Thinking

I recently quit my job as a care manager because I was overwhelmed by the lack of training and support in my role. The social work agency I was with had an incredibly high turnover rate, which made it clear that many others were struggling as well. From day one, I was given a caseload without any proper training on how to manage it. I was expected to deliver services for each case every month, but with no guidance, it became impossible to meet the expectations of the parents and caregivers who relied on me. I often found myself taking calls from distressed clients and feeling completely unprepared to help them. When I reached out to my supervisor for assistance, they were rarely available, leaving me to seek help from coworkers who were just as inexperienced. The pressure to visit my entire caseload of over 40 members every three months added to the stress, as I was constantly worried about meeting deadlines and facing verbal warnings if I fell behind. The lack of structure and organization in the agency made my job feel chaotic and unfulfilling. I was confused and frustrated, and it became clear that this environment was not sustainable for me. I'm now at a crossroads, unsure of what direction to take next in my career. Has anyone else faced similar challenges in the social work field? How did you move forward?

I work at a small startup and things have taken a turn for the worse. My salary is now a week overdue, and when I first brought it up to management, they promised an update that never came. After four days of waiting, I contacted the Department of Labor for advice, and they suggested I keep working while giving my employer a deadline to pay me. I've been doing my job as usual, but I haven't resigned or agreed to postpone my pay. Recently, we had a staff meeting where management informed us that the company might shut down due to a lack of funding. They mentioned that assets might need to be sold to cover employee salaries and other debts. However, when I spoke with my boss afterward, the message shifted. I was told to continue working normally because there might still be options available, and we would receive another update soon. Some of my coworkers have even offered to forgo their salaries temporarily to help the company survive, but I've chosen to stay out of that discussion. I'm still owed money for the work I've done, and the DOL has told me I can formally file a complaint about the situation. On top of all this, I feel terrible for my boss who recently lost his oldest daughter. It's a tough situation, and I feel completely in the dark about what will happen next. I’m considering my options and would appreciate any advice on how to protect myself during this uncertain time.

I recently applied for a University IT position based on a friend's recommendation. With a bachelor's degree, 25 years of business and retail experience, 15 years in leadership and management, and three years in corporate IT, I felt confident. I also hold multiple certifications in data management, project management, ERPS, and AI integration. The interview went well; it was a Teams meeting with five top managers from the IT team. The CIO mentioned flexible onboarding, benefits, and our shared interests in local culture and education. He said they would decide by the end of the week. However, I received an email from HR today stating they chose another candidate. I'm really crushed, especially since I'm an alumnus of that university. I believe I am highly qualified and genuinely care for my team, the community, and the future. After being laid off in April due to downsizing, this is the third rejection I've faced after feeling like I nailed the interview. Like many others, I've applied to hundreds of jobs with tailored resumes and attended numerous interviews. I'm honestly at a loss for what to do next in this job market.

I work at a tech multinational company that I believed was stable, but recent news has shattered that perception. Despite the company being cash positive, they're planning a restructuring that includes layoffs and offering voluntary leave. This has made me realize that no matter how secure you think your job is, it's essential to stay prepared. I have EMIs to pay, so I can't afford to be complacent. I urge everyone to not get too comfortable or loyal to a single company, even if it seems great. It's important to keep your options open and prepare for the unexpected, like updating your resume or LinkedIn profile. Wishing good health to everyone and their families.

I was recently let go from a small Managed Service Provider (MSP) after only about six weeks on the job. My background is primarily in internal IT and security, and I had no prior experience with the dental software or equipment that most of the company's clients used, which are mainly dental offices. From the start, the expectations felt unreasonable; I was expected to resolve or escalate tickets within about 30 minutes of receiving them. As a new technician, the first 10 to 15 minutes were often spent just understanding the software, the client's setup, and reviewing previous notes. It became frustrating because if I took too long troubleshooting without asking for help, I was criticized for not asking sooner. However, if I did ask for assistance, I sometimes wouldn't get a timely response, leading to further questioning about the ticket resolution time. The owner of the MSP, who had years of experience with these clients, could often solve issues in just minutes, while I was still learning the ropes. Documentation was another challenge. I kept records of my work, but it seemed my documentation style didn't align with what the owner expected. There was consistent feedback about communication and response times, but I was never placed on a Performance Improvement Plan or warned that my job was at risk. The workplace culture was also uncomfortable. During a Teams meeting, the owner insisted on everyone having their cameras on. I tried to turn mine on, but it malfunctioned. Later, I witnessed him rewarding a coworker with cash for having their camera on, which felt humiliating given my situation. The way I was terminated was unexpected and unprofessional. On my scheduled day off, I noticed my administrative permissions were being revoked, and soon after, all my work accounts were disabled without any prior communication. I had to reach out to HR myself to confirm my employment status, and it wasn't until I called the owner that I learned I was being let go. He mentioned issues with documentation and a client complaint as reasons for my termination, but it was strange that he had forgotten it was my day off and assumed I had quit because my personal belongings weren't at my desk. I acknowledge that I made mistakes and had a lot to learn, but I felt the expectations were set too high for someone who was still acclimating to a new environment. The technical work itself wasn’t the issue; it was the constant pressure and mixed signals that led to my burnout. I'm left wondering if this is typical for small MSPs or if it was just a poorly managed situation.

I've been noticing some changes at my company regarding remote job postings. I work in California and recently checked our job listings, only to find that all remote positions now have a "no CA" restriction. This has got me wondering why the company is no longer authorized to hire in my state. I know there are still many employees based in California, so I'm curious if this change could impact us in any way. It seems like it might be related to state registration or compliance issues, which could explain the shift. I've heard that companies often face challenges in California due to its strict employment laws, and it’s possible that this is affecting our hiring practices. I'm just trying to understand the implications for current employees like myself.

I started my first job at a fast food restaurant about a month ago, expecting to work a standard 40-hour week. However, after my first day, I was left in the dark about my schedule. The owner initially told me I would work Wednesdays and Fridays, but when I showed up, I learned I had missed a day because my name wasn't entered into the system. I tried reaching out to the owner multiple times, but I received no response. The managers directed me back to the owner, and despite my efforts—calling, texting, and even visiting the store—I was met with silence. After two weeks of uncertainty, I inquired about my paycheck, only to find out that I would have to wait due to a franchise issue. When checks were finally issued, I was not informed to pick mine up, and when I went to the store, they didn’t have a check for me. Now, I'm left waiting for updates on my pay while already searching for a new job. I'm starting to wonder if I did something wrong or if this situation is typical in the fast food industry. It seems like the owner may have over-hired, as there were often 6-7 people in the kitchen when only a few were needed.

I’m feeling really discouraged about my job prospects lately. I’ve had a string of short-lived jobs, getting hired and then fired within just one to two months. It’s tough because I never receive clear feedback on what went wrong; I just get told I’m not a good fit. At 21, I’ve mostly worked in food and customer service roles at places like Domino's, Chick-fil-A, and Subway. I always try to show up early, listen attentively, and complete my tasks without complaint. I’m willing to take on any responsibilities asked of me. I’m starting to wonder if I’m the problem or if I’m just overthinking it. Recently, I lost half of my jobs, and my remaining employer cut my hours in half, which has left me feeling pretty low. I could really use some advice or encouragement right now.

I was recently placed on a coaching plan at Capital One following my mid-year reviews, and I was informed that it would last for 30 days. However, this week I learned that the plan has been extended for another 30 days, despite receiving positive feedback during the initial period. I'm feeling uneasy about this extension, so I decided to research the coaching plan and discovered that it could potentially lead to a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), which I wasn't aware of and wasn't explained to me. I reached out via email to both my manager and their manager, seeking clear guidance and actionable feedback for the extension, as I feel I haven't received substantial input so far. Now I'm questioning whether sending that email was a mistake. Am I jeopardizing my position by rocking the boat, or do I have nothing to lose at this point?

I recently applied for a remote data entry position at Eumedica Pharmaceuticals AG, and I'm starting to feel uneasy about the whole situation. The pay is set at $30.75, which seems way too high for a data entry job. I did some research and found a profile of someone named Veronica Aebersold who claims to work there, but I also discovered that the email address used for communication (info@eumedicapharmaag.work) was flagged as suspicious by Gmail. I haven't shared any sensitive information yet, but they want to interview me on Teams. Writing this out has made me realize that there are several red flags, and I’m beginning to think this might be a scam. I would appreciate any outside opinions on this matter, as I couldn't find any complaints about scams related to this company.

I've been in an operations role for over four years now, focusing on onboardings, customer service, and data analysis. My experience has mostly revolved around problem-solving and connecting different parties, and while I'm familiar with SQL and some data retrieval tools, I don't code. I work for a smaller sector of my company, and I've really enjoyed the work-from-home flexibility and the great work-life balance it offers. My commute is just 15 minutes three times a week, and I can set my own hours, which has been fantastic. However, I've noticed that my salary has only increased by about 13% over these four years, and while my workload has ramped up slightly, my engagement with the work has decreased. I find myself questioning my career trajectory and wondering if I should be more proactive about seeking new opportunities. Although I've applied to several jobs in the past few months, I haven't received any responses, which has been discouraging. I'm at a crossroads: should I focus on finding new roles externally, or should I invest more effort in exploring internal opportunities? There's a new senior position opening up in my company that I plan to apply for, but I also feel a sense of complacency given my low-stress environment. I often grapple with whether I should be content with my current situation or push myself to strive for more. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this phase of my career.

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant layoffs happening in the tech industry. It seems like every week there are more cuts, and I can't help but wonder how we're all supposed to survive this. It feels like the higher-ups are completely disconnected from the struggles we face. I'm trying to stay positive and keep my job search going, but it's tough when the job market feels so unstable.

I recently came across news that Amazon is attempting to rehire employees it previously let go, particularly in AI and cloud computing roles. It seems like the company is realizing the importance of these positions as they continue to evolve in the tech landscape. I can't help but find it ironic that they are now trying to lure back individuals they deemed expendable not too long ago. It's a reminder of how quickly things can change in the tech industry.

I started my onboarding process for a new job this morning, and it's been incredibly frustrating. The position is supposed to pay well, which is why I’m eager to get everything sorted out. However, when I tried to submit my documentation, I kept receiving an error message. I attempted to troubleshoot by using different browsers and even tried on my parents' phones and my own computer, but nothing worked. I then thought I’d try the mobile app, but that just led to another error message. After exhausting my options, I called IT for help, but they suggested I repeat the same steps I had already tried. They told me to wait a few hours, but I’m still facing the same issues. At this point, I'm considering deleting my account and starting over, but it feels like no one is taking my concerns seriously. It's really disheartening, especially since I need this job in this tough economy.

I’ve been struggling with severe corporate burnout for a while now. I quit my job in April after feeling overwhelmed by an increasing workload and my requests for a raise being ignored. They convinced me to stay with a promotion, but the reality has been far from what I was promised. My responsibilities are set to triple, and the changes are expected to take effect in November, but I’m already feeling the strain. The pressure to generate revenue has been frustrating, especially since some of our work is being handed off to other business units without any replacement coming in from sales. My boss has been unsupportive, which adds to my stress, and I find myself constantly taking on more tasks. I feel like I’m at my breaking point and often contemplate quitting again. I’m also a mom of four, so my responsibilities don’t end when I leave work. My husband has been helping out more, but I still feel completely burnt out. I’m not sure how to recover from this exhaustion, especially since I don’t see my company making any improvements. I know I’m a valuable employee, but I can’t continue feeling this way. I’ve thought about taking a week off to destress, but I worry about the mess I’ll come back to since my coworker who covers for me isn’t reliable. I’m at a loss for what to do next. Quitting wouldn’t hurt us financially, but it would impact my self-worth significantly.

I want to share my experience with Marksman Solutions in Leawood, Kansas, as a warning for others in the area. Recently, I received multiple calls and texts from them regarding a job position I supposedly applied for. The problem is, I never applied to their company at all. It started on a Monday when they first contacted me, claiming they had reviewed my application on Indeed. I ignored their messages, thinking it was a mistake. However, they followed up with another text and call on Tuesday, and I continued to ignore them. Then, I received an email about the application, and I responded, clearly stating that I was not interested and had never applied. I even blocked their email to avoid further contact. Despite this, they persisted and reached out again today, which prompted me to text them back saying no and block them once more. I just want to make sure others are aware of this situation so they can avoid the same hassle.

I’ve been on the job hunt for the past 12 weeks as an industrial sales rep, which is usually a stable field for me. Typically, I receive about two calls a week from headhunters, and when I interview with 2-5 companies, I usually end up with 2-3 offers. However, this time around, it's been an entirely different experience. I've had numerous interviews, even with C-suite executives, but each time I've faced rejection. It's been frustrating and confusing, as there are usually more job openings than candidates in my area of expertise. This has been the longest and most challenging search of my career.

I was laid off after 2.5 years as a Cloud Engineer in Canada, specifically in Mississauga, where I started my role in August 2023 after graduating with a Bachelor's in Computer Science. This was my first job post-university, and I was let go in December 2025. My experience includes working with AWS and Azure, utilizing tools like AWS CDK (Python), CloudFormation, and CI/CD practices, as well as skills in IAM, infrastructure automation, cost optimization, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Now, I'm contemplating my next steps. I'm targeting roles in Cloud Infrastructure, Cloud Operations, cloud/platform engineering, DevOps, SRE, and even Linux/sysadmin/help desk positions if they are feasible. I also speak French and am open to bilingual roles or relocation opportunities. I've been actively networking, seeking referrals, and enhancing my resume, but unfortunately, referrals haven't led to any technical interviews yet. I've faced rejections even when my resume closely matched job requirements, and I've noticed many job postings are being reposted for months, which feels discouraging. I'm receiving mixed advice on how to proceed: some suggest I learn Java or full-stack development, dive into AI, get familiar with Kubernetes, pursue AWS certifications, or even consider starting over in help desk/sysadmin roles. I'm hesitant to spend time on unrelated skills without knowing if they'll actually boost my job prospects. I'm seeking guidance on a few key questions: Is pursuing a career in Cloud still viable in Canada with my experience? What adjacent roles could I consider? And would obtaining AWS certifications significantly help given my 2.5 years of experience, or should I focus on projects related to AWS, Terraform, Linux, or DevOps instead? I'm committed to putting in the effort; I just need realistic direction based on my current background.

Since January 1 of this year, I've been actively applying for jobs and going through interviews, but it's been a tough journey. I have one year of full-time work experience, and I've made it past the application stage with 16 organizations, with one more still in progress. Here's a breakdown of my experiences: 1. I completed a work test but was rejected. 2. I went through a paid work test, which also ended in rejection. 3. I had a short screener with a founder but was rejected. 4. I passed three rounds of online tests, but after the first interview, I was told that while my alignment with the role was good, other candidates were more structured and insightful in their problem-solving. 5. I had to decline an interview for a traineeship because of start date conflicts. 6. I was rejected after a first interview for a part-time job. 7. I passed a work test but was rejected after a one-way asynchronous interview. After these initial setbacks, I started training for interviews with a coach, hoping to improve my chances. I received an internship offer after three interviews but declined due to the interviewers badmouthing the company, a low hourly rate, and the fact that it wasn't a permanent position. I faced more rejections after various stages: - Rejected after a first interview with a hiring manager who hadn’t even read my resume. - I was told they would circle back for an autumn hiring cohort, but ultimately, I was rejected after an interview that ended early due to start date and location issues. - I was rejected after an HR screener. - I did well in an interview and work test, receiving praise for my written work and thoughtful responses, but they felt I would be a better fit elsewhere due to my lack of direct experience in their work environment. - More rejections followed after HR screeners and interviews. - The organization that said they would circle back ultimately rejected me after a case-style interview, stating they couldn't see the underlying analysis in my recommendations. - I passed a work test but was rejected after an HR screener. - Finally, I passed an HR screener and a work test but was rejected because they chose candidates with more experience. All of these roles were generalist, non-technical positions, and I can't help but feel that this bottlenecking is making it increasingly difficult for me to get my life off the ground.

I recently reached out to my former manager at a large oil and gas company where I used to work. I loved the culture and the team, but the pay was tough to manage, which is why I left for a new opportunity about three months ago. Unfortunately, my new job has been a nightmare, primarily due to my manager's style. I noticed that my old position was posted online, so I decided to swallow my pride and text my previous manager to see if they had filled the role yet. He responded that they are interviewing candidates and even hinted at my dissatisfaction with my current job. I expressed my interest in returning, and he mentioned he would keep me posted as he has interviews lined up next week. I'm trying to gauge whether this means he might be open to bringing me back. I left on good terms, so I'm hopeful, but I'm also aware that there may be formalities to follow. Should I remain optimistic about this possibility?