Thinking

Today, I took a step to negotiate my severance package after my position as an Internal Auditor was eliminated. I joined the company as an intern and transitioned to a full-time role in August 2025. Unfortunately, my layoff was due to my position being cut, not because of any performance issues. I was offered 4 weeks of severance at my regular pay, along with some benefits outlined in the separation agreement. Given my recent home purchase and relocation, the timing of this layoff is particularly challenging for me. I had not expected to be looking for a new job so soon in my career. I'm considering asking HR if they would be willing to increase my severance from 4 weeks to 6 or even 8 weeks. Additionally, I had personally paid $310 for the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) certification registration and had been preparing for Part 1. Since my employment is ending before I can take the exam, I'm thinking about requesting reimbursement for that fee as part of my separation package. I drafted a professional email to HR, where I plan to express my appreciation for the time I spent at the company and simply ask if they would reconsider my severance package to include the increase and the CIA reimbursement. I’m feeling a bit uncertain about whether asking for 6 weeks is reasonable or if I should just accept the 4 weeks. I’m also curious if it’s common to negotiate severance packages in situations like mine. I’ve read mixed opinions on the matter, and I hope to gain some insight from others who have been through similar experiences.

I recently accepted a new job after being laid off, but I'm finding the fast pace overwhelming. With 7 years of experience as a developer, I was eager to leave my previous role, which was filled with rude staff and high pressure. I turned down higher-paying offers because I wanted to avoid that kind of stress and thought I found a more relaxed position. However, it turns out that my current team has incredibly high expectations for delivery, and I'm not prepared for that kind of pace. I'm now considering interviewing again since there aren't any options to switch teams in this small setup. I'm struggling with how to determine if a company is genuinely chill before and during the interview process. Also, I'm unsure if I can communicate my concerns about the pace to my manager. Honestly, I'm so exhausted that I'm contemplating quitting tech altogether and possibly taking a break to work part-time in retail. Has anyone else faced a similar situation? On top of this, I'm worried about the security of my current role, as the future of the entire team seems uncertain, relying on nothing but hopes and AI.

I've been actively searching for a new role as an AI engineer, and I've noticed that the job market is quite challenging right now. One of the biggest bottlenecks I face is the overwhelming number of application forms. It feels like I'm constantly submitting applications into a 'black hole' with little to no feedback. The burnout from managing the volume of tasks is real, and it often feels like I'm juggling too many things at once. I find myself frustrated with the need to tailor my resume for each position and keeping track of all my submissions. The mental load of organizing everything is exhausting. I'm trying to refine my approach to make this process more manageable.

I recently received a job offer for an individual contributor consultant role at a reputable firm, which comes with a significant pay raise and is a step up from my current position. However, I'm struggling with feelings of imposter syndrome as the higher salary and level weigh heavily on my mind. My journey hasn't been easy; my first role in management consulting ended poorly after a year, culminating in a performance improvement plan (PIP) that I fully deserved. I was not performing well due to a combination of factors, including untreated ADHD and personal issues that contributed to my struggles as a consultant. For the past 1.5 years, I've been working in a much lower-stress industry role, where I've focused on upskilling and improving myself. I've earned multiple certifications and have become more technical, achieving tangible results that I take pride in. Despite these improvements, I'm now facing anxiety about whether I'm truly capable of succeeding in this new role. I'm worried that I might constantly reflect on my past experience and the PIP I received, which makes me question my readiness for this opportunity.

I recently came across a company called HighFiveTasks.com and felt compelled to share my experience and concerns. They are promoting a work-from-home opportunity that raises several red flags, which I believe indicate it could be a scam. Initially, they provided some equipment for free, but now they require you to pay for it upfront, with costs increasing from $9.99 to $24.99. Additionally, they charge a "platform access fee" to access any work, which is another warning sign. I received messages from a bot using my area code, which felt manipulative. The onboarding process is run by a single individual who conducts large group Zoom calls, and you only get paid if you earn at least $100 in a pay period—common practice among scams to keep you invested. Their website lacks transparency, with minimal contact information and no significant online presence. The testimonials I found were mostly from affiliates promoting the service. The work involves filming household tasks for AI training, which sounds appealing but is often a tactic used by illegitimate companies. I signed up for the onboarding session out of curiosity but chose not to attend. Despite notifying the bot that I wouldn’t be there, I received an email afterward demanding the platform access fee and headset purchase, contradicting their earlier warnings about missing the session. I discovered that I could easily sign up again for another onboarding session without any issues, which further confirmed my suspicions. Others have reported not receiving payouts after completing their required work, and inquiries about the company's legitimacy were met with dismissal. I wanted to raise awareness about this company as it seems to be gaining traction online, and I hope sharing my experience helps others avoid potential scams.

I was selected by Kaar Tech back in July/August 2025 as part of the 2026 batch, along with over 300 other students from various colleges. However, we are still waiting to be onboarded, and it feels like a nightmare. They came to our campuses to recruit top-tier students with high academic standards, but now it seems like they don't care about us at all. The offer letter was vague about the internship duration, and now it looks like it could stretch to 10-12 months instead of the 6 months that was initially stated in the job description. The pay is incredibly low too—just 5k for the first three months and 10k for the remaining period, despite them advertising a package of 6.5 to 8 LPA to attract candidates. Many of us are struggling with this uncertainty and it's affecting our mental health. It's frustrating to reach out to HR, only to be told that they are also waiting on management for updates. If they aren't part of management, how can they not know anything about the project pipeline? We feel trapped by the 'few months' promise that led us to believe we would be onboarded quickly. What we really need is a clear timeline. To my fellow candidates still waiting, I urge you to start looking for other opportunities.

I'm feeling really demotivated with my career as an iOS developer. I've been in this field since 2010, but with all the recent discussions about AI, I can't help but feel like my role is becoming obsolete. My company has informed me that I will be laid off in the next few days, which has left me feeling desperate, especially with bills piling up. I've tried to adapt by using AI tools at work, but it wasn't enough to save my job. I even started a personal project, but it only got 30 downloads, which is disheartening. I'm considering whether I should pivot and start studying machine learning, but I'm unsure if that's the right move. Has anyone else experienced something similar? I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this tough situation.

I recently gave my two weeks' notice at my retail job, and things have taken a turn for the worse. My boss has been incredibly rude and sarcastic since I announced my departure. I'm starting to wonder if I should just leave today instead of sticking it out for the full notice period. I'm not really concerned about getting a reference from this job in the future, but I've been here for quite a while, and I don't want to burn any bridges if I can avoid it. I've heard mixed opinions on whether leaving early could have any repercussions on my record or future job prospects. Some people say it won’t hurt my career if I don’t plan to use them as a reference, while others suggest I should remain professional and finish out my notice. I’m really torn on what to do, especially with my boss's behavior making the work environment so unpleasant.

I have been in my first job for the past five years, and I am feeling quite stuck. I'm looking to switch jobs but find it challenging to navigate the process. I'm wondering if anyone else is facing a similar situation or if anyone would like to join me in this job-switching challenge. I could really use some support and tips from others who are also trying to make a change.

I recently applied for a new position within my current company and was initially excited when the hiring supervisor mentioned that it would pay more than my current salary. However, the next day, he informed me that HR had decided I would keep my current pay for the first 90 days, with any increase dependent on my performance. This situation feels really odd to me, and I can't shake the feeling that I'm being singled out because I'm autistic. I've talked to other supervisors and coworkers, and none of them have experienced anything like this before. I'm now left wondering if this is legal and how I should approach HR with my concerns. I'm considering my options and whether I should accept this role without knowing the base pay.

I was laid off from my job in mid-June and just started receiving my unemployment benefits last week. My previous employer provided me with severance pay before I applied for benefits, and I included that information in my application. However, I recently received an unexpected payment of $560 for accrued PTO, which I only found out about last week. I believe I need to report this amount in my weekly certification, and I think the 'vacation pay' option is the most accurate choice for this. But when I try to save the earnings verification page after entering the information, I get an error message that says 'no record found' instead of seeing the earnings info I just entered. I'm planning to call the unemployment office tomorrow, but I've heard it's really hard to get through to someone. I'm looking for advice on how to resolve this issue on my own before I make the call.

I was laid off just 5 days ago due to a reduction in force after working for a year as a Software Engineer. Currently, I'm facing a tough decision: I signed a lease to live in Atlanta before I found out about the layoff, but now I'm considering moving back in with my parents. They are relocating to a very remote area, which I really don't want to do because it could negatively impact my mental health. I've calculated that I can afford to live in Atlanta for about 15 months using my emergency savings, and I also received a few weeks of severance pay. I’ve started applying for jobs and reaching out to former employers, but with the current job market, my optimism is low. Additionally, I'm set to start my master's program this fall while I continue my job search. I know that financially, moving in with my parents might be the smarter choice, but I’m weighing the pros and cons carefully. Living in Atlanta could potentially help my job applications and allow me to be closer to my partner, with whom I was hoping to end long-distance living. I just want to make a level-headed decision during this challenging time.

I have been unemployed for over a year now, and it's been a tough journey. I’ve been actively searching for jobs, applying to anything that seems within my skill set, but I often feel like I'm just spinning my wheels. I get ghosted by employers, or I hear that they chose someone else, even though I have a lot of experience and have updated my resume. I’m 41 years old and have been working since my teens, yet I feel invisible in this job market. I've even tried gig jobs and ambassadorships, but those haven’t panned out either. It’s disheartening to hear stories of others who have sent out thousands of applications and still find themselves in the same boat. Sometimes I wonder if companies are even hiring at all. I’m trying to stay hopeful, but the weight of this burden is really getting to me.

I recently found myself in a tough spot and urgently need to find a job that can pay me $5,000 a month. Due to unforeseen circumstances, my savings have been wiped out, and I need to gather enough money before September when I start school again. Unfortunately, I don’t have anyone I can lean on for support, so it’s crucial for me to secure this income to survive the upcoming semester. I'm looking for intense jobs that don't require much experience. I've seen some suggestions like Alaskan sea fishing, guarding oil fields, and even working on offshore oil platforms. I’m open to any ideas that could help me make this amount quickly, but I'm also aware of the risks involved with some of these options. If anyone has practical advice or leads, I would really appreciate it.

Today, my spouse was informed by his boss that the small company he has dedicated 34 years to is going to be sold, although there isn't a buyer lined up yet. They are offering him a severance package of $30,000 along with some form of health insurance. The pressure to make a quick decision is overwhelming, especially since he is the only one being laid off out of four salaried employees. The company claims that his Bachelor's Degree makes him a liability in the eyes of potential buyers, which feels incredibly unfair after all these years of service. I believe he should negotiate for a better package, considering his long tenure. We are feeling quite devastated and uncertain about the future, and I am seeking advice on how to approach this situation. I want to ensure he gets what he deserves, especially since the offer seems low compared to his years of service.

I was let go from my new job as a discharge planner at a small behavioral health hospital just three and a half days after starting. It was a devastating blow, especially after struggling with my mental health and finally finding a role that paid better than my previous counseling job. I had been out of work for a long time due to my declining mental health, and I had just gotten back on my ADHD medication the same day I started. The first few days were tough; I was jittery and anxious, and I felt out of it. On my last day, I was on a call with my insurance, trying to sort out my medication, which was urgent given my history of migraines. I ended up in a private office talking to staff, and I expressed my frustration about the ongoing issues with my medication. I thought it was a private conversation, but later that day, I was called into a meeting with HR and fired for not being a good fit. They mentioned that the whole office heard my comment, which I know wasn’t true since there were no patients around. I was devastated; it felt so extreme to be terminated over one comment without any discussion or warning. I filed for unemployment but was denied due to breaking company policy. Now, months later, I’m still struggling to find a job and feeling like I’m just rotting away. I’m worried that I’ll ruin my next opportunity too. I just want to contribute financially to my household, but it feels like there’s no end in sight. I’m trying to forgive myself for what happened, but it’s hard to shake off the disappointment and fear.

I recently joined a company in Germany as a Senior Software Engineer, just three months ago. This company was acquired by Salesforce, but the acquisition hasn't officially closed yet. Since then, hiring has completely frozen, which has me worried. Our office in Germany was only opened five months ago and has around 60 employees, primarily in Engineering. Given that Salesforce has historically had little to no core engineering presence in Germany—focusing mainly on sales and localized implementation—I can't help but feel anxious about our future. I'm trying to gather insights on Salesforce's integration strategies for international engineering teams. I'm particularly concerned about the possibility of them shutting down our newly established hub and closing the Germany office altogether. It seems more likely that they might opt to pay severances instead of integrating us into their operations. If anyone has experience or knowledge about similar situations, especially regarding Salesforce's approach, I would greatly appreciate your input.

I recently found myself in a situation where I need to negotiate my severance after being laid off from my role as a C-level executive at a very male-dominated company. My contract guarantees me six months of severance, but I feel that given my contributions and the challenges I've faced in a toxic culture, I deserve more. I'm contemplating whether it's worth pushing for additional compensation despite the contract terms. I know I have some leverage due to my accomplishments, but I'm also aware that the company might not be willing to go beyond what was agreed upon. I've seen mixed advice from others who have tried negotiating severance, with some saying six months is already generous and others suggesting it's worth a shot. I'm still weighing my options.

I recently got laid off from my role due to company restructuring and budget cuts. The HR department provided me with two options: I could accept a severance package that includes almost a month's salary, but they would note that I was 'laid off' in my experience letter. Alternatively, I could resign, which would mean I forfeit the severance pay. I'm struggling with the decision of whether to accept the 'laid off' label on my letter. I asked HR if they could specify that it was due to company restructuring, but they refused. I've consulted with friends and family, and their opinions are mixed, leaving me feeling uncertain. I'm wondering if having 'laid off' on my letter will negatively impact my job search or if I can adequately explain the situation to potential employers during interviews. This isn't my first job, and my previous employment history has been stable. Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a position at a local clinic and had a promising interaction with the clinic manager. After a brief email exchange, she called me the next day, and we had a great 30-minute conversation about the role. She seemed very enthusiastic and we scheduled an interview for two weeks later since she would be on PTO the following week. I felt really positive about the conversation and thought she liked me a lot. However, at 12:53 AM, I received an automated rejection email from their applicant portal stating I wasn’t selected. This was quite confusing since I hadn’t heard anything from her about cancelling our scheduled interview. I decided to send a follow-up email to check on the status of my application and the interview. I’m trying to stay optimistic, but I can’t help but wonder if that rejection email was sent by mistake. Has anyone else experienced something like this during their job search?