Planning

I was recently laid off and now I have 18 days left in my grace period. I'm planning to apply for a B2 Change of Status (COS) and want to make sure I complete all the interviews I currently have lined up. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through a similar situation recently. Did you handle your B1/B2 application on your own, or did you seek help from an attorney? If you have any templates for the COS application, I would really appreciate it. Also, if there are any additional details I should keep in mind during this process, please let me know.

I was recently outsourced from my role as a software developer at a mid-sized tech company. The whole experience felt incredibly unjust and left me frustrated. Not only did I lose my job, but I also had to train the offshore team that was taking over my responsibilities. It felt like I was handing over my work to people who would be paid significantly less, which seemed unfair to both me and the company. I've been following the political landscape around outsourcing, and I learned that there are currently two bills in the Senate aimed at addressing this issue. One, proposed by Bernie Moreno, seeks to eliminate IRS tax breaks for outsourcing and impose a 25% tax on it, while also creating a workforce fund. The other bill from Sheldon Whitehouse aims to mostly eliminate those tax breaks. I believe it's crucial for those of us affected by outsourcing to make our voices heard. I've started calling my Senator and House representative to express my concerns and urge them to support these bills. It seems like the more people who speak up, the more likely Congress will take action. I'm hoping that by rallying support, we can bring attention to the negative impacts of outsourcing on workers like myself.

I recently graduated from a Tier 1 NIT, and while I’ve accomplished some impressive things, I’m feeling lost in my job search. I’m 23-27 years old, studying in the Circuital branch, and I consider myself a top-tier programmer at the fresher level in India. I’ve contributed to a terminal emulator project with over 30k stars, and I was selected for a competitive open-source program where only 1% of applicants are chosen. I have around 5 years of coding experience and am familiar with a wide range of technologies including C, C++, Go, Rust, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, React, Svelte, and more. Despite my skills, my CGPA is below 7, which has severely limited my on-campus job opportunities. I struggled with memorizing circuits and exam content, which affected my grades, but I’ve always focused on practical coding and software development. Now, I’m in a tough spot as my family income has dropped significantly, and I need a job urgently. I’m seeking any opportunities where I can showcase my skills in frontend and backend development, DevOps, and database management. If anyone can help me get my foot in the door, I’d be incredibly grateful.

I received two job offers last Friday and had to make a tough decision. Job A was with a small management company offering a hybrid role at $50k with 2 weeks of PTO. Job B was with a small nonprofit, offering a hybrid role at $42k with only 1 week of PTO. I chose Job A because it seemed better on paper and I attempted to negotiate for more PTO since I have two trips planned next year. However, after the long weekend, they didn't respond to my negotiation request, leaving me in limbo. Meanwhile, I still have Job B as a backup, which I know can be flexible with my time off, even though the salary and PTO are not ideal, especially in the nonprofit sector. Additionally, there's a potential Job C that I interviewed for over a week ago. They mentioned needing to finish another round of interviews before making a decision, but now they want me to do a final interview with the chief of staff. This role could be part-time to full-time, pays similarly to Job B, and is fully remote, which I would love. I'm at a crossroads: should I wait for the interview with Job C on Friday, or should I secure Job B to avoid losing out on a guaranteed position? I'm not desperate for a job, as my job search has been going well, but I also don't want to turn my back on an offer that is already on the table.

I have my first job interview in 6 years tomorrow. I'm a 32-year-old female currently working in a post-processing cannabis lab, and I'm interviewing for a laboratory position at an insurance company. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves as this is my first video interview in a long time. If anyone has any words of encouragement or tips, I would really appreciate it!

I was laid off from my dream job a little over a year ago, and it's been a tough journey since then. The last few months leading up to my layoff were really challenging, and now, six months into my job search, I’m feeling pretty disheartened. I’ve dedicated myself to applying for positions in arts nonprofit fundraising, which is a competitive field with limited opportunities. Despite applying to over 25 jobs and going through three multi-stage interviews, I haven’t received any offers. I currently have a job, but I can’t shake the feeling of loss for what I had. My last round of interviews had me convinced I was a strong candidate, but it didn’t pan out. I’ve reached out to my network, even getting referrals from former coworkers, but I still face rejection. To make things worse, my current supervisor was laid off during my job search, which has added to my anxiety about job security. I’m really struggling to stay motivated after so many rejections. I’m looking for advice on how to refocus and regain my drive. If anyone has had similar experiences and found ways to overcome them, I would love to hear your success stories.

I was laid off in March 2025 from my role as an Application Engineer, where I supported engineered-to-order fire pump systems. Despite having a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and about 3 years of experience, getting back into the engineering field has proven to be a bigger challenge than I anticipated. Since the layoff, I've been proactive in building my skills by earning my Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Professional Scrum Master certification, completing training in Primavera P6, and enhancing my knowledge in project management and data analysis. Currently, I’m working as a City Carrier Assistant for USPS, which I appreciate for the income, but my goal remains to return to engineering or a role that utilizes my engineering and project experience. I've been applying for various positions like Project Engineer, Application Engineer, and Project Controls Analyst, but I'm starting to wonder if I need to rethink my job search strategy. I would love to hear from engineers, recruiters, or hiring managers who have faced similar situations: what steps would you recommend I take next?

I left my previous job at Company A about six months ago for what I thought was a great opportunity, but it turned out to be a poor fit for me. While I gained some valuable skills and insights during that time, I’ve come to realize how much I appreciated my old team and the work environment. Now, I’m really eager to return to my old role. I’m considering reaching out to my former boss, whom I left on good terms, to see if there might be any openings in the near future. I have her cell number, and I’m thinking of sending her a text. My initial thought was to say something like, "Hi [Boss's Name], I hope you’re doing well. I’ve been really missing Company A and would love to come back to the team. If any positions open up, I would appreciate it if you could keep me in mind. I wouldn’t even need training! Thank you." I’m unsure whether I should mention that my new job isn’t a good fit, or if I should wait for her to ask about it. I’ve read that texting is generally acceptable, especially since I don’t have her work email anymore, and I would have to ask an old colleague for it. I’m a bit anxious about overthinking this, but I really want to make the right impression and hopefully rejoin the team.

I have been unemployed for about 1.5 months now and the job search has been challenging. I’ve been applying selectively to roles that genuinely interest me, which might be limiting my options. Last week, I had a promising interview with a company where I received positive feedback. However, I recently noticed that they posted a job in a different area that also aligns with my skills and interests. I'm wondering if it would be inappropriate to apply for this new position given that I interviewed just last week and haven’t heard back yet. I’m concerned about jeopardizing my chances with the first role, but I also don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity. I’m considering reaching out to the HR or recruiter to express my interest instead of applying directly. Any advice would be appreciated!

I was laid off from my full-time job on March 31, 2026, and I applied for unemployment insurance (UI) on May 17th after a long interview process that didn't lead anywhere. I received my severance and was approved for UI, which I started receiving right away. In the meantime, I took a substitute teaching position at a local school, which allowed me to earn some income while still receiving UI, albeit reduced by my substitute pay. However, after June 11, 2026, which was the last day of school, I found myself in a tough spot. I was denied any further UI payments because they couldn't determine why I was no longer employed, despite the fact that I was still unemployed. I filled out the necessary forms to clarify my situation, but I was still denied UI benefits for the summer months, leaving me with no income at all. Now, I have a hearing scheduled for tomorrow, and I'm feeling anxious about it. I'm hoping to get some advice on how to present my case effectively and what I should focus on to improve my chances of receiving the benefits I need.

I received a job offer on August 30th for a position at a chain retail store in the UK. The following day, I went in to have my passport scanned, and the interviewer mentioned that I should watch my email for the start paperwork. On September 4th, I reached out to her since I hadn't received anything yet. She responded that the recruiter was on holiday and assured me that she would send the rotas by the beginning of this week. Tomorrow is supposed to be my start date, but I still haven't received any paperwork or a shift schedule. I'm considering following up again, but I'm unsure about how and when to do that. I know this situation isn't a great sign for the company, but I'm in need of a job and want to keep this offer. Any advice would be appreciated!

I had my final interview for a manager-level role on August 28th, and I’m starting to feel anxious about the outcome. The recruiter reached out on August 31st to confirm some details about compensation and logistics, mentioning they would finalize their decision within 1-2 weeks. She also said she hoped to be in touch no later than the following week. Now it’s September 8th, and I haven’t heard anything yet. I know there was a holiday weekend, so I’m still within the timeline, but I can’t help but wonder if I should assume I didn’t get the job. I’m torn between waiting a bit longer or moving on to other opportunities. I’ve seen advice suggesting to keep applying and not to dwell on this one position, which makes sense. I just wish I had more clarity.

I recently left my first professional job and it wasn't the best situation with my boss, which led me to resign on short notice. Now, I've received an offer from a new company and signed the offer letter, but I'm a bit anxious about the reference check mentioned in the letter. I wasn't asked to provide any references, so I'm unsure if that means they'll just confirm my employment with my last company or if I need to provide my own references. I'm hesitant to use anyone from my previous job due to the circumstances of my departure, and I'm worried that not having references from my last role might raise a red flag. I've been upfront with the new company about why I left my previous job, but the uncertainty is still bothering me. Currently, I'm considering using my managers from my retail job during college and a former teacher as references, but I'm not sure if that will be enough or satisfactory for this new position.

I graduated college in May and I'm currently stuck in a dead-end retail job that I absolutely hate. I've been applying to every position I can find, but the job market is tough and opportunities are scarce. Recently, I came across a customer service position that seemed like a perfect fit for me, offering a higher wage than what I currently make and aligning with my career goals. I was thrilled to learn that I got an interview scheduled for later this week. However, shortly after scheduling the interview, I discovered that workers from another department within the same company are on strike due to unfair wages. Although my role is different from theirs, I can't help but feel conflicted about the situation. The striking workers are protesting right outside the property where I'll be interviewing, and I fully support their cause for better pay. As someone new to the professional world, I've never dealt with a strike before, and I'm unsure if it would be morally right for me to accept the position if offered. I really need a job, but I also don't want to be seen as crossing a picket line or undermining the efforts of the striking workers. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I still go through with the interview? Would it be wrong to take the job if it’s offered to me?

I’m 19 years old and currently unemployed. I’ve been looking for job opportunities but haven’t had much luck so far. I’m eager to gain some work experience and would appreciate any advice on how to improve my job search or tips on where to look for entry-level positions.

I recently faced a significant career change after my position as a producer in the TV news industry was eliminated due to corporate restructuring. My last day at the station was August 18th, and I had been making $25.72 an hour. Since then, I've been exploring opportunities in marketing and communications, as I believe I will find more long-term happiness outside of news. I've had four interviews so far—two didn't move forward, but I did progress with two others. One of the roles I'm considering is for a Marketing Assistant position with a locally founded chain. The first interview went well, but I'm concerned about the pay; the maximum salary for the role is $21.50 an hour, which is significantly lower than what I was making, translating to about $9-10k less annually. I'm preparing for a second interview to learn more about their benefits, but I'm unsure how to approach the salary discussion if I receive an offer. Should I negotiate for a salary match, or is it better to accept the pay cut given my lack of experience in this new field?

I recently faced a tough situation after my work permit expired, which forced me to resign from my position. My managers had assured me that I could reapply once I got my documents sorted out. However, after I did reapply, I was rejected twice without any clear reason. I had a solid track record during my three years at the company, with only one write-up and no threats of termination. Now, I'm contemplating whether it's worth reaching out to ask for feedback on my rejections or if I should just move on. I'm feeling a bit uncertain about the best approach here.

I recently graduated in May and received a job offer with a salary of $35,000. The position is in my desired field and the location is where I want to move, which is exciting. However, I was hoping for relocation assistance since the city is quite expensive. I also have an interview for a local job that pays around $40,000, potentially $45,000 after government furloughs, but there's no guarantee I'll get that position. I'm torn between accepting the current offer, which is my only one so far, or waiting to see if I secure the other job that pays more. I'm looking for advice on whether to take the offer now or hold out for a potentially better opportunity.

I recently went through the interview process for an Operations Administrator position and made it to the third round. Unfortunately, I was informed that they chose another candidate whose qualifications were a better fit. What has been bothering me is that the job posting is still active, and they even reposted it over a week after my rejection. I'm left wondering if I should be concerned about this or just move on. Some comments suggested that it might be a sign that the previous candidate fell through, and they might be starting the hiring process over. I’m considering applying again since it can’t hurt.

I recently completed my final interview for a software engineering position at a tech company and I'm anxiously waiting for a verbal offer. I've heard from others that typically, offers come within 1-2 days after the final interview, but it's now been a few days and I'm starting to feel nervous. One comment I read mentioned that every day that passes decreases the chances of receiving an offer, which adds to my anxiety. I'm considering continuing my job search just in case this opportunity doesn't materialize. Any insights or similar experiences would be really helpful!