Planning

I recently joined a layoff support hiking group in the Bay Area, California. We meet on Mondays to hike and connect with others who are also navigating job transitions. This coming Monday, August 17, we're heading to Mt. Tamalpais State Park in Mill Valley for a 4.6-mile loop with an elevation gain of 879 feet. It's a great way to clear my head and meet others in similar situations. The group splits into smaller ones based on hiking pace, which helps keep the trail manageable. I appreciate that we can also participate in other activities like co-working and casual meetups beyond just hiking. It's nice to know that even those who are still employed can join, as long as they are supportive of those currently looking for jobs. I'm looking forward to this hike and hope to connect with some new friends!

I recently interviewed for a residential appraisal role in NYC, which is a pivot from my current position in commercial appraisal. There were 30 applicants, and I felt a strong connection with the hiring manager during our interview, which ran about 15 minutes over time. Shortly after our conversation, the job posting was removed, leading me to believe I might be a strong candidate. I followed up with a thank-you email and reiterated my interest in the role. The hiring manager responded positively but expressed concern about the job's stability and my ability to make ends meet in NYC. I assured him I had a solid plan in place for the move and that this opportunity aligns perfectly with my long-term goals. He appreciated my response but mentioned needing a few days to discuss it internally. Interestingly, a few hours later, the CEO viewed my LinkedIn profile, which I take as a good sign. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as I await their decision, and I'm hoping for some insight or advice from others who might have been in similar situations.

I recently made the tough decision to leave my job after nearly two years due to the overwhelming stress it was causing me. My health took a hit, and I had to seek medical advice, which revealed I might need further treatment. While stepping away from this role has alleviated some immediate stress, I’m still navigating my mental health and considering therapy for the future. I’ve been applying for new jobs every day, but the waiting game has been frustrating, as I keep hearing that my applications are still under consideration. I realize that I need to secure a position with benefits, especially since I’m living with my parents and need to take care of my health. I’m also looking into filing for unemployment but I'm unsure about the process. If anyone has advice on how to approach this or what steps I should take next, I would really appreciate it.

I'm currently on the hunt for a remote job since there aren't many opportunities in my area that fit my skills. I'm curious about where others have found remote positions and how to distinguish between legitimate jobs and scams. I've seen a lot of listings, but it's overwhelming and I want to make sure I'm applying to the right places. Some advice I received suggested using LinkedIn and job boards, but I feel a bit lost. I really need a desk job and would appreciate any tips or experiences from those who have successfully navigated this process.

I recently received a written offer for a role in a new industry, which is exciting but also a bit daunting. I plan to counter-offer, as I believe my skills can bring a lot to the table. The offer came from the HR team, but I would be reporting directly to the person who interviewed me. I'm unsure if he is the actual hiring manager or not. I’m contemplating whether to send my counter-offer to him, the HR team, or both. Given that I only had one interview and they offered me just five days later, I feel they see me as a strong candidate. I’m leaning towards reaching out to both to keep everyone in the loop and show my seriousness about the position.

I’ve been unemployed for a bit now after getting laid off from my software development job, where I worked for about 3.5 years. The unemployment benefits here aren't great, so I'm looking to secure a part-time position, ideally something like receptionist or front desk work. My previous job, which was about 4 years ago, was more aligned with the type of work I’m seeking now. I’m trying to figure out how to tailor my resume for these part-time roles. I was thinking of creating a section titled 'Relevant Experience' to highlight my earlier job that relates to receptionist work, and then another section called 'Other Experience' where I could include my software development role along with my career break. I’m a bit torn about whether to leave the software development job off entirely since I don’t want to give the impression that I’ll jump ship as soon as I find something else. But at the same time, I want to show that I haven’t just been idle for the past 3.5 years. I’d love to hear any advice on this or if anyone has gone through a similar situation.

I recently received a job offer from a company through a temp agency after applying for bookkeeping and administrative roles. Currently, I work at a small business where I handle multiple responsibilities, but I'm underpaid and there's a rumor that my position might be downsized by the end of the year. I've been job hunting for about a month and a half, and while I got this offer, I'm feeling uneasy about it due to the lack of clarity in the terms. The temp agency offered me $24 an hour for the first 90 days, with the promise of a pay increase afterward, but they won't provide any written details until after that period. The salary range for the position was advertised as $25-30/hr, yet they only confirmed that I wouldn't earn less than $24 during the probation. They also couldn't specify the 401k matching rate or what metrics would determine if I’d be hired permanently after 90 days, which makes me uncomfortable. Additionally, the company seems to be in a precarious situation, with most of their staff nearing retirement and the person who would train me going on leave soon. They mentioned combining the accounting assistant role with HR duties, which raises further concerns about workload and job security. I’ve built good relationships at my current job over the past six years, and with a colleague undergoing surgery soon, it feels like the worst time for me to leave. I'm worried that if I decline this offer, I might be left without a job when my position is cut, but I also don’t feel confident in this new opportunity. Ideally, I want to be excited about my next role, but the current job market makes it hard to feel secure in my decision.

Today, I found myself in a challenging situation regarding my job at a nonprofit in the Bay Area. With the announcement that my organization is being acquired by a larger nonprofit in January, I was presented with two options: accept a severance package of 6 weeks' pay and 3 months of health insurance, or take on temporary employment with the new organization for 6 months, with no promise of a permanent position afterward. As the sole member of our Development Team, I've been managing a wide range of responsibilities, including donor communications, marketing, volunteer management, community partnerships, and event planning, all with limited oversight since April. Given my unique position and contributions, I am considering whether it would be appropriate to negotiate the severance package, especially if I decide to stay on temporarily. I have no prior experience navigating this type of situation, so I'm eager for advice on how to approach this negotiation.

I lost my job on July 20 and have been actively searching for a new position since then. I'm a 24-year-old male with over 3 years of driving experience and more than 2 years as an assistant manager in retail. I've had about 6 interviews during this time, and I felt qualified for all of them, except for one that I think didn't go well. However, I'm frustrated because I haven't received any rejection letters or feedback from these companies, which makes the process feel even more discouraging. I'm starting to feel overwhelmed and would appreciate any tips or job leads that might be available. Thank you!

I've been with my company for about 15 months, and I'm starting to feel sidelined. Recently, I've noticed I'm being left out of important meetings that I should definitely be a part of. My manager has been reaching out to me via Teams after meeting with other team members to ask questions or update me on changes, which feels frustrating. Just this week, there was a business restructure announced, and I wasn't even sent a meeting invite for the initial discussion. I found out from a coworker that there was a follow-up meeting with the VP that I also missed out on. I was only invited to the very last meeting regarding the restructuring with my executive director. On top of that, I'm not getting credit for crucial information I've researched and presented to management. It feels like there’s a deliberate attempt to push me out, which is making me consider leaving the company. I was supposed to receive a promotion this year, but now the director is saying it will be next year because she needs to build out my role and convince the VP of its necessity. I'm really unsure how to handle this situation and would appreciate any advice.

I'm 21 and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sustainability and Gender about a year ago. Since then, I've been juggling multiple part-time jobs to build my savings. Unfortunately, I focused more on getting through college quickly—only taking three years and a summer semester—rather than networking or gaining relevant experience through internships. I've been advised that my degree could be beneficial in Human Resources, particularly in policy application and addressing workplace issues and minority protections. However, most HR roles require a specific degree in HR, which I don't have. I'm really interested in policy design and reform and would love to find a position that offers remote or hybrid work options. The challenge is that I feel overwhelmed and underqualified, especially since my work experience is primarily in food and service jobs. Most positions I come across ask for 2+ years of related experience, which I don't have. I'm reaching out for advice on how to break into my field and overcome these hurdles. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I recently faced a frustrating situation with my unemployment claim in Connecticut. After struggling to get my claim established due to the Connecticut Department of Labor's (CTDOL) system mistakenly indicating I had no wages in the state, I finally managed to resolve that issue and had my claim backdated. However, after submitting my weekly claims for the backdated weeks, I encountered a new problem. My account now shows a monetary determination stating $0 for benefits, and every backdated week is marked as having 'Excessive Earnings.' This is puzzling because I did not work or report any earnings during those weeks. I'm left wondering if this 'Excessive Earnings' status is a result of CTDOL still processing my backdated claim or if they believe I actually had earnings during that time. I'm particularly confused since the claim was already backdated before I submitted the weekly claims. I'm considering whether this is a temporary issue or if I need to reach out to CTDOL for clarification or possibly file an appeal.

I recently decided to start job hunting while still working full-time in IT. Honestly, the pay is low and the workload has become overwhelming, stripping away any enjoyment I used to have for my job. I've begun applying for retail positions, like shelf stacking, because I miss the simplicity of those roles. Surprisingly, some of these positions offer better pay and a lot less stress compared to my current job. I'm considering using the last couple of days of my annual leave for job interviews, as it would give me more flexibility. I plan to try and schedule interviews on weekends when possible, but I think taking a day off for this purpose could really help me out.

I recently had an interview with a company in Michigan for a position I was interested in, but I found myself uncomfortable with the manager's comments during the meeting. He asked if I needed sponsorship, which is a valid question, but then he followed up with a remark about my name sounding foreign. This felt inappropriate and raised several red flags for me. After the interview, they asked me to come in for a second round, but I’ve decided I don’t want to pursue this opportunity any further. Now, I’m wondering if I can remove myself from consideration without jeopardizing my unemployment benefits. I’m still actively applying to multiple jobs each week, but I’m concerned about the implications of declining the second interview. I’ve heard mixed advice about whether it’s okay to reject an interview and still keep my benefits. I’m considering reaching out to HR to express my concerns about the manager's comments, but I’m not sure if that’s the right move since I’m not an employee there. I just want to make sure I’m handling this situation correctly while protecting my benefits.

I’m a 20-year-old woman about to start school at a junior college, and I’ve been out of work for about a year due to some personal challenges. My previous experiences include a fast food job, which I absolutely hated, and a retail cashier position that was draining because of constant customer interaction and a creepy manager. I’m currently looking for a part-time job and have been applying for stocker positions in retail, but there aren’t many openings available. Recently, I started considering a warehouse job. As an introvert, I find too much social interaction exhausting, and I prefer physical work since I’m active and enjoy weightlifting. I’m not sure how warehouse jobs operate, but I think it might suit me better than retail. I would prefer afternoon or night shifts because I like to take my mornings slow, but I’m also open to a few morning shifts if necessary. I’m not sure I could handle overnight shifts, but I could work until about 11 PM or midnight. I’d love any insights on warehouse jobs or suggestions for other positions that might fit my preferences.

I recently started working as a clinic receptionist just over a month ago, and while the job has been going well, I've hit a snag. I’ve been working every shift and even picked up an extra day to help out a coworker. However, I just received my university timetable, and it turns out I can only work on Tuesdays and Thursdays due to my full-time academic commitments starting in September. During my interview, I was upfront about going back to school and my availability, but I didn't expect to be working five evenings a week while managing a demanding program. Now, I'm faced with the tough decision of either reducing my hours or potentially resigning, as my contract requires four weeks' notice. I feel guilty since I just started and was eager to earn some income before school. This job was the only one that came through after months of searching, and I really want to make it work. I’m unsure how to approach my manager about my limited availability without feeling like I'm letting them down. I’m worried they might not be able to accommodate my new schedule, or they might prefer someone with full availability. I’m looking for advice on how to have this conversation with my manager and whether it’s realistic to think I can stay in the position with such limited availability.

I'm currently weighing two BDR offers after being laid off from my last job a couple of months ago due to a hiring freeze that caught me off guard. This experience has definitely influenced my decision-making process. **Company A** is an established fintech that recently got acquired by a larger public company. They offer a great work-life balance and a structured ramp-up period where there’s no quota in the first month, gradually increasing over four months. I spoke with the current BDR in this role who is about to be promoted to AE, and he had positive things to say about the manager and the work environment. However, the starting compensation is lower, and the potential earnings as an AE down the line are also not as high. The sales approach here is more focused on SMBs, which means shorter sales cycles and simpler deals, but I wonder if that limits my learning. On the other hand, **Company B** is a fast-growing startup that is still building its US team. They also have a structured ramp-up, but the base salary and OTE are higher at $120k, with a significantly better AE compensation ceiling if I can stick around and get promoted. However, I learned from a current BDR that hitting quota is tough—previously, only about 1% of reps have consistently hit their targets. The culture seems supportive, but the team structure is thin, and the company is still proving itself in the market, which makes me nervous given my recent layoff experience. The sales process here is more complex, involving multiple stakeholders and longer cycles, which I believe would build more relevant skills for my career. I'm torn between taking the safer route with Company A, which offers stability but less growth potential, versus Company B, which could provide valuable experience but comes with higher risks. Given my recent layoff, I’m leaning towards stability, but I also want to ensure I’m building skills that will serve me in the long run. Has anyone been in a similar situation? How did you weigh the trade-offs between immediate stability and future growth potential?

I am a recent graduate, just 21 years old, and I’m currently in the job search phase as I prepare to graduate in 2026. I've been actively looking for jobs for a while now, utilizing platforms like LinkedIn, Naukri, and JobHai, along with checking various company career pages. Despite my efforts, I haven't been able to secure a position. I've received a few interview calls, but when I follow up, I often get left hanging with no response. It’s frustrating to see that the only calls I’ve been getting are for BPO or banking sales roles, which don’t align with my career aspirations. I’m reaching out to see if anyone with more experience could offer advice on how to navigate this challenging job market. How can recent graduates like myself land interviews or even jobs? Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I received a job offer this morning for a Development Associate position in Higher Ed Advancement, with a salary of $64K. The posted salary range was between $50K and $84K. As an alumnus of the institution, this would be my first job after college. Although I lack direct fundraising experience, I believe my data analysis and management skills from my Economics degree, along with my years of customer-facing experience, add value. I live in a high-cost city and was hoping for a salary closer to $70K. During the first interview, I mentioned a salary range of $59K to $67K based on a similar position at another university. However, as I progressed through the interviews, I recognized that the role has more scope than I initially thought. I've been actively working on gaining Excel certifications, learning SQL, and I plan to start a master's in Business Analytics in Spring 2027. Now, I'm contemplating whether it's reasonable to negotiate for a higher base salary closer to $70K, or if that would be unwise. Regardless of their response, I genuinely want the job, but I can't overlook the high cost of living and the student loans I have to start repaying this November.

I recently accepted a new position at a larger corporation, which unfortunately came with a noticeable salary cut. I'm 24 years old and hold a Bachelor's degree in a broad field. I was feeling stuck in my previous role, as there was no room for advancement, and I knew I needed to make a change. My hope is that this new role will help me advance my career and enhance my resume for future opportunities, or even allow me to climb the ladder at this new company. It's starting to hit me that I was quite comfortable in my last job, and the salary was nice. However, I realized that waiting until I was in a desperate situation to find a new job would have been a mistake. I'm trying to reassure myself that I made the right choice, but only time will tell if this was the right move. I'm telling myself to trust the process because there's no turning back now. Has anyone else experienced a similar career shift with the same motivations?