Planning

I'm currently feeling like I'm being "quiet fired" at my job. I've noticed that my responsibilities have been gradually reduced, and I no longer receive feedback or support from my manager. It's a frustrating situation, and I'm unsure about how to approach the next steps. Should I confront my manager about this, or start looking for new opportunities? Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I've been working at my current job for about three years now, and it feels like I might be experiencing a quiet firing. My role is somewhat like project management, and I usually enjoy it. I earn a six-figure salary and have received two excellent performance reviews, and I was even being groomed for more responsibilities. However, things took a turn when my boss, who had been with the company for over 30 years, retired a few months ago. I was initially told I would be moving to a different team, which sounded exciting, but just two weeks before my boss left, I learned that I would actually be placed under a new team with people who have no prior connections or commonalities with my work. Now, I'm reporting to someone much younger with far less experience, and it’s been frustrating. Since the transition, I've noticed that my new boss has been incredibly unresponsive. I’ve been trying to schedule one-on-ones, but they keep getting canceled or rescheduled. I’m currently working on a large project that’s nearing completion, but I’ve found myself only doing about 30 minutes of actual work a day. The rest of the time, I’m just waiting around, trying to reach out to colleagues, but they’re all too busy to connect. The only other woman on my team has expressed similar concerns about the lack of direction and support. We’re both feeling lost and unsure of what to do next. In the past week alone, I’ve applied to over 100 jobs, but I've only managed to secure one HR screening call. It’s been a tough experience, and I feel really down about it, almost like I’m back in middle school feeling left out. I’m committed to continuing my job search, but I’m wondering if there are any additional steps I should take. Should I reach out to HR or other departments for help? I’m feeling quite sad and embarrassed about my situation, and I just want to find a way forward.

I'm currently a general manager in the hospitality and food & beverage industry, where I've spent the last 10 years. For the past 6 years, I've been managing people, which I really enjoy. However, I'm feeling stuck in my current role due to a lack of growth opportunities, and I want to transition to a more traditional Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm schedule. I'm interested in moving into HR, as I love working with teams and helping employees develop. I've been applying for entry-level HR positions like HR Assistant and HR Coordinator, but I haven't received any callbacks yet. I'm not sure if it's due to the job market or my limited professional HR experience, but I'm starting to feel discouraged. I'm currently taking community college classes to earn my associate's degree in Business Administration, but balancing that with my full-time job at 28 years old feels like it will take a while. I'm also considering getting certificates in HR, but I'm uncertain how they compare to a degree. Any advice from those in the HR field would be greatly appreciated!

I recently went through a challenging experience at my job where I was put on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). After careful consideration and advice from friends in HR, I decided to pursue the PIP instead of taking a severance package. Unfortunately, despite meeting the metrics outlined in the plan, I was ultimately let go. During the PIP process, I felt a significant shift in my relationship with my manager. Before the PIP, we had a friendly rapport, and I genuinely believed that this was an opportunity for growth. The company continued to invest in my development, sending me on business trips and including me in team offsites, which made me think there was a real chance for improvement. However, I started to feel socially excluded, especially during an offsite where I noticed I was often left out of team activities. For example, I only found out about lunch plans after asking a coworker, and the next day, the team went to lunch without me entirely. Despite these moments, I actively participated in all scheduled activities and tried to engage with my colleagues, hoping to strengthen our relationships. However, on the last day of the trip, my manager and some teammates left dinner early without saying goodbye, which felt particularly isolating given our remote work arrangement. Looking back, I realized that the feedback I received during the PIP often felt subjective. My strategic recommendations were sometimes perceived as uncertainty, which was frustrating since I had clear plans and rationale behind my ideas. I even shared my concerns with HR to document my experience, knowing that PIPs can often lead to termination. It’s been hard to process the whole situation, especially since I thought my relationship with my manager was positive before this. I'm curious if anyone else has faced similar dynamics after being placed on a PIP.

I just started a new overnight job where I'm the sole person on my shift, and I recently got invited to a group interview for an Apple Retail Specialist position, which I’ve been wanting for a long time. The interview is scheduled for Sunday morning, but my shift ends around 3–4 AM on Saturday night. I'm debating whether to ask my manager to cover my shift so I can be well-rested for the interview, or if I should just work the shift and try to power through on just a few hours of sleep. I'm leaning towards trying to get the shift covered since I really want to make a good impression at the interview.

Today, I had a significant conversation with my boss regarding changes in my work expectations and compensation. I am currently a consultant subcontracted to a client through my consulting company. My initial contract outlined that I would be working 25% travel with hours from 9 to 5. However, the client recently requested that I work full-time in person, and my company agreed to have me go in two times a week, while also changing my hours to 8 to 5. This was quite a surprise to me, as I was not consulted before these changes were made. I had a chat with my boss last Friday where I learned about these adjustments. I felt unprepared to advocate for myself at that moment, but now I realize that this is a significant shift from what I originally agreed upon. The new in-office requirement could mean I’m traveling closer to 40-50% of the time, which is a far cry from the 25% in my contract. Additionally, the change in hours impacts my work-life balance. Currently, I am being compensated at $45/hour, while the client is billed $181.57/hour for my services. Given the increase in my travel and hours, I believe it is reasonable to discuss a potential adjustment in my compensation or a formal amendment to my contract. I want to approach this conversation delicately, as I don’t want to jeopardize my relationship with my boss or the opportunity for a longer-term contract extension. However, I also don’t want to set a precedent where my work conditions can be altered without my input. I’m looking for advice on how to effectively bring this up with my boss.

I was recently laid off and found myself with two job offers, which has turned into a tough decision for me. One offer is for a higher-paying role in a different city, about 1.5 hours away from my family. It's a job I’m familiar with, but it would mean relocating fully and only seeing my family on weekends, which feels daunting. I've just started the job and am currently commuting while I figure out my long-term plans. The second offer pays about $10K less, but it still comes with decent bonuses. This job would allow me to move in with my parents temporarily while I sort out housing. It’s much closer to my support system, has a shorter commute, and would give me the chance to learn new skills in a different environment. Both positions have their pros and cons, with one leaning towards immediate financial stability and the other offering flexibility and growth opportunities. What’s really weighing on me is the realization that, in my 30s, I didn’t expect to be considering roommates or relying on family for housing. It feels like living alone is almost impossible without a dual income these days, and that’s hard to come to terms with. I feel stuck between choosing financial stability and the comfort of my support system. I’m worried that I might regret whichever choice I make. Has anyone else faced a similar crossroads after a layoff or in their 30s? How did you navigate your decision?

I've been actively applying for jobs and I'm unsure about my approach. I'm a minor and I've applied to three different positions at the same company, but I'm worried that I might come off as annoying to them. Should I only apply for one position and discuss my flexibility during the interview, or is it acceptable to apply for multiple roles? I'm concerned that my multiple applications could lead to rejections. Any advice on how to navigate this would be appreciated!

I'm currently unemployed and looking for opportunities to contribute to a startup. With 15 years of experience in data and analytics, I'm well-versed in a couple of programming languages and eager to learn whatever else I might need. I'm reaching out because I need something to occupy my time and give me a sense of purpose. I have my own idea for an online business that I'm trying to get off the ground, but I believe gaining more experience by helping others could be beneficial for me. If you have a legitimate startup and could use some assistance, please feel free to message me. I'm here to learn and lend a hand!

I graduated in 2024 with a degree in Film and Media, and I've been focused on video editing and post-production. I've always wanted to work in sports media, especially since I've loved football since I was young. In January 2025, I landed a junior role at talkSPORT, one of the biggest sports radio stations in the UK, where I edited content for their social media. Unfortunately, I was laid off in May 2025 due to company-wide cuts, after only 5 months in that position. Before talkSPORT, I worked for a year at an agency as a Junior Data Analyst, where I helped improve an AI system that identified product placement opportunities in TV shows and movies. My work experience also includes two years in retail and a stint as a sports reporter for my school newspaper. While at talkSPORT, I volunteered for a football campaign, did some freelance editing, and maintained my own editing socials and website, where my football edits gained some traction. Currently, I’m working part-time in retail to make ends meet and doing post-production for a friend's weekly football podcast for free. I've been actively applying for jobs, but there seems to be a shortage of junior video editor positions. I'm open to any legitimate opportunities, whether in sports or not, and I've also been applying for Social Media and Content Creator roles, leveraging my experience at talkSPORT and with my own accounts. However, many of these roles require 3 years of specific experience, which I don't have. I applied for a Communications role at a nearby university, but the interview took an awkward turn when they asked me about marketing tasks that weren't in the job description, leaving me feeling embarrassed. Recently, I applied for a Junior Video Editor position and made it to the third stage, but after submitting my presentation and following up, I haven't heard back in over a month. I'm looking for suggestions on other niches or roles where my skills could be applicable, as I'm eager to branch out and find a new opportunity.

I recently went through a frustrating experience as a barista where I was trained for 41.5 hours without pay. During the interview, I was promised a full-time position, but when the schedule came out, I was only assigned 12 hours, and one of those days I had requested off. After I reached out to my boss to express my concern about needing more hours and asked about being compensated for the training, I was removed from the staff group chat and have not heard back since. It feels like I was used for free labor, especially since I only made $1 in cash during that time. I spoke with some coworkers who mentioned that unpaid training is not uncommon there, but I believe this is illegal. I don’t have formal proof except for some notes I took on my phone and potentially video surveillance from the restaurant. I'm considering filing a wage complaint with my state's labor department to address this situation.

I recently started a job as a maintenance man at an office complex, which pays $26 an hour and comes with benefits, 401k, and PTO. However, life has thrown some challenges my way. I just went through a divorce and moved to a piece of land I bought, where I'm converting a shed into a tiny home. Unfortunately, I got into an accident where a truck forced me off the road, totaling my car. My credit isn't great, which complicates things further. I'm planning to get a beater car this weekend after payday, but it's a 39-mile commute each way. Right now, I'm stuck in the office, hiding in an empty suite because I can't afford the $40 Uber each way. I'm really torn about whether to stick it out for this job or look for something closer. I'm 55 years old and lying on the floor here, contemplating my next move. Payday is just three days away.

I had my final interview for a marketing position at a tech company on May 20th. I know they were still interviewing candidates later that week, so I'm trying to be patient. It's been a few days since the interview, and I haven't received any updates yet. I'm considering whether I should wait a little longer before reaching out to the recruiter for a status update.

Today, I was filling out a job application for USPS and got to the final step, only to be hit with a job application fee. I was shocked and immediately felt like I was dealing with a scam. This is the first time I’ve encountered something like this, and I’m not sure how to process it. Has anyone else experienced this? I’ve learned that legitimate USPS applications should always be free and go through their official site. I’m definitely going to be more cautious in the future and ensure I’m on the right website before applying.

I'm currently a probationary daily-rated employee working as a Business Analyst in a corporate setting from 7 AM to 5 PM. Unfortunately, I'm only making minimum wage. This is my first job, and I've been feeling quite stressed about it. My contract states that if I stay longer than 60 days, which is coming up on June 26, 2026, I would have to pay a bond if I decide to resign. After a month in this role, I've come to realize that I feel unqualified for the position and that the workload is overwhelming for just one person. Additionally, my coworkers haven't been the most supportive, which adds to my stress. I'm now contemplating whether I should resign, even though I don't have much savings, and start applying for other job opportunities. I also have a question about the job market: how forgiving is it for people who quit their first job early? I live with my parents, so my budget isn't too tight, but I'm concerned about the financial implications of moving out in the future.

I was laid off from my QA position in March and have been jobless for the last two months. At first, I received some calls, but lately, I've not had any responses. I'm feeling stuck and really need a job. I've tried reaching out to recruiters through LinkedIn DMs, but it hasn't worked out for me. I'm looking for suggestions on what else I can do to improve my chances of getting hired. I have three years of experience in QA, and I'm eager to get back into the workforce. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I haven't been to work for three days because I was "sick," but the truth is I was just procrastinating. I caught a usual cold, and after taking some medicine, the inflammation has stopped. However, the thought of going back to work makes me feel nauseous. I didn't show up on Saturday, which was payday, and I received a call from HR asking when I could come in and for a medical certificate. Right now, I only have a headache and a sore throat, but I'm mentally exhausted and don't want to return. I'm considering resigning, but I'm unsure how to go about it.

I have an interview tomorrow for a Pharmacy Assistant position at a closed-door pharmacy. I don't have any prior experience, and they are aware of that. I'm feeling a bit anxious about what kind of questions they might ask during the interview. I want to prepare as best as I can, so I’m looking for advice on how to approach this. I’ve heard that they’ll likely focus on my reliability, organization, ability to stay calm under pressure, and willingness to learn. I plan to show up on time, dress appropriately, and maintain a friendly demeanor. I hope that will help me make a good impression.

At 23 years old, I'm currently unemployed and it's been tough. I've spent the last two years working in sales, and I have experience in business management, marketing ideas, social media posting, and graphic design. Right now, I'm also learning about AI to enhance my skill set, but despite all this, I still haven't been able to land a job. It's frustrating to feel like I'm putting in the effort but not seeing any results.

I recently wrapped up a grueling job search that spanned over 2.5 months, during which I went through six interviews with a company I was really excited about. I received great feedback throughout the process, and even though the position would have meant a pay cut, the opportunity to work remotely and expand my skillset was too good to pass up. However, after all that effort, I was informed today that I was denied the position due to a lack of 'relevant experience.' The last interview was particularly frustrating. The co-founder was late to our scheduled call and hit me with open-ended technical questions about their network infrastructure, which caught me off guard since my job shadowing session just three weeks prior had focused on their day-to-day tasks and not on the technical specifics. I felt unprepared and it seemed like the co-founder might not have even been aware of who he was interviewing. In hindsight, I realize that I should have been better informed about the expectations for the final round. I considered providing feedback on the interview process but ultimately decided against it, feeling that it wouldn't make much difference. Now, I’m shifting gears and planning to go back to school to pursue my dreams. I’m sending positive vibes to everyone else who is currently on their job hunt!