Planning

I’ve been on the job search lately and have noticed a frustrating trend: companies are asking for references before even scheduling an interview. Recently, I applied for a position where I reached out to my references, but after the interview, I didn’t receive an offer. I followed up with one of my references to let her know the outcome, but she stopped responding to me after that. I’ve contacted her for different opportunities in the past, including one that worked out, so I’m worried I might have burned a bridge, even though she was a great reference. Now, I’m in a situation where a recruiter is asking for very specific references from a previous job that didn’t go well. I was honest with them, explaining that I’ve lost contact with those colleagues and that some of them no longer work there. It’s frustrating to be asked for references at this stage, especially when I could provide better ones from other roles. I really don’t want to reach out to people I haven’t spoken to in years, especially since we didn’t have a great working relationship. I’m considering telling the recruiter that I’d prefer to provide references only after receiving a conditional job offer. I want to word it professionally, but I’m just feeling overwhelmed by the hoops I have to jump through. I’d love to hear any thoughts or similar experiences from others.

I am trying to register on the Foodstuffs website to apply for a job, but I'm completely stuck. The site prompts me to 'Confirm your entitlement to work in New Zealand,' but I can't find an option for 'resident visa.' I'm not sure how to proceed from here. Any advice on what to do next would be really helpful!

I recently found out that the company I was working for went bankrupt. I had only been there for three months, and I started to notice some troubling signs when my hours were cut from 40 to just 15. It was a tough situation to navigate, especially being so new to the role. I'm now left looking for new opportunities and trying to figure out my next steps.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my job in sales at a legacy CPG brand, where I've been working for the past five years. Last week, my coworker was let go, and their workload was shifted onto me and another colleague. This change came with a title change that was not initially communicated as a promotion, despite the significant increase in my responsibilities. I discovered that my title was updated in the HR system without any formal announcement or new job description provided. A couple of days later, I received an offer letter that had a typo in my annualized pay and included a modest 4% raise, which translated to just a $1 increase in my hourly wage. To make matters worse, I found out that my coworker, who has been with the company for less than a year, started with a salary that was over $2 more than mine. This means that even with my raise, I am still falling short of her starting pay by around $5-6k annually. I approached HR to discuss the possibility of adjusting my compensation given the increased workload and my long tenure, but they were unhelpful and stated that salary information is confidential. They mentioned that I would be eligible for a merit-based raise in March if I exceeded my responsibilities, but I pointed out the irony of not knowing what those responsibilities are since I didn’t receive a job description until a week after my title changed. Now, I'm contemplating whether to accept this 'promotion' or not. I haven't signed the offer letter yet, and I'm frustrated with the entire process. I'm considering looking for a new job, but I also value the work-life balance I currently have, which complicates things. I'm curious if anyone has experience with rejecting a promotion and what the consequences might be. Did you face termination after saying no?

I've been feeling really frustrated with my current job because I haven't been getting paid what I believe I deserve. I've been actively looking for new opportunities, but I'm starting to worry that I might have missed my chance to land a position with a new employer. It's disheartening to think that my efforts might not pay off, but I'm trying to stay hopeful and keep searching.

I'm a stay-at-home mom (SAHM) looking to re-enter the workforce and I'm specifically interested in work-from-home opportunities for Medical Assistants. I'm eager to find a role that allows me to balance my family responsibilities while also getting back into my career in the medical field.

I recently left my job due to health issues and have been actively searching for a full-time accounting position. I updated my LinkedIn profile to indicate that I'm looking for work, but so far, I've mostly encountered fake postings and AI-generated job ads. Yesterday, I received a message from a recruiter based on the West Coast about a potential position. Although the LinkedIn page appears legitimate and the recruiting company is well-known, I'm concerned it might be a scam. I'm only scheduled for a 'meet and greet' phone interview, which feels less formal than a video call. I'm cautious about sharing any personal or financial information, but I'm unsure how to verify the recruiter's legitimacy or the job opportunity without directly contacting the recruiting agency or the potential employer. I plan to call the agency using the contact information from their official website to confirm the recruiter's details and the job opening.

I’m curious about the severance packages being offered by companies after layoffs in 2026. Specifically, I’m looking at organizations like Oracle, Uber, Adidas, Meta, Visa, and OakNorth. It would be really helpful for the community to share their experiences and insights regarding the severance pay they received after being laid off. I’ve heard that checking the employee handbook is a good start, and that a common practice is to offer about 2 weeks of pay for every year worked. Personally, I was laid off from a tech company in Seattle back in June. I received 2 months of notice pay, 7 months of severance, and 4 months of COBRA coverage. After 20 years with the company, I felt fortunate to find a new job within 2 months, which meant I didn’t have to rely on my severance or COBRA benefits. I was even able to claim some unemployment during that transition.

I'm currently facing a job crisis and could really use some help deciding my next steps. I've been in my current role for a few years now, but I'm feeling unfulfilled and uncertain about my future here. I'm considering a few different options, including staying put and trying to make the best of it, looking for new opportunities in my field, or even switching to a completely different career path. I would love to hear any advice or experiences from others who have been in a similar situation. How did you make your decision? What factors did you consider? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I have been unemployed since April and recently faced a major issue with my unemployment benefits in Texas. I submitted my payment request in early August, but I didn’t realize I was more than three weeks late until I checked the TWC website. I tried to call for help, but the information I needed was no longer available, and my schedule got busier once school started, making it hard to find time to resolve the issue. After weeks of trying to sort things out, I finally managed to submit my requests, only to have them denied because they claimed I could have submitted them on time. I had no idea that being late would result in nonpayment. Now, I'm working on my appeal and looking for advice on how to build a strong case.

I recently applied for a Databricks Architect position and completed an initial AI assessment. To my surprise, I received an automated request asking me to submit my professional references through a third-party platform called SkillSurvey, without having spoken to a single person at the company—no recruiter, no hiring manager, nothing. I felt it was unreasonable to ask candidates to tap into their network's goodwill before the company had even invested time in a brief conversation. So, I decided to email them and withdraw my application, explaining my reasons for doing so. Has anyone else experienced this trend where companies request references so early in the hiring process? Is this becoming the new norm for tech roles?

I recently started a temp position at a company where I was just happy to finally get some work after a long job search. The hours are decent (6:00 AM to 2:30 PM), but the commute is a pain, and I'm not sure how much I like the job since it’s only temporary until the end of the year. They mentioned it could lead to a permanent role, but the pay isn’t much better than what I’m currently making. Just three days into this job, I got an offer from another recruiter for a different position that pays $3 more per hour and has a much shorter commute. The only downside is that the hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, which means waking up earlier than I’d like. After some thought, I decided to take the new job offer since both positions are temporary, and the pay difference is significant. Now, I’m in a bit of a dilemma about how to inform my current employer that I’m leaving. I’m still in training and started just this past Tuesday, so I’m unsure about the best way to approach this. Should I tell my manager directly? How much notice should I give, considering I’m still in training? I’m feeling a bit anxious about this conversation and would appreciate any advice on how to handle it.

I am in my mid-twenties and currently on the job hunt for a position in Human Resources. After completing my undergraduate degree, I initially planned to take a year or two off to prepare for the LSAT and go to law school. However, I lost interest in that path and decided to pursue a Master's degree in HR instead. Since graduating, I've faced significant challenges in securing a job in the field. Unfortunately, my university's career services haven't been very helpful in this process. I'm reaching out for any tips or advice on how to effectively find a job in HR. I'm still exploring which specific area of HR I want to focus on, so I am open to various opportunities.

I recently had a first-round interview for an administrative position at a prestigious university. During the interview, the recruiter asked me about my minimum salary expectations. I responded by referencing the pay range listed for the position, which was between $19 and $29 per hour, suggesting I was thinking around the midpoint. To my surprise, the recruiter then suggested a specific figure of $25, which caught me off guard. I ended up agreeing to that figure, but I didn't feel comfortable with it, especially since my current salary is $50k. The interview wasn't the most awkward I've experienced, but it definitely wasn't what I expected. To make things more complicated, I will be speaking with the same recruiter again next week for another similar position at the same university. I also have another interview lined up within the same university, but in a different department. This position has a pay range of $19 to $22 per hour, with the targeted hiring pay being on the lower end. Given my experience in administrative roles, I know I bring a lot to the table, but I’m feeling uncertain about how to negotiate my salary, especially since I haven't worked in higher education before. I'm trying to figure out the best way to approach this without underselling myself.

I got laid off this morning after spending 4 years with my company. I was consistently recognized for bringing value to the team, so this news hit me like a ton of bricks. I honestly didn't see it coming and I'm still in shock. I’m trying to process everything right now. I know I need to take some time to think through my thoughts and maybe even write them down to get a clearer picture of what I’m feeling. It’s tough, but I’ve heard from others that taking a break can be beneficial before diving into the job search. I’m also considering what my severance terms might be and whether I should negotiate. I’ve read that companies often use mass layoffs to let go of employees they perceive as less valuable, and I can't help but wonder if that played a role in my situation. For now, I’m just trying to take it one step at a time.

I was laid off from my position last November. It was a tough experience, and I've been navigating the job market since then. I'm focusing on updating my resume and networking to find new opportunities.

I'm currently a junior studying electrical engineering and I'm really focused on securing a summer internship, ideally in the defense or aerospace sectors. I've applied to around 200 positions at various defense companies, but unfortunately, I haven't landed a single interview yet. I attended my school's career fair and connected with several recruiters who seemed positive about my prospects, but after that, I haven't heard anything back. I know that these fields are competitive, especially since many positions require at least a master's degree and most engineers have PhDs. I'm starting to wonder if it's too early to gauge my chances or if I need to adjust my approach. Any advice on how to improve my chances would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from my job in Colorado just five weeks before my due date. After 2.5 years with the company, I was shocked to find out that they are not offering me any severance pay. The layoff notice mentioned that my medical plan would remain active until the end of October, but I’m uncertain whether I need to pay for it. They did say they would reimburse me for COBRA for November, but I have no information about how much that will cost since I’ve yet to receive any details. I’ve met my deductible, which is a relief, but I’m feeling overwhelmed and stressed about what to do next. I plan to reach out to my former employer to clarify these issues, but I’m unsure if that’s the best approach or if I should seek legal advice instead. I’m hoping to connect with anyone who has been in a similar situation or who can offer guidance on the next steps I should take.

I've been on a challenging job search journey lately, having made it to the final round of interviews for 8 different positions, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers yet. The last interview felt particularly promising; they conducted reference checks, gave me a tour of the office, and I even met some executives. I thought I was so close to landing the role, but it slipped away. Throughout this process, I've been juggling a full-time job at a warehouse, which has required me to call in sick frequently to attend interviews. My managers have been supportive, recognizing my dedication, but I worry they might eventually grow weary of my absences. To enhance my prospects, I earned a certification during this time, but it has come at a personal cost. I haven't spent time with my friends in about three months, and I feel like I'm drifting away from them. Right now, I'm feeling pretty defeated and close to giving up, but there's a part of me that urges me to keep trying, just one more time. I'm curious if anyone else has faced a similar situation and how you managed to stay motivated.

I got laid off on Monday. When I saw a Teams meeting scheduled with my manager and HR, I had a sinking feeling that something was wrong, and unfortunately, I was right. It turned out my performance was impacted by the rising mortgage rates, which led to a significant slowdown in business. With fewer people buying or refinancing, my role became redundant. Now, I'm trying to figure out what other job opportunities I can pursue that would leverage my experience in the mortgage industry. I've heard that there are transferable skills, especially in compliance and regulatory knowledge, which could be valuable in financial services roles like banking or insurance underwriting. I'm hoping to explore these options and find a new path.