Planning

I've been on a tough journey in my job search, having applied to 1,400 positions over the past year and a half. It feels like I'm cursed at this point. I've revamped my resume more than 50 times and utilized platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Hiring Cafe, and even Craigslist, but nothing seems to stick. Most of my applications are for office and admin roles, both remote and in-person, and I know I'm qualified for them—at least 70% of the time. I lack a degree, but my experience should count for something. I've tried different approaches for my cover letters and application answers, switching tones from warm to professional, and keeping things concise. I even run my resume through an AI checker to ensure it meets standards, and friends who are in hiring roles have given me positive feedback on my resume and interview skills. Yet, I rarely get interviews. When I do, it feels like I'm stuck in a cycle of similar personalities, hoping one will finally click. To protect my privacy, I've set up a separate email and phone number, and I even use a different name when applying so employers can't find my social media. I wish I were joking about feeling cursed, but this experience has left me feeling broken and depressed. I'm running out of ideas and feeling like I'm just treading water.

I applied for a mid-level management position at a non-profit in early May. I heard back from them about a week later, but it took an additional week for the HR rep to schedule a phone interview. The interview took place on a Thursday, and I felt it went well. The HR rep mentioned she would reach out by the end of Friday to arrange an in-person interview. However, I didn’t hear anything by that Friday, and after a weekend of waiting, I sent a thank-you email on Monday. Now, it has been 10 days without any communication, even though the job is still posted and my application remains open in their system. The organization is quite small, with only four people on the team I’m applying for, and there’s one opening. I’ve identified who my potential manager would be and am contemplating whether I should reach out to him directly on LinkedIn. I do have some concerns about this approach, especially since I’ve previously applied for a different role at the same company, only to be informed shortly after that the position had been closed. Given the lack of response from HR, I’m unsure if contacting the manager would be beneficial or if I should wait a bit longer.

After struggling to find a job in the corporate world for the past nine months, I've decided to pivot my career. I’m a senior creative and have been feeling stuck, so I'm exploring the idea of selling clothing accessories that I make myself. Additionally, I’m considering taking on a role to help care for elderly individuals for the state. While I know this will likely pay less than my previous corporate roles, I’m hopeful it will bring me more happiness. Financially, I’m currently on hardship programs, which has alleviated some of my debt stress. I’m curious if anyone else has made a similar transition and what their experiences were like.

I recently signed an offer letter for a new role and submitted my background check paperwork to HireRight about three weeks ago. Tonight, I received a notification that my paperwork was filled out incorrectly and needs to be resubmitted. I informed them that I’m supposed to start on Monday and requested an expedited process since it’s been several weeks already. However, they told me that my background check won’t be completed before my start date unless the company takes action to expedite it. I've reached out to the company to let them know about the situation, but I'm anxious about what happens if my background check is still pending when Monday arrives. I've heard from others that some companies might still allow you to start, but with the understanding that they can terminate your employment if the background check doesn't come back clean. I’m hoping to get some insights from HR professionals or anyone who has faced a similar situation.

I had a really tough day at work. I made a huge mistake by calling out my manager in front of the whole team, and now I'm feeling the weight of my actions. I can't shake the feeling that I might get fired for it. I'm torn between whether I should quit now or just wait to see what happens. I know I messed up, but I'm not sure if I should take the initiative to leave without having another job lined up. I'm also considering the advice from some colleagues to apologize to my manager and start looking for new opportunities just in case. It's a stressful situation, and I'm trying to figure out the best course of action.

I've been on the job hunt for over eight months now, and I've been helping friends with their resumes along the way. I've realized that a lot of the common resume advice out there is outdated and not very useful. For instance, nobody seems to care about objective statements unless you're in Europe, and listing a long sidebar of skills doesn't get you noticed either. What really works is focusing on results instead of just listing tasks. Instead of saying I managed social media accounts, I learned to say something like I grew the Instagram following by 40% in six months, which contributed to increased sales. That's the key to getting callbacks. I've also found that sending the same resume for every application isn't effective. Just tweaking the summary and a few phrases to align with the job posting can make a significant difference, especially with ATS systems. You don't need to rewrite the whole resume; just adjust the top third. Lastly, I've switched from using Canva to Google Docs for my resume. The fancy designs might look nice, but ATS systems prefer clean, simple formats that focus on content.

I was laid off from my job on May 20th and submitted my unemployment claims for the first time. I'm feeling a bit lost since my employer didn't respond by the June 2 deadline, and my claim status is still showing as pending. I managed to secure a new job, and my first day is tomorrow. I'm wondering if I will receive retroactive back pay for the weeks I was unemployed and when I should officially close my claim—should I do it on my first day at the new job or at the end of the week? I'm also going to be paid bi-weekly at this new position, but I'm not sure if that affects anything. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently a senior engineer at a large US product company in India, and I've been with them for about 10 years. I've recently learned that I will likely be part of the layoffs happening in September. The severance package is four months' salary, which amounts to around 12 lacs, plus gratuity. However, I'm feeling quite disengaged and don't want to continue working here until then. I've been receiving numerous job opportunities through Naukri and LinkedIn. I'm at a crossroads: should I wait until September to claim the severance package, or should I make the switch to a new job right now? My current salary is approximately 35 lacs.

I've been thinking a lot about my financial situation lately, especially with all the layoffs happening in various companies. I had planned to make a major purchase, but now I'm reconsidering everything. The common advice seems to be to have at least 6 months of savings, but given the current job market and the experiences of people I know who have been searching for jobs for a long time, I think aiming for 18 months of savings might be a safer bet. I honestly don't know how others manage without that kind of cushion. I feel fortunate that I have in-laws and parents who could take us in if things got really bad, but the thought of losing our house is terrifying. I'm curious about what others are doing to prepare and what their backup plans look like. I read a comment from someone who was laid off in January and is still looking for work. They mentioned having 3-4 years of savings, which sounds like a solid plan. I had actually intended to make a large payment toward my mortgage principal right before I got laid off, which might have helped me financially in the long run. Some people are suggesting that having a 'layoff plan' is just as crucial as having savings. It makes sense—if I were to get laid off tomorrow, would I know the steps to take? Things like figuring out severance, applying for unemployment, managing health insurance, cutting expenses, and starting the job search immediately are all important. It’s a lot to think about, and I want to be prepared.

I’ve been unemployed for about 9 months now, and I’m really feeling the pressure. At 21, I’ve accumulated $24k in debt, and I’m currently living with my grandma, who helps cover my car insurance and phone bill. I apply to numerous jobs daily but only receive a few phone calls. I’m starting my online accounting degree next month, hoping that will improve my situation in 1-2 years. While I don’t have to pay rent, my monthly debt payments are a significant burden. I’ve attempted side hustles like Spark, Flex, and DoorDash, but they don’t bring in enough to meet my financial needs. I feel completely useless being jobless at my age, especially with this debt hanging over me. I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I recently got laid off and I'm wondering if it's too soon to start looking for another job. I've heard that on average, it takes about three months for someone to find a new position, but given the current job market, it might take even longer. I'm concerned that by the time I secure a new role, I will have been out of work for over a year. Should I begin my job search now or wait a bit longer?

I recently got fired from my job and have been on a relentless job search since then. I applied to numerous positions and was thrilled when I received a quick response for a phone interview with a company I’m really interested in. The interview is just two days away, and I can’t seem to stop hyperfixating on it. I’ve been prepping extensively, researching the company and the role, but the anticipation is overwhelming and it’s affecting my sleep. This job opportunity is particularly exciting because it offers a significantly higher salary than my previous position, and I believe I’m well-qualified for it. I’m really hoping that the screening goes well. It’s tough navigating the job hunting process, but I’m trying to stay positive and focused.

I'm currently searching for a well-paying job that I can genuinely look forward to. I'm almost 24 years old and unfortunately, I don't have a diploma or GED, nor do I have a vehicle or a driver's license. I really need to find a job soon. I've dabbled in using Blender for some creative work on my PC, but it didn't turn out to be what I hoped for. I'm looking for something that excites me enough to wake up in the morning, as I really want to avoid living paycheck to paycheck. I know I have a lot to work on, and I’m considering getting my GED or learning a trade to improve my prospects. I’m open to suggestions on how to get started and what paths might be available for someone in my situation.

I have a phone interview scheduled for tomorrow for the position of Short Term Disability Claims Specialist. This is my first interview in over eight years, which feels quite daunting. I was recently laid off from my job at a cruise line where I worked for eight years, and this happened at the end of April. In my application, I mistakenly indicated that I was still employed, not realizing that the company would verify my employment and request two references. Now, I'm wondering if I should disclose my layoff during the interview or keep it to myself. Additionally, for future applications, should I indicate that I was laid off or continue to say that I am still employed?

I created a SankeyMATIC diagram to visualize my job application process as an IT specialist with 5-6 years of experience in Norway. I began my job search in October 2025 and finally accepted an offer in April 2026. It had been 3-4 years since my last job switch, and I underestimated how lengthy the process could be. Despite the challenges, I'm thrilled with the new offer and excited to start this new chapter in my career!

I received an email from Lumen Partners today, inviting me to interview for a trainee manager role. This is the first time a company has reached out to me directly based on my CV, which feels a bit unusual. I've applied for several trainee manager positions in the past, but many turned out to be pyramid schemes, so I'm feeling cautious. I'm considering doing some research on Lumen Partners, including checking their Glassdoor reviews, to ensure they're a legitimate and decent place to work.

I was let go from my job two weeks ago and have been actively applying for new positions since then. Currently, I have at least five applications out, but I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the process. I'm torn about whether I should keep applying everywhere or slow down a bit. One of my main concerns is the possibility of receiving an offer and then having to turn it down if a better opportunity comes along later. I worry about how that might affect my relationship with the companies I engage with. Additionally, keeping track of all the job descriptions and details is becoming a bit much. I'm not sure how to manage this effectively while still being proactive in my job search. I've read some advice suggesting that I should continue applying until I have a signed offer, which makes sense, but I also want to avoid overwhelming myself. I'm looking for guidance on how to navigate this situation and whether I should continue applying at the same pace or take a step back to reassess.

I was laid off in October 2025 and have been searching for a full-time position ever since. Recently, I was approached for a contractor role that seemed promising; the job description felt like a perfect fit. I went through two interviews that went really well, and they even mentioned a start date of June 22nd. I was excited and hopeful, especially since I was lined up for a third interview with an account executive from the recruitment company, who was supposed to facilitate the connection with the potential employer. However, the third interview, scheduled for last Thursday, never happened. I waited until Friday and reached out to the recruiter, who informed me that the account executive was out sick and promised to get back to me on Monday. Unfortunately, Monday came and went without any communication. I decided to follow up with the recruiter again, but I've been completely ignored. What struck me as odd was that on the day I was supposed to have my third interview, I received a customer satisfaction survey from the recruitment company. This raised some alarm bells for me, but I tried to stay calm, thinking it might just be an administrative error. I find it strange that they would send a CSAT survey if I wasn't selected for the role, especially when I was still in the running. This experience has been quite unusual for me, and I wanted to share it as I haven't encountered anything like this before. Thanks for reading.

I was laid off yesterday after 25 years as a Mechanical Engineer. I had a feeling this was coming, especially since our salaries were reduced by 10% earlier this year due to declining sales. A new investor came in a couple of months ago, aiming to transform the company with AI and new equipment, which seemed like a red flag. In a surprising turn of events, I already have an interview lined up at a larger engineering firm that has eight times the sales of my previous employer. My base pay was $120k, and I’m hopeful about this new opportunity.

I recently experienced a layoff that left me feeling frustrated and angry about how it was handled by my last manager at my previous company. It all started with these strange check-ins that he initiated twice a week. He asked the same questions repeatedly, like 'What are you working on?' and 'Walk me through that again,' but there was no real feedback or guidance. The moment I truly realized something was off was when I opened a roadmap document and noticed my project was still listed, but my name was missing. Looking back, there were several subtle signs I had brushed off, such as work being handed off to others temporarily, meetings disappearing from my calendar, and random requests to document everything I was doing. None of these were dramatic on their own, but they collectively made me feel like I was being slowly erased from the team. In the weeks that followed, I found myself scrambling to gather evidence of my contributions. I dug up old performance reviews, summarized my projects, and wrote down every accomplishment I could remember. I was so pressed for time that I ended up using a resume template without updating it properly. Before any official announcement was made, I reached out to former coworkers because the gut feeling I had was becoming unbearable. Then, the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) showed up, which was almost a relief because it confirmed my suspicions. I hope sharing this experience helps others who might be in a similar situation. Don't ignore the signs; trust your instincts.