Thinking

I recently found myself in a tough situation at work where I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) due to ongoing issues with management. I was already feeling the strain from their treatment, and when I had to take sick leave for stomach issues, my manager asked me directly if work was causing me anxiety. I felt trapped, knowing that admitting to stress might give them more reasons to justify their actions against me. I considered the advice I saw online, which suggested not to disclose anything that could be used against me. Ultimately, I decided to keep my response vague and avoided revealing any personal feelings about my mental health. I realized that protecting myself was the priority, especially in such a toxic environment.

I was laid off a month and a half ago from my position as a Mobile Tech Lead, specializing in Flutter and iOS development, in Hyderabad. The client we were working with decided to leave, which resulted in me and several others being let go, but we did receive severance pay. Since then, I've been actively searching for a new opportunity, but it's been incredibly tough. I've noticed there are over a thousand applicants for many roles, and I'm starting to regret my decision to pivot from iOS Native to Flutter six years ago. I'm considering going back to iOS development. If anyone has advice or knows of any job openings, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

I've been on the job hunt for over a year now, and I'm starting to question whether my CV is the reason I'm facing so many rejections. I thought my resume showcased my skills and experience well, but after applying to hundreds of positions and receiving constant rejections, my confidence is really taking a hit. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights on whether my CV might be the issue or if there could be other factors at play.

I've been job hunting for two years now, and I still feel completely lost. It's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I'm 25 years old and have never had a job. It wasn't due to school or anything like that; I just thought I wasn't ready when I was a teenager. Now, I'm struggling to find my very first job, and not being able to drive adds another layer of difficulty. I've gone to several job interviews, but unfortunately, I haven't received any offers, and it's really frustrating. I'm reaching out for any tips or advice that could help me in this situation.

I was laid off from my job after 8 years at a company where I had been working remotely since 2020. The role paid well and provided a good work-life balance, but I started to feel complacent and noticed my career growth was stunted. I was hesitant to leave because the job market in my field is tough, and interviewing requires a lot of preparation. Five weeks ago, I got laid off, which was difficult, but I also feel like it has been good for my soul. It reminded me that life can be unpredictable and has sparked a new energy in me. I know it might take months to find another job, but I'm determined to embrace this struggle and appreciate the easier times when they come.

I recently started a new job at a well-regarded company in Bangalore, a position I worked hard to secure. However, I’m finding it incredibly difficult to adjust, and it’s becoming overwhelming. Each morning, I wake up with a sense of dread that feels almost paralyzing. Just the thought of opening my laptop makes my heart sink, and I often find myself in tears before the workday even begins. This anxiety is constant, even on days I work from home; knowing I have to log in fills me with dread. The work environment is stressful and at times toxic, and while I see others managing the pressure, I feel completely consumed by it. My previous job, while challenging, didn’t have this level of toxicity, and I could handle the stress. This situation feels drastically different. Having moved far from home, I lack a solid support system here, which adds to my feelings of isolation. I often find myself counting down the days until my family can visit or I can return home. I’m already in therapy and seeking additional support, but it feels like this job is draining my energy and passion for work. Interestingly, once I start working, I sometimes enjoy the tasks, but the anticipation and pressure leading up to it are unbearable. I’ve reached a point where I’m considering quitting, despite concerns about how a six-month stint will look on my resume. I don’t have significant financial obligations that would keep me trapped in this situation, and I have family support to fall back on if needed. I’m left questioning whether this is burnout, anxiety, or just a sign that this job isn’t the right fit for me. Is it common to feel this level of dread before work? Has anyone else experienced something similar?

I work as a manager for a not-for-profit organization focused on food waste recycling, specifically coordinating a small team of young adults aged 18-25. Recently, I've noticed troubling signs that our organization may be facing significant challenges, including a loss of clients and the potential for shift reductions starting next month. This has raised concerns about our ability to meet the funding quotas necessary for our operations. Given the situation, I've started to polish my resume in preparation for the possibility of needing to find a new job if things do not improve.

I've been job hunting for four months now, and it's been a tough journey. I usually have a strong sense of self-worth, but the lack of responses and constant rejections are really taking a toll on me. I know the job market is rough right now, especially with AI affecting job availability, but it's hard not to feel like it's a personal failure when I bomb interviews or get ghosted by companies I dream of working for. I think I got a bit spoiled with my first job out of college, which came easily. Now, the rejection feels overwhelming, and I find myself questioning my abilities. I want to adjust my mindset and not internalize this macroeconomic issue, but it's a struggle. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has faced similar challenges and how they've managed to stay positive during this tough time.

I was recently placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) at my company after four years of positive yearly reviews. While I was initially surprised, I can now see why this happened. I made a mistake that led to this decision, but it feels like I'm being unfairly targeted, especially since there have been several errors from other colleagues that haven't resulted in similar consequences. The new CEO has been implementing mass layoffs, which adds to my anxiety. I feel like I'm living in a state of constant worry, and the lack of clear metrics in my PIP makes me think they're just looking for a reason to let me go. It's been incredibly stressful, causing me mini anxiety attacks, and I have 60 days to prove myself. I'm torn between whether I should start looking for a new job now or wait it out to collect unemployment if they do decide to fire me. The advice I've seen suggests documenting everything and applying for jobs while I ride out this period. I just can't shake the feeling of disappointment and uncertainty about my future.

I work at a retail store and my boss has been acting really strange lately, which has me worried about my job security. He often seems overly sensitive about minor things, like if I forget to say 'hi' when I walk in. He’ll call me out on it, saying things like 'You didn’t say hi to me this morning,' which feels excessive. On the plus side, he does call me in when others are absent, showing that he trusts my reliability. However, he tends to invade my personal space, like the time he leaned over my shoulder to see what I was texting, which I found unprofessional. He also criticizes my communication style, saying I need to speak up more after he gives me directions, and he gets upset if he catches me using my phone, even though I see others doing it all the time. His management style is inconsistent; he frequently changes my work station and schedule last minute, which adds to my stress. He’s made comments about wanting to promote me to manager, but I can’t tell if he’s serious. He even asked me if I was lonely out of the blue once, which felt odd. I’m a woman in my 30s and he’s in his 50s, and sometimes I feel like he’s overly focused on me. I’m starting to feel like I’m under constant scrutiny, and it’s affecting my confidence at work. I’m not sure what to make of his behavior and whether I should be concerned about my job or if it’s something more unsettling.

I am currently exploring the option of voluntary severance at ServiceNow, where I've been working for several years. I'm curious if any fellow employees have had the opportunity to take a buyout or voluntary severance package. I'm particularly interested in understanding what might be holding the company back from offering these options more widely. As a long-time employee, I would like to negotiate this possibility, so any insights or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I’m currently on the job hunt and reflecting on how some roles have fancy titles that might make them seem less accessible than they really are. I've previously held positions like Risks & Control Analyst and IT Auditor, where I was able to leverage my existing skill sets to transition into new roles. I learned that even if my past jobs didn’t perfectly match the titles I was applying for, I could highlight relevant experiences in my cover letter and provide strong recommendations to support my applications. Now, as I explore adjacent industries, I’m finding that many job titles feel foreign and the descriptions are often hard to relate to. It’s a bit daunting since I recognize that some of these positions may require additional training or skills that I don’t currently possess. I’m curious to know if others have faced similar challenges and how they navigated through them. What are some fancy job titles you’ve encountered that turned out to be more accessible than they appeared?

I'm currently searching for a job in Oklahoma that pays at least $1,000 a week after taxes. My background is in truck driving, where I currently earn about $600 a week after taxes. Due to my physical and mental disabilities, I need a role that involves minimal social interaction and is physically manageable. I'm really hoping to find a position that offers a livable wage without exacerbating my health issues. If anyone has suggestions for jobs that fit this criteria, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm a dedicated worker, but I struggle in environments with a lot of people, especially in confined spaces.

I recently declined a job offer for a secretary position at a law firm after being unemployed for 10 months. At 23, I was eager to find work, so I applied and interviewed with another candidate. During the interview, I felt overlooked as they directed most of their questions to the other girl. A couple of days later, I was asked to come in for a typing test to assess my skills. However, the atmosphere felt off; they mentioned that if they shouted at me, I shouldn't take it personally, which really unsettled me. My previous jobs had toxic environments, and I didn't want to step back into that. The offered salary was €630 a month for full-time work, which felt incredibly low, especially given the demanding responsibilities they outlined. I felt sad about rejecting the offer, especially since I didn't want to disappoint my mom by telling her the truth. I've been living off my savings, and while I know I need to keep looking, I just couldn't accept a position that made me uncomfortable.

I recently had my first job interview at a fast food restaurant where I applied about a month ago. As a recent high school graduate who just turned 18, I was both excited and nervous since I’ve never had a job before. The application process was straightforward; I scheduled an interview right after applying, and I kept receiving reminder emails and texts. On the day of the interview, I dressed up nicely and brought a folder with my resume, a letter of recommendation, and my work permit. When I arrived, the place was quite empty, and there was a sign advertising a starting pay of $20/hour. I informed the staff that I had a scheduled interview, and they offered me water while I waited. After about 10 minutes, the manager came over, apologized for forgetting about me, and began the interview. While he was friendly and humorous, I found his approach somewhat unprofessional. He asked about my resume, which highlighted my volunteer work since I didn’t have any previous job experience. He seemed impressed with my letter of recommendation. However, many of his questions veered off-topic, focusing on personal matters like our schools and my college aspirations. He even inquired about my ethnicity and religion, which felt a bit inappropriate, but he was respectful throughout. Towards the end, he mentioned that he would keep my documents and told me to come back before Halloween, implying that I might not need another interview. He did mention that they had recently hired two people but hinted at potential future openings. I’m left feeling confused about whether this is a good sign or not. I plan to return as he suggested, but I’m unsure if I should expect to hear back or if he was just being polite. Any thoughts on my experience would be appreciated!

I graduated in 2021 with a BA in Game Design and Development and Computer Science. I landed a job as a UX designer at TATA Consultancy Services and worked there for three years until I was laid off in December 2024. Since then, it's been a tough journey. My wife and I moved into her parents' house after I struggled to find work throughout 2025, and my unemployment benefits eventually ran out. At the end of 2025, I attended an AI summit where I met a startup founder who has been giving me some part-time work this year, which I'm grateful for, but it's only about 10 hours a week. I also did some AI training for a friend's startup, but they were acquired last month, and while our contracts transferred, there hasn't been any work since. I picked up a weekend job at an arcade in June 2025, but at just 12 hours a week at $16.50 an hour, it barely helps with expenses. Despite these challenges, my wife and I managed to save up and relocate to Dallas in hopes of starting fresh. I'm still juggling my contracts, but I'm also considering doordashing since I can't even land a retail job. I've applied to countless positions, probably thousands at this point, and the most I've gotten is one round of interviews with HR or recruiters that lead nowhere. I know I've had some luck compared to others who have faced complete radio silence, but the job market feels impossible. The requirements keep changing; when I graduated, jobs asked for 1-3 years of experience, and now that I have 3-5 years, most listings ask for 5+ years. I'm reaching out for any advice or suggestions. I want to do whatever it takes to keep our apartment. Also, if anyone has feedback on my portfolio, I'd appreciate it: https://wvars123.myporfolio.com.

I recently received a job offer from the owner of a new restaurant that is set to open next month. I've been searching for a serving position for quite some time, and it has been challenging to break into the industry without extensive experience. I found the job posting in a Facebook group and reached out to the owner, sharing my relevant work experience and contact information. After a brief phone interview, I was thrilled to receive the job offer. However, the restaurant won't open until October, and the owner mentioned he would contact me for in-person training before then. I shared the news with my mom, who advised me not to get too excited, suggesting that jobs requiring a waiting period often don't materialize. This made me a bit anxious, as I want to be hopeful but also realistic. I did my due diligence on the restaurant to ensure it’s a legitimate opportunity, but I’m still grappling with whether I should keep my expectations in check or if I can trust that the owner will follow through.

I'm currently navigating my unemployment benefits in New York. Normally, I receive my payments on Mondays because my bank offers early pay. However, with the holiday today, I'm unsure if I will still get my payment tomorrow or if it will be delayed until Wednesday since the processing might not have occurred yet. I'm hoping for some clarity on this situation.

I recently found myself in a bit of a dilemma regarding my job search. Earlier this year, I applied for a position at a large manufacturing and distribution company. After an initial phone screening with a recruiter, I was scheduled for a final in-person interview. However, before that interview could take place, I received another job offer that was much closer to home. I promptly informed the recruiter via email that I needed to withdraw from the interview due to accepting the other position, and I made sure to communicate this in a professional manner without no-showing. Fast forward to now, and I'm interested in a different position that has opened up at the same company. I’ve already submitted my application and I'm ready to start immediately. Lately, my job search has been quite discouraging; I've applied to numerous positions, including retail and entry-level roles, but have faced a lot of rejections or no responses at all. Given my urgent need for steady work, I'm contemplating whether I should take a more proactive approach. I still have the email address of the recruiter who initially interviewed me, and I'm considering reaching out to her. My plan is to let her know that I've applied for another position and to inquire if I could be considered for an interview. However, I'm concerned that my previous withdrawal might negatively impact my chances. I'm seeking advice on whether it's appropriate to contact the recruiter directly or if I should simply wait and follow the standard application process.

I got fired last week after 7 months at my job, and it's been a tough adjustment. The role I was in didn't match the job description, but they hired me because of my 8 years of experience at a lower level. Looking back, I realize I could have been more proactive in seeking additional responsibilities, but I also felt like I received very little guidance or instruction on what was expected of me. It's a strange feeling; I really dislike the 8 to 5 grind, yet here I am feeling like a loser while everyone else heads off to work. My savings aren't substantial, so I can't really afford to take a break. I'm hoping to find something soon—I filled out 8 applications on the day I was let go, and I've already had 2 recruiters reach out with leads from 9 different employers. If things don’t pan out, I might have to consider going back to my old job. Here's to hoping for a better opportunity in the next few weeks.