Thinking

It's been a week since I completed my panel presentation for a Business Operations role at a scaling startup in the US, and I'm starting to feel anxious about the lack of updates. The hiring process was incredibly fast up until now: I had a recruiter reach out right after I applied, followed by an interview with the Chief of Staff the next day. After that, I was given an assessment to complete within three days, and then I had to present my rollout strategy the day after that. During the panel, I discussed trade-offs, capacity allocation, and dependency management in detail. They mentioned they would be in touch and encouraged me to send any follow-up questions via email. I did reach out with a refined reflection on one of the scenarios we discussed, but I haven't heard back yet. I'm wondering if it's normal for the decision-making process to slow down after the panel stage, especially since the initial stages moved so quickly. Does this mean they might be interviewing other candidates or are they just taking their time to finalize an offer? I'm really hoping to hear back soon!

I got laid off after just one week in my new job as a Data Analyst at a big tech company, and I'm still in disbelief. Here's a rough timeline of my recruitment process: I applied for the role in mid-April, received an offer at the end of June, and started on July 20th. Just two days later, the entire team except for me was laid off, and by July 27th, I was let go too. I had to relocate to a new city for this position, and it’s incredibly frustrating to think that after going through two months and six interview rounds, they would do this to me so soon. I'm feeling really mad and sad about how they handle their hiring processes.

I’ve been working in a corporate IT role for four years, but things have taken a turn for the worse. Recently, I was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) for what I believe are ridiculous reasons. For example, I accidentally put a UPS package in the FedEx box, I was told I said good morning in a "rude" tone (which I didn’t think was rude), and I forgot to inform a coworker about a password change after he clicked on a phishing link. These incidents happened over six months, yet they put me on a PIP. I managed to complete it successfully, with all the necessary paperwork signed, but since then, I feel like I’m being sidelined and micromanaged. My manager's behavior has changed, and they keep postponing a final meeting about my future at the company, leaving me in constant anxiety. I recently received a job offer from a company much closer to home. The new role pays slightly less, going from $26 an hour to $20, and I would lose my office space, returning to repairing machines in a warehouse. I’m torn between staying in my current corporate job, which feels increasingly unstable, and accepting the new position for less pay but a shorter commute. I value my office and benefits, but the toxic culture and uncertainty are taking a toll on my mental health. What should I do?

I started a new job two months ago, but I quickly realized it's not the right fit for me. This Friday, I have two interviews lined up, and I sent my resume with my previous job listed as my last position. I'm unsure about how to approach this in the interviews. Should I mention that I've been at my current job for just two months and that I'm looking for something more aligned with my expectations? I want to avoid coming off as negative, but I also want to be honest. If I decide to share this, how much detail should I go into? Any advice would be appreciated!

I interviewed with a company almost three months ago and finally heard back from them today. I received an email asking if I'm still interested in the position we discussed a couple of months ago. I'm feeling a mix of hope and anxiety about this response. I’m wondering if this indicates they liked me but the hiring process was delayed for some reason, like someone else declining an offer or a new opening for the same role. I’m planning to respond and see where this leads.

I entered the workforce in 2000 after completing my undergrad and post-grad degrees, right at the peak of the dot com bubble. Unfortunately, by the end of 2002, I found myself laid off from my first job after 2.5 years of working there. During my time at that company, there was constant intrigue, political games, and rolling layoffs every 6-9 months. Despite the company's financial success and being a leader in its industry, I never received a raise or bonus, and I even faced temporary pay cuts twice. We were forced to take vacation during mandatory shutdowns, which created a toxic environment. Eventually, I was laid off in the fourth round of cuts, but I did receive a 60-day notice and a severance package. This experience taught me that a company's success doesn’t necessarily align with the well-being of its employees. It left me feeling scarred and distrustful of corporate America. I attempted to return to academic research for 1.5 years, but when that didn't pan out, I reluctantly accepted a position in 2004 at another company. This second company had a fantastic culture, and I felt a sense of belonging. I even bought my first house there. However, the Great Recession in 2009 hit, and after my employer declared bankruptcy, I managed to secure a role at an early-stage startup just days before the shutdown. After 2 years there, I transitioned to a larger startup where I've now survived 8 rounds of layoffs over almost 16 years. While I appreciate my current company and coworkers, I remain aware that I could be let go at any time, which prevents me from feeling like an 'owner' despite my long tenure. I've learned the importance of saving and investing, and over the past 26 years, my household net worth has grown significantly. I now have a liquidity runway that allows me to feel less stressed about potential layoffs and even consider early retirement in the next 5 years if the market continues to rise. My advice? Be cautious, save, and invest wisely to avoid being at the mercy of corporate decisions.

I was contacted by a recruiter over the weekend about a job title that really excites me. I found the same role listed on the company's website, and the recruiter assured me he would submit my application. I trust him, as there doesn't seem to be any reason for him to lie. However, I've noticed that the position has been open for a month, which suggests the company is eager to fill it. I even found the LinkedIn profile of the person this role reports to. I'm contemplating whether I should apply directly or reach out to that person. The recruiter mentioned he submitted my application on Monday, so I'm considering waiting until Thursday to follow up. But part of me thinks I should act quickly and apply directly today to increase my chances.

I started a job in May 2026 at an industry company, but now, just two months in, I'm considering leaving for a public accounting firm. Back in October 2025, I received a job offer from an accounting firm for Fall 2026, but they postponed it to Fall 2027, which was too long for me to wait. So, I took the industry position instead. Now, I've got an interview lined up with the public firm, and if I get the job, it would be a significant step for my career and help me gain the experience needed to become a CPA. I feel guilty about leaving my current job so soon, especially since my boss is incredibly supportive and I've been able to help him a lot. I know I don’t owe anything to companies, but I still feel bad about the timing. I’m looking for any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I'm currently facing the possibility of being fired from my civilian job at a police station in Texas. I've been there for less than a year and I'm on a three-strike system. Unfortunately, I just received my final strike for tardiness; I was late by 10 minutes and didn't notify my lieutenant in advance. My previous strikes were for mishandling a case and not following proper destruction protocols for an item. I have a personal connection at the station, as my grandmother is a Chief's Assistant, and I'm worried about how this might tarnish her reputation among the officers who know we're related. I'm hoping that if I do get fired, they might let me resign instead, which would look better on my record. My main concern is how this will affect my future job prospects, especially since I'm still in school pursuing a teaching degree and juggling multiple jobs to support myself. I understand that being fired for tardiness could impact my employability, particularly in a semi-government role. I've never been fired before; I've only quit or worked temporary positions. I'm looking for advice on how to handle this situation and improve my chances of being hired in the future, especially if potential employers reach out to my previous employer for references. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently on a temporary contract that is set to end in four weeks, and I'm feeling quite uncertain about my future here. My company hasn't confirmed whether they plan to renew my contract, and upper management has been pretty quiet about the situation. My manager mentioned that there are significant changes happening in our department, which consists of just the two of us, so I can't help but feel like I'm in a precarious position. I've been actively job hunting for the past month, but it's been challenging to stay focused at my current job. With the uncertainty surrounding the product and whether it will even exist later this year, I find it hard to engage in meetings about future plans for September and October. I'm wondering how to realistically maintain my focus during this time. Should I just concentrate on wrapping up my tasks and ensuring there are no loose ends before my contract ends?

I recently received a job offer that is significantly better than my current position. The new role offers only $5,000 more than my current salary, but it guarantees a 15% raise for the first three years, which means I would be making well over six figures after that time. Additionally, the benefits are much better, including a 10% match on the 401k and student loan repayment assistance, while my current employer offers no match and no support for student loans. When I shared the offer with my manager, he initially mentioned wanting to make a counter offer. However, he later questioned whether it was even worth it. I considered letting him make a counter offer just to see what I could negotiate, but ultimately decided against it. I felt that asking for a counter offer might just be a tactic to negotiate a higher salary at my new job. I want to leave my current job on good terms since I genuinely like my colleagues and the environment here. I do have a number in mind that I would accept, but it’s a 40% increase over my current salary, which I doubt they would match. I still haven't accepted the new offer yet, so part of me thinks about negotiating with my current employer, but it feels wrong to play with their time when they have treated me well. My primary motivation for leaving is simply to seek better benefits and higher pay.

I just learned that Visa is planning to cut about 2,600 jobs, which is roughly 7% of its workforce. This news really hit me hard as I work in the payments industry and have always admired Visa's stability. It's disheartening to see such a major player in the market making these cuts, especially when there are mixed messages about the job market. I can't help but feel concerned about the future and what this means for my own job security.

On July 28, 2026, I received an email from our CEO, Ryan McInerney, announcing significant layoffs at Visa. Approximately 2,600 employees, which is around 7% of the workforce, will be affected. The majority of the cuts are happening in Technology and Product roles, but reductions are occurring across various departments. I’m still processing this news and waiting to see how it will impact my position. It feels surreal to be part of such a large-scale reduction, and I can't help but wonder about the future of the company and our reliance on technology. Affected employees are supposed to be contacted directly starting today, and I'm anxious about what that will mean for me.

I just received some concerning news from Visa Inc. Our CEO, Ryan McInerney, sent out an email informing us that the company will be laying off 7% of the global workforce. This news has left many of us anxious, as we are hearing that notifications will be sent out within the next two days. There are a lot of questions circulating among my colleagues about whether these layoffs will affect all levels of the organization, including junior and intern positions, or if it will primarily target senior roles. I'm hoping to get more clarity soon.

I've been following the recent wave of layoffs and it's been overwhelming to see so many notifications about people getting laid off almost daily. I'm curious about the actual numbers of those affected and why there seems to be a lack of coverage on this issue from media outlets. It feels like there's a silence surrounding these layoffs, and I'm trying to understand the broader context of what's happening in the job market right now.

I'm currently navigating a challenging job search and have applied to around 30-40 positions, resulting in 5-7 interviews so far. I'm finding it tough to make significant progress in securing a job. Recently, I've encountered a situation where I'm unsure whether to be completely honest or to tailor my responses to what I think the interviewers want to hear. I have a unique personality that might not always align with conventional expectations, and I'm concerned about how that might affect my chances. I've already asked all my questions during the interviews, but I'm looking for advice on how to handle this dilemma. I'm open to answering any questions about my experiences or situation.

I've been working at my current job for 4 years now, and I'm starting to question if it's time to look for something new. I'm 26 and have had the chance to run a magazine and lead sales for it, which I really enjoy. However, my pay hasn't reflected my responsibilities; I'm earning the same as people three positions below me. The company promised to compensate me for my work, but that hasn't happened yet. The only increase I got was a commission for sales, and that was something I had to ask for myself. Now, the company is considering selling my magazine, and I might be reassigned to a different role within the company. I'm feeling anxious about this because I don't know what the new position will be or what my pay will look like. While I'm comfortable in my current role and have built strong relationships at work, I'm worried about being left in a situation where I’m underpaid and undervalued. The CEO assures me that I'm safe, but I can't help but wonder what that really means, especially since I'm likely the cheapest employee doing a job that typically pays over $80k. I'm torn between wanting to stay and fight for better compensation and the fear of getting stuck in a position that doesn't value my contributions. I’m considering making a pro and con list to help me decide what to do next.

I recently faced a tough realization about my career aspirations. I’m 27 years old and hold a BA in studio art and philosophy. Inspired by my own art teachers, I pursued a path to become an art teacher myself. I interned as an art teacher's assistant during college and even taught art at a small private school for children aged 6 to 10. However, I discovered that teaching wasn't for me. The role of facilitator felt off, and it was disappointing to realize that the career I thought I wanted didn’t bring me joy. Now, I’m working as a barista to pay the bills, but I've also been diving into coding and website management since 2024. I initially got into coding to explore video game development, but I've mostly focused on web development. Over the past two years, I've built several websites, including two for clients. While I enjoy coding, I find myself uncertain about my long-term career direction. I’m partly motivated by the financial aspect, but I’m hesitant about stepping into a corporate job, which I’m 80% sure I don’t want. It feels both liberating and confusing not to have a clear path. I’m looking for insights on how to pivot effectively in my career. Any advice would be appreciated!

I'm currently exploring retail job opportunities after spending several years in food service. I really miss the retail environment and feel that my extroverted and friendly personality would help me thrive in that setting. I've already applied to a few places like Garage, Victoria's Secret, and some grocery stores, but I'm curious to hear from others about their experiences. Are there any retail companies that you absolutely love working for?

I find myself at a crossroads between jobs, and I wanted to share my journey. I have a background in machine shop work, having attended both high school and trade school where I really developed a passion for what I do. My first job was in a small machine shop, which started off great. I learned a lot and moved up quickly, but over time, the environment soured. I was treated poorly, and I began to lose my enthusiasm for my work. Eventually, business declined, and I was laid off when my boss couldn't hand over the reins to anyone else. Three months ago, I began job searching and ended up at a company where many of my relatives and former classmates work. Initially, I hesitated to apply there because I wanted to forge my own path, but I took the leap and got hired. This job has been a breath of fresh air; I've reconnected with old friends and even picked up hobbies I had abandoned. Then, last week, I received a call from my former tech teacher about a teaching position in an adjacent program to machining. The job sounds incredible, and it's practically mine if I want it. I've made a pros and cons list, but I'm still torn. The teaching schedule would be more favorable, with hours from 7:45 to 2:45, Monday to Friday, and summers off. However, I'm hesitant to leave a job that has brought me so much joy.