Planning

I recently accepted a new position at a company that promised me close to full-time hours, which made me excited to leave my previous full-time job. However, once I started, I discovered that they had only scheduled me for a mere 4 hours twice a week, claiming that was all part-timers received. Feeling misled, I reached out to my old job, and they welcomed me back immediately. Now, I’m juggling both jobs for a couple of weeks while I plan to put in my two weeks' notice at the new job. It feels awkward since the team at the new place is genuinely nice, but I can’t ignore the fact that they weren’t honest about the hours. I hope going back to my old job works out well and that I won’t face any issues after returning.

I’m currently feeling overwhelmed and unappreciated at my job, where I earn $14.50 an hour. I work in an office that is severely short-staffed, with only management and myself handling the workload since my two coworkers recently quit. This means I'm effectively doing the work of three people without any raises, and I’m really fed up with the situation. The job market seems tough right now, and I'm hesitant to quit without having another position lined up, as that would leave me in a difficult spot financially. Unfortunately, there are no opportunities for advancement into management, so I'm stuck. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has advice on whether I should just endure this job for now or if there are better-paying positions available that I could apply for. Any insights would be appreciated!

It's been a year since I graduated with a finance degree, and honestly, I still feel lost. I never wanted to pursue a career in finance, but I went to college because it was expected of me. Throughout those four years, I was miserable, constantly anxious about what I was supposed to do after graduation. I returned to my job at the gym after graduation, knowing it wasn’t my long-term plan, but it was a familiar space while I tried to figure things out. I did get a chance to work at a marketing agency, which was an eye-opening experience. I learned about sales, marketing, and business operations, but unfortunately, that opportunity ended due to a falling out with the owner. I thought I had another business opportunity lined up, but that didn’t pan out either. Now, I feel like I’m right back where I started. On top of all that, I’ve been dealing with health issues that have drained my energy and focus. I’ve spent months going to doctors and trying to figure out what’s wrong, which has made it hard to concentrate on my future. What complicates things further is that I don’t even want a traditional job. My parents push me toward that path, believing it’s the responsible thing to do, but I’ve never felt motivated by the idea of climbing a corporate ladder. I enjoy the freedom of structuring my own day, training when I want, and not being tied to a desk. Since graduating, I’ve been trying to learn and improve myself, focusing on fitness, health, and self-improvement. But I’m struggling to find a way to turn those interests into a viable career path. I don’t want to be an influencer or a content creator, and I’m not sure if I want to go back to a desk job in marketing. I know I need to find a way to generate income before my savings run out, but I’m terrified of ending up in a job I don’t want. I feel stuck and overwhelmed, with about six months of savings left and no clear direction. I’m looking for advice from others who have felt lost and found a meaningful path. How did you figure out what was worth pursuing? What helped you move forward?

I was laid off from my finance job two years ago, which was a tough transition for me. Instead of trying to find another position in finance, I decided to take a leap and enrolled in an apprenticeship program at an HVAC company. After completing the program, I recently landed a new job that pays me twice what I was making in finance. Looking back, I feel like I should have pursued this path from the start instead of going to college.

I recently interviewed for a research engineer position at an academic lab and I'm now in the waiting phase. The interview went well, and I felt a strong connection with the team and their projects. However, it's been a couple of weeks since the interview, and I'm starting to feel anxious about the outcome. I know that these decisions can take time, but the uncertainty is tough. I'm trying to stay positive and keep my job search active in the meantime, but I can't help but think about how great this opportunity would be for my career.

I recently went through a prescreening for a job where the hiring team asked me, "What's important to you, and what brings you to work every day?" Honestly, I was caught off guard and just blanked, replying with, "I don't know honestly." It felt like such a strange question, and I couldn't help but think that job interviews are more like media training than anything else. If I were to answer truthfully, I'd say it's to pay the bills, but I know that's not the kind of response they want to hear. It's frustrating because I feel like everyone is in the same boat—working to make ends meet. I really need to work on my interview skills and prepare better for these kinds of questions in the future.

I'm currently in a tough spot trying to decide between two job offers. One is for a flexible position that feels like a dream job, allowing me to work remotely and manage my own schedule. The other is a more traditional role that requires me to return to the office five days a week, but it offers more stability and security. I'm really torn between the flexibility and excitement of the dream job versus the reliability of the stable position. Any advice on how to make this decision would be greatly appreciated!

I am a 28-year-old woman who was laid off last April and I am in a tough spot. I have completely exhausted my unemployment benefits and am currently applying for barista jobs to make ends meet, but my dad is having to help me with housing expenses. My mental health has taken a hit, and my self-confidence is at an all-time low. I had one interview in early April where I went through all four rounds of their process, only to find out I was the second choice for the role. The other candidate had direct industry experience, which I lacked, even though it wasn’t a requirement. I know I’m qualified for the positions I’m applying for, but getting my resume noticed has been a challenge. I make sure to apply early and tailor my resume to each job description. I also try to find the hiring manager or recruiter and reach out to them via LinkedIn or email, but I’ve only had success with this approach once. My LinkedIn profile is up-to-date, and I’m currently taking certifications through Coursera to enhance my skills and show that I’m being productive during my job search. I’ve also reached out to connections from college and previous jobs, but that hasn’t yielded much help either. I’m focusing on roles like operations analyst, business analyst, consultant, and junior-level project management. I really need to land a job quickly because my financial situation is dire, and I can’t handle being unemployed much longer. I’m looking for any tips or tricks that others have found helpful in their job search.

I've been job hunting for about 5 months now after graduating with a degree in computer science. While I've managed to land a few interviews, I haven't secured a position yet. The competition is fierce, and I realize that even minor missteps can lead to losing out on opportunities. I've been reflecting on the interview process and how crucial it is to present myself well. I understand that certain behaviors should be standard, like dressing appropriately (no sweatpants!), being well-groomed, arriving on time, and being prepared with knowledge about the company and relevant technical skills. I also think about how I communicate; I try to listen actively and respond concisely without rambling. However, I've noticed that there might be subtle things that I or other candidates do that could negatively impact our chances. I'm curious about what interviewers notice that might not be obvious. For instance, I've heard that being overly scripted can come off as arrogant or insincere. From my perspective, I've found that treating interviews more like conversations rather than interrogations helps me relax and communicate better. I also make it a point to prepare questions to ask the interviewer, which I think shows genuine interest in the role. Overall, I'm eager to learn more about what interviewers look for beyond the basics, especially in this challenging job market.

I'm currently in the final stages of the interview process for a marketing manager position at a tech startup. I've completed all the interviews and the hiring manager mentioned they would be making a decision soon. However, it's been a week since our last conversation, and I'm starting to feel anxious about whether I should be worried about the delay. I'm eager for the offer but can't help but think about the possibility of not getting it. Should I reach out for an update, or is it too soon?

I recently had a frustrating experience with a remote job that turned out to be a scam. After being unemployed for over a year, I finally got a response to my applications and set up a Teams meeting with a recruiter. The meeting was conducted entirely through messaging, where they asked me questions about the job and confirmed that I was comfortable with the data entry tasks required. I was thrilled when I received an official offer letter that included all the typical details like position, compensation, benefits, and even the name of my supposed supervisor. I submitted all my paperwork, including my W-4 and I-9 forms, and was instructed to download the Signal app to communicate with my new supervisor. He told me that the company would send me a check to purchase my equipment, and once it cleared, I would receive a link to buy everything on their list. However, after I deposited the check, my bank flagged it for fraud, and my account was frozen. The recruiter kept texting me, asking if the check had cleared. When I called him, he answered casually, which struck me as unprofessional. I noticed his accent didn't sound American, and I started to suspect something was off. I played along, acting naive, but it became clear to me that this was a scam. Now, I'm trying to contact the actual company to report the fraud and warn others to be cautious. This experience has left me feeling defeated and violated, and I urge everyone to double-check any job offers they receive.

I’m currently in a challenging situation with my job search. After being laid off from two positions and leaving one, I’ve found myself overqualified for many local jobs but underqualified for some national roles. I took a few years off to work as a substitute teacher and a line cook, which is outside my industry of Edtech and Medical Devices, specifically Clinical Research. Now, I’m looking at survival jobs in retail or customer service, but I’m unsure how to present my experience on my resume. Should I remove my bachelor’s degree in STEM to make my application more appealing for these roles? I’m worried about how to downgrade my professional experience without misrepresenting myself. I suspect that many local companies in biopharma manufacturing are using AI to filter resumes, and I want to avoid any dishonesty while still making my application stand out. I’m trying to tailor my resume to fit basic quality assurance or manufacturing support roles, but it’s a tough balance. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated!

I recently received a job offer for a marketing position at a tech startup, and I was really excited about it. However, I rushed into accepting the offer without fully reviewing the terms and conditions. After taking some time to think it over, I realized that the salary was lower than what I had initially expected and there were no benefits included. I feel like I made a mistake by not negotiating or asking more questions before accepting. Now, I'm considering reaching out to the company to see if there's any chance I can discuss the offer again. It's a tough situation, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it.

I am an experienced QA Automation Engineer and QA Lead currently seeking international remote opportunities or positions that offer visa-sponsored relocation. With a strong background in quality assurance and automation testing, I am eager to leverage my skills in a new environment. If anyone has leads or advice on companies that are open to hiring internationally, I would greatly appreciate your insights!

I'm currently in the job search phase and feeling quite frustrated. I'm 22 years old and have a 2:1 degree in criminology, and I'm finishing up my master's degree. Over the past two weeks, I've applied to 70 jobs, but I haven't heard back from any of them. It feels like there aren't many job opportunities available right now. I'm working part-time at a café, just once or twice a week, but I'm really hoping to secure a full-time position. I'm applying to a wide range of jobs, but I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with my applications. My CV was crafted by my mum, who works in HR, and I tailor each application to fit the role. Yet, I'm still not getting any responses. I'm reaching out for advice on what I might be doing wrong or if there's anything I can improve in my job search.

I wanted to express my gratitude for all the support I've received on my previous post. I'm currently in a bit of a waiting game, as I was told I would receive a call this week about a potential job opportunity, but I'm still waiting and it's quite frustrating. I've reached out to follow up, but no news yet. It's tough to keep my hopes up when I'm eager to start earning money and get back on my feet. In the meantime, I'm looking for suggestions for side gigs that involve hands-on work, like cleaning jobs or similar. If anyone has ideas, I would really appreciate it!

After 8.5 years at my company, I'm contemplating what a fair severance package would look like, especially given my strong performance reviews. I'm not looking for health insurance or stock options, just trying to gauge the number of paid months that would be considered reasonable. I've seen various opinions on this topic, and it seems like there's no standard answer. One person mentioned they received 3.5 months pay after 8.4 years but managed to negotiate it up to 5 months without much trouble. Another shared their experience of getting 3 weeks plus 2 additional weeks for each year of service, along with a career coaching subscription that ended up being unhelpful due to the current job market. I'm curious if anyone has insights on what I might expect or if I should be prepared to negotiate based on my tenure and performance.

I recently came across a hiking group in the Bay Area specifically for those who have been laid off or are currently job searching. It’s a great opportunity to clear my head and connect with others facing similar challenges. This Monday, June 1st, they are organizing a hike at Marin Headlands, with a 5.3-mile loop and an elevation gain of 869 feet. I’m planning to join them at 10:30 AM and hope to meet some new people while enjoying the outdoors. It seems like a supportive community, especially since the group is growing, which is both encouraging and a bit daunting.

I just found out that my hours have been significantly cut at my job. I received my new schedule for the month, and it shows that I’m only working two days—one day this week and another the following week. I reached out to my manager via text when I noticed the change, but unfortunately, it was her day off, so I didn't get a response. I'm planning to go in tomorrow to speak with her directly since she’ll be back. Today, I even went to the job in person to ask about the situation, but the other manager had just left. My coworkers mentioned that they need extra help for the upcoming 2026 FIFA events, so I’m hoping that might open up more hours for me. I'm feeling pretty anxious about this cut in hours and really want to know how I can get my regular schedule back.

I've been in software development for several years, but the current job market has been incredibly frustrating. I spend over five hours every day applying for jobs, and I've decided to automate part of the process to make it more efficient. One of the biggest challenges I face is not having local North American work experience, which seems to be a barrier despite my technical skills. Additionally, I've encountered language barriers and age bias, which complicate things further. I've noticed some concerning trends in the job market. For instance, some companies are openly advertising unpaid positions, which feels wrong, especially when they're not student internships or volunteer roles. It seems like a normalization of unpaid work is creeping in. Moreover, some job platforms appear to be more interested in collecting resumes than actually hiring. I've applied to several high-paying jobs that seemed legitimate at first, only to find out they were just bait to get candidates to upload their information. I recently interviewed for an automation role in Delta, BC, but when I inquired about a job posting that had been live since February 2026, the HR response was vague, leaving me unsatisfied. Currently, I apply to about 20 jobs a day, but the results have been disheartening. It feels like I'm just feeding data into a machine that never responds. To tackle this, I'm building a tool that integrates with Indeed and LinkedIn to optimize my resume for each job and automate parts of the application process. My aim is to make targeted applications quicker and less painful. I'm still in the building and testing phase, primarily to solve my own job-search issues, but I would love to hear feedback from others who might be facing similar struggles. Maybe the market is tough right now, or maybe I need to adapt my approach. Either way, applying manually for hours with little to no response feels like a losing battle against an algorithm.