Thinking

I just landed an internship in retail at a beauty store, which is a big step for me after four years of freelancing part-time. As a makeup artist, I thought freelancing would be my path, but I found it more challenging than rewarding. The constant search for clients left me feeling isolated, and working from home wasn't great for my mental health. While the pay isn't fantastic and the internship is only for six months, I'm relieved to finally have a job after such a long period of unemployment. I hope this experience will enhance my CV and help me secure better opportunities in the future. However, I'm feeling a mix of emotions. The job involves shifts, including weekends and late evenings, which I knew going in. I'm realizing that this will cut into my writing time and mean my cat will be home alone for long stretches. I think I'm mourning the freedom I had while freelancing, which is making it hard for me to fully embrace this new opportunity. Is it normal to feel this way about a new job?

I haven't received my salary for the last two months at my current job, and while my employer assures me that the pending dues will be cleared soon, I'm feeling increasingly anxious about the situation. I'm contemplating whether I should start job hunting and resign immediately or wait until my dues are settled. My main concern is that if I resign now, they might delay my pending salary even more or refuse to pay it altogether. I'm also worried about potentially not receiving important documents like my relieving letter and experience certificate, which I know are crucial for background verification with a new employer here in India. It's a tough decision to make.

I was put on paid administrative leave from my job at a local university where I work in student well-being. This situation arose after I confided in my boss about my struggles with burnout, loneliness, and a relapse into sex work. I had been trying to manage a temporary part-time role while also working a side job at a restaurant to make ends meet. The emotional toll from a traumatic relationship earlier this year had left me feeling overwhelmed and isolated. During a particularly tough day, I reached out to my boss, and she suggested we meet to discuss my well-being. I broke down and shared everything, which led to her expressing concern and ultimately placing me on leave as a precautionary measure. While they assured me this wasn’t punitive, I’m left in limbo without any updates on my job status. In the meantime, I’ve been applying for other positions, including a pub job and a few administrative roles that offer better pay. I even had a promising phone interview with a nonprofit that aligns with my experiences. I’m trying to focus on self-care, attending therapy, and managing daily life tasks, but it’s challenging without much support. I’m not sure what the future holds for my current job or the new opportunities, and I’m seeking advice or encouragement during this difficult time.

I recently interviewed for a position and received a verbal offer after negotiating the salary to $70k. However, the company informed me through a third-party recruiter that they do not provide written offer letters. Instead, they wanted me to confirm my acceptance verbally. I requested a summary of the benefits via email, but their response was vague, only mentioning the work hours and that HR would discuss benefits during onboarding. Additionally, they asked if I could resign from my current job without notice, which raised a lot of red flags for me. The entire situation feels off, and I'm starting to think I should reconsider moving forward with this opportunity. I’ve been getting some weird vibes, and I’m unsure if I should trust this company.

I'm currently navigating my job search in the compliance/legal field within financial services, and I've been using LinkedIn's new AI search feature. However, I've encountered some challenges. My typical search query includes terms like "remote compliance roles in banks or fintechs posted in the last 24 hours." While the AI does a decent job with the compliance aspect, it often returns a significant number of jobs in health care instead of banking or fintech. Additionally, I'm finding that many of the jobs listed as remote are actually hybrid or on-site, which isn't what I'm looking for. I've also noticed that there's no clear location filter in the AI search, which makes it even harder to find relevant positions. I'm seeking tips to refine my search results and improve my chances of finding suitable remote roles.

Today, I learned that FICO has decided to cut its workforce by 15% as part of a restructuring initiative focused on integrating AI into our operations. As a member of the team, this news is quite unsettling and raises concerns about job security for many of us. I'm currently trying to understand how this will impact my role and what opportunities might arise from these changes.

I'm currently in the process of transitioning to a new job and need some advice on salary expectations. I'm a Team Leader at a nonprofit making around $51k per year, which breaks down to about $24.51 an hour. I've applied for an Admin Assistant position at a community college that offers roughly $35k annually, or $16.87 hourly, based on education and experience. I've been in my current role for 7 years, handling responsibilities that align closely with the Admin Assistant position and I even have a degree from that college. I had a great interview with six people and received a callback just two hours later to interview with one more person this Friday. While I genuinely believe I'd be happier in this new role, I know it would mean taking a pay cut. I'm trying to figure out how much I can reasonably ask for without coming off as unreasonable. I've seen suggestions that a salary increase of 10% to 25% is typical, but given the nature of these roles and their positions in the hierarchy, I'm not sure that's applicable here. I really like the team and the job, but I want to negotiate for at least $20.81 an hour. Any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently let go from my first post-grad job after just 4 months, and I’m feeling completely devastated. I graduated with a B.S. in electrical engineering and started a consulting position that I had lined up since last October. Unfortunately, I was flagged for underperformance during my performance reviews last week. I take full responsibility for my mistakes; I struggled to adapt and often had to redo my work. Despite putting in a lot of effort, I just didn’t seem to be a good fit for the role. Now, I’m feeling terrified and depressed about what comes next. I’ve just settled into a new apartment on my own and managed to keep my savings intact, which gives me some options. I could either stretch my savings while applying for new jobs in the area or consider terminating my lease and moving back home with my parents. I’m also thinking about reaching out to a local internship from last summer where I received a return offer, but I’m unsure if that’s the right move since I initially turned it down. I really tried to connect with my coworkers and take on my responsibilities, but I kept making errors. This experience has been incredibly tough, and I’m seeking guidance on how to move forward. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself laid off from my position, and I realized that I never updated my LinkedIn or resume to reflect this change. As I started interviewing for new roles, I was faced with a dilemma: I asked potential employers not to contact my current employer, who is actually my previous employer now. I was concerned that they would request my first and last paystub for verification. I even thought about editing the dates on my last paystub to match what I wanted them to see. However, I started to wonder how they would verify those employment dates. Would they reach out to my former employer after I started the new job? I’ve seen advice suggesting that background checks typically reveal employment dates, and that it’s better to be honest about my layoff than risk getting caught in a lie. I’m really trying to navigate this tricky situation without jeopardizing my chances.

I recently received an email regarding a job I applied for, stating that the requisition has been closed. The message clarified that this does not affect any other applications I have with the company. Prior to this, I had received an email saying my application was being forwarded to the hiring manager, so this new notification has left me uncertain about my chances. It seems likely that I didn't get the job, as the position is no longer available. I'm trying to stay positive and focus on my next applications and interviews.

I recently had a wild experience while job hunting that I need to vent about. I've been searching for a high-salary remote job that aligns with my degree, and I was thrilled when a well-known company reached out to me for what seemed like my dream position. I had an interview with HR in June, and everything was looking promising until I was informed that the role had been filled. However, the HR rep mentioned a new position was opening up that I would be a great fit for, which reignited my hope. She sent me a massive assessment that required a detailed 5-page written response, which I completed and submitted within three days. After that, I heard nothing for two months. I sent a couple of polite check-in emails, but they went unanswered, and I assumed the position had been closed. Out of the blue, the HR rep returned with a huge apology for the delay and asked if I was still interested. To my surprise, she included a $50 Amazon gift card as a peace offering. I thought maybe this was a good sign, so I decided to continue with the process. We scheduled a meeting with the team leader, which went incredibly well. The next day, I received feedback that they loved me and just needed one final chat with the General Manager to finalize the proposal. But then, silence again. It has now been a full month without any communication. We are at the five-month mark of this back-and-forth, and my enthusiasm for working with them has completely faded. Has anyone else experienced something similar, where a recruiter has sent a gift card after ghosting? It feels like they might be trying to buy my silence or just messing with my sanity.

I recently interviewed for a Marketing Coordinator position at a hospitality company, and despite feeling like I had the best interview of my life, I ended up getting rejected. I have several years of professional marketing experience, including a role in digital brand marketing for a large national retail company, where I worked on various campaigns and projects. However, I lacked direct experience in the hospitality industry. I was upfront about this during the interview process, and the team assured me that it wouldn't be an issue. They emphasized that they were looking for the right marketing mindset and personality fit for the hospitality environment rather than someone with a direct background in hospitality. The interview process felt incredibly positive. I received a lot of encouraging feedback throughout, and during the final in-person round, one of the managers seemed genuinely enthusiastic about my candidacy, even advocating for me in front of the General Manager. I left the interview feeling confident that I had nailed it. However, I later received an automated rejection email and discovered that the candidate who was hired was a recent college graduate with significantly less marketing experience but more hospitality experience. This has left me puzzled. I understand that hiring decisions can be complex, and while I initially thought they might prioritize hospitality experience, they had previously assured me that it wasn't a concern. I can’t help but wonder if my level of experience made me seem overqualified for the role, or if the GM simply preferred the other candidate despite the positive feedback I received. I'm also contemplating whether my being a woman might have played a role in the decision, though I’m not assuming it did. At this point, I’m trying to make sense of what happened and how I can better position myself for future opportunities. I feel stuck in a career stage where I have too much experience for entry-level roles but not enough for positions that require several years of specialized experience. I would appreciate any insights from hiring managers or recruiters who have been involved in similar final-round decisions.

I’ve been struggling with a significant gap in my resume that seems to be hurting my chances of landing a job. After working for a year, I left that role and have now been unemployed for 14 months. I’ve heard mixed advice from people about how to handle this situation. Some suggest that it’s becoming more common to have gaps, and that I should just have a good explanation ready. Others recommend that I focus on learning new skills or consider taking on contract work, as those employers might be less concerned about gaps in employment. A few people even suggested I could lie and say I was self-employed during that time. I’ve also thought about removing the gap by including volunteer experience or mentioning that I was in school. One commenter suggested a simple explanation about a family matter that required my full attention, which seems like a safe route. I’m feeling the pressure since employers have plenty of options these days, and I’m worried that my extended break from work is making me less competitive. I’m considering all my options and trying to figure out the best way to present my situation.

I’m currently a temp worker at Campbell's in Charlotte, NC, and things have been getting really concerning lately. Work has been extremely slow, with many of the production lines shut down. There have been days where I arrive only to be sent home immediately, and my hours have been cut significantly. My paychecks are coming up short, and I haven’t seen any overtime opportunities lately. I’ve heard that two other plants have already closed—one in Indiana and another in Massachusetts. There were also layoffs in HR over the summer, which adds to my anxiety. My coworkers are buzzing with rumors that our plant might be next, but I’ve also heard from management and the local news that we’re not closing. It’s hard to know who to trust in this situation. I’m really worried about being blindsided by a layoff, especially since as a temp, I know I’m the first to go if cuts happen. I’m reaching out to see if anyone has experienced something similar. Do you think layoffs are imminent, or is this just a temporary slowdown? What steps should I take to prepare myself—should I start saving money or applying for new jobs?

Today, my team meeting was unexpectedly canceled and replaced with a 30-minute skip level call titled "Org Update." I have a sinking feeling about what this could mean for my position at the company. The atmosphere feels tense, and I can't shake the anxiety about potential layoffs. I've started gathering important documents and files that I might need for my resume, just in case. I've also exchanged personal contact information with a few colleagues to ensure we can stay connected, regardless of what happens. It's a tough situation, and I'm trying to prepare myself mentally for whatever news might come my way.

I was laid off a couple of months ago from my role as a Java Full Stack Developer at a product-based company in India. Since then, I've been actively searching for new opportunities, but the current job market has made it tough. My resume isn't even getting shortlisted, and I haven't made it past the interview stage. I'm feeling a bit lost and am wondering what a realistic timeline looks like for receiving a job offer after a layoff. I've heard mixed experiences from others; some found jobs within 30 days, while others are still searching after many months. I'm hoping for at least a glimmer of hope soon.

I recently applied for a senior role at my previous company where I worked as an associate three years ago. At that time, I was going through a tough period after losing my mother, which ultimately led me to resign. My manager was very supportive and even asked what he could do to keep me, but I felt I needed to return to my home country to cope. After a few months, I came back and took on a senior position elsewhere. Now, I noticed that the same team I used to work with is hiring for four senior and lead roles, so I decided to apply. It's been five days since I submitted my application, and I'm feeling anxious about not hearing back yet. The internal recruiter is the same person I interacted with before, and I can see that the head of the department and my former managers are still there. One of my former junior colleagues has even moved up to a lead position. I'm left wondering if HR has informed them about my application and if I stand a chance. The thought of being rejected makes me feel self-conscious and worried that they might not have respected my contributions back then.

I applied for a position with British Transport Police last night, but unfortunately, I received a rejection email this morning. The email was just a generic response stating that they regretted to inform me of my rejection. I'm really curious about the reasons behind it, as I would like to improve my application if I decide to apply again in a few months. I'm considering reaching out to them for feedback, even though I know they might just send me the same generic response again. Has anyone else gone through this process and found out how to get more specific feedback?

I've been working at my current job for a little over two years now, and while I really like it, the pay just isn't cutting it anymore. My bills are piling up, and the job market has become increasingly difficult to navigate. I've had to take on the role of a detective just to find legitimate job listings. It's frustrating to sift through so many fake postings. In my recent search, I've gone through about seventy-five to a hundred listings and maybe found ten that seemed real. Even with well-known companies, I find myself questioning the authenticity of their job offers. I really wish there was a way for job boards to crack down on these misleading listings.

I’m currently exploring job opportunities and have my eye on a position at a government institution where a friend of a friend works. I learned that someone recently resigned, and while the job isn’t officially posted yet, I know it will be soon. I’ve subscribed to their Job Alert feature on their careers website to stay updated, but I’m concerned I might miss the announcement. I’m considering sending an email to express my interest in the upcoming role, even though there’s no specific contact listed—just a generic submission form on the site. I’m unsure if this approach is acceptable or if I should just wait for the official posting. I know it’s ideal to find a contact on LinkedIn, but I thought reaching out might give me a head start in this competitive job market. I understand that my friend’s connection can’t formally refer me due to their managerial position, but I’m hoping they might still help by passing my resume along informally. I really want to make sure I get my foot in the door as soon as the job opens.