Planning

I'm currently on the job hunt and looking for effective ways to find a job. I'm curious about how others landed their positions, the methods they used, and how long they’ve been in their roles. I've been searching locally, but it seems like most opportunities require experience that I don't have. I'm wondering if companies are willing to train someone like me or if I should focus on gaining some skills first. I've heard mixed opinions, with some suggesting to reach out to family members who might be hiring, while others say that employers rarely train new hires these days. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I focused on improving my job search strategy by exploring the art of cold calling and emailing companies directly. I’m 26 and recently graduated with a BSBA in Management Information Systems, but I lack direct experience in business technology. However, I have several years of leadership and management experience in the hospitality sector. A recruiting agent suggested that my technical skills combined with my leadership background could make me a good fit for roles like Business Analyst or Project Manager, but I’m also considering positions like IT Analyst and others in the tech field. I’m open to various work arrangements, whether on-site in my city, hybrid, or fully remote. I’m unsure how to effectively reach out to companies about potential openings and how to present my experience as valuable, given that it’s from a different industry. I’m looking for tips on how to make these cold contacts and showcase my transferable skills.

I've been out of work for several months now, and it's starting to take a toll on my mental health. I've been feeling desperate and even paranoid about my job prospects. Recently, I considered asking a friend to pose as an HR representative and call my former employer to see what they would say about me. I know it sounds a bit extreme, but I just want to understand how I'm being perceived. I’ve heard mixed opinions on this approach. Some people have done it successfully, but there are risks involved, like them finding out the truth if they check the phone number. I also learned there are companies that offer this service professionally, but they charge a fee. It’s a tough situation, and I'm just trying to figure out the best way to move forward.

I've been on the hunt for a bakery job for three years now, and I'm starting to feel really discouraged. I love baking—whether it's bread, cakes, or pastries, I'm willing to try anything. Despite my enthusiasm, I haven't had any luck finding a position. I've even tried related jobs and have gone into local bakeries to ask if they're hiring, but I haven't heard back from anyone. I live in a smaller town, and the nearest big city is over an hour away, which doesn't help my chances. To make matters worse, I don't have formal training, but I've spent a lot of time honing my skills and creating a portfolio to show potential employers. I'm beginning to wonder if I should consider going to a baking school to improve my prospects.

I am a 38-year-old service employee based in upstate New York, close to NYC, and I'm currently seeking advice on my job search. My background primarily lies in food service, where I've spent around 15 years working in grocery stores, specifically in the deli and bakery sections. In these roles, I held supervisory and management positions, which involved writing schedules, maximizing sales, balancing inventory shrinkage, and updating planograms. I also have experience as a line cook for a year. Additionally, I've worked as a security guard and later as a supervisor for about three years, and most recently, I've been in luxury hospitality. My current role involves room service, upkeep, and special accommodations, requiring me to coordinate with multiple departments daily while working outdoors in various weather conditions. I want to avoid kitchen work as I find the environment challenging, and I prefer jobs that offer a change of scenery rather than being stuck at a desk. I’m open to working overnights if I have a consistent schedule, but I struggle with driving larger vehicles due to anxiety. I’m also considering certifications or further education but need to ensure I can pay my bills, especially now that I’ve just had my first child. My goal is to find a stable position that allows me to grow my career without needing an elaborate lifestyle. I have a high school diploma and am eager for any insights or suggestions on potential job paths.

I'm currently working in an education sales role and I'm feeling anxious about my job security. I've been here for about 5 months, and based on my performance metrics, I suspect I might be let go soon. I haven't broken any company policies, but my sales numbers just aren't where they need to be. I've expressed to my VP and supervisor that I'm interested in transferring out of sales, but there's a 6-month policy in place that makes that impossible for me right now. If I do get let go, I'm wondering if I would be entitled to any severance pay. I've heard that standard severance is usually around two weeks, but I'm not sure if that applies to someone who hasn't even completed their probation period. From what I've gathered, it seems like companies typically don't offer severance for employees who have been there for less than 6 months, especially if performance is an issue. I guess I should start looking for new opportunities just in case.

I was recently fired from my position as an Amazon driver in Illinois after an accident where I accidentally scuffed the bumper of a parked car with the rear of the truck. I acknowledge that it was my fault, but I'm wondering if I might still be eligible for unemployment benefits. I've been delivering for Amazon for three years and really enjoy the job, but currently, there aren't many companies hiring in my area. I'm hoping to get back into delivery work soon.

I was laid off by GlobalLogic on May 18th, marking the end of my first real job after grad school. I spent my days scoring AI responses, and honestly, I realized that the traditional 40-hour work week just isn't for me. I took this remote job out of necessity, as I was facing eviction just a month prior. Things took a turn when our workload dwindled, and we found ourselves filling out forms every 15 minutes to report that we had no tasks. There was a lot of shady behavior from management, with sudden changes to guidelines and quality scores that were never clearly communicated. It felt like a ticking time bomb, and I had a gut feeling that my layoff was imminent. Sure enough, the HR guy called me at 8 AM to inform me that the previous day was my last. I didn't cry immediately; it felt surreal, but later that day, after indulging in some comfort food from Doordash and talking to my mom, the reality hit me hard. It stung that they delivered the news right after I woke up, and even worse, I was let go on a Tuesday, just shy of completing my second week for a full paycheck. I'm feeling mixed emotions about it all. On one hand, I'm relieved to escape the early mornings and have more time for meals and job searching. On the other hand, I miss the steady paycheck and my coworkers, who were genuinely nice people. Thankfully, my cohort agreed to connect on LinkedIn once layoffs began, so I won't lose touch completely. With my apartment lease ending on July 31st, I'm torn between moving back in with my family, who live two hours away, and facing the uncertainty of my next steps. I miss my mom's cooking and my grandma, who has always been like a second mother to me. I'm also contemplating applying for food stamps again, though I know Texas isn't the most supportive state for that kind of help. I hesitated to share my layoff experience because it's still a lot to process, and I didn't want to face any judgment about my degree or career path. I'm currently waiting to hear back from the unemployment office, as they haven't received any response from my former employer yet.

I recently faced a tough situation at my job where I was sick and had to call out due to vomiting. When I returned to work, I overheard my General Manager and a shift lead discussing how I supposedly called out just to avoid working with a specific colleague. This was frustrating because I always check the schedule upon arrival to see who is working and when. I've even brought in doctor's notes to validate my absences, but it seems like they have a personal issue with me. I learned from a couple of coworkers that there's an HR case being opened against me, and I'm worried it might lead to my termination since I've felt targeted by my GM since I started. I'm currently looking for a new job before the HR meeting, but I'm concerned about the implications of being fired. I live in Tennessee and I'm unsure if I would be eligible for unemployment benefits if they let me go after the meeting. I’ve heard that being fired for legitimate sick leave or defending myself against false claims typically doesn’t disqualify someone from unemployment, but I’m anxious about how this will unfold.

I recently had a successful interview with a company I’ve been eager to join, and we’re currently discussing the compensation package. I’m open to accepting a lower salary since the remote aspect of the role is my priority. However, I’m in a bit of a dilemma regarding my current job. At my current company, we have a retention policy where annual raises and bonuses are effective from April 1st, but the actual payouts occur in June. If I resign now, I’ll miss out on a significant amount, including my salary hike for the next three months, my annual bonus, and stock vesting. This totals a considerable sum that I don’t want to forfeit. I’m considering delaying my resignation until June 30th to secure those payouts, but I need compelling reasons to justify this delay. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Today, I learned that Metacore has officially closed its operations in Germany and Sweden, resulting in 159 layoffs. This news hit hard as I was part of the team in Sweden. I had been working as a game designer for over two years, and it feels surreal to be facing this sudden change. The company cited restructuring and a shift in focus as reasons for the closure. I'm now in the process of updating my resume and reaching out to my network for new opportunities in the gaming industry.

Today, I made the tough decision to resign from my job due to mental exhaustion and overwhelming workload. I have been in my role for 2 years and 3 months, primarily working with SQL, Db2, and SAS reporting. Although I have a notice period of 3 months, I am available to start a new job immediately since I don't have another offer lined up. I’m feeling a bit lost on how to effectively secure a new position in this challenging job market. I would appreciate any advice on how to proceed with my job search.

I’ve been feeling really lost in my job search lately. I’ve been working in retail for the past four years, and I got the job without an interview—just clicked apply and they hired me. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, but it feels like I have no idea how to leverage it to find a better job. Whenever I mention my degree, people seem surprised that I’m still in retail, and it makes me feel inadequate. I’ve looked at software roles, but the qualifications seem impossible to meet, and even entry-level IT positions like help desk jobs feel out of reach. I don’t have a proper resume tailored for tech jobs; I’ve only got a basic one for my service industry experience. I’m thirty years old and have been in this line of work for over a decade, so I feel stuck. I’m overwhelmed and don’t know where to start. The support system around me feels non-existent. The government doesn’t seem to care about underemployment, and my university has basically washed their hands of me since I graduated. I’m at a loss for how to move forward and can’t think of a path that would help me earn more than $24 an hour. I really want to know how others are finding decent-paying jobs because I feel like all my options are closed off.

I was laid off yesterday after nearly 7 years at a tech consulting company. My position was moved offshore as part of a cost-cutting measure, and I received no severance. As the head of a household with a wife and a toddler, this sudden change has left me feeling incredibly stressed, especially since I now have to cover health insurance costs out of pocket, which I’ve found can exceed $1500 a month. I've been reading through this sub to see how others cope after a layoff, and many suggest taking some time to relax before diving into the job search. However, I find it hard to relax with so many uncertainties looming over me. The job market seems bleak, and I’m worried about when I’ll find another position. My experience has primarily been in client relationships, project management, and customer success, rather than technical roles, which adds to my confusion about what jobs I should be applying for. I’m also contemplating whether I should pivot to a new direction or up-skill in some way, but I’m overwhelmed with questions and don’t know where to start. How do others manage to take a step back and relax in times like this? I’m feeling pretty frantic.

I recently switched jobs after spending 5 years at Company A. About two months ago, I accepted an offer from Company B for a senior position with the same salary and commission, as there was no room for growth at my previous job. I left Company A on good terms and have been with Company B for about a month now. However, I just found out that Company A has reopened the position I really wanted, which comes with at least a $25k salary increase and more responsibilities. I'm feeling torn because I want to apply for this new opportunity at my old company, but I also feel a sense of loyalty to Company B after such a short time. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? What did you decide to do?

After fifteen years at my current job, I've finally come to the realization that this position is a dead end. I recently informed my manager that I would be leaving after successfully managing a massive client account, which required me to work seventy-hour weeks for nearly three months. Despite my consistent requests for more headcount on my team—over twenty times—my pleas have always been dismissed due to "budget constraints." Instead, the company opts to hire agency workers at three times the cost of a full-time employee, leading to baffling financial results. When I told my manager I was leaving, she surprisingly asked me not to quit and requested a week to "find a solution." I’m feeling conflicted about this. My health has deteriorated, my home life has suffered, and my salary has stagnated while my benefits have been quietly reduced. I worry that she might return with a token gesture, like a small raise or vague promises of support in the future, and when I reject it, I’ll be left feeling like I’ve damaged my standing for no reason. After fifteen years, I know how this cycle goes, and I’m not sure if I should trust her intentions.

I received a job offer in mid-April for a position starting at the end of August. After signing the offer letter, it took them two weeks to confirm receipt and they mentioned they would send the contract in May. However, it's now June and I still haven't received it. I'm starting to wonder if this delay is normal, especially since the job starts quite a bit later. I’m considering sending a follow-up email to ask for a timeline, as I’m feeling a bit anxious about the whole situation.

I recently interviewed for a new position within my company about three weeks ago, and I felt that the interview went really well. I even heard from some colleagues that I was the top choice and that HR is just finalizing the offer. This new role would come with a pay increase, which is tempting. However, I've got some serious reservations. The team I would be joining has a reputation for a toxic work environment and a questionable culture, which really worries me. Currently, I'm in a blue-collar job that I absolutely love. I enjoy working with my hands and being active, but this new position would be a desk job, and I have to admit that the thought of going back to that terrifies me. I've done desk work before, and it was not a good fit for me. Now, I'm at a crossroads and could really use some advice. Should I take the offer for the higher pay, or stick with what I know and love, despite the potential for career advancement? I know some people think that a toxic work environment isn't worth the extra money, and I have to agree with that sentiment. I just don't want to miss out on future opportunities within the company either.

I never thought I would find myself in this position, but here I am. After spending 8 years in the Capital Markets industry, working with well-known brokerage houses, I believed that my experience and hard work would lead to new opportunities. However, the reality has been a string of rejection emails and, in many cases, complete silence from potential employers. It's been a frustrating and humbling experience. Rather than letting this setback hold me back, I've decided to pivot my career. I'm now actively seeking entry-level roles in AML/KYC, Compliance Operations, Client Onboarding, or similar fields. I realize this means starting over in some respects, but I'm eager to learn and adapt. If anyone has gone through a similar transition, has any advice, knows of job openings, or can provide a referral, I would greatly appreciate your support. Thank you for taking the time to read my post.

After nearly a year of searching, I finally landed a job! I secured two temporary assignments that will run back-to-back through October 2027. The work is engaging, and I’m excited about the opportunity to gain valuable skills and expand my professional network. This was my fourth job search and definitely the longest one. Health constraints have complicated my professional journey, making it even more challenging. I faced a lot of rejection during interviews, which was tough and felt personal at times, especially as an introvert. To tackle this, I started using AI tools more extensively. I analyzed job descriptions to pinpoint potential pitfalls for interviews and evaluated which positions aligned best with my skills and vision. This preparation helped me approach interviews as a conversation about mutual fit rather than just proving I was the perfect candidate. I also made a point to attend industry conferences and familiarize myself with the work of others in my field through articles, podcasts, and discussions with friends. During interviews, I was able to bring up relevant topics, which I believe added value to my candidacy. Overall, this job search forced me to reflect deeply on my situation, and I hope it will make navigating future work-related challenges easier.