Thinking

I recently started my first job as a waitress at a local pub, and I'm really struggling with whether I should quit. I've been there for a few weeks, and while I was initially excited about earning my own money, I've been dealing with intense anxiety about going in. Before my shifts, I often feel physically sick and lose my appetite, which ruins my day. Interestingly, once I'm actually at work, I usually manage to be okay and have even started to enjoy some parts of the job, like serving customers and receiving tips. However, my confidence is quite low, and I take criticism very personally. I feel like I haven't been trained well, with expectations to know procedures I haven't practiced. I've faced criticism for mistakes, including a serious incident involving a customer's food allergy that has shaken my confidence even more. My parents are supportive and think I should quit, especially since I'm starting college this week and already have a lot of stress. I don't urgently need the money, but I enjoyed the feeling of earning it. I’m torn because I don’t hate waitressing itself; I think a lot of my anxiety stems from my mindset rather than the job. I’m at a crossroads with a shift tomorrow, and I’m contemplating whether to go in and then quit or just resign today. I don’t want to develop a habit of running away from anxiety, but I also recognize that this job shouldn’t be causing me this much dread. I’m really trying to weigh my options and figure out what’s best for my wellbeing.

I recently left my job at a tech company where I experienced a toxic work environment, characterized by managers screaming during meetings and constant gaslighting. After I left, I felt compelled to share my experience on Glassdoor, detailing the high turnover and the way leadership treated employees. I made sure to keep it factual and didn’t mention any specific names. However, I was shocked to receive a formal email from their legal department demanding I take down my review within 24 hours, claiming defamation and threatening to blacklist me from the industry if I didn’t comply. This has left me feeling anxious, even though I know my review is truthful. I’m in an at-will state, so I’m unsure of my rights here. I just want to move on with my new job without this drama following me. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? I thought Glassdoor reviews were supposed to be anonymous, but I guess they figured out it was me based on the timing and details I provided. I really don’t want to take my review down, but I also can’t afford legal fees to fight back against what feels like a petty threat.

I’ve been working as a barista for almost two years while trying to get back into the tech industry, and at first, I felt embarrassed about it. Transitioning from a role in infrastructure to making coffee felt like a step down, and I was hesitant to bring it up in interviews. However, I’ve recently started to embrace this experience during my interviews, and the feedback has been surprisingly positive. I’ve found that discussing my ability to manage a busy coffee shop, triage orders, and stay calm under pressure—especially when the espresso machine malfunctions during a rush—has resonated with interviewers. It’s not a direct correlation to tech skills, but it showcases my problem-solving abilities and adaptability in high-stress situations. This experience has also helped me talk about handling pressure without sounding rehearsed or defensive, which can happen after going through two layoffs. The barista role provided me with a recent, tangible experience to draw from that feels authentic and relatable. I’m curious if others have had similar experiences with bridge jobs that unexpectedly helped them in interviews, not financially, but in how they presented their skills and experiences.

I just signed a contract with a temp agency for a new job in Oregon, which starts immediately. The pay is good, and I really need this work since I've been unemployed since January. However, my wife is pregnant and due in less than three months, and I'm feeling torn about how to handle this situation. I didn't mention anything about my wife's pregnancy during the interview because I read that it's usually best to keep that information private until hired. Now that I've signed the paperwork, I'm wondering if I should inform my agency recruiter right away or wait until I've proven myself at the job. I want to be there for my wife and support her when the baby arrives, but I'm also aware that as a temp worker, I might not qualify for FMLA or any parental leave. I'm concerned about how to communicate this without jeopardizing my new position. I'm looking for advice from anyone who has been in a similar situation or from HR professionals on the best way to approach this.

It’s been a little over a week since I was laid off from my sales position at a tech company. I had a feeling something was off when our new CSO came in and started throwing around terms like 'hunters and farmers.' It felt like every sales manager had attended the same conference and got brainwashed by this jargon. My previous director, who was also on the chopping block, kindly gave me a heads-up two months in advance to start looking for new opportunities. I prepared my resume and started scanning LinkedIn, but I hesitated to apply anywhere, hoping I wouldn’t be affected. My market was performing well, but unfortunately, I was one of 50 sales team members laid off, including several area managers with over a decade of experience. I know some of them had better work ethics and market performance than I did. When I learned about my layoff, my attitude shifted completely. I stopped pushing myself at work, started going to the gym at 10 AM, and made sure to leave the office right at 5 PM. I might sound lazy, but I realized there was nothing I could do to change the situation. On the bright side, I received a severance package that I wasn’t expecting. Years ago, my spouse and I read a book called 'How To Quit Like A Millionaire,' which emphasized the importance of having 'F You money'—enough savings to give you the freedom to leave a job you dislike without financial stress. This mindset has been a game-changer for us. Over the past year, I only had to dip into those savings for two months, and we didn’t feel a significant impact on our lifestyle. We even traveled to Japan, Hawaii, and New York between jobs. After my layoff, the first thing I did was book a flight. I just returned from Korea, where I spent time job hunting and enjoying delicious food. I recognize my privilege in this situation, but it’s important to note that my background is far from privileged. It took discipline and teamwork with my spouse to save money and avoid being tied down by jobs we hated. We chose to build our future together and let time work in our favor. We’re all in this community because someone else prioritized their profit over our well-being, but I believe we can weather these tough times, emerge stronger, and refuse to play into their scarcity mindset.

I just got kicked out of my home after standing up to my abusive parents, and now I'm trying to figure out my next steps. I'm 18 years old and have been couch surfing with friends across the state, but I'm running out of places to stay and money for food. I need to find an entry-level job that can help me start saving up. I've worked part-time in retail before, but I don't have a car for transportation, which makes it tough to land a decent job. I've looked into online positions, but they usually require a degree or more experience than I have. I don't even have a laptop to make remote work easier, so I'm considering telemarketing positions instead. I'm hoping to find some advice or hear from anyone who has been in a similar situation. Any suggestions on jobs or strategies that could help me get back on my feet?

I've been reflecting on my recent unemployment and how it has affected my relationships. Being laid off here in the UAE has opened my eyes to how some people I considered friends have treated me differently. It's disheartening to see that their perception of me has changed just because I'm currently without a job. I want to remind them that I'm still the same person, just navigating a tough phase in life. It seems like some folks equate unemployment with being less valuable or capable, which is frustrating. I guess this experience has shown me who my true friends are.

I recently cleared the final interview round for an embedded marketing role with a major client, but I would technically be employed by an agency. During the initial recruiter call, I mentioned my current salary of ₹1.15M/year, and they stated their maximum budget for the role was ₹1.2M/year, which they described as a hard cap. I later requested ₹1.5M, but they reiterated the ₹1.2M limit. After a six-week interview process, HR informed me that I’m likely their preferred candidate. Now, I’m contemplating whether to negotiate for a higher salary before accepting an offer, despite the hard cap they set. I’m torn between accepting the ₹1.2M, trying to negotiate again, or waiting for a written offer to discuss it then. I don’t want to jeopardize this opportunity, but I also don’t want to miss out on potential leverage.

I’ve been feeling really lost when it comes to my career. I’m 43 years old and still don’t know what I want to do with my life. Growing up in a poor family, I never had the opportunity to go to college, and my family’s medical issues drained any financial resources we had. I’ve always envied those who seemed to have it all figured out at a young age. For the past decade, I worked in small parts manufacturing, specifically making brain scanning equipment, which I loved because it allowed me to work quietly while listening to audiobooks. Unfortunately, that job ended when the company folded due to COVID-19. Since then, I’ve been stuck in customer service roles that have been draining and frustrating, especially answering phones all day. I’ve been laid off twice since then, and with Oregon having the third-highest unemployment rate, it’s been tough to find stable work. Commuting from my small town adds to my struggles, especially with rising gas prices. On top of that, I have arthritis, which makes standing for long periods really painful. I just feel stuck and uncertain about my future, and I’m not sure where to go from here.

I got laid off from my job about a month ago, and the stress has been overwhelming. This morning, I had two interviews lined up, but I made the mistake of taking a 10mg edible the night before. I woke up still feeling high and ended up canceling one interview. I decided to go through with the other two, but I was so out of it that I completely embarrassed myself during both. I could barely focus and stumbled over my words. It was a tough day, and I’m feeling even more anxious about my job search now.

I'm currently working a full-time hybrid job, but I'm actively searching for new opportunities and even considering weekend nanny jobs to boost my income. As I browse various job boards and nanny forums, I keep seeing posts from people who have full-time work-from-home (WFH) positions, and it's left me curious. I thought most companies had shifted back to hybrid models or required employees to return to the office. It's been a while since I came across a fully remote job listing, so I'm wondering what types of jobs or companies are still offering these options and where to find them, especially in the US. Some comments I've seen suggest that startups without physical offices and certain sectors like medtech are still heavily remote. I've also heard about remote roles in health insurance agencies, particularly with Medicaid programs, which allow for work from anywhere in the state. I personally was fully remote during COVID, but after returning to the office, we transitioned to a hybrid model, and then they started pulling back on WFH days, which was disappointing. Now, I'm back to two days of WFH a week, but I can't think of any tasks that require me to be in the office. It seems like remote jobs might become more common again. I've found some remote roles on LinkedIn and Indeed, but I'm still holding onto my current position from when remote jobs were more abundant.

I recently made the tough decision to leave my retail job after just 3 months. I had been let go from a previous position close to home due to surgery complications and not qualifying for FMLA, but I managed to find another retail job with a slight pay increase. With over 11 years of retail experience, mostly from one company, I thought I could make it work. However, the management at my current job was really poor, and it started to negatively impact my mental and physical health. Now, I'm in the process of applying for new roles, but I'm unsure whether to include this short stint on my resume. I've decided to leave it off for now, as I feel like it might raise red flags. I'm applying to various positions, including those that offer training, but so far, I've faced a lot of rejections, even from hotels. I just want to find a job that I won't dread going to and that's relatively close to home.

I had an interview for a position that I was really excited about. On August 17, I completed my interview with the hiring manager, who seemed eager to move forward quickly. By August 25, I received a call from HR confirming that my profile was selected for an offer and that I would receive it by the end of the following week. I felt optimistic! However, as September 2 approached, I decided to send a polite follow-up since I hadn't heard anything. Unfortunately, I received no reply. Then, on September 3, the deadline they had given me passed, and there was still complete silence from their side. I had previously communicated my higher salary expectations during the HR screenings, so I’m left wondering if this delay and lack of communication mean that the offer is off the table. I’m starting to think I should assume it’s over and continue my job search.

I'm currently 24 years old and struggling to find my footing in the job market. I've worked several part-time jobs in retail and food service, but every time I seem to hit a wall. My latest job is at a pizza place, and I'm already considering quitting because I can't seem to grasp the basics. I often feel overwhelmed and anxious, which makes it hard for me to learn and remember tasks. My coworkers have expressed frustration with my pace, and I end up feeling embarrassed and like a burden. It's frustrating because I perform well academically and even made the honor society, so I know I'm capable, but the workplace environment just throws me off. I really want to stick with a job long enough to gain experience and build a solid resume, but the anxiety makes it difficult. Has anyone else faced similar challenges, especially with anxiety? What helped you find a job that you could succeed in?

I recently got laid off from my job, and surprisingly, I feel a sense of relief. For weeks leading up to it, I was in a constant state of anxiety, sensing that something was off. My workload had changed dramatically; I went from handling substantial projects to being assigned tasks with hardly any work involved. I reached out to my manager to express that I had the capacity for more work, but despite my efforts, a promised meeting to discuss my assignments never materialized. There were also some odd signs that raised my suspicions, like inquiries about my leave balance and an unexplained access issue with a tool I used. Although these might have been unrelated, I couldn't help but connect the dots. Eventually, I received a meeting invite that left me uneasy. When I asked my manager about it, I got a vague response suggesting I just needed to be available. That meeting turned out to be the layoff announcement. I can't help but wonder if others have experienced a similar feeling of foreboding before their layoffs.

I was laid off from my job in agriculture this morning after two years of service. The company decided to cut costs, even though I had the least pay, worked the fewest hours, and had the most experience. I was the go-to person in the office, so it felt personal. Now, I'm grappling with a tough decision. I have information about some unethical and illegal practices at the company, particularly regarding animal treatment. While these practices aren't causing direct harm to anyone, they do break the law. I just signed a lease two days ago, and I know the owners were aware of that. There are only five people in the office, including my barn manager and the two owners, so it's a small team, and they all knew me well. Should I report these practices to the authorities, or should I just move on and let it go? I’m torn between feeling a sense of responsibility to speak up and the potential consequences for my former coworkers who just lost their jobs.

I am currently considering asking for my old job back as a barista at a local cafe after having left earlier this year. I had to quit to help my father move out of state after he retired and then got injured, which required me to spend more time with him than I initially anticipated. The situation at work was tough, as we were severely understaffed, leading to burnout for me and my coworkers. I left in good standing, and since returning from my family obligations, I've noticed that the cafe has continued to struggle. I've been job searching, but I feel that the pros of going back to my old job outweigh the cons. I received an email last week indicating that they are hiring for shift leads, which I believe I could qualify for since I wouldn't need training. I'm unsure how to approach them about getting my job back. I’ve considered just walking in and speaking with the manager directly, as I think they might appreciate my return given their staffing issues. I’m also contemplating reaching out to former coworkers to gauge the situation further. Any advice on how to word my request or approach them would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been feeling really stuck in my job search lately. I suspect I might be on the autism spectrum, which adds to my social anxiety. I’m physically small, so many jobs, like those in warehouses, are out of reach for me. I really want to work, but I struggle with back-and-forth conversations and customer interactions, which rules out fast food and retail positions for me. What I really enjoy is sorting things and creating systems—like quality control or assembly line tasks where I can focus on repetitive actions. I also have this idea of solving small problems that people face daily, like fixing tripping hazards or updating broken links on websites. But I’m not sure if those kinds of jobs even exist or if anyone would hire someone for that. I’ve looked for warehouse jobs, but most require lifting more than I can handle, and stocking positions seem to involve customer interaction, which I know I won’t manage well. I just want to find a role where I can sort and organize without the pressure of customer service or heavy lifting.

I just started a new job at a small company two days ago, and I'm already feeling like I want to quit. I've noticed several red flags that have me concerned. For starters, my personal phone number and email have been shared with clients and other providers, which feels really unprofessional. Additionally, my job title has been downgraded from what was originally agreed upon in my contract, and there was a lack of transparency regarding work-from-home arrangements. I was initially told I could work from home two days a week, but it turns out that's only possible after passing probation. I accepted this position because it offered a significant pay increase and didn't require me to bill hours, but now I'm questioning whether I made the right choice. I think I rushed into this job out of desperation to leave my previous firm, and I'm starting to regret it. I'm contemplating leaving after such a short time, and I'm curious if anyone else has done the same. I feel confident that I could find another role fairly quickly due to my experience, but I'm also considering taking a couple of months off before jumping back into the job market.

I got fired last week on a random Monday, and honestly, I'm still processing it. There was no warning, no performance improvement plan—just a sudden meeting where they told me I was done. I was the second most senior person on a small team, which makes it even more baffling. This isn't my first time facing job loss; I was also laid off at my previous job, so this is round two for me in under two years. It feels like a pattern, and not a good one. The timing really threw me off. I had no heads up, no chance to mentally prepare; it was like they did it on a regular Monday as if it were routine for them. I have about 1.5 years of experience, primarily working with TypeScript, NestJS, AWS, PostgreSQL, and Redis, along with some experience in Go, Python, Kafka, and GCP. I've also been building RAG/AI projects on the side. I graduated with a BTech in 2025. I’m not looking for pity, but I needed to vent. If anyone has leads on backend openings or has gone through something similar, I’d love to connect. I'm open to any location and would consider both funded startups and larger, stable companies at this point. Thanks for reading.