Planning

I've been working in arts and education for over 15 years, but after experiencing burnout, I'm now searching for new job opportunities. Unfortunately, it seems that my experience is often overlooked and not seen as a benefit. My last position was just a temporary replacement for a friend, and I can't rely on that kind of work anymore. I've been actively looking for a job for over a year now, despite having skills in UX/UI, SEO, CRM, sound and video editing, and design. Working in arts and education has taught me how to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and handle challenging situations with maturity. I believe these skills would be valuable to any company. However, it feels like people coming from my background are often underpaid and not recognized for their potential. I'm open to remote or flexible work and would even consider lower pay just to get my foot in the door. Every day feels like a struggle, and I wake up feeling like a failure. I wanted a change from teaching, which I could no longer handle, and I've put in countless hours of self-training to prepare for this new direction. Yet, I find it disheartening that even entry-level positions in creative fields like art direction, video editing, and digital marketing seem out of reach. Is there any hope for someone like me in this job market?

I've been on the job hunt for a while now, feeling quite frustrated with the process. I earned my CISSP and CCSP certifications thanks to the support of some amazing people in the community, but unfortunately, they haven't led to any job offers in the field. I've sent out hundreds of resumes, all reviewed by LinkedIn experts, but I still haven't had any luck. Back in 2020, my division was laid off, and at that time, I had over 10 years of experience in software engineering and management. I was even hired before finishing my college degree, which is still hanging over my head. Now I'm at a crossroads: I have about two years left to complete my degree in Information Systems, but I'm also considering pursuing the ISC2 trifecta by getting my SSCP certification. I'm unsure if finishing my degree would be more beneficial than going for another certification, especially since the first two haven't helped me secure a job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a concerning situation at my job where I felt my managers might be looking to get rid of me. They mentioned they would investigate something I was involved in, but their lack of urgency made me uneasy. I’m not sure what I did to upset them; I generally keep to myself and focus on my work. This has left me feeling anxious about my job security. I've taken some advice from others to keep my resume updated and to start looking for new opportunities, as it seems like jobs can change quickly and without warning.

I recently received a one-year job offer in the USA based on my work experience, but I'm feeling anxious about the background check process. I attended a Canadian university 20 years ago but didn't graduate. On my resume, I mentioned the university, the degree I pursued, and the dates, but I never explicitly stated that I graduated. Now, I'm worried that the background check provider, USAfact, might flag this as a discrepancy. I filled out their form, but it only allowed me to input information for US schools, which makes me think they might not even have the capability to check Canadian institutions. A representative from Gemini mentioned that if they can't find my details in their databases, a human reviewer will step in and likely contact the registrar of my Canadian university for verification. Since I've signed the release forms, they could pull my transcripts, which would show that I attended but did not graduate. I'm just hoping that since the job description didn't require a bachelor's degree and focused on industry experience, this won't become an issue. Has anyone else navigated a similar situation with background checks?

I was recently laid off from Amazon after spending 11 years with the company. It's a strange feeling to find myself in this situation, especially since I never planned for it. Surprisingly, I'm not feeling particularly sad about the layoff. Instead, I'm more curious about what the future holds, even though I haven't figured out my next steps yet. I'm reaching out to see how others who have gone through similar experiences approached this phase. Did you take the opportunity to explore something new, or did you stick to what you were familiar with?

Today, I learned that Flock Safety is planning to lay off 270 employees due to ongoing privacy concerns. This news is particularly unsettling as it impacts a significant portion of the workforce. The layoffs are set to take place by the end of October, which leaves us with a limited timeframe to prepare for the transition. I'm currently evaluating my options and considering my next steps in this challenging job market.

I'm a 28-year-old who has been navigating my career path and now find myself in a bit of a bind. I've been a freelance videographer and photographer since high school, which I love, but unfortunately, passion doesn't always pay the bills. My first real job was at Amazon as a warehouse worker, where I spent three years until I felt mistreated and overworked. I managed to save enough to leave that job and pursue my passion for photography and videography. For five years, I worked at a social media advertisement agency, but this year things took a turn for the worse. I started getting less work, and now, as of October 2026, I've been completely cut off from gigs. I'm facing the reality of not being able to pay my rent or debts in just two months. At this point, I'm looking for stable income that can cover my expenses and allow me to enjoy life a bit. I graduated high school but have no degree or formal experience beyond what I've mentioned. I'm seeking a job that involves teamwork, ideally in a blue-collar setting, where I can grow and develop my skills. I'm considering options like working at Costco as a stocker, but I'm open to any suggestions for entry-level positions that don’t require a degree, offer training, and allow me to work as part of a crew without heavy customer interaction.

I work at Circle K as a third-shift employee, and I've been facing some serious issues lately. My store has failed the Ecosure inspection twice, and now my general manager is under pressure to improve the store's cleanliness. Unfortunately, this has resulted in me being overloaded with work while my coworkers on first and second shifts seem to do very little. I often find myself cleaning up after them, and despite my efforts, I've just learned that my hours are being cut down to only 16 a week starting on the 23rd. This is incredibly frustrating, especially since I've been a reliable employee for the past 10 months, never late, and always present. It feels like I'm being punished for the failures of others, and now I'm worried about how I'm going to make rent. I'm considering escalating this to HR, but I’ve heard they typically don’t help employees in situations like mine. I really need to find another job quickly before my hours are reduced.

I've been working the overnight shift from 10:30 PM to 6:30 AM for almost a year now. Recently, I was offered a promotion, which I was excited about, but I have some concerns. I mentioned to my employer that I can only work until 7 AM at the latest because I need to take my kids to school right after my shift. My job sometimes requires me to work events, and while I've managed to find childcare for those, they recently posted a notice indicating that all third shift employees are required to attend an event next week starting at 2 PM. This poses a significant problem for me since I would finish my shift at 6:30 AM, then have to return at 2 PM, which gives me very little time to rest and no time to arrange childcare. If I refuse to attend, I risk getting written up, which could jeopardize the promotion that comes with a nearly 30% raise. I'm in a tough spot because I really need that raise, but I can't justify the hours and the lack of childcare.

I just received a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job, and I can't shake off this feeling of embarrassment. I work in a corporate environment where I've been struggling for the past 6-8 months. I've felt completely burnt out and unmotivated, just going through the motions. This lack of enthusiasm stems from a combination of personal issues, dissatisfaction with my role, and constant micromanagement. Deep down, I knew this PIP was coming, and I suspect my employer is looking to replace me. The idea of being let go is daunting, especially since I have friends at the company. I really don’t want to be known for getting fired. However, there’s a part of me that feels relieved. This situation might actually be the push I need to explore a career shift towards something I genuinely want to do. I’m seriously considering resigning instead of enduring this PIP process, as I feel it might just prolong the inevitable. I’m reaching out to share my thoughts and see if anyone has insights or advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm feeling really lost right now as a junior in college. The job market seems so daunting, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm falling behind. My LinkedIn profile is nothing compared to my classmates who have way more experience, and I can't figure out how they did it. I spent too much time not focusing on my future, and now I feel desperate as I apply for internships but keep getting rejected. I suspect my resume is getting filtered out by AI because I don't have the right buzzwords. It's frustrating to see others seemingly ahead of me, and I'm worried that if I don't secure something by graduation, I won't know what to do next. I really need some encouragement right now. I know I have to put in more effort, but it feels overwhelming. I just want to hear that there's still hope for me in this job market.

I am a 25-year-old female from the US, and I graduated with a civil engineering degree in 2024. Last year, I went missing for 2.5 days, and my name and pictures ended up on the police department's website. Since then, I've been actively job hunting but faced a lot of challenges, including getting ghosted, scammed, and rejected by potential employers. To improve my hireability, I enrolled in extra classes at my local community college. I'm concerned about how my past might affect my chances of getting hired. I’ve been wondering if being reported missing will impact how employers view my qualifications. I appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I was let go from my job after 6.5 years due to performance issues following a PIP. This happened about a year ago. Recently, I discovered that the director who played a significant role in my termination has moved to a competitor where I'm interested in applying for a role. Despite only having gained three months of experience since my firing, I'm considering whether I should go ahead and apply. I'm curious if it's possible to convince this director to give me another chance in a different environment. I know there are mixed opinions on this, with some saying it's a bad idea since the director might influence the hiring process negatively. However, I feel like I have nothing to lose and want to explore this opportunity.

I recently had an unemployment appeal hearing in Pennsylvania. I received a disqualifying determination from the unemployment office, and I was hoping to challenge it. During the hearing, I was asked to provide details about the circumstances surrounding my termination and any evidence I had to support my case. The comments on my post suggested I should focus on the exact wording of the disqualifying determination to strengthen my appeal. I’m feeling a mix of anxiety and hope as I wait for the decision.

I recently received an offer for a Founding Recruiter role at a Series A startup in the AI sector, which has around $40 million in funding and a valuation of $200 million. They're currently in the process of another fundraising round. I'm currently working at a Series D AI startup that has $200 million in funding and a valuation of $750 million, but unfortunately, it's going under, which is why I'm exploring this new opportunity. The offer includes a base salary of $175,000, with equity valued at $125,000. There's also a bonus that can go up to $175,000, paid as equity once a year based on personal and company performance. The catch is that while 50% of the bonus vests immediately, the remaining portion follows the standard four-year vesting schedule. On the positive side, I see this as a great resume builder. I would have the chance to learn a lot and be hands-on in growing the company, which could allow me to make a significant impact. However, the cons are also notable: the new position offers only $25,000 more than my current salary, and I would face higher healthcare costs, increased risks, and potentially longer hours. I'm trying to determine if the additional $25,000 in cash compensation is worth the trade-offs. I'm generally okay with the base salary, but I would prefer to receive part of the bonus in cash since that would help cover my current living expenses.

I recently received an offer for a founding recruiter role at a Series A startup in the AI space. This opportunity comes as I'm currently at a Series D AI startup that's facing tough times, which is prompting my consideration of this new position. The offer includes a base salary of $175k, along with $125k in equity and a bonus that can amount to $175k, depending on personal and company performance. The bonus is paid in equity once a year, with 50% vesting immediately and the remainder following the standard four-year vesting schedule. On the positive side, I see this as a significant resume builder and an opportunity to learn a lot while being hands-on in growing the company. I believe I could make a large impact there. However, there are some downsides to consider. The new position offers only $25k more than my current salary, but it comes with higher healthcare costs, increased risks, and the expectation of longer hours. I'm debating whether that extra $25k is worth the trade-offs. I feel comfortable with the base salary, but I would prefer to negotiate for some of the bonus to be paid in cash since that would help with my immediate financial needs.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma as I received two job offers at the same time. One is from a tech startup where I would be working as a software engineer, and the other is from a well-established company offering a similar role but with more stability and benefits. I'm currently weighing the pros and cons of each position, considering factors like company culture, growth opportunities, and salary. It's exciting but also a bit stressful trying to make the right decision for my career.

I had a virtual interview with the Hiring Manager recently and was pleasantly surprised to receive an email just 8 minutes later inviting me for an onsite interview. Here’s a quick timeline of my experience so far: On September 21, I applied for the role on LinkedIn, and I believe there were around 40-60 applicants. Fast forward to September 29, I got an email asking for my availability for a screening with the Hiring Manager. The interview took place on October 5, and to my surprise, it was actually the Hiring Manager I spoke with, not a recruiter as I initially thought. The quick turnaround is quite unusual; I didn’t expect to hear back so soon. Now, I have an onsite interview scheduled for next Thursday with the Hiring Manager, a Senior Associate, and an Associate Specialist for a 2-hour session. It's been 3 weeks since the job listing went up, and they haven't reposted it, which makes me wonder about the hiring process and whether this is a good sign for me. This is my first time moving past the first round of interviews, so I’m feeling optimistic but also a bit anxious. I’m trying to stay positive and hope for the best!

I'm currently on FMLA leave from my job and I'm feeling anxious because I think I might be laid off soon. I've heard that being on FMLA should protect me from layoffs, but I'm not entirely sure if that's accurate. I'm looking for advice on what steps I should take to prepare for the possibility of losing my job while I'm out.

I recently accepted a job offer with a start date of October 26. However, I need to pass a background check and a drug test before I can give my two weeks' notice at my current job. I communicated to the hiring manager that I need the background check completed by the end of business on October 9 to be able to submit my resignation first thing on October 12. Ideally, I would prefer to put in my notice on October 9, but I haven't even been contacted to schedule the drug test yet. I'm considering asking the new employer to push back my start date by a week to ensure everything is in order before I leave my current position. I'm feeling a bit anxious about the timeline and whether I should be more proactive in addressing this with the new company.