Planning

I'm currently at a crossroads regarding a Marketing Return Offer I received after my summer internship with a national security company. As a rising college senior majoring in Marketing, I enjoyed the work and the team, but the fully remote setup left me feeling isolated. I craved the in-person interactions and social events that my friends experienced during their internships. Now, I've been offered a full-time position starting in the fall after graduation, which provides job security and familiarity. However, I don't feel passionate about the national security industry; I'm more drawn to consumer-focused fields like hospitality, fashion, and travel. I had an open conversation with my manager about my interests and the possibility of exploring different industries. She was understanding but emphasized that I should only accept the full-time role if I'm committed to the company. I have about 1.5 months to decide, and I'm torn between two options: accepting the offer for security but risking regret over not pursuing something more aligned with my interests, or declining it and facing the uncertainty of unemployment post-grad while hoping to find a role in my dream industries. I know many students take the safety net of a return offer and later renege, but I worry about the commitment factor my manager mentioned. I value my relationship with my team and want to maintain good terms regardless of my decision. I'm also concerned about the potential for 'golden handcuffs' that could keep me in national security longer than I'd like. Any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I have been unemployed for 1.3 years and am actively seeking work. I am open to various job opportunities, but I want to clarify that I will not consider any illegal work or roles involving driving, cleaning fluids, or personal support work that includes cleaning bathrooms. I am okay with light cleaning tasks, though. My previous experiences primarily come from student placements, with only two roles being actual student jobs. I'm eager to find something that fits my criteria.

I was laid off during the summer from my position, and since then, I haven't received about four months of unpaid wages along with my severance, which remains unpaid as well. This situation came to a head just as I was about to confront my employer about the missed paychecks. To make matters worse, I discovered that the CEO has been misclassifying me and my colleagues as 1099 employees when we should have been W-2s. As a new immigrant, I'm feeling quite lost about my next steps. Fortunately, my immigration status isn't tied to this job, but I still need to take action. The CEO has been using company funds for personal expenses, including paying his girlfriend's salary while neglecting to pay me. He has also been buying her expensive gifts and has been involved in questionable financial practices, including using his personal bank account for company expenses. Despite the company's financial troubles, he keeps assuring me that he will pay me soon and even mentioned a potential new project that he claims he needs me for. I have some leverage since I'm the only one who can assist him with this project due to my connections. However, I want to protect myself legally. The company is based out of state, but the CEO is in California, and I reside in Texas. I've asked him for a written payment plan, which he seemed surprised by. I do have a signed employment contract and a layoff notice that acknowledges my hard work and states that my termination was without cause. I'm running low on savings and can't afford a legal consultation right now, so I'm seeking advice on what my first steps should be.

I've been working in startups for the past five years, and it feels like my resume is starting to look like I'm just job hopping. I've held three different positions during this time, but each change was due to the typical instability of startups—things like needing to run leaner, cash flow issues, or even the company shutting down entirely. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm doing what I need to do to maintain my career and keep a roof over my head, but I worry that potential employers will see my job history as a red flag. I'm looking for advice on how to better present my experience on my resume to reflect the reality of working in this environment.

I recently discovered an issue with my effective date on the company portal, which is showing as March 2024 for my current role. I started working for the company in 2013, and after the acquisition in 2023, I transitioned to my new position around August 2023. I'm currently waiting for HR to respond to my inquiry about correcting this date. The timing is crucial since I have an offer letter coming in soon and I'm also in the running for a second offer next week. My resume lists my current position starting in 2023, but this 6-month discrepancy could be significant. I'm worried that this might affect the background check process. If HR can't resolve this, I'm not sure what my next steps should be. I don't have substantial proof of my start date other than a salary increase, and the nature of my previous role makes it clear I couldn't have been in that position until March 2024. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation and whether I can adequately explain the discrepancy if it arises.

I recently started a new role as a marketing manager at a startup in the hospitality industry after spending about 2.5 months unemployed. Before this, I was a marketing manager for two years, but I left due to a toxic work environment, despite enjoying the job itself. At the startup, I've negotiated a director title and I'm excited about the new path, even though the salary and benefits are lower than average. I'm wondering how long I should ideally stay in this position to make it look good on my resume as I aim to continue growing in the hospitality sector. I've heard that staying for at least a year is a good benchmark, especially in a startup, to show commitment and gain solid experience. I plan to focus on making a positive impact during my time here.

I'm feeling really anxious about a situation with my unemployment claim. Last week, I was called in to fill out some paperwork for my job in Ohio, which took about 15 minutes. I didn’t know I would be getting paid for that time, and I marked that I didn’t work when I filed my unemployment for the week of August 2nd to August 8th. At the end of May, we were told there wouldn’t be any work until mid-September, so I filed my claim as usual, listing two job applications and answering 'no' to working. Now, I’m worried that I might be seen as committing unemployment fraud because I didn’t report that 15 minutes of paperwork as work. The HR manager didn’t clarify that this was considered 'clocking in', so I feel really confused about how to proceed. I know I need to report that income for the week of August 9th to 15th, but I’m unsure how to do it correctly without messing up my claim. I just want to make sure I don’t end up owing the state a lot of money, which I definitely can’t afford. I really need some precise instructions on how to handle this situation.

I'm currently in a challenging situation with my job. I've been at my current company for 4 years, earning $71k, but I've been miserable for almost a year now. I realized I should have started looking for new opportunities two years ago, but I got complacent and thought I could manage the things I disliked about my role. It wasn't until May that I began taking job applications seriously. Recently, I moved back in with my parents after my lease ended, preparing for a move back to my home state by the end of the year. In July, I took FMLA due to the mental toll my job was taking on me, which affected my performance. During this time, I applied for positions back home and was thrilled when a recruiter reached out for a virtual interview with a fantastic company offering a much higher salary, a hybrid work model, and great benefits. However, the timing was tricky; they scheduled an on-site interview right after I returned to the office from my leave. I regret not extending my leave to avoid missing work again so soon. Now, the interview and flight are booked (thankfully, the flight is free), but I'm feeling anxious about taking another day off so soon after returning. I usually don't take such big risks, and I'm torn about whether this leap is worth it. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation.

I was laid off in September 2025 and have been unemployed for 12 months now, which has been really tough on me. Despite having a good number of interviews and making it to final rounds, I haven't been able to land a role. I've received feedback that I'm a perfect cultural fit, yet I keep getting passed over a week later. I've been told to follow up more, try to make the interviewers laugh, or be more engaging, but I'm just exhausted by the politics of it all. I just want a job. I have 10 years of experience as a compliance professional, specializing in AML/BSA, fraud, and risk management. My background includes work in cryptocurrency, fintech, wealth management, and banking. I've polished my resume and even my recruiters have said that my interviews went well with no negative feedback. I'm left wondering what I might be doing wrong.

I recently accepted a job offer that I'm genuinely excited about, and now I'm contemplating how much notice to give at my current job. I've been working here for 2.5 years, and honestly, I haven't enjoyed it at all. This position was never meant to be permanent; I took it as a favor for a friend who needed a replacement. During my time here, I've seen four coworkers leave, with three providing at least two weeks' notice, although they didn't stick around until their last day. One even quit on the spot. My boss has a habit of talking negatively about everyone, blaming them for issues, regardless of whether they still work here. For the last six months, I've been the only employee in the office while my boss claims he's searching for new hires. I’ve taken on multiple roles, essentially managing things without the title or proper compensation. Given all this, I feel I have no reason to stay. I do have a somewhat decent relationship with my boss, and I know he needs time to find someone to take over since he lives out of state. I'm torn between giving a two-week or three-week notice. I don't plan on returning, but I also don't want to burn any bridges completely. I feel a little bad about leaving him in a tough spot. If you were in my situation, how much notice would you give?

I had my first interview for a position at a company where I met with the General Manager, and it felt like it went really well! However, I missed the follow-up email from HR about scheduling my second interview with the Assistant General Manager. I only found it a week later, buried in my spam folder, and by that time, it had already been a week since my first interview. I quickly reached out to HR, apologized for the oversight, and expressed my willingness to work around the AGM's schedule for the second interview. Unfortunately, I haven't heard back from HR in two days, and I noticed that the job has been reposted on LinkedIn. This has left me feeling pretty bummed out, as I was really hopeful about this opportunity. I'm not sure if I should apply again or if that would be weird. I’ve been dealing with some personal issues, including a sick relative, which has made it hard for me to keep track of everything. At 27, I'm searching for my second professional job, and I could really use some advice on how to move forward. Should I just let this one go and continue applying elsewhere?

I graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Health Science, focusing on Health Education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I began working as a Community Health Worker through various contract jobs until 2024. Unfortunately, I was let go from a position in May 2025, just before my three-month mark. After that, I took some time off to focus on my mental health and received unemployment benefits until early June 2026. Currently, I'm working part-time in retail, averaging about 10-13 hours a week. I'm looking to transition into a role in after-school programs, but I'm unsure how to leverage my skills since I haven't worked directly with children before. I'm also confused about how to present my resume—should I still include my high school education even though I graduated more than a decade ago? I plan to remove my Bachelor's degree if I'm applying for entry-level positions. Any advice on how to navigate this transition would be greatly appreciated!

Today was a tough day as I got fired from my role as a supervisor at a theme park, specifically overseeing a skyride attraction. The incident that led to my termination involved an ambassador on my team who failed to follow instructions and stayed in the break room instead of taking their position on the platform. Unbeknownst to me, I started the cable without him in place, which resulted in a safety issue. Unfortunately, I was held responsible for this oversight and let go. It's a frustrating situation, and right now, I just feel like jumping in a lake to clear my head. I'm trying to remind myself that this might be an opportunity to move on to something better.

I started a service to sales position at a car dealership and today I was unexpectedly pulled into the office. They informed me that I wasn't being fired, but rather being transferred to a used car dealership within the same group. They mentioned that this move would be "better for my learning process" and that they had "failed me" by placing me in service to sales too soon. I was quite taken aback by this. I had been on the sales floor for about 1.5 months after a month of shadowing, and during my first month, I managed to sell five cars, which my mentor said was a normal start for someone transitioning from service to sales. He himself had sold only four in his first month, and the average is around 15 now. A few weeks ago, I approached our training manager because I felt frustrated; my own manager was dismissive when I asked for feedback, telling me to just figure things out. I can't help but wonder if my frustrations and lack of guidance contributed to this decision. Regardless, I was informed that I would be starting at the new dealership tomorrow, so I’m trying to stay positive about this change.

I’m currently struggling to find a job that aligns with my experience in the food and nutrition industry. I have worked in a culinary studio and a teaching kitchen, where I assisted in teaching adults how to cook through private and public classes. Additionally, I have experience with Snap nutrition education, where I taught nutrition lessons to elementary school kids, incorporating cooking and gardening into the curriculum. I have also served as a WIC nutritionist, providing nutrition counseling to pregnant and postpartum mothers and children up to five years old. My skills include front of house operations, food preparation, extensive food knowledge, food safety practices, and I am bilingual in Slovak. I also have experience in public speaking and one-on-one counseling, with a solid background in nutrition and public health. I would appreciate any insights or suggestions on other roles or job types I could apply for with my background. I’ve been advised to consider positions in community health, wellness program coordination, or corporate wellness, as my skills seem to be transferable. I’m also thinking about reaching out to local non-profits or educational programs for potential job openings.

I recently applied for a position at a nonprofit organization and received a rejection just three days later. It felt like my application wasn't genuinely reviewed, which was frustrating because I meet all the listed qualifications. The only potential issue could be a gap in my employment history due to taking time off to care for a family member. I'm concerned that this gap might have triggered an automated screening process that prevented my resume from being seen by a real person. Now that the job posting is still active, I'm contemplating reapplying with an updated resume and cover letter that better addresses this gap. I'm curious if anyone else has had success in similar situations or if reapplying is usually a waste of time. I'd appreciate any insights or experiences related to overcoming these types of application hurdles.

I recently received a job offer and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. The company suggested that I put in my two weeks' notice on Monday so I can start my new role on August 31. However, I'm worried about a couple of things: what if my current employer decides to let me go as soon as I hand in my notice, or what if the new job offer falls through? It's been a while since I've had to navigate this process, especially since Covid, and the uncertainty is definitely weighing on me. I know I need to trust the process, but the 'what ifs' keep creeping in. I’m trying to evaluate my situation and weigh my options carefully.

I recently went through a frustrating experience while searching for a job. I was eager to secure a position and didn't question the process when I was offered what they called "job training." I went in thinking I was being hired, only to find out that I had to complete two weeks of unpaid training before they would even decide if I was a fit for the role. During those two weeks, I spent hours working on the cash register and assisting customers, which felt like actual work to me. After two hours on my first day, I realized this was not right and decided to walk out. Looking back, I wish I had asked more questions upfront about the nature of this training. It made me reflect on how desperation for a job can cloud our judgment and lead us to accept situations that are not normal or fair. I’ve learned my lesson and will definitely be more cautious in the future. I also wonder if others have faced similar situations and how they handled them.

I work for the public school system in Michigan, and this summer has been a complete nightmare regarding unemployment issues. There have been significant clerical problems between my employer and the Michigan unemployment insurance agency. One major issue is that my employer improperly filed a work search waiver extension. Instead of extending the waiver, they implemented a waiver for registering with Michigan Works. This means I don't have to search for work through Michigan Works specifically, but I still need to complete three work searches. This was not how it was supposed to be handled. I've been in constant communication with my HR department, and they are now advising me to apply for other positions within our own company. However, the work searches were supposed to be registered during the week I file my claim, which complicates things further. To make matters worse, every employee in our company in Michigan is facing issues because our 4th quarter earnings have not been reported. I feel overwhelmed and confused about the situation. I'm worried about the possibility of getting audited if I follow my HR's advice on how to document my work searches. What should I do next?

I'm currently searching for a job and facing some challenges in finding roles that align with my experience. I have a background in the food industry, having worked in a culinary studio and a teaching kitchen where I assisted in teaching both private and public cooking classes for adults. Additionally, I've been involved in Snap nutrition education, where I taught nutrition lessons to elementary school children, incorporating cooking and gardening activities. My experience also includes working as a WIC nutritionist, providing nutrition counseling to pregnant women, postpartum mothers, and children up to five years old. In terms of skills, I have expertise in front of house operations, food preparation, food safety, and a solid knowledge of food. I'm bilingual in Slovak, which I believe could be an asset. I also have strong public speaking abilities and experience in one-on-one counseling, along with a background in nutrition and public health. I would greatly appreciate any insights or suggestions on other job roles I could apply for with this experience.