Planning

I recently got laid off from my role in tech support, and it's been a tough journey navigating the job market. I had initially enrolled in a coding bootcamp during a time when ChatGPT was just gaining traction. Back then, we were told there was a massive demand for tech talent, especially in cybersecurity, and that these bootcamps were the way to go. However, after my layoff, I've been reflecting on the promises made by those who promoted these bootcamps. It feels like they sold us a dream that hasn't materialized. Employers seem to be shirking their responsibility to hire people like us who invested time and money into training. It's frustrating to see so many of us struggling while companies continue to outsource and lay off staff. I can't help but wonder where those advocates of coding bootcamps are now. They made it sound so easy to break into tech, but the reality is much harsher. I just want to have a conversation with them about the current state of the job market and the expectations placed on workers.

I've been job hunting for the past 10 months with no success, and I'm starting to feel really discouraged. It seems like there aren't many opportunities in my field, and I'm seriously considering making a career change if things don't improve soon. I'm curious about what positions are actually being filled right now. I want to know what jobs people have been hired for in the last few months and what companies are actively looking for candidates instead of just cycling through applications and interviews without making any offers. If anyone has insights into where hiring managers are actually finding real candidates, I would really appreciate it.

I had an interview today for a position I was really excited about, but I made a rookie mistake and forgot to bring a paper copy of my resume. To make matters worse, it seems the hiring manager didn't have my resume on hand either, as he didn't receive it beforehand. Now I'm considering whether it would be a good idea to print a copy and bring it back to him. I'm worried it might come off as desperate or remind him of my blunder. I really want to make a good impression, but I also don’t want to seem like I’m overstepping by showing up again. I’m leaning towards just sending a follow-up email with my resume attached instead.

I'm currently trying to transition from food service to the corporate world, but I've had little luck landing interviews. I've spent 6 years as a server and 4 years as a Shift Supervisor. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and I'm planning to attend law school in about a year. I'm seeking advice on what types of jobs I should apply for, as it seems many positions require 5+ years of experience in their respective fields.

I'm starting my job search again, specifically looking for entry-level HR positions. I've been unemployed since September of last year due to finishing my last year of university and dealing with visa issues. Now that I have my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with a major in Management and a GPA of 3.75, I'm eager to dive into the job market, even though I know it's tough out there. I have 1.4 years of experience as a receptionist and secretary in a polyclinic, which I hope will help me as I transition into HR. I've compiled a list of 112 major companies in my small country that I want to apply to. My plan is to enhance my LinkedIn profile and connect with HR professionals and recruiters in my area to stay updated on job openings. I want to familiarize myself with the labor laws in my country and also revamp my CV. I've heard about the Andy Warthog template but would appreciate any other recommendations. Additionally, I'm considering obtaining a professional certificate like SHRM-CP and learning more about HRMS and HR processes to strengthen my profile. It's important for me to find a good job since I will need to transfer my visa to the position I secure, and I don't want to settle for anything less than an entry-level HR role with a decent salary and benefits. I'm reaching out to those in the HR field for advice on breaking into entry-level positions and tips for crafting my CV, especially since the companies on my list are quite competitive.

I just learned that Infineon is planning to lay off hundreds of employees. This news is quite concerning as I work in the engineering department and have been with the company for over three years. I'm currently trying to assess my options and prepare for the possibility of being affected by these layoffs. I'm reaching out to my network and updating my resume to explore new opportunities just in case.

I was all set to start a new job in just three days, which would triple my income with base salary and bonuses. But then, I got an interview for another position that doesn’t require me to relocate. This new job pays less but seems like a better long-term fit for my career. The catch is that I’ll only hear back about the interview on Wednesday, and I’m starting the new job on Monday. I’m feeling really overwhelmed trying to figure out what to do. Should I just go ahead and start the new job, or wait to see if I get the other offer? I feel like I’m spiraling a bit trying to make this decision.

Today, I officially quit my retail job. I had already submitted my two weeks' notice a week ago, but during a conversation with one of my managers, I ended up being too honest about my dissatisfaction with the role. After what felt like an argument, my manager suggested I go home and we could discuss it further tomorrow. I took that as my cue and told him that if I was sent home, I wouldn’t be coming back. Now, I’m feeling a mix of relief and stress. My mom is worried that I made a huge mistake and that it was unprofessional of me to handle it this way. I wasn’t planning to quit today, but now that I have, it feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Plus, I have another job lined up, so I’m trying to focus on that. Did I do the wrong thing?

I recently found myself frustrated with the shift in my company's work policy. My role has transitioned from a hybrid model to a mandatory in-office setup, which has been challenging, especially on slower days when my tasks mainly involve answering emails and attending calls. These activities could easily be done from home, and I often find myself just waiting around, being 'on call' in the office. To cope, my team has been working in small audio privacy rooms, which I actually enjoy, as I tend to do my best work alone. However, now management wants us to work in a large open space to promote visible collaboration with other departments. This change has really upset me. It feels like I have to constantly pretend to be busy and I can't engage in any side projects on my computer because anyone could walk by and see what I'm doing. I pride myself on being highly productive and consistently exceed my targets, but this new setup seems to force everyone into a single working style that doesn’t suit my personal workflow. It’s making me seriously consider exploring other job opportunities where I can maintain my work autonomy.

I currently work for a company that has a toxic culture filled with harassment, nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, and poor management. I moved to a new state and took this job as it was the first opportunity that allowed me to transition. Initially, it seemed like a decent role, but over time, I realized how dysfunctional the environment was. During my training, I was paired with an older coworker who quickly turned from a mentor to a source of harassment. After a couple of weeks, he began gossiping about other employees and making my work life miserable. I tried to distance myself, but he only escalated his behavior, making my days increasingly difficult. Despite this, I decided to work harder than anyone else, putting in the equivalent of four people's worth of effort and taking on 60 hours a week. Unfortunately, this only fueled his harassment further. I attempted to apply for a higher position, feeling qualified with the right education and experience. However, when management found out I applied and didn't get the job, they expressed their relief in a way that felt hostile. It became clear that they preferred to hire based on friendships rather than qualifications. After five months of being punctual and dedicated, I've noticed that most of my coworkers are consistently late and fail to perform their duties properly. It's shocking how this company is still operational, given the blatant issues it faces. They even have a policy against having phones at work, which adds to the oppressive atmosphere. I've been actively applying for other jobs because this experience has been nothing short of a nightmare.

I received a verbal job offer yesterday for a position that comes with a salary of $75K. The job description mentioned a compensation range of $70-80K, so I feel there’s some room for negotiation. The Hiring Manager has encouraged me to submit my requested compensation via email, and I’m considering asking for $78K since I hold a master’s degree and meet most of the qualifications they outlined. However, I’m feeling a bit anxious about this, especially given the current job market. I really like the benefits they offer and have been impressed with their professionalism throughout the process. I’m weighing the risks of potentially losing the offer against the benefit of negotiating for a slightly higher salary. Some advice I’ve received suggests that asking for just $3K more might not be worth the risk of losing the opportunity, especially if there are other candidates in the running. I’m also reminded that sometimes a lower salary with great benefits can be more valuable than a higher salary with poor benefits. I’m still contemplating my next steps and trying to gauge how much I really need this job.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! It's a 12-month contract position, which comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility compared to what I was hoping for, but I’m grateful to be working in my field again. This job search was particularly unique for me as I recently switched countries and this is only my second corporate role after being a high school teacher and a small business owner. Throughout my search since 2023, I applied to about 150 jobs, which was a bit tricky since I was also managing a move and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my job applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation, I received an offer. I had one offer in 2023 that was rescinded because I misinterpreted their expectations, but I accepted another offer in 2024 and just got this latest one last week. I realized that recruiters rarely ask for business cases, and often I get filtered out before I even reach that stage. Over the past three years, I’ve revamped my resume from scratch about ten times, and this year I created a strong project portfolio using Gamma. Additionally, I was fortunate to get some free career advice in Montreal, which helped me simplify my resume and tailor it for each job application, rather than just the cover letter. I think these adjustments made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me via LinkedIn InMail in the same week, which is unusual since I typically only hear from one a year. One of those recruiters was for the job I accepted. Although I was initially expecting a salaried role, I’m just relieved to have secured something in my field after such a long search.

I’m excited to share that after a challenging 15-month job hunt, I finally landed a job this week! While it comes with a decrease in pay, security, and responsibility, I’m grateful to be back in my field. This job search was particularly complex as it followed my move to a new country and was my second corporate position after transitioning from being a high school teacher and a small business owner. During this time, I applied to around 150 positions, balancing my search with settling in and taking care of my two small kids. I noticed a pattern in my applications: every time I was asked to complete a business case and give a presentation (which happened three times), I received an offer. I had one offer rescinded in 2023 due to a misunderstanding about my business closure expectations, but I accepted another in 2024, and just last week, I received this new offer. I’ve spent the last three years completely overhauling my resume multiple times, and this year I created a project portfolio using Gamma, which I believe helped me stand out. I also took advantage of free career advising in Montreal, which was invaluable. The advisor helped me simplify my resume and encouraged me to customize it for each job application, not just the cover letter. It seems those changes made a significant difference. Interestingly, I had four recruiters reach out to me on LinkedIn in the same week, which is quite unusual for me. One of them was for the job I accepted. I initially expected a salaried role, but I’m just happy to have found something. Here’s to new beginnings!

I recently received a job offer for a position that I am really excited about, but I'm feeling anxious about an issue that has come up regarding my background check. The company reached out to me based on an older version of my resume that I submitted a few months ago, which accurately listed my last employer but did not include a short-term job I took after that. I worked at this short-term job for just over two months before resigning, and I didn't include it on my resume because I was worried it could hurt my chances during the interview process. Now that I'm waiting for the background check paperwork, I'm unsure how to handle the situation. I didn't mention the short-term job during my interviews, and I'm concerned that it might come up during the background check, especially since it does appear on my TWN report. I'm debating whether I should reach out to the recruiter to ask what kind of background check they will be conducting or if I should just wait and see what happens. I'm worried that not disclosing this job could jeopardize my offer, but at the same time, it was such a brief position. I really want this job, and I'm hoping for some advice from anyone who has faced a similar situation.

I graduated in 2021 with a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) and I’m currently 25 years old. I've been trying to break into the IT sector, specifically as a Java backend developer, but I have no relevant work experience and I've hit a wall. Over the past year, I've applied to over 500 jobs and have even sought referrals and unpaid internships, but I’ve received almost no interview calls. Most of the time, I suspect my graduation year and career gap are causing my resume to be filtered out before it even gets seen. I considered pursuing further studies like CAT or GATE, but that would mean starting from scratch and by the time I finish, I'd be around 28, which doesn’t feel right for me. Right now, I’m weighing my options: 1. Give IT one last shot for the next couple of months and hope for the best. 2. Take a non-IT job in a BPO just to start earning and get some experience while I figure things out. 3. Return to my ECE roots and explore roles in networking, telecom, or embedded systems, even if it means starting with a low salary and upskilling on the job, possibly pursuing an M.Tech later. 4. I’ve been pressured by my coaching institute to consider faking experience for contract IT jobs, which many of my peers have done. I’m conflicted about this approach due to the risks involved. I see some of my friends from ECE thriving in fields like VLSI and semiconductors after pursuing their M.Tech, which makes me wonder if I should go back to core ECE. However, I’ve never really enjoyed most ECE subjects except for networking and communication. I’m looking for honest advice on what steps to take next.

I had an interview with McDonald's on a Sunday and was told I would hear back by Tuesday or Wednesday. When I didn't receive any updates, I called them on Friday. They informed me that the interviewer was off and suggested I call back on Sunday. I did, and they promised I would hear from them by Monday at the latest. Now, it's Thursday, and I'm still waiting for a response, which is frustrating. I'm considering my next steps and whether I should keep following up or move on to other job applications.

I recently faced a significant career shift after being laid off from my analytics role where I had spent nearly 10 years. Initially, the experience was overwhelming and stressful; I started applying for jobs immediately, but soon found that many companies were not willing to meet my current salary of ₹38 LPA. I realized that the job market has evolved, and employers are now looking for candidates with a broader skill set that includes AI, GenAI, Python, and machine learning, in addition to traditional analytics expertise. I had a few close calls with potential opportunities, even considering a pay cut to ₹34–35 LPA, but those offers never materialized. Just when I thought I was on my own, my current employer reached out and offered me a chance to withdraw my resignation and keep my job, albeit without the severance package I would have received otherwise. After some reflection, I decided to accept their offer, prioritizing job stability over a severance payout. This experience has taught me that I need to upskill significantly to remain competitive in the evolving job market. I'm now contemplating focusing on AI and GenAI skills while staying in my current role. I'm curious if others have faced similar decisions: would you have taken the severance and continued the job search, or would you have opted for job security while upskilling for future opportunities?

I recently found myself in a tough situation after working for a struggling company in Virginia for over six years. The last year has been particularly challenging, and I haven't received a full paycheck since the one covering March 23 to April 5, which was only paid out on June 30. My employer has been giving me some money off the books, but it averages out to about $3 an hour, which is not sustainable. I'm considering quitting my job, but I'm unsure if I would be eligible for unemployment benefits if I do. I have screenshots of my pay history from the Quickbooks app we use, which I believe could help my case. I don't want to hurt the company, but I really need a steady income while I figure out my next steps. Any advice on how to proceed?

I recently lost my job as a C++ system developer and Scrum Master at Ericsson after more than five years of service. The company announced layoffs affecting around 1,600 employees, and I was one of the unfortunate ones. Since then, I've been on the job hunt, but it's been a much tougher journey than I anticipated. The most challenging aspect isn't just the rejections; it's the sheer lack of job opportunities available. I check job listings daily, hoping to find something relevant, but most days, there's nothing that fits my skill set. It feels like my career is on hold, and no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to move forward because there are simply no roles to pursue. I've reached out to several consulting firms, and while they appreciate my profile, they often tell me they can't hire me due to a lack of available assignments. It’s disheartening to see others with more experience getting hired while I struggle to even get a foot in the door. It makes me feel like companies prioritize years of experience over actual skills and capabilities. I dedicated years to my education and built a solid career, believing that hard work and continuous learning would lead to a stable future. Now, I'm left questioning if this industry is the right fit for me. I love coding, but after months of a stagnant job market, I'm starting to doubt my place in it. The uncertainty is overwhelming. I worry about finances, my future, and how long I can sustain this if things don't change. It’s painful to feel like my life is on pause, especially when I had hopes of starting to date and maybe building a family one day. Those dreams seem more distant now, and it’s hard to plan a future when I don’t even know if I’ll have a job. I never thought I would feel this lost after all the effort I put into my education and career. I feel like I did everything right, yet here I am. I just needed a space to express my feelings. Thank you for listening.

I’m a 43-year-old single male with a Bachelor's in Logistics, but I've decided to go back to school in January to pursue Accounting. For the past eight years, I've been stuck in jobs that I don’t enjoy, and right now, I’m delivering pizza three nights a week just to make ends meet. My rent is $945 for a studio, and my total living expenses come to about $1,300 a month, not including groceries or gas. Since I'm not working full-time, I'm trying to figure out what to do for employment over the next four months before school starts. I’m considering options like Doordash, but I’m also open to any job that could help me financially and possibly align with my future career in Accounting. I would appreciate any advice on how to navigate this transitional period.