Planning

I recently applied for a machine shop supervisor position after being cold called by a recruiter who found my CV online. I wasn't actively job hunting, but the opportunity seemed promising with better pay and similar responsibilities. I felt the interview went really well, and the recruiter even called me the next day to say the company was impressed with my performance. However, I learned that I didn't get the job because the other candidate had more experience on a specific machine. I'm feeling more disappointed than I expected, especially since I wasn't seriously pursuing this role. I guess I just wanted to vent about it. I plan to reach out to the company to thank them for the opportunity and express my interest in any future openings.

Today, I had a job interview for a role that I was really excited about. It was my third and final interview, and I had prepared thoroughly. Unfortunately, on my way to the interview, I left my phone on the bus. I thought I could manage without it and deal with it after the interview. However, without my phone, I struggled to find the exact location and couldn't remember the address. By the time I arrived, I was significantly late. I waited around, and when one of the interviewers came out, I apologized profusely and explained what happened. Thankfully, she was very understanding and offered to reschedule for tomorrow. I’ve never been late for an interview before, and I feel terrible about it. I worry that I might have ruined my chances, especially since I haven't had the chance to meet the hiring manager yet. I plan to go in tomorrow, apologize again, and express my gratitude for the opportunity to reschedule. This whole situation has left me feeling really down, and I’m hoping that others have had similar experiences and still managed to get the job.

I was laid off again from PayPal, where I had worked for 6.5 years. I climbed the ranks to a supervisor position but faced my first layoff in 2024. After a year and a half, I decided to reapply for a lower position that offered a higher salary. Unfortunately, less than six months into that role, my department was laid off again. It's been quite the roller coaster, and now I'm seriously considering a career change.

I recently learned that Barclays India announced layoffs across multiple roles last week. It seems like a significant reduction in workforce, and I'm curious about the impact on various business units, especially BUK. I'm keeping an eye on updates as I navigate my own job search in light of this news.

Today, I faced a tough decision at my sales job. My performance numbers haven't been great, and my manager offered me a choice: I could resign with a severance package of about two months' salary, or I could go on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) that I believe is unattainable, leading to termination in 60 days. The manager framed it as looking out for me, saying that a termination on my record would be detrimental. I'm weighing my options. If I choose the PIP, I could use that time to search for another job and potentially collect unemployment after being terminated. The combined unemployment benefits and the two months' salary would actually exceed the severance offer. I'm leaning towards the PIP, but I'm concerned about the implications of a termination on my record. I've read that many people believe a termination isn't as big of a deal as companies make it out to be, and some even suggested that I could lie on my resume if necessary. Others pointed out that I might not qualify for unemployment if I am fired for cause after the PIP. I’m considering asking if there's a third option where I could remain employed without responsibilities for a month or two, allowing me to network and look for a new job while still technically employed. Overall, I feel stuck and uncertain about the best path forward.

I recently started sending cold emails to hiring managers and talent acquisition professionals in hopes of landing a job. My approach is to keep the emails concise, under 200 words, where I introduce myself, share my relevant profession, express my interest in the company, and highlight my skills that would make me a good fit for their team. I try to keep the tone light and occasionally add a touch of humor while maintaining professionalism. However, I'm seeking advice on how to improve my emails, especially regarding the subject line. I don't want to simply use the job title since I assume hiring managers receive numerous similar emails daily. I want to craft a subject line that encourages them to open my email, but I'm unsure what would be effective. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I navigate this process.

I recently interviewed for an entry-level software engineering position at a large federal contracting company. The interview went really well, and shortly after, the hiring manager reached out to say they were planning to extend an offer that week. He asked for my salary expectations, which I provided based on my research, and I made it clear I was open to discussion. They didn’t push back on my number, which felt promising. However, it's now the following week, and I haven’t heard anything further. My application status still shows as ‘in progress’ in their system. Given the nature of federal contracting, I’m wondering if the slower internal approval process is typical. Interestingly, I actually knew the hiring manager from childhood, although we hadn’t been in touch for years. He has been my direct contact throughout this process. I’m considering sending a follow-up email to check in, but I want to make sure I don’t come off as pushy. I’d appreciate any advice from those who have been in similar situations.

I am currently in the process of interviewing for an Accounting Tech position and I urgently need a reference. I've been trying to get a post approved in a reference-seeking forum, but it's been difficult. I'm looking for someone who was a previous supervisor from my job two years ago. If anyone is willing to help, I can provide more details via direct message.

I'm feeling a bit lost right now. I just turned 31 and recently became single after an emotional conversation with my partner, who admitted to losing feelings for me. It was unexpected and painful, but we’re still on decent terms. To add to that, I was let go from my job about a month ago. I worked as a web developer for a company in Canada, and I was the first to go due to what I heard was a lack of customers. Since then, five others have also been laid off. I’m trying to process everything, but I can't afford to spiral into depression. I’m reaching out to see if anyone knows of opportunities for website work or consulting gigs. I know I need to keep moving forward, but it’s tough to figure out what to do next.

I recently accepted a job offer from Company A after a lengthy interview process that started back in May. They took almost three months to finalize everything, and during that time, I faced a lot of delays and communication issues. They pressured me to make a decision quickly, so I accepted the role, even though I was still in talks with other companies. Now, they have pushed my start date back due to visa processing, which has given me some time to reflect. I just received news from Company B, where I am currently going through background checks. I am much more interested in this position because it offers better pay and doesn't require me to relocate, unlike Company A, which also didn't provide relocation assistance. I'm feeling conflicted about how to handle the situation with Company A since I don't want to burn any bridges. I know I need to reject their offer, but I'm unsure how to approach it after already accepting. I want to wait until I have a firm offer from Company B before I inform Company A, but I also want to be respectful and professional in my communication.

I have management experience but I'm currently on the hunt for a new job and looking to apply for positions that are lower or more entry-level than what I've done in the past. I'm concerned about how to present my resume so that I don't come across as overqualified or desperate. I want to make sure that my application reflects my genuine interest in these roles, as I believe I have the necessary skills and experience to excel in them. Some advice I received was to focus on tailoring my CV to highlight the relevant skills required for the job and to avoid emphasizing my management background too much. I'm hoping to find a way to convey my capability without scaring off potential employers.

I recently started working with a vocational rehabilitation agency in my state, and I'm currently being assisted by a business specialist named Chris. His role is to help me find a job, and he's been working on my resume, providing interview prep, and offering general job search advice. While Chris has a lot of confidence and claims to have helped many clients secure jobs, I'm feeling conflicted about his guidance. I've shared my concerns about the job market and my lack of relevant skills for my goal of finding a clerical or administrative support position. Despite my worries, Chris insists that he can help me get hired. One of the main pieces of advice he's given me is to keep applying for jobs, which I appreciate. He's also encouraged me to visit smaller local businesses in person and follow up with phone calls after submitting applications. However, I'm not entirely sure about the resume he's created for me. My original resume was quite basic, reflecting my limited experience—about five years of part-time work serving lunch in school cafeterias and a few years as an in-class tutor. My degree is a general studies one, and I graduated with a GPA below 3.0, so I feel like my qualifications are mediocre at best. Chris has taken my resume and inflated it significantly, adding extra words and redundant bullet points, resulting in a nearly two-page document. I've already received negative feedback on this version, and I worry that it misrepresents my actual experience. While I want to trust Chris since he has put effort into my resume, I'm starting to doubt his abilities, especially after noticing some outdated advice in his suggestions. I'm at a crossroads and unsure if I should continue following Chris's advice or seek help elsewhere. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has faced a similar situation and what you think I should do.

I am on my second to last day at my current job and I can finally feel a weight lifted off my shoulders as I prepare to start my new role this Friday. The decision to leave was heavily influenced by my boss and the management style here. I joined the team in June 2025, and it quickly became apparent that there were issues when three new hires, including myself, joined a team of nine. Since then, six people have resigned, leading to a staggering 66% turnover rate in just one year. Clearly, there's a problem. My boss is the quintessential 'busy bee' type, always claiming to be overwhelmed while delegating nearly all the work to us. Despite her years of experience, she struggles with communication, often using filler words and failing to provide clear answers. When I approach her with issues, it turns into her venting about other departments rather than addressing my concerns. It's frustrating to deal with someone who has been reported to HR multiple times for her behavior. Her lack of organization and inability to manage effectively has made the work environment chaotic. She often relies on emails to ask for information she could find herself, which wastes time. I find it disheartening to report to someone who is clearly out of their depth but refuses to acknowledge it. I'm relieved to be leaving this situation behind, and while I know the grass isn't always greener, it can't be worse than what I've experienced here.

I recently completed my BBA in Marketing and have been actively searching for an entry-level marketing position. I completed two internships in influencer marketing and sales/marketing operations, which I thought would give me a solid foundation for my job hunt. However, after applying to numerous positions and attending a few interviews, I've received some perplexing feedback. One interviewer mentioned that I seemed low on energy and lacked confidence, so I took that to heart and worked on being more energetic and prepared for my next interviews. Yet, in another interview, I was told that I appeared less passionate. It's frustrating trying to navigate these mixed signals. I'm starting to feel the weight of the job market as I see many graduates with similar degrees and skills struggling to find work. It makes me question the value of my BBA. I’ve also been hearing the common advice to pursue an MBA, but I worry that many people are opting for it as a way to delay their job search rather than as a genuine career move. Right now, I'm contemplating taking a client support or customer service role just to start earning some income while I figure out my next steps. I'm curious to hear from other BBA or marketing graduates about what paths they took after graduation.

I’ve submitted 12 job applications so far, but I’ve received 3 rejections and haven’t gotten any calls. I have 3 years of experience in Information Systems Auditing and Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), along with a CISA certification. I also hold a Master’s in Computer Application from a well-known college. My resume is ATS-friendly, and I’ve been tailoring it specifically to match the job descriptions for each application. Despite my efforts, I’m feeling stuck as most of my applications are still ‘in process’ after a week with no updates. I’m starting to wonder if I’m missing something in my approach. Some feedback I’ve received suggests that the job market is just slow right now, but I’m eager to know if there are specific areas I should focus on in my resume, especially regarding terms like SOX, ISO, NIST, SOC2, risk assessments, and control testing, which might help me stand out to recruiters. I know I’ve only applied to 12 positions, but the silence is making me anxious.

I recently found myself in a tough situation while job hunting. I'm currently in the final stages for three different roles, with my top choice giving me a verbal offer after a competencies interview yesterday. However, I hit a snag when a background check for another position came back stating that my degree could not be verified, even though my attendance dates were confirmed. This was unexpected, especially since I graduated in 2020. After some digging, I discovered that my degree wasn't formally conferred due to uncompleted graduation requirements. This was shocking to me, as I thought I had completed everything. My last semester was particularly difficult due to personal losses, which made it all a blur. Now, I'm worried because most of the jobs I'm applying for require a degree, and I really want to secure this role that was referred to me by someone I trust at the company. I’m planning to visit my school today to sort this out, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. Should I bring this up with potential employers now, or keep quiet and resolve it first? My friends suggest handling it quietly, but I want to maintain my integrity. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m 25 years old and recently resigned from my role as a Graduate Engineer Trainee, which I held until November 2023, to prepare for the UPSC examination. Unfortunately, life took a turn for the worse when I lost my father, which placed a lot of responsibility on me to support my family. Shortly after, I also lost my grandfather. Since then, my focus has shifted from my career aspirations to managing family responsibilities, including my sister's wedding and my mother's surgery, while also caring for my grandmother who has Parkinson's disease. Currently, my family’s primary source of income is my grandmother’s pension, which is not enough to cover our expenses. I moved to Noida in January with hopes of finding a job to regain financial independence, but despite applying for numerous positions and attending interviews, I’ve faced multiple rejections and ghosting. I was even selected by an MNC, but they froze recruitment, which crushed my hopes for financial stability. I’m paying over ₹12,000 monthly for my PG accommodations, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to manage my expenses. I’m feeling exhausted and anxious as my family depends on me, yet I lack a stable income. Despite these challenges, I haven’t given up; I’ve started preparing for government exams related to Computer Science, aiming for a stable career that allows me to support my family. I’m at a crossroads and unsure of my next steps. Should I continue searching for a private-sector job while preparing for government exams? Or should I focus solely on the exams? Should I consider moving back home to cut down on expenses? I’m looking for practical advice from anyone who has navigated similar situations, especially those who have experienced career gaps or job searches under difficult circumstances. I have a B.Tech in Computer Science and about 1.5 years of work experience, and I’m open to starting from a lower position if it means getting back on my feet. My main concern is not just my career, but ensuring my family’s financial stability. Any guidance or job leads would be greatly appreciated.

I was recently laid off from my job due to some structural changes within the company. The emotional weight of this situation is really starting to take its toll on me. This morning, I tried to clear my head by going for a bike ride and then spent the next few hours applying for roles in the hospitality industry. I visited about 9 to 12 cafes and handed out 3 to 4 resumes, but the staff seemed puzzled as to why a software engineer like me would be looking for work in their field. After five hours of this, I found myself back at home, lying on my bed, feeling completely defeated and unable to move. The reality of my situation is sinking in—I have rent and bills to pay, and only about two months of financial runway left. I'm devastated. My company requires me to work through my notice period to receive my final paycheck, which means I won't officially be terminated until October 1st. I've filed for unemployment, but it's not nearly enough to cover my expenses. I'm reaching out for advice on what to do next. I have 1.5 years of experience as a software engineer, but I’m feeling lost and overwhelmed right now.

I recently applied to 60 jobs using two different names on the same resume. The only difference was the name at the top: my real name and an anglicized version I've used for years on delivery apps, which is easier for people to pronounce over the phone. I split the applications evenly, sending out 30 with each name, and made sure they matched the roles to keep the timing consistent. To track my progress, I used a careerflow tracker to separate the responses. I expected the difference in replies to be minimal, but I was shocked to find that I received 4 responses with my real name and 11 with the anglicized version. This disparity has left me feeling uncertain about what to do next. I’m not planning to change my name, but I can’t ignore the implications of this experiment. I’m curious if anyone else has conducted a similar test with a larger sample size, as I would love to be proven wrong about this trend.

I'm currently feeling a lot of uncertainty in my job at 41F, where I've been for over 12 years. I have this nagging feeling that the higher-ups are planning to bring in someone new and push me out of my position. Next week, I'm actually scheduled to interview this new candidate for a different role, but I've seen the president of the company do this before—bringing in friends and ousting existing employees. It's making me question my job security, and I can't shake the feeling that something might be brewing. If anyone has gone through a similar experience, I would really appreciate your advice on how to handle this situation.