Planning

I'm currently working as an outside sales representative for a Canadian company in Washington State, where I've just hit my one-year mark. My territory is quite large, covering much of the state, but it heavily relies on agriculture, which has been struggling since I started. Unfortunately, this has affected my sales performance significantly; I'm only at about 13% of my annual goal of $2 million in sales. I earn a base salary of $30,000, and while I do have a truck and gas covered, the competition is fierce with larger companies dominating the market. I’ve been considering a new opportunity in building materials sales. A friend informed me about a competitor that is hiring, and I recently had an interview with them. They are offering a base salary of $40,000, a monthly vehicle allowance, and reimbursement for work-related miles. The hours are more structured with no remote work flexibility, which is something I plan to negotiate. However, I would inherit a couple of accounts that need some attention due to the previous salesperson's poor attitude. I like my current manager, who gives me a good amount of freedom, but I’m feeling uncertain about whether to stay in my current role or make the switch to this new opportunity. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has made a similar move and could share their experiences.

I'm currently navigating the job offer stage and trying to get a clearer picture of the benefits before I make a decision. I've noticed that many job postings mention things like "comprehensive health insurance" or "generous PTO" but lack the specifics I really need. I want to know if the health plan is a PPO, HMO, or high-deductible, what the deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are, who I can cover as dependents, and how much PTO is actually offered—whether it accrues or is granted upfront. The tricky part is that most of my interviews have been with hiring managers or technical staff who often don't have the answers to these benefit-related questions. I really want to avoid the situation where I accept an offer only to find out the benefits don't meet my needs. I'm wondering when is the best time to ask for this information during the hiring process. Is it reasonable to request a benefits summary before accepting an offer, or even before the final interview? I'm looking for advice on how to approach this without seeming difficult. Any insights from others who have been in a similar situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently lost my job due to being autistic, which I believe was the reason, even though I can't prove it. I'm 24, unemployed, and living with my parents, and it's been really tough. I've applied to countless positions but haven't heard back from anyone. The job market feels impossible, and I struggle with academics, which adds to my frustration. I dream of telling stories and creating art, but I know that won't pay the bills or help me become independent. I have 1.5 years left on my parents' insurance, and I really don't want to rely on them too much. I feel like I'm stuck in a cycle of applying and getting ghosted, even by places like fast food. I'm open to working in trades or taking unpaid internships, but I don't know how to get my foot in the door. It feels like I'm surrounded by opportunities that I can't reach, and I'm not sure what to do next.

I recently received a full-time job offer that is contingent on passing a background check. I'm not worried about any criminal history, but I am concerned about the verification of my self-employment as a cosmetologist over the past eight years. I've been at my current job for about five and a half years, which I listed as my most recent employer. Before that, I was a self-employed cosmetologist, having gone through beauty school and maintaining an active license in my state. However, I only provided services to friends and family and never claimed this income on my taxes, so I don't have any pay stubs or tax documents to back it up. The recruiter mentioned that the background team would likely want to see some proof of my self-employment. I'm anxious that this lack of documentation might hurt my chances of moving forward with the company, even though I didn't lie on my application. I plan to hold off on giving notice at my current job until I have a confirmed offer.

I recently lost my serving job at a restaurant, which came as a shock to me. My manager pulled me aside after my shift and informed me that it would be my last day. He mentioned that while I had great customer interactions and received positive reviews, there were concerns about my performance that I had never been made aware of before. Now, I'm in the process of searching for a new serving position. When filling out applications, I indicated that my employment had ended and that I was looking for a new team and work environment that would better suit me. However, I've come across advice suggesting that I shouldn't disclose being fired. I'm hesitant to lie, especially if they contact my previous employer for a reference. I'm curious to hear from others who have been in a similar situation: did you tell the truth about being fired when applying for new jobs? How did you handle the explanation, and did it impact your chances of getting hired?

Today, my manager asked me to join a meeting on my day off, which immediately raised my anxiety. He assured me it would be short and told me not to worry, but when I asked for details about the meeting, he said he couldn’t share anything. This has me on edge, as I can't help but wonder if this is a sign of impending layoffs. I’ve seen discussions about how these meetings can go either way—sometimes they’re just routine check-ins, other times they reveal bad news. I’ve had experiences where similar situations led to teammates being let go, and I ended up having to take on their responsibilities. I’m trying to stay optimistic but also feel the need to prepare for the worst. I’ll keep you all posted on what happens.

Feeling overwhelmed in my job search in Toronto. I completed my master's two years ago, and while the pandemic gave me some time to adjust, breaking into my field has been incredibly tough. I've been working remotely for a newspaper in Asia, but even those shifts are dwindling. My parents have been covering my bills, and I feel like a burden to them. Thankfully, therapy and the little work I have keep me grounded, but it's been a struggle, largely thanks to my parents' support allowing me to take my time. I'm now considering nepotism as a route since my dad works in the same field. This would mean relocating to a country where my skills are more financially appreciated, even if it doesn't align with my values. Every time my parents introduce me to someone in Canada, they seem more interested in how to get me a job in the UAE, where I grew up, making me feel like I'm giving up by moving back in with them. My plan is to work overseas for a few years to gain experience and savings, then hopefully return to Canada, but that means leaving behind friends and the community I've built over the past twelve years, not to mention my modest professional network. I've started volunteering and joined a political party, but I need a paying job more than anything right now, and I resent that. I'm frustrated with the government and capitalism, but I know I need to take action on my own terms. I can't keep sending out applications into the void and waiting for change.

I just found out that my mom was fired from her job after someone stole a spreadsheet she had been working on for three and a half months. She had a meeting to discuss the situation, but her boss was unhelpful, saying he couldn't provide any information. Tomorrow, she has a meeting with HR, but her boss was told by HR that he didn't need to attend. This has us really worried because we just moved to northeast Kansas and can’t survive on one income. I feel panicked about the whole situation, especially since the data was taken and attributed to someone else. It seems like a serious issue with the company's IT practices, especially if they allow employees to use private accounts without proper backups. I wish we had more details about what happened, but right now it feels like there's a lot of uncertainty and potential for injustice.

I recently found myself on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job in Canada, and it's been quite a frustrating experience. The criteria outlined in the PIP are vague, and whenever I seek clarification, the expectations seem to shift. Initially, they wanted me to accomplish task X, but after I met that goal, they claimed it wasn't sufficient and now expect me to achieve task Y. I'm keeping detailed documentation of everything that's happening, but I'm starting to wonder if this situation could be grounds for consulting an employment lawyer. It feels like they are setting me up for failure rather than genuinely trying to help me improve.

I am a 22-year-old male currently seeking my first real job after a challenging experience with my college education. After four years of coursework, I ended up with no degree and only a high school diploma. I'm based in Wayne County, Michigan, and I have very limited job experience, aside from volunteering at a food pantry for about 8 hours a month. I am also familiar with Microsoft Office and Google Suite from personal use. Financially, I'm struggling, which means I can't afford any additional education or training right now. Given the current job market, I'm preparing myself for a long job search, estimating it could take 6 to 12 months, and I'm ready to dedicate 50 to 60 hours a week just to applications. I'm reaching out for advice on how to improve my chances of landing a job, especially since my network is quite thin. Any tips or strategies would be greatly appreciated!

I recently moved to Colorado but my home of record from when I enlisted in 2022 is in Texas. I'm trying to figure out if I should apply for unemployment benefits based on Texas or Colorado. I really need to find a job quickly, ideally something that won't take long to start. I'm open to any kind of work, whether it's laborer or front desk positions. My main goal is to make enough money to cover my bills and maybe save a little for when I move after enlisting in the USCG or USN. I've been using ZipRecruiter and Indeed, but I’m looking for other job search resources as well. Any advice on where to apply for unemployment and where to find job listings would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off from my job on April 24th due to AI advancements, and I filed for unemployment on May 2nd. Since my termination, I've been receiving severance payments biweekly, which I was told would happen. However, I never received the official paperwork from HR because they were unavailable on the day of my layoff. I had to conduct my termination through a Teams call, and despite my efforts to follow up via email three times, I still haven't received any documentation. I've been getting payments that match my normal pay rate, just as if I were still employed, and I was informed that I would receive a total of four weeks of severance. When I first contacted the Texas Workforce Commission to request payment, the representative filled out my application indicating that I had received severance for my first week of unemployment. She advised me to answer 'no' regarding additional payments on my end since she had already noted it. It's been two weeks since that request, and I still haven't received any payment. Now, as I submit my next two weeks of claims, I have some questions: 1. The application asks if I've received any additional payments due to a release of claim. Since I haven't signed anything, does that count as a release of claim? 2. Given that my severance is distributed biweekly, will I still be eligible for unemployment during the weeks when I haven't received those severance payments? 3. I have proof that my employer stated they wouldn't contest my unemployment, but since I haven't signed anything, will that affect my eligibility for benefits? I'm trying to figure out my financial situation and budget accordingly until I find a new job, so any advice or guidelines would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started a temporary job in New Jersey, working 40 hours a week for a couple of weeks. I've been collecting unemployment benefits for a few weeks now, but I'm unsure about how to proceed with my claims while working. I know I can't claim benefits while employed, but I want to ensure that I can continue filing once this job ends. I'm confused about whether I should keep filing weekly and report my income, or if I should stop filing until the job is over. I'm worried that if they see I'm working full-time, they might revoke my benefits. I just want to make sure I handle this correctly and don't lose my benefits after this temporary position.

I'm currently navigating the job application process for my dream position in the archives at my alma mater, where I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in December and am now pursuing my Master's. I've interned at the archives, so I have good relationships with the staff, but I'm facing a dilemma regarding references. Two people I typically use for references are directly involved in the hiring process: the head archivist and the person who is leaving the position. I'm unsure if it's appropriate to ask the departing archivist for a recommendation, given that they are moving on to a bigger opportunity. I don't want to ask the head archivist for a reference since they are the one making the hiring decision. I considered asking a former professor who has a personal friendship with the archivist, but I'm worried it might come off as trying to leverage that connection. However, this professor knows my work well and has even collaborated with the archivist in the past. Alternatively, I could ask another professor in a semi-related field who is less connected to the archivist but might not provide as detailed a reference. I've already reached out to a professor from my graduate program who is familiar with my skills in this area. Ideally, I'd like to ask the departing archivist, the semi-related professor, and my graduate professor to be my recommenders. To sum up my concerns: Is it appropriate to ask someone leaving a position for a reference if the parting was amicable? And would it reflect poorly if one of my references is a personal friend of the person hiring, even if they can provide a strong recommendation? I'm eager to make the best impression as I transition into non-retail roles.

I accepted a job offer back in May for a position that was supposed to start on June 10, with a sign-on bonus scheduled to be paid out on June 30. However, my start date was pushed to July 15 due to some paperwork delays, which I understood. Now, I've received a new offer that has moved my sign-on bonus payout to September 25, meaning I have to wait 74 days after starting instead of the originally promised 20 days. I'm feeling uncertain about whether this is a common occurrence when start dates are delayed. Should I reach out to them to request an adjustment to the bonus payout date, or should I just let it be? I don't want to risk losing the offer, but I also want to ensure I'm getting what was initially promised.

I recently graduated with a master's degree in education, but I have a strong background in supply chain finance and logistics at the director level. Over the past five months, I've applied to over 40 jobs related to my education and supply chain fields, but I've faced rejection from every single one. A friend recommended me for six logistics positions, and I was denied for all of them, while he landed a job at the same company despite having no background in supply chain. It’s frustrating to see that the qualifications of those who get hired often include 50+ aged professionals with 20+ years of experience, while I’m in my early 30s and struggling to secure even entry-level roles. I feel like I’m competing against seasoned experts for positions that should be accessible to someone starting out. I’m not feeling depressed, but I am angry and confused about how to break into this job market. I’ve been out of work for two years while pursuing my master's, and I haven’t had the chance to learn the technical skills that are currently in demand. It feels pointless to seek training on new systems when I can’t even get my foot in the door. I’ve had several interviews with recruiters, but they haven’t led anywhere. My most recent interview was an hour long and went really well. The recruiter, who works closely with the CEO of a small company, said she would hire me immediately if she could. However, the next day she informed me that she wasn't the hiring authority anymore and sent my resume to someone I’ve never met. Now, I’m leaning towards the idea that I won’t get that job either. I’m left wondering what’s going on in this job market and how I can fill the gap in my experience to finally get hired.

I’ve been out of full-time work for the past three years, and I’m facing a tough decision. I’ve received a job offer that requires me to relocate across the globe. It’s a fantastic opportunity, but I’m torn about whether I should uproot my life after such a long time away from the workforce. I’m weighing the pros and cons, trying to figure out if this is the right move for me at this stage in my career.

I just accepted my first job after college as a Helpdesk Tech, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. My work schedule is set for Monday from home from 7:30am to 5:30pm, then in the office Tuesday to Thursday during the same hours, and finally, I’ll work remotely on Friday from 7:30am to 11:30am. I get an hour for lunch each day, and the workload is described as small volume, which is a relief. However, I do have a 40-minute commute to the office, which I’m a bit worried about. Since this is my first role post-graduation, I’m unsure how manageable this schedule will be. I wasn’t getting many interviews before landing this job, so I feel the pressure to gain experience. I’d love any tips on how to handle this transition!

I started a new job at a small clinic back in February, and I'm beginning to regret my decision. The training period is four months, and I'm only making $9 an hour. During the interview, they emphasized that this role was a long-term commitment, which I understood, but I didn't fully grasp the workload involved. I've only worked in retail before, and this environment is completely different for me. I often feel like my team lead is frustrated with me, and I'm constantly second-guessing myself. I'm struggling to learn the receptionist duties, and when I freeze up, I don't ask for help. The pressure to be fast and efficient by the end of next month is overwhelming. Just a couple of weeks ago, I caused a backlog that resulted in a patient leaving, which was incredibly humiliating. The stress is affecting my health; I experience stomach cramps and anxiety every time I prepare for work. I suspect I might be on the spectrum, which makes it hard to connect with my coworkers. There's only one person I relate to, and that's over a shared interest in LEGO. I feel like everyone has their own dynamic that I can't seem to break into, and my mental health has taken a significant hit. I often fantasize about getting into accidents to avoid going to work. I want to leave this job, but I know it would look bad on my resume. My parents are supportive, but they also think I should stick it out. I've had performance evaluations with the head doctor, who wants me to emulate the team lead, but I don't want that for myself. In June, they're planning to give me more hours to 'practice,' which I fear will only lead to more misery. I'm feeling trapped and unsure of what to do next. It took me so long to find this job, and I don't want anyone to think I got it just to benefit from free appointments for my dad.

Today, I found myself contemplating the timing of my potential job offer. I’m currently waiting to hear back about an offer for my second job post-graduation, and I’m feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Since this would be my first time transitioning from one job to another, I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to communicate my availability. I’m planning to ask if I can start the week following the 4th of July. My reasoning is that I have a two-week notice to give at my current job, and I also have a pre-planned vacation during the last week of June. I want to phrase it carefully, so I was considering saying something like, "I require a two-week notice in my current role and have a pre-planned vacation, so I’d be able to start the week of 7/6." I’m a bit worried that it might come off as overexplaining, but I really want to make sure they understand my situation. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that it’s perfectly fine to request a later start date, especially if it’s due to a prior commitment like a vacation. I’m hoping that they’ll be flexible with the start date, but I guess it’s a bit of a gamble. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that I get the offer soon and that everything works out with the timing!