Thinking

I recently quit my temp engineering job after several years of hard work. Despite my efforts and multiple attempts to secure a full-time position—about 7 or 8 times—I was consistently overlooked for the role, even when openings arose. This lack of recognition made me feel undervalued and disrespected, so I decided to leave. I was frustrated that my contributions weren't acknowledged, and I wanted to take a stand for myself. After I left, I noticed some colleagues also decided to move on, and a few of my former bosses were let go. I’m not sure if my departure influenced those decisions, but I’m more focused on whether I made the right choice for myself. Did I do the right thing by leaving? It’s hard to say, but I felt like I was being used without any appreciation.

Today was a nerve-wracking day as I had my final interview for a position I really want at a tech company. I had prepared extensively, but I accidentally joined the wrong Zoom link and ended up being 10 minutes late. I had multiple links saved, and I mistakenly clicked on the wrong one, waiting for someone to join that meeting before I realized my error. When I finally got into the correct meeting, I quickly apologized to the interviewer, who was a senior leader at the company. Thankfully, she was gracious and still met with me, but our conversation was cut short from about 30 minutes to only 20 due to her other commitments. While the discussion felt genuine, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was a bit rushed and awkward because of the time crunch. We talked about my background, my interest in the company, and her work, but I keep replaying the mistake in my mind. I'm worried that I might have blown my chances before I even had the opportunity to fully showcase myself. This wasn't my first interview with the company; I had already completed previous rounds with the direct hiring manager and another senior leader. Ironically, during my first meeting with the hiring manager, he missed the meeting entirely, and we had to reschedule. After the interview, I sent a thank-you email, briefly apologizing for the mix-up and thanking her for her flexibility. I'm feeling really anxious about how this might affect my chances, especially since I've been unemployed for four months after being laid off. I'm experiencing burnout and I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. I'm reaching out for any perspective on whether anyone has been in a similar situation and still landed the job. If you're a hiring manager, how would you view this? Is this kind of honest mistake easy to move past, or could it significantly hurt a candidate's chances?

I got laid off 20 months ago and have been struggling to find a new job ever since. I've had quite a few interviews, some of which went through multiple rounds, but unfortunately, none have led to job offers. This experience has really taken a toll on my confidence, especially since I never had trouble finding work before. I feel lost and have been following all the job search advice I can find, but it sometimes feels like it's a personal issue. I'm reaching out to see what kept others going during their long job searches, especially when facing rejection after rejection. What helped you stay motivated? How did you cope on the tough days? I really need to hear from people who understand what I'm going through.

I had my first interview for a role at a company on July 7th with HR and then with the hiring manager on July 10th. It's now been over three weeks, and despite sending a follow-up email on July 21st, I haven't received any response. I'm starting to feel anxious because in all my previous job experiences, I typically heard back within a week. I'm wondering if this silence is a bad sign or if it's just the way things are in the current job market. Has anyone else gone through something similar? Am I being too impatient or unrealistic?

I recently interviewed for a staff UX design position at a well-funded startup on the East Coast, where my former coworker would be my hiring manager. They offered me a salary of $230k base plus some equity, which could amount to around $130k over four years if the company goes public. However, they don't provide a 401k match. I asked for a base salary increase to $240k, as my would-be manager mentioned that was the cap for the salary band. Unfortunately, they said they couldn't increase the salary but could offer a slight increase in equity. To be honest, I'm not very excited about the company itself, but I do feel comfortable with the job and appreciate the chill startup environment. Plus, working with my old coworker is a big plus. I was laid off recently and am about to go on maternity leave, so I would start the new role in early February. Fortunately, I have enough severance to last a year, and I've had recruiters reach out, but I've told them I'm on leave and would prefer to start interviewing once I'm back. Given that the product doesn't excite me much, I'm wondering if I should just accept the offer for the sake of having a job after having a baby, or if I should hold out for something better. Am I being unreasonable in my thinking?

Today, I'm reflecting on my journey in the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) field, and I can't help but feel a sense of sadness. I initially entered this career path with a passion for technology, wanting to understand how computers work, the intricacies of programming languages, and the mechanics of databases. However, I've come to realize that pursuing a career in this field might not be the best decision. I've noticed a growing trend of disrespect towards software engineers, especially with the rise of AI technologies. It feels like the moment AI became prominent, executives started targeting software engineers for layoffs. This wave of layoffs began even before AI took off, around mid-2022, coinciding with the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes that caused stock prices to drop. It seems that software engineers were the first casualties in this shifting landscape. I now believe that while it’s great to have a curiosity about technology, treating it as a side interest rather than a career might be the wiser choice.

I’ve been struggling to find a part-time job lately, despite having a solid amount of work experience. I suspect my limited availability is holding me back from getting hired. I’m wondering if making a follow-up call to potential employers would help my chances, or if they might just see it as unnecessary. I really want to know if a call would make a difference or if it’s better to just wait for them to reach out.

I had a virtual interview for a job last Wednesday, following a preliminary conversation the previous Friday about the role's specifications. The two panel interviews went really well, and they mentioned I would hear back early this week. Now it's midday Wednesday, and I haven't received any updates. I sent a polite follow-up email yesterday to express my continued interest and offer any additional information they might need, but I still haven't heard back. I'm starting to wonder if I'm overthinking this. Am I still in the running, or are they just figuring out how to let me down gently? The uncertainty is driving me a bit crazy, and I just want to know either way.

I've been working in marketing analytics for 18 years, but I only hold a 2-year associate degree. Lately, I've been facing a frustrating challenge in my job search. It seems that AI screening systems are prioritizing candidates with degrees over actual experience. In my field, nearly all job postings for analytics management or senior analyst roles require a bachelor's degree, with a master's preferred. This wasn't an issue in the past; recruiters would recognize my extensive experience and give me a chance to interview. However, in the last two years, I've noticed a significant shift. Many job applications now include sections to fill out personal information alongside educational qualifications, and I believe that if I don't meet the degree requirement, the AI automatically screens me out. I've submitted around 60 applications for roles I'm fully qualified for, yet I haven't received a single interview. Just six years ago, I applied for about 15 jobs and landed five interviews with three offers. It's disheartening to feel like my years of experience are being overlooked in favor of a degree that I don't possess. Going back to school feels like a daunting option, especially since I have a family to support in my late 40s. I'm curious if others are experiencing similar challenges with the new AI-driven job market.

I just learned that Luno, the cryptocurrency exchange I work for, is planning to cut 20% of its global staff. This news has been quite unsettling, as it affects many of my colleagues and friends. I'm currently in the process of assessing my options and considering what steps to take next. It's a challenging time, and I'm hoping to navigate this situation as best as I can.

I've been with my current company for over 8 years, and while I appreciate the flexibility of remote work and setting my own hours, I feel undervalued and underpaid. My title doesn't reflect my responsibilities, and I've taken on duties that were supposed to belong to a C-Level manager who is retiring soon. I've learned that they don't plan to fill that role, leaving me with additional responsibilities without recognition or compensation. The benefits, like being 100% remote, are great, but the medical insurance is costly and the coverage isn't ideal. Plus, since I live in a different state than where the company is headquartered, I face extra taxes. I've realized there's no real chance for upward mobility here, and without a proper title and salary, I'm worried about my job prospects elsewhere. Recently, I started gathering my achievements and salary comparisons to discuss my situation with the CEO, but I expected little to change. However, after updating my LinkedIn profile, a recruiter reached out to me about a potential role that aligns with my current responsibilities but offers significantly better pay—$47K more than what I currently make. The new job is in my state, only 40 minutes away, with free parking and full medical coverage. I have a second interview with the VP tomorrow, and while part of me feels like I'm experiencing imposter syndrome, I can't ignore how life-changing this opportunity could be. I'm torn about whether to approach my current company for a counteroffer or just accept the new job if it's offered. I'm anxious about making the right decision.

I’m currently working as a contractor in a remote job that I absolutely love. My boss is fantastic, the work is decent, and the pay is pretty good. However, I've been in this role for about 1.5 years, and while they keep extending my contract, there have only been vague discussions about potentially making me a full-time employee. I really want to secure a full-time position for better benefits, pay, and job stability. Recently, I received an offer for an in-person job that pays about $15,000 more per year. The thing is, I really don’t want to take it because I enjoy working from home, and I have plans to relocate in the next year. The in-person job would also require more hours and come with a lot more stress, which would disrupt my work-life balance since I value being home with my pets and managing my chores throughout the day. Now, I’m wondering if I can use this new job offer as leverage to push for a full-time position with my current company. I want to turn those vague talks into a concrete offer. I’ve never negotiated my salary or anything like that before, and I feel a bit intimidated since I’m a young woman in the corporate world. Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I just received the call from HR that I've been laid off, and I'm still in shock. After 13 years at the company, I'm being offered 2 months of non-working pay along with up to 8 months of severance. I'm feeling a mix of panic and uncertainty about what to do next. I'm planning to search for more information and advice here, but I could really use some guidance on whether I should apply for unemployment benefits right away or wait until my severance runs out. I've seen some comments suggesting that I might not be eligible for unemployment until the severance payments end, while others say I should apply immediately. It's all a bit overwhelming right now.

I have been working in the oil and gas industry for about 3.5 years, and recently I approached my manager about the possibility of being laid off. However, after our conversation, he didn't provide any updates or mention discussing it with HR. Tomorrow, I plan to speak with HR directly about this. I'm curious if anyone else has asked to be laid off, even though there haven't been any layoffs since March. In a recent department meeting, it was mentioned that employees could reach out to either their manager or HR representatives regarding this matter. I'm looking for insights or experiences from others who have gone through a similar situation.

I recently went through a strange experience while job hunting. Last week, I applied for a position and was contacted by a recruitment agency. I successfully passed their interview and even had a meeting with the employer, where I was selected for the role. I was initially set to start on Monday, but then I received a message on Friday evening that my start date was pushed back by a day. Just yesterday, I was informed that the position had been eliminated altogether. This morning, while searching for new opportunities, I noticed that a different hiring agency has the same job listed again. I decided to apply, but now I'm feeling anxious about whether this will reflect poorly on me. I mean, I was chosen for the job, but the hiring situation changed abruptly. I'm left wondering if I could have been the reason for the change or if it was more about issues between the employer and the original recruitment agency. I really hope that applying again won’t come off as unprofessional.

I started my job at McDonald's just two days ago and I'm already considering quitting. During the interview, they skipped the actual interview part and jumped straight into onboarding, which should have been a red flag. My first day was mostly okay while I was training at window 2, but things took a turn when I moved to window 1 for the last six hours of my shift. I felt completely overwhelmed with the evening rush and had no idea what I was doing. My trainer expected me to handle it alone, but I was struggling to keep up and customers were getting frustrated with me. I couldn't hear anything over the headset, and I wasn't taught how to navigate the order screen before being thrown into the deep end. Now, my trainer wants me to work the rush hour alone again tonight, and I just don't feel ready for that at all. I'm not trying to be dramatic, but this job is causing me so much stress that I couldn't sleep last night and woke up with a headache. Given that I've just come out of a tough situation at home, I really can't handle this pressure. I know first days can be rough, but this feels unbearable. Should I tough it out for a few more shifts or is it okay to quit now?

I have been a stay-at-home mom for the past 7 years, and before that, my work experience was primarily in retail and the food industry. I became a stay-at-home parent at 19, which worked well for my family at the time. However, now that most of my kids are in school, I feel the need to re-enter the workforce, especially given the current economic climate. During my time at home, I earned an Associates degree in business technology, but I'm struggling to find a job in that field in my small town. Most employers are looking for candidates with a bachelor's degree, years of experience, and are only offering around $12 an hour. Additionally, I have no childcare support, so I am responsible for getting my kids on and off the bus every day. I see other parents managing this, and I’m unsure how they do it while working full-time.

I recently faced a confusing situation regarding my career path. I applied for a trainee program but unfortunately got rejected. However, the company then offered me a research position related to data science. I'm unsure how to approach this new opportunity, especially since I was initially aiming for the trainee role. I'm worried they might question my confusion about my career direction during the interview or onboarding process. I'm considering whether I should accept this research position or hold out for something more aligned with my original goals.

I had two job interviews last week with a company, starting with a phone screening with HR and then an in-person interview with the training lead. On Monday morning, I received a voicemail from HR stating they had a formal job offer for me. I quickly called back within an hour and left a voicemail, but I was so anxious that I called again later that day, convinced I hadn’t left the message properly. Unfortunately, they didn’t return my call on Monday afternoon or the next day, which has left me feeling stressed. I’m eager to finalize this offer so I can start looking for an apartment and get out of hotels. I’m wondering how long I should wait before reaching out again. I’ve received some advice to call the main line and check if I have the right contact number, or to send a gentle reminder email by Friday morning if I don’t hear back. I’m considering calling multiple times a day to ensure I connect with someone.

I graduated with my master's in psychology two years ago, and I've been struggling to find my first job since then. It feels like everywhere I apply, they require either connections or extensive experience that a fresh graduate simply doesn't have. I'm not even in the US, so even entry-level positions like those at McDonald's are out of reach for me. In my frustration, I've been considering embellishing my resume to increase my chances of landing a job at private schools, which I think are less critical environments. I'm contemplating stretching the duration of my internship at a government-run hospital from six months to a full year and exaggerating the responsibilities I had there. The reality is, I mostly shadowed the psychologist and assisted with minor tasks. I'm also thinking about adding some unverifiable experiences, like freelance work or tutoring, but I'm hesitant about how far I should go. I want to avoid telling any big lies that could come back to haunt me later. All I really want is a chance to enter the job market, but the pressure to present myself as more experienced is overwhelming.