Planning

I recently faced a tough situation after being fired from a landscaping job in the Netherlands. I worked there for just a week, and when I informed my employer that I needed to fly back home for a braces appointment, they let me go. They promised to pay me €500 for the hours I worked, but things took a turn when I didn't receive my payment as expected. Initially, they told me I would get paid six weeks after my usual pay schedule, which is on Tuesdays. After waiting for six weeks, they asked me to fill out some documents that I hadn't completed during my employment. I know I should have taken more care with that, but I complied without hesitation. Now, two days after submitting those documents, I reached out again to inquire about my payment, but they opened my message without responding. I'm feeling anxious about whether I will actually receive the money they owe me. I moved abroad for this job and was on the brink of homelessness after being fired. I'm planning to follow up with them again, possibly on Monday or after Tuesday, but I'm starting to worry that they might refuse to pay me altogether. As an Irish citizen, I'm unsure of my next steps if they do refuse. What should I do? Who can I contact for help in this situation?

I recently had to quit my job at a large company in Wisconsin due to some serious issues with working conditions and legal concerns. My role involved scheduling appointments for clients, but the company made it impossible to take breaks, even for basic needs like water and bathroom breaks. I went over a month without any proper breaks, and they often scheduled me for long hours without allowing me to eat or drink during my shifts. This led to significant health issues, including rapid weight loss, and my doctor advised me to consider quitting. Additionally, I was instructed to ignore legal disclosures while assisting clients with credit card applications and other services, which felt unethical and risky. After facing harassment from clients due to my unique name being used in public-facing emails, I felt unsafe and overwhelmed. I also lost my health insurance benefits, making it difficult to afford necessary medications. Before quitting, I thought I had another job lined up, but after multiple interviews and promises of hiring, the start date kept getting pushed back. Now, I'm left without a job and struggling with unemployment claims, as the system indicates unreported work that doesn’t exist. I’m considering seeking legal advice but am unsure where to start, especially since I can't afford a lawyer. It's been a tough situation, and I’m still trying to figure out my next steps.

I was previously employed as a pharmacy technician and am currently unemployed. I'm looking to get certified in either pharmacy tech or specifically for the 340B program. The 340B ACE certification offers online training modules, but I need to pay for them. I'm trying to figure out if completing these modules can count as job search training activities for my weekly requirements. Do I need to finish a whole module twice a week, or would just spending time on them be sufficient? I’ve considered reaching out to my local OhioMeansJobs career center to ask about potential funding through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) for these training programs, but I’m unsure if that would be a viable option. I’ve heard mixed opinions about how training might be perceived in relation to job search activities, and I want to make sure I’m following the rules correctly.

I was recently laid off from my job and received a small severance package. It's been three months since I started applying for new positions, but I haven't had any luck landing a job yet. My partner is also not working, so we are currently taking care of our two toddlers. I'm trying to figure out when I should start applying for benefits for our family of four and what types of benefits are available to us here in Scotland, UK.

Today was a tough day at my fast food job, where I’ve been working for about a month. My GM sent me home early because I went to the bathroom, which was really frustrating. I was only in there for about five minutes and had asked the store owner for permission first. I suffer from IBS, and I often need to use the bathroom to manage my condition, especially since I work long 8-hour shifts without much time to rest. When I came out of the bathroom, my GM told me to clock out and go home without explaining why. I confronted her, asking why I was being sent home, and she just ignored me. Eventually, she said I had failed her evaluation and that I was going to the bathroom too often and not informing her. This was the first time I heard it was an issue, and I felt completely blindsided. I’ve always communicated with my managers about needing to use the bathroom, especially since I get lightheaded due to my IBS. I’ve explained my situation multiple times, but it seems like my GM just doesn’t care. It’s been really embarrassing and frustrating, especially since I see her son working there and not facing the same consequences. I’m seriously considering quitting because I don’t want to return to such a toxic environment where I feel disrespected. I’m also worried about my bills since this is my first job in a year. I’m looking for advice on how to handle this situation.

I had a panel interview about 1.5 weeks ago for a position that I’m really excited about. The interviewers mentioned I would hear back with a decision between July 28th and 30th, but I haven’t received any updates yet. The only responses I’ve gotten since my thank you emails were vague messages like "great things are coming and never stop getting results." While I feel fortunate to have received two verbal offers over the weekend, both are for one-year contracts without a guarantee of transitioning to a permanent role. I’m particularly interested in this other position because it allows me to stay in my current location and is a full-time opportunity within my field. I know I’m in a good position compared to many others in the job market, but it would be great to secure full-time employment without having to start the application process all over again in a couple of months.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my current job in healthcare HR. I've been with this small, chaotic organization for about six months after taking a significant pay cut due to a layoff. Despite the chaos, I ended up managing a wide range of responsibilities that go beyond my HR role, including supervising problem employees and handling marketing tasks. I’ve been looking for a new opportunity and finally received an offer that includes a 40% pay increase and a better title, which I signed. However, just as I was preparing to give my two weeks' notice, I inherited a personal crisis that requires me to travel during the second week of my notice period. I’m concerned about how to handle this without burning bridges, especially since the company has a contract with a well-known consultant in our niche. I want to maintain a professional image and not be seen as unprofessional. I’m considering giving them just one week's notice and wrapping up what I can, but I also think about offering to be available for a few hours during the second week if needed. I’m torn because I know that notice is just a courtesy, and companies often let people go without any warning. I just want to make sure I leave on good terms.

I'm currently seeking new job opportunities and would love any leads or referrals. I have experience working in startups across various roles including product, operations, category management, and data-driven positions. I'm particularly interested in roles related to Product/Program Management, Business Analysis, Business/Strategy Operations, General Operations, Founder's Office, and Product Operations. I'm based in Bangalore and am open to remote work as well. I'm available to join immediately, so if you know of any openings or your company is hiring, please reach out. I can share my resume via DM. Thank you!

I was fired twice within a year, and I'm starting to question if leaving a toxic job was worth the ongoing insecurity. My first job was with a local city government in a healthcare IT role. Overall, it went fine, with only a couple of minor errors that were easily corrected. However, I was feeling uneasy about the budget discussions happening two months before I was supposed to become a permanent employee. I started applying for new jobs, and just three days before my permanent status, I was let go. They claimed I didn’t work hard enough, and I left with my head held high, even though they didn’t bother to escort me out properly. After that, I thought I could start fresh with a new job. The first month went well, and my first employee evaluation showed no issues. But in the second month, my boss became frustrated with me for asking questions about my tasks, and then also for not asking enough questions. I tried to communicate my discomfort with some of the processes, and despite my efforts to address a production issue I caused, I was still blamed for it. I had a compliance ticket related to SOX that I was dinged for because the process had changed midway, but the auditor was understanding. Things took a turn when I had jury duty. I provided my boss with the court-ordered letter and went to fulfill my civic duty. I received frantic messages from my boss about a schedule, which I didn’t have since I was at jury duty. Fast forward to last Tuesday, and I was fired again. I used to be confident in my career path in IT, having worked as a contractor and a system admin for years. However, it seems like every job I take is poorly managed. I miss the days when proactive management was the norm and when people were trained and appreciated for their hard work. Now, it feels like there are too many in IT who lack the passion and understanding needed for the field. I’ve never had formal certifications or a four-year degree, but I have a wealth of experience. Unfortunately, I often feel overshadowed by those who do have degrees. I’ve decided to take some time off to focus on getting certified and to finally have the credentials to match my experience.

I have my final interview for what feels like my dream job on Tuesday, and I'm both excited and nervous. The interview is set to last about 3 hours, starting with a tour of the office, followed by five separate 30-minute one-on-one meetings with people from different departments. The hiring manager mentioned that this format is usually pretty relaxed rather than overly formal, which is a bit comforting. I've never experienced a final interview like this before, so I'm reaching out for advice. I'm curious about what kinds of questions I might expect during these meetings. Will each person likely ask the same questions, or do they typically focus on different aspects? I'm also wondering how best to prepare for this unique setup and if there are any common mistakes I should avoid. I usually do well in interviews, but this format is new to me, and I want to make a great impression. Additionally, I want to know if reaching this stage is a good sign that an offer is a real possibility or if it’s still anyone's game. This opportunity means a lot to me, and I really want this job. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I just got laid off from my position at Publicis Groupe, and it's been a tough time for me. About three months ago, my fiancé left me, which has made things even more challenging. I’m living in a giant loft apartment that I can barely afford, especially now that I'm without a job. The place feels so empty without her and all her stuff, and it's hard to keep up with the rent. I was finally getting my life back on track—hitting the gym every day and cutting back on drinking during the week. But now, with this layoff, I feel like I’m back to square one. I haven't done any coding challenges in years, and I’m unsure if they’ve changed or if companies are still relying on traditional methods. I’ve heard mixed things about using AI in coding interviews, and I’m worried about how to approach my job search moving forward.

A few months ago, I made the tough decision to quit my job as a Part Time Manager at Claire's. Initially, I enjoyed my role, despite the challenges of changing signs every night. However, after the company went through bankruptcy and was bought out, the work environment turned toxic. Management was poor, and many employees were leaving. I found out from friends that I was severely underpaid at $12/hour for my position, especially when I learned that others were making more for less work. Despite my store manager's encouragement to pursue a promotion to Store Manager, I was ultimately not hired after being led to believe I would be. This was the final straw for me, and I submitted my one-week notice. My boyfriend supported my decision to focus on my hobby instead, but since quitting, I've struggled with feelings of inadequacy and a lack of purpose. I've been trying to make money from my hobby, but it's been slow, and I've also started doing DoorDash to make ends meet. However, my phone service issues complicate things. I feel like I've lost my routine and am not accomplishing anything meaningful. Now, I'm looking for new jobs, but I feel stuck. I want to earn more than $14/hour, work part-time, and preferably find something remote or within a 30-minute drive. I don’t have a degree, and I’d love weekends off, but I’m starting to wonder if my expectations are too high. I feel like I might have to lower my standards and consider full-time work or even go back to the $12/hour range. I'm reaching out for advice on whether I'm being too picky or if I'm missing something in my job search.

I dedicated all my time and resources to building my startup, pouring my heart and soul into it. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, and now I'm in a tough spot. I need to find a job quickly before my financial situation worsens. I'm reaching out for any advice or leads you might have. I really appreciate any help you can provide.

I was laid off from Deloitte after six years of relentless work that took a toll on my health and personal life. The news came in a brief 10-minute call with a partner and an HR representative, and I felt completely numb. My entire mid-20s were consumed by the demands of the firm, where I sacrificed my well-being for the sake of deadlines and client deliverables. I endured chronic stress, sleep deprivation, and anxiety, all while missing out on family gatherings and personal milestones. I kept telling myself that if I just got through one more busy season, things would improve, but they never did. Instead, I was left feeling like just another number on a spreadsheet. Now, even though the layoff was a shock, I also feel a sense of relief. For the first time in years, I don’t have to worry about utilization metrics or late-night work. I’ve decided I’m done with the Big 4 and reclaiming my life. To anyone still in the grind, please prioritize your peace; the firm won’t care about you in the end. It's time for me to heal and focus on my well-being.

I recently landed my second job using a data-backed approach to my job search, and I wanted to share my experience in hopes it helps others. I'm a data science graduate from the class of 2022. I was previously employed at a firm on the West Coast but was laid off in early 2024. After that, I spent nearly a year applying to jobs and faced a lot of rejections, which was pretty devastating. It wasn't until recently that I realized I had been applying blindly without leveraging my data science skills effectively. To improve my job application success, I developed a testing methodology that involved running a regression model to identify key factors influencing successful applications. I defined a successful job application as receiving a reply after submission. I hired two interns to help apply on platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, and I also utilized four automatic application tools for sites like ZipRecruiter and Glassdoor. Each of us applied to about 40 to 50 jobs daily, tracking our progress with unique emails. I used the free version of Breezy HR ATS to analyze which resume formats were most effective. Through my research, I discovered that tailoring a resume to a specific job role significantly impacts ATS rankings. I used an NLP web scraper to identify popular resume formats in the industry and created three versions: UniTalent, LaTeX, and RenderCV. Over 120 days, we collectively submitted about 28,844 applications, categorized by posting time: jobs posted within 24 hours, those over a week old, and those over a month old. Our overall response rate was about 5.8%, with 1,670 positive responses. The results showed that tailored resumes with relevant keywords performed best, and timing was crucial—applications submitted within the first hour of posting had the highest response rates. Interestingly, I found that the format of the resume also played a significant role in the response rate. The UniTalent format yielded the highest number of positive responses, followed by LaTeX and RenderCV. This experience has taught me a lot about the job application process and the importance of using data to inform my approach.

I recently completed an assessment interview for a position that I thought I had messed up, but surprisingly, it went better than expected. The hiring manager even asked me to give him a call to discuss onboarding preparation, which we touched on briefly. The recruiter also reached out to me regarding the next steps. Now, I’m gearing up for the final round, which is an executive interview with a senior leader. I’m feeling really nervous about it. I’m trying to balance my hope for the position while also staying focused on preparation. I’m curious for insights from anyone who has been through similar high-level interviews. What do they typically assess? Is it more of a conversational style, or should I prepare for another in-depth interview? Any tips on how to get ready would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for sharing your experiences!

I've been job hunting in HR for about 8 months now and faced a tough decision regarding how to address my survival job as an Uber driver during interviews. Initially, I left it out of conversations, worried it would make me seem desperate or disconnected from my field. However, I eventually grew tired of dodging the question when asked about what I had been doing. So, I decided to be honest about it. I explained that I kept income coming in while focusing on finding the right fit and mentioned how the candidate experience aspect of driving helped me think more critically about onboarding touchpoints. This approach made a noticeable difference in the interviews. Some hiring managers responded positively, indicating that it showed self-sufficiency, while others moved on without much thought. There was one who reacted awkwardly, but overall, being straightforward seemed to resonate better than my previous vague answers. The gap conversation is tough, and I feel many people in similar situations are advised to downplay or deflect, but my experience suggests that owning it and connecting it to relevant skills can be more effective. I'm curious if anyone else has navigated the income gap during their job search and what strategies worked or didn't work for them.

I got laid off on my birthday, which was quite a shock. It's been about 9 days since my employment with the company ended. I had spent four years in my role, where I excelled and built strong relationships with my colleagues, but unfortunately, I wasn't viewed as favorably by management. The company decided to implement a reduction in force, affecting 300 employees, and I was among those selected. It was disheartening to receive the news, and a colleague even offered to help me clear my desk to avoid having to go back into the office. Initially, I saw my severance package as a chance to relocate to a new state, especially since my lease is up in less than a month. I wanted to find new employment in a different state, but I'm starting to think that might not be the best move right now. I'm also enrolled in a medical assistant program that my previous employer funded, and I'm unsure if they'll allow me to finish it and get my certification. Despite this uncertainty, I've been keeping up with my studies and am ahead of schedule for completion. My official last day is August 7, 2026, and I plan to finish my courses before then. I usually stick to a path until I get a clear signal to change direction, at which point I reassess my options. During this transition, I've found walking and journaling to be really helpful.

After three and a half months of applying for jobs with no responses, I am thrilled to share that I am finally employed! I applied for a position at a local hospital in early July, which stated that no experience was necessary. Almost two weeks later, I received a text and an email from their AI hiring assistant to schedule a phone interview. I picked the earliest slot available, which was a week later. The phone interview went well; the recruiter walked me through the job specifics to ensure I understood the role, including the location, hours, and pay. They also asked a few standard interview questions. At the end of the call, I was scheduled for an in-person interview and informed about the expected timeline for a decision. The in-person interview took place just two days after the phone interview, and it followed a similar format—confirming job details and discussing duties. The recruiter mentioned that they typically make hiring decisions within 48 hours. My in-person interview was on a Thursday, and by the following Monday, I received a call with a job offer! I connected with the recruiter on Wednesday, signed the offer letter, and now I have a start date. I feel a mix of nerves and excitement, but mostly gratitude. I won't have a car after this month, which adds some stress to my situation, so I'm currently searching for an apartment near my new job that will accept my offer letter as proof of income. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during this journey!

After my recent interview for a marketing coordinator position, I received a rejection just a few hours later. Initially, I felt disappointed and started to replay my answers in my head, wondering what went wrong. However, I remembered that a quick rejection often indicates that there was a specific gap they identified. I took some time to reflect on the interview and made a note of the key requirements they kept emphasizing, such as experience with a particular marketing tool and familiarity with their target customer base. I realized that my background might not have aligned perfectly with those needs, which could explain the swift decision. I also noted that during the interview, my responses became less detailed when they asked about my experience with that specific tool. This made me think that perhaps they were looking for someone who had immediate expertise rather than someone they would need to train. While a quick rejection stings, I found it more helpful to analyze the situation rather than dwell on whether they liked me or not. It’s clear that understanding where the interview narrowed can provide valuable insights for my future applications.