Thinking

I hold three passports: U.S., EU, and Ecuadorian, but I'm struggling to find a job beyond roles like waiter or Amazon driver. I have a degree in management information systems and some experience as a data entry clerk, yet I can't seem to land any position in IT, no matter how I adjust my resume. It's frustrating to feel stuck in this job market.

I received an interview offer for a position that seems a bit suspicious. The pay is $26/hr for a week of training, then jumps to $36/hr after that, with full-time hours and benefits. The interviews are being conducted over private messages, and they want to schedule them very soon—possibly today. I applied through Handshake, which is where this message originated. I'm feeling skeptical about the legitimacy of this offer. Some comments I read suggested it might be a scam, especially since interviews over private messaging seem unusual. I did find out that the company, dmdcommercialroofing.com, has been registered since 2017, which adds some credibility, but I'm still wary. I think I might call their publicly available phone number to verify the offer before proceeding.

I recently applied for a deli job and was asked to provide my first name and phone number. I’m trying to decide whether it’s better to call them in a couple of days or to visit the store in person to follow up. I've heard that being proactive can make a good impression, but I'm unsure which approach is more effective. Should I physically go back to the deli or is a phone call sufficient? I want to make sure I stand out, but I also don’t want to seem overly pushy.

I got laid off about two months ago and I'm feeling pretty lost. I live in an area where remote jobs are really hard to come by, and most local companies don't offer decent pay or work-life balance. My last job was through a referral from a friend, which helped me land an interview, but now I'm struggling to find legitimate remote opportunities without that kind of connection. I've been actively searching on LinkedIn and various job sites, reaching out to recruiters, but I haven't had any luck so far. I check job postings every morning and apply or contact recruiters, but nothing seems to be working. I’ve had multiple people review my CV, so I don’t think that’s the issue. On top of everything, I have a wedding coming up at the end of the year, and I’m really worried about getting married while being unemployed. I’ve already postponed the wedding twice before, and I hate the thought of feeling useless on such an important day. I’m trying to stay productive by working on AWS certifications; I’ve completed the Cloud Practitioner and am now working towards the Solutions Architect Associate. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this job search and whether I should consider postponing the wedding again. It’s tough waking up without a clear direction, and I just want to feel like I’m moving forward.

I recently applied for a Management Analyst II position with my local city government, and I'm feeling a bit conflicted about being overqualified for the role. At 28 years old, I just completed my PhD in Economics, and while this position only requires a BS degree, the work genuinely interests me since it's in my home city. The posted salary for the role tops out at $65k, but given my extensive research, teaching, and analytical experience, I believe a salary in the $80-90k range would be more appropriate. My advisor even suggested asking for $100k, which seems a bit aggressive for a government position. I'm also contemplating whether I should inquire about being considered for a Management Analyst III or IV position instead, considering my qualifications. I don't want to come off as presumptuous, especially since I applied for the II role, but I feel it's worth raising the question. I recently received a verbal offer and am expecting the written offer soon, so I'm trying to navigate how best to handle the salary conversation without leaving too much on the table after all my years of education and work. Has anyone else dealt with similar situations in local government? Did asking for a higher grade level ever work out?

I had a pre-screening call with a Talent Acquisition officer from a company I applied to directly through LinkedIn. During the call, they asked about my current status, education, and expected salary. At the end of the conversation, they mentioned, "Thanks. We will shortlist and contact you." This has me feeling a bit anxious since my past experiences with pre-screening calls typically ended with scheduling an interview right away. I'm currently unemployed and worried that this could mean I'm not moving forward in the process. I'm trying to stay positive and keep applying to other jobs, but it's hard not to read into their response.

I'm an 18-year-old about to start college, and I've been feeling really overwhelmed by my family's financial situation. My parents are doing their best, but it hurts to see them stressed about money. I genuinely want to help out, but I haven't found any job opportunities yet. I've been exploring side gigs that would allow me to earn some money while studying, but many seem unrealistic or require experience I just don't have. I often feel guilty for spending my parents' money, especially when I know things are tight. I understand I'm still young and just beginning my career, but the weight of responsibility feels heavy. I don't want to just wait for things to improve on their own; I'm eager to learn new skills and work hard, but right now I feel stuck. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has suggestions for online work, remote tasks, internships, or any beginner-friendly opportunities suitable for a student. If you've faced similar challenges, I'd love to hear how you managed those feelings and found ways to earn while studying. Any advice would be really appreciated. Thanks!

I’m feeling really confused about my job search requirements after being laid off in Washington. I worked as a stocker and order filler, but now I want to explore other job options, even if they are in fast food or janitorial work. The guidelines say I need to search for work in the same occupation, but that feels limiting. If I say I’m not looking for the same type of job, I have to pick one specific occupation to focus on, which seems unfair since the options are so narrow. For example, a fast food cook is not considered the same as an industry cook, and a janitor is different from a housemaid. I’m worried that if I was let go from a housemaid position, I wouldn’t be eligible for benefits if I applied for janitorial jobs. It seems like I can only apply for jobs similar to my last role, but I really don’t want to be stuck in the grocery sector. I thought about applying for other types of jobs, but I’m unsure if I’ll still qualify for benefits if I do. It feels like I’m trapped in this specific job category.

I'm currently in a yearlong fellowship in New York that is set to end in September. I'm starting to worry about what happens next if I don't secure another job before then. I wanted to know if I would be eligible to apply for unemployment benefits after my fellowship concludes, even though it has a specified end date. I've heard mixed opinions on this, so I'm trying to get clarity on whether I can file for unemployment or if the defined term of my job disqualifies me. I've been paying taxes, so I hope that works in my favor.

I had my unemployment appeal hearing last Wednesday after my initial claim was denied. The hearing officer submitted the results this past Monday, but as of today, my portal still hasn’t updated. I’ve seen some discussions online suggesting that if I win the appeal, my payment history could change immediately or I might receive payment right away. I’m really hoping that’s true, but I’m unsure how long it typically takes to see a decision or get paid after the paperwork is submitted. I’m feeling overwhelmed with bills piling up and the waiting is adding to my stress. If anyone has experience with this in Illinois, I’d appreciate any insights.

I am currently working as a truck dispatcher in Illinois, and my work hours have been changed multiple times since I was hired. Initially, I was set for a Monday to Friday schedule from 8 AM to 5 PM. However, that quickly shifted to a 2 days on, 2 days off schedule from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM. They even suggested a 9 AM to 9 PM shift, which I told them was not feasible for me as a single parent raising my 9-year-old son. Eventually, I ended up on a 6 AM to 6 PM schedule, still with the 2 days on, 2 days off pattern. Now, due to a night dispatcher quitting, my boss is insisting that I switch to the 9 AM to 9 PM hours. I had a conversation with my boss and made it clear that I cannot make that change for my son's sake. If I am forced to resign because of this, I want to know if I can still claim unemployment while I search for a new job. Additionally, if they offer me a significantly lower-paying position that fits my hours, would that negatively impact my unemployment claim?

I recently landed a new job in tech while being over 30 weeks pregnant. Previously, I held a lead/manager role, and my new position is also a lead role, although it comes with a base salary that's about $15,000 lower than my last job. Surprisingly, I'm completely fine with the pay cut because at this point in my life, I prioritize finding a supportive work environment with good people, especially considering my pregnancy. After I signed the offer, I disclosed my pregnancy to the company, and they were completely okay with it, which was a relief. This entire process has been emotionally draining, and there were many moments of uncertainty about how everything would turn out. I'm sharing my experience to offer hope to anyone else who might be pregnant and job searching. There is still hope out there.

I recently reflected on my compensation journey over the past few years. I started in 2022 as a Senior Manager with a total compensation of $225k. Despite enjoying my role, I felt underutilized and faced significant stress, rated at a 9, especially after experiencing retaliation that led to a performance improvement plan (PIP) and ultimately my termination. In 2023, I transitioned to another Senior Manager position with a total compensation of $160k, but the stress level skyrocketed to a 10 due to a project getting canceled, which resulted in layoffs. Now, in 2024, I’ve secured a Manager role with a total compensation of $175k, and I’m thrilled to report my stress level has dropped to a 2 since it’s fully remote. I appreciate the family time I have now, but I'm still contemplating if I should pursue opportunities that match my previous peak compensation. I would love to hear about others' compensation experiences during layoffs and what new roles they accepted.

Today, I received a surprising call from my former employer, a tech company where I worked as a software engineer. I was laid off a few weeks ago due to company restructuring, and I thought that was the end of my time there. However, they reached out to me today expressing their desire to bring me back on board. They mentioned that they realized my contributions were valuable and that they could use my expertise again. I'm feeling a mix of emotions right now—confusion, excitement, and a bit of skepticism. I need to weigh my options carefully before making any decisions.

I was laid off recently at the age of 58, and it hit me hard. It's frustrating to see how age discrimination is still prevalent in the job market. I've been in my career for decades, and now I'm facing the challenge of finding a new role at this age. I know I'm not alone in this struggle; I've seen others in similar situations, including a friend who was laid off at 59 and is still job searching. It's tough out there, and while I have some financial stability, the reality is that I need to secure a job soon. I just hope that my experience and skills will still be valued by potential employers.

I've been on the job hunt for about half a year now, primarily focusing on Software Engineering, AI, and Analytics roles in California. Despite sending out around 200 applications, I've only managed to secure one interview. I'm feeling quite frustrated and overwhelmed by the process. I'm reaching out for advice on how to improve my chances of landing a job. Any tips or insights would be greatly appreciated!

I recently applied for a position at a tech company and was really excited about the opportunity. However, I just received a notification that my application was denied, and it happened so quickly that I'm left wondering if I was really considered at all. It feels disheartening to be rejected so fast without any feedback. I'm trying to process this and figure out my next steps in the job search.

Today, I completed an interview for a fully in-person job and was essentially offered the position on the spot. I currently work in a SaaS role at a tech company that has experienced eight rounds of layoffs in the last three years. The company, owned by private equity, has a toxic culture where everyone seems unhappy. Although my job is fully remote and offers some flexibility, the workload is overwhelming with around 30 projects to manage, and I often deal with difficult customers. My current salary is $80k in Austin, but the stress and dissatisfaction are taking a toll. The new job is in the medical industry, not tech, and requires me to work in the office from 9am to 6pm with a 30-minute commute each way. The recruiter reached out to me about a month ago, and they sent an offer letter proposing a salary of $100k, along with paid overtime, a bonus, and standard benefits. I’m married and 35 years old, with plans to start a family in the next few years, so the extra income would be beneficial. However, I’m torn about giving up the remote flexibility for a job that requires me to wear business attire and commute daily. I’m weighing the pros and cons and trying to decide if the $20k difference is worth the change in lifestyle.

Today, I spent some time helping my wife with her resume as she looks to transition out of the hospitality industry. After seven years of working her way up in hotels, she’s feeling burned out from the demanding 24/7 nature of the business. Although she has been compensated fairly, the constant staffing issues at her company have meant she often has to cover shifts, including nights and weekends. Recently, her manager left, and instead of being promoted to Assistant General Manager, she was reassigned to an Operations Manager role. The plan was for someone else to take on the evening and overnight responsibilities, but that hasn’t materialized. We’re fortunate that she can afford to take a pay cut for a better work-life balance, so she’s exploring different industries and roles in our area. The challenge now is to make her resume less generic and more appealing for positions outside of hospitality. I’ve attached her current resume and would love any advice on how to highlight her skills and experience in a way that resonates with potential employers in other fields.

I’ve been working as a contractor scientist in the biotech field for the past 9 years, primarily in the Bay Area. Despite my strong performance metrics, I haven’t been able to break into a Senior Scientist role, which is crucial for advancing into management positions. It’s disheartening to see peers from my PhD program quickly rise to higher positions while I feel stuck. I have autism, and although I’ve tried to adapt by masking my behaviors, it hasn’t helped me gain the promotions I’ve been seeking. I’ve applied to over 1000 jobs in the last few years, meticulously tracking my applications, yet the responses have been minimal. I’m increasingly worried about the future of my career, especially with advancements in AI and microfluidics that threaten my current role. I've even been in situations where I trained machines to do my job before being downsized. The pressure is immense, and I feel like I’m on a blacklist, even though I know that’s illegal. I’ve rewritten my cover letter and resume multiple times, trying to tailor them for each application, but it feels futile. I’ve also noticed a lot of nepotism in the industry, which further complicates my situation. My friends who are CEOs in biotech refuse to engage in such practices, but I see it happening everywhere around me. I’m working with therapists and reading self-help books to improve my situation, but I still feel singled out at work. The thought of sabotaging my coworkers has crossed my mind, but I know that’s not the right path. I’ve started applying for jobs outside the Bay Area, hoping to escape the cycle of ghost job listings, but I still feel lost and unfixable. It’s incredibly depressing to think about how much I’ve invested in my education and career, only to feel like I’m worse off than if I had pursued a trade. I’m reaching out for help because I genuinely don’t know what to do next.