwork, and customer service skills. If anyone has leads or advice on job openings, I would greatly appreciate your help. Thank you!

I'm currently seeking remote job opportunities and would love some advice on my career path. I have over 9 years of experience in behavioral health, crisis intervention, leadership, and customer service. My background includes working for 3 years with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, where I also had remote work experience. I've held roles such as Lead Mental Health Technician and Interim Supervisor in various settings, including hospitals and residential treatment facilities. Additionally, I spent 4 years as a Behavioral Health Technician in a school district and have experience in customer service and team leadership at a small business. My strongest skills are in crisis intervention, team leadership, customer support, documentation, training, conflict resolution, and remote communication. Due to transportation limitations, I'm specifically looking for fully remote work and am open to exploring fields beyond behavioral health. I've considered roles in remote customer support, community management, trust & safety, gaming industry support, healthcare administration, and operations. Despite submitting hundreds of applications over the past year, I've had little success. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has recommendations for job titles, industries, or companies that might value my experience. Any leads or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I’m currently navigating my job search after a two-year gap in employment. My last position was at Whole Foods, where I worked until January 2024. I’m eager to get back into the bakery field, specifically looking for baker or cake decorating roles at grocery stores or independent bakeries. I’m seeking advice on how to address my unemployment gap on my resume. Are there strategies I can employ to make myself more appealing to potential employers, or are there specific places that might be more open to hiring someone with a gap in their work history?

I previously applied to a few Big Tech companies and high finance firms, but I may have exaggerated some details on my résumé. Now, I'm considering reapplying to these companies and I'm unsure if my past actions will affect my chances. I'm worried that if they check my previous applications, they might see the discrepancies. Should I be honest about my past résumé or just focus on highlighting my actual skills and experiences this time around? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer for a position as a Preventative Maintenance Technician with a salary of $56K, which is quite a significant amount for me at just 20 years old. Interestingly, the job requirements stated that candidates should have an Associate's degree in industrial maintenance and five years of experience, neither of which I possess as I'm currently a Junior studying Electrical Engineering. From what I've gathered, the company seems to have offered me this role with the intention of eventually promoting me to an engineering position once I graduate. They outlined a career progression path that starts with PM Tech, then moves to Floor Tech, Senior Tech, and finally Engineer. It feels somewhat like an apprenticeship, and they’ve assured me that they are willing to accommodate my school schedule when the time comes.

I'm currently working at a Chinese takeaway, and it's been a real struggle for me. Some days I love it, but other days, like today, I come home feeling defeated. I'm 17 and still a student, and I rely on my parents to drive me since I don’t have a car or a license. The takeaway is just 10 minutes away, but it’s in a small town, making job options limited. At work, I handle the till and have always been accurate, except when this one delivery driver, whom I’ll call Max, is on shift. Max has a reputation for being dishonest; he's been caught stealing on camera multiple times, yet my boss refuses to let him go. It’s frustrating because I end up taking the blame when the till is short, which has happened a few times now. My coworkers and I have pleaded with our boss to fire him, but nothing changes. I’m really tired of this situation and need to save money for college and a car since my parents can’t afford it. I’ve been searching for another job for a year and finally landed this one, but now I’m stuck. I’m not picky about where I work, but I’d prefer to avoid cash handling due to my anxiety. I’m reaching out for advice on how to find a new job quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from my position as a mid-level software developer in Ireland. It was a tough experience, but I managed to receive a couple of job offers afterward. One offer included a €5,000 annual increase from my previous salary, while the other was a larger €11,000 increase with a title upgrade, but it was from a large consultancy firm. After careful consideration, I decided to accept the €5,000 offer from a well-established services MNC. I felt this option would provide more stability and allow for saner working hours compared to my previous job, where I often worked insane hours, including weekends, under rude management. This is my first time being laid off, and I really just need some peace and a chance to recover. I'm also concerned about the potential for more layoffs in the future, and I didn't want to risk burnout or another layoff. I hope I made the right choice by prioritizing my well-being over a higher salary.

I recently applied for a retail position and I'm considering following up with a phone call. I'm unsure about the best approach to take when I call. Should I directly ask for the manager, or should I first mention that I'm following up on my application? I’ve read mixed advice online; some say that calling might not be the best move since it could come off as intrusive. I'm trying to gauge whether I should go ahead with the call or just wait for them to reach out if they're interested.

I'm currently seeking internship opportunities in Electrical Engineering, particularly in areas like Power Systems, Power Electronics, Electric Vehicles, Smart Grid, Automation, Renewable Energy, and Electrical Design. As a B.Tech Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-3 engineering college in India, I have a solid academic background with a CGPA of 9.17/10 and valuable research exposure. Right now, I'm a Research Intern working remotely under faculty mentorship in the EECS Department, where I utilize MATLAB for signal modeling and computational simulations. Additionally, I have hands-on experience at RRVPNL's 400 kV EHV Substation, where I've worked with autotransformers and SCADA systems, and at a 132 kV Substation focusing on relay testing and protection coordination. My experience also includes designing rooftop PV systems at a Solar PV company. I have completed projects like a Hydrogen Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Propulsion system for UAVs and an IoT Home Automation System. My technical skills include MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino IDE, SCADA, and programming in Python and C/Embedded C. I'm particularly interested in companies such as Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, and Honeywell. I know that my Tier-3 background may present challenges, but I believe my research and practical experiences demonstrate my capabilities. I'm looking for referrals to open internship roles, advice on breaking into these companies, or connections to hiring managers. Any feedback on my profile would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I’m feeling completely miserable and drained at my current job in HR. I’ve been in this role for about four years now, and honestly, I never intended to end up here. The job market is tough right now, especially since I need a hybrid schedule due to my pets. I currently work from home four days a week, but it’s not enough to keep me from losing my mind. The HR team I’m part of is incredibly dysfunctional. The behavior of my coworkers is downright disgusting and power-hungry, masked by a fake niceness. I’m managing over 60 requisitions and 70+ seats, and the workload is overwhelming. I’m stuck doing heavy administrative tasks that aren’t typical for recruitment roles, like saving email updates as PDFs and updating multiple Excel logs with duplicate information. I’m also managing references for 15-25 offers each month, but it feels like no matter what I do, it’s never enough for my manager. I make only $56,000, which feels ridiculous given my responsibilities. My direct manager constantly implies that we aren’t doing enough and dismissed my request for a raise. We’re micromanaged to the extreme, expected to have a 24-hour turnaround on tasks, and meetings are scheduled at odd hours to check if we’re at our desks. It’s exhausting. I recently requested a day off, but the HR director took forever to respond, and I ended up having to go in because I couldn’t risk losing my job. This whole situation has left me infuriated and exhausted. I feel hopeless and drained, and I’m dealing with vindictive behavior from people who seem to thrive on power plays. Despite this, I’m going to keep applying for new jobs aggressively. I have no intention of giving a two-week notice when I do leave; I wouldn’t want a reference from any of these people.

I just had a tough conversation with my agency owner, and he informed me that he won't be paying me for my work. I'm feeling frustrated and uncertain about my next steps. I've been putting in a lot of effort, and it's disheartening to hear this. I'm considering my options and trying to figure out if I should look for another job or if there's a way to resolve this situation.

I was terminated from my position as a Business Development Executive and Operations Executive at a fintech company where I had been working for 4.5 years. I was the first employee, joining in January 2022, and despite my consistent efforts and contributions, I didn't see much salary growth. Initially, the salary was low, but I was promised growth as the company expanded. Over the last two years, they started hiring more staff, and I even took on additional responsibilities like interviewing new candidates. I hold a B.Sc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing, along with a Data Analyst certification I completed in 2024. My current salary was 32,250 per month, and I am 32 years old. At the end of May, I received a call from management informing me of my termination, effective immediately, with a notice period until June 30. After dedicating so much to the company, it feels disheartening to be let go like this. I’m now searching for new job opportunities in Pune, as I need to support my elderly parents. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my job as a QA Engineer for a service-based company in India. A few days ago, my Team Lead called me at around 10 PM, asking if I could join a Teams meeting in 15 minutes. I was out having dinner with my family at the time and asked if there was any urgency or production issue that required my immediate attention. My Team Lead insisted that my presence was necessary, but since no specific urgency was communicated, I requested to reschedule the meeting. Ultimately, I chose not to join. The next day, I was shocked to receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from HR. This was particularly confusing for me because I had received Best Achiever awards for the past two years, and there had been no prior performance concerns raised. I have always documented my work and contributions, especially during appraisal cycles. Now, I’m trying to figure out if the timing of the PIP is just a coincidence or if my refusal to join the late-night call was indeed linked to this decision. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What should I be asking my manager and HR? What should I look for in the PIP document? How can I determine if this is a genuine improvement plan or the start of an exit process? Any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on the job hunt for about 1-2 years now, primarily looking for engineering or science roles, and it feels incredibly frustrating. I hold a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's in space systems engineering, along with around 8 years of solid work experience solving complex problems. Yet, the job market seems to be demanding an unrealistic level of expertise. It feels like companies are unwilling to recognize my potential to learn and adapt. Instead of seeing my background as a foundation for growth, they seem to prefer candidates who already fit their exact requirements. This has made the job search feel more like a ritual humiliation rather than a collaborative effort to solve problems together. I know I'm capable of learning new skills with some training, but it seems like employers are looking for a unicorn—someone who can hit the ground running without any need for development. I can't help but feel that there's a disconnect between what I can offer and what companies are willing to accept. It's disheartening to think that my qualifications and experience are being overlooked in favor of someone who may not even be as adaptable as I am.

I recently graduated and somehow made it through the initial screening for a program manager role, despite having no professional experience and less work history than the position requires. This is my first overseas job interview, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. I did exaggerate my work history a little; while I haven't lied outright, the experience I listed mostly comes from achievements during my college years. I'm concerned that the interviewer might think I have actual professional experience when I don't. Should I bring this up during the interview? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chances.

I found myself in a strange situation regarding my job search. Back in 2025, while I was enrolled in a part-time MBA program at WGU, I started applying for jobs. I managed to secure a contract position in New York City, which forced me to withdraw from school due to financial reasons. Now, with my contract ending in August, I've been actively looking for new roles, both internally and externally. I used an old resume for my applications, but I completely forgot to update the graduation year for my MBA program. To my surprise, I've received several interview invitations despite this inaccuracy. Now I'm wondering if I should disclose this mistake during the interviews or wait until I potentially receive an offer and undergo a background check. I've already updated my resume for future applications, but I’m currently in three interview processes and would be happy to accept any offer. I’m really torn about what to do next. Should I come clean about the incorrect graduation date now or keep quiet until later?

I recently had my first job interview and it was quite a challenge for me. I found myself stuttering a lot and struggling to think of the right words to say. It was really frustrating, and I felt like I couldn't express myself properly. I'm reaching out for advice on how to overcome these issues during interviews. I've heard that practicing in front of a mirror and recording my voice can help, but I'm still feeling stressed. I also learned that trying to memorize a script can make my stuttering worse. I think I might try to prepare a few key stories to share instead, like times when I learned quickly or handled difficult situations. Any tips from others who have faced similar challenges would be greatly appreciated!

I just landed my first job at Dunkin' after a long time away from the workforce due to personal issues. However, I messed up my availability and left it open until 3am, thinking I could manage it. I was hired for a shift starting at 9am, but I’ve realized that the buses don’t run early enough for me to make it in on time. My first shift is on Tuesday at 10am, which works, but I’m really stressed because they emphasized that the availability I submitted is a firm commitment. I’m torn on whether I should reach out to my manager now to explain the situation or wait until my first shift to bring it up. I have a lot of availability outside of the morning hours, but the earliest I can realistically come in is 8am. I just feel overwhelmed and didn’t anticipate this issue. I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.