Planning

I was finally contacted by an employer after three and a half months of applying to jobs without any responses. I had applied for a position at a local hospital in early July that stated 'NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY' at the top of the job description. Nearly two weeks later, I received a text and an email from their AI hiring assistant to schedule a phone interview. I picked the soonest available time, which was a week out. The phone interview took place this week and went well. The recruiter walked me through the job specifics to confirm I understood the role, including location, hours, and pay, while also asking standard interview questions. At the end of the call, they scheduled me for an in-person interview and shared the expected timeline for a decision. I had my in-person interview yesterday, which followed a similar format—confirming job details, discussing duties, and answering a few more standard questions. The recruiter mentioned their hiring decision turnaround is about 48 hours, and the team lead I interviewed with said I would hear back either way within a week. So by next Thursday, I should know if I got the job. I'm still actively searching and applying elsewhere, but I have a really good feeling about this opportunity. Fingers and toes crossed!

I'm feeling really mentally exhausted right now as I wait for the results of my interview. This is my first time interviewing in the U.S. market, and as a foreigner, the whole process is quite overwhelming. The company had mentioned in their email that they'd get back to me within three business days, and if I didn't hear from them, I should follow up. So, after four business days, I reached out, but I still haven't received any response. I'm starting to wonder if that message applies to all candidates or just those they are interested in. If it’s the latter, wouldn’t they have contacted me by now? I know the company recently celebrated its anniversary and launched a new event, which could explain their busyness, but I can't help but feel anxious about the delay.

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search as a teenager. I’ve applied to over 40 jobs in my small town, but I’m hitting a wall since most places, like Starbucks, Taco Bell, and Ross, only hire people 18 and older. It’s tough finding opportunities that are open to teens. I’ve started reaching out to local small businesses to see if they’re hiring, but they all say no. I even called the places where I submitted applications, but they haven’t responded. In my desperation, I’ve begun applying for jobs in a neighboring town, which is about a 30-40 minute drive, but I’m willing to do it since options are so limited here. I did manage to get one interview at a new Chick-fil-A, but unfortunately, I didn’t get the job. I even tried starting my own small business doing window paintings, pricing them low at $30, but there hasn’t been much interest. I’m just really frustrated because I feel like I’m doing everything right. I have some experience selling concessions at school events and managing school merchandise, which I included on my resume. I just don’t understand why I’m being turned down for even the most common teen jobs like at the movie theater and fast food places. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently came across a job opening that I was really excited about and saved it to apply later. Unfortunately, when I went to submit my application the next day, the position had already been removed. This was particularly disheartening because opportunities like this are quite rare in my area. I completely understand that I missed my chance by waiting too long. Now, I'm contemplating whether I should reach out to the department supervisor to express my interest in any future similar roles and share my resume, or if I should just let it go and wait for another listing to appear. I'm leaning towards sending the email, but I'm unsure if it would come off as inappropriate or desperate.

I’m currently on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my job, which has been a frustrating experience. Earlier this year, I managed a project that went off the rails due to its complexity and a tight budget, leading to my placement on the PIP. Initially, I was determined to turn things around and prove myself. However, during my second review meeting, I received feedback that I was spending too much time discussing ideas with my colleagues, despite the PIP's initial emphasis on improving communication. I’ve been proactive, scheduling regular check-ins with stakeholders to keep them updated, but it feels like I can’t win. I joined this team after my previous team was acquired, and I’ve always felt like an outsider, struggling to fit in with a group that has worked together for years. Now, I’m worried about the outcome of this PIP, especially with two small kids depending on me. I’ve started looking for other opportunities, but the thought of being terminated is daunting. I fear that if I don’t pass the PIP, it will tarnish my future job prospects. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has faced a similar situation and how they coped mentally. Should I focus on my current tasks or prioritize finding a new job? And if I do get let go, will that label stick with me in future job searches? The thought of drastic changes, like moving to the Swiss mountains to become a sheep herder, has crossed my mind in moments of frustration.

I recently applied for two positions at the same company, as I felt qualified for both roles. After completing a first-round interview, I was asked which position I preferred, and I proceeded to have a virtual panel interview for that preferred role. I was informed that I would hear back soon regarding a potential on-site visit. However, just yesterday, about a week after the panel interview, I noticed a change in the application status on Workday for my preferred job. It switched from 'In Progress' to blank, while the other job I applied for still shows 'In Progress'. When I click on the now blank job, a pale green bar appears next to 'Application Status'. I'm left wondering what this means, as I'm trying to decipher the implications of this status change.

I've made significant changes to my resume recently in hopes of improving my chances in the job market. I've managed to land a few interviews, but unfortunately, I haven't been able to secure any job offers yet. This has been really frustrating for me, as I feel like I'm putting in a lot of effort without seeing the results I hoped for.

I'm currently in a challenging situation at my job where I've been placed on a pre-performance improvement plan (PIP). I'm considering the possibility of transferring to another department within the company to avoid the PIP process. I want to know if anyone has had success with this kind of transfer while on a pre-PIP status. Any advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I’ve been working at my current job for 8.5 years, and it was a great experience for the first 7 years. However, recently, the environment changed, and I felt like I was constantly under scrutiny despite receiving stellar performance reviews. A few weeks ago, I unexpectedly received a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which prompted me to start job hunting. Today, I received an offer for a new position, and I was thrilled to accept it with an 8/10 start date. The catch is that my boss is on vacation next week, and I’m taking bereavement leave for the latter half of the week. I’m not comfortable resigning until the background check for the new job clears. I also feel the need for a week off to recharge before starting the new role. This situation puts me in a difficult position since I either have to work right up until my start date or resign without giving proper notice. We work in an at-will state, and I genuinely care about the education facility I’m leaving. I’m torn between wanting to protect my own well-being and feeling guilty about leaving them in a tough spot. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm currently trying to transition out of retail after spending 17 years in various roles, from cashier to supervisor, across four different chains. My most significant experience was in a retail pharmacy for seven years. Unfortunately, I don't have any college degrees or formal certifications, which makes my job search a bit challenging. I'm only available for evening shifts, which really limits my options since many businesses in my area close around 8 PM. I've considered going back into pharmacy, but the only nearby pharmacies that are open late are currently hiring only college interns. Long-term, I do want to pursue a degree, but I feel mentally exhausted from my retail experience, making it hard to figure out my next steps. I'm looking for suggestions on industries that might offer evening positions and don't require a degree. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I took some time to reflect on my career path and my current situation. I'm 39 years old, working in retail at a top 100 company in the U.S., earning $19.50 an hour. I've been with this company for a decade, moving from a cashier to the seafood department, but I've reached a point where I feel drained and unfulfilled. I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice and an A.S. in Computer Networking, but I realized halfway through both degrees that they weren't for me. I graduated anyway, but now I feel stuck in a job that doesn't inspire me. I'm not interested in pursuing management, and I often feel hopeless about my future. Although I will come into some money eventually, I want to carve out my own path rather than rely on that. I’ve considered switching careers but feel overwhelmed by the competition, especially in sales roles where many applicants have years of experience. I’ve also tried trades, like being an electrical apprentice for two years, but it wasn't for me. I know there are industries in need of workers, like nursing or construction, but those don’t appeal to me at all. On my days off, I often find myself just lying in bed with my dog, feeling like a failure. I have a decent living situation now, but I worry about the future and the possibility of moving back in with my parents at 40. While they support me, I can't shake the feeling of embarrassment. I have a good credit score and no debt, but I struggle to see any transferable skills I might have, aside from my retail and customer service experience. I’m hoping to connect with others who have faced similar crossroads.

I wanted to share an update on my unemployment situation after my administrative hearing. A few weeks ago, I reached out for advice regarding my claim after leaving my job at a bakery due to a severe mouse infestation. The issue escalated over five months, and during the hearing, the state argued that I had been there long enough to accept the risk. Many people in the community advised me that I had no chance of winning my case and that I was wasting my time. However, I decided to go through with it anyway, and I’m thrilled to announce that I won my case! For anyone else facing tough circumstances, keep fighting — you never know how it might turn out.

I recently received some exciting news—I was selected to move forward in the hiring process for a Parking Enforcement Officer position with the City of Milwaukee! I'm currently preparing for the written exam and would really appreciate any advice from those who have been through this process. If you're a current or former Parking Enforcement Officer, I’d love to know what the written exam was like, what I should focus on studying, and what the day-to-day job entails. I’m also curious about what you enjoy most about the job and what challenges you face. I’m transitioning from a healthcare role, which has been quite stressful, and I'm looking forward to a career in public service that feels like a better fit for me. Thank you in advance for any insights you can share!

I was recently laid off and I'm trying to stay positive during this transition. I found a hiking group in the Bay Area that meets on Mondays for a hike at Land's End in San Francisco. It's a great opportunity to clear my head and connect with others who are also navigating job searches. The hike is a 3.4-mile loop with a 546 ft elevation gain, and it's happening this Monday, July 27, at 10:30 am. I'm looking forward to meeting new people and sharing experiences while enjoying the outdoors.

Today marks the fifth business day since my third interview with my top-choice company. They had mentioned that they would notify me of the results within three business days, and if I didn’t hear back, I should follow up. I sent a follow-up email first thing on the fourth business day, but I still haven't received a response. This is my first time interviewing in the U.S., and the waiting is making me really anxious. I'm starting to wonder how long I should wait before considering that I've been 'ghosted.' I’ve heard different experiences from others, and it’s tough not knowing what to expect.

I was fired from my job of nearly four years just over a week ago. The official reason was vague—something about breaking policy—but I believe it stemmed from an investigation regarding a coworker’s conduct. My answers differed from others, and they assumed I was lying, even though I think it just highlights my different perception and memory recall. While dealing with this, I was anxiously waiting to hear back from a job I interviewed for across the country. This was my dream job, a place where I could see myself for the long haul. I prepared extensively and felt I nailed the interview, but this morning I found out I didn’t get the offer. I’m devastated. I truly believed I had given it my all, and now I feel like I’ve lost my chance at a secure future. Now, I’m jobless and dipping into my savings. I’m unsure about my eligibility for unemployment due to my termination circumstances, and I’ve been frantically applying for jobs. The current job market is tough; many positions require experience that I just can’t seem to get. For example, I’m looking for Analytical Chemist roles, but companies want candidates who already know how to use analytical instruments. How can I gain that experience if no one is willing to train me? Additionally, I’ve noticed that many job postings seem fake or companies don’t respond at all. I’ve applied for similar roles at different companies, even ones where I’ve worked for years, and still faced rejections. It’s disheartening to think that my termination might follow me and affect my chances moving forward. I’ve been applying to at least ten jobs a day for the past two weeks, and despite my usual resilience and positivity, I’m feeling hopeless. People keep telling me I’ll find something soon because of my determination, but it feels like the job market is stacked against me.

I recently interviewed for a contract position that offers good pay and sounds interesting, but I'm leaning towards finding something permanent. I'm curious about how contract jobs work in terms of commitment. If I accept this role, am I obligated to stay for the entire duration of the contract? What if I find a permanent position while I'm still under contract—can I just give my notice? Additionally, if I decide to stick it out until the end of the contract and don’t secure another job afterward, can I claim unemployment benefits? I'm looking for clarity on these points before making a decision.

I recently graduated and am now faced with a decision between two job offers for entry-level financial analyst roles, which I feel incredibly fortunate to have after a long year of searching and interviewing. **Offer A** is from a global leader in the car rental industry, offering a base salary of $75k with an end-of-year bonus of up to 10% and a $10k sign-on bonus. The office is located in New Jersey, about an hour's drive from NYC. The pros include a larger finance team, which could provide more structure, and I felt a good fit with the team, especially after receiving praise from the finance VP on my take-home assignment. However, the company has not been performing well financially, with a volatile stock price and negative net income for the past few years, and I'm not particularly passionate about the car rental industry. **Offer B**, on the other hand, is with a company that specializes in developing radios for the military. They are offering an $80k base salary with an end-of-year bonus of up to 7% and a $5k sign-on bonus, located in Los Angeles. The pros here include a potentially more interesting product line, a team I really liked during my visit, and a smaller finance team that could offer more exposure. The company is also rapidly growing, which is a positive sign. The downsides include the high cost of living in LA and the fact that the finance team is relatively new, with most members having less than a year of experience there. I would love to get some opinions on which offer might be the better choice for my career.

I just got laid off from my position at a large fintech company after 20 years of service. I've been preparing for this moment for the past 18 months, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. The company has been struggling and has already laid off 10-15% of the staff in the last couple of months. Now, I'm trying to figure out my next steps, including COBRA, IRA distributions, and tapping into a modest pension. I'm really curious about what the average severance package looks like for someone in my situation. I've heard from former coworkers that they received one week's pay for each year of service a couple of years ago, but I'm worried that given the current circumstances, the severance might be much less this time around. I’m excited about the possibilities ahead, as I've been through similar situations before that turned out well for me. Any insights on what a reasonable severance package might be would be greatly appreciated.

I recently received an offer for a position I was really excited about after going through four interviews with the company. However, I had already booked a 21-day trip to Asia months ago to visit family and friends. The team asked if I could accept the offer and shorten my trip to just 10 days so I could start the job sooner. I'm considering it, but the change would incur a lot of extra fees for altering my flights and travel plans. I'm torn between my commitment to this job opportunity and the importance of this trip. I’m reaching out to see what others would do in my situation. Should I prioritize the job and deal with the costs, or stick to my original plans and risk losing the offer?