Planning

I recently ended my employment after receiving a Final Written Warning and being placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The company offered me 4 weeks of severance, totaling $10.3k, but I decided to counter and ask for 4 months instead. I feel justified in my request because I was the top contributor on the main codebase, with 960 commits and over 222k lines added, while the next highest contributor had only about 393 commits. I also completed a significant refactoring project that reduced an 8k line class by 71%. During my time there, I consistently worked long hours, often exceeding 14 hours a day, including providing offshore support in the evenings. I managed to keep up with my responsibilities even while dealing with a serious family medical situation, attending calls from the hospital and rarely taking leave. Additionally, I had raised concerns about the complexity of the codebase well before my PIP. I worked remotely from Texas for a California-based company, and I already have another full-time job lined up. I'm wondering how realistic it is to negotiate the severance from 4 weeks to 2-3 months or even higher. Do my significant contributions and the concerns I raised give me leverage in this situation? Should I consider bringing in an employment lawyer at this stage, or is it better to negotiate on my own? I'm also curious if anyone has tactics that worked for them in similar performance-based exits.

I'm a 23-year-old QA professional with 2 years of experience, currently feeling quite desperate for a job change. I'm working overtime and earning around 20k, but the situation is tough due to a toxic manager, even though my team is decent. I'm urgently seeking a new opportunity and would greatly appreciate any referrals or tips to help me secure a better package. I'm not even receiving calls from job portals, which is really disheartening. Any assistance would mean a lot!

I was recently let go from my job after 8.5 years of service, and I'm feeling a mix of emotions as I navigate this transition. I worked in a mid-level management role at a tech company, and the decision to part ways came as a surprise to me. Now, I'm trying to figure out what my next steps should be. I'm considering updating my resume, reaching out to my network, and possibly exploring new industries. I want to ensure that I take the right approach to my job search and make the most of this opportunity to start fresh.

I've been working as a mechanical engineer for about a year now, but things have taken a downturn in my current team. We've been losing projects, and several team members have already left or moved to different teams. With the lack of projects, I feel like my technical growth is stagnating, which is why I started applying for new jobs. I recently received an offer for a new position, but I'm torn about whether to accept it or stay where I am. The new job is located in the suburbs of New Jersey, while I'm currently based in NYC. The thought of leaving the city and my vibrant social life is daunting, especially since I'm in my early 20s and love the energy of the city. However, my current role feels unstable, and I'm not learning anything new. The new position offers much better growth opportunities and is in an industry I'm eager to explore, plus the team seems really nice. I'm also considering the option of transferring to another team within my current company, but I doubt it would provide the same level of growth as the new job. I'm really struggling with the decision of whether to take the risk and move for the sake of my career or stay in my comfort zone. It's a tough choice.

I was laid off from my corporate IT job last week without any advance notice. They let me go on the same day, citing that there was no open job role for me, and it wasn't due to poor performance or any misconduct. I had been with the company for nearly five years, and in the severance package, I was only offered two weeks of salary. There was no assistance for health insurance or any additional payouts. This is my first experience with being laid off, and I'm unsure how to handle this severance package. I've heard that typically, employees receive 1-2 weeks of pay for each year of service, but I know that federal law doesn’t require employers to provide severance at all. Two weeks of pay won't sustain me while I search for a new job, especially since I have to cover a significant health insurance premium until I find employment. I feel like after working hard for the company for so long, I deserve more than just two weeks of pay. They didn’t provide me with the company’s severance policy; they only mentioned the two weeks in a letter. I'm considering emailing HR to ask for a better severance package. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I’m in my early 40s, have a family with kids, and my spouse has a low-income freelancing job without health insurance.

I recently applied to over 100 tech jobs in the last few months, but I've only received a handful of interview requests. I'm starting to wonder what I'm doing wrong in my applications. I know that the average interview rate is around 2-5%, so maybe I'm just on the lower end of that spectrum. Still, it feels discouraging to put in so much effort and not see more results. I'm trying to focus on improving my chances with the interviews I do get, but I could really use some advice on how to enhance my application strategy.

I’ve been applying for jobs for a few weeks now, but I’m not getting much traction with my current resume. I’m starting to feel a bit discouraged. I’ve tailored it for each position, but it seems like I’m not landing any interviews. I’m looking for feedback on how to improve it or any tips that might help me stand out more in my applications. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I am currently a Project Manager at a large company and feel quite stable in my role. I’m up for a promotion to Senior Manager soon, but I’ve been overlooked for promotions in the past few years. I’ve had some confrontations with senior leaders that have left me feeling uneasy about my future here. Despite these challenges, my current position offers a six-figure salary and great benefits, which makes me hesitant to leave. Recently, I’ve started networking to explore potential job opportunities, especially in case my upcoming promotion doesn’t pan out or the raise is underwhelming. I’ve connected with a senior leader at another organization who is introducing me to a hiring manager for a Program Manager position. The challenge is that I’m mid-career and technically overqualified for this role, which requires only 2-5 years of experience. However, the position aligns perfectly with my interests and skills, and I know I could excel at a senior level. I’m debating whether I should express my interest in a senior version of the role to the hiring manager right away or if I should apply for the position as listed and then work my way up. The Program Manager role would still offer about a $20k increase in total compensation compared to my current role, while a senior version could potentially increase my compensation by $60-70k. Additionally, I’m curious if anyone has ever applied for a job they were overqualified for and ended up being offered a senior position after the interview, due to their evident capability to exceed the job description.

I recently faced a tough situation after being fired from my job in California. My employer let me go, citing that I was 'annoying coworkers' for reporting abusive behavior in the workplace. I felt it was my responsibility to speak up, but now I'm struggling with the aftermath. I applied for unemployment benefits, but my claim was denied. I'm feeling lost and frustrated, trying to navigate this challenging time and figure out my next steps.

I recently found myself in a bit of a tricky situation regarding my unemployment benefits. I currently have a part-time job that allows me to receive partial unemployment benefits. I had accepted a job offer, but before I even started, I received a better offer and decided to discontinue the first job. Now, I'm unsure how to report this in my weekly unemployment report without jeopardizing my benefits. I want to be honest about my situation, but I'm worried about how the unemployment office will perceive my decision to quit a job I hadn't even started yet. I'm hoping to find guidance on how to navigate this without losing my benefits.

I've been on the job hunt for over a year now, applying to more than 1000 positions and trying out different strategies. Despite countless rewrites of my resume, I've only managed to land one interview. It's really taking a toll on me. I'm specifically looking for remote HR roles since I can't work in person due to some personal circumstances. I know this limits my options, but it's all I can manage right now. Even though I have over three years of experience in HR, I'm primarily targeting entry-level positions. I'm feeling pretty lost and would appreciate any advice on how to improve my chances.

I'm 22 years old and feeling completely lost about my career path. I'm currently a pharma student heading into my senior year, but I've realized that I'm not really passionate about the industry. I had a promising job lined up, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, I've had to start over and now I feel like I'm at square one. I find everything fascinating, and I tend to dive deep into various topics, whether it's writing, art, psychology, or pharmacology. I love connecting seemingly unrelated ideas and learning about different fields, but I struggle to focus on one area long enough to gain expertise. People often tell me I have potential in many areas—teaching, research, creative roles—but I feel unqualified for any of them. My resume is mostly volunteer work and a couple of training experiences, and my GPA is just average. I got my previous job through a friend, but now I'm cut off from that opportunity due to family issues. I'm in a new environment with a blank slate and no clear direction. It's overwhelming, and I feel paralyzed trying to figure out what to do next. I'm reaching out for advice or guidance from anyone who might have insights on how to navigate this confusing time.

I'm a rising junior and I'm feeling really anxious about my lack of job experience as I search for a summer internship for 2027. So far, I've had no luck at all. My resume is pretty bare; all I have are some school projects and a personal dashboard project that I’m not proud of. I can't really branch out for jobs or volunteering opportunities because I don’t have a car, and I've already exhausted all the nearby options around my college. I'm starting to think about volunteering as a backup plan. I did volunteer for a couple of months at a basic needs center where I stocked shelves and ensured the food was safe and organized, but I worry that it doesn't count as real experience since I can't quantify my impact. I feel like I need something more impressive, like working with a well-known organization where I could show measurable outcomes. I'm considering looking for more volunteering opportunities on campus, but I'm scared it won't make a difference since it seems like everyone else has actual job experience. Everyone keeps saying that junior year is when most people land internships, but they don’t mention that those people usually have some prior experience. Honestly, I’m frustrated and scared about my future because I wouldn’t hire someone like me either.

I recently received an offer from my top choice company, which was exciting! However, there's a catch—the location has changed. Initially, I applied for a position at a larger satellite office, but the recruiter informed me that the hiring manager wants me to work at the company's main HQ instead. While I'm grateful for the offer, I'm concerned about this shift since I was prepared to relocate for the original location. The company plans to start negotiations soon, and I'm contemplating whether I can negotiate to revert back to the original location I applied for. I do have a few verbal offers on the table, but nothing in writing yet. Given that this is a mid-entry level position, I understand it might be seen as expendable, so I don't want to jeopardize the offer by pushing too hard. I'm planning to approach the negotiations carefully, possibly framing my preference for the original location as a flexible request rather than a hard demand. I'm hoping to gauge their willingness to accommodate my preference while still showing my enthusiasm for the role. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be appreciated!

I'm currently on the job hunt and it's my first time posting here. I'm going through a divorce, which has pushed me to seek a new opportunity. Right now, I'm earning $60k, but I've found a position that offers $80k. The catch is that it would require a 70-minute commute each way. I'm weighing whether this pay increase is worth the long drive. Some advice I've received suggests I should consider moving closer to the job, but since I'm moving further away due to my divorce, it seems like the commute is unavoidable. I only have my dogs, and my parents are helping with them, so that part is manageable. Just trying to figure out if the trade-off is worth it.

I was laid off in January and decided to start my own cleaning company. I got the idea in mid-April and officially launched by the end of May. It was a steep learning curve, but things have been going really well! I've been able to generate great revenue and enjoy a lot of freedom in my work. Currently, I have a team of 5 cleaners working with me. I never realized how lucrative this business could be, especially with the rise of remote work and people needing cleaning services more than ever. The biggest challenge now is actually finding more employees, as it seems like many people are not looking for jobs right now.

I recently experienced some unsettling news regarding layoffs at CVS where I work in the corporate finance team. I had previously shared my concerns about the leadership, particularly about our new CFO, Maynd Jolly, who has a history of initiating layoffs shortly after taking on a new role. Just a month after promising our team new projects and more work, he began a series of layoffs right around the holiday season. Thankfully, I managed to avoid the cuts, but the anxiety of potentially being let go lingered for a year. To make matters worse, I later learned that jobs were being outsourced to India, which has made me even more wary of my position. I want to warn my colleagues in IT and finance to prepare themselves, especially if you're less experienced, as those roles seem to be prime targets for outsourcing. If you haven't already, start polishing your resume and networking. I've seen firsthand how this CFO operates, and I genuinely hope I'm wrong about the impending layoffs, but it's better to be prepared than to be blindsided.

I completed my final interview for a remote opportunity that I'm really excited about last Wednesday morning. This was the fourth interview, and it was with the VP. Since then, I haven't heard back, and I'm starting to wonder about the appropriate time to follow up with the recruiter for a status update. I understand that they might still be interviewing other candidates, but I wasn't given any timeline on when I could expect to hear back. How long should I wait before reaching out?

I recently wrapped up my job search after a grueling six months of applying to hundreds of positions. Each interview process was intense, often involving multiple rounds of hour-long interviews. I dedicated countless hours to studying and preparing, but despite my efforts, the outcomes were consistently disappointing. I was really hopeful about one particular interview with a company I admired. However, I mistakenly joined the meeting at the wrong time due to a time zone mix-up. I had communicated my availability clearly, but they didn’t want to reschedule after that. Now, with only $100 left in my bank account, I feel completely defeated and unable to muster the energy to apply for more jobs. It’s disheartening, and I’m struggling to see the value in continuing this process.

After a long year of searching, I finally received a job offer for an in-person role at a marketing agency. However, I'm now facing a dilemma. I live about 25 minutes away from the office, and unfortunately, I don't have a car or a driver's license, which complicates things significantly. I can't rely on family for daily transportation, and while I initially thought about using Uber, the costs are prohibitively high. The job description clearly stated that reliable transportation was a requirement, and I realize I should have considered this more carefully before applying. The agency has also made it clear that there are no remote work options available, which adds to my frustration. I feel sad and overwhelmed, as I really wanted this opportunity but now I'm contemplating whether it would be foolish to decline the offer due to my transportation challenges. I’ve received some advice suggesting I look into public transport options, but I live in an area with very limited services, making it difficult to commute. I'm feeling stuck and unsure of what to do next.