Planning

I’ve been with my company for 10 years and have consistently received great performance reviews, but things have taken a turn recently. For the past 8 months, I’ve been dealing with a difficult situation involving my manager and a coworker who seems intent on undermining me. This coworker has been using inaccurate Sharepoint logs to make my contributions look poor, and my manager has been siding with him, which has made my work environment really stressful. In light of these issues, I started looking for internal opportunities and found a role that I was excited about. I went through three rounds of interviews and thought I had a solid chance. However, after the interviews, the recruiter informed me that the role was no longer available due to changes in location and uncertainty from the hiring manager. When I had a recent one-on-one with my manager, she seemed almost pleased that the role didn’t work out. Now, I’m worried that she sees me as a flight risk, which could make my already tough situation even worse. I’m feeling really stressed about my future here and what the next steps should be.

I was recently laid off after spending 4.5 years at a European company. My expertise lies in the MEVN and MERN tech stacks. The layoffs were not due to AI advancements but rather the financial crisis in Europe caused by ongoing conflicts, which led the company to lose its permanent customers. Currently, I'm in a tough situation as I have family responsibilities, including supporting my parents, and I'm living on rent. All my savings have been used to pay off my father's debt, leaving me with just two months of financial cushion before I run out of money, including rent. I'm reaching out for guidance on what steps to take next, as I know the job market is challenging right now, but I feel I have no other choice.

I work at a small startup and things have taken a turn for the worse. My salary is now a week overdue, and when I first brought it up to management, they promised an update that never came. After four days of waiting, I contacted the Department of Labor for advice, and they suggested I keep working while giving my employer a deadline to pay me. I've been doing my job as usual, but I haven't resigned or agreed to postpone my pay. Recently, we had a staff meeting where management informed us that the company might shut down due to a lack of funding. They mentioned that assets might need to be sold to cover employee salaries and other debts. However, when I spoke with my boss afterward, the message shifted. I was told to continue working normally because there might still be options available, and we would receive another update soon. Some of my coworkers have even offered to forgo their salaries temporarily to help the company survive, but I've chosen to stay out of that discussion. I'm still owed money for the work I've done, and the DOL has told me I can formally file a complaint about the situation. On top of all this, I feel terrible for my boss who recently lost his oldest daughter. It's a tough situation, and I feel completely in the dark about what will happen next. I’m considering my options and would appreciate any advice on how to protect myself during this uncertain time.

I work at a tech multinational company that I believed was stable, but recent news has shattered that perception. Despite the company being cash positive, they're planning a restructuring that includes layoffs and offering voluntary leave. This has made me realize that no matter how secure you think your job is, it's essential to stay prepared. I have EMIs to pay, so I can't afford to be complacent. I urge everyone to not get too comfortable or loyal to a single company, even if it seems great. It's important to keep your options open and prepare for the unexpected, like updating your resume or LinkedIn profile. Wishing good health to everyone and their families.

I was recently placed on a coaching plan at Capital One following my mid-year reviews, and I was informed that it would last for 30 days. However, this week I learned that the plan has been extended for another 30 days, despite receiving positive feedback during the initial period. I'm feeling uneasy about this extension, so I decided to research the coaching plan and discovered that it could potentially lead to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which I wasn't aware of and wasn't explained to me. I reached out via email to both my manager and their manager, seeking clear guidance and actionable feedback for the extension, as I feel I haven't received substantial input so far. Now I'm questioning whether sending that email was a mistake. Am I jeopardizing my position by rocking the boat, or do I have nothing to lose at this point?

I've been in an operations role for over four years now, focusing on onboardings, customer service, and data analysis. My experience has mostly revolved around problem-solving and connecting different parties, and while I'm familiar with SQL and some data retrieval tools, I don't code. I work for a smaller sector of my company, and I've really enjoyed the work-from-home flexibility and the great work-life balance it offers. My commute is just 15 minutes three times a week, and I can set my own hours, which has been fantastic. However, I've noticed that my salary has only increased by about 13% over these four years, and while my workload has ramped up slightly, my engagement with the work has decreased. I find myself questioning my career trajectory and wondering if I should be more proactive about seeking new opportunities. Although I've applied to several jobs in the past few months, I haven't received any responses, which has been discouraging. I'm at a crossroads: should I focus on finding new roles externally, or should I invest more effort in exploring internal opportunities? There's a new senior position opening up in my company that I plan to apply for, but I also feel a sense of complacency given my low-stress environment. I often grapple with whether I should be content with my current situation or push myself to strive for more. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this phase of my career.

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant layoffs happening in the tech industry. It seems like every week there are more cuts, and I can't help but wonder how we're all supposed to survive this. It feels like the higher-ups are completely disconnected from the struggles we face. I'm trying to stay positive and keep my job search going, but it's tough when the job market feels so unstable.

I started my onboarding process for a new job this morning, and it's been incredibly frustrating. The position is supposed to pay well, which is why I’m eager to get everything sorted out. However, when I tried to submit my documentation, I kept receiving an error message. I attempted to troubleshoot by using different browsers and even tried on my parents' phones and my own computer, but nothing worked. I then thought I’d try the mobile app, but that just led to another error message. After exhausting my options, I called IT for help, but they suggested I repeat the same steps I had already tried. They told me to wait a few hours, but I’m still facing the same issues. At this point, I'm considering deleting my account and starting over, but it feels like no one is taking my concerns seriously. It's really disheartening, especially since I need this job in this tough economy.

I work as an account merchandiser for a soda company, where my job involves physically demanding tasks like stocking shelves across various stores. Recently, I've faced harassment from some store managers, which has made my work environment unbearable. After discussing these issues with my boss, I decided to take a leave of absence to manage my situation better. However, due to a mix-up with our external third party, I never officially went on leave in mid-August. I had also applied for a sales position that would transition me away from large format merchandising, but I was informed that I didn't get the job. My boss's boss implied that my potential attendance issues, stemming from my need for a leave, were a concern for them. Despite an email stating that my leave wouldn't disqualify me from the position, I felt discouraged. Shortly after, I did take my leave, but then I received an email about an HR investigation regarding false allegations made against me by a coworker. I initially ignored the email since I was on leave, but my boss later called me for a meeting with HR, where the atmosphere felt hostile. It's been nine days since that meeting, and I haven't heard back from either my boss or HR, although I'm still on the schedule marked as on leave. I've reached out to a few employment attorneys for advice, but none seem interested in taking my case. I'm feeling quite lost and would appreciate any guidance.

I’ve been struggling with severe corporate burnout for a while now. I quit my job in April after feeling overwhelmed by an increasing workload and my requests for a raise being ignored. They convinced me to stay with a promotion, but the reality has been far from what I was promised. My responsibilities are set to triple, and the changes are expected to take effect in November, but I’m already feeling the strain. The pressure to generate revenue has been frustrating, especially since some of our work is being handed off to other business units without any replacement coming in from sales. My boss has been unsupportive, which adds to my stress, and I find myself constantly taking on more tasks. I feel like I’m at my breaking point and often contemplate quitting again. I’m also a mom of four, so my responsibilities don’t end when I leave work. My husband has been helping out more, but I still feel completely burnt out. I’m not sure how to recover from this exhaustion, especially since I don’t see my company making any improvements. I know I’m a valuable employee, but I can’t continue feeling this way. I’ve thought about taking a week off to destress, but I worry about the mess I’ll come back to since my coworker who covers for me isn’t reliable. I’m at a loss for what to do next. Quitting wouldn’t hurt us financially, but it would impact my self-worth significantly.

I work at a global company in a role where I heavily rely on HR support for my team and personal circumstances. About a year and a half ago, I had to take a week off due to my son contracting Hand Foot Mouth disease, which led to me depleting my PTO by 40 hours. When I returned, I sought a conversation with our HR representative to discuss options like FMLA or leave of absence in case of future incidents. During our Zoom meeting, which included my manager, the HR lady immediately criticized my attendance record due to my child's illness, threatening my job if I missed more work. She dismissed my concerns about needing support for FMLA and told my manager to 'look it up yourself' when he asked for guidance. Since then, I've been managing my department alone after two coworkers quit. Given the increased workload, I requested a raise, which my GM and manager approved months ago, but HR has yet to process it despite my repeated follow-ups. I've noticed that this same HR representative has approved raises for others while ignoring my request. Additionally, I had an injury at work last year, and after sending her the hospital bill for processing, she failed to handle it, leading to continued billing issues for me. This has made me feel like there’s a personal bias against me. Now, I'm considering escalating my concerns to her manager or even higher. My manager has offered his support if I decide to file a complaint. I’m just unsure of the best course of action to take next.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past 12 weeks as an industrial sales rep, which is usually a stable field for me. Typically, I receive about two calls a week from headhunters, and when I interview with 2-5 companies, I usually end up with 2-3 offers. However, this time around, it's been an entirely different experience. I've had numerous interviews, even with C-suite executives, but each time I've faced rejection. It's been frustrating and confusing, as there are usually more job openings than candidates in my area of expertise. This has been the longest and most challenging search of my career.

I was laid off after 2.5 years as a Cloud Engineer in Canada, specifically in Mississauga, where I started my role in August 2023 after graduating with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. This was my first job post-university, and I was let go in December 2025. My experience includes working with AWS and Azure, utilizing tools like AWS CDK (Python), CloudFormation, and CI/CD practices, as well as skills in IAM, infrastructure automation, cost optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Now, I'm contemplating my next steps. I'm targeting roles in Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Operations, cloud/platform engineering, DevOps, SRE, and even Linux/sysadmin/help desk positions if they are feasible. I also speak French and am open to bilingual roles or relocation opportunities. I've been actively networking, seeking referrals, and enhancing my resume, but unfortunately, referrals haven't led to any technical interviews yet. I've faced rejections even when my resume closely matched job requirements, and I've noticed many job postings are being reposted for months, which feels discouraging. I'm receiving mixed advice on how to proceed: some suggest I learn Java or full-stack development, dive into AI, get familiar with Kubernetes, pursue AWS certifications, or even consider starting over in help desk/sysadmin roles. I'm hesitant to spend time on unrelated skills without knowing if they'll actually boost my job prospects. I'm seeking guidance on a few key questions: Is pursuing a career in Cloud still viable in Canada with my experience? What adjacent roles could I consider? And would obtaining AWS certifications significantly help given my 2.5 years of experience, or should I focus on projects related to AWS, Terraform, Linux, or DevOps instead? I'm committed to putting in the effort; I just need realistic direction based on my current background.

Since January 1 of this year, I've been actively applying for jobs and going through interviews, but it's been a tough journey. I have one year of full-time work experience, and I've made it past the application stage with 16 organizations, with one more still in progress. Here's a breakdown of my experiences: 1. I completed a work test but was rejected. 2. I went through a paid work test, which also ended in rejection. 3. I had a short screener with a founder but was rejected. 4. I passed three rounds of online tests, but after the first interview, I was told that while my alignment with the role was good, other candidates were more structured and insightful in their problem-solving. 5. I had to decline an interview for a traineeship because of start date conflicts. 6. I was rejected after a first interview for a part-time job. 7. I passed a work test but was rejected after a one-way asynchronous interview. After these initial setbacks, I started training for interviews with a coach, hoping to improve my chances. I received an internship offer after three interviews but declined due to the interviewers badmouthing the company, a low hourly rate, and the fact that it wasn't a permanent position. I faced more rejections after various stages: - Rejected after a first interview with a hiring manager who hadn’t even read my resume. - I was told they would circle back for an autumn hiring cohort, but ultimately, I was rejected after an interview that ended early due to start date and location issues. - I was rejected after an HR screener. - I did well in an interview and work test, receiving praise for my written work and thoughtful responses, but they felt I would be a better fit elsewhere due to my lack of direct experience in their work environment. - More rejections followed after HR screeners and interviews. - The organization that said they would circle back ultimately rejected me after a case-style interview, stating they couldn't see the underlying analysis in my recommendations. - I passed a work test but was rejected after an HR screener. - Finally, I passed an HR screener and a work test but was rejected because they chose candidates with more experience. All of these roles were generalist, non-technical positions, and I can't help but feel that this bottlenecking is making it increasingly difficult for me to get my life off the ground.

I recently reached out to my former manager at a large oil and gas company where I used to work. I loved the culture and the team, but the pay was tough to manage, which is why I left for a new opportunity about three months ago. Unfortunately, my new job has been a nightmare, primarily due to my manager's style. I noticed that my old position was posted online, so I decided to swallow my pride and text my previous manager to see if they had filled the role yet. He responded that they are interviewing candidates and even hinted at my dissatisfaction with my current job. I expressed my interest in returning, and he mentioned he would keep me posted as he has interviews lined up next week. I'm trying to gauge whether this means he might be open to bringing me back. I left on good terms, so I'm hopeful, but I'm also aware that there may be formalities to follow. Should I remain optimistic about this possibility?

I got laid off from Extreme Networks in July 2026, where I worked as a Staff Software Engineer. Since then, I've been following how other companies are adapting to AI technology, particularly in customer service roles. I recently learned about Ingka Group, which operates most IKEA stores, and their implementation of an AI customer service bot named Billie, after the iconic Billy bookcase. Billie has taken over a significant portion of simple customer inquiries, which could have led to layoffs. However, instead of cutting jobs, Ingka reskilled around 8,500 call center employees to take on more complex support cases, as well as roles in remote interior design and sales. This reskilling process took about two years to fully integrate, while new hires in this area now receive around five to six weeks of training. It's impressive to see such a large-scale effort to adapt and retain employees rather than resorting to layoffs, although I understand that layoffs have occurred elsewhere in the company unrelated to the bot's impact.

I recently started a new job in accounting after leaving my previous position of over three years due to a decline in company culture and increasing stress that was affecting my mental health. I was excited about this new opportunity, but after just one week, I'm already feeling uncertain. The company is not US-based, which has introduced some confusing nuances, and while my coworkers are nice, I'm struggling with my boss's micromanagement style. She insists on reviewing all my emails for grammar and wording, which feels excessive. Additionally, I was put off by her behavior during a team lunch where she was rude to the waitress. The commute is also a downside; it's about 50 minutes each way, significantly longer than my previous job. I can work from home occasionally, but only with my boss's permission. I know people say it takes time to adjust, but I can't shake the feeling that this job isn't a good fit for me. I've been feeling emotional about it, often crying during my commute home, and I find myself longing for my old job. I'm considering applying for positions closer to home, but I feel guilty about potentially leaving this company so soon after they invested time in training me. I'm feeling lost and confused about what to do next.

I was laid off in March 2025 and have found myself in a teaching role since then. It's been a challenging transition, and I often feel depressed and embarrassed about it. Teaching is incredibly time-consuming and demanding, making it difficult for me to focus on interviewing or upskilling for my previous career in finance. I feel trapped in this position, and with only four years since my undergraduate degree, I'm worried that my teaching career might extend longer than my finance career ever did. This thought is quite frightening for me.

I’ve been thinking about my job search lately and how overwhelming it can be. I currently work a busy job, but I’m trying to explore other opportunities and see what compensation offers are out there. The problem is, applying for jobs feels like a full-time job in itself. I have to create accounts on various job sites, fill out endless forms, tweak my resume for each position, and then keep track of all my applications. It’s exhausting, especially since I have to do this on my own time, which is often limited. I was wondering if there’s a service that could help streamline this process. Something where I could provide my resume and relevant information, and they would apply for jobs on my behalf, maybe even using my LinkedIn or Indeed accounts. It would be great to have someone handle the back-and-forth communication with employers and schedule interviews, especially since many of them want to talk during my work hours. I know there are concerns about personal data security with such services, but I’m curious if anything like this exists or if there are alternatives that could make my job search more manageable.

I have two job offers on the table and I'm really struggling to decide which one to take. Job A is a part-time position just 3 minutes from my home, offering great benefits. It pays $21.77 per hour for 20 hours a week, and I would have the flexibility to work in the office on my own schedule with a friendly staff environment. On the other hand, Job B is a full-time role that pays $25 an hour, but it requires a one-hour commute each way, meaning I'd be working from 7 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday. The benefits are decent, and I would get summers off, but the job is in a field I'm not really interested in. I'm weighing the pros and cons of both offers and would appreciate any thoughts or advice.