Planning

I'm currently an unpaid intern at a local community government social service, dedicating about 30 hours a week to a mix of youth social work and operational tasks. I started this journey as a volunteer about a year and a half ago, and after expressing my interest in a more formal role, they created an internship position specifically for me. My supervisor mentioned that the team was eager to bring me on board, which felt validating. Since starting, I've taken on new responsibilities and have had numerous opportunities to learn and grow within the organization. This experience has truly solidified my passion for social work, and I hope to make it my career. As I enter my final year of undergrad, I'm planning to continue in this role, even though it's unpaid. I appreciate the learning experience, despite some colleagues feeling guilty about the lack of compensation. I understand the organization is underfunded, but I'm concerned about the sustainability of this arrangement after graduation. I'm hopeful they will offer me a paid position eventually, though I'm trying to manage my expectations. I've recommended the volunteer-to-intern route to others interested in social work, as it has worked well for me. I'm curious about how far others have taken this path and whether recruiters will see my growth here as valuable if I don't end up with a job at this organization.

Today, I received a call from a plumbing company after applying for a position. I'm 18, just out of high school, and I may have exaggerated my experience on my resume. I listed "contracting experience" with details that my school teacher helped me write, but the truth is, I haven't done any of that work in years. I forgot how to use basic tools and even how to hold a hammer properly. The hiring manager seemed impressed with my supposed experience and wants me to come in for an interview. He mentioned he’d send me the application online, but he really wants to meet in person. I'm feeling anxious because I know I can't fake my way through this. I don't want to show up and look clueless about basic plumbing tasks or tool usage. I’m considering my options, but I know I need to be honest about my skills before it backfires.

I've been actively submitting job applications since I decided to move to a smaller town in my state. For the past three years, I've worked for the largest insurer in my area, but now I'm facing a tough job market. I've applied to over 40 positions, and the results have been discouraging. Most of my applications seem to disappear into a black hole, sitting for 2-4 months without any updates, only to eventually receive a rejection. A few others have rejected me within just 1-2 business days. I did manage to secure one interview that I felt went really well, but unfortunately, I was informed afterward that they decided not to move forward with my application. I believe I am well qualified for the roles I'm applying for, and in some cases, even overqualified. I've tried using AI tools to tailor my resume and have also attempted networking, but it's challenging to connect with people in a new city where I don't know anyone. At this point, I'm considering applying for Amazon warehouse jobs or other manual labor positions just to make ends meet.

I’m a 32-year-old with a degree in Public Relations and eight years of work experience that hasn’t really built my career. I graduated in 2017 and took a front desk job at a physician's office, thinking it would be temporary, but I ended up staying there for five years. I got comfortable and underpaid, and honestly, I was scared of rejection, which kept me from looking for other opportunities. In 2023, I moved to a second physician's office for a year and then landed an office manager role at a financial advisor firm with a $10k pay bump. Unfortunately, I was laid off a little over a year later and spent six months unemployed. Now, I’m back in a similar role at another advisory firm, but I find myself with a lot of downtime to reflect on my career path and how I feel behind. I realize I don’t have any specialized skills or a niche, just a degree that I never really utilized and a resume filled with administrative roles. I hear everyone talking about how brutal the job market is right now, and while I believe it, I can’t help but wonder if I’m just using that as an excuse to avoid taking action. If you were in my position, what would you do next?

I just learned that VideoAmp has laid off some of its staff as they shift focus towards AI technology. As someone who has been following the company closely, it's concerning to see how the rise of AI is impacting jobs in our industry. I'm currently assessing my own situation and considering my next steps in the job market.

I was recently laid off from my position at Citi while I was on vacation. I received a phone call that completely blindsided me. It was a tough moment, and I found myself reflecting on my identity and what this change means for me. I know that I need to focus on finding a new job to pay my bills, but it’s hard not to feel a sense of loss. The way it happened felt very impersonal and left me feeling unsettled. I'm trying to navigate this transition and figure out my next steps.

I am currently seeking to transition from my role as a Retail Operations Leader into Business Operations. With over 15 years of leadership and operations experience in retail and multi-unit environments, I've managed teams of over 40 employees and have been responsible for various aspects of operations, including training, process improvement, and performance management. I hold a B.S. in Computer Information Systems, but I'm not looking to dive into a technical IT role. I'm particularly interested in roles like Business Operations Manager or Operations Program Manager, but I've faced challenges getting employers to see my experience as applicable outside of retail. I'm eager to leverage my existing skills in a new industry and am open to onsite, hybrid, or remote opportunities. If anyone has advice, recommendations, or referrals for companies that hire for Business Operations roles, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm happy to share my resume privately as well.

I’m a 25-year-old female with a master's degree in Business Administration, and I’m feeling really lost in my career right now. I graduated from university in just two years and completed my master's before turning 25, but I’ve never had a clear career path—only a list of what I don’t want to do. Currently, I’m working in project management, but I absolutely hate the industry I’m in. The job is outside the city, which means I deal with awful traffic every day. I have to wake up much earlier than I’d like, and I feel like I have no time for myself anymore. My previous job was hybrid and only 10 minutes from home, so this transition has been really tough. I was laid off from that job, and now I’m stuck in a position that’s causing me a lot of stress. My own mother has even commented that I seem like a stranger lately. I’m actively searching for new opportunities, but with the current job market, it feels overwhelming. I just need a glimmer of hope and some encouragement to keep going.

I'm currently navigating the unemployment process in Pennsylvania and I'm struggling to set up direct deposit for my benefits. I've been receiving paper checks, but I lost my first one and I really want to avoid that hassle again. I can't seem to find the 'claimant dashboard' where I'm supposed to set up direct deposit. Is this feature located in the same portal where I file my weekly claims? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently facing a layoff that is scheduled to take effect in over a month. As I navigate my job search, I'm unsure how to answer the question about my employment status on applications. I want to be honest, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chances of landing a new role. Right now, I am employed, so I feel inclined to answer 'YES' to the question of whether I am currently employed. However, I worry that if the hiring process takes a long time and my layoff date arrives, it could create confusion during the background check when they find out I'm no longer employed. I've read that employers typically don’t know about future layoffs unless disclosed, and that I shouldn't have to mention it. Many suggest I should stick with 'YES' until the layoff officially happens, as employment verification processes usually just check the dates of employment. I’ve also seen advice that if I get a new job and then get laid off shortly after, I can explain that it was a layoff that occurred after I accepted the new position. Ultimately, I think I will answer 'YES' on applications because, as of today, I am employed. I just need to keep in mind that I can clarify my situation if it comes up during interviews.

I'm set to graduate this November with a Bachelor of Commerce, specializing in Finance & Economics, and a Minor in Global Leadership from the University of Toronto. I'm actively seeking job opportunities in the Finance sector, particularly with Big 4 firms. My background includes one internship with the CRA, another as an event planner/logistics coordinator, and a role as a Financial Manager for a political campaign. Currently, I have a cumulative GPA of 3.42 over my four years, with a stronger 3.76 in my last two years. Unfortunately, my first two years were impacted by personal challenges and poor planning, which has me concerned about how my GPA will be viewed by potential employers. I'm curious if firms tend to focus more on the GPA from the latter years of study or if they consider the overall average from all four years. Given that many positions in investment banking and some Big 4 roles require a GPA of 3.5-3.6, I'm worried that my cumulative GPA might hinder my chances, especially with the increasing use of tech and AI in the hiring process. If anyone has insights into how hiring managers evaluate GPA and any strategies I could use to improve my application, I would greatly appreciate your advice. Thanks in advance!

I recently experienced significant cutbacks in my hours at work. I was hired for a role where I typically worked 12-hour shifts across four days one week and three days the next, totaling around 84 hours in a pay period. However, over the last four months, my hours have been drastically reduced to just two days one week and sometimes only three days the following week, resulting in paychecks ranging from 48 to 60 hours. I heard about the possibility of filing for partial unemployment benefits in Louisiana, which could provide financial assistance even if I’m still employed but have had my hours reduced. I’m curious if anyone has more information about this program, particularly the eligibility criteria. I understand that one must not have requested fewer hours to qualify, but I’m unsure about the specifics. It’s frustrating to see so many workers on standby while I struggle with these reduced hours. Any insights or experiences with partial unemployment would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off in May and have been feeling trapped in my city due to the job market. My financial situation has taken a serious hit, especially after dealing with cancer treatment two years ago and accumulating legal fees. I've been unemployed for a few months and even had to spend gas money to get to an unpaid internship, which I eventually dropped out of grad school for. I was planning to move out of the metro area, but I simply can't afford it. My finances are a mess, and I just accepted a full-time job that starts this week, which I’m incredibly grateful for after searching for six months. However, I barely scraped together my August rent, making multiple payments just to get by. Currently, I'm relying on unemployment and SNAP, but I'm constantly anxious about making mistakes with the paperwork. With less than a dollar in my bank account and a delayed unemployment check, I'm worried about how I'll even afford gas to get to my new job. My perspective on money has shifted drastically; I can no longer see food as entertainment, and dining out is off the table for at least a year. I feel miserable and depressed, and my counselor suggested I exercise, but I can barely afford food, let alone the energy to work out. I keep telling myself that this job in a city I don’t love doesn’t have to be permanent, but I feel stuck. I’ve followed the path we’re told to take—go to college, work hard—but here I am in my 40s, feeling like I've failed at life. While my friends seem to find happiness and success elsewhere, I feel like I'm drowning in this intense East Coast city. I stayed here for good cancer care and now for a job, but it’s not where I want to be. The job market here is better than many places, but I just can't shake the feeling that I don’t belong. It feels reminiscent of the struggles from 2008.

I had an interview two weeks ago for a position that I was really excited about. Shortly after, the recruiter reached out to let me know that the company wanted to move forward with an offer. However, at the beginning of last week, I was informed that there was a technical issue preventing them from generating the formal offer letter. Apparently, there’s a problem with their ATS that’s not allowing my profile to be uploaded to their portal, and they might need to delete and recreate my profile to resolve it. I’ve been in touch with the recruiter, and overall, communication has been good, but I haven’t had any direct contact with anyone from HR. I can’t help but feel a bit anxious about the situation. I really don’t want to lose this opportunity, and while I’m trying to convince myself that the issue doesn’t sound too complicated, the delay is making me nervous. I’m considering reaching out again to express my continued interest and see if there’s any update, but I’m also worried about coming off as too pushy. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

I recently filed my weekly unemployment claim in Pennsylvania and noticed it asked me the same questions as my initial application regarding my termination. This is unusual for me since I was laid off a few years ago and don't remember having to answer these questions again. My application is still under review, and I'm feeling quite anxious about it. For context, I was terminated from my role without any prior warnings or performance improvement plans. I had been on PTO for two weeks, logged in for just 7 minutes, and was then let go. The company claimed I hadn't met their standards, but I have no idea what transpired during my absence. They assured me they wouldn't contest my unemployment claim and offered a minimal severance package, essentially paying me for the full week instead of just those 7 minutes. After stating their decision was final, they ended the Teams meeting abruptly.

I started my job at a company a few months ago, and just two months in, my boss was unexpectedly fired. Since then, it's been a rough few months as everyone who worked under her has been let go, except for me and one other colleague. With a new boss starting this week, I'm feeling anxious about my position. I genuinely enjoy the work I do, but the uncertainty has me considering whether I should start looking for a new job. The atmosphere feels tense, and I can't shake the feeling that I might be next on the chopping block.

I recently graduated from college and have been actively searching for a job. So far, I've applied to about 50 positions, but I haven't received any responses. I'm feeling a bit discouraged and confused about why this is happening. I've heard that 50 applications isn't a lot in today's job market, especially with so many people competing for the same roles. It seems like many others have applied to hundreds without any luck. I've also been told that just applying online isn't enough; I might need to network and get referrals to stand out. As a fresh graduate, it feels even tougher since there are experienced candidates out there who are also looking for entry-level jobs. I'm considering reaching out to my college's career services for help, but I'm not sure what else to do. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently got fired from my job after just six months, and at 27, I’m feeling really lost about my career path. I was working in a role related to my studies, but now I’m questioning if this is the right field for me. Before this, I had a desk job, which I left to pursue this new opportunity. Now, I’m contemplating a pivot into a different field altogether. One of my main concerns is whether I should include this recent job on my résumé. I’ve heard mixed opinions on this, and I’m unsure if it would hurt or help my chances when applying for jobs in a new area. Given how tough the job market is right now, I’m worried about finding something new. I’m also reflecting on what led to my firing so I can learn from the experience and avoid similar issues in the future. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation after resigning from my remote paralegal position. I had been working in this role for several years, and it was a great fit for my lifestyle, allowing me to only go into court for trial days. Unfortunately, my attorney began to struggle significantly, missing critical deadlines and showing up to work inebriated. I often found myself pleading with him to submit documents I had prepared, just hours before deadlines, which was incredibly stressful. Eventually, I had to make the tough decision to resign out of ethical concerns, especially after he faced a malpractice lawsuit that resulted in substantial financial penalties. With over 14 years of experience in the field, I feel confident in my abilities, but I'm at a loss for how to navigate the job search without a reference from my former boss. I know I need to be honest about the situation without disparaging him. I'm considering reaching out to former colleagues who can vouch for my work ethic and skills. I'm also thinking about how to frame my resignation positively when applying for new roles. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.

I’m currently working at a good company but my contract is ending in a year, and there’s no chance of renewal as my department is being eliminated. I declined an offer to relocate within the company. Recently, I received a job offer from a local competitor for a similar role with a slight pay increase of $5,000. However, this new position comes with a significant downside: it involves a lot of overtime and adds an extra hour to my daily commute. The new company is larger and seems to offer more stability for the next few years, which is appealing. I’m torn between staying at my current job for the remaining year or accepting the new offer despite the commute and overtime. I’ve also heard that if I turn down this competitor's offer, it might be difficult to get another opportunity with them in the future. On top of this, I’ve been applying to various jobs, but most require relocation, which isn’t an option for me since all my family and friends are here.