Planning

I'm currently a college student in my final year and I'm on the lookout for a job that accommodates my need to avoid long periods of standing due to a previous hip injury. My experience includes a few years in front desk and guest services roles across hotels, retail, and even a law office reception position, along with some administrative work during tax season. I'm comfortable with tasks like check-ins, phone handling, scheduling, and customer interactions, and I'm certified in Microsoft Office. Since I don’t have a car, I'm limited to job opportunities on public transit routes, which makes my search a bit more challenging. Ideally, I’m seeking positions that allow for a mix of sitting and light movement—such as front desk, reception, admin roles, or customer service jobs where I can work at a register with a stool. My schedule is quite flexible right now, so I can adapt to various shifts. I would greatly appreciate any advice on where to look for jobs, industries that might be a good fit for someone in my situation, or any general strategies from those who have navigated similar challenges. Thank you!

I’m a US citizen who has spent most of my life living abroad, and I’m currently trying to relocate back to the US for work. I've been applying to various jobs, clearly stating my willingness to move immediately, but I’m starting to wonder if my applications are even being reviewed. I’ve heard that some US recruiters might discard applications from candidates living outside the country, viewing them as potential fraud. This has me feeling really anxious about my job search. I know there are many opportunities in the US for my field, but I’m concerned that my applications might not even be opened. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Are there any strategies I can use to improve my chances of getting noticed? Also, I’m considering reaching out to friends or family in the US to see if I could stay with them temporarily while I search for a job.

I've been actively applying for jobs lately and it's been quite a frustrating experience. I've tried using various tools like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ATS portals, along with resume optimization tools. While these resources do help to some extent, the overall process still feels incredibly messy and overwhelming. There are so many job listings out there, and each application seems to require a different approach. The ATS forms are repetitive, which adds to the frustration, and I find myself tweaking my resume for every single application. On top of that, keeping track of all my applications feels like a full-time job in itself. I spend more time managing the application process than actually applying for positions. I'm curious to know what others find most frustrating about their job search right now.

I'm currently navigating a tough decision regarding job offers. I'm based in the UK and have been dreaming of becoming a barista for quite some time. Unfortunately, the job market for baristas in my area is quite poor, so I broadened my search to include retail positions. I applied for a sales job, which was the first one I came across, and to my surprise, I was offered the position. However, I had also recently completed a trial shift at a cafe that I really like and am eagerly waiting to hear back about that opportunity on Monday. The sales job is not ideal for me; it involves long hours on my feet, traveling up to nine hours a day, and the pay is entirely commission-based, meaning I won’t earn anything unless I make sales. The reviews for the company on Indeed are also quite negative. I'm supposed to sign the paperwork for the sales job on Tuesday, but my heart is set on the cafe job, even though it pays less. I feel guilty about potentially having to cancel the sales job at the last minute, especially since I’ve never had a job before and this is all new to me. I'm really hoping to get good news from the cafe soon so I can make a more informed decision.

I'm currently exploring a new career path as a barista, which I've always been passionate about. My short-term goal is to work in a coffee shop because I love the atmosphere, the smell of coffee, and of course, I really enjoy both drinking and preparing it. I'm a French man and have been considering working abroad, with London being my dream city. However, I'm concerned about the visa situation for non-skilled workers and whether a barista's wage would be sufficient to live there. Brussels is my second choice since it seems more affordable and accessible due to the EU. I appreciate the international vibe there. Berlin is also on my list, but my German skills are lacking, which could be a significant hurdle. Still, I'm intrigued by the city's energy and would be willing to learn the language. Lastly, Amsterdam looks lovely, but I have no experience with the city or the language. I want to know if these cities are good for coffee culture and if I can find a job quickly. The challenge is that I have minimal experience in this field, having only worked a few months as a kitchen hand in New Zealand, where I made smoothies and milkshakes. My background is in cinema studies, and I’m unsure if I should even mention my master's degree on my CV since it feels irrelevant. I'm thinking of starting as a waiter or a versatile employee while expressing my interest in becoming a barista. Does that sound like a good plan? For my job search, I plan to prepare tailored CVs and cover letters for coffee shops in a city, dedicating a Thursday to hand them out, and possibly emailing them as well. I would love to hear your thoughts on my approach!

I’m currently weighing a job opportunity that could significantly change my career trajectory. Right now, I’m working as a lab tech, earning $32 an hour with a 20-minute commute. Unfortunately, my current company is struggling, and there are no growth opportunities since I’ve reached the top pay for my position. They’ve also imposed a hiring freeze, which has me feeling uncertain about my future here. The potential new job is a managerial position with a salary of $100,000 plus overtime after 40 hours. The catch? It comes with a 1 hour and 30 minute commute. While the commute sounds daunting, this role could open many doors for me, especially since the company is stable and there are other manufacturing plants in the area that I could explore in the future. I’m also considering relocating since I have a mortgage on my current home, which is valued at $130,000 with $60,000 left to pay off. My credit has improved since my bankruptcy a few years ago, but I'm still unsure if I could qualify for another mortgage. I’ve been diligent with my finances, recently securing a car loan that I’ve paid off. My plan would be to move as soon as possible, even if it means sleeping in my car on particularly exhausting days. I know commuting three hours a day is a lot, but I believe this opportunity aligns well with my long-term career goals. I’m really torn about whether to take this leap or stay in my current position.

I have been working as a graphic designer for the past three years, but after my company went bankrupt, I have struggled to find a new job. Freelancing hasn't been fruitful either, and I barely make enough to cover my rent. I'm feeling desperate and ready to switch careers entirely. Ideally, I want to move into a field that offers good pay and the option to work remotely, as my health is not great and I often get sick. I'm considering roles like data analytics, but I'm worried about the impact of AI on job security in that area. I'm reaching out for any advice or recommendations on potential career paths.

I just experienced a layoff from my role as a Permit Coordinator at a company where I had been actively training new hires since December. I was completely blindsided when I was called into the GM's office just 20 minutes before my shift ended. We had recently brought someone new onto the team, and I had no indication that my department was downsizing. It was a shock to realize that I was being let go, especially since I had been deeply invested in my work and my coworkers. I accidentally made some of my colleagues emotional during my departure because I genuinely cared about them and wanted to be a resource for help. I had been the only one in the department with the skills to use CAD and manage traffic control templates, and now I worry about how my team will cope without my knowledge. I did manage to compile a OneNote with all the information I had, but I still feel a sense of dread for my former team. Now, I'm left grappling with the reality of not having a job to report to on Monday. I'm seeking advice on how to move forward from this situation and cope with the sudden change.

I've been unemployed for nearly a month now and it's really taking a toll on me. After graduating with a Business Degree a few years ago, I've struggled to find a solid position, only managing to snag a few temp roles. My last job was an exciting stint with FIFA during the World Cup, where I worked in retail among other tasks. I enjoyed the experience, but it made me realize how much more experience my coworkers had, which was a tough pill to swallow. Now, I'm back at square one, having not worked since April, and I'm feeling lost. I've applied to a handful of jobs but mostly get responses for positions I didn’t even apply for. My savings are dwindling, and I'm anxious about the prospect of being jobless for the rest of the year. I’m feeling aimless and overwhelmed, especially since I don’t have a strong network or even a car. I’m at a crossroads and really need advice on what my next steps should be. Should I just apply to anything and everything to get some income, or is there a better strategy? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been working in an IT helpdesk role for nearly 15 years, and I’m starting to feel the weight of anxiety about job security, especially with the rise of AI. I’ve survived a performance improvement plan and a layoff on my team, but I’ve also tried to pivot into coding over the last decade without success. Thankfully, I dodged a bullet by not investing in a coding bootcamp that would have cost me $20-30K. I even explored getting into the trades, but I faced rejection from two IBEW locals and the local UA for an apprenticeship. Now, I’m feeling like I could be on the brink of losing my job and facing financial ruin, which is daunting. Living at home has its benefits, but it’s not a great situation overall. I don’t have a degree from a prestigious university, and I’m worried that my career in IT might be reaching a dead-end, especially with advancements in AI and companies like Microsoft pushing for self-sufficient systems. Ageism is also a concern for me at 41, and I’m unsure of what my next steps should be. I’m not interested in traditional paths like healthcare or roles that are often suggested for people with ADHD. I feel like the saying 'you can’t teach an old dog new tricks' is becoming more relevant for me. I’ve received some suggestions to take action and consider helping individual coaches and consultants with their IT needs, such as troubleshooting websites or setting up AI chatbots. I’m contemplating this as a potential avenue to explore.

I recently found myself reflecting on my job search journey after being laid off. I was laid off from my role in a Biotech company and it’s been a tough ride. It’s been 11 months since I lost my job, and I’m seriously considering going back to school to pivot into a different field. The job market is incredibly competitive right now, and it feels like every application I submit gets lost in the shuffle. I’ve seen others share their experiences, with some taking up to 10 months to find something new, while others managed to land roles in just a couple of months but often had to make significant compromises. It’s disheartening to see that even when you do everything right, the reality is that many job postings might not even be real, and the competition is fierce. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but I can’t help but feel the pressure of the situation.

I recently received an offer for a tech supporter role at a school, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about it. I have 8 years of experience as a full stack engineer, primarily working with SaaS technologies like Java, Python, React, Vue, SQL, and Node. Over the past couple of years, I've also started exploring AI engineering. Unfortunately, I faced a tough time when my previous company went bankrupt, leaving me unemployed for 7 months. During my job search, I sent out 436 applications, which only led to three interviews. I worked with 27 recruiters, but most of them ended up ghosting me. Finally, I was contacted by this school that needs someone to help set up hardware, troubleshoot bugs in their internal systems, and handle various tech-related tasks. However, it's been challenging to get a clear understanding of what my actual responsibilities will be since no one else at the school has tech experience. I'm quite anxious about stepping into this role because I have no idea what programs I should familiarize myself with or what to expect day-to-day. Additionally, I’m concerned about how this role might affect my long-term career goals. I still aspire to secure a full stack engineer position, and I worry that this tech support role, which is not coding-focused, might hinder my chances of landing a programming job in the future. If anyone has experience in a similar role, I would greatly appreciate any insights or advice!

I recently joined the "laid off club" after 25 years in my role. I had been mentally preparing for this moment for about three years, ever since the original owners exited and their sons took over without the necessary leadership skills to run the business effectively. During this time, I started doing some side work to keep myself engaged, as my main job often left me with nothing to do over 50% of the time. While I have some sporadic work to keep me entertained, it's not enough to support myself. The company mentioned that if work comes in, I might get a call back, but honestly, I doubt that will happen given how slow things have been for so long. The future looks pretty dim at this point. Now that I have some time on my hands, I plan to tackle various projects around the house. After a few weeks of relaxing, I’ll start sending out résumés. At nearly 50 years old, I’m curious about re-entering the workforce as if I’m a newbie. I’m also hoping to shift my career direction and maybe even secure a raise, especially since I haven’t seen one in about four years, and the raises I did receive were always below the inflation rate. If anyone is on the lookout for that elusive employee who is hard to find because they’re already employed, feel free to reach out!

I've been working as a creative project manager at my company for 10 years now, and I've consistently met or exceeded expectations in my annual reviews. However, I've recently been facing some frustrating situations regarding my position and pay. Since 2020, my team has shrunk from five people to just two of us, and we've absorbed the workload of the others, effectively doubling our responsibilities. Despite this, I've only received regular raises and two promotions that didn't really change my workload, just the title and pay grade. Recently, a job was posted for our team at a higher pay grade than mine, but when I asked my manager why, she couldn't provide a clear explanation. This left me feeling undervalued and hesitant to apply. Now, my manager has posted another position that has a similar job description to mine but offers a minimum of $13,000 more in base pay and a higher title. She encouraged me to apply, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something off about this whole situation. I've been looking for new jobs on and off, but the market is tough, and I'm feeling burnt out. I can't help but wonder why they wouldn't just promote me if they recognize my experience and capabilities. If I decide to apply, I want to present my experience and goals effectively without sounding like I'm just saying, 'I already do all of this.' It's a big company, and while not every area is problematic, mine definitely feels like it's stuck in a loop of questionable hiring practices.

I'm currently exploring job opportunities outside of India, specifically in Product Management, Business Analytics, and similar early-career roles. I've been searching on LinkedIn and various job portals, but I'm facing challenges. Most international positions require candidates to have the right to work in the country, don’t offer visa sponsorship, or ask for several years of experience. Additionally, many have vague relocation policies. I'm reaching out to those who successfully made this transition: how did you find your first job abroad? I'm particularly interested in which countries are more open to hiring candidates from India, which job boards are effective for international applicants, and if there are companies known for sponsoring visas for early-career professionals. I also wonder if networking and referrals are more effective than direct applications, whether I should target remote roles first, and if there are any lesser-known websites or strategies that helped you. I'm not looking for generic advice; I would really appreciate insights from anyone who has navigated this process successfully, especially in the Product, Tech, or Analytics fields.

I work at a car dealership in the Midwest, and I might be facing a layoff due to the recent implementation of an AI receptionist. I returned from a trip to find my desk eerily quiet; I usually handle around 30 calls a day, but now I'm barely getting any. Management hasn't communicated anything about my role, but it's clear that my primary responsibilities have vanished almost overnight. I'm really anxious about the possibility of being let go in the coming weeks, especially since job opportunities in my area are already scarce. I need to secure my position to move out soon, but I'm torn between waiting to see what happens and starting to look for a new job. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’ve been working at a small startup for the past 9 months, and I’m starting to feel really uneasy about some unethical practices I’ve discovered. We’re a team of about 25, and I was one of the first hires in my role. Recently, I learned some alarming things that are making me consider whether I should leave the company. 1. It turns out that several of my coworkers don’t have valid work authorizations. The founders are from India, and it seems a couple of our engineers are on student or guest visas. I found out about this after one of them got caught, which raised a huge red flag for me. 2. The founder is diverting funds from our main product to develop a second product, which is only marginally related to our original offering. He’s even using our main product’s social media to promote this new venture. I’m worried that this could jeopardize the cash flow from the product I’m responsible for. 3. There are also issues with contracts being manipulated to lower the pay for myself and the go-to-market team. I was promised bonuses for achieving specific goals, but the new contract terms have delayed those payments and made it harder to reach my targets. 4. On a personal note, I just found out that my equity vesting schedule was altered without my knowledge. The founder added an additional year to my vesting period, which is really frustrating. Given all of this, I’m wondering how bad it would look if I decided to switch jobs now. I’m particularly concerned about the legal implications if any of these issues come to light. A friend from my previous job offered me a referral, but I’ve applied there a couple of times since my layoff and never heard back. Plus, since I’m the public face of our training and promotional videos, it would feel awkward to transition to a new role. I’m really torn about whether I should stay and wait it out or bail before things potentially get worse.

I’ve been struggling with my job search lately, especially with Indeed's 'experience level' filter. It feels completely useless. I just spent half an hour rejecting job listings for positions like registered nurse, cath lab tech, and on-call OR surgeon—none of which I qualify for. I don't understand why I'm being shown jobs that require master's degrees or years of experience in fields like civil engineering when I'm just looking for something entry-level. I'm really trying to find any job at this point. I did get hired by McDonald's, and they sent me my I-9 and onboarding paperwork, which I filled out right away. But now, I've been waiting for a month for them to process it, and to make matters worse, they recently removed the job listing. It’s incredibly frustrating.

I recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology and I'm currently living with my parents while searching for a decent job. I just started working as a patient transporter two weeks ago, but I also had a promising job interview today for a position that pays the same. I'm excited because my current job will help me get a CPR certification next week, and the interview I had mentioned they offer free phlebotomy classes and certification. I'm considering getting both certifications and then applying for better jobs in my desired career field after about 6-8 months. I'm a bit worried, though, about how potential employers will view my short tenure at these jobs. Will they look down on my applications if I leave after such a brief period, even though the roles are relevant to my career goals?

I’m excited to share that I finally got a job at a hospital in the Midwest! I had applied there last year but faced constant rejections, even receiving an initial offer for just $16 an hour, which felt too low given my 14 years of medical experience. I decided to apply again and took the initiative to email one of the talent managers directly. This time, I not only got in but also received an offer that reflects my worth, and I won’t have to work in the ER. It took a lot of perseverance—about 20 applications in total, with three responses, but the fourth was the one that worked out. Don’t give up on your job search!