Thinking

I just learned that ServiceNow has cut hundreds of jobs again, and it feels surreal. I was part of the layoffs back in June, and I can't believe they are doing this so soon after. I spoke with a manager who survived this round, and the morale among the remaining employees is incredibly low. Everyone seems to be walking around in disbelief, wondering how this could happen again. It’s disheartening to think that the company, once considered 'the best place to work,' has changed so drastically. I’m actually relieved to be out of it now, but I know many are joining the unemployment line, and the job market feels tougher than ever.

I have been self-employed for the past 2.5 years, but I've been struggling financially and am now looking to return to a full-time office job in the HR industry. Despite being qualified and even overqualified for many positions, I keep getting rejected before I even make it to the interview stage. I'm feeling quite discouraged and would love to hear about others' experiences with re-entering the corporate world after self-employment. Should I consider applying for lower-level positions than I previously held, or should I stick to my qualifications? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I’ve been working as a team lead at a group home in Germany for almost two years now, right after I graduated university. Initially, it felt like a dream job. I loved the part-time supervision, the manageable shifts, and the supportive coworker I had. We worked with clients who were generally not high-risk, and I enjoyed teaching them skills and helping them navigate their lives. However, things have drastically changed. Recently, I was promoted to team lead, a role I didn’t want, and now I bear the brunt of any issues that arise. The workload has increased significantly, with longer hours and night shifts being introduced starting in September. The residents are more challenging now, with one young man I’m responsible for being severely depressed and frequently needing hospitalization. I’ve even faced threats from another resident who has a background in martial arts. The environment has become toxic; my favorite coworker had to resign due to illness, and the remaining staff are either unreliable or resentful. My boss oscillates between being supportive and harsh, which adds to the stress. While the company offers good pay and opportunities for professional development, the conditions are unbearable. I feel guilty about leaving the kids I’ve bonded with, but I dread going to work every day, often crying on my way there. I’m torn between wanting to stay for the kids and recognizing that my mental health is suffering. I’m considering looking for a new job, but I worry it might be worse.

I recently started job hunting after being out of the workforce for 20 years. I took time off to raise my children and focus on family responsibilities, but now I'm feeling overwhelmed about how to address this significant gap in my resume. I'm not sure how to present my skills and experiences in a way that potential employers will find valuable. I'm considering taking some online courses to refresh my skills and maybe even volunteering to gain some recent experience. Any advice on how to effectively explain this gap during interviews or on my resume would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off from my first job today due to a major restructuring initiative that affected nearly 800 employees. As a recent graduate, this was my first role after college, and I feel completely lost and scared right now. I just moved into my own apartment and recently got a dog, which adds to my worries about finances and the job market, which seems daunting. I'm reaching out for advice on how to cope with this situation and what my next steps should be. I’ve been advised to check my expenses and trim anything unnecessary, and to consider staying in my current area if it increases my chances of finding a new job. I’ve also been reminded that my dog is important for my mental health, so I should only consider rehoming if absolutely necessary.

I recently completed my Master's degree but have been struggling to find a job in my field. In the meantime, I'm looking for any entry-level position to stay afloat. My work history primarily consists of internships I did during college, and I've focused on my education since I was 18. I'm contemplating leaving my Master's off my resume because I fear it might deter employers who think I won't stay long in a lower-level job. However, I'm unsure how to represent the four years I spent earning my Bachelor's degree. I want to be honest but also need to make myself appealing to potential employers. I’ve heard suggestions to apply for unarmed security jobs and to include my Bachelor's degree while omitting the Master's. I'm hoping to hear from others who might have faced a similar situation.

I was recently wrongfully terminated from my position as a technology teacher at a private online school, and I'm feeling lost about my rights and next steps. Initially, I took on multiple roles, including technology support and instructional manager, with my supervisor's approval for high hours due to my workload. I even developed a web app to automate processes that saved the school money, but my supervisor claimed it as her own despite not contributing to it. Things took a turn when I began questioning some of the school's practices, including accreditation and the validity of the curriculum, which seemed to upset my supervisor. On July 18th, she abruptly changed her demeanor towards me, leading to a confrontation over a password issue that was ultimately a typo on her part. On July 20th, she terminated me via a Teams chat, claiming I was too expensive and withholding my pay for the month. After I stopped working, I noticed suspicious activity on my web application, including attempts to brute force access and a significant data deletion that I suspect was orchestrated by her. I’ve always been dedicated to my work and received positive feedback from faculty, students, and their families. Now, I’m in shock and unsure if I have any legal recourse. I feel underappreciated for my hard work, and I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation.

I’m feeling really frustrated with my job search right now. I’m 23 years old and have applied to countless entry-level positions, but I rarely hear back from anyone — not even rejection letters. I've tried all sorts of advice that people have given me, like not including my degree on my resume, applying in person, and even changing how I present my work experience. Despite my efforts, I still feel stuck. Currently, I have an associate's degree in general studies science and I’m planning to pursue a bachelor's in engineering in spring 2027. Right now, I’m working part-time at a martial arts school, but it’s more of a volunteer role with minimal compensation, so I don’t usually list it as a job on my applications. My last actual job was at Chick-fil-A back in 2022, where I was terminated after less than six months. I’m available on weekends and holidays but can’t work nights. I’ve applied to some places multiple times, trying different strategies, but I still get no responses. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something fundamentally wrong with my approach or if I’m just not cut out for this. It’s disheartening not to even get a response after all this effort.

I've been feeling really insecure at my job lately and I'm in need of some advice. I've been working at a dental office as an administrative assistant for a year now. Initially, it was quite challenging to adapt since there was no proper training provided. The previous staff didn't stay long, and I suspect it was due to a mix of high turnover and not being the right fit. My boss claims it was due to a lack of working rights for the staff, but I have my doubts since many of the former employees had a strong dislike for my boss. Currently, business has slowed down, which is typical for this time of year in the dental industry, but during my time here, I was the go-to person. I implemented a review system that helped the practice gain over 300 reviews, making us rank #1 in our area. I also managed social media, the website, and handled equipment repairs. However, I started to feel burnt out due to the high patient demand and constant interruptions from my boss, who would pull me away from my tasks to cover for my co-workers. After returning from a short trip, I've noticed a significant shift in the workplace dynamic. My boss seems to have taken away many of my responsibilities, which I suspect is a reaction to my recent request for a raise, considering how much I contribute. Now, I'm hardly spoken to at work, and my boss primarily interacts with a co-worker who seems to mimic my actions but claims she wants to leave. I can't shake the feeling that I might be replaced by an AI receptionist, especially since my boss's significant other made a comment about it once. Whenever I come up with ideas that could benefit the business, they seem to take them and implement them without involving me, likely to avoid paying me for my contributions. Now, my role has diminished to just refreshing the appointment screen repeatedly. My boss has said they don't want me to leave, but I can't help feeling paranoid about being replaced and unwanted. I'm struggling to determine if this is imposter syndrome or just basic insecurity, but I feel completely useless and wonder if I'm being blocked from potential wage growth.

I have a group interview with a grocery store tomorrow, and I'm feeling really anxious about it. I'm 19 and have been trying to land a job since I was 16, so this opportunity means a lot to me. I plan to dress formally, but I know I need to do more to stand out. I'm wondering what kind of questions I should ask during the interview. My sister advised me to avoid questions about wages and benefits, which I think is sound advice. I’m considering asking about the work ethic at the store or how they handle busy times, especially at the deli counter. I want to show that I understand the challenges of the job and that I'm committed to being reliable. I also heard that asking about what a good first 30 days looks like for someone in this role could be a good way to demonstrate my interest. I'm really hoping to make a good impression.

I recently completed several interviews as a New College Graduate (NCG) and have had some promising leads in my job search after struggling for about a year. I just finished technical interviews with two companies that have shown strong interest in me. Company 1 has moved me to the next step, which involves meeting with their HR manager. My interview with their senior manager went well, but we had some differences in expected starting salary. On the other hand, I had a fantastic experience interviewing with Company 2. I connected really well with their leadership during four separate interviews, and I felt that my background aligns perfectly with their needs. They mentioned that they still have a week of interviews to conduct and that the decision would likely come in the second week of August. If I receive an offer from Company 1, I plan to inform Company 2 about it, as they are my first choice. However, I need to be practical and not miss out on opportunities in my field, especially since I’m currently working a blue-collar job to make ends meet. Now, I’m wondering how much time I can reasonably ask from Company 1 to make my decision before they might rescind their offer and give Company 2 a chance to respond.

I'm a 30-year-old male with 5 years of experience in software development, primarily working with SB and MS technologies. I'm about to become a father, which is incredibly exciting, but it also brings a lot of anxiety about my career. My company has laid off around 30% of its workforce, and I see that layoffs are still happening. Despite my strong performance, I know that it doesn't guarantee job security anymore. Currently, I earn ₹1.4 lakh per month, but I've been struggling to find new opportunities. I've tried switching jobs, but I'm hardly getting any interview calls. When I asked for a 40% raise, HR told me it was out of budget and then stopped responding altogether. What worries me the most is the long-term future of my career. With AI advancing so quickly and layoffs becoming more common, job opportunities seem scarce. I often find myself regretting my choice to pursue a career in IT. With a baby on the way, these thoughts are overwhelming. I constantly worry about my family's future and whether I can provide the stability they deserve. I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing similar feelings and how they are coping with this uncertainty. Any advice or shared experiences would be greatly appreciated.

I accepted a verbal job offer for a position after completing an onsite interview and passing a series of tests. This was about 15 days ago. On the same day, I submitted my drug test and background check. A week later, HR contacted me to let me know I needed to fill out some additional documents, which I promptly sent back. They assured me everything was good and that I would hear from them soon. However, it has now been 8 days since I last reached out for an update, and I haven't received any response. I'm starting to wonder if I'm overreacting or if I've been ghosted. I just want to know what's going on.

I recently became unemployed and applied for unemployment benefits about three weeks ago. I've been actively searching for jobs for the past month, primarily using Indeed, and I've sent out numerous applications. Most of these applications have received email confirmations, which I plan to keep as proof of my efforts. However, I have a RESEA appointment coming up and I'm unsure if I need to document my job search on the Illinois Job Link website using the 'External Job Search Activity' feature. It seems like a time-consuming process that I haven't seen many people discussing. I'm wondering if I can just bring screenshots of my Indeed applications and the confirmation emails instead of using that system. I hope to clarify this before my interview tomorrow.

I recently accepted a new job offer as a branch manager at a staffing company, which comes with a salary increase of over $20,000 a year. I've been with my current company for six years, and honestly, it's been a frustrating experience. The company culture is toxic, and I've had my fill of the manipulative behavior from my boss. I don't want to disclose where I'm going because of various concerns, and I'm seriously considering not giving a two-week notice. I reached out to the former CFO for a reference, and he encouraged me to leave whenever I find a better opportunity. I'm torn about whether I should just send a simple termination email or if I should give some notice. Has anyone else faced this dilemma? Did you regret not giving a two-week notice?

I recently started working at an independent pharmacy as a marketing assistant, making $19/hr. Initially, I was excited about the role because my boss hired me for a marketing project, leveraging my background in computer engineering. However, things have taken a turn. My boss keeps changing my responsibilities, which is becoming frustrating. At first, I thought I would be focusing on marketing strategies, emails, and calls. Instead, he started asking me to learn the pharmacy operations and answer phones. Once I got comfortable with that, he shifted gears again and wanted me to focus solely on marketing. Now, he expects me to drive around to clinics, hand out flyers, and network in person, which I never agreed to do. I've expressed my concerns multiple times, stating that I prefer working behind a computer and don't feel comfortable with in-person marketing. Despite this, he keeps assigning me tasks that go against my preferences. Just today, as my shift ended, he piled on additional tasks that required me to work past my scheduled time. I even had to fabricate a doctor's appointment just to leave. While he seems like a nice guy and genuinely believes in my potential, I feel like he doesn't respect my boundaries. I've heard from other employees that they have quit because of similar issues, which makes me question the work environment. With college starting in less than a month and no other job lined up, I'm at a crossroads. I plan to tell him that I'm willing to continue with the tasks I originally agreed to but won't do the in-person marketing. I wonder if I'm being unreasonable or if this is a clear sign that he doesn't respect my boundaries.

I recently became a certified personal trainer in February and have been actively searching for my first job in the field. At 26 years old, I come from a background in martial arts and running, but I haven't had the chance to train anyone yet. I've applied to around 100 positions, including places like Planet Fitness, which typically don't require prior experience. Despite landing several interviews, I haven't received any offers, and I'm starting to feel stuck. I suspect that my vibe or how I present myself during interviews might be affecting my chances. I'm feeling a bit lost and would appreciate any advice or insights on how to improve my job search.

I had an interview scheduled for 11:15 AM today, so I arrived early at 11:05 AM. After checking in with the receptionist, I was shown to a waiting room and told the interviewer would be just ten minutes late. I thought that was fine since I was early. However, as time passed, I started getting concerned. By 11:30 AM, I was still waiting without any update. I tried to find the receptionist but couldn't locate her, and the other employees around seemed uninterested in helping me. I decided to wait a bit longer, thinking maybe there was an emergency or something. But by 11:45 AM, I was really annoyed—30 minutes past the scheduled time and still no communication. I tried looking for the receptionist again but had no luck. Finally, at 12:05 PM, I had been waiting for an hour and was fed up. I sent an email to the company letting them know I had been waiting without any information. Just as I was driving home, I received a call from them, which I didn't answer. They called again at 12:25 PM, and I picked up. They informed me that they were now ready for the interview. No explanation, no apology. I told them I had already left because of the long wait and lack of communication. They offered for me to come back, but I declined, stating I was no longer interested. This experience was incredibly frustrating. It made me realize that if they can't handle the interview process professionally, I wouldn't want to work for them anyway. Just needed to vent about this waste of my time.

I recently experienced being ghosted during an interview, which was a first for me. I had an interview scheduled on Teams and logged in, waiting for 30 minutes before deciding to log out. I even sent the recruiter an email after 15 minutes of waiting, but I never received a response. It was really disheartening, and I was surprised to find out from others that this seems to be happening more frequently now. One commenter mentioned they've been ghosted 12 times, which makes me wonder if this is becoming the new norm in job interviews.

I am currently applying for Legal Admin and Legal Assistant positions. I have been actively searching for opportunities in the legal field, updating my resume, and tailoring my cover letters to match the specific requirements of each job. I am focusing on roles that allow me to utilize my organizational skills and attention to detail. So far, I've submitted a handful of applications and I'm hoping to hear back soon.