Yeah, it is terrible

Posted by DT on July 15, 2025, 20:32:02, in reply to "I will echo this in a way by saying you do not want to be looking for a job right now."

I am lucky to have a job while looking, so the awfulness of the current situation isn’t as dire for me. But I’ve applied to around 300 jobs over the past 5 months, most of which were dropping back a level to do what I had done extremely well for 7 years to get promoted. And from that I made it to the interviews for 1 job, which they ended up canceling because they were looking for a unicorn and apparently didn’t want to hire someone with any learning curve at all. Makes it pretty hard to be motivated to even bother to keep applying for jobs, even though I really would like one. I also reached out to 3 or 4 recruiting firms that specialize in my technical area and got crickets. Previous Message It is an absolutely broken hellscape of a system. Some of the most demoralizing nonsense I have dealt with in my life.

Even tho I find the concept of a job laughable, I will tell you that

Posted by Stu on July 15, 2025, 20:17:00, in reply to "I will echo this in a way by saying you do not want to be looking for a job right now."

The current job market is complicated by two factors, despite low unemployment: 1) The uncertain impact of Trumptariffonomics; and 2) The uncertain impact of AI Between the two, employers have current hiring needs, and are spending a lot of effort exploring new hires, but are nonetheless reluctant to pull the trigger. Y’all have my deepest sympathy. Previous Message It is an absolutely broken hellscape of a system. Some of the most demoralizing nonsense I have dealt with in my life.

Word…..I was close to an offer in June and after 4 rounds of interviews

Posted by TarheelIllini on July 15, 2025, 18:28:26, in reply to "I will echo this in a way by saying you do not want to be looking for a job right now."

The only thing worse than having to go to a job...

Posted by KingTalkyTiki on July 15, 2025, 16:56:48, in reply to "I will echo this in a way by saying you do not want to be looking for a job right now."

Say more. What’s going on?*

Posted by opossum jenkins on July 15, 2025, 16:24:09, in reply to "I will echo this in a way by saying you do not want to be looking for a job right now."

Previous Message It is an absolutely broken hellscape of a system. Some of the most demoralizing nonsense I have dealt with in my life.

I'm surprised you're able to turn it off, emotionally.

Posted by complainant on July 15, 2025, 18:55:54, in reply to "I can't imagine disliking vacation or dealing with work during it."

It does, and our version blows even worse.

Posted by Chilango on July 15, 2025, 16:51:28, in reply to "P.S. fuck capitalism, this system blows*"

Not sure there's a better one though. Unless you consider the more socially driven capitalism of the scandies. Previous Message Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

At least once a week I say

Posted by Taz on July 15, 2025, 14:17:43, in reply to "P.S. fuck capitalism, this system blows*"

Working for a living is bullshit. Previous Message Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Sometimes you just need to yeet a bobcat * Being an Illini fan is a goddamn curse.*

Not expecting a dime of Social Security as well. It's comical how thunderfucked every

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on July 15, 2025, 13:12:57, in reply to "P.S. fuck capitalism, this system blows*"

generation is past the boomers. Previous Message Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Calendar time for Buddy!

*Upvote**

Posted by KingTalkyTiki on July 15, 2025, 12:42:35, in reply to "P.S. fuck capitalism, this system blows*"

Previous Message Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. "Speak for yourself in life. And don’t be a follower of people like Tiki because you think it makes you look cool. It really doesn’t." "I'm thinking about engaging a lawyer."

I feel much better if I eyeball emails/calls once a day for emergencies

Posted by ghost_of_clt on July 15, 2025, 12:17:11, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

A little more time for short responses every 2-3 days. On top of out-of-office messages and voicemail. Makes getting back to work a lot easier and keeps my clients calling back with more work the next months. And I feel zero guilt taking two hours during the day to have lunch with my dad or run an errand that can't wait. I definitely get that vacation time "lost" to work back in other ways. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family. N U D E S I N B I O

I used to try to keep up on emails and stuff on vacation

Posted by IlliniOllie on July 15, 2025, 12:00:26, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

but the shitshow upon my return doesn't seem to appreciably change no matter how much I try to keep up, so fuck it, I'm not wasting my vacation time. Same with staying up late the night before I leave to try to catch up or tie up loose ends. All it really accomplishes is making me tired and grumpy on the first day of the trip. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family.

Yep....doesn't matter if you're stateside or not

Posted by Jersey on July 15, 2025, 11:35:32, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

About 3 weeks ago, I took my first PTO of the year for my nephew's wedding back home. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family.

Agreed. This is why I never fully unplug for days on end during a vacation. I triage my

Posted by voiceofreason on July 15, 2025, 11:04:27, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

email for important stuff that can’t wait so that it can keep moving. It dramatically smooths my transition back to working post vacation too. I’ve found that doing this dramatically benefits my mental health while I’m on vacation and doesn’t make me dread going back and wasting the last couple days of vacation being stressed out about the shitshow I’m walking back into. When can I retire? Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family.

I basically do emails like once a day

Posted by biclops on July 15, 2025, 11:01:32, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

My current role has been an exception to this. I prep everyone before I leave...

Posted by Tuscy on July 15, 2025, 11:01:23, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

and let them know I'm not available and they just have to figure out how to get shit done. Always seems to work out. So far. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family. "I wouldn't mind the DP here." - jumpingdan

My preference is to go places with shitty cell service.

Posted by EffinIllini on July 15, 2025, 11:00:11, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

And be in those places during business hours. It also helps because I usually don't have hard deadlines. Typically, we can always pay for a month extension if needed. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family.

my job is neither real nor adult nor a career, but this has been my experience

Posted by Sammich on July 15, 2025, 10:56:09, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

100%. I took a week off recently and it was fun, but getting back up to speed was rough.

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on July 15, 2025, 10:55:33, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

Thinking shorter, more frequent breaks is probably the way to go. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family. Calendar time for Buddy!

This only applies if you work for yourself. If you are working for someone else,

Posted by longsnapper on July 15, 2025, 10:54:32, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

Fuck 'em. Enjoy your life. I doubt anyone is going to stand up at your funeral and talk about your adherence to a project schedule Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family. Lots of puns, no real answers

I take advantage of my family not wanting to wake up early and pushing stuff around via email

Posted by ATL on July 15, 2025, 10:52:06, in reply to "Real adult careers mean that vacation is procrastination."

from about 6:30-8:30 on vacation days. Makes both leaving for vacation and returning so much better. Previous Message So... vacation is fun, but going back is doubly hard because timelines and deadlines don't give a fuck if you had fun with your family. “We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

Holy shit, I'm so sorry*

Posted by Taz on July 15, 2025, 13:50:24, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Sometimes you just need to yeet a bobcat * Being an Illini fan is a goddamn curse.*

JFC. Sorry dude.*

Posted by KingTalkyTiki on July 15, 2025, 11:01:36, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. "Speak for yourself in life. And don’t be a follower of people like Tiki because you think it makes you look cool. It really doesn’t." "I'm thinking about engaging a lawyer."

Awful. Sorry*

Posted by uofi1998 on July 15, 2025, 10:51:32, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. You hear me talking, hillbilly boy?

Sorry, man. *

Posted by Tuscy on July 15, 2025, 10:50:20, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. "I wouldn't mind the DP here." - jumpingdan

mini's best friend's dad collapsed and died while returning a rental car in Santorini

Posted by ATL on July 15, 2025, 10:49:29, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

They were there celebrating his friend's HS graduation and older son's college graduation. Not sure what happened, but sounds very much like your friend's situation. Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. “We are old and tired and just want to be taken care of.” - Republican voter, Dec. 2024.

Sorry for your loss. *

Posted by doubledown on July 15, 2025, 10:46:41, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

That's terrible, sorry to hear. I've been thinking more about this now my dad is at the end.

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on July 15, 2025, 10:46:06, in reply to "Since this is the Eat Arby's thread, a really close friend of mine collapsed and died unexpectedly"

He got about 5 years of retirement before the Cancer got him but still talked about how cheated he feels. Most people don't even get that. I aim to be at least semi-retired in my early 50's. Even then I imagine everything will move way too fast. Previous Message on Saturday. He was flying home from visiting his brother in law in Ohio and visiting his wife's childhood home. While exiting the plane from Seattle to connet back to Portland, he had a pulmonary elbollism and collapsed, dying almost instantly. His wife was next to him and watched him die. He was a safety director for Alaska Airlines and always wore compression socks when he flew. He turned 53 a couple of weeks ago and his oldest son just graduated college. I'm having a hard time believing that it's all real. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Calendar time for Buddy!

My in laws haven’t taken a vacation in 10 years. “I like sleeping in my own bed.”*

Posted by Carl Spackler on July 15, 2025, 12:28:56, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

Previous Message ...that after a few days, I'd rather be at home. I've worked pretty hard to set things up pretty much the way I like them. I like to cook my own food. I like to drink my own coffee and sit in my back yard in the fog. I like to listen to my own records and noodle around with my guitars. After about 3-4 days I just wanna go home. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

my only issue with vacations is that I am not on the same page with the rest of my family

Posted by biclops on July 15, 2025, 11:00:27, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

I prefer long weekend trips, 3-4 days. We are doing a 10 day vacation in October

Posted by DiamondDazzle on July 15, 2025, 10:46:42, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

I don't like to travel for work, but I love to travel for vacations.*

Posted by Illiniphil on July 15, 2025, 10:44:44, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

Previous Message ...that after a few days, I'd rather be at home. I've worked pretty hard to set things up pretty much the way I like them. I like to cook my own food. I like to drink my own coffee and sit in my back yard in the fog. I like to listen to my own records and noodle around with my guitars. After about 3-4 days I just wanna go home. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

Same. *

Posted by Tuscy on July 15, 2025, 10:41:52, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

Previous Message ...that after a few days, I'd rather be at home. I've worked pretty hard to set things up pretty much the way I like them. I like to cook my own food. I like to drink my own coffee and sit in my back yard in the fog. I like to listen to my own records and noodle around with my guitars. After about 3-4 days I just wanna go home. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. "I wouldn't mind the DP here." - jumpingdan

I'm home way too much, I get completely stir crazy

Posted by Sounder on July 15, 2025, 10:41:50, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

That being said, there's probably no place that I'm more happy than hanging out in my backyard grilling something. Previous Message ...that after a few days, I'd rather be at home. I've worked pretty hard to set things up pretty much the way I like them. I like to cook my own food. I like to drink my own coffee and sit in my back yard in the fog. I like to listen to my own records and noodle around with my guitars. After about 3-4 days I just wanna go home. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

I also am a big fan of being home.*

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on July 15, 2025, 10:36:30, in reply to "Honestly, I don't super love vacations. I'm such a creature of habit..."

Previous Message ...that after a few days, I'd rather be at home. I've worked pretty hard to set things up pretty much the way I like them. I like to cook my own food. I like to drink my own coffee and sit in my back yard in the fog. I like to listen to my own records and noodle around with my guitars. After about 3-4 days I just wanna go home. Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Calendar time for Buddy!

I've been there and would highly consider going back to avoid the concentration camps!*

Posted by KingTalkyTiki on July 15, 2025, 10:54:52, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

Previous Message https://internationalliving.com/places-where-you-can-live-on-as-little-as-1500-a-month/#granada,-spain Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. "Speak for yourself in life. And don’t be a follower of people like Tiki because you think it makes you look cool. It really doesn’t." "I'm thinking about engaging a lawyer."

I have my eyes on Lermoos, Austria

Posted by timmer on July 15, 2025, 9:05:45, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

Just 30min from Garmisch and 90min from both St Anton and Innsbruck (for rent)

Spain and Portugal are looking extremely good to me right now.*

Posted by Warrin'_Illini on July 15, 2025, 8:56:30, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

Previous Message https://internationalliving.com/places-where-you-can-live-on-as-little-as-1500-a-month/#granada,-spain Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Calendar time for Buddy!

I’ll likely stay in the US for various reasons but I would definitely like to spend several months

Posted by Tortillini on July 15, 2025, 8:54:29, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

I’m definitely more seriously considering an early retirement, but I’m in for at least 5 years

Posted by DT on July 15, 2025, 8:16:44, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

Need to keep working at least until Sprout is through college. And at that point, I’m a year out from being able to collect my government pension and two years out from getting a 10% boost in the pension from 30 years’ service (if I’m still a fed at that point.) So it’s nice to dream about but I’m still stuck for quite a while. Previous Message https://internationalliving.com/places-where-you-can-live-on-as-little-as-1500-a-month/#granada,-spain Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut.

Spain is on top my short list as possible "retirement" destinations.*

Posted by longsnapper on July 15, 2025, 8:11:10, in reply to "May I interest you in some international retirement daydreaming?"

Previous Message https://internationalliving.com/places-where-you-can-live-on-as-little-as-1500-a-month/#granada,-spain Previous Message This year it just made me realize how much I dislike my job and resentful of having to work and wishing I was retired or at least somewhere else. Too bad the job market is a smoking hole in the ground for white collar workers, so there’s zero chance of getting another job anywhere, even taking a two level demotion and pay cut. Lots of puns, no real answers