Planning

I just had my annual performance review at my company where I've been working as a data analyst for the past three years. I received an "exceeds expectations" rating across the board, and my manager praised my work ethic and dedication for a solid ten minutes. However, when we got to the compensation discussion, I was hit with the news that there would be a 0% raise due to what they called "budget constraints" and "macroeconomic challenges." Despite taking on two major cross-departmental projects after a senior colleague left and putting in extra hours, including weekends, my efforts went unrecognized in terms of financial compensation. I tried to express my concerns about how my workload has doubled and the impact of inflation on my buying power, but my manager just gave me the classic line about valuing my contributions while saying their hands were tied. To top it off, I saw leadership posting pictures from a lavish executive retreat on LinkedIn last week, which made it feel even more unfair. It’s clear there’s money for perks at the top but none for the team that keeps things running. I’m feeling really frustrated and plan to polish my resume tonight and start looking for new opportunities.

I recently received a job offer from a regional bank and I'm currently going through their background check process, which has me feeling a bit anxious. I completed the required 7 years of work history and residences, and I have my fingerprinting scheduled for later this week. My work history is somewhat complicated; over the past decade, I've moved five times, experienced two company-wide layoffs, and held several seasonal jobs through temp agencies. While I curated my resume for the positions I applied for, I worry that my history might raise some red flags. I submitted all the W2s, tax forms, and pay stubs I could find, but the bank also requested direct contacts from HR for each of my past jobs, including names and phone numbers. Unfortunately, I don’t have that information for most of my previous employers, and many of them direct verification requests to The Work Number instead of providing direct contacts. I've never had any legal issues, and I previously worked for USPS without any problems, so I hope this background check goes smoothly. However, I did have a past experience where a background screening company couldn't verify my high school graduation, which led me to call my old high school to obtain my diploma and transcripts from 2008. That was a bit of a hassle and has left me on edge about this current process.

I just found out about a laid-off weekday hiking group in the Bay Area, California, and I'm really excited to join them this Monday, October 5th, at 11 am. We're meeting at the Green Gulch trail near Muir Beach for a 4.4-mile loop with a 902 ft gain. It's a great opportunity to clear my head and connect with others who are also navigating job transitions. The group usually splits into smaller ones based on pace, which is nice because it keeps things manageable on the trail. I love that they chose Monday for the hike since trail traffic is low, making it easier for a larger group to enjoy the outdoors together. While the focus is on hiking, this community, (un)PTO, does a lot more, like co-working sessions and coffee hangs, which I think will be helpful for my job search. I’ve been meaning to get involved in something like this since my schedule opened up, and I hope to meet some new people who understand what I’m going through. I’ve heard that around 50-60 people usually show up, which is more than I expected for a weekday morning hike. I’m looking forward to it!

I recently discovered that I've been miscalculating my unemployment weekly claims for the past six months. I work a part-time job in Oregon, and my hours fluctuate quite a bit, which has made it challenging to keep track of my earnings. Unfortunately, I was submitting my net earnings instead of gross earnings when filing my claims, and I didn't realize this mistake until now. I'm really worried about how to fix this situation and want to resolve it as soon as possible. Thankfully, since I only worked one day every other week, my overall hours are low, but I'm still unsure about the next steps. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a company where I have some professional connections through my current job. I know a few team members and have had positive interactions with them, but I don't have a personal relationship with the manager. After submitting my application, I reached out to the manager to express my interest and see if she would be willing to discuss the role further. She responded positively, providing her phone number and encouraging me to call her. I called a few days later, left a voicemail, and followed up with a message on LinkedIn, but didn't receive any response. Today, I called again and left another voicemail. To add to my uncertainty, I noticed that the job posting has now expired. I'm feeling a bit lost about the situation. I understand that she could simply be busy, but I can’t help but wonder if they’ve already filled the position and decided not to respond. I was also hoping to connect with her for potential future opportunities, so this isn't solely about this specific job. At this point, I'm contemplating whether to send one last message or just let it go. I’d appreciate any advice on how to proceed.

I'm currently navigating a tough situation regarding my spouse's job at CITI. His team is facing a significant transition as their technology is being replaced, and they're merging with another team. This has led to some challenges in communication and collaboration. Recently, his manager informally suggested that he should start looking for jobs outside the company to avoid potential layoff shocks. We're based in the Greater Toronto Area, and he's received a contract offer from a company in Montreal for a year, with a pay rate equivalent to what he's currently earning as a full-time employee. However, this presents a dilemma for us because I work in GTA, meaning he would have to relocate for a contract position. We're weighing the pros and cons of accepting the new job versus waiting for a possible layoff, which might make him eligible for Employment Insurance (EI). But there's a real fear that if we decline this opportunity, he might struggle to find another job after a layoff. With a significant mortgage to consider, the stakes feel incredibly high. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated as we try to make the best decision for our family.

I have an interview tomorrow with an Oil and Gas company for a contract-to-hire position. I've been feeling really miserable at my current full-time job, where I've been for just 4 months. My manager is making my work life unbearable, and it even led to my first panic attack last Sunday. I reached out to my old employer to see if they would hire me back, but I doubt that will happen. The contract role pays $45-$50 an hour, but it comes with no benefits and no guarantee of full-time employment after the 6-month period. Right now, I make $80,000 a year with benefits, but I'm really questioning if it's worth staying in such a toxic environment. I would be doing similar work in a different industry, but I'm scared of making a move and ending up with an even worse situation. I'm wondering if I should accept the offer if it comes through, despite the risks. What would you do in my situation?

I was laid off from my job in Colorado just one month before my due date, and I’m feeling incredibly stressed about the situation. With the impending birth of my child, I have a lot of questions regarding what steps I should take next, especially concerning medical bills and insurance coverage. I’ve heard that COBRA might be an option, but I know it can be quite expensive. I’m also considering applying for state-paid medical insurance, as I’ve been told that it might allow me to keep my current doctor without needing to switch. If anyone has been through a similar experience or has advice on how to navigate this challenging time, I would greatly appreciate your insights. Thank you in advance!

Today, I was let go from my position as a Salesforce Consultant. I made some mistakes, and now I'm feeling lost and overwhelmed. I have three young kids and a supportive fiancé, but the weight of this situation is really getting to me. I do have some financial security as I will receive my last paycheck until October 15, but I’m still feeling quite depressed about the whole thing. In the past five years, I've progressed from a junior Salesforce Developer to a mid-level and then a senior role in government, before moving to a startup as a consultant. Now, I'm setting a goal to apply to 10 jobs a day to get back on my feet. I know I need to stay focused and not let this setback define me. I’ve also been advised to look into unemployment insurance and workforce development resources, which I plan to do. I’m open to exploring roles outside my current career path if it means getting reemployed sooner. Just trying to keep my head up and push through.

I'm currently weighing a tough decision between my job as a Manager at a large national corporation, where I make about $100k a year (not counting bonuses, which have been nonexistent for the last two years), and a new offer I received from another similar-sized company for an Associate position at $130k plus a bonus. The bonus typically hovers around 15%, but this year it was only 8% due to economic conditions. Both positions offer comparable work-from-home days and benefits, and the offices are in the same area, which is convenient. The catch is that my current role is on track for a potential promotion to Director, which could bump my salary to between $185k and $200k within the next year. This promotion is somewhat expected since one of the directors is retiring soon, but it's not guaranteed that I would be the one to fill that position. I'm torn because while the immediate salary increase with the new offer is attractive, the future promotion could be even more lucrative. Friends and family are split on what I should do. My parents brought up a valid concern about moving from a Manager to an Associate role, suggesting it might hinder my chances of jumping to a Director position later on, as it may not look good on my resume. I understand their point, but I also believe that skills are transferable, much like riding a bike. I'm reaching out for any insights or advice from those who might have faced a similar situation. Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a company and went through a phone interview. They initially wanted to hire me for September, but I had to decline due to a scheduling conflict. Once my schedule was set, I reached out to see if the position was still available, and they confirmed it was. I suggested a day and time for an interview, but after that, I didn't hear back. I followed up to check if the position had been filled, and they informed me that it had. A month later, I noticed a new job posting for the same role at the same location, so I applied again and let them know. We had an in-person interview, and they expressed interest in having me meet the team lead the following day. However, the night before that meeting, I received an email saying they needed to cancel and would get back to me. I appreciated the update, but now I'm left wondering if I should reach out today to express my continued interest or just wait for them to contact me. I feel like if they truly weren't interested, they wouldn't have suggested a meeting with the team lead, right?

I am feeling really lost and unhappy in my current job, and I want to leave as soon as possible. I have a bachelor's degree, but I feel like I need to start fresh in a new career. My goal is to find a new job within the next month or two, ideally one that offers work-from-home opportunities and pays around $55k a year. I'm looking for a position that not only provides a decent salary but also has room for advancement and growth, such as promotions and learning new skills. I'm feeling quite sad about my situation and would appreciate any advice or leads. I'm open to discussing specifics in private messages.

I'm currently facing a tough decision regarding my job situation. After struggling for 9 months without any interviews, I finally landed a role as an assistant at a personal injury firm, but I'm only making $28,000. I realized I've been underpaid compared to others in similar positions. Financially, I'm in a tough spot, so I started applying for nursing jobs again, which is where I have my experience. I received an offer for a hospice case management position at $94,000 a year. It's a role that offers autonomy, but it also involves a lot of driving and charting from home. On the other hand, I received an offer for a paralegal position at $32/hour. While it's a step up from my current role, I worry that if I decline this offer, I might miss out on gaining legal experience that could lead to better opportunities in the future. I'm torn between returning to nursing for the higher salary, knowing it contributed to my burnout, or taking a chance on the paralegal position, which pays less but could be a stepping stone into the legal field. I could really use some advice on how to approach this decision.

I'm feeling really frustrated right now in my job search. I've been working as an SDR at a real estate brokerage, and I’m trying to transition into tech sales, but it feels like I'm hitting a wall. I've applied to several SDR roles that I genuinely believe in, but I'm getting ghosted by recruiters and even the founders of companies. It’s disheartening because I know I have the skills to excel in this field. I pride myself on my ability to conduct thorough discovery calls, and I believe I can sell products I truly resonate with. In my cover letters, I make it a point to focus on the company's product, simplifying their value proposition and illustrating how I can contribute. I even reach out directly to founders with tailored emails, but it seems like no one is paying attention. I’ve been contemplating whether I should just walk into these companies unannounced to make my case in person. I’m really passionate about one particular company whose product aligns perfectly with my experience, especially since I've made over 30,000 dials in the last eight months. It’s just so frustrating to see companies that are pushing out subpar SaaS products, especially in the AI HR space, when I know there are better solutions out there. I recently applied for a job on LinkedIn and saw that the HR manager viewed my application, but I never heard back. I was prepared to give them feedback on their website and how it could be improved to boost their revenue. I just want to find a company that values real sales talent and is looking for someone who can genuinely contribute.

I have a virtual meeting scheduled tomorrow with my boss and HR, and it feels like it's going to be about my termination. I recently informed my boss that I couldn't attend a team event due to being 'sick,' but the truth is I'm just using up my remaining PTO before I leave for a new job. I want to quit on my own terms rather than be fired, as I know having a termination on my record could hurt my chances in future job applications. I've been unhappy in my current role, feeling unsupported by my boss, and I challenged him on a mistake he made, which might have put me on his radar for termination. I plan to hear them out during the meeting, but if I sense they're about to fire me, I'm ready to resign immediately. I hope to navigate this carefully so I can maintain a clean record.

I've been feeling really down about my upcoming layoff at my current job. I've been with the company for over four years, but recently I've noticed that I'm not being assigned new projects like my peers, which makes me feel like I'm in limbo. Based on the previous layoff schedule, I suspect that November will be my time to go. It's tough to deal with these feelings of not being wanted anymore, especially since my coworkers are aware of the situation. To make matters worse, the job market is really challenging right now, and I'm struggling to find new opportunities. This will be my first layoff after nearly a decade of working, and I can't shake off this awful feeling. I just hope I can find a way to bounce back.

I feel like I've really messed up my career in Mechanical Engineering. I've been reflecting on my choices and I think it's time for a reset. I'm actively seeking new opportunities where I can start fresh and hopefully find a role that aligns better with my skills and interests. If anyone has advice or leads, I would greatly appreciate it.

I just completed a 30-minute video interview for a position and was hit with a major red flag. The interviewer made it clear that if I were to be even five minutes late, I would be fired. This has me seriously questioning the workplace culture. I've been invited for a second in-person interview, but I'm torn about whether I should attend or just withdraw completely. My partner thinks I should skip it, and I’m leaning toward that as well. I’m looking for advice on whether to proceed with the interview or not, given this potentially toxic environment.

I recently found myself in a situation where I was unemployed for an extended period, and I was really struggling to figure out how to re-enter the job market. I reached out to others who had faced similar challenges and asked for their advice on how they managed to get employed again after being out of work for so long. I received a variety of responses, some suggesting that I might need to consider switching to a new field entirely or pursuing further training and certifications in my current field to enhance my marketability. I learned that there are actually government programs available that can help cover the costs of these trainings. It was also interesting to see how people define 'long term' unemployment differently; for some, just six months feels like a long time, while for others, it could be a year or even two. Overall, the insights were helpful, and I'm now considering my options more seriously.

I just received a rejection from Burger King, which was really disheartening. I've been actively applying to various places like McDonald's (still waiting after two months), Subway, a local grocery store, and a movie theater, but nothing seems to be working out. I'm currently a senior in college majoring in psychology with a 3.6 GPA, and I was hoping to secure an internship, but the competition is fierce. Financially, I'm really struggling to make ends meet. I feel like I do well in interviews and can even make my interviewers laugh, but I can't shake the feeling that my impending graduation is a turn-off for potential employers. I'm 23 years old, male, with no criminal record, and I just don't know what more I can do to improve my chances of getting hired. I have some tech skills and knowledge of Python coding, but I worry that the job market for part-time positions is saturated due to AI advancements. Currently, I’ve been doing DoorDash for a few hours each day, but since I live in a rural area, I often just break even after working around six hours. I live on campus without a meal plan, so I'm really just scraping by, eating whatever I can afford, like chicken and pasta. I'm reaching out for any advice or online job listings that might help me out. I'm feeling pretty lost right now.