Manager refuses to give me a reference (and this is really awkward)

I work in the health insurance industry and my job is suddenly not looking so stable. I've been warned I might get a minor hour/pay reduction next year depending on how many clients we lose, best case is 10% and worst case is 25%. I know I'm 'safe' for this AEP - I'm the only receptionist for a family business with 2K clients. If they let me go they would not be able to function. But next AEP is not as guarenteed depending on how bad it gets this and next year, and I'm not waiting to find out. So after this AEP, I'm going to be looking for a new job. I have not job hunted in about 2 years. How much different is it? I have solid experience in office work and that's mostly what my education was focused on (that and business). Last time I job hunted is when AI was just starting to make it's way into the job application field, and I loathe to find out how pervasive it is now.

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I would like to prepare what I will say as im approaching last interview and may land the job. The issue is I would rather start right away because i need income urgently to pay bills a- tell them its best for me to start after my procedure - 3 weeks from now ( which will but me in a predicament as i need immediate income) and they might be annoyed they have to wait 3 weeks or b-tell them i can start 1 or 2 weeks before my procedure and but that in 3 weeks I may need an entire week off . advice ?

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I’m Mitali, a former Cognizant employee and a recent graduate from the University of Texas at Dallas. I have experience in Salesforce, business analytics, and cloud technologies. I’m currently seeking new opportunities in business analysis, CRM, or related roles. I’d be so grateful for any leads, advice, or referrals to help me get my foot in the door. If anyone has recommendations or knows of companies hiring, please feel free to connect or message me. Thank you in advance for your support!

Quantity doesn’t beat quality. Sending out 100 generic resumes won’t open as many doors as 10 targeted, tailored applications. Focus on roles that match your skills, customize your resume, and write a thoughtful cover letter. It’s not a numbers game; it’s a strategy game.