Thinking

I recently started a new job at a healthcare office in a front desk/admin position, which I specifically applied for. During the interview, the manager mentioned that there would be some cross-training for clinical support, but I made it clear that I wasn't interested in that aspect of the job. He assured me that I would primarily be at the front desk, only covering clinical duties when necessary. I accepted the offer based on that understanding. However, within my first week, I was informed that my role would now mainly involve room turnover and cleaning instruments, with front desk duties being a secondary responsibility. A coworker even mentioned that in his year there, he only had to cover the clinical side a handful of times, which makes me feel like I was misled. I'm planning to ask my manager if this change is temporary or permanent, but I'm feeling uneasy about the situation. I have a safety net since I live with family, so I'm not in a financial bind, but I'm anxious about quitting without another job lined up. I really don't want to stay in a position where the terms have changed so drastically so soon. Has anyone else experienced something similar? Should I start job hunting now or wait it out while I look for something else?

I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in accounting, but I'm feeling really stuck right now. My only work experience comes from a serving job I held for four years during college, which helped me pay my bills since I had to support myself without any financial help from my parents. I couldn't pursue internships because I needed to prioritize my income, and although there are paid internships, they are super competitive. I did well with tips in my serving job, so it was tough to leave that for an uncertain internship. Now, I've been unemployed for four months after quitting my serving job due to conflicts with my manager and mental stress. I've been relying on my savings, but I'm struggling to find a job in my field. Every position I apply for seems to require experience that I just don't have. I've tailored my resume for each job and even sought advice from online resume experts and recruiters, but still no interviews. I'm starting to wonder if lying on my resume is the only way to appear qualified. It's frustrating and disheartening.

Today, I find myself unexpectedly back on the job market after losing my position as an Account Executive in a SaaS company. I had recently returned from a medically documented leave for treatment, having followed all the necessary protocols and communicated with HR throughout the process. Unfortunately, just three hours after my return, I was terminated, with the vague reasoning that I was "not a culture fit." Prior to my leave, I had no performance issues or warnings, so this came as a shock. I'm now seeking advice on how to navigate my job search and explain this short tenure in interviews. I want to maintain professionalism and avoid speaking negatively about my former employer, while also being cautious not to disclose too much about my medical situation. My experience lies heavily in SaaS sales, business development, and relationship management, and I'm eager to find a long-term opportunity that aligns with my skills. I’m considering a response like, "The position ended unexpectedly, and I’m now focused on finding a long-term opportunity that better aligns with my background in SaaS sales and business development." I would appreciate any guidance from those who have faced similar situations and successfully transitioned into a new role. I'm ready to get back to work quickly and would love to hear any tips or strategies.

I just started a new job at a deli, and I'm only a few days in, but I'm already feeling overwhelmed and considering quitting. I applied for this position because it was the only one available after months of job searching, even though I really wanted to be a cashier. Just my luck, they started hiring for that role right after I began. The work itself can be manageable, but my assistant manager has been incredibly difficult to work with. As a new employee, I'm still trying to learn where everything is and how to do various tasks, but he seems to have zero patience. He mumbles under his breath, gets upset when I forget to tag items, and makes snarky comments. I even overheard him laughing with others about my mistakes, which made me feel humiliated. When I asked for help or the location of certain items, he treated my questions as if they were stupid. He would snatch things out of my hands and blamed me for not finishing tasks on time, making me feel like a burden. I can't handle being treated this way, and I'm not sure what to do next. I didn't want this position to begin with, and I'm worried about whether they'd even consider letting me switch to a different role.

I’m currently in a tough spot at my job as an advisor at a for-profit college. Every year, my company goes through layoffs, and it feels like I'm just waiting for my turn. I genuinely love my role and the students I help, but the pressure of performance metrics is overwhelming. I've been with the company for over three years, and recently, I took on a trial position while still managing my current role. Unfortunately, splitting my focus has affected my performance. My supervisor has been warning us about upcoming layoffs, and now, as I sit here the night before another round of office closures, I can’t shake the feeling that I might lose my job. I’m the primary breadwinner in my household, and I also provide health insurance, which adds to my anxiety since I have ongoing medical issues that require attention. I’m grappling with the reality of potentially losing my job and wondering if I should start looking for something else or even pursue a passion project. The thought of moving to Europe or starting a small business crosses my mind, but I’m not sure what direction to take. I just wish I didn’t care so much, but I do. It’s a challenging time, and I know I’m not alone in feeling this way.

I recently started a new job as a Project Manager with a charitable affordable housing developer after a long 9-month job search following a career change. My direct manager really advocated for me during the hiring process, even when his boss was hesitant about bringing me on board. The first week has been great, and I've settled in quickly, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere where we often leave by 11am on Fridays. However, just a week into this role, I received an unexpected offer from a luxury custom homebuilder that specializes in $5 million+ houses. They loved me during my day with them and offered me the position on the spot. I had initially applied two months ago before I took the affordable housing job, and now I'm torn between staying loyal to my current manager and the appealing opportunity at the custom builder. Both roles offer similar pay, but the custom builder is more intense and prestigious, while the affordable housing job feels more laid-back and fulfilling. I really like both teams and managers, which makes this decision even harder. I’m feeling conflicted about potentially disappointing my current manager, who has been so supportive, but I also don’t want to miss out on a great opportunity that could be a significant step in my career.

I recently experienced a layoff from my job, and it's been tough to escape the constant reminders of it in my daily life. I was already feeling burnt out from the endless leetcode practice, trying to balance that with a social life for my mental health. However, I’ve noticed that in almost every social interaction, the topic of work comes up. People ask about my job, my commute, and return-to-office policies. Each time, I have to explain that I've been laid off, and then I sit through the obligatory condolences. It feels like my identity is tied to my job, and it’s hard to break free from that narrative. I’ve been reflecting on whether this is an American or Silicon Valley issue. In various social settings—whether it’s with friends, family dinners, or even hiking groups—everyone seems to focus on work. I remember seeing a social media post about how people in Europe tend to ask about hobbies and other defining aspects of life, rather than work. I brushed it off at the time, but now I can’t help but think it might be true. Maybe I’m just overly stressed and sensitive to the topic, but it feels like every mention of work is a trigger. I wonder if I'm overreacting, and I’m curious how others have navigated their layoff journeys. Any advice would be appreciated.

I have an important interview tomorrow for an assistant photographer position at a fashion retailer, and I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. I'm 19 and have been working night shifts at a factory for over a year, which has been draining. About a year ago, I interviewed for a similar role at an auction house. I felt it went really well; I had relevant photography experience, and I even went the extra mile by mimicking their photographer's style for my portfolio. The feedback was positive, and they seemed to really like me. However, after weeks of waiting, I learned I didn't get the job, which was disheartening since they had hyped me up. Now, I find myself in a similar situation, and this new role aligns even better with my interests. I have experience in fashion photography and have worked with small fashion brands, plus the location is perfect for me. I've spent the weekend preparing a tailored portfolio and practicing my responses to potential interview questions. I'm reaching out for advice on how to nail this interview. I want to know what could have gone wrong in my last interview that seemed to go perfectly. Can a small mistake really cost you the job? Also, I'm eager to learn how to go the extra mile this time to stand out, as I know these opportunities are rare. Getting this job would mean so much to me and help me get my life back on track.

I was supposed to start my new job as a project coordinator on September 28, but due to construction delays, my start date has been pushed back to October 26. I completely understand that these things happen, but I'm really struggling financially and can't afford to wait another few weeks without any income. I'm considering asking if I could start training online or do some remote work in the meantime, even though I can't physically be at the location yet. I really want to keep this job and don't want to seem difficult, but I genuinely need the income. I'm feeling a bit stuck and unsure about how to approach this.

I recently graduated with a BS in Business Management and I'm feeling lost in my career path. At 26, living in Redondo Beach, CA, I realized during my last semesters that traditional office jobs or sales roles just aren't for me. I thrive when I work with my hands, whether it's installing stereos in my vehicles or maintaining my dirt bikes and trucks. I've even made a decent profit flipping dirt bikes, but I want something more fulfilling. I've been trying to break into the electrical field for over six months without success, and after a year and a half, I still haven't heard back from WECA for testing. I'm now considering plumbing and HVAC, but I'm struggling to find companies willing to hire someone with no experience. I have a strong work ethic and I'm eager to start from the bottom, but I feel like I'm running out of time. I want to commit to a trade that I can enjoy and build a career in, ideally leading to starting my own company in the future. Any advice on how to get started in a trade would be greatly appreciated.

I recently found myself reflecting on my career journey and the challenges I've faced. I started working in factories at 16 after leaving school, which was quite common in India. My path took me through various roles, including hospitality during the pandemic, teaching at a small institute, and eventually moving to Mumbai for a BPO job. Unfortunately, that company shut down, and I've been freelancing as a research analyst since then. I've been unemployed for nearly two years now, and while my freelancing brings in about 20-25k per month, it's not enough to sustain me. I'm turning 24 this November, and it feels disheartening to have come this far with such low pay. I have a diverse skill set, including Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML, and advanced Excel, which I've utilized in my freelancing work. I also have strong communication, sales, negotiation, and operations handling skills. However, my lack of formal education has been a barrier in finding stable employment. I attempted to pursue my education through NIOS, but some paperwork issues prevented me from taking the exams. Looking ahead, I aspire to own a bookstore or a shop and aim for early retirement by 2032. I'm seeking advice on viable career options that could help me achieve this goal, especially considering my skills and experiences.

Today, I’m preparing for a big step in my job search. I applied for a mid-career engineering role and went through a phone screen followed by an initial Teams interview with the direct manager. They’ve now invited me for the final round of interviews on-site, which is quite intense. I’ll be facing 5 back-to-back interviews with different individuals from the team. I’ve heard mixed opinions about this format. Some say it’s better than having multiple separate rounds, but it still feels like a gauntlet to me. I’m trying to gauge if this is a common practice in the industry. I’m a bit anxious about the possibility of repeating myself and how to tailor my responses to each interviewer’s focus. I’ve read that pacing myself will be crucial and that I should prepare for some repetition in questions. Some past interviewees shared their experiences, noting that it can be exhausting but manageable. I’m hoping to make a good impression and show that I’m a fit for the role. Any tips or insights from those who have gone through similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I recently left a toxic job without giving the standard two weeks' notice, and it's been a bit of a whirlwind since then. I was really worried about how this would affect my reputation, especially since a few coworkers who agreed to be my references ended up ghosting me. It feels like they took my departure personally, which is frustrating. Now that I'm at a new company, I can't shake the fear that my past will come back to haunt me, especially if I run into old colleagues. I haven't updated my LinkedIn profile yet because I want to keep my new position under wraps for now. My biggest concern is that some vindictive coworkers might reach out to my new employer to spill the beans about my abrupt exit. I really hope to avoid any awkward encounters with them in the future. Has anyone else experienced something similar after leaving a job without notice?

I'm currently working in an entry-level logistics/procurement role, and I've noticed that my workload has significantly decreased over the past month. I'm only putting in about 4 hours of work each day, even though I'm paid for 8. It's become apparent that while some colleagues are busy, others, including myself, have very little to do. I reached out to my manager to express my availability for more tasks, and she has been assigning me additional work here and there. However, I'm feeling quite anxious about the possibility of layoffs due to the overstaffing situation. One of my coworkers believes that layoffs are unlikely and that we might only face a hiring freeze, which eases my mind a bit. Historically, the company has not engaged in layoffs for a long time, but the current circumstances make me worry. I'm hopeful that if I get promoted, my workload will increase and provide more stability.

I'm 25 and feeling a bit lost in my career after taking a nontraditional path. I graduated from Rutgers in 2024 with degrees in Economics and Communication, but instead of jumping into a corporate job, I spent the last few years modeling in NYC. I've been signed with a major agency and have worked on various commercial and e-commerce projects for well-known brands, along with freelancing in content creation and styling. While I've had some amazing experiences, the work has been inconsistent, which has made me realize I want more stability in my career. Recently, I accepted a part-time job near my parents' house, but it's only two days a week and doesn't provide enough income for independence. I'm now actively applying for full-time positions in creative production, project coordination, and marketing, and I'm starting to feel the pressure of wanting a stable salary, a routine, and my own place. I can't shake the feeling that I'm behind compared to others my age who have established careers and their own apartments. Living at home adds to that feeling, even though I'm grateful for the support. Rationally, I know I've gained valuable experience and skills, and I'm even getting interviews, but emotionally, I keep questioning why I didn't start this journey sooner. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has felt this way after spending their early 20s freelancing or pursuing unconventional paths. How did you transition into a more traditional career, and how long did it take before you felt established? I'm struggling to differentiate between wanting to make changes now and feeling like I've completely messed up my early 20s. Any insights from those who rebuilt their careers in their mid-to-late 20s would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started a new job at a large company after being unemployed or underemployed for over two years due to a layoff. It's been two months now, and I find myself with very little to do. I completed my virtual training in just two weeks and was supposed to start shadowing, but the opportunities to do so come in very sporadically. Most of the time, I'm just sitting around waiting for tasks or taking extra courses that aren't mandatory. My boss is aware of the situation, and while I'm supposed to eventually get my own clients, I have no estimated timeline for that. I'm starting to wonder if this is typical for a new role in such a large organization. It's quite different from my past experiences at fast-paced startups where I was usually busy within a month. I'm feeling anxious about the possibility of being laid off again.

I lost my job on Friday, and honestly, I feel completely hopeless right now. I had a gut feeling that layoffs were coming, but I didn't expect it to happen so soon. The company I worked for conducted a mass layoff over a Zoom call, and it was shocking to see how they only kept those who were part of their cliques. I’ve been laid off before, but this experience felt so much more personal and painful. When I saw the panic in the eyes of my colleagues who were kept, I knew it was happening to me too. I thought to myself, 'Great, now I have to start all over again.' I'm 26 years old, and I've been struggling to figure out what to do with my life. I was in the mortgage industry and had just been promoted two months ago, so this felt like a huge slap in the face. To make matters worse, I was recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and now I'm worried about how I'm going to afford my medication without coverage. The stress and panic are overwhelming, and I just feel lost about the future. I've tried so many different career paths, and I feel like I'm running out of options. I’m trying to figure out my next steps, but everything seems daunting right now.

I had a first stage interview for a position about three weeks ago, and I felt it went really well. The interviewer gave all the right signals, and I was told I would hear back soon. After a week of silence, I reached out to my recruiter for an update. He reassured me that the interview went well and that I should expect news shortly. However, another two weeks have gone by, and I decided to follow up again because I am very interested in this role. The recruiter informed me that they are currently dealing with some internal processes that are taking longer than expected, but I should hear back soon. I'm starting to wonder if I should be concerned about the delay or if it's normal. Has anyone else experienced such a long wait after a first stage interview? Am I just being impatient?

I recently started my first full-time job in capital markets operations at a bank, and I'm feeling quite uncertain about my experience so far. It's been about three weeks since I joined, and while I have a background with three internships in various banking roles, the support I've received has been lacking. My manager has been mostly absent, especially during my second week, which left me relying heavily on the team lead for training. Unfortunately, the team lead's attitude has been somewhat passive-aggressive, making me feel inadequate for not knowing everything immediately. I'm earning $60K, which feels low considering my previous experience, but I understand that this is an operations role. I was also informed on my first day about the high turnover rate on the team, which now has me questioning if I made the right choice. The team dynamics are quite quiet; everyone seems focused on their work without much interaction or networking, which is disappointing since I hoped to build relationships and explore other areas within the bank. I'm trying to take my time to learn and avoid mistakes, especially since I'm dealing with significant transactions and clients. However, I'm starting to feel like I might not be getting the growth opportunities I expected. Given the lack of support and the overall environment, I'm contemplating whether I should start looking for other roles or if this is just a normal adjustment period for a new grad. I could use some advice from others in banking—does this sound like a bad team, or is it typical for someone in my position?

I’m currently 17 and living in Florida, desperately trying to find a job since I graduated high school. I’ve been applying everywhere—Starbucks, Walmart, various internships, and fast food places like McDonald's and Longhorn, but nothing seems to work out. My dad is pushing me to get a job because he plans to move out of state when I turn 18, and I feel immense pressure to support myself. I’m also stressed about a $120 medical bill that he wants me to pay, which feels like a lot for someone who is unemployed. I’m starting college soon and want to save up for a cheap car, but I feel stuck. I’m even considering technical jobs or nursing, but I can’t start working in those fields until I turn 18. I’m worried I’ll be unemployed for the next eight months and am feeling overwhelmed by the whole situation.