Planning

I recently faced a tough situation where my role as an Associate Product Manager at an MNC became redundant. After nearly 9 years with the company, I was informed on August 13th that I needed to resign, which I did without hesitation. However, I was disappointed to find that I received no severance package at all. Instead, I was given payment for a 3-month notice period and gratuity, but nothing beyond that. Now, I'm contemplating whether I should reach out to HR and the leadership team in India, as well as my manager in the UK, to inquire about the lack of a severance package. I want to understand if there’s a standard severance policy for MNCs in India and if they would reconsider my situation. Additionally, I've lost my corporate health insurance, which is particularly concerning since I have an upcoming ACL and meniscus repair surgery planned for early November. This surgery, along with the necessary physiotherapy, is going to cost around 8 lakhs, and I had to postpone it due to my job situation. I'm considering asking the company for an ex-gratuity payment to help cover these medical expenses. I'm also curious about how others are coping after their roles have been made redundant. What strategies are you using to manage expenses after leaving your job? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I just received a meeting invite for a "role update" scheduled for Sunday at 8 PM, with my manager and the director of HR attending. It’s set for 10 AM on Monday, and I can’t shake the feeling that this might not be good news. I’m feeling pretty anxious about it and unsure if I’m about to be let go. I’ve seen others go through similar situations, and the comments I’ve read are making me even more worried. I’m planning to gather all my important documents and emails just in case my access gets cut off right after the meeting. I hope for the best, but I’m preparing for the worst.

I received a job offer today for the position of Medical Officer at Vcare Derma Clinic. However, I'm currently bound by a rural service requirement for one year, and the results regarding my allocation will be announced on the 17th of this month. Until then, I can't confirm whether I can accept the position at Vcare or not. If I get assigned to a hospital through the bond, I will have to work there instead. I've already informed the HR about my situation. Despite this uncertainty, I replied to their offer email, stating that I accept the position, but I haven't signed any formal documents yet. I plan to wait until I receive an exemption from the rural service before signing anything. I'm a bit anxious about whether my acceptance email could lead to any repercussions if I'm allocated to rural service and can't join Vcare.

I've been feeling really frustrated with my job search lately. I try to send out 10 highly tailored resumes every day, but the process is exhausting and I dread it. I’ve been unemployed for a year now, and I’ve noticed that the only time I get interview requests is when I put in the effort to tailor my resume specifically for each job. However, it feels like a painful chore to create a new resume for every application. I’ve attempted mass applying, but that hasn’t worked for me either. I’m curious how others manage to keep going without hating every moment of this process. Some people suggested that I might be overhauling my resume too much instead of just tweaking it. I've been thinking about keeping a master resume that highlights all my achievements and selecting the most relevant ones for each application. Maybe that could make the process less daunting.

I've been working as a server for about a year now and I'm eager to move back to Southern California, where I've lived my whole life until September 2025. However, I don't have any major qualifications or certifications, which makes it challenging to secure a job before relocating. I've considered getting into trades, but the nearest trade school is over three hours away, so I'm leaning towards finding a job in my original city first. I'm looking for advice on how to find a decent-paying server position or any job that could help me make this move happen. I've heard that companies like Amazon are hiring for the upcoming peak season, and I've also been advised to check out seasonal retail positions or staffing agencies in the area. Any tips or leads would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a few roles at Pareto and I've been doing some research on the company. I've come across a number of negative reviews online, which has made me a bit hesitant. I'm trying to figure out if these reviews reflect the actual work environment or if they are just outliers. I would love to hear from anyone who has worked there, especially regarding their graduate schemes. Are they worth pursuing or should I look elsewhere?

I was recently laid off from my Software Engineer position at a FAANG company after about a year. My situation was a bit complicated because my managers changed a few months into my tenure, and on my last day, they informed me that I wasn't meeting expectations. The feedback I received was primarily about my productivity and poor status updates, but I had never been placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) before this. I suspect that the layoff was more performance-based rather than just cost-cutting, especially since a few others were also let go at the same time. Now, as I prepare for upcoming behavioral interviews, I'm grappling with how to frame my layoff. I'm torn between saying I was laid off due to restructuring or being honest about the stack-ranked layoffs and my struggles with the new management. I lean towards the first option, but I worry that it might not be completely truthful, and I fear that hiring managers might find out the real reason from my previous employer. Additionally, I'm considering which experiences to highlight in my interviews. Should I focus on stories from my previous role, where I left on my own accord, or is it acceptable to use examples from my recent position, especially if I can get positive references from senior engineers? I feel that some stories from my last role showcase my skills better, but I'm concerned that the fact I was laid off might overshadow them. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who's been through a similar experience. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I have a chat scheduled with someone from the team I applied to, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. I'm really interested in this position, and I hope this conversation can help me stand out as a candidate. I want to make sure I approach it the right way, especially since I'm hoping for a referral. I've been searching for advice on what to ask, but most suggestions seem too generic, like typical coffee chat questions about hobbies or career paths. This isn't just a casual chat for me; there's a specific job opening I'm aiming for, and I want to make the most of this opportunity. I want to ask questions that will give me insights into the team dynamics and the role itself, while also sharing my background in a way that feels natural and not overly self-promotional. I'm looking for guidance on how to frame my experience without it coming off as just a pitch. Additionally, I need advice on how to bring up the possibility of a referral at the end of our conversation without making it feel transactional. If anyone has been in a similar position, I’d love to hear what questions you found effective or how you navigated these conversations.

I had my final interview for a position last week and received an email from the recruiter on Friday. They mentioned that the hiring manager is deliberating with the team over the weekend and that they would provide an update next week. I’m really interested in this job, and I’m considering whether I should respond to the recruiter. I’m thinking of sending a brief reply to thank them for the update and express my eagerness to hear back. I’ve seen advice suggesting that responding is a good idea, so I’m leaning towards that.

I'm helping my mom search for a job in hospital management, specifically for a General Manager position in the Mumbai/Thane area. She has extensive experience in hospital administration but was laid off when her previous hospital cut costs and downsized staff. We're looking for advice on where to find job openings, which platforms or recruiters are effective for hospital-management roles, and insights into the current hiring market for these positions in our region. Any tips or guidance would be greatly appreciated!

I just found out that my job as a government contractor is ending on September 22, 2026, with my last day being September 23. They only gave us one day to transition everything to the government employees taking over, which feels really unfair. I wish they could have kept us until the end of the fiscal year on September 30. It's frustrating when employers expect at least two weeks' notice but don't extend the same courtesy to their employees. I took last week off to process everything, and I'm starting my job search tomorrow. I'm feeling anxious about the current job market, especially with all the news about long unemployment periods. I have over 20 years of IT experience, but I know many people, including recent grads, are struggling to find work. For those of you who are still employed, I'm genuinely happy for you. I hope that for those of us searching, we can all find jobs that lead to happy endings, just like in the finale of The Bear. I'm crossing my fingers for all of us!

I was laid off from Oracle after 26 years, and it's been a tough adjustment. I feel disconnected from society and like I'm just taking up space. Financially, I can manage for a couple of years, but emotionally, I'm struggling. The comments I've received have been supportive, reminding me that I'm worth more than my job loss and encouraging me to take this time to recover and focus on myself. I've been reflecting on my career and questioning where things went wrong, but I know I need to move forward. The job market is challenging right now, but I'm trying to stay hopeful and consider picking up new hobbies or skills. It's hard, but I'm reminding myself that I'm not alone in this situation.

I just received a verbal offer today after a challenging job search, and I'm hopeful that a written offer will follow tomorrow. My journey started with a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my previous company, which was unexpected and vague in its feedback. Despite my efforts to improve, it became clear that I was unlikely to succeed, so I began applying for new jobs. I had my last working day confirmed about a month ago, and it felt like a layoff disguised as performance issues since the company handbook stated that severance is only provided for layoffs. During this time, I kept applying aggressively, using tools like ChatGPT to refine my resume to be ATS-friendly and creating multiple versions tailored for different roles. After submitting around 950-1000 applications over two months, I received callbacks from a few companies and went through several interviews. Ultimately, I got a verbal offer for a more senior position with a slight salary increase, but it comes with a 50-minute commute and is fully onsite, which is a big change from my previous remote setup. I know nothing is finalized until I sign the written offer, but I’m relieved that my unemployment may soon be over. This experience has been incredibly stressful, and it’s disheartening to see how many applications go unanswered. I learned that while some recommend a careful approach to job applications, sometimes a broader strategy is necessary, as many positions can disappear unexpectedly. I sincerely hope the job market improves soon.

I have an upcoming interview at Fogo de Chão for a position, even though I don't have any prior working experience in the restaurant industry. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness, as this will be my first formal job interview. I've been researching the company and practicing common interview questions to prepare myself. I'm hoping to convey my enthusiasm for the role and my willingness to learn quickly. Any tips or advice from those who have been in similar situations would be greatly appreciated!

I graduated this past spring with a B.S. in Business Administration, concentrating in Finance. Since then, I’ve been actively applying for entry-level finance, analyst, and administrative roles, but I haven’t had much luck securing a position. My long-term goal is to work in municipal finance or corporate finance, and I’ve recently been focusing more on local government positions as I seem to get more responses there, even if they are rejections. Over the past year, I've had about four interviews with various cities, but none have led to a job offer. One internship I applied for had around 200 applicants, and while I did get an interview, I wasn’t selected. I was even open to taking an unpaid finance internship with another city, but it ultimately came down to me and another candidate, and she got the role. This experience has led me to question whether I should continue pursuing entry-level roles or consider going back to school. I’ve noticed that many finance leadership positions in government highly value or prefer candidates with a CPA. In fact, I've interviewed with city managers who hold CPA licenses. I’m now contemplating applying to graduate programs for a Master’s in Accounting for Fall 2027, potentially at USC or similar schools. My goal would be to complete the necessary accounting coursework and sit for the CPA exam. I believe this could help me gain the credential, build a stronger foundation in accounting, and open doors to internships or opportunities that might be harder to access otherwise. So, I’m at a crossroads: should I keep pursuing entry-level roles to gain experience, or should I return to school for a MAcc and CPA?

I was all set to start my new job on Monday, but now it's been pushed back to later this week. I just got laid off from my previous position after three years, which ended this past Friday. I'm wondering if it's worth it to file for EDD for just a few days of unemployment. I've heard that the first week of a new UI claim in California is an unpaid waiting week, so I'm not sure if it's even worth the hassle. Some people suggested that since my new job could be delayed again, it might be a good idea to file just in case. Worst case scenario, I don't get any benefits, but at least I tried.

I recently started working at a local catering and carryout company, where I've been for a little over two months. Initially, I really enjoyed the job; the customers were great, and my coworkers were awesome. However, the past month has been incredibly challenging. My boss has been yelling at me over minor issues and things that aren't even my fault. It's frustrating because he also yells at my manager, who is really cool and supportive. One of the biggest issues is the loneliness of the job. I run the entire store almost by myself, only getting about an hour of help from my manager before I'm left alone for 3-6 hours. During that time, I handle everything from cashiering and food prep to cleaning and restocking, all for just over $10 an hour after taxes. Today was particularly exhausting. I was supposed to learn how to open the store on a day we were closed, but instead of a quick one-hour training, my boss lectured us for five hours, which could have been much shorter if he let us work. My manager and I have both noticed how difficult our boss makes things, and we're just trying to get through it together. I'm actively applying to new jobs and plan to look for delivery driver positions when I turn 18. I'm even considering putting in my two weeks' notice early, which could risk my co-op in school, but I can't keep doing this. Hearing about my classmates' easier jobs makes me realize how tough my situation is.

I have an interview coming up on very short notice, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I'm not sure how to prepare effectively. I've heard that memorizing answers isn't the best approach since the questions might not even match what I've practiced. Instead, I've been advised to come up with three specific stories from my past work or school experiences: one about a time when I fixed something that was broken, another where I had to learn something quickly, and a third about working with a difficult person. Each story should be around two minutes long, which seems manageable. I've also realized that I need to brush up on the company and its mission. Understanding the problems they are trying to solve with this role is crucial. I want to think about how my experiences can help address those issues and be ready to communicate that effectively during the interview. I know storytelling can be powerful, so I plan to highlight relevant experiences that demonstrate my problem-solving abilities, even if things didn’t go perfectly. Here’s hoping I can pull this together in time!

I'm 22, soon to be 23, and I just graduated with dual bachelor's degrees in finance and management from two prestigious universities in different countries through an international program. Despite having three internships and being actively involved in student organizations, I feel lost compared to my peers, many of whom have secured jobs or are pursuing their passions. Currently, I'm working a part-time job for just 12 hours a week, which isn't enough to ease my anxiety about the future. I'm applying for full-time positions and studying for additional certifications like the FMVA and CFA, but I can't shake the feeling that I'm wasting my parents' money on something that might not lead to a job. I'm genuinely worried about whether I'm falling behind in life at my age.

I'm currently in Germany and facing a tough situation at work. I initially wanted to stabilize my life through my job, but it seems to be doing the opposite. I've lost touch with friends and can't communicate with my family, which has left me feeling isolated. Recently, I had to visit the doctor due to the bullying I've been experiencing at work, and I received a sick leave for a week. I had planned to return to work on Friday, but after my doctor's visit, I realized I needed some time off. I had a brief call with my boss on Friday and mentioned that I would get back to him on Monday, but I didn't specify how many days I would be absent, which is required by law. I wrote an email to HR regarding my sick note, but I still haven't informed my boss, and I'm avoiding that conversation. I feel lost and have been distracting myself instead of taking action. I haven't checked my personal messages, assuming no one is reaching out, which has only contributed to my isolation. The bullying at work has taken a toll on me, and I've found myself spending money on lawyers instead of focusing on my well-being. Today, it took me hours just to make breakfast, and I'm struggling with procrastination due to my ADHD. I feel like a fraud for not being able to handle this situation, and I'm unsure of how to proceed.