Thinking

I'm a 28-year-old recent college graduate trying to kickstart my career, but I'm facing a major hurdle with references. I previously worked part-time at a company where I was unhappy, and when I decided to leave for what I thought was a promising job at a non-profit, things went south. My boss reacted poorly to my two weeks' notice, leading to a lot of yelling and a toxic situation. Unfortunately, that non-profit turned out to be a scam, which was a painful lesson in job hunting. Now, whenever I apply for jobs that ask for three professional references, I'm at a loss. I only have one recent employer who remembers me positively, and while I could reach out to a couple of my college professors, my last two years were quite challenging, and I only feel comfortable asking one or two of them for a reference. Currently, I'm stuck in a contract job that I dislike, which only lasts until the end of the school year. I feel trapped in a cycle where I can't get a job without references, but I also can't build new relationships without being in a job. It's frustrating to have worked minimum-wage jobs for years and now, with a degree in hand, still struggle to find a career path.

I recently applied for a gym job and went in person to drop off my application. It's been two days, and I'm considering going back to ask for an update on my application status. However, I'm worried that it might annoy the manager. I want to show my interest, but I also don't want to come off as pushy. I've heard mixed advice; some say a follow-up phone call would be better than showing up in person again. I'm trying to figure out the best approach to take without overstepping.

I recently took a job out of necessity, but I'm finding that the role is not providing me with the field experience I actually need to advance my career. It's frustrating because I feel like I'm stuck in a position that doesn't align with my career goals. Has anyone else experienced this? How did you handle it?

I've been applying for jobs lately but haven't received any responses, which has me concerned that my resume might not be up to par. I'm currently looking for feedback on how to improve it. I feel like I meet the qualifications for the roles I'm applying for, but I'm not getting any traction. Any tips or resources would be greatly appreciated!

I just found out that I’m being laid off from my job in a tech company in Silicon Valley, where I’ve been for nearly four years. It’s been a rough ride, to say the least. I initially took on what I thought was a promotion to a hybrid role that would come with a pay increase. I was juggling my studies for my BA at the same time, and I felt like this was a smart move for my career. However, right after I accepted the new position, I was informed that the hybrid role was no longer available and I was reassigned to a different team. I had my suspicions about the company’s direction, especially when I noticed half of my team disappearing at odd times. It turned out they were training a team in the Philippines to take over our jobs. I felt completely blindsided, especially since I was locked out of important documents and my boss wouldn’t discuss the situation. Throughout my time there, I experienced significant burnout, had to take weeks off to recover, and dealt with some serious office politics and harassment issues. My health suffered too, with insomnia and weight gain due to the stress and long hours. Now, I’m facing a layoff on October 30th due to budget cuts, and while I’m not shocked, I am disappointed. I’ve got some savings and a month to prepare, but it’s hard to reflect on everything and feel like my efforts were undervalued. It’s frustrating to think that I’m being replaced by someone still in training, simply because they cost less. The tech industry feels like it’s losing its value, and I’m left to navigate what’s next.

I've been working in a support role for the past three years at a company that deals with a legacy system, and it has been incredibly draining. I was recruited straight out of college, and the work has been monotonous and soul-sucking, with no room for creativity or innovation. To make matters worse, I've been stuck in a 24x7 on-call model, which includes night shifts that leave me exhausted. I often finish a night shift only to remain on-call for the rest of the week, and this pattern repeats multiple times each month. I've documented everything, including my work schedule and health issues, as this model violates labor laws in my state. Despite my efforts to escalate the situation and find a more suitable role, I've hit a wall. My manager was supportive and connected me with someone who promised to help me transition to a role that aligns with my skills and goals, but I've received no updates after multiple attempts to reach out. It feels like I'm trapped in this role, no matter how much I upskill or network. I’m frustrated by the lack of a clear path for transitioning within IT. It seems that companies are quick to hire fresh graduates and provide them with knowledge transfer, but when it comes to someone with experience wanting to switch domains, there’s no flexibility. I feel like candidates like me, who are genuinely passionate and have relevant skills, are being overlooked simply because of their current job title. I just want a normal 9-to-6 job at a multinational corporation, with no on-call duties or rotational shifts, working with a modern tech stack on meaningful projects. I’m exhausted and unsure of how to move forward. Has anyone else faced this kind of situation? How do you cope with it? Does it ever get better?

I've been navigating the job market in Italy and realized that without a university degree, I'm limited to basic worker salaries. To change my situation, I've decided to move to Switzerland. Over the past few days, I've submitted my CV to several job postings on LinkedIn, but I could really use some help. I'm looking for feedback on my CV to see how I can improve it. Additionally, I'm seeking advice on handling the job search and the transition to a new country. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

I recently signed a conditional offer with a local utilities board last Monday, and I've been going through the pre-employment process. On Wednesday, I had my physical exam, which I passed except for a color blindness test. They asked me to get a note from my eye doctor confirming I can perform my job safely, which I took care of right away. I also underwent a urine test that day. Now, it’s Saturday, and I’m feeling anxious because the background check started, and they contacted my current employer despite my request not to. While I’m leaving my current job, it still feels like a cliffhanger. The background check came back clean except for a minor issue regarding a three-month gap at an older job, which I explained was due to doing 1099 work for that same company earlier that year. I wasn't sure if they would pull 1099 dates or full-time dates, so I reached out to clarify. Additionally, I received a 613a notice regarding a speeding ticket from two years ago. It was a minor infraction—no reckless driving and zero points on my license. I also have a minor accident from three years ago that only reported property damage, and again, no points on my license. I was expecting a call yesterday to finalize everything and set a start date, but I didn’t hear anything, and now I’m in panic mode. I did email my recruiter about the background check report, which also had a caution regarding my technical school because they don’t verify those schools. I sent my certification along with the email, and she replied with a simple "thanks, Kevin!" I’m left to assume that if there was a problem, she would have informed me. However, the uncertainty is stressing me out, especially since my current job knows I’m transitioning. I feel like the speeding ticket and the no-fault accident shouldn’t prevent me from getting this job, but the color blindness test has made me realize how particular they are. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated!

I've been working as a freelance web developer for the past couple of years, focusing on WordPress development, website coordination, and server management. While freelancing has provided some income, the lack of stability and clear career progression is starting to take a toll on me. Recently, I've been trying to shift towards more stable, full-time roles, applying for positions in web development, quality evaluation, and entry-level operations or analyst jobs. However, I've been facing significant challenges in my job search. I've experienced a lot of ghosting after going through various assessments and recruitment tests, which has been incredibly frustrating. I often receive either complete silence after submitting technical tasks or automated rejections weeks later. Another issue I’m encountering is that my practical freelance experience doesn’t seem to fit neatly into the traditional corporate mold. My background includes building functional client sites, managing servers, and troubleshooting plugins, but it feels like recruiters either see my experience as too focused on freelancing or overlook it due to the lack of years in a corporate environment. On top of this, I’m struggling to balance my current freelance work with upskilling and completing assessments for potential jobs, which is leading to burnout. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has successfully transitioned from freelance work to a stable full-time role in tech or operations. How did you present your freelance experience on your resume to make it appealing to corporate recruiters? Should I focus on niche portfolio projects, or would it be better to engage in cold outreach and network directly with hiring managers instead of relying solely on job portals? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm an 18-year-old girl from the UK trying to find a job. I've applied to numerous positions but unfortunately, I've faced rejections from all of them. I'm eager to start earning some money but I'm feeling a bit lost on how to improve my chances. Any advice or tips on how to secure a job would be greatly appreciated, as I'm quite new to the job market.

I recently came across a job posting for a retail position at a store I’ve been eager to work at. They specifically requested that resumes be sent via email. The catch is that the store is open on Saturdays, and I’m unsure if the hiring manager would be in the office to see my application. I know that ideally, I should wait until Monday to apply, but I’m concerned that if I wait, the position might get filled or they might stop accepting applications altogether. I’m debating whether to send my resume today or hold off until the start of the week. I’ve received advice from others suggesting that it’s perfectly fine to send an email at any time, even on a weekend, since it’s not a phone call. They mentioned that I could schedule my email to go out at 8 AM on Monday if I wanted to play it safe. I’m leaning towards sending it now to avoid missing out.

I’ve been struggling to find a job for a long time now, and I’m feeling really lost. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for several years, which has left me without any references to use for my job applications. I recently tried to update my resume and, I admit, I lied about the dates of my previous jobs to fill the gap, but the jobs themselves were real. I’ve been applying and finally got a couple of interviews, but I keep hitting a wall when it comes to providing references. I don’t have close connections anymore since I moved away from most of my friends and family, and I’m feeling really desperate. I’ve been crying all morning because I just want to work again and I know I’m a hard worker. I don’t want to put my stay-at-home status on my resume because I’ve tried that for over a year and it didn’t lead to anything. I’m just looking for advice on how to get past this reference issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am currently living in Munich, where I am completing my master’s degree and expect to graduate in October. Originally from mainland China, I have also lived in Japan for several years. I have been actively searching for a job in the USA, specifically in Los Angeles or nearby, but I am facing significant challenges with visa sponsorship. Most companies I’ve come across do not sponsor work visas, which has been quite discouraging. I am fluent in Mandarin, Japanese, English, German, and Korean, and I would really appreciate any advice on options available for someone in my situation. Are there specific companies, industries, or job-search websites that I should focus on? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I recently got promoted at my job in a large insurance company where I work in pricing for home insurance. I started my graduate role in 2024 and transitioned into pricing in May 2025. I applied for this promotion mainly to gain interview experience, never expecting to actually get it, especially since I was up against more experienced colleagues, including my best friend. To my surprise, I was offered the role, but now I’m feeling overwhelmed and doubting my capabilities. It's been a month since I took on this new position, and the pressure has been intense with tight deadlines and a lot of responsibility. My manager has reduced hours, which adds to the stress because I feel like he doesn't fully understand my skill set. I constantly worry that I’m not good enough and that I might get fired for not meeting the high expectations. I remember struggling with imposter syndrome throughout my academic journey due to a late ADHD diagnosis and poor GCSEs. Although I’ve had good reviews in my previous roles, the short time I’ve spent in this company makes me feel like I still have so much to learn. I’m terrified of being found out and regret taking this role, thinking I might have taken an opportunity away from my friend. I’m reaching out for advice, but I know deep down that this feeling of inadequacy is something I need to work through myself.

I was recently laid off at the beginning of this month, and it really hit me hard. I had just completed a year in my IT role and was feeling like I was finally hitting my stride. The layoff was unexpected, and now I'm grappling with a mix of anxiety and self-doubt. It feels like I've lost my drive and social connections, and I can't shake the feeling that my career is in ruins. I've had a rocky path in my career, having jumped from my first job after a year to a startup that eventually succeeded, then trying my hand at raising funds for my own startup, which ultimately failed. My latest position was meant to be a fresh start, where I hoped to stay for at least 2.5 to 3 years. But now, with four jobs in four years and only two years of verifiable work, I worry about how recruiters will view my resume. The current state of the IT job market makes it even more daunting to find a new role. I used to excel in interviews, but I’m not sure I can replicate that success now. I’m also pursuing a master's degree part-time, which I hope will help me reset my career after I graduate in a year. Mentally, this situation is weighing heavily on me. I’ve faced tough times before with less financial security, but this feels different. I see my peers living stable lives, and I can’t help but feel inadequate. I’m even considering a drastic career change, like going to flight school, just to find some stability. I’m feeling like a failure and would appreciate any advice from those who have been in similar situations.

I handed in my resignation on August 18 with a 3-month notice period, making my last day November 18. However, my new employer wants me to start on November 16. I reached out to my current manager, who confirmed he had no issue shortening my notice. Despite this, my current company has been slow in finding my replacement, and they haven't conducted any interviews yet. My new manager has been checking in on my negotiation progress, and while they are flexible, I have a pressing reason to start earlier. The person who took the Lead position I originally interviewed for has sadly passed away, and my new manager wants me to join ASAP to evaluate my performance for that role. I have 8.5 days of annual leave left, which I plan to use to potentially move my last working day to November 6. HR mentioned they could require me to work until November 18 and pay out my holiday, but I pushed for an earlier termination date. I suggested October 30, and my manager said he would discuss it with HR, but I haven't heard back yet. I want to avoid burning bridges since I'm moving to another contractor on the same site, and my current employer needs to process my departure for the onboarding with the new company. Ideally, I want to secure an October 30 release, but if that doesn't happen, I'll stick with the previously agreed November 13 date. I'm looking for advice on how to navigate this situation without damaging my relationship with my current employer.

I just started my first job at a liquor store, and honestly, I'm feeling pretty miserable. I'm 19, almost 20, and after finishing a three-day unpaid training, I'm about to dive into my first 9-hour shift tomorrow, followed by two more 8-hour shifts. The schedule is packed with 5-6 hour shifts for the rest of the week, and I only have Friday off. I got this job through a family friend, and I was initially grateful, but now I'm feeling overwhelmed and depressed. Before this, I had a few short gigs in fast food and retail, but nothing lasted long. Now, I feel suffocated by the responsibilities that come with this job. I used to live a carefree life, but now I’m struggling with anxiety and unhappiness. I have hobbies I love, and the thought of not having time for them is really dragging me down. I can't ask for shorter hours since I haven't even started yet, and I fear that if I do, I might lose the job. My parents are supportive and optimistic that I'll feel better soon, but it feels like an eternity to me. I have one co-worker who's nice, but I don't know if we’ll become friends. The pressure to not disappoint my parents and the family friend who helped me get this job is weighing heavily on me. I'm considering asking my employer for part-time hours once I start school in winter, but I plan to wait a couple of months before bringing that up. I really want to gain experience, but I can't shake off this feeling of depression. I've talked to friends who work hard, and while I want to contribute too, I just feel stuck. Any advice on how to cope with this would be greatly appreciated.

I was laid off two months ago and am currently facing a tough decision. I have an offer from an established enterprise software company, but the situation is complicated. I received the offer letter on Friday, and the start date is set for this Tuesday, which gives me only one business day to respond. I had previously indicated a later start date, and now I’m worried because one of my reference checks isn’t even complete yet. Additionally, the role is for their Mumbai office, but after looking into the costs of moving there, it’s just not feasible for me. I’m already settled in Bangalore, where I have my network and living arrangements. I plan to call HR on Monday to ask for a two-week extension on the start date and to see if I can shift the location to Bangalore, but I’m terrified that they might see me as a flight risk and rescind the offer altogether. To make matters worse, my top-choice company, a high-growth SaaS firm, just reached out to me after my technical assignment interview earlier this week, which I felt went poorly. They’ve invited me to a final culture round on Tuesday afternoon, right when I would be expected to start at the enterprise company. I’m feeling completely stuck. If I decline the enterprise offer, I’m risking everything on the final round with my top choice, but if the enterprise company won’t budge on the start date, I’d have to choose between the two. I’m looking for advice on how to navigate this situation. Should I ask the enterprise HR for both a start date extension and a location change? Should I address the start date first or lay everything out at once? And during my call with the SaaS recruiter, should I mention that I have another offer to potentially speed up their feedback, or would that pressure backfire since my previous interview wasn’t great? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I was informed this past Friday that I would be laid off in a solo layoff scheduled for October 2nd, under the guise of a restructuring that involves hiring an outside firm. Since receiving this news, I've been sleepless and feeling depressed as I process everything. Earlier this year, I made a formal complaint about a colleague who had been sexually harassing female interns and making racist and transphobic remarks. Despite my complaints, the individual and their associates faced no consequences and remain employed. Shortly after I reported this, I noticed a significant decrease in the projects I was assigned, particularly those related to this colleague and their friends. This summer, the company was acquired by a new ownership group, and my relationship with them quickly soured. My supervisor instructed me to ask for additional compensation for my work while misrepresenting my availability. Soon after, I was removed from key projects that were then handed over to others, resulting in subpar outcomes. I even had the new ownership reach out to me for a project, only for my supervisor to intervene and retract the offer in favor of AI-generated work that was riddled with errors. Despite my consistent performance, I've never received any formal feedback from HR, which is handled by my supervisor since the company lacks dedicated HR staff. I was told that the company does not produce performance reports at all. The outside firm replacing my role does not align with my job responsibilities, yet a close friend of my supervisor, whose job directly relates to the firm's duties, remains unaffected. I suspect my role is being replaced with cheaper part-time positions. I'm being pressured to accept a 4-week severance package within a week, which would waive my rights to any legal action. I’m uncomfortable with this, especially considering the potential for legal action from the women who were harassed, where I could serve as a witness. I'm concerned about how specialized my job is in this market, as opportunities are scarce and often require relocation, which is difficult for me as a homeowner. My parents are helping me for now, but the severance is less than $4,000. My loved ones have advised me to consult a lawyer first thing Monday. I've backed up files to document the situation, but I’m unsure if pursuing legal action is worth the potential entanglements.

I'm currently working as a Patient Scheduling Representative in healthcare, but I'm feeling completely burnt out from the job search. I've been in call centers and customer service roles since COVID, and the low pay isn't helping either. I'm eager to pivot into something more technical, like healthcare IT, Epic, data analytics, or business analysis. I hold a BS in IT Management and have some previous engineering and technical experience, which I enjoyed, especially my time at a nonprofit. The challenge I'm facing is that most jobs require 3-5 years of specific experience, which makes it tough to break out of the customer service cycle. On top of that, my wife is currently laid off, adding more uncertainty to our situation, and we’re considering relocating, possibly back to her home country. Job searching feels exhausting; I find myself scrolling through LinkedIn, Indeed, and other platforms, seeing the same listings over and over again. It's frustrating to be looking for jobs while already working. I have a passion for reading, writing, and music, and my dream is to write full-time someday, but I know I need to find something stable that pays well and offers growth. Ironically, I just received a text about a Border Patrol position, which I never thought I'd consider, but I'm exploring every option at this point. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has successfully transitioned from customer service to IT or analytics—what worked for you? Did you get certifications, network, take a lower-paying role, build a portfolio, or just keep applying? I’m looking for some perspective on how to keep moving forward when the process feels so draining.