Thinking

I've been actively applying for jobs for about a month now, and I've noticed a significant decline in communication from companies. A year ago, while frustrating, I at least received some updates on my applications. Recently, however, I've had a few interviews where the companies just went silent, even after promising to inform me by a specific date. For example, I interviewed at a sports shop on a Thursday and was told I would hear back by Saturday. Instead, it took them two weeks to reach out, which felt incredibly unprofessional, especially for a well-known chain store. It's disheartening to see such a lack of common decency in the hiring process. Jobs aren't just names on a schedule; they're vital for people who need to support themselves. This level of communication—or lack thereof—feels humiliating. I can only imagine how poor the communication must be once they actually hire someone.

I recently discovered that my old position as a mid-level manager at my previous company has been reposted at half of my former salary. I wasn't surprised by this turn of events; I had a feeling it would happen eventually, and honestly, it took longer than I expected. It's been just under two months since my role was eliminated along with several others in a similar capacity. Seeing my LinkedIn flooded with former colleagues sharing the job listing was tough. I felt a wave of frustration and ended up disconnecting from many of them, even those I considered friends. I guess this is the new normal now.

I’m feeling really overwhelmed right now. Many of my friends are struggling to find jobs, and despite their constant applications, they’re not getting any responses—not even the usual rejection emails. It’s disheartening to hear the media claim that unemployment isn’t a big issue anymore. Just last week, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the K-shaped economy is over, suggesting that lower-wage workers are finally catching up. But that doesn’t match what I see around me. I’ve been following the layoffs data, and it’s alarming. In 2023, there were over 265,660 layoffs, while this year, 2026, we’ve seen only 126,305 so far. Yet, I know more people who are unemployed now than before. I understand that this is anecdotal, but it’s hard to ignore. I still have a job, but I can’t shake off the anxiety about the future. My company has been treating us poorly, pushing to implement AI tools for monitoring our work. They want us to use these tools, but they’re so flawed that they often provide incorrect information, which just complicates my tasks. It’s frustrating, and I can’t help but wonder what’s really going on. It feels like I’m one of the few who sees this reality.

I feel like I'm being ghosted after my reference check for a position I've been pursuing for two months now. The process included a panel interview, a technical interview, and I submitted my references last week. All my references are from people I trust, and the HR liaison confirmed they received them last Thursday. Up until now, I've received positive feedback from the recruiter, and I thought I was nearing the end with just one more interview with the reporting manager and a final reference check with my current manager. However, since last Thursday, I haven't heard anything. I'm starting to feel frustrated and have even considered withdrawing my application to look for something else entirely. How long does it really take to review five reference questionnaires?

I recently accepted a job offer with a local organization that works with kids, and I was really excited about it because the pay and scheduling seemed perfect. However, I'm already feeling overwhelmed even before my start date. The owner, whom I’ll refer to as Jean, has been very unprofessional and disorganized in her communication, which has left me feeling confused and anxious. Jean only communicates through text, often late at night, which I find inappropriate. I haven’t seen her in person since my initial interview, and during that interview, she interrupted and made a comment that felt disrespectful. The biggest issue is that she is trying to schedule me for shifts without confirming my background check or even discussing my availability properly. I specifically mentioned that I cannot work on Sundays due to church commitments, and I was told that weekends are mandatory, which was never mentioned in the job ad or during the interviews. Now, I'm being asked to cover late shifts on Fridays and Saturdays to compensate for my unavailability on Sundays, which feels unreasonable. I’ve already filled out the necessary documentation and signed everything, but the constant back-and-forth about scheduling is making me reconsider if this job is the right fit for me. I have another interview lined up tomorrow, and while I want to give this job a fair chance, the lack of clear communication and the stress it's causing is making me question whether I should even start. I’m feeling torn about how to approach this situation, especially since I don’t want to quit before I even begin.

I recently took a break from my role as a software engineer at a fintech company due to severe stress and burnout. My GP advised me to step back for my mental health, so I traveled and reflected on my career. I realized that my true interests lie in business and analytics rather than software engineering. I have experience as a business analyst and junior project manager, which I enjoyed much more than my SWE role. My background includes a BSc in Business and IT, a postgraduate in Data Analytics, and CFA Level I. During my time as an SWE, I faced a lot of pressure from a difficult project manager, which contributed to my burnout. I had hoped to transition into a business-facing role after my graduate program, but internal promises were never fulfilled, and I felt stuck. Now, I'm looking to pivot back into a role that aligns with my interests, but I'm concerned about the 9-month gap on my CV and how to position my SWE experience for business-facing roles. I'm seeking advice from others who have made similar transitions. How did you frame your SWE experience? What roles should I consider, and how do I explain my career break without it being viewed negatively?

I've been deep in the job search lately, and honestly, it's been more draining than I anticipated. At first, I was excited—applying to multiple positions, revamping my resume, and prepping for interviews. I kept telling myself that something would eventually click. But then the rejections started rolling in, and eventually, they just stopped coming altogether. I found myself staring at my inbox, refreshing my email and LinkedIn, hoping for a response—any response. It felt like I was shouting into a void. That waiting period has been tougher than facing rejection itself. I often catch myself questioning my abilities and whether I'm doing something wrong. What keeps me going is remembering why I started this journey in the first place and making a conscious decision to not give up. If anyone else is navigating this tough phase, I wish you all the best. Let's keep pushing forward until we find the right opportunity.

I have an upcoming interview for a remote Scheduler position at Baptist Health South Florida. I'm looking for insights from anyone who has experience with the company or in a similar role. I'm particularly curious about the overall difficulty of the job, as I have autism and sometimes struggle with anxiety. Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated!

I recently went through a layoff and wanted to share my experience regarding negotiating severance. I learned that it’s crucial to ask for more than what’s initially offered. When I received my severance package, I decided to negotiate. I figured that at that point, there was really nothing more they could do to me. The worst they could say was no, and I was pretty confident they wouldn’t retract the original offer. In my experience, they rarely do that because it opens them up to potential legal issues. I’ve successfully negotiated a better severance about half the time I’ve tried it in the past. So, if you find yourself in a similar situation, don’t hesitate to ask for more. The worst outcome is just accepting the original offer.

I have been feeling really anxious about my job search due to my past reputation. I made some regrettable mistakes at a previous job that led to write-ups and ultimately my termination. I struggled with anger issues and had some serious temper tantrums that affected my relationships with colleagues. Although I am currently employed, I know I need to work on myself, but therapy isn't an option for me financially right now. I've been focusing on self-reflection and journaling to help me unlearn those bad behaviors and patterns. I realize I've hurt a lot of people, and some may never forgive me, which is something I struggle to forgive myself for as well. Recently, I received a call for an in-person interview at Costco, a place I've been trying to get into for over 10 years. I've had two previous interviews there but didn't get the jobs. This unexpected call has given me a glimmer of hope, and I see it as a chance for a fresh start. If it doesn't work out, at least I know I did my best.

I'm currently in the interview process for a position at Doxim. The role offers a base salary of $110k with an on-target earnings (OTE) of $250k, and it requires about 25% travel, although I can work remotely when I'm not traveling. I've been with my current company for 10 years and really love the culture and the no-travel aspect, so I'm feeling a bit skeptical about making a change. I'm curious if anyone has experience working at Doxim or knows someone who has.

I recently received an offer for a new role after working with a third-party recruiter for some time. The recruiter has been quite difficult and abrasive throughout the process, making me feel bullied. I got the offer letter, and while I’m excited about the salary bump, I noticed that the benefits are significantly worse than what I currently have. I decided to ask the hiring company if they could provide a sign-on bonus to compensate for the benefits I would be giving up. However, the recruiter reacted negatively, saying I should have brought this up earlier. The thing is, I couldn't have known I wanted it until I saw the full offer package. Now I'm questioning if I did something wrong by trying to negotiate after receiving the offer. I feel like I’m within my rights to discuss my needs, especially since the recruiter seems more focused on their commission than my well-being. Overall, I’m still planning to accept the job because it’s a good fit for me, but I’m frustrated with the recruiter's attitude.

I've been on the job hunt since February while still working at a POS firm that has turned out to be quite toxic. My boss is hardly ever around, and I've never received the health insurance stipend that was promised to me as part of my offer. I've approached my boss multiple times about this issue, but nothing has changed. When asked in interviews why I'm looking to leave, I mention the stipend and emphasize that I've given the company almost a year to fulfill their promise. I try to maintain a calm and professional tone, but I'm starting to feel really frustrated and depressed about the whole situation. I do have an interview coming up in two days, and while I've already mentioned my reasons for leaving during the phone interview, I'm wondering if I should rephrase my explanation or stick to the honest truth. Any advice or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

I had an interview last Friday for a position that I felt went really well. The interviewer even asked for my credentials and information to put me in their system, which seemed like a positive sign. However, since that day, I haven't heard anything back from her. I'm considering sending a follow-up email to check in, especially since I have two more interviews lined up, but I don't feel as confident about those opportunities. I want to express my continued interest in this role without putting all my eggs in one basket.

After 42 years in various roles, I’ve finally retired, reflecting on my professional journey. I started my career with an undergraduate degree and have had a mix of experiences across 11 companies. I often find it hard to pinpoint when I was fired versus when I left voluntarily, but I only claimed government compensation once. Here's a summary of my career: 1. **Small Manufacturer** - I quit for another opportunity; they went out of business two years later. 2. **Manufacturing Start-up** - I was fired after three months; they also went out of business shortly after. 3. **Self-Employed** - Ran my own company for 12 years with a few wealthy clients; I eventually quit. 4. **Client's Company** - Hired by a client, I quit due to their lack of business acumen; they folded within a year. 5. **Contract Associate** - Worked for four years until the company fired all contractors, leading to chaos for their clients. 6. **Communications Conglomerate** - I was fired after two months for refusing to push unnecessary products; they’ve since changed their business model. 7. **Manufacturing Firm** - Fired after three months; they went out of business a year later. 8. **Large U.S. Manufacturer** - I quit after three months due to excessive hours and overseas shifts; they’ve since moved most operations abroad. 9. **Ultra-High-Tech Manufacturer** - I quit after two and a half years for a better-paying job; the company is still thriving after a change in ownership. 10. **Fossil Fuel Power Plant Services** - I quit after a merger changed the company dynamics; they continue to dominate the market. 11. **Government Job** - Worked for ten years until a threatening incident led me to quit; the organization has expanded since. Now, I enjoy retirement, where every day feels like Saturday. I’m in good health and prioritize my time over money. Although I could return as a consultant, I find that the value of my remaining time is far more important.

I received a message from a part-time restaurant job I applied for, asking about my availability. They haven't scheduled an interview yet, which makes me wonder if this is a positive sign or just a standard procedure. I'm relocating from a small town to a city in the UK, so I'm not quite sure how the job market works here. I hope this means they are considering my application, but I also understand it could just be a routine step in their hiring process.

I’m 18 years old and currently looking for a job, but I’m feeling pretty discouraged. I didn’t graduate high school and I have no work experience, which makes my resume look really bare. So far, I’ve applied to about 9 places, but I feel like my chances of getting hired are really low. I’ve been thinking about how to improve my situation. Some suggestions I’ve received are to get my GED or consider going into a trade. I realize that 9 applications is a small number, and I need to treat my job search more seriously. I plan to create a one-page resume that highlights my reliability, availability, and any basic skills I have, like computer skills or volunteer work. I’ve also been advised to apply for jobs that others might overlook, like trash collection, which could pay better than minimum wage. I’m determined to keep pushing forward and expand my applications.

I still remember the day I got fired from my first job like it was yesterday. I had moved over 500km from my hometown to take this position, and when I lost it, I was devastated. I spent an hour crying because I had worked so hard and didn't want to go back home without any income. It felt like the end of the world at that moment. However, looking back, getting fired turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to me. Instead of jumping back into the job market, I decided to spend a whole year studying for government exams. I dedicated myself to my studies, and after a lot of hard work, I passed the exams! Soon, I'll have a stable job in my field, which I studied in college. But I’m not stopping there. Since it will be at least five months before I start my new job, I’ve begun preparing for a promotion. Achieving this would mean a salary that surpasses 90% of the population while working just seven hours a day and having three days of remote work. This experience taught me that sometimes life’s setbacks can lead to opportunities we never expected. If I hadn’t been fired, I wouldn’t have had the chance to focus on my studies so intensely. It’s a reminder that time is often needed to see the silver lining in difficult situations.

I had an interview on Thursday, the 30th, and was told I would hear back by the following Tuesday. When I didn't receive any response, I decided to follow up with an email the next Thursday, but still got no reply. Feeling a bit anxious, I called the recruiter and found out that a manager was on vacation. The HR person seemed surprised to hear from me, which made me think they might not have received my email. Now I'm questioning whether my follow-up was too pushy or if I crossed any boundaries.

I've been feeling really trapped in my current job for almost a year now. Every morning is a struggle just to get out of bed, and at night, I find it hard to sleep because of the stress. I've applied to numerous positions and have had several interviews, but each time, it seems to come down to me and one other candidate, and unfortunately, they always get the offer. Recently, I got an interview for a role that feels like a perfect fit for me. I have the right skills, I would genuinely enjoy the work, and the benefits are great. I'm doing my homework on the company and preparing answers for common interview questions, but I can't shake off the anxiety about the outcome. If I don't get this job, I fear it might push me over the edge, especially since I would have to continue in my current situation. I'm looking for advice on how to stand out in this upcoming interview and increase my chances of finally landing a job offer. Any tips on coping with my current job stress would also be greatly appreciated.