Planning

I've been working for a small company in the Midwest for the past 7 years, and I’m feeling really stuck in my role as a salesperson. There are about 25 of us here, with half of the team in sales, and I've noticed some concerning trends regarding pay and management. Currently, I’m on a payment structure that gives me $23/hour plus commission after hitting my yearly goal, but I haven't seen any raises or bonuses since I started. The commission structures here vary widely, with some people making 100% commission and likely earning six figures, while others like me struggle to meet our goals with limited support. I've been trying to talk to management about switching to a more lucrative payment structure, but they keep saying I'm not making enough sales to qualify for the better options. I’ve been consistently improving my sales numbers and am on track to exceed my goal this year, which makes me question whether I should stay or look for something better. The company relies heavily on smaller accounts, and I've seen a high turnover rate among new hires because the learning curve is steep and the pay is stagnant. With inflation affecting everyone, several of my coworkers, including young mothers, are considering leaving for better opportunities. My husband thinks I should explore other options, and we’re even considering moving states if it means I can find a better job. So, I’m left wondering if it’s time to walk away from this position. Should I stick it out and see if I can make more in commission, or is it time to look for a new opportunity where I might be valued more?

I filed my unemployment claim on August 31, 2026, and I'm trying to understand if I've been approved. I've already claimed benefits for two weeks and plan to file my third weekly claim this Sunday. My waiting week ended on September 6, and I'm hoping to receive payments for the weeks ending September 13 and September 20. I noticed that my unpaid week was processed on September 16, even though the waiting week ended earlier. My payment history shows $0.00 for the week ending September 6, which has me a bit confused. Can I assume that my claim went through and that I should expect payments next Tuesday or Wednesday? Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I've been working at my current company for nearly five years, but the last two years have been quite challenging. My manager's frustration with the company often spilled over into our interactions, and on one occasion, he yelled at me during a meeting with our business partners when I was giving an update. I was taken aback and didn’t know how to respond, fearing potential retaliation. I initially thought it was just a one-off incident, but his behavior became a pattern. Thankfully, he is no longer with the company, but now I'm left trying to rebuild my confidence before I start applying for new positions. The toughest part is viewing job postings through the lens of my actual skills and experience as a senior manager, rather than the self-doubt that has crept in from my current environment. I also find myself questioning whether potential workplaces are safe. To help with this, I've started looking at managers and their teams on LinkedIn to see how long people have stayed at companies, hoping to gauge the culture. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has faced a similar situation of being yelled at or mistreated at work. What strategies did you use to rebuild your confidence and trust in your own abilities?

Today, I learned that Dartmouth Health has laid off 124 employees as part of a larger restructuring effort, which includes cutting a total of 303 positions. It's disheartening to see so many colleagues affected by these changes. I’m currently assessing my options and considering what my next steps should be in this challenging job market.

I think I’m getting laid off soon, and it’s really hitting me hard. My company just went through a major reorganization, and on September 4, we were told that our team would be moving under a new leader. Initially, I felt relieved when we were included in the new org chart and started working with our new director to set priorities. I thought I had dodged a bullet. However, yesterday, on September 16, everyone on my team, including my manager, received individual 30-minute one-on-one meetings scheduled with our org director for the morning of September 18. This has me feeling anxious, and I can’t shake the feeling that layoffs are imminent. I’m struggling with how to approach this situation, especially when I think about telling my wife. Looking at my two kids makes me feel like I’m failing them. I’ve seen some advice online, and I’m reaching out for any practical tips on what I should do before the meeting and immediately after if I do end up getting laid off. I want to be prepared, but I’m also feeling overwhelmed.

I'm a 25-year-old man currently searching for work that includes housing. Right now, I'm in New York but I'm open to relocating anywhere in the U.S. My situation is quite challenging as I'm alternating between staying with friends and facing homelessness. I also lost my car recently, which has made job hunting and commuting even harder. I'm willing to take on almost any honest work, including housekeeping, maintenance, warehouse work, farm work, cooking, caregiving, hotel work, or driving-related jobs. I have a culinary background and experience in warehouse stocking and custodial work. I'm physically capable of lifting over 50 lbs and I'm eager to learn new skills. What I'm looking for is a full-time job that provides housing, preferably as part of the employment. I'm flexible with my schedule and can work nights, weekends, or any unusual hours. I’m ready to start as soon as possible and I'm particularly interested in live-in positions or opportunities in rural areas. If anyone knows of employers or opportunities that offer work along with a place to live, I would greatly appreciate any leads. I'm just trying to regain stability and find a legitimate chance to work for a better future.

I was laid off two months ago from my role in e-commerce, where I spent over 9 years focusing on category management and vendor management. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities in the same field. I'm reaching out to see if anyone in my network could provide a referral or connect me with potential job openings. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I am thrilled to share that I got the job as a ramp agent at Tampa International Airport! I attended a job fair with a positive mindset, and it truly paid off. Now, I'm just waiting for my Federal Background check to clear, but I'm not worried since I already have the same clearance from my part-time job at the stadium. I feel like I'm walking on air right now! The only challenge ahead is figuring out how to make it until my first paycheck.

Today, I completed my RESEA call with the unemployment office in North Carolina, and I wanted to share my experience for anyone who might be going through the same process. I received notifications via email and mail about two weeks prior, letting me know the call was pre-scheduled, but I could reschedule if needed. However, I was informed that my unemployment benefits would not resume until after the call took place. The call was expected to last two hours, but mine only took about an hour and fifteen minutes. There’s also a follow-up call scheduled for two weeks later, which they said would just be a quick five-minute check-in. During the call, the agent confirmed my personal information, including my name, birthday, email, home address, and the last four digits of my Social Security number. They went through my unemployment application to ensure everything was accurate and sent me an electronic document to review and sign. Next, the agent reviewed my CV that I had uploaded to the government job board. I was pleasantly surprised when they told me my CV looked great, and they even asked about specific details on it, which made me feel like they really took the time to look it over. They also provided me with some valuable resources for my job search, including guidance on navigating the government job board and two additional websites for job hunting and skills development: O*NET Online for job searches and self-assessments, and Alison for free courses and certifications. They mentioned local career fairs that I could attend as well. The agent then reviewed my job hunt information that I submitted for my weekly unemployment benefits certification. They picked a random week and asked me to verify the information I reported, including the job title I applied for, which I hadn’t included in my submissions. Fortunately, they didn’t ask for any proof of my applications. They inquired about how my job search was going and if I faced any barriers, such as needing childcare or lacking experience for the roles I’m pursuing. I shared that I had a few interviews and felt positive about them, although I hadn’t received any offers yet. The agent was genuinely supportive and wished me luck before we ended the call. To wrap up the call, we completed an eligibility review form where they confirmed various details, including my active registration on the government job board, the recency of my CV, my last job title and salary, and the type of transportation I use. They also asked about my job preferences, and I expressed that I’m looking for a position in my industry that utilizes my skills and pays at least the same as my last job.

I recently experienced a layoff from Atlassian, where I worked as a Software Development Engineer II for five years. Despite my expectations for a decent performance rating, my manager rated me poorly, citing a lack of proactivity because I wasn't working the same long hours as some of my colleagues. Before Atlassian, I had a positive experience at Microsoft, but I left for a higher salary. Now, I've been unemployed for a month and I'm feeling the pressure, especially since I'm the sole breadwinner and have several loans to manage. I've been actively applying for jobs, even willing to accept a pay cut, but small companies are hesitant to hire me due to my previous salary, and I'm not getting any responses from larger firms. I'm putting in a lot of effort to prepare for interviews, but I often feel demotivated and regret not working harder in my last role. If anyone has job leads or advice, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

I recently graduated with a sociology degree and started working as a case planner for a foster care agency in NYC through a two-year fellowship. Before my employment began, I had to complete three weeks of unpaid training, which I accepted as part of the fellowship. However, I've now been asked to attend an additional seven days of training in September, all scheduled during my regular working hours (9-5). The trainings are organized by an outside organization, and I've been informed that I cannot clock in for them, despite being an hourly employee. This situation has me feeling quite uneasy. While I understand that unpaid training is generally illegal, I'm worried about challenging this because I don't want to jeopardize my relationship with the company, which has been supportive so far, especially when they allowed me to take a paid week off for a medical emergency. Additionally, I'm concerned about the implications of speaking up; if I lose my job, I would also lose the fellowship and its networking opportunities, as well as their offer to help fund my master's in social work. I'm conflicted about what to do next and would appreciate any advice on how to handle this situation.

After fifteen years of continuous full-time work, I've reached a turning point in my career. I've held various white-collar positions in construction, but my last role ended up being a failed contract-to-hire situation, which left me feeling disillusioned. I've been applying for jobs and getting interviews, but I find that the hustle just isn't worth it anymore. At this stage in my life, I'm feeling tired and older. My wife is working full-time, and I've managed to save enough to consider retirement. However, I still have the desire to engage in something interesting, even if it's just part-time for some extra spending money.

I started a new job just 4 days ago, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. After being unemployed for a month and moving into a new apartment three months ago, I was eager to find work. I accepted a position in marketing, but it came with significant trade-offs. My previous job was hybrid with a flexible schedule, but this new role is fully in-person, a 40-minute commute, and has a strict 8:30 to 5:30 schedule. I even took a slight pay cut because I needed a job. On my first day, the HR onboarding felt unhelpful, with the HR rep saying everything was 'common sense.' I also noticed there was no drug test or background check, which I thought were standard procedures. My manager is new too, having just completed her probation, and I feel like I was thrown into the deep end without a proper overview of the brands I’m supposed to work with. Instead of doing the marketing job I was hired for, I’ve been assigned to project management tasks for the first four months, which is not what I signed up for. I’m trying to adapt, but I don't have the context or knowledge to follow up on tasks effectively. I was told to create a master tracker for a project on my first day, and I’m just feeling lost. I want to find another job soon, ideally something hybrid or remote, because I value that flexibility. I'm still interviewing and have open applications, but I’m worried about how to manage interviews without PTO. With all these changes—moving, losing my previous job, and adjusting to living with my boyfriend—I just want a role that allows me to balance work and personal life better. I feel overwhelmed and lost right now, and any advice on how to navigate this situation would be appreciated.

I recently found myself in a situation where I applied for a job that I wasn't particularly excited about. The role doesn't pay well, but it's something I know how to do, and it was the only opportunity that responded to my application. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, I decided to go ahead with the interview. I feel like I need to take every chance I can get to secure employment. I'm hoping that if I show up with a positive mindset, maybe the universe will align and lead me to a job that I truly want.

I recently received offers for hourly leadership positions at both Sam's Club and Walgreens. With over 10 years of retail management experience, I'm finding it challenging to transition out of the retail sector. Both companies are offering low starting wages of $20, but they promise immediate promotions. I'm leaning towards Sam's Club because I've heard their leadership roles are well-regarded in the industry. However, I need to make a decision by tomorrow at 6 PM and would appreciate any insights on which option might be better for long-term career growth.

I recently graduated with a degree in International Trades and Logistics in Turkey. At 24 years old, I am currently living in Turkey as a Syrian citizen with temporary protection status. I am eager to move to a different country because I feel that my chances of obtaining residence or citizenship here are very limited. For the past 4-5 years, I have been working as an English teacher and interpreter, including experience with international organizations like the OSCE. However, none of these roles align with my degree, and I am looking for opportunities that do. I am fluent in four languages: English, Arabic, Turkish, and Kurdish, and I possess strong communication, social, and computer skills, as well as teaching abilities. I am seeking advice on what types of jobs I could realistically apply for in Europe, Canada, or Australia, and which countries might be more open to accepting someone in my situation. I feel it’s crucial to explore options beyond Turkey, where I see little hope for a stable future.

I'm currently in a co-op position at a company where I was supposed to be hired full-time after my year-long internship. Unfortunately, they've implemented a hiring freeze, leaving my future there uncertain. This internship has been far from ideal; I've faced a lot of passive-aggressiveness and have been assigned menial tasks. I've even had to train full-time employees, switch teams multiple times due to high turnover, and come into the office full-time during the semester, which is not typical for co-ops like mine. Now, I'm nearing graduation and feeling lost. I thought this position would provide some stability, but I really dislike my team and the overall company culture. To make matters worse, my internship project has been delayed because my computer has been broken for weeks, despite numerous visits to IT. Yet, my supervisors are still disappointed in my progress, which feels incredibly unfair. I'm seeking advice on what to do next, as I feel stuck in a situation that isn't working out for me.

I just accepted a new job after applying to 119 positions, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'm 18 and finally landed this opportunity, but I realized that I have a preplanned trip just 16 days after starting. I didn’t mention this during the informal interview because I thought I would have a more formal second interview, but I ended up receiving the job offer over the phone. Now, I’m worried that I might have overlooked mentioning my absence in my application. This trip is important as I'm visiting a family member in the hospital, and I feel guilty for potentially causing issues for my new manager. I plan to inform them tomorrow, but I'm struggling with anxiety and overthinking due to a past negative experience with a boss who laid me off under stressful circumstances. I’m unsure how to communicate this situation without sounding unprofessional. Any advice on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.

I just learned that Omnicom is planning to cut 15,000 jobs. As someone who has been working in the marketing industry for a while, this news is really concerning. It seems like the focus is shifting towards cost-cutting measures, and I can't help but feel uneasy about the future. I've seen comments from others expressing frustration about the corporate jargon being used, like 'synergy target,' which just adds to the feeling that decisions are being made without considering the impact on employees. I'm starting to think about my own job security and what steps I need to take next.

I returned to my job at a large Pharma company in the Midwest four weeks ago after my maternity leave, and now my boss is discussing putting me on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). This situation feels incredibly frustrating. My pregnancy was a long-awaited surprise after years of trying, but I sensed my employer wasn't thrilled when I got pregnant shortly after starting the role. Since coming back, I've been working hard to prove my value, but it seems like the company is making it increasingly difficult for me to succeed. The expectations are vague, and I'm receiving reprimands without clear feedback on what I need to improve. I'm feeling lost and unsure of what steps to take next. Many people have suggested that I start looking for a new job, as it seems like they might be trying to push me out rather than actually help me improve. Some have even mentioned that I might want to consult with an employment lawyer since pregnancy is a protected class and this situation feels like retaliation. I’ve been advised to document everything—follow up conversations with emails, save relevant correspondence, and be aware of my rights. It's overwhelming, especially being a new mom, but I know I need to take action to protect myself and my career.