Thinking

I was fired from my first engineering job on Friday due to performance issues, and I have an interview lined up for Monday. I'm feeling a bit anxious about how to present my current employment status. Should I act like I still work there unless directly asked? I'm considering saying I was laid off instead of fired, especially since I was only there for six months. I hope to negotiate a salary during the interview, but I'm worried that my recent termination might be used against me. I've read some advice suggesting to avoid lying, as it could hurt my credibility in the long run. I'm really not sure how to navigate this situation.

I am a 40-year-old female currently working as a Senior Threat Detection Engineer, but I’ve been informed that layoffs are imminent, so I'm actively looking for a new role. My CV reflects a pattern that might look like job hopping, but the reality is that life circumstances have forced me into these transitions. I’ve been living and working in the UK for the past decade, but I've had to return to my home country multiple times for medical reasons and family support. I’ve applied to over 600 jobs since January, but I haven’t had any interviews. I’ve tried tweaking my CV, applying to similar fields, and even obtaining certifications, but nothing seems to work. I’m worried that the short durations at each job are affecting my chances. Here’s a brief overview of my recent roles: - Senior Threat Detection Engineer (July 2025 - Present) - Currently employed but facing layoffs. - Cyber Specialist (Jan 2024 - April 2025) - Let go due to a merger. - Cyber Analyst (Aug 2022 - Sept 2023) - Left for surgery related to a severe neck injury. - Cyber Analyst (Sept 2020 - April 2022) - Had to leave after losing my dad and staying abroad for months. - 2019-2020 - Faced a toenail infection that led to multiple surgeries and required me to return home for support. - Commodities Strategist (Sept 2016 - Sept 2018) - Left due to early menopause diagnosis and related treatments. - Commodities Analyst (Sept 2014 - Sept 2016) - This was a temporary role. I’m considering grouping some of my roles together on my CV to present a more stable narrative. I’m anxious and unsure if that will help, but I feel it’s worth a try.

I recently applied for an Administrative Assistant position at a small company with about 9 employees, but I overlooked a key requirement in the job description: an associate's degree. I have been working towards my degree and am set to graduate in about 5 months, but I haven't completed it yet. I have an interview scheduled for Tuesday, and I want to be honest about my situation. I'm considering whether I should email them to clarify the misunderstanding or just address it directly during the interview. I really don't want to come off as unqualified or mislead them, but I also want to make a good impression. I'm leaning towards attending the interview and being upfront about my degree status if it comes up.

I recently landed an interview for a mechanic position at PG&E in the Bay Area, which feels like a huge win after years of applying. Currently, I'm working as an EV technician at Rivian, and while I enjoy my role, I'm really excited about the opportunity at PG&E. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has insights into the interview process or tips on what types of questions I might encounter. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I recently found out that my part-time contract at a local company in Germany won't be renewed, which has left me feeling really anxious about my future. I've already received seven rejection letters from other part-time job applications, and with my studies still ongoing, I’m worried about how I’ll support myself financially. The fact that I’m dealing with mental illness makes this situation even more challenging. My contract ends at the end of September, and I can’t start a new job right away, which complicates my job search further. The conversation with my boss about the non-renewal was quite unprofessional and hurtful, which has only added to my feelings of inadequacy. I’m struggling with thoughts of whether I’ll ever find a job again. I’m reaching out to see if anyone else has faced similar challenges while dealing with mental health issues. How did you cope after your contract ended, or during tough times in your job search? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I recently started my first full-time job as a desk editor at a well-known medical journal. I got the position about six months ago after my thesis supervisor informed me they were hiring. However, I've come to realize that this job isn't the right fit for me. While I enjoy the work, the pay is low, my boss is rarely around, and the office atmosphere is quite tense. I plan to stay for another 2-3 years to gain valuable experience and contacts, as this journal has a good reputation in my country. I've been involved in overseeing the editorial process, creating newsletters, recording podcasts, doing freelance translations, and modernizing systems. My main concern now is figuring out how to find similar desk editor roles in the future. Should I just send out my CV to various publishers and journals? Any advice on how to navigate this job search would be greatly appreciated. I'm based in southern Europe but I'm open to opportunities abroad.

I recently had a conversation with my manager at the startup where I've been working as a product designer. I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being sidelined during discussions about upcoming projects. It seems like my contributions are being overlooked, and I feel increasingly disposable in my role. I'm worried about my job security and whether I should start looking for new opportunities elsewhere. It's a tough position to be in, especially since I really enjoy the work and the team.

I've been working at my current job for quite some time now, initially starting as a part-time employee, which was perfect for balancing my responsibilities as a parent. However, over the last year, my hours have shifted to full-time, and it's been incredibly challenging for me to manage work and my kids. I can't even recall the last time I picked up my youngest from school because I'm always working late, and their dad has to step in to take care of them. I've been requesting to revert to my original part-time hours for about six months, but nothing has changed. I just received my new schedule, and it shows I'm expected to work over 38 hours a week, which is overwhelming. I've started looking for other job opportunities and have been applying, but the job market is tough right now, and I feel stuck. I’m wondering if my employer can legally require me to work these hours when I originally signed a part-time contract. I’ve heard that if they’re a reasonable employer, they might allow me to return to part-time hours, but I’m unsure how to approach this situation. I think I need to have a meeting with my manager to discuss my options.

I was recently terminated from my job in Ohio due to alleged performance issues, specifically for missing deadlines. After applying for unemployment benefits, my claim was denied, and now I'm looking to appeal the decision. The problem is, I don't have any evidence to support my case. I never received a copy of my performance review from January, which was actually quite positive, and I lack any other tangible documentation to back up my claims. To give some background, I received a glowing performance review in January, filled with positive feedback. However, prior to that, I was often assigned work that didn't align with my job description. It wasn't until late December that I started working on projects that were actually relevant to my role. I was then handed a large project with a tight deadline that coincided with my approved vacation time. Although I submitted it late, my manager noted this incident negatively in my performance review, which I unfortunately do not have a copy of. In February or March, I faced another significant project that was also submitted late. My manager expressed frustration in Slack, claiming we had discussed this multiple times, but it was really just the previous incident. I was consistently working over 40 hours a week on various projects, often working through the night to meet deadlines. Despite my efforts, the expectations seemed unreasonable, and I believe there was a skills gap issue as well. I understand that missing deadlines is a valid reason for termination, but I'm struggling to find a way to appeal my unemployment denial without any supporting documentation. I'm reaching out to see if anyone has successfully appealed a similar situation without evidence, or if there are any strategies I could employ to strengthen my case.

I recently graduated with an accounting degree and have been actively applying for jobs in my field. This week, I have two interviews lined up: one is a second-round interview with a director, and the other is for an accounting position at a hospital. The catch is that I just started a factory job as a production worker, making $15/hour, to cover my bills. My work schedule is from 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. The first interview is on Tuesday at 3:00 PM, and it takes me about 45 minutes to get there, while the second interview is on Friday at 11:00 AM. I'm hesitant to miss work since I'm still new at this job, but I also don't want to miss out on these opportunities in my chosen field. My boyfriend thinks I should prioritize my current job and focus on earning money, especially since I've been to several interviews already without landing a position. I understand his concern, as I’m a fresh graduate with limited professional experience beyond school projects. However, I feel that I owe it to myself to at least attend the interviews and see where they lead. If I were to ask for advice, should I leave work early to pursue these interviews, or should I focus on keeping my factory job for now?

I'm currently seeking entry-level Chemical Engineer positions. I have recently graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering and am eager to apply my knowledge and skills in a professional setting. I'm open to various locations and willing to learn and grow within a company. If anyone has leads or advice on where to look, I would greatly appreciate it!

Today, I reflected on my experience with unemployment and how isolating it can feel. It’s tough to navigate this journey alone, but I’ve realized the importance of solidarity. Connecting with others who are facing similar challenges has been incredibly empowering. I’m seeking out support groups and online communities to share experiences and encouragement. Together, we can uplift one another during this difficult time.

I've been reflecting on my recent experience during my probation period at a tech company and I can't shake the feeling that it was used as a way to exploit cheap labor. I joined the team as a software developer, and it felt like they were just looking for someone to hit a critical product milestone. I was brought in, worked at a breakneck pace to clear the backlog, and delivered my part of the project. But as soon as that phase was over, I was let go within weeks of starting. It was frustrating because I barely had time to set up my environment and get the necessary permissions before they claimed it was a performance issue. How can anyone evaluate long-term performance when a good chunk of my time was spent onboarding? It felt like a cover story to me. Being in the probation window meant they could terminate my contract without the usual notice periods or severance pay. It was like they were just using me to get through a tight deadline, and then cutting me loose once the pressure was off. I can't help but think this is a churn-and-burn tactic to save on salaries. Has anyone else gone through something similar?

I am a recent graduate from Hyderabad, class of 2025, actively seeking a job in the Cybersecurity field. As a fresher, I am eager to apply my knowledge and skills in a professional environment. I'm open to entry-level positions and internships that will help me gain practical experience and grow in this dynamic industry.

I had an interview with Paychex earlier this month for a role that I was really excited about. However, during the interview, the interviewer asked me my age, claiming that I looked too young to have the qualifications I presented. This struck me as inappropriate, and the conversation quickly shifted to her personal life, which felt unprofessional. I realized at that moment that I wouldn't want to work there, regardless of the outcome. Now I'm left wondering if I should report this incident, as I believe asking about age in a job interview is illegal in the US. I’m unsure how to proceed and if it’s worth the effort, especially since I’ve heard mixed opinions on whether it’s illegal depending on the state.

I work in Massachusetts and have been informed that my last day at the company will be June 30th due to the business closing down. I was planning to use my pre-approved sick leave on that day to care for my fiancé, who is having surgery. However, I'm concerned that taking sick leave on my last day might affect my eligibility for unemployment benefits. I've been seeking advice on whether this would be a problem or if I would still qualify for unemployment after using my sick time.

I recently learned that PacificSource is undergoing more layoffs as the company exits the individual insurance market. As someone who has been following the insurance industry closely, this news is quite concerning. It seems like many companies are making tough decisions lately, and I hope those affected find new opportunities soon.

I recently experienced a significant shift in my life after being laid off from my job. It hit me hard because I realized how much of my identity was tied to my role. Without my position, I suddenly felt lost and worthless, which was a tough realization to confront. I know that my job doesn't define who I am, but my mind keeps spiraling into this unhealthy thinking. I'm reaching out to see if anyone else has gone through this. How did you manage to break free from that mental trap and rebuild your sense of self outside of work?

I recently got laid off from my role at a signal processing company where I worked for 1.5 years. I'm 26 years old and hold an M.Tech from NIT, but I feel like my skills are very specific to my previous job. The only transferable skill I have is C++ coding. I've started applying for new positions but have only been getting calls for software jobs that offer salaries between 6 to 9 LPA, which is significantly lower than my current CTC of around 15 LPA. Given the current job market, I'm considering whether I should take the risk of applying for these lower-paying roles just to stay employed, especially since there aren't many opportunities in the signal processing field in India right now. I know I need to prepare a lot to interview for software positions outside of my expertise. I'm looking for advice on whether it's worth it to take a lower-paying job while continuing to search for better opportunities. Any suggestions on the best course of action?

I'm currently working full-time in Columbus, Georgia, earning about $17/hour. While it's decent for this area, it's becoming increasingly difficult to support my family with rising costs. I'm actively seeking better opportunities, ideally with higher pay and more room for growth. I'm open to relocating, particularly to Tennessee, and have been looking at places like Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville, but I'm flexible if the right job comes along. My background includes experience in retail and customer service, and I pride myself on being dependable and punctual. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management with a minor in management, and I'm eager to learn new skills to secure a better future for my family. I'm reaching out for advice from anyone who has made a similar move. What industries are currently hiring? Are there specific companies in Tennessee that I should consider? Is Tennessee a viable option for improving my income and quality of life? I'm particularly interested in jobs that might offer better pay than my current rate without necessarily requiring a college degree. Any insights or leads would be greatly appreciated!