Thinking

After 8.5 years at my company, I'm contemplating what a fair severance package would look like, especially given my strong performance reviews. I'm not looking for health insurance or stock options, just trying to gauge the number of paid months that would be considered reasonable. I've seen various opinions on this topic, and it seems like there's no standard answer. One person mentioned they received 3.5 months pay after 8.4 years but managed to negotiate it up to 5 months without much trouble. Another shared their experience of getting 3 weeks plus 2 additional weeks for each year of service, along with a career coaching subscription that ended up being unhelpful due to the current job market. I'm curious if anyone has insights on what I might expect or if I should be prepared to negotiate based on my tenure and performance.

I've been in software development for several years, but the current job market has been incredibly frustrating. I spend over five hours every day applying for jobs, and I've decided to automate part of the process to make it more efficient. One of the biggest challenges I face is not having local North American work experience, which seems to be a barrier despite my technical skills. Additionally, I've encountered language barriers and age bias, which complicate things further. I've noticed some concerning trends in the job market. For instance, some companies are openly advertising unpaid positions, which feels wrong, especially when they're not student internships or volunteer roles. It seems like a normalization of unpaid work is creeping in. Moreover, some job platforms appear to be more interested in collecting resumes than actually hiring. I've applied to several high-paying jobs that seemed legitimate at first, only to find out they were just bait to get candidates to upload their information. I recently interviewed for an automation role in Delta, BC, but when I inquired about a job posting that had been live since February 2026, the HR response was vague, leaving me unsatisfied. Currently, I apply to about 20 jobs a day, but the results have been disheartening. It feels like I'm just feeding data into a machine that never responds. To tackle this, I'm building a tool that integrates with Indeed and LinkedIn to optimize my resume for each job and automate parts of the application process. My aim is to make targeted applications quicker and less painful. I'm still in the building and testing phase, primarily to solve my own job-search issues, but I would love to hear feedback from others who might be facing similar struggles. Maybe the market is tough right now, or maybe I need to adapt my approach. Either way, applying manually for hours with little to no response feels like a losing battle against an algorithm.

I've been struggling to find a job since I graduated college four years ago. Despite my efforts to apply to various positions, I rarely receive any responses, and when I do, it's usually to inform me that they've chosen another candidate. My lack of experience seems to be a significant barrier, and it's incredibly disheartening. I feel lost and frustrated, wondering if I'm wasting my life as I continue to search for opportunities that never seem to materialize.

I recently had a job interview for a software engineering position at a tech startup. The interview process included a technical assessment followed by a behavioral interview with the hiring manager. I felt confident about my coding skills, but I was a bit nervous during the behavioral part. I tried to highlight my past experiences and how they align with the company’s values. Overall, I think it went well, and I'm eagerly waiting for their feedback.

Today, I reflected on my struggle with feeling entitled to a job. At 21, I live comfortably with the support of my upper middle-class family, which makes me question why I care so much about finding work. I often feel like I'm forcing myself to seek employment just to have some pocket money, but it rarely works out. Jobs I apply for sometimes get canceled, or I find that someone more in need gets hired instead. This sense of not deserving a job weighs heavily on me, especially when I see others who are truly struggling. I wish I could be content doing nothing, but I feel this pressure to advance my life and contribute somehow. I’ve been considering volunteering or picking up new skills to feel productive without the stress of traditional employment. I know I need to shift my mindset and recognize that wanting to make my own money isn’t entitlement; it’s a natural desire for independence. I just hope I can find a way to navigate this job market and feel fulfilled.

I'm starting a new job at an agency on Monday, but I'm having serious doubts about my decision. I'm a 25-year-old female, and the stress of this situation is weighing heavily on me. I accepted the offer, but after reflecting, I realize that my current job pays significantly better, and with my move-out plans, it makes more financial sense to stay put. I had actually tried to resign from my current position weeks ago, but my supervisor managed to convince me to stay at that time. Now, I'm in this awkward position where I'm still employed but also expected to start this new role in just a few days. I'm really anxious about how to handle this without burning any bridges. I want to maintain my professional reputation, especially since I'm in grad school and don't want any negative repercussions down the line. Has anyone faced a similar dilemma? I'm looking for advice on how to approach this situation professionally without jeopardizing my future opportunities.

I recently graduated with a Computer Science degree about two weeks ago, and I'm feeling really overwhelmed with the job search. I've applied to over 200 positions just in this short time and had been sending out applications throughout my senior year as well. Unfortunately, most companies either reject my applications, ghost me, or I get through the initial interview stages but then hear nothing back. I've completed two software engineering internships, so I do have some experience, but landing a full-time job has been a real struggle. At this point, I'm open to roles that aren't strictly software engineering. I'm looking for something stable, full-time, and an environment where I can grow without constantly feeling like I'm fighting for a chance. I'm curious if anyone else who graduated with a CS degree has switched career paths successfully. What entry-level roles are out there that would value my background but don't require intense live coding interviews? I'm even considering fields outside of tech, like finance, analyst positions, or business-related roles, despite not having a formal background in those areas. I'm willing to learn and start from the ground up if necessary. I'm just eager to find realistic entry-level opportunities in industries like finance, consulting, or operations, as I really want to avoid being unemployed for months.

I'm currently at a crossroads in my career. At 25, I recently graduated from college and left my previous business. After a breakup and stepping back from a friend group, I find myself feeling quite alone. I tend to get bored easily and have struggled with follow-through on projects. I received a job offer for an operations role at a debt marketing firm, which offers stability and social interaction. However, I'm also getting my insurance license this week and considering a job in insurance that provides more freedom and the opportunity to leverage my tech skills to potentially start my own agency. I already have an agency lined up for ACA with inbound leads, so I wouldn't need to worry about finding customers. I'm torn between the stability of the debt job and the entrepreneurial potential of the insurance role. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently accepted a management position at a tech company, excited about the specific project structure and responsibilities we discussed during the interview. However, just before my start date, the company underwent a major strategic shift that completely altered the role I had accepted. Instead of overseeing and coordinating within a defined framework, I now find myself handling significantly more complexity and responsibility than I initially anticipated. I wasn’t informed about this potential change during the hiring process, and by the time I started, the decision had already been made. Now, a few months into the role, many of my initial concerns have proven valid. The job is far more demanding than what I had negotiated for in terms of compensation and expectations. I'm left wondering how others would view this situation. Is this just a normal evolution in business, or does it reflect poor communication on the company's part? Should this have prompted a discussion about adjusting my compensation or expectations? Or is it time for me to start looking for new opportunities?

I recently completed the final round of interviews for a mid-sized nonprofit organization where I applied for a program coordinator position. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety as I wait to hear back from them. I wanted to reach out to see if anyone has had a similar experience and how long it typically took for you to receive feedback after the final interview. Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I was laid off last month from my job in Pennsylvania and was approved for unemployment benefits, but I still haven't received my first payment. I recently accepted a new job offer, which I plan to start soon, and I will end my benefits when I have my start date. However, I'm feeling anxious about the commute to this new job; it's not ideal for my family situation. I'm taking this job out of financial necessity because my unemployment benefits aren't enough to cover our expenses, especially with my son's daycare costs. Since this is my first experience with unemployment, I'm worried about what happens if I find the commute unmanageable and have to quit shortly after starting. I heard that if I leave the new job soon after being laid off from my previous job, I might still be eligible for unemployment benefits. But after reading some comments, it seems that if I quit the new job for reasons like the commute or childcare, I wouldn't qualify for benefits anymore. I understand that a voluntary quit is a tough situation in the unemployment world, and the burden would be on me to prove I had a compelling reason to leave. I'm feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about my options, especially since I've never navigated this before.

I was laid off in March from my role as an agency contractor, which made me an easy target during the recent wave of layoffs. Thankfully, I managed to secure a new job that pays better, but it’s still just a one-year contract. It feels like the software engineering field is losing its stability; layoffs are happening everywhere, and companies seem to prefer hiring contractors over full-time employees, only to let them go later. This uncertainty makes it hard to plan for the future—how can we think about buying a house, getting a mortgage, or even getting married? The software industry used to be a reliable and lucrative career path, but now it feels like it's crushing the dreams of countless people around the world. I’m curious to hear what others in the software engineering community think about this situation. It seems like no one is immune to layoffs anymore, and the system feels broken. We used to think that job security was a given, but now it’s just a relic of the past.

I just learned that Amdocs, the company I work for, is planning to lay off 2,000 employees as part of a major reorganization initiated by the new CEO. This news is quite shocking, especially since Amdocs is known for frequently restructuring and reducing its workforce. Although it’s an Israel-based company, I work in the St. Louis office. It seems like layoffs are a common trend in the telecom sector, which makes me concerned about my job security.

Today, I learned that SentinelOne, the cybersecurity firm where I work, is set to lay off around 300 employees. This news has been quite shocking, especially given the current state of the industry. Many believe that cybersecurity companies are facing significant challenges due to the rise of AI and changing economic conditions. The management mentioned that the layoffs are performance-based, which adds an extra layer of anxiety for those of us who are still here. I can't help but wonder when this trend of layoffs will finally come to an end.

I recently got laid off from my position as a director at a public enterprise where I had worked for over five years. Throughout my time there, I received a promotion, stock options, and annual bonuses, and I consistently delivered strong performance. However, I was the only one in my team of six who was laid off, which raises some serious concerns for me. My manager assured me that my performance was stellar and even highlighted some of my achievements, but I can't help but feel that my layoff might have been influenced by discrimination. I was the only person of color in my immediate team, and while other employees from different departments were also laid off, it seems suspicious that I was the only one let go from my team. I had the second-longest tenure, and my manager, who has been with the company the longest, made the decision to lay me off. Just a few months prior, I had discussions about a potential promotion, but was told to wait another year, despite my strong performance. To add to my frustration, the company hired a new employee in September 2025 and promoted him above me. He is a white individual from a more expensive country, earning significantly more than I do, even though we hold the same title. I was well-liked within the company, receiving praise for my expertise, and many colleagues reached out on LinkedIn to express their shock and disappointment at my layoff. I genuinely believe that my layoff was racially motivated, especially since the business vertical I supported was stable and had growth potential. If the layoffs were truly financially driven, it seems illogical that I would be the one let go. Currently, my lawyer has filed the necessary paperwork, and we have our first meeting coming up. This is all new to me, and I have a couple of questions: Do others believe that my layoff was discriminatory? And should I consider settling, as the company has a history of doing so, or should I fight this in court to try to get my job back?

I recently accepted a salaried PhD position at a university two weeks ago, but I’m really struggling to keep applying for other jobs as a backup. The job market feels so unstable right now, and I’ve been on a relentless job search for the past five months, facing countless rejections. My mental state is really taking a toll; I feel completely drained just thinking about job postings. My official start date isn’t until August, and I haven’t even signed the official offer letter yet, though I do have an unofficial confirmation and have set up my HR profile. I know I should keep applying because anything can happen, and I don’t want to be caught off guard if this offer falls through. But after submitting over 100 applications and going through more than 20 interviews, including five final rounds, I just can’t handle the pressure anymore. It’s frustrating to feel like there’s no job security, even with an accepted offer. I remember how stressful it was when I had a job in 2025, constantly worrying about layoffs. It feels like this job market is creating a cycle of generational trauma, where no one feels safe anymore. I’ve considered taking a break from applying, but I’m torn because I know I need to keep my options open. The advice I’ve seen suggests that networking might be more beneficial than just applying for jobs, but I’m still feeling overwhelmed. I just want to find some peace of mind in this chaotic job landscape.

I was laid off for the second time within just six months of joining a new company as an iOS developer. My first layoff happened on August 1, 2025, after I had been working as a lead iOS developer at my previous company. I quickly found another position and started on December 8, 2025, but unfortunately, I was laid off again on May 15, 2026. With nearly 9.8 years of experience in iOS development, I also have skills in Flutter, React Native, and some Python. However, over the past few months, I’ve struggled to receive any interview calls. Financially, I’m in a tough spot with only about two months of backup left, and my EMIs are piling up. I've noticed that the number of iOS developer openings seems significantly lower compared to last year, which adds to my concerns. I’m at a crossroads and wondering if I should switch stacks or continue pursuing iOS while also trying to upskill in other areas. I really appreciate any advice on how to navigate this challenging situation.

I was laid off in January after spending decades in a corporate role, and now I'm feeling the pressure as my unemployment benefits are set to run out in August. With a mortgage and kids to support, I can't afford to spend two years retraining for a new career. I'm really at a loss for what to do next and looking for advice on finding 'survival jobs.' I've seen some suggestions about temporary work, like summer camps, substitute teaching, or even driving buses. Some folks mentioned getting a CDL for truck driving, which seems like a viable option. Others have shared their experiences, like working in manufacturing or as home health aides, which are quite different from what I used to do. I'm open to any ideas or guidance on where to start looking for these types of jobs.

I recently lost my full-time job and applied for unemployment benefits, which are around $280 weekly. I've been told that to have my disqualification purged, I need to earn a total of $1680. I found a part-time job, but it wasn't a good fit, so I had to leave. I have a few days lined up to work at my previous full-time job, but it's not a full week—just three or four days. Additionally, I have a side job that doesn't offer many hours and pays very little. My question is whether I can combine the earnings from these two jobs to meet the $1680 requirement, or do I need to earn it all from one employer?

I was recently terminated from my job in Maryland without any prior notice, as it’s an at-will state. I've been trying to get my paystubs and timecards from HR, but they’ve been unresponsive. I’ve sent multiple emails requesting documentation, including a record of my pay from when I started, but all I received was a termination letter that states I wasn’t let go for misconduct, just a 'personal reason.' I specifically wanted my paystubs and timecards to prove that I was being underscheduled, as I feel this is important for my job search. However, HR has only provided me with payslip information for a couple of months in 2025 and claimed they can’t send my timecards at all. I’ve followed up asking if there’s a specific rule preventing them from sending this information, but I haven’t heard back. I’m concerned about applying for unemployment without these documents. I wonder what my chances are of being approved with just the termination letter. I’ve read that paystubs aren’t necessary to file for unemployment, but I’m still feeling uncertain about the whole process and how to explain my situation during the eligibility interview. Any advice would be appreciated.