Planning

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.

I've been struggling to find a job lately, and it feels like even temp agencies are no longer a viable option for me. I've applied to several positions through these agencies, but the competition is fierce. Every time I find a job that seems like a good fit, it's already been filled before I even get a chance to interview. I'm feeling really discouraged and am looking for advice on what other avenues I can explore to improve my job search. Any tips or strategies would be greatly appreciated!

I finally received a job offer today after an exhausting 7-month job hunt, and I couldn't be happier! I'm looking forward to resigning from my current position, which has been toxic and soul-sucking for the past 10 months. I've been doing the work of three people while dealing with a micromanaging manager and a colleague who was promoted to my supervisor despite being incompetent. The last eight years have been a struggle, but now I can’t wait to see the look on their faces when I hand in my resignation. I plan to give my two weeks' notice, even though they don't deserve it. Here's to a brighter future ahead! For anyone still searching, don’t give up!

Today, I reflected on my struggle with feeling entitled to a job. At 21, I live comfortably with the support of my upper middle-class family, which makes me question why I care so much about finding work. I often feel like I'm forcing myself to seek employment just to have some pocket money, but it rarely works out. Jobs I apply for sometimes get canceled, or I find that someone more in need gets hired instead. This sense of not deserving a job weighs heavily on me, especially when I see others who are truly struggling. I wish I could be content doing nothing, but I feel this pressure to advance my life and contribute somehow. I’ve been considering volunteering or picking up new skills to feel productive without the stress of traditional employment. I know I need to shift my mindset and recognize that wanting to make my own money isn’t entitlement; it’s a natural desire for independence. I just hope I can find a way to navigate this job market and feel fulfilled.

I'm starting a new job at an agency on Monday, but I'm having serious doubts about my decision. I'm a 25-year-old female, and the stress of this situation is weighing heavily on me. I accepted the offer, but after reflecting, I realize that my current job pays significantly better, and with my move-out plans, it makes more financial sense to stay put. I had actually tried to resign from my current position weeks ago, but my supervisor managed to convince me to stay at that time. Now, I'm in this awkward position where I'm still employed but also expected to start this new role in just a few days. I'm really anxious about how to handle this without burning any bridges. I want to maintain my professional reputation, especially since I'm in grad school and don't want any negative repercussions down the line. Has anyone faced a similar dilemma? I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation professionally without jeopardizing my future opportunities.

I recently graduated with a Computer Science degree about two weeks ago, and I'm feeling really overwhelmed with the job search. I've applied to over 200 positions just in this short time and had been sending out applications throughout my senior year as well. Unfortunately, most companies either reject my applications, ghost me, or I get through the initial interview stages but then hear nothing back. I've completed two software engineering internships, so I do have some experience, but landing a full-time job has been a real struggle. At this point, I'm open to roles that aren't strictly software engineering. I'm looking for something stable, full-time, and an environment where I can grow without constantly feeling like I'm fighting for a chance. I'm curious if anyone else who graduated with a CS degree has switched career paths successfully. What entry-level roles are out there that would value my background but don't require intense live coding interviews? I'm even considering fields outside of tech, like finance, analyst positions, or business-related roles, despite not having a formal background in those areas. I'm willing to learn and start from the ground up if necessary. I'm just eager to find realistic entry-level opportunities in industries like finance, consulting, or operations, as I really want to avoid being unemployed for months.

I'm currently at a crossroads in my career. At 25, I recently graduated from college and left my previous business. After a breakup and stepping back from a friend group, I find myself feeling quite alone. I tend to get bored easily and have struggled with follow-through on projects. I received a job offer for an operations role at a debt marketing firm, which offers stability and social interaction. However, I'm also getting my insurance license this week and considering a job in insurance that provides more freedom and the opportunity to leverage my tech skills to potentially start my own agency. I already have an agency lined up for ACA with inbound leads, so I wouldn't need to worry about finding customers. I'm torn between the stability of the debt job and the entrepreneurial potential of the insurance role. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off last month from my job in Pennsylvania and was approved for unemployment benefits, but I still haven't received my first payment. I recently accepted a new job offer, which I plan to start soon, and I will end my benefits when I have my start date. However, I'm feeling anxious about the commute to this new job; it's not ideal for my family situation. I'm taking this job out of financial necessity because my unemployment benefits aren't enough to cover our expenses, especially with my son's daycare costs. Since this is my first experience with unemployment, I'm worried about what happens if I find the commute unmanageable and have to quit shortly after starting. I heard that if I leave the new job soon after being laid off from my previous job, I might still be eligible for unemployment benefits. But after reading some comments, it seems that if I quit the new job for reasons like the commute or childcare, I wouldn't qualify for benefits anymore. I understand that a voluntary quit is a tough situation in the unemployment world, and the burden would be on me to prove I had a compelling reason to leave. I'm feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my options, especially since I've never navigated this before.

I was laid off in March from my role as an agency contractor, which made me an easy target during the recent wave of layoffs. Thankfully, I managed to secure a new job that pays better, but it’s still just a one-year contract. It feels like the software engineering field is losing its stability; layoffs are happening everywhere, and companies seem to prefer hiring contractors over full-time employees, only to let them go later. This uncertainty makes it hard to plan for the future—how can we think about buying a house, getting a mortgage, or even getting married? The software industry used to be a reliable and lucrative career path, but now it feels like it's crushing the dreams of countless people around the world. I’m curious to hear what others in the software engineering community think about this situation. It seems like no one is immune to layoffs anymore, and the system feels broken. We used to think that job security was a given, but now it’s just a relic of the past.

I just learned that Amdocs, the company I work for, is planning to lay off 2,000 employees as part of a major reorganization initiated by the new CEO. This news is quite shocking, especially since Amdocs is known for frequently restructuring and reducing its workforce. Although it’s an Israel-based company, I work in the St. Louis office. It seems like layoffs are a common trend in the telecom sector, which makes me concerned about my job security.

I recently learned that my company, Rapyd, a fintech unicorn, is undergoing restructuring which has resulted in layoffs. This shift seems to be driven by a move towards integrating more AI into our operations. It's been a challenging time as we navigate these changes and the uncertainty that comes with them.

I was laid off from my QA role in a tech company nearly two years ago, and since then, I've struggled to find work in my field. I've been forced to take odd jobs just to make ends meet, and I'm currently relying on food stamps and Medicaid. It's disheartening to see the job market for QA shrinking, and I feel like I'm losing hope of ever returning to a position that reflects my skills and experience. I really need to get back into a job that aligns with my career, but the opportunities just aren't there right now.

I was laid off from a larger company after five years of service, with my last day set for June 1. I had been a top performer, ranking 4th in sales out of 27 reps, but after taking a promotion to a new division 1.5 years ago, the company decided to dissolve that entire department. They offered me a new role, but it would have meant a pay cut of over $25k, which I couldn't accept. I've been applying for jobs for over six weeks now, focusing on onsite, hybrid, and remote roles. So far, I've had interviews with five different companies: I made it to the third interview with one, the second interview with three, and I was a finalist for the remaining two. Unfortunately, I was passed over for those finalist positions because the candidates who got hired had direct experience selling the exact product, even though the products were very similar to what I currently sell. Both hiring managers mentioned that I was a great cultural fit, but they opted for someone with that specific experience. It's been really tough trying to break into other industries, and I feel frustrated with the whole job search process. I have severance until August, which gives me some breathing room, but the stress of this situation is immense. Overall, finding a job right now is proving to be quite challenging.

I recently accepted a salaried PhD position at a university two weeks ago, but I’m really struggling to keep applying for other jobs as a backup. The job market feels so unstable right now, and I’ve been on a relentless job search for the past five months, facing countless rejections. My mental state is really taking a toll; I feel completely drained just thinking about job postings. My official start date isn’t until August, and I haven’t even signed the official offer letter yet, though I do have an unofficial confirmation and have set up my HR profile. I know I should keep applying because anything can happen, and I don’t want to be caught off guard if this offer falls through. But after submitting over 100 applications and going through more than 20 interviews, including five final rounds, I just can’t handle the pressure anymore. It’s frustrating to feel like there’s no job security, even with an accepted offer. I remember how stressful it was when I had a job in 2025, constantly worrying about layoffs. It feels like this job market is creating a cycle of generational trauma, where no one feels safe anymore. I’ve considered taking a break from applying, but I’m torn because I know I need to keep my options open. The advice I’ve seen suggests that networking might be more beneficial than just applying for jobs, but I’m still feeling overwhelmed. I just want to find some peace of mind in this chaotic job landscape.

I was laid off for the second time within just six months of joining a new company as an iOS developer. My first layoff happened on August 1, 2025, after I had been working as a lead iOS developer at my previous company. I quickly found another position and started on December 8, 2025, but unfortunately, I was laid off again on May 15, 2026. With nearly 9.8 years of experience in iOS development, I also have skills in Flutter, React Native, and some Python. However, over the past few months, I’ve struggled to receive any interview calls. Financially, I’m in a tough spot with only about two months of backup left, and my EMIs are piling up. I've noticed that the number of iOS developer openings seems significantly lower compared to last year, which adds to my concerns. I’m at a crossroads and wondering if I should switch stacks or continue pursuing iOS while also trying to upskill in other areas. I really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this challenging situation.

About three weeks ago, I was blindsided by a layoff from my role as a graphic designer for a charity in the UK. I had been working fully remote for about nine months, which allowed me to move in with my girlfriend in a peaceful suburban area. We were just starting to build our life together when everything changed. On the same day I was let go, my girlfriend received a Stage 2 Lymphoma diagnosis. We were both devastated, and it was a surreal moment as we cried together, trying to process the news. Since the layoff, I've managed to secure some freelance design work, including a one-day retainer starting in July, which pays about twice my previous monthly salary. My goal is to build a financial buffer to help us through this tough time, especially as my girlfriend begins her chemotherapy. I've had several meetings and calls about potential opportunities, and even if nothing materializes, the retainer will cover our basic expenses. I'm committed to going all-in on freelancing to maintain flexibility and support my girlfriend as best as I can. It's a challenging time, but I'm taking it one day at a time for my own sanity and to stay strong for her.

I recently got laid off from Meta, where I had just started working as a software engineer in April. Unfortunately, I am now facing a tight deadline as my visa is set to expire in a month. This puts me in a precarious position where I need to secure a new job quickly to file for my STEM extension. If I can't find a new employer in the next three weeks, my chances of staying in the US will be nearly zero. I had dreams of bringing my parents to the US for a visit, but those plans now seem impossible. I wanted to share my situation here because it feels like no one is listening, and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read this. I have always worked hard, maintaining top grades and volunteering at homeless shelters, but right now I feel defeated. Cheers to my current struggles, and I hope to find a way to honor my parents' sacrifices for my education.