Thinking

I've been on the job hunt since mid-July, trying to find a position that allows me to work only on weekends. As a teenager, I've been actively applying both online and in-person, but I haven't had much luck. I've gone to about five interviews, some at the same places more than once, but I haven't received any callbacks. I've targeted fast food restaurants and grocery stores in my town and the nearby areas, but nothing seems to be working out. I really want to start earning some money, especially since I can't work on weekdays due to football practice and school commitments. I'm looking for any tips or suggestions on places that might be hiring weekend workers.

I’ve been feeling the impact of the changing job market lately. A few years ago, I could apply to about five jobs and typically land at least two interviews, thanks to my unique combination of a pharmacy degree (BS and PharmD) and a law degree. I've worked with both large and small companies, which usually helped me stand out. However, recently, I’ve been applying to 2-3 jobs each week, and the response has been disappointing. I’ve only received a few nibbles, which is a stark contrast to my past experiences. It seems like the market has shifted significantly. I’m curious if anyone else has noticed this trend and if there are any signs of improvement on the horizon.

I recently had to navigate a tough situation with my wife's job. She was laid off from her previous position due to downsizing and was on unemployment for about 1.5 to 2 months before finding a new job. Initially, she was hesitant to accept this new role because it was outside her area of expertise and seemed very demanding, with expectations of working outside regular hours. Although she discussed her salary expectations and was assured they could be met, the reality was disappointing. About 60% of her salary was base pay, with the rest being commission, which was not what we had anticipated. Moreover, the promise of a flexible schedule turned out to be misleading. With two young kids and another on the way, her ability to manage school drop-offs and pick-ups was becoming increasingly difficult. After just two days on the job, it became clear that the owners were not aligned, and she felt misled about the role. She was working 12-hour days, and with the cost of after-school care exceeding her earnings, she made the tough decision to leave. Now, she is in the process of reapplying for unemployment and has a hearing scheduled with an adjudicator. We're both uncertain about what to expect and the likelihood of her being accepted back onto unemployment. I'm hoping for the best, but it’s a stressful situation.

I recently learned about significant layoffs in the manufacturing sector, specifically from companies like Jaguar and Volkswagen. As someone who has been closely following the automotive industry, this news is quite concerning. It seems that many workers are facing uncertainty as these major manufacturers are downsizing. I'm trying to keep an eye on the job market and explore potential opportunities that may arise as a result of these changes.

I recently had a significant moment at my job at Arby's where I decided to disclose to my managers that I’m autistic. This was after a lot of internal struggle, but I felt it was important for them to understand my challenges at work. I’ve been working there for several months, and I pride myself on being friendly, punctual, and hardworking. However, I often find myself overwhelmed during rush hours, which can lead to mistakes. My shift manager, who is also a friend, has been supportive and has advocated for me to keep my hours despite the challenges I face. Unfortunately, my hours have been drastically reduced recently, which I was told was largely due to a labor shortage rather than my performance. I’ve been trying to figure out how to approach my General Manager about getting my hours back. I had a conversation with her where I explained my struggles, and she was understanding. I even shared some old school records with her that indicated I had an autism diagnosis back in 2005, which was a revelation for me since I had always been told otherwise. Now, I feel like I need to approach her again to discuss my hours. I want to express that my reduced hours seem unrelated to my abilities and see if there’s a way to increase them back to where they were. For the past two weeks, I’ve only had one or two short shifts a week, which is tough financially. I also have an OnlyFans account that has been helping me stay afloat during this time, but I really want to get my hours back at Arby's. I’m hopeful that by being open about my situation, I can find a way to improve my work schedule.

I'm currently working from home as an HR Assistant, earning around $50K annually, and I've been in this role for almost two years. Recently, I've taken on more responsibilities and asked for a raise, but I haven't heard back yet. I enjoy the flexibility of my current job, which allows me to travel and saves me commuting costs, but I do pay about $300 a month for health insurance and feel like I'm handling most of the workload. I received an offer for a Talent Acquisition position that pays $65K, which is $32 an hour, and includes free health insurance. The catch is that the first four months are fully in-person, and then it transitions to a hybrid model with two days of working from home. My concern is the travel involved between clinics in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens for interviews, especially regarding parking and commuting during the winter months. They do cover tolls for trips to the Bronx, which is a plus. The team seems really nice, and the opportunity looks promising, but I'm torn between the flexibility of my current role and the better pay, benefits, and potential for career growth with the new position. I'm seeking advice on what to do next.

I'm currently applying for jobs and I'm worried that my lack of references might be holding me back. I have about 8 years of experience in blue-collar work, specifically with a CDL, public works maintenance, waste removal, and heavy equipment operations. Right now, I'm employed by my town in public works maintenance, but I'm looking to relocate to a city and find jobs that match my skills, particularly in city and municipality roles. I've applied to several positions, some of which I feel I'm overqualified for, yet I haven't received any callbacks or interview requests. A few of the job postings have already closed, while others are open until filled. I suspect that my lack of references is the main issue. I only have one reference, a coworker from the waste management industry, but he wasn't in a management position. My previous job ended on bad terms after a disagreement with a manager, which means I don't have any references from that experience. Currently, I don't feel comfortable asking my manager for a reference at my current job. I think he might not provide a positive response since I've expressed my intention to leave, which upset him, especially since it's during our busiest season. Additionally, we've had some heated discussions about our differing political views, which has made things even more complicated. I'm reaching out for advice on how to navigate this situation. What steps can I take to improve my chances in the hiring process despite my lack of references?

I’ve been working at a tech company for over four years in a junior engineering role, and recently, I got injured, which has led to the need for multiple surgeries. My doctor has advised me to take a short-term medical leave of about 6-7 months for recovery. Thankfully, my company is providing me with 26 weeks of partial salary, and after that, I’ll be covered by Employment Insurance, so I have some financial security during this time. Starting tomorrow, I’ll be off work for the next seven months, and I’m feeling a mix of emotions about my situation. I’m not sure if I should consider myself lucky or unlucky. I want to make the most of this time and think about how I can pivot to a better career opportunity. I’m still technically employed, so I’m wondering if it’s a good idea to start looking for a new job while I recover. I’m curious about what steps I should take to prepare for a potential job switch. Should I focus on developing new skills, perhaps in areas like AI or forward-deployed engineering? I want to avoid just lying around during my recovery and instead use this time to set myself up for a better future. If you were in my shoes, where would you begin?

After a challenging 9 months of job searching, I finally landed a new position as a Senior Data Analyst at a new company. I had previously worked as a Data Analyst for 5 years before being laid off, so this new role feels like a significant step up. I'm feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, especially since it's a senior position. My interview went well, and I felt confident answering all the questions, but I can't shake the anxiety about keeping up with the latest AI advancements and cloud technologies. I'm trying to stay positive and focus on the opportunity ahead.

I recently helped a friend navigate his job transition after he was laid off from our company, which has been going through annual restructuring for the past five years. This year, it was his turn to be let go. He managed to secure a consulting position at a large corporation, which I believe is a smart move for him to generate income and stay engaged while searching for a full-time role. However, he expressed concern about what our former employer might think if they found out about his new job. I encouraged him to not worry about their opinion, reminding him that they didn’t care about him when they decided to lay him off. He hadn’t considered that perspective before, and it seemed to help him feel a bit more liberated. It’s a tricky situation, but I think he should focus on his own path rather than the thoughts of those who let him go.

I’m currently searching for job opportunities and specifically looking for companies that hire felons. I've gone through various resources online, but many of the companies listed don’t actually hire individuals with felony records. My background includes experience in landscaping, bussing, office work, and several warehouse positions where I operated forklifts and pallet jacks. I've also done some construction work. I'm open to any type of job and just want to get back to work. If anyone has recommendations or knows of companies that are more likely to hire felons, I would greatly appreciate it!

I'm currently on the hunt for a freelancer to help me fine-tune my resume, but I'm specifically looking for someone who doesn't rely on AI tools like ChatGPT. I want my resume tailored in a way that it can appeal to a wide range of job opportunities, with just a few personal tweaks. I initially considered Fiverr, but I have ethical concerns about using their platform due to the prevalence of AI-generated content. I'm searching for alternatives that vet their freelancers and maintain high standards, as I'm really tired of the oversaturation of AI in the job application process. I want my resume to stand out and be crafted by someone who genuinely understands the intricacies of creating effective resumes that can navigate ATS systems. I'm willing to invest good money for quality work and would prefer to avoid hiring someone who views 'prompt optimization' as a legitimate skill. If anyone has recommendations for platforms or freelancers who fit this description, I would greatly appreciate the advice!

I was laid off nearly a year ago after working as a backend engineer for over 15 years. Recently, I received two job offers: one from a FAANG company for a Software Development Engineer in Test (SDET) role and another for a Lead Engineer position at a non-FAANG company, which offers almost half the compensation. I'm leaning towards the FAANG offer due to the higher pay, but I'm concerned about whether taking the SDET role will hinder my chances of transitioning back to a Software Engineer (SWE) position in the future. It's a tough decision, as SDET isn't my preferred path.

I've been navigating a tough situation with my unemployment claim in Texas. It's been about 7 months since I became unemployed after quitting my role as a director of a preschool/childcare center, where I worked for 14 years. I left on February 9, 2026, due to a hostile work environment. There were two main issues: one employee was harassing me, and I reported this to the owner, but it seemed like the focus during my original hearing was on whether I could have resolved that situation. The second, more troubling issue was with the owner himself. I discovered he was watching inappropriate content at work, which made me very uncomfortable, especially in a preschool setting. I felt I couldn’t approach him about it since he was my direct boss. After my initial hearing, where the owner didn’t even show up, I was denied benefits based mainly on the employee situation. Now my case is stuck at the TWC Commissioners level, and I haven’t received any benefits yet. I’m really worried because I’ve exhausted my savings and I’m in a serious financial bind. I’m looking for advice on whether there’s a realistic chance the Commissioners might overturn the decision, considering the circumstances with my boss. Also, I'm curious if his conduct could reasonably justify my decision to quit, especially in a childcare environment. Any insights from those familiar with Texas unemployment law or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Today, I experienced a bit of a rollercoaster at work. I had recommended a friend for a position at my company, and my boss seemed enthusiastic about hiring him. My friend submitted his application, and I was feeling optimistic about it. However, I just learned that my boss ultimately decided to turn him down. Now, I'm feeling anxious about how this will reflect on me. I can't help but worry that my boss will think less of me for this recommendation. I feel like I've let him down, and I'm even hesitant to talk to my friend now, even though it was his dad who influenced the decision. I have to go into work later, and I'm dreading the conversation. I really want to figure out how to navigate this situation and restore my boss's trust in me.

I'm currently navigating the tough job market and it's been quite a struggle. I want to share my experience with anyone else who's feeling the same way. It's easy to feel discouraged, but I'm trying to stay hopeful and keep pushing forward. My family has been incredibly supportive during this time, and to express my feelings, I even wrote a song about my journey. I hope it resonates with others who are also searching for work. If you're interested, you can check out the song I created here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ndm2qzgMP7f3fiYQWhVzpuLdvFQxitYp8&si=Pdt9j4hRleg9A6RM.

I recently decided to implement a two-interview maximum in my job search. I’m in desperate need of a job, but after my latest experience, I feel it’s necessary. I spent an entire month going through four interviews for a position that seemed promising, but the process was a logistical nightmare. The final interview was with an SVP who only asked me one question and seemed completely uninterested. It was frustrating, especially since the other interviews were recorded and analyzed by AI, which felt impersonal. To make matters worse, I was uncomfortable with the SVP’s appearance and demeanor during the interview. I didn’t receive an offer, but I had debriefs with the recruiter after each interview, and they only provided positive feedback. However, after the rejection, the recruiter suggested continuing conversations for future opportunities. I was taken aback and chose to block them instead. I’ve been on both sides of the hiring process, and it’s disheartening to see how unprofessional some recruiters can be. I’m open to panel interviews or practical assessments, but I refuse to waste my time with drawn-out processes that lack clarity. I’m determined to stick to my two-interview rule moving forward.

I am currently applying for a part-time position as a customer service associate at a thrift shop. The application requires me to provide three references who are not related to me, which is proving to be quite a challenge. I recently moved and don’t have any friends or neighbors to ask, and I lost contact with my previous employer. I feel stuck because I really want this job, but I don’t know who to list as references. I've even tried reaching out on forums for help, but my posts keep getting removed. I'm considering asking old teachers or family friends for help, but I'm not sure if that will be enough. Any advice on how to handle this situation would be greatly appreciated.

I started receiving unemployment benefits in early April and recently landed a part-time contracting job through a friend. It's a flexible gig where I work about 10-15 hours a week at $100 per hour. I'm trying to figure out the best way to manage my unemployment claim while working. Should I continue filing claims even if I won't receive benefits for the weeks I earn too much, or is it better to pause my claim? I thought about stopping my claim temporarily, but I realized there might not be a way to do that. My understanding is that I won't lose the total amount I'm eligible for, but I'm concerned about the number of weeks I can claim. I also wonder if I can skip filing for a week when I earn too much. Last time I tried to skip a week because I was on vacation, the system wouldn't let me file for subsequent weeks without certifying for the week I missed. I appreciate any advice on how to navigate this situation.

I've been receiving unemployment benefits since early April and recently landed a part-time contracting gig through a friend. The job requires about 10-15 hours of work per week, and I'm classified as a 1099 contractor rather than a W-2 employee. I'm aware that I need to report my income once the work is completed, not when I invoice or receive payment. However, I'm uncertain about how my contractor status might affect my benefits. I currently don't have any business expenses, but I've read that this could play a role in my situation.