Thinking

I'm currently working in the cardiology department of a medical imaging facility, where I've built over 5 years of experience. This job is my favorite, but I recently discovered that I'm significantly underpaid compared to new hires. A recent graduate was offered just under my current salary, and another technician with less relevant experience was offered considerably more. It feels frustrating, especially since I often help train these new hires and provide support on protocols, anatomy, and troubleshooting. I've raised my concerns with my supervisor and director, who escalated the issue to HR, but it was denied. Despite my contributions, it seems like my value isn't recognized. I pick up extra shifts when the department is short-staffed, and I've been a go-to person for many team members. Now, I'm at a crossroads. I could leave for a new job that pays $7 to $10 more per hour, but I genuinely love my current role. I'm torn between staying at a job I enjoy and pursuing better compensation. Should I give management another chance to reconsider my pay, or is HR's denial a clear sign? I’m also curious if anyone else has left a job they loved for better pay and how they felt about that decision.

As a Senior Software Engineer at Uber, I've recently been working on a platform called DevInterview.AI aimed at helping software engineers prepare for interviews. Given the advancements in voice AI, I felt it was time to create a product that truly simulates real interview experiences. The platform offers coding, system design, and behavioral mock interviews with an AI that mimics a real interviewer. Each interview type has a tailored interface, like a live IDE for coding or a canvas for system design, which enhances the experience. After each mock interview, users receive detailed and actionable feedback to improve their skills. The first interview is free, and I’ve kept the pricing low to make it accessible while covering costs. Having been laid off twice in recent years, I understand the challenges in the job market for software engineers, so being well-prepared for interviews is crucial. This platform helped me prepare for my interviews at Uber, and I truly hope it assists others in similar situations. I've dedicated almost a year to developing this tool and would love to hear any feedback!

I've been laid off five times throughout my career, and I've also had to lay off employees myself on several occasions. From my experiences, I can tell you that layoffs today often feel very different from the mass reductions in the past. It's common for individuals to feel gaslit and to blame themselves for perceived poor performance when, in reality, that usually has little to do with the decision to let them go. Companies can struggle for a long time, and after a big wave of layoffs, they often find that cutting jobs doesn't magically lead to growth. When financial pressure mounts, companies typically have two options: raise more money or tighten their belts. Unfortunately, many companies hesitate to conduct multiple rounds of layoffs because it signals deeper issues to creditors and clients, which can lead to a downward spiral. This is where the 'onesie/twosie' era comes into play, where managers are tasked with making cuts on a smaller scale, often with little direction and minimal notice, sometimes as frequently as every quarter. As a manager, I always tried to make fair decisions based on factors like skill replaceability and cost-effectiveness, but I've seen others use this time to settle personal scores or to favor friends. In some cases, decisions are made higher up, leaving managers to inform employees without any input. If a company is ethical, they will frame these smaller cuts as 'restructuring' and provide fair severance while assuring employees that their performance isn't the issue. However, some companies will claim they aren't laying off employees but are only cutting those with poor performance, which can lead to managers documenting minor issues to justify their decisions. This approach can also be used to minimize severance packages, and it can have a devastating impact on the mental health of those affected, causing them to doubt themselves at a critical time. The reality is that layoff decisions are often made quickly and can be influenced by a variety of factors, some rational and others not. If your performance was genuinely an issue, you would have received feedback through performance reviews or improvement plans. If you were not replaced after a layoff, it likely came down to budget cuts, plain and simple. I hope sharing these insights helps others navigate this challenging landscape, and I'm open to any questions.

I'm a 25-year-old feeling overwhelmed by the constant fear of layoffs in my current job. Even though I still have my position, the uncertainty of the job market is weighing heavily on me. I'm actively trying to grow and learn more in my role, but that fear of losing my job never really fades. On top of that, I'm in a situationship with a girl I really like, but I can't see a future together. The thought of marriage or building a stable life feels unrealistic right now, which adds to my anxiety. I find myself torn between focusing on my career and the fear of losing everything if I were to get laid off. Sometimes, I think maybe I should just dedicate myself entirely to work, so if I do lose my job, at least I won't be dragging anyone else down with me. I've seen others share their experiences, and it seems like saving as much as possible is crucial. I've heard stories of people getting laid off and struggling for months to find new jobs, so having a financial cushion sounds like a smart move. Keeping my resume updated and staying connected in my field also seems important, but the emotional toll of all this is exhausting.

I’ve been focusing on growing my LinkedIn network as part of my job search strategy. Currently, I have 45 connections, mostly consisting of former college classmates and professors. I've come to realize that simply applying for jobs isn't yielding results, so I’m shifting my approach to networking. I'm in Video Production and Broadcasting, and I've started posting clips and stories from my capstone short film to attract the attention of recruiters. I want to be visible and not just another name on a list. I've been contemplating whether I should connect with more recruiters and industry leaders directly. However, I understand that networking is about building genuine relationships, not just increasing my connection count. I’m looking for ways to engage meaningfully with others in my field.

I recently received a conditional job offer from a government position that I'm really excited about. A friend who works there referred me, and after four months of waiting, I finally got the offer. However, there's a catch: the offer is contingent on my current employer being contacted for a reference check. They want me to give my notice before they reach out to my current job, which makes me really nervous. I love my current role and the pay is good, especially since I'm going through a divorce and have no savings to fall back on. I'm worried that if I give my notice and something goes wrong with the new job offer, I could be left without any job at all. I really need to figure out how to handle this situation. I want to move forward with the new opportunity, but the risk feels too high right now. Any advice on how to navigate this would be greatly appreciated.

I recently moved to Colorado Springs with my family last October, and I've been struggling to find an entry-level job. Despite sending out over 200 applications, I haven't received a single interview. I'm 19 years old, have a high school diploma, and no prior work experience. I've even visited the workforce center, which directed me to several hiring agencies, but none have led to interviews. I don’t have any disabilities or criminal record, and I don’t use social media, yet I feel completely lost in this job search. I'm starting to wonder if there's any hope for me to actually land an interview. I've tried tailoring my applications and following up, but it seems like I'm hitting a wall. I've considered various suggestions, like looking into direct support roles or walking into places like fast food restaurants to apply in person. However, I still feel overwhelmed and unsure about the best approach to take. Any advice on how to break through this barrier would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently navigating a tough decision regarding my employment status. I've been receiving unemployment benefits, but I'm considering whether I should take a PRN (as needed) job to fill a gap in my work history. The thought of explaining a gap in my resume is daunting since I've never been let go from a position before. I'm feeling a lot of pressure to find something stable, but I also know that the job market is challenging right now. I've received some advice suggesting that if I'm still on unemployment, the gap isn't a huge issue and can be explained as just searching for a job in a tough economy. However, I'm worried about what happens when my unemployment benefits run out. I'm looking for any insights or advice from others who have faced a similar situation.

I had a frustrating experience this week while interviewing for a project manager/coordinator role. On Monday, I had a recruiter phone call that went well, and she mentioned she would send my CV over for consideration. By Wednesday, I was contacted by the hiring manager to schedule a phone interview for Thursday, which I confirmed. However, later that evening, I received an interview invite for a Teams meeting, which confused me because the recruiter had indicated it would be a phone call. I wanted to clarify the format of the interview, so I emailed the hiring manager to confirm whether I should prepare for a phone call or access the Teams link. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a response before the interview. Then, just two hours before the scheduled time, I received an email canceling the interview along with a standard rejection letter citing a high volume of applications. I can't help but wonder if my request for clarification was perceived negatively or if they simply filled the position before my interview. This was a new experience for me, and I'm trying to not overthink it too much, reminding myself that maybe this job just wasn't meant to be.

I am currently looking to switch jobs due to salary issues at my current company. While I appreciate the work environment and the company itself, the salary is not enough for me to sustain my living expenses. I would like some help reviewing my resume, particularly for roles related to Learning and Development (L&D). Additionally, I am interested in how to tailor my resume for analyst positions. If anyone has any referrals or knows of any job openings in their company, I would greatly appreciate the information. Thank you!

I was laid off in February after working from home for five years at my company, where I was the top producer. When they called everyone back to the office, I decided not to return. Interestingly, the second top producer retired just ten weeks after my layoff. During my time there, I noticed a coworker who had been with the company for three years but barely contributed; she only produced three reports compared to my twenty and another colleague's fifteen. I recently discovered that she had been focusing on getting an online bachelor’s degree during her time at work. It’s quite amusing to think about how oblivious my old boss was to the disparity in productivity.

I've been observing the job market in the U.S. lately, and it's tough out there. Layoffs continue to hit many companies, and I've seen experienced professionals, including myself, struggling to land interviews. It's disheartening to hear that people are sending out hundreds of applications but receiving little to no feedback. I've dedicated a lot of time to understanding what works on LinkedIn and what doesn't. Through my research, I've identified some strategies that seem to attract more attention from recruiters and increase interview opportunities. I want to clarify that I'm not trying to sell anything or claim to have all the answers. My goal is to share my findings and connect with others who are navigating this challenging job market. If you're currently job hunting in the U.S. and would like to exchange tips or strategies, feel free to comment or send me a direct message. I believe that by sharing our experiences and insights, we can help each other make it through this storm.

I was laid off last week from my position managing an investment portfolio at a small company where I had worked for over a decade. This was a huge shock for me, especially since I had just learned that my wife and I are expecting twins this fall, alongside our very young son. The layoff came after our VP retired and the company decided to hire an external candidate instead of promoting my boss, which capped my growth potential. I had casually started looking for new opportunities this year, but I wasn't prepared for the sudden restructuring that led to my position being eliminated. I had a spontaneous meeting with HR and my boss, and it felt surreal to hear that I would be out of a job soon. Now, I'm facing the reality of possibly not being able to take any family leave when the twins arrive, and I'm losing a remote position that is hard to replace. Thankfully, my network has been supportive, and I have two screener calls lined up for roles that could be a fit, although one might not offer much of a financial advantage after tax and benefits. I've reached out to headhunters and industry contacts for leads, but responses have been sparse since mentioning my layoff. I know others have it worse, and my family is ready to support us, but it’s still a tough situation. I'm trying to stay optimistic and focused on finding a new role as quickly as possible.

I just received a retrenchment notice from my company after 7 years of service. I'm 29 years old and this week on Tuesday, my lead informed me that HR wanted to speak with me. Unfortunately, I found out that I am one of 30 employees being laid off, with my last day of work set for this Friday. This gives me only 3 days' notice before my final reporting day. To make matters worse, my salary has been delayed since January 2026, and I haven't received any benefits since October 2025. I'm considering whether I should file a report with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) regarding this situation.

I had a great first round interview with a large hospital in NYC, and they quickly moved me to an on-site interview where I met with about 8-9 different people. Everything seemed to go well, and I felt positive about my performance. However, it's now been 9 days since the on-site, and I'm starting to feel anxious. I followed up after 7 days but haven't received a response yet. The HR team was very prompt in their communications before, which adds to my concern. I know that 9 days isn't a long time in the hiring process, but I'm starting to wonder when I should really start worrying about the lack of communication.

I recently received my second write-up in just 28 days at my job as an assistant to the lead manager at a newly opened location. The first write-up, which I later found out was actually a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), happened on May 13th, and the second one came on June 11th. There was no prior warning or discussion before either write-up. It's been a confusing and frustrating experience, especially since my boss went from being supportive to berating me in front of customers without any clear reason. I've been working hard, often going above and beyond, like actively seeking out positive Google reviews and even pulling weeds in the heat to improve our location's appearance. Despite my efforts, I receive no praise and only corrections for minor issues. My boss has criticized me for things like my shirt being untucked, which seems excessive. The latest write-up was for 'time theft' because I had to use the bathroom shortly after clocking in from lunch. My boss confronted me outside the bathroom, claiming I was being unfair to my coworkers for taking time to deal with a personal issue. I explained that I wasn't feeling well due to the heat and lack of sleep, but he insisted on writing me up anyway. I'm at a loss for what to do next. I feel like I'm being treated unfairly and don't understand why my boss's attitude has changed so drastically. I'm considering looking for a new job, but I'm also unsure about how to handle the situation with HR or if I should seek legal advice.

I’ve been reflecting on my longest stretch of unemployment, which lasted for seven months. It was an incredibly tough time, filled with uncertainty and frustration as I sent out countless applications without much response. I remember feeling like I was just throwing my resume into a void. I’ve seen others share their experiences too; one person mentioned they’re currently at one year and two months but are determined to keep going despite the challenges. Another shared a story about being unemployed for nearly a year due to a series of personal tragedies, but they eventually found stability with a new job. It’s comforting to know that others have faced similar struggles, and it reminds me to stay hopeful as I continue my job search.

I have an interview tomorrow for my first job as a bartender at a popular spot in my city. This will be my first experience in this role, and I'm feeling pretty anxious about it. I recently got fired from a fast food job after only three hours because I was deemed 'too slow' and lacking basic knowledge, which really shook my confidence. As someone who is introverted and autistic, I often struggle with ADHD and social anxiety, so I'm worried about making a good impression and not repeating my previous experience. I want to know what I can do to succeed on my first day and avoid getting fired again. I know I might not be as outgoing as others, but I'm determined to give it my best shot. Also, I made a mistake in my original post; I meant to say bartender, not barista. Just realized the difference!

I recently went through a series of job interviews where I encountered some red flags that made me reconsider my options. In three different interviews, the managers were surprisingly casual, almost too friendly, which initially felt nice. However, they quickly started discussing the employees I would be replacing in a negative light. One manager even asked me how I handle workplace gossip, which immediately raised alarms for me. Having previously worked in a similar environment filled with drama and disdain towards management, I knew I didn't want to step into that kind of situation again. After a couple of days of feeling uneasy, I decided to withdraw from the process entirely. I believe that mutual respect is crucial in a workplace, and if a company doesn't value its people, it's not the right fit for me.

I recently began a new position at a tech company as a software developer. However, I had applied for another role at a different company before I started this job, and I am now in the interview process for that position. It's a bit of a juggling act, but I'm excited about the opportunity and hope to see where it leads.