Back in December I took a position lower on the hierarchy than I am qualified.
It is because the office is a startup and they know I'm a good one to have on the bench when they do get big enough to warrant a General Manager. I also took the position because I was depleting my savings after a reduction in force at my previous job. I needed to move on an offer.
Now, though, it is obvious the office is in need of direct leadership on site in its startup pains. They have identified me as their "Golden Ticket" to be this leader. But, apparently golden tickets are free because they are offering me no additional pay or benefits for this increase in responsibility. They told me I would be eligible for significant discretionary bonus at the end of the year. That does NOT sit well with me at all. BUT, I said yes because at least I'm in control of the direction of our growth and culture we're building. And I don't have anything but my pride to lose.
Meanwhile, one of the opportunities I was chasing back in the fall has resurfaced and they will likely offer me a position next week. It is a significant pay increase doing what is more in line with what I want to do.
Clearly my choice is easy, but I guess I'm looking for permission to not feel guilty about leaving this startup without the leadership and guidance it needs after giving a verbal commitment to running point.
EDIT TO ADD:
Let me add that this is the largest company of its kind on the planet. They usually expand through acquisitions, but this one was a new office because there were no existing businesses to buy out. Resources is NOT the problem. It's their way. They actually told me that the rest of the world pays you well and hopes you do a good job. This company asks you to do a good job and rewards you on the back end.
Also, a part of me thinks they would never do this to a man. And the reason we need leadership is because the man that was there (splitting his time between three locations) couldn't do the job.
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I just applied for a position with a company yesterday, just checked to see if it was available, and got taken to a page that says "the position is no longer available."
That is extremely frustrating!! I got my hopes up for nothing!! Why do companies do this crap!! I have applied for several positions & have not heard from the majority of the ones I have applied to. Im so over this BS. One job I applied for in Jan this year that is for the state govt. STILL says they're reviewing apps! Smh!! It is both insane and extremely frustrating. The job I applied for with the state government closed in february--yet here we are in almost May, and the HR Analyst said he still has no updates for me. I don't even care anymore. Mind you--i made the Best Qualified list, which is the highest category you can be placed into & means you have a high chance of receiving an interview. Maybe just maybe they will call me before the year is over, but I have no hope.
I have applied for hundreds of jobs at this point, have tailored my resume to the job description using ChatGPT, and reached out to recruiters on Linkedin who work for the companies I applied to. I receive denial emails before the night is over right after I apply for positions and get ignored by recruiters regularly. I am beyond weary and tired. People who know I am searching for a job do nothing to help, & just watch me struggle.
Recruiters at staffing agencies are useless and just respond to my messages and emails informing me that the position I applied for or inquired about has "been filled." Its a mystery how the positions get filled so fast when they have not been online for more than a day or 2!! It is TRULY BAFFLING!!
The job market is 1,000% despicable right now and I think I may just scream if someone else comes to me & says that I need to fix my resume, aggressively apply for more jobs, & make my career transition happen more smh.
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In honor of Earth Day, I wanted to share something personal and a bit nostalgic.
While going through old things, I came across a handwritten poem I wrote when I was 15, back in 1993. I had pasted it into one of my old science textbooks, which I turned into a kind of creative journal—filled with watercolor paintings, quotes I loved, and little mixed media collages. Even then, I had big feelings about the environment, though the language of the poem clearly shows my love for a thesaurus and the earnestness of youth.
Here’s the poem in full:
The World We Live In
Our world is dying
The ozone is depleting
Pollution is aggravating
Animals are extinction.
I can’t believe there are people unaware
Of what is happening,
In our world that’s the only place we can live in
Many know that it is rapidly withering
And we should not ignore it…
The people should assist in healing
The wounds of our world which is worsening
We must not annoy this intricacy
For we are the ones who will be perishing.
Replenishing our environment could be easy
If all the people will work in harmony
To recuperate our world which has been relinquished
By people who are mercenary
Before long, the day would come
Our world will be peaceful and calm
I aspire that it would flourish again
For the benefit of all mankind.
Looking back, I still connect with the core message. Today, I try to live those values—composting, reducing plastic use, being more intentional about consumption. It can feel like a contradiction sometimes, especially as someone who works in marketing. But I believe that small, conscious choices still add up.
It’s both humbling and inspiring to realize that even as a teenager, I understood something fundamental: we only have one planet, and it deserves our care. I’m still doing my best to be that same thoughtful person—just with more experience and a little less melodrama.
Wishing you all a meaningful Earth Day.
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“When Looking for a Job, Imagine Yourself as a Renter”
You don't own your job; your employer does, making the phrase "my job" an oxymoron.
https://open.substack.com/pub/artoffindingwork/p/when-looking-for-a-job-imagine-yourself?r=4s382&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
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Good day everyone. I have a question for people who hold positions in recruiting; however, I am open to hearing from anyone on this topic.
Question: in today's job market, there are many people who are unemployed and have been for over 3 months; many very qualified people I might add. When a candidate applies for a position, how is that viewed by the recruiter? Is that 3 month (or longer) gap a red flag or it is understood that there are many people looking for work so people may be unemployed for longer than expected? My situation falls into this scenario. I continue to to search for positions to apply; however, the gap in time is starting to concern me. Thank you much.
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This Simple Awareness Practice Will Instantly Pull You Out of Auto-Pilot Mode
Throughout their days, most humans exist in a state of inattention. The process of toothbrushing happens alongside mental distraction from email thoughts. Your eyes focus only on the phone display while your feet carry you forward. You eat while scrolling. That’s autopilot mode. The practice of routine pushes away our energy as well as attention and sometimes happiness as well.
You can easily exit this condition through one basic method. It’s called hyper-awareness. Your senses enable you to become present for the current moment. The method requires no tools and does not necessitate extensive meditation periods. Just you and your attention.
Start with your breath. Inhale deeply. During exhalation, pay attention to the objects surrounding you. Don’t look at something. Look at objects without focusing while your eyes experience complete relaxation through total vision observation. Then tune into the sounds. What’s near? What’s far? Now feel. Focus on the physical sensations that arise because you are sitting or standing or because you touch something. Observed scents and flavors should be included within this practice.
When you start this process, it seems that your attention shifts from one sensory input to another. That’s okay. Regular practice will reveal that you can experience all sensations at once. That’s when the shift happens. From this position you leave behind your mental processes. You’re here right now. Alert. Present. Alive.
There’s no requirement for waiting during a silent period. Perform this exercise while taking a walk, between sips of coffee, or during any ongoing conversation with others. Your brain develops speed in returning you to being present when you practice this habit regularly.
Know more: https://www.thepuzzle.life/p/an-every-day-exercise-for-presence
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