Planning

I recently realized that I forgot to include a 1099 gig in my unemployment claim. I did a contracted social media job from March 10 to June 2, and I was paid for it on July 13. Unfortunately, I was let go from my W2 job on June 4, which is the job I filed my claim for. So far, I've only received one payment from EDD on July 23. I'm feeling stressed about this oversight and I'm unsure how to amend my claim to include the 1099 work. I can't call them today since they're closed, so I'm hoping to get some advice on what to expect moving forward.

I'm currently working in junk removal and trying to find a new job, but I'm feeling overwhelmed with the process. My work schedule is pretty demanding; I work Monday through Thursday and Saturday, starting at 7 AM, and I never know when I'll finish. This makes it challenging to dedicate time to job searching. Getting my current job took about 2 or 3 months of full-time effort. I'm looking for advice on how to quickly increase my hireability and manage the application and interview process alongside my current job. I'm not entirely sure what skills I should focus on or what specific job I'm aiming for. Before this, I was an air traffic controller, and I have applied for a few ATC-related positions, but those opportunities seem to be several months away from materializing.

I recently received an offer from Vonage for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) position. To be honest, I had never heard of Vonage before this opportunity came up, but the role itself seems interesting to me. However, I'm feeling a bit uncertain about making the switch since the pay raise isn't significant compared to my current job. Additionally, I've been reading about the recent trends in layoffs across the market, and I've come across mixed reviews regarding work culture and growth opportunities at Vonage. I'm contemplating whether it would be wise to accept the offer or hold out for something better.

I'm currently working in Brazil for a global business unit, where my direct managers are based in the US. I'm expected to go into the office once a week, but I've only been managing to go about once a month. Recently, I found out that the only other person in my Marketing department in Brazil left the company, which means I'm now solely responsible for all Marketing operations here, including managing a significant media budget. I'm moving to a different state soon, and I really want to stay with the company, so I've been considering asking my manager if I can work fully remote. I have a performance review coming up on Monday, and I think this could be a good opportunity to discuss my situation. The company recently did a risk assessment and concluded that losing me would severely impact the Marketing operations in Brazil, which gives me some leverage. However, I'm unsure how to approach this conversation. I've typically been passive in negotiations, focusing more on my work than on advocating for myself. With the bureaucracy in Brazil, I know I need to present my case clearly so my manager can negotiate with HR effectively. I’m aware that other teams have flexible arrangements, so I believe it's possible. I have several reasons for wanting to work remotely, including the fact that I'm the only one handling Marketing here, the office environment isn't conducive to my needs, and my current salary is below market rate for my new city. I want to make a compelling business case without overwhelming my manager with personal details. I feel like I need to strike a balance between my personal circumstances and the business needs of the company. I hope to gather some advice on how to best frame this conversation on Monday.

I'm currently working in the renewable energy sector through an outsourcing arrangement and I've noticed some concerning changes at my company. Over the past few months, there have been reports of an external investment fund coming in, several senior managers including the CFO have left, and some suppliers are experiencing payment delays. Additionally, there are plans to move to new offices around the same time the investor is expected to arrive. I'm unsure if this is a typical restructuring before growth or if it indicates potential financial difficulties or major organizational changes. As an outsourced employee, I feel like I could be more easily replaced than permanent staff, which adds to my anxiety about job security. On a positive note, I'm in the final stages of recruitment for another position that promises better pay and career progression. Given the situation, I'm contemplating whether I should start actively looking for a new job now. I would love to hear from anyone who has experienced similar situations involving acquisitions, private equity investments, or corporate restructuring. Would you consider these signs red flags? How do outsourced employees typically fare in these scenarios?

I recently completed week 4 of my outplacement experience after being laid off from my role at a tech company. The program has been quite insightful, providing resources and support as I navigate my job search. I've been focusing on refining my resume and LinkedIn profile, and I've also had the opportunity to participate in several networking events. The guidance from career coaches has been invaluable, helping me to develop my interview skills and approach potential employers with confidence. With just 8 weeks left in the program, I’m feeling hopeful and motivated to secure a new position soon.

I recently completed my third interview for a position and have been anxiously waiting for a response. As a foreigner, I'm not fully aware of the typical vacation periods in the U.S., but I've read that late July to early August is a time when many people take time off. I want to send a follow-up email to check in on my application status, but I'm unsure when would be the best time to do so to ensure it gets noticed. I’m considering sending it soon, especially since I feel like I might have been ghosted regarding the results.

I've recently graduated and have been struggling to find a job. To help with my job search, I've narrowed down my options for reverse recruiting services to three. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has experience with these services and can share their thoughts. I've been getting some LinkedIn reachouts, but it's still been tough to land a position. I'm hoping to make a decision soon on which service to use.

I recently found out that my previous employer is appealing my unemployment determination here in Pennsylvania. This is my first time going through this process, and I want to make sure I’m fully prepared. I can't imagine losing this appeal, especially since I have evidence that counters their claims. They submitted four cropped screenshots of our text exchanges, which conveniently leave out important context. Luckily, I have the full conversation uploaded, which clearly shows that there was no willful misconduct on my part. In addition, a former coworker is writing a letter to support my case. I’m unsure about how much documentation I should include; I have a lot of potential evidence, but I don't want to overwhelm them with too much information. My former employer has requested a phone hearing, which I find a bit cowardly. I understand that the hearing will be conducted by a referee from the Unemployment Compensation office rather than a judge. I’m curious about the format of the hearing—should I prepare a statement? Would it be wise to upload a rebuttal to the statement my employer provided? I really want to get this right, so any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I recently hit my one-year mark at a mid-sized company in the US, which is owned by a larger Japanese firm, and I received an unexpected call from HR. They informed me that I was under investigation for theft, and they have video evidence. The situation stems from a free ice cream day the company held last month. Afterward, they stored the ice cream freezers in the cafeteria, and one of them was left unlocked with no signs or monitoring. I took a few ice creams, genuinely thinking they were still free, and I even mentioned this to my coworkers, who likely did the same. Now, I'm facing potential disciplinary action, ranging from a warning to termination, depending on HR's discretion. My manager, who has been with the company for 25 years, believes I won't face severe consequences and has expressed support for me. However, I'm terrified of being labeled a thief and the impact it might have on my coworkers. I have enough savings to get by, and I have decent qualifications, but I truly enjoy my job and the company culture. I've heard horror stories of employees being let go for minor infractions, and I'm unsure about the precedent for this type of situation at my company. I'm left wondering if I should start job hunting now or if I'm overreacting. Any advice or comfort would be appreciated.

I recently came across discussions about potential layoffs at IBM, where I work. There are concerns that the company might be using Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) as a tool for layoffs, which raises questions about their legality. From what I've gathered, PIPs are often seen as a way to manage underperforming employees, but it seems like they might also be leveraged to prepare for future layoffs. While it's not illegal to use PIPs in this manner, it definitely puts employees in a precarious position. I've heard that IBM frequently engages in layoffs as part of their 'workforce rebalancing' strategy, and with the recent stock market reactions to their earnings, many believe that more layoffs are on the horizon. If you're on a PIP, it might be wise to start looking for new opportunities, as being in that situation doesn't guarantee job security. It's a tough environment, and the uncertainty is definitely unsettling.

I’m currently interning in Ontario, Canada, and it’s been a rough couple of months. I’m supposed to finish on August 21st, but I’m seriously considering quitting. My role has little relevance to my major, and while some of my peers are working on meaningful projects, I’ve been stuck on a struggling account doing event logistics and set-ups. The account manager is difficult to work with, and the team is overwhelmed, which has led to a toxic environment. My commute has become a nightmare, taking up to three hours a day, and it’s affecting my mental health. I’ve been prescribed sleeping pills due to my insomnia, and I’ve even had breakdowns at work. Management promised to move me to a better account by July 24th, but now they’ve pushed it to August 4th, leaving me with only a short time to learn something relevant. I’ve expressed my concerns about my mental health to my supervisor, but he suggested quitting might reflect poorly on me, especially since the company is well-regarded in my field. I’ve typed up my resignation, but I’m torn about whether to give a week’s notice or stick it out for the remaining time. I’m worried about burning bridges, especially since many employees are alumni from my university. I feel broken and beaten down, and I just want to make the right decision for my future.

As a rising junior majoring in computer science, I feel like I'm lagging behind in gaining job experience. I've never had an internship before, and my resume mainly consists of club involvement and personal projects. I'm really hoping to secure a fall internship to help me get on track. However, I've noticed that there are significantly fewer listings for fall internships compared to summer 2027 opportunities. I've applied to hundreds of positions but have only received a few responses, and I had one interview that ended with no follow-up. I'm feeling quite overwhelmed and would appreciate any tips on how to land a fall internship.

I just graduated with my MFA in May and was set to adjunct at a school, but they lost their funding, leaving me with zero income and no savings. To make matters worse, my health benefits are ending soon, and I’m currently dealing with a severe chronic illness flare-up. I’m in a tough spot without family support or a partner to help with bills, so I'm desperate to find a full-time remote job with benefits as quickly as possible. I've applied to 53 jobs so far but only landed 3 interviews. I need to pay rent and buy groceries, so I'm open to any position in customer service, data entry, or insurance claims. I have over 9 years of experience in program management and customer support, so I can handle fast-paced environments. If anyone knows of companies or staffing agencies that are hiring quickly, I would really appreciate the help.

I'm a 24-year-old female currently facing a tough situation. My dad just lost his job, and despite my best efforts, I'm still unemployed. I've applied to countless positions, but nothing seems to be working out. I'm feeling really lost and unsure of what to do next. I've been considering some advice from others, like exploring opportunities in my local community or even looking into government jobs since my dad has a degree. I'm also thinking about leveraging my skills to help local businesses, like gyms or clinics, instead of just waiting for a job offer. It's a challenging time, but I'm trying to stay proactive and explore all my options.

I recently experienced a challenging situation with my fiancé's job as a Construction Project Manager at a company in north NJ. He was terminated, and as I've learned more about the company, it became clear that the high turnover and toxic leadership were major issues. From his first day, it was evident that employees were constantly leaving or being let go, which should have raised red flags. The leadership, particularly the owner/CEO, fostered a stressful environment where employees felt they were always walking on eggshells. Micromanagement was rampant, and employees were often berated or disrespected. Expectations shifted daily, leading to confusion and frustration. It felt like the company was setting people up to fail rather than succeed. My fiancé put in a lot of effort and genuinely wanted to excel, but the lack of respect and unpredictability made it nearly impossible. While being fired was painful, I'm starting to see it as a blessing in disguise. No job is worth sacrificing mental health or self-esteem. Now, we're actively looking for new opportunities. If anyone knows of companies hiring Project Managers or similar roles in north or central NJ, we would greatly appreciate any leads. He’s a dedicated professional seeking a workplace with strong leadership and a positive culture.

I received a job offer that I need to decide on within 24 hours, but I'm also waiting for another offer letter from a company that has been very engaged with me throughout the interview process. The second company has informed me that the offer letter is delayed, and while they are aware of my situation, I’m feeling pressured to make a quick decision. I’m contemplating whether to accept the first offer and then decide later if I want to stick with it or wait for the second offer. I’m considering reaching out to the second company to see if they can expedite the offer letter process, as I would prefer their opportunity if it comes through soon. Any advice on how to handle this situation?

I'm currently exploring options for insurance coverage in India that could provide support after being laid off. I'm particularly interested in any private insurance plans that might offer financial assistance for a few months following a job loss. If anyone has insights or recommendations on companies that provide such coverage, I would greatly appreciate your input. It's a challenging time, and having some safety net would be incredibly helpful.

I recently found myself in a tough situation at my company where it feels like they want me to quit. Despite my strong performance and decent salary, it seems their goal is to let me go and replace me with someone who would earn 40% less. I even received a poor performance rating this time around, which I escalated all the way to the SVP. After some back and forth, my manager had no choice but to change the rating to 'meets expectations' and they increased my bonus by $12,000. I know I deserve better, but at this point, I'm not going to make it easy for them. I've started to contribute less at work and I'm actively looking for new job opportunities. I plan to inform them when I decide to leave, rather than waiting for management to make that call.

I recently completed an unpaid internship at Texas Lifestyle Magazine as part of my journalism program in Texas. Initially, I thought it would be a great opportunity to explore the lifestyle niche, but it turned out to be one of the worst experiences I've had. The onboarding process was chaotic, and I didn't even meet my boss for a week. When I finally did, she apologized for the lack of clarity, which set the tone for the rest of my time there. Throughout the internship, I noticed several issues: my boss frequently changed meeting times last minute, the editorial content was more PR than journalism, and communication was generally poor. I submitted my own writing piece, and they advised me to avoid mentioning any negatives, which was frustrating. As the semester progressed, my boss offered me a chance to return as an unpaid editorial intern, but I was already in the final round for a paid internship elsewhere. When I declined the offer, my contributions went unacknowledged during our team meeting, which felt disheartening. To make matters worse, I learned that my internship would extend beyond the semester without prior notice, which I hadn’t planned for. I had already completed my class credit and was juggling multiple jobs and classes. I reached out to my boss for analytics on the posts I created, which garnered over 100,000 views, to help build my portfolio, but I never received a response. This experience has made me realize how some companies exploit unpaid interns, and I’m now actively applying for more legitimate internships for the fall.