Thinking

I’ve been struggling to find a full-time job since returning to the US after spending 10 years abroad. I’ve been unemployed since March 2025 and despite having a degree from a top university, I feel like my work experience overseas is a major hurdle. I’ve mostly worked as a copywriter and currently have a portfolio, but I’m worried that my international experience is being viewed negatively by recruiters. To keep myself active, I’m doing pro bono work with a nonprofit to enhance the design section of my portfolio. However, the only positions I’ve been able to secure lately are seasonal, thanks to a former connection I had before moving abroad. I also realize that I have virtually no professional network here, which makes things even tougher. I’m feeling quite desperate and would appreciate any advice or tips from anyone who’s been in a similar situation. It seems like the gap in my US work history is a significant issue, and I’m looking for ways to frame my international experience as an asset rather than a drawback.

I've been on the job hunt for about 3.5 years since graduating, and it's been a tough road. I worked as a hotel supervisor for two years, but I eventually burned out and left that role. Since then, I've been interviewing at various places, hoping to land a decent job, but I've faced numerous rejections despite having recommendations from higher-ups. It's really starting to feel pointless, and I can't shake the feeling that something about my approach or vibe is off. I've heard the advice to keep trying, but after the eighth rejection, it just doesn't resonate anymore. It’s disheartening to see my friends thriving in their careers while I struggle to even secure an entry-level position. I’ve thought about going back to a front desk job, but I really disliked that role, and I doubt it would lead me to the career I want. I’m open to different opportunities, but I want to make sure I'm not being taken advantage of by a boss. It's a frustrating place to be.

I was recently laid off and lost my insurance unexpectedly, which has left me feeling really lost. I'm planning to email my psychiatrist to discuss how to safely taper off my medications and inquire about the costs of appointments and meds, as I might have to pay out of pocket now. This is my first experience being uninsured, and I’m feeling overwhelmed. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has suggestions for additional questions I should ask my psychiatrist. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from a fintech company after just 6 months due to what they called "team realignment." Initially, I felt devastated as this was my first experience with a layoff. However, I quickly decided to take proactive steps to get back on my feet. First, I updated my LinkedIn profile and even signed up for a free trial of LinkedIn Premium. This turned out to be beneficial as several recruiters reached out to me through the platform. In fact, I landed my new job thanks to a recruiter who contacted me directly. Next, I made sure my resume was current and included relevant keywords. I learned that many companies use AI tools to screen resumes, so I took the time to ensure mine would pass through those filters. I even used ChatGPT to help enhance my resume with the right keywords. Lastly, I focused on my mental health. I didn’t rush into the job search; instead, I took some time to relax and recharge. I went for walks, spent quality time with friends and family, and allowed myself to enjoy some much-needed downtime. I want to share this experience to give hope to others who might be going through a similar situation. It's definitely possible to find a new job after a layoff, and there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Today, I had a meeting with the CEO, CTO, and my manager that turned out to be a termination discussion. I've been with the company for three years, but my manager has been a source of stress for the last year. During the meeting, the CEO explained that they wanted to terminate my position to save costs, despite the company being stable. He mentioned that shareholders were pushing for cost reductions, but I couldn't help but feel like I was being used as a scapegoat. The CTO seemed uncomfortable, which gave me some hope that he didn't fully agree with the decision. I asked why it was only me being let go, and the CEO claimed it was to avoid spreading panic, stating that 20% of the workforce would be affected. I found it hard to believe that I was the only one targeted, especially since they said my termination wasn't related to performance. I felt a mix of relief and frustration. On one hand, I won't have to deal with my bullying manager anymore, but on the other hand, I dedicated so much time and effort to appease him and contribute to the company. I’m now left wondering if I was laid off or fired, especially considering the worker protection laws in Germany. I told them I would think about how to proceed, but I’m leaning towards rejecting their offer.

I just got fired from my role as a marketing strategist, and my contract is ending in two weeks. I've been working full-time for the last 5-6 months, giving it my all, but the company decided to let me go, citing my salary as too high and claiming they could replace me with an intern. They also mentioned performance issues, but I know I was doing well overall, despite a couple of tough weeks. I had been planning to start my own venture eventually, and now that I'm fired, I feel it's time to pursue that. I'm considering several options: 1. Start my own agency and freelance in social media marketing, leveraging my 4+ years of experience, even though I'm not a fan of social media. 2. Help others build their personal brands, something I've done before but struggled with; I know I'm good at it and enjoy it, but I'm unsure which platform to focus on. 3. Look for another job, but I'm hesitant about getting stuck in a similar situation again. 4. Pursue copywriting, which I'm passionate about but have failed at in the past. I want to commit to this for the next few years. 5. Launch a consulting business, using my marketing expertise to advise others. 6. Take a break for a few weeks to regroup and figure things out. I want to avoid making any emotional decisions and instead focus on practical options. I appreciate any advice on how to move forward. Thanks to everyone who reads this and offers their thoughts!

I recently reached out to a former co-worker from my time in engineering, hoping to connect and potentially have her speak to a women in engineering club I'm involved with. I sent her a LinkedIn connection request without any additional message, just to keep it casual. Unfortunately, she declined my request but did take a moment to view my profile. This isn't the first time I've experienced this kind of cold response; another colleague from the same company did something similar. It’s disheartening to see how some ex-co-workers react after layoffs. It feels like there's this unspoken taboo around the topic, and those who remain often act as if we’ve been erased from their memory. I’ve noticed a pattern where they seem to distance themselves, possibly out of fear of being associated with someone who was laid off. It’s a harsh reality, but I’m trying to focus on my studies and move forward.

Today, I received a job offer for a new position as a Food Safety and Quality Manager with a salary of $107,500 plus a 13% annual bonus. This is a significant step up from my current role as Lab Director and Quality Assurance Officer at a small environmental company where I've worked for the past eight years. Despite my contributions, including improving procedures and obtaining certifications that generate substantial revenue, I feel drastically undercompensated with a salary of $85,000 and minimal benefits. I've been struggling with the lack of work-life balance, working 10-11 hour days, and feeling guilty about taking time off. My current employer has a history of being hostile towards employees who leave, which adds to my anxiety about the transition. I'm genuinely fond of my colleagues and the family atmosphere, but I know I'm worth more and need to prioritize my career and well-being. Now, I’m preparing for the difficult conversation with my current employer about my resignation. I’m nervous about how they will react, especially since I would be leaving them without a qualified lab director. I want to approach this conversation professionally but am unsure how to stand my ground without feeling guilty. Any advice on how to navigate this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently experienced a troubling situation at Regal where I was terminated from my position. I was accused of being 'under the influence' at work, but I believe this was retaliation after I reported sexual harassment by a coworker. The investigation into my claims took a month, during which time my manager decided to fire me immediately based on the other person's accusations. I felt pressured during our conversations and ended up confessing to using substances, even though I didn't provide a specific timeframe or evidence of being impaired on the job. It's now been a week since my termination, and I haven't received any official communication or termination letter from the company, which has left me confused about the process. This is my first job, and I'm unsure if it's standard for companies to send termination notices. After discussing my situation with friends and family, some have suggested that my termination may have been wrongful. I'm considering my options and wondering if I should seek legal advice or how to proceed with this situation.

Today was supposed to be the day I heard back from the recruiter about the position I interviewed for at a tech company. They told me I would get a decision by the end of the day, and now it’s 6 PM and I haven’t heard anything. I’m starting to think I won’t be receiving a job offer, which is really disappointing. It would have been nice to at least get an email, even if it was to say they chose another candidate. I spent the whole day anxious, anticipating their call, and now I feel like all the effort I put into the application process—sending references, taking assessments—was for nothing. It’s frustrating to feel ignored after all that. I just wish they would communicate better. Now I’m left fuming and wondering what went wrong.

I’m feeling anxious about my job security at my current company. I’ve noticed some changes in management and a general atmosphere of uncertainty. I can’t shake the feeling that layoffs might be on the horizon. I’m trying to assess whether I should start looking for new opportunities or if I should wait it out. Has anyone else experienced this kind of situation? How did you handle it?

I’m currently at a crossroads in my career. I’m a 25-year-old supply planner and commercial professional at an alcohol company, where I started with a salary of $35k three years ago, which has only increased to $38k despite taking on significantly more responsibilities. For the past two years, I've been advocating for a pay raise, but the company is in a precarious financial situation, and I feel I’m one of the most underpaid employees. Frustrated, I developed an exit strategy and enrolled in a construction contracts management course, which I’ll complete in August. I’ve received an offer for a graduate program at a global consultancy for $38k, focusing on large-scale infrastructure projects. While I enjoy parts of my current job and have had opportunities to travel to Asia and Europe, I’m torn because just last month, my company offered me a raise to $45k, which I found disappointing given my contributions. Now, I have a tough decision to make about whether to stay or pursue the new opportunity.

I have an interview at Costco coming up and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. I really need some urgent help to prepare! I've heard that they focus a lot on teamwork and their company culture, so I want to make sure I can demonstrate my understanding of those values during the interview. If anyone has tips on common questions they ask or how to best present my availability and experience, I would really appreciate it. Thanks in advance!

I finally got a job offer from a company I applied to months ago, and I was really excited since it was a full-time hybrid role. However, just a couple of days in, I'm experiencing a bit of a shock. I was promised certain hours, but I'm not getting them because there isn't any work available for me to do. It's such a contrast from my last job where I was constantly busy and handling multiple tasks. I spoke with the person training me, and they mentioned they have a lot on their plate but nothing to assign me at the moment. I'm starting to wonder if this is a red flag or just a temporary situation. Should I give it more time or be concerned?

I recently got fired from my job, and honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I worked really hard at the company, always striving to do my best and support my coworkers. So, when I was let go without any clear explanation, it felt incredibly defeating. I reached out to the management to understand what led to my termination, but they simply told me, "we can't tell you." This left me even more confused. The only things I can think of that might have contributed to my firing are that I occasionally checked my phone during work hours, but I did that far less than my colleagues and even my manager. The other possibility is the cliquey atmosphere in the office, where some coworkers seemed to have formed tight-knit groups that excluded anyone who hadn’t been there for years. I can't help but feel like this situation is a reflection of a toxic work environment. If anyone else has gone through something similar, I’d love to hear your experiences.

I recently received a verbal offer for an entry-level operations position at a company after two interviews. The hiring manager expressed excitement about moving forward and provided me with a salary and a tentative start date. However, I was surprised when I received an email shortly after with links to several training modules, software tutorials, quizzes, and an assignment based on a real client account. They emphasized that completing this training before my first day would help me 'hit the ground running.' The training consists of about nine hours of videos, not including the quizzes or the assignment. When I inquired about whether I should wait for the official contract to be signed before starting the training and if the training time would be compensated, the recruiter informed me that the paperwork was still pending approval but they wanted me to start immediately since my start date is in just two weeks. She mentioned that the training is considered 'preparation' rather than actual work, so it wouldn't be paid. This made me uneasy, especially since completing the training quickly could influence my project assignments once I officially start. It feels less like an option and more like a requirement. As of now, I haven't received any official offer letter or benefits information—just verbal confirmation and excitement from the team. I'm currently employed and would have to dedicate most of my weekend to this training. While I’m open to learning, the idea of doing unpaid work for a company I haven't officially joined yet feels off, especially since part of the assignment involves analyzing a real client file. I'm concerned they might delay the paperwork or even cancel the role after I invest my time. I'm contemplating whether it would be reasonable to ask to complete the training after signing the offer, but I'm worried this might jeopardize the job offer. I really need this job, but I also recognize that this situation raises some significant red flags.

I recently received a call for a second interview for a branch manager position at Airgas. I'm excited but also a bit nervous, as I've seen mixed reviews on Glassdoor regarding the company. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights or experiences working there. I want to make sure I ask the right questions during the interview, especially about team culture and growth opportunities. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off this week from my job in Massachusetts and received a severance package. The severance is only a few weeks' pay, and I'm trying to figure out if I can still apply for unemployment benefits. The severance agreement includes a release of claims, which has me worried that it might prevent me from collecting unemployment. However, I noticed that the agreement states it doesn't bar a claim for unemployment compensation benefits. I'm hoping to get some clarity on whether I can apply for unemployment while receiving this severance. Any insights from those who are familiar with these types of agreements would be greatly appreciated!

I'm currently looking for information about potential layoffs or restructuring in the Frontend team at Juspay. I've heard some rumors circulating and wanted to see if any current employees could confirm whether there's any truth to them. If anyone is willing to share insights or details, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

I am currently working at a company where my salary was decent, but now they are planning to significantly reduce it due to losses. Although I could still save from the reduced salary, it feels unjustified to accept such a cut. Because of this, I have started looking for new opportunities and have applied for about 3-4 interviews at other companies. I really want to leave my current job, but I am worried about the risk of not landing a new position quickly enough after leaving. I'm torn between the desire to leave and the fear of regretting my decision if I don't secure a new job soon.