Planning

I was recently laid off from my job and my company is relocating to Chicago, which means they are letting go of the entire staff. They've offered severance for those affected, but they also presented me with an opportunity to move to Chicago for a new role. The catch is that the new position comes with a title change and a salary of $69,000, which is actually $1,000 less than my current salary of $70,000. I'm feeling really uncertain about my next steps, especially since I have a newborn at home. To complicate matters, I recently made an offer on a house and I'm set to close in the next few weeks. The new job would start sometime next month, but I'm questioning if I should even consider it given the circumstances.

I'm in my mid-20s and part of Gen Z, with about 5 years of work experience across various fields. I was raised with the belief that if I focused on my education, learned as much as I could, and mastered English, I'd secure a good job. I have two degrees and several vocational certificates, but now I feel like my education is a disadvantage. It's frustrating to see that the job market is flooded with senior roles requiring 10+ years of experience or entry-level positions that only ask for a high school diploma. I’ve been applying to both types of jobs, but I keep getting rejected. I suspect my qualifications might be working against me, as many employers don't provide feedback. It’s disheartening to think that my passion for learning and diverse background might be viewed as overqualified or misaligned with what they need. I still believe in the value of education and experience, hoping that someday an employer will recognize the unique perspective I bring. I write personalized cover letters, hoping they’ll see the effort I put in, but I worry that they’re not even being read. I know I could save time by using AI to generate applications, but I want to present myself authentically. Am I being too idealistic? Should I consider downplaying some of my qualifications to get noticed? It feels like a double-edged sword, where what was once seen as an advantage now feels like a hindrance. I’m at a loss for what to do next.

I recently learned that The Trade Desk has laid off 15% of its staff following a disappointing performance in Q2. As someone who has been closely following the company's developments, this news is quite concerning. The layoffs seem to be a response to the challenges the company is facing in the current market. I'm currently assessing my own situation and considering my options in light of these changes.

I'm currently off sick from my job at a retail company, and I've just received an offer for a new position. I'm unsure about what this means for my notice period. I was genuinely planning to see my GP before I got the new job offer, so I don't feel guilty about taking sick leave. I've heard that I can resign while on sick leave, but I'm not clear on how my notice period will work in this situation. I plan to speak with my GP and HR to clarify whether they might agree to shorten my 4-week notice period. I want to make sure I handle this properly.

I was laid off at the end of July due to not getting along with my new manager, which was a tough situation to navigate. After that, I jumped straight into the job market and was fortunate enough to land a new position with a £10k pay rise. This new role starts in two weeks, and I signed the contract just last week. I'll be reporting directly to the Finance Director, who has assured me that he will give me the autonomy I desire. However, during the waiting period for my job offer, I connected with another recruiter who presented me with my ideal job: a hybrid role in central London, with only one direct report and direct access to the CFO. This role is very appealing compared to my new job, which is a four-day hybrid position in north London, where I will be managing an outsourced finance team. Now that the CFO is back from paternity leave, my recruiter has asked if I want to proceed with the interview for this ideal position. I said yes, but I’m feeling a lot of guilt about it. What if I do well in the interview and decide to take that job instead? I would hate to let down my new employer, especially since I’ve already signed a contract. I’m really torn because I value having fewer layers in the organization for more control and decision-making ability, as well as a good relationship with my manager. I’m seeking advice on what to do in this situation.

I was laid off from Uber after just three months as a Software Engineer I, following a pre-placement offer I received during my internship. It’s a tough pill to swallow, especially when I had just started my career. I joined Uber as an intern, successfully delivered projects, and was thrilled to secure a PPO in April. After completing my internship in June, I jumped straight into my role as SWE I and had already wrapped up my first project in two months, with my second project also progressing well. However, everything changed one evening while I was deploying my code. I received an email stating my job had been impacted and I needed to leave. At first, I thought it was a phishing attempt; it felt unreal. After discussing with my manager, I realized it was true—my time at Uber had come to an abrupt end. I felt lost and confused, unsure of what to do next. There were no clear answers as to why this happened to me. I packed my belongings and left, grappling with uncertainty about my future. This experience taught me that layoffs can happen unexpectedly, and it’s a harsh reality that can affect anyone, regardless of how well they perform. I’m trying to stay positive, believing that everything happens for a reason. I’m now actively searching for new opportunities as a Software Engineer I, with about a year of experience in Go, Python, Java, C#, SQL, Backend, and AI/ML.

I just started a new job at my fourth firm in private practice, but I received a response from a company I've been wanting to join for a long time for an in-house role. I'm excited about the opportunity, but I'm unsure about how to approach the situation since they will likely conduct a background check. Should I be upfront about recently wrapping up my last role and taking some time to consider my next move? I could explain that while I was contemplating a career break, I couldn't pass up the chance to apply for this in-house position. Or should I pretend I'm still employed at my previous company? I'm leaning towards honesty, as I’ve heard that lying could lead to complications later on, especially if they confirm my employment dates. Any advice would be appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a different company within the same parent corporation where I currently work. I was considering reaching out to the recruiter via Slack since we're in the same workspace. I'm unsure if messaging them would actually help my application. I’ve seen some advice suggesting that a brief message could be beneficial, so I’m thinking of saying something like, "Hey, I applied for [role] and noticed you’re recruiting for it. Happy to send anything else that would be useful." I want to keep it casual and not too pushy, but I also want to make sure my application gets noticed. Any thoughts on whether this is a good approach?

I’m a computer science student in India, about to graduate in a few months, and I’m feeling pretty lost about my career path. I don’t have any professional experience or internships, and my resume is lacking. I also have a career gap after my undergraduate degree, which makes me feel older than the typical fresh graduate here. I’m aware that these factors can make it really tough to get through the initial screening stages for jobs in India. I’ve been contemplating whether there’s a way to find a remote job with a US or international company instead of sticking to the traditional Indian job market. I’m not just looking for software engineering roles; I’m open to any legitimate remote job that I can do from India. I’d be happy with a salary around $20k/year, which would be a decent income in my area. I have to admit that my technical skills are not where I want them to be. Most of my projects during my degree relied heavily on AI, and I don’t feel confident enough in my coding abilities to call myself a software developer. With AI changing the job landscape, I’m even more uncertain about my prospects. I’m struggling to figure out where to start. I don’t know what types of international remote jobs are available for someone in my situation, what skills I should focus on developing, or where these jobs are even listed. The Indian entry-level job market feels daunting, and the thought of trying to break into an international market is overwhelming. I’m looking for honest advice from anyone who works for a US or international company, especially those involved in hiring. What roles can realistically be done remotely from India? Would a company consider hiring someone with my background, career gap, and lack of experience? What skills should I develop to increase my employability? Are there specific industries or companies that are more open to international hires? With AI impacting entry-level jobs, what skills are becoming more valuable? I’m really hoping for some concrete guidance. If you were in my shoes, just months away from graduation with a weak resume and limited technical skills, what steps would you take? Where would you look for jobs, and what would you aim for first? If anyone has successfully transitioned from India to a remote role with a US or international company, I’d love to hear your story. I’m not looking for motivational advice; I just want to understand the path ahead. And if $20k/year is unrealistic for someone in my position, I’d appreciate that honesty too. I want to avoid blindly applying for jobs in India if there are better opportunities out there.

I just got laid off from my position as a backend developer in .NET technologies at a healthcare tech company. It was a shock, especially since I was recognized as a phenomenal performer just last month and received awards for my work. Now, I'm left feeling numb and uncertain about the future. Along with me, two entire tech teams, including managers and business analysts, were let go. With 3.5 years of experience, I’m worried about the current job market, which seems tough for someone with a layoff on their record. I’m reaching out for guidance and referrals, as I really need to secure another job quickly—my severance won’t last long. I’m open to opportunities across all of India. If anyone has advice or can connect me with potential openings, I would greatly appreciate it.

I received a denial letter for my unemployment benefits on July 15th after being fired from my job in Florida due to performance issues. The HR department labeled it as conscious poor performance, which feels like they are framing it as misconduct. I'm really frustrated because my appeal is still pending, and I’ve been living off my savings since then. I have documentation for every performance issue, and HR mentioned that once they get the appeal paperwork, it will be categorized more appropriately. When I called the customer service line for the appeal, they informed me that the process can take up to 3 months. I keep applying for benefits weekly, knowing they will be retroactive, but I’m left wondering if I will ever actually receive the funds. This whole situation feels incredibly unfair.

I'm currently in a tough spot with my job search and wanted to share my experience. I'm 25 years old, living at home in NYC after graduating with a BFA three years ago. I moved back home because I couldn't afford to live on my own, and now I find myself with zero savings and struggling to make ends meet. I often wonder how others manage to pay rent and save money when I can barely hold onto $500 at a time. I've been looking for jobs, but it feels like businesses are hiring less while still posting available positions. My main skill set is in dog handling and daycare, but even those jobs are hard to come by, and I see others with less experience getting hired instead. Entry-level positions seem to have disappeared, and even fast-food places require some obscure skills that aren't clearly defined. I'm also a nightlife performer, which brings in about $300 a month, but with the expenses involved and the daily travel from the Bronx to Brooklyn, it's not enough to sustain me. I know I need to move out next year, but I'm terrified of ending up homeless. Thankfully, my parents are supportive, but I can't stay with them forever. I'm reaching out for advice or thoughts on how to navigate this situation. I understand that some might criticize my past choices, but I'm focused on moving forward now. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself in a bit of a tricky situation regarding job interviews. About a month ago, I interviewed for a position but didn't hear back, so I assumed I was out of the running. Then, I discovered a job that seemed perfect for my background and would offer me a salary higher than I've ever earned. Just days after I applied for this ideal role, I received an offer from the job I thought had ghosted me. Although I wasn't particularly excited about that offer, I decided to move forward with it. Before starting my new role, I received an email from HR asking for a screening interview. I explained that I had just started a new job but was eager to talk, and they agreed to a call after my work hours. I ended up doing the screening call in my car, which was a bit unconventional since it was a video call, but it seemed to go well. They didn't seem to mind my setting, and they quickly offered me a second interview, really trying to sell me on the company, which wasn't necessary since I was already very interested. Now, I have a second interview scheduled this week during my lunch break, but I'm unsure if I should also do this one in my car. My commute is an hour, so going home isn't an option. I want to make a good impression, but I’m concerned about the environment. I thought about using filters to enhance my appearance on camera, but they all seem to cut off my hair, which isn't ideal. I’m weighing my options and considering whether I should find a quiet place to park or stick with my car for this next interview.

I've been working remotely since graduating college in 2022, and I've already had four different jobs, with my current contract role being the fourth since I started last May. I'm considering starting my job search in January to secure a new position by April when my contract ends. However, I'm worried that my job history might make me seem unstable to potential employers, especially since my longest tenure has only been 15 months. My first job was an internship, my second ended when the company went bankrupt, the third had scheduling disagreements, and now in my current role, I find the niche challenging and feel underpaid. I'm torn between staying longer at this job or moving on sooner. Am I overthinking this?

I just learned that two casinos in Tukwila are closing on November 1, and this will result in 238 layoffs. It's disheartening to see so many people losing their jobs at once. I'm currently trying to figure out my next steps and looking for new opportunities in the hospitality or gaming industry. If anyone has leads or advice on job searching in this area, I would really appreciate it.

I started a new job in May this year, and initially received positive feedback after my first month. However, after three months, I was informed that my probation period would be extended for two additional months due to concerns about my "culture fit," despite my technical competence. Just two weeks later, I was told that they would be letting me go after the extended period. Now, I have about 6-7 weeks left at the company, and I'm unsure how to approach my remaining time here. Should I maintain a professional demeanor and not burn any bridges, or should I just do the bare minimum since they’ve already decided to let me go? I'm also considering starting to apply for new jobs while still employed.

I’ve been feeling really anxious about my job lately. I’ve been with the company for 8 years in a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) role, and I can't shake the feeling that I might be next to be laid off. They’ve canceled my 1-on-1 meetings twice in a row, and I noticed that our postpaid phone plans have been terminated. The focus of our work has shifted more towards R&D and automation, but there hasn’t been any new projects coming in. This has me worried, especially since two of my teammates have already been let go. I trust my managers and they say I’m doing a good job, but I don’t have the same confidence in the leadership. I’m starting to feel the weight of this uncertainty; I haven’t slept or eaten properly in weeks. I’ve formed close relationships with my managers and coworkers, and the thought of losing that is really hard to bear. I might even have to cancel a trip I had planned abroad next month. To prepare for the worst, I’ve polished my resume and started applying to other companies. I also booked my first therapy session to help cope with the stress. If I’m still here by the end of September, it will feel like a miracle, but right now, everything seems so bleak. I’ll keep updating on my situation.

I just experienced a major setback in my career. I was in the process of interviewing for a new job after feeling frustrated at my current position where I was given additional responsibilities without any promotion or raise. I had just completed three interviews at another company the Monday before last, which I felt went really well. However, on Tuesday, everything changed. While I was at my desk, I was called into a meeting along with eight of my coworkers, and we were informed that the company was laying off most of our team due to poor quarterly performance. I work in gas pricing, and it was a shocking moment to hear that I was being let go. Now, I'm feeling devastated. I haven't heard back from the company I interviewed with, and I followed up with them on Friday, but the uncertainty is weighing heavily on me. I'm torn about whether to mention my layoff to them if they do reach out. The pressure is intense, and I just wish this long weekend would end so I could get back to job searching.

I recently went through a first interview for a position and was preparing for the second one when I unfortunately injured myself at home. The injury happened in between the interviews, not during them. I went to the ER, and they assured me it should heal within a couple of weeks, but I’ve also scheduled a follow-up with a specialist for further evaluation. Now, I’m unsure about whether or when to bring this up with the hiring manager during the next interview. Should I mention it at all, or only if it seems relevant? I'm seeking advice on how to handle this situation.

I'm 25 years old and currently looking for a job in the SF Bay area. I had to take a semester off from college, and now I'm eager to find work as soon as possible. If anyone has any leads or suggestions for opportunities, I would greatly appreciate it!