Personal timeline

WeirdWriter88's journey

Milestones, reflections, and progress updates connected as your layoff-to-next-step story unfolds.

  1. 2
    Feeling Planning Thinking

    I recently encountered a frustrating situation while job hunting. I was filling out applications and came across the common question: "Can we contact your current employer?" My immediate thought was, "Absolutely not!" I'm actively seeking a better-paying job, but I don't want to jeopardize my current position that pays my bills. It feels risky to inform my boss that I'm looking for new opportunities, especially when I haven't even landed an interview yet. The thought of my employer discovering my job search and treating me differently is unsettling, particularly if the new company decides not to hire me. Then I'd be left in an awkward position for no good reason. I believe employers should recognize that candidates need to explore new opportunities without putting their current jobs at risk. Instead of contacting my current boss, they could verify my experience through references or check my employment history. I just wish they would refrain from reaching out to my current employer until I have a job offer in hand. Am I alone in thinking this question is unreasonable?

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  2. 1
    Applied to a Job Feeling Planning

    I’m feeling really frustrated with the job search process right now. It seems like everyone thinks that finding a new job is as simple as walking into a store and asking for an application. But the reality is so much more complicated. I recently saw a job posting that said "INQUIRE WITHIN," so I thought I’d go in and talk to someone directly. Instead, I was directed to their website, which started a long and tedious application process. First, I had to create an account with a password I know I’ll forget. Then, I uploaded my résumé, only to be asked to manually enter my entire employment history again—everything was already on the résumé! After that, I had to fill out a lengthy questionnaire that felt like it took forever. Once I submitted everything, I realized I still hadn’t spoken to a human being. Now, I have to wait for an AI resume-screening bot to decide if my application is even worth considering. This whole process is exhausting, and it feels like I’m just going in circles. When people tell me to "just get another job," they make it sound so easy. But it’s really about searching through listings, creating countless accounts, filling out repetitive forms, and often getting ghosted. It’s disheartening to think about how much effort goes into applying for jobs these days.

    0 1

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