Thinking

I've been job searching for a few months now and I'm grappling with how to present my side gig on applications. I drive for Uber to keep the cash flow going, which has been a lifesaver, but I'm unsure about how to handle it on job applications and in interviews. Should I list it as current employment? Leave it off? If there's a question about gaps in my employment, I want to say I've been consulting or freelancing, but driving for Uber feels different. It requires skills like self-scheduling, managing customers, and maintaining good ratings. I've noticed that HR professionals often appreciate when candidates are working during gaps, as it shows resourcefulness. However, I've also seen gig work judged as not serious. I'm torn between leaving it off entirely or listing it confidently. I've heard mixed opinions from others, especially when applying for traditional roles. I'm really curious about what has worked for others in similar situations.

I was laid off from my role leading user experience at a startup tech company just three days ago. The news hit me hard; I went from shock to action almost immediately. I had invested so much into my job, and this was the first time I felt financially secure. I had paid off most of my credit card debt and built some savings, but now it feels like all my dreams have vanished. With only six weeks left until my money and healthcare run out, I'm feeling the pressure. As a single woman with a mortgage, bills to pay, and a cat that depends on me, the stakes are high. I also struggle with mental health issues, which adds to my stress. On the first day, I was in disbelief, crying and experiencing panic attacks. I left on good terms, thanking my CEO for the opportunity, but it didn't hit me until later. I made the obligatory LinkedIn post about moving on to my next adventure, even though I felt anything but adventurous. By day two, I was overwhelmed with messages from coworkers expressing their shock. I spent 16 hours at my desk updating my resume and portfolio, reaching out to everyone I knew for support. I even learned how to use Claude to speed up the process. I barely had time to eat or take care of myself. Now on day three, I'm still in the grind. I've refined my skills with Claude to help tailor my resume and cover letters for job applications. I've created a database to track my outreach and job applications. I'm willing to move for a new job, which is something I never thought I would consider, as I love my home. My partner has been incredibly supportive, but I can't help but feel overwhelmed. I'm terrified of losing everything, and I'm questioning whether I should pivot away from tech after dedicating so many years to it. I just don't know how people manage to navigate this uncertainty for months or even years.

I’ve been thinking about the tech layoffs and the possibility of re-hiring. I recently went through a layoff at my previous company, and I’ve been curious about whether others have had experiences with being re-hired in the tech industry, especially regarding salary negotiations. I’ve seen some articles claiming that companies are bringing back former employees after realizing the downsides of their AI layoffs, but I wonder how many of those people actually negotiated for better pay upon their return. It seems like there’s a lot of speculation out there, but I’d love to hear real stories from anyone who’s been in that situation.

I just learned that Ntiva, the IT managed service provider I was working for, has gone through significant layoffs recently. It seems they are automating a lot of their tier 1 tasks and offshoring more responsibilities to cut costs. This change has left many of us concerned about job security and the future direction of the company.

I recently applied for an internal position at my current company while on summer break. During the interview process, I was faced with the question, "When can you start?" I have a pre-planned vacation for 14 days that begins a week after the interviews. I'm unsure about when to bring this up since I've read that it's best to mention such things only after receiving an offer. However, I want to be honest and avoid any surprises later. I’m considering mentioning my vacation if asked directly about my start date, saying I need to confirm my notice period and upcoming vacation. I’ve seen advice suggesting that companies are usually accommodating with start dates, often scheduling them after vacations. I’m leaning towards being upfront about my plans to maintain transparency.

I just found out that I will be laid off in about 2.5 hours along with 12 others from the creative team at my current job. I'm feeling super nervous about it, but I've been through this before, so I made sure to have all my important information saved on my personal computer and my portfolio is fully updated. I'm wondering if there's anything else I might be missing as I prepare for this transition. It's tough to be 27 and facing unemployment in today's economy, but I'm also looking forward to exploring opportunities outside of corporate creative work. I'm considering going back to part-time work while attending school full-time again, but I'm still figuring things out.

I woke up this morning to a cold email informing me that I was laid off from my position at ServiceNow. I had worked late into the night, trying to resolve an urgent issue, and thought my dedication would be recognized. Instead, I received the news at 7 AM, just hours after I had put in all that extra effort. It feels incredibly disheartening to be let go after working so hard, especially when it seems like my commitment didn't matter in the end. This experience has made me reflect on the value of my contributions and the company's priorities. I guess it's a harsh reminder that no matter how much you give, it may not be enough for the organization. Now, I need to figure out my next steps and start searching for new opportunities.

I recently passed my initial probation as a government union worker, or so I thought. Just three weeks later, during a one-on-one meeting with my manager, I was informed that my probation would be extended by three months due to some performance issues that I had previously acknowledged. I was shocked because I had been told in a team meeting that I had passed probation, and even received positive feedback shortly after. My manager expressed his belief in my potential but cited the need to clear up the performance concerns before fully moving forward. After doing some research, I discovered that this extension seems to violate our union contract, as the mechanisms for extending probation should have already passed. I reached out to my union, and they were taken aback by the situation, advising me to let them handle it formally. Now, I'm in a dilemma about whether to give my manager a heads-up about the union's involvement. On one hand, I want to maintain a good relationship with him, but on the other hand, I'm concerned that he might use this situation against me if he collects evidence of my past performance issues. It's a tricky situation, and I'm trying to navigate it carefully.

I've been on the job hunt since I was terminated from my IT role back in December, and it's been a tough road. I've only made it to two final interviews, both of which I didn't get. The lack of income is driving me a bit crazy, especially since my food stamps were recently canceled due to my unemployment. I need at least 20 hours of work per week to qualify for assistance, and I'm really feeling the pressure. I signed up for Amazon Flex, but I'm on a waitlist that could take up to six months. I'm looking for any flexible temp work that would allow me to set my own schedule. I've been applying to all sorts of part-time and full-time jobs, but I haven't heard back from any of them. My resume is heavily IT-focused, which makes it challenging to apply for non-IT positions. I know I have a solid work ethic and a diverse skill set in IT, but it feels like my background is hurting my chances of getting interviews. I'm exploring options like Fiverr for freelance work, but I know building a reputation takes time. Ideally, I'd prefer something in the real world rather than digital gigs, but I'm open to anything at this point. I'm also considering local volunteer opportunities to keep myself engaged. If anyone has suggestions for temp work or ways to leverage my IT skills, I would greatly appreciate it.

I've been on quite the job-hopping spree this year, and I'm feeling a bit lost about my next steps. I relocated from Florida to South Carolina to work as a research assistant for 3.5 years, focusing on geriatrics, which I genuinely enjoyed. However, my ultimate goal was to pursue a PhD, and despite my strong academic background and research experience, I applied for three cycles without success. After realizing that the PhD route wasn't for me, I decided to seek new opportunities, especially since my experience at the university was becoming increasingly negative due to administrative changes and funding issues. I felt it was time to move on. I'm excited to start a part-time, online MSW program soon, but my previous job was taking a toll on my mental health, even though I was making $22 an hour. I spent months searching for new roles while juggling my 8-4:30 job, which made it difficult to schedule interviews. Eventually, I accepted a receptionist position at a spine and back clinic, but it turned out to be less than ideal. The training was discouraging, the pay dropped to $17 an hour, and the commute to two different locations was exhausting. While working there, I landed a job in the ER as a registration clerk, which I’ve been doing for the past three months. The hours are tough—12-hour shifts on weekends—but the pay is $19 an hour. I feel like I perform well, but the job is draining, especially with the short staffing. Recently, I received an offer for a memory care coordinator position at an assisted living facility. The job sounds like a lot of fun and aligns with my interests, but it pays the same as my current role. I’m also considering my future internship for my MSW program, which many in my cohort do through their jobs. My current job offers flexibility during the week, which is beneficial for interviews and schoolwork. I really don’t want to continue job hopping, as I feel guilty about leaving roles shortly after being trained. I'm conflicted about whether to take the new opportunity or stick with my current role in hopes of finding something more aligned with my long-term goals in social work and palliative care.

I was recently wrongfully dismissed from my job, and I’m feeling completely hopeless and anxious. Just a few days ago, I was called into an unexpected meeting with HR and a company director. I had no idea what it was about, and to my shock, I was told that my employment was ending immediately because it had come to their attention that I was exploring another job opportunity. This opportunity was informal and came from a colleague who plans to leave later this year to start his own business. We had a casual chat about the possibility of me working with him, but nothing was set in stone. Unfortunately, I shared this conversation with a couple of trusted colleagues, and it spread like wildfire. Now, after my dismissal, the colleague who initially approached me called to say I could still apply for the position, but it wouldn’t be a guaranteed offer anymore. He mentioned that my situation almost cost him his job, which makes me feel even worse. I’m devastated about losing my job and the security it provided. I’m dealing with severe anxiety and feeling like a failure. I just graduated from university, and this was my first real job. I was laughed at during the meeting, and I currently have a case open with the fair work department because I believe my dismissal was unlawful. I’m struggling to cope with this situation and don’t know how to move forward. Any advice on how to handle this would be greatly appreciated.

I just accepted an offer for a mid-level fashion role in London, and I start next week. It's been a long journey since I moved to the UK six months ago, primarily searching for a job in fashion. I relocated to London a month ago, realizing that most opportunities are centered here. Despite having seven years of experience back in India, including running my own clothing brand, I often feel like an imposter. During the job search, I faced discouragement with suggestions to pursue courses or internships due to the competitive nature of the UK market and the emphasis on local experience. So, landing this role feels surreal, especially since the company is known for employee retention. However, I can’t shake the feeling of self-doubt. I've gained some weight recently, and adjusting to the UK culture has made me self-conscious. I’m worried about making a good impression and not coming off as timid or unapproachable because of my introverted nature. I’m reaching out for advice or resources that could help me navigate this transition. I want to feel confident and stop second-guessing myself. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I attended a job fair today for the first time, and I was really anxious about it. I wasn't sure what to expect and felt overwhelmed by the idea of presenting myself to potential employers. My anxiety often gets the best of me, especially in crowded environments, which made me worry about how I would handle the noise and the pressure. I was looking for advice on how to stand out and make a good impression despite my nerves. I wanted to know if there were specific strategies or tips that could help me navigate the event and feel more confident.

I've been on the job hunt for several months now and have been considering different strategies to land a position. My family suggested that I try walking into businesses to hand in my resume directly and ask for a job. However, I've come across mixed opinions on whether this approach is still effective in today's job market. Some people say it's outdated and that most companies prefer online applications. I'm curious if anyone has had success with this method recently or if it's better to stick to online applications.

I was laid off yesterday afternoon after nearly 4 years at my company in the learning and development department. I had a feeling this was coming, as I had survived several rounds of layoffs before, but being the only person in my function area made me realize I would likely be next on the list. The company has been struggling for a while now, and I had already started applying for jobs, even reaching the final round in one interview. Now that I have more time to focus on my job search, I'm trying to stay positive about the situation. I know it might be harder to maintain this outlook in a few months, but I'm hopeful. Wish me luck!

I’m currently stuck in a retail job making about $25k a year after taxes, which is tough to manage in my high cost of living area. I graduated with a computer science degree two years ago, but since then, I’ve been living with my parents and struggling to find a better job. It feels like I’m trapped; I can’t support myself, can’t move out, and can’t even afford a car or have any fun. I feel like a disappointment to my family and to myself. Despite my efforts to tailor my resume and apply for jobs, I haven’t been able to land any interviews. I’ve been stuck in this retail position for two years without gaining any new skills or experience that would help me advance my career. I’ve tried applying for entry-level tech roles, leveraging my customer service experience, but I still get no responses. It’s frustrating to see younger candidates with no experience getting hired while I struggle to even get noticed. I’m at a loss for what to do next. I feel like I’ve exhausted my options for improving my skills or finding a better job. I can’t go back to school for more education, and I don’t know how to gain the experience needed to move up. The only reason I’m still working this retail job is to support my brother, who really needs me. Without him, I honestly don’t know where I’d be right now. This whole situation is pushing me to the brink, and I’m just trying to figure out how to make it work.

I've been feeling really stuck in my job search lately. I was laid off back in March when my company was acquired by a private equity firm, and since then, I've been struggling to find a suitable role. I'm in the marketing and communications field, and it seems like there are hardly any mid-level positions available. I feel overqualified for junior roles but underqualified for senior ones, leaving me in a frustrating limbo. My last job was incredibly demanding and toxic, but it forced me to gain a lot of experience in a short time, especially in niche areas that most candidates only know theoretically. Despite my extensive experience, my previous boss only allowed me to hold a junior title, even though I was essentially running the entire marketing department and had successfully developed and implemented strategies for multiple brands with great results. Now, I keep getting rejected for senior roles because of my title, and for junior roles because employers think I'm overqualified and might leave them as soon as a better opportunity comes along. It's been disheartening to hear that I'm 'too good' for these positions, especially since I'm not looking to jump ship in this tough job market. I'm curious if anyone else is experiencing this same struggle.

I quit my job at Costco 21 years ago when I was just 20 years old. Looking back, I realize how foolish I was for just stopping showing up and not even calling to explain. I’m now wondering about my chances of getting hired back there after all this time. Do companies like Costco blacklist former employees for situations like mine? Is it even worth applying again, or should I just move on?

I’m excited to share that I’m starting a new job on Monday after more than a year of searching! This past year has been the toughest job search experience of my life, and I'm 51 years old. I left my job of over 21 years in September 2024 for long-term disability, and it wasn't until last year that I felt ready to re-enter the workforce. That gap on my resume was a major hurdle. For over a year, I applied to countless positions, tailored my resumes, went through interviews, and often got ghosted. I submitted hundreds of applications. At the start of this year, I briefly worked for a terrible company that paid poorly and laid me off after three months because I was overwhelmed. This new job feels different already. They provided a structured 90-day onboarding plan that can adapt based on my progress. The offer letter was clear about expectations, and I recently had a Teams meeting where I met the small team of about 13 people. They seem very close-knit, which is a bit intimidating, but I’m genuinely optimistic about fitting in. I used to roll my eyes at all the “Don’t Give Up” posts, but here I am writing one myself. If you’re in the midst of your job search, even when it feels hopeless, don’t lose faith. Things can change. My wife and I were down to our last two months of savings, so this journey has truly tested us. I know many can relate to that pressure. There wasn’t any magic formula, but I found that using ChatGPT to tailor my resumes made a huge difference. It learned my style and helped me customize my applications more efficiently. Just remember to proofread everything to ensure accuracy. I believe if companies are using AI to evaluate candidates, we should use it to present ourselves better, as long as it’s truthful. Once I started leveraging AI, my interview opportunities increased significantly, and interestingly, I don’t even need it for every application anymore because it has improved my writing skills. Thank you to this community for being a supportive space where I could vent and find useful tips. It reminded me that even in a tough job market, there’s still hope. If anyone has questions about my job search, resume strategies, or how I used AI, feel free to reach out. Sharing is caring! 🙂

I recently came across a job offer for a tech professional position that requires a minimum of 3 years of experience, but the salary offered is only 26K. I find this quite disappointing, as it seems low for someone with that level of experience in the tech industry. I'm currently evaluating my options and considering whether to apply or continue my job search for better opportunities.