Thinking

I'm currently in a tough situation at my new job, which I started around April 30th. I completed a certification before the winter break, but now that I'm in my 6th week of a 90-day training period, I'm realizing that this role is not a good fit for me. It's a 12-hour night shift, and I've been feeling increasingly anxious about my performance. I think I might be going solo this week, and honestly, I've lost a lot of confidence. I know I can be stubborn and try to push through, but since I'm dealing with people's lives, I believe it's better to leave than risk making a mistake after training. I'm worried about how to approach quitting, as I suspect they might try to convince me to stay. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I recently applied for a position at Publix and had to take their personality test, which I found to be incredibly frustrating and inaccurate. The questions were so vague that I felt like my interpretation was completely different from what the employer intended. For instance, I was faced with choices that forced me to pick between being labeled a 'quitter' or a 'slacker,' which seemed unreasonable. As someone with high-functioning autism, I struggled to understand what they were really asking, and it felt like the test was designed to filter out people like me with trick questions. I often had to resort to using AI just to help me navigate the confusing wording of the questions. What really struck me was how toxic the workplace seemed based on the nature of the questions. They seemed to assume that anyone who is self-motivated must also have a bad temper, which is a huge double standard. I left the test feeling uncertain about whether I even wanted to work there anymore, as the whole process felt like an invasion of my character rather than a fair assessment of my skills.

I was laid off from my job in California on May 29 and received three weeks of severance pay on June 2. I filed for unemployment on June 1, but when I was certifying my claim on June 14, I completely forgot to report the severance pay. I only remembered after a coworker, who was also laid off, asked if I had reported it. Now I'm worried about whether I should report the severance in my next certification period and if I might get into trouble for not mentioning it earlier. I've heard that it could affect my benefits, depending on the amount and how it's allocated. I'm feeling anxious about this situation.

I work in my thirties at a company where a new boss has recently taken over. Last week, a hiring freeze was announced, and now my boss is auditing each department's work. It feels like everyone is being asked to justify their roles and prove their necessity within the company. I have a gut feeling that layoffs are coming soon, possibly by August. I'm based in the European market and I'm looking for advice on negotiating severance or layoff packages with US companies. Thankfully, I have strong savings, so I’m in a better position than some, but I lack experience in navigating layoffs and negotiations. Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I previously applied to a few Big Tech companies and high finance firms, but I may have exaggerated some details on my résumé. Now, I'm considering reapplying to these companies and I'm unsure if my past actions will affect my chances. I'm worried that if they check my previous applications, they might see the discrepancies. Should I be honest about my past résumé or just focus on highlighting my actual skills and experiences this time around? Any advice on how to approach this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I'm currently working at a Chinese takeaway, and it's been a real struggle for me. Some days I love it, but other days, like today, I come home feeling defeated. I'm 17 and still a student, and I rely on my parents to drive me since I don’t have a car or a license. The takeaway is just 10 minutes away, but it’s in a small town, making job options limited. At work, I handle the till and have always been accurate, except when this one delivery driver, whom I’ll call Max, is on shift. Max has a reputation for being dishonest; he's been caught stealing on camera multiple times, yet my boss refuses to let him go. It’s frustrating because I end up taking the blame when the till is short, which has happened a few times now. My coworkers and I have pleaded with our boss to fire him, but nothing changes. I’m really tired of this situation and need to save money for college and a car since my parents can’t afford it. I’ve been searching for another job for a year and finally landed this one, but now I’m stuck. I’m not picky about where I work, but I’d prefer to avoid cash handling due to my anxiety. I’m reaching out for advice on how to find a new job quickly. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

I was recently laid off from my position as a mid-level software developer in Ireland. It was a tough experience, but I managed to receive a couple of job offers afterward. One offer included a €5,000 annual increase from my previous salary, while the other was a larger €11,000 increase with a title upgrade, but it was from a large consultancy firm. After careful consideration, I decided to accept the €5,000 offer from a well-established services MNC. I felt this option would provide more stability and allow for saner working hours compared to my previous job, where I often worked insane hours, including weekends, under rude management. This is my first time being laid off, and I really just need some peace and a chance to recover. I'm also concerned about the potential for more layoffs in the future, and I didn't want to risk burnout or another layoff. I hope I made the right choice by prioritizing my well-being over a higher salary.

I recently went through an interview process for a position that I initially thought could be a good fit. After my first interview, I was invited to meet with a panel member who had missed the initial session. I approached this meeting with an open mind, but ultimately, I felt the role wasn't right for me. After receiving news that I had progressed to the background check stage, I decided to withdraw my application. I didn’t hear back from them after my withdrawal, which left me wondering if this decision might burn bridges with the company or the panel members involved. I'm curious about how such withdrawals are perceived in the industry.

I recently applied for a retail position and I'm considering following up with a phone call. I'm unsure about the best approach to take when I call. Should I directly ask for the manager, or should I first mention that I'm following up on my application? I’ve read mixed advice online; some say that calling might not be the best move since it could come off as intrusive. I'm trying to gauge whether I should go ahead with the call or just wait for them to reach out if they're interested.

I'm currently seeking internship opportunities in Electrical Engineering, particularly in areas like Power Systems, Power Electronics, Electric Vehicles, Smart Grid, Automation, Renewable Energy, and Electrical Design. As a B.Tech Electrical Engineering student from a Tier-3 engineering college in India, I have a solid academic background with a CGPA of 9.17/10 and valuable research exposure. Right now, I'm a Research Intern working remotely under faculty mentorship in the EECS Department, where I utilize MATLAB for signal modeling and computational simulations. Additionally, I have hands-on experience at RRVPNL's 400 kV EHV Substation, where I've worked with autotransformers and SCADA systems, and at a 132 kV Substation focusing on relay testing and protection coordination. My experience also includes designing rooftop PV systems at a Solar PV company. I have completed projects like a Hydrogen Fuel Cell–Battery Hybrid Propulsion system for UAVs and an IoT Home Automation System. My technical skills include MATLAB, Simulink, Arduino IDE, SCADA, and programming in Python and C/Embedded C. I'm particularly interested in companies such as Siemens, ABB, Schneider Electric, and Honeywell. I know that my Tier-3 background may present challenges, but I believe my research and practical experiences demonstrate my capabilities. I'm looking for referrals to open internship roles, advice on breaking into these companies, or connections to hiring managers. Any feedback on my profile would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I just had a tough conversation with my agency owner, and he informed me that he won't be paying me for my work. I'm feeling frustrated and uncertain about my next steps. I've been putting in a lot of effort, and it's disheartening to hear this. I'm considering my options and trying to figure out if I should look for another job or if there's a way to resolve this situation.

I recently found myself in a challenging situation at my job as a QA Engineer for a service-based company in India. A few days ago, my Team Lead called me at around 10 PM, asking if I could join a Teams meeting in 15 minutes. I was out having dinner with my family at the time and asked if there was any urgency or production issue that required my immediate attention. My Team Lead insisted that my presence was necessary, but since no specific urgency was communicated, I requested to reschedule the meeting. Ultimately, I chose not to join. The next day, I was shocked to receive a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) from HR. This was particularly confusing for me because I had received Best Achiever awards for the past two years, and there had been no prior performance concerns raised. I have always documented my work and contributions, especially during appraisal cycles. Now, I’m trying to figure out if the timing of the PIP is just a coincidence or if my refusal to join the late-night call was indeed linked to this decision. I’m reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What should I be asking my manager and HR? What should I look for in the PIP document? How can I determine if this is a genuine improvement plan or the start of an exit process? Any insights from those who have experienced a similar situation would be greatly appreciated.

I've been on the job hunt for about 1-2 years now, primarily looking for engineering or science roles, and it feels incredibly frustrating. I hold a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's in space systems engineering, along with around 8 years of solid work experience solving complex problems. Yet, the job market seems to be demanding an unrealistic level of expertise. It feels like companies are unwilling to recognize my potential to learn and adapt. Instead of seeing my background as a foundation for growth, they seem to prefer candidates who already fit their exact requirements. This has made the job search feel more like a ritual humiliation rather than a collaborative effort to solve problems together. I know I'm capable of learning new skills with some training, but it seems like employers are looking for a unicorn—someone who can hit the ground running without any need for development. I can't help but feel that there's a disconnect between what I can offer and what companies are willing to accept. It's disheartening to think that my qualifications and experience are being overlooked in favor of someone who may not even be as adaptable as I am.

I recently graduated and somehow made it through the initial screening for a program manager role, despite having no professional experience and less work history than the position requires. This is my first overseas job interview, and I'm feeling a bit anxious about it. I did exaggerate my work history a little; while I haven't lied outright, the experience I listed mostly comes from achievements during my college years. I'm concerned that the interviewer might think I have actual professional experience when I don't. Should I bring this up during the interview? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to jeopardize my chances.

I found myself in a strange situation regarding my job search. Back in 2025, while I was enrolled in a part-time MBA program at WGU, I started applying for jobs. I managed to secure a contract position in New York City, which forced me to withdraw from school due to financial reasons. Now, with my contract ending in August, I've been actively looking for new roles, both internally and externally. I used an old resume for my applications, but I completely forgot to update the graduation year for my MBA program. To my surprise, I've received several interview invitations despite this inaccuracy. Now I'm wondering if I should disclose this mistake during the interviews or wait until I potentially receive an offer and undergo a background check. I've already updated my resume for future applications, but I’m currently in three interview processes and would be happy to accept any offer. I’m really torn about what to do next. Should I come clean about the incorrect graduation date now or keep quiet until later?

I recently had my first job interview and it was quite a challenge for me. I found myself stuttering a lot and struggling to think of the right words to say. It was really frustrating, and I felt like I couldn't express myself properly. I'm reaching out for advice on how to overcome these issues during interviews. I've heard that practicing in front of a mirror and recording my voice can help, but I'm still feeling stressed. I also learned that trying to memorize a script can make my stuttering worse. I think I might try to prepare a few key stories to share instead, like times when I learned quickly or handled difficult situations. Any tips from others who have faced similar challenges would be greatly appreciated!

I just landed my first job at Dunkin' after a long time away from the workforce due to personal issues. However, I messed up my availability and left it open until 3am, thinking I could manage it. I was hired for a shift starting at 9am, but I’ve realized that the buses don’t run early enough for me to make it in on time. My first shift is on Tuesday at 10am, which works, but I’m really stressed because they emphasized that the availability I submitted is a firm commitment. I’m torn on whether I should reach out to my manager now to explain the situation or wait until my first shift to bring it up. I have a lot of availability outside of the morning hours, but the earliest I can realistically come in is 8am. I just feel overwhelmed and didn’t anticipate this issue. I could really use some advice on how to handle this situation.

I've been actively applying for positions at Salesforce, but I'm starting to feel frustrated with the process. I've submitted several applications for roles that match my skills and experience, yet I haven't received any callbacks or even acknowledgment. It seems like getting a response from them is quite challenging at the moment. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm wondering if it's just me or if it's a common issue with Salesforce hiring right now.

I recently found myself in a tough spot after being laid off from my role as a software/data engineer at a large financial company early last year. I have a CS degree from 2023 and had about two years of experience working with Python, AWS, and SQL, specifically building data pipelines. After the layoff, I struggled to land any offers despite going through several interviews. To make ends meet, I took on non-tech jobs, which I fear might make it look like I gave up on my engineering career, but that wasn’t the case. In a moment of desperation, I even started a CNA program to switch careers to healthcare, thinking it would provide stability and a sense of purpose. I completed much of the training and clinicals, but I quickly realized that patient care wasn’t for me. I was juggling two jobs and dreading the clinicals, so I made the tough decision to quit the program just before finishing. While I feel guilty about it, I also feel a sense of relief. Now, I’m determined to get back into tech, ideally as a software or data engineer, and I’m particularly interested in the emerging AI technologies. However, I feel completely lost on how to bridge the gap in my resume and catch up with the latest tools and trends. Financially, things are tight, and I’m exhausted from the constant job search. I’m considering various options: whether to pursue a master’s degree, build personal projects, keep applying for jobs, or dive into learning the new AI stack. I’m even contemplating taking a step back into an IT role, like a help desk position, just to stabilize my finances. I’m reaching out for any advice from those who have been in similar situations. How do I overcome this gap and get back into the field? Is taking a help desk job a smart move, or should I hold out for a role more aligned with my engineering background? Any insights would be greatly appreciated.

I accepted a new job at the beginning of the month and I'm set to start in two weeks. However, I'm facing a difficult situation as a member of my immediate family, who has been ill for nearly two years, has recently taken a turn for the worse. We're anticipating that they may pass away in the coming weeks. I'm unsure how to approach this situation with my new employer. Some advice I've received suggests that I should keep this information to myself for now and see how things unfold. It's a tough decision, especially considering that my best friend's wife was given days to live five years ago and is still with us. The unpredictability of these situations makes it all the more challenging.