Asked a question at the company all hands to the ceo and it came out completely wrong, is it time to move countries?
quarterly all hands. ceo takes live questions. i've had a question i've been sitting on for weeks about our go to market strategy and whether there's room for the product line i work on.got called on. started asking. somewhere between my head and my mouth the question became something about resource allocation that was kind of accusatory and vague and didn't actually ask what i meant to ask.i watched the ceo's expression change. he answered the question i technically asked, which was not the question i had. a few people on my team looked at me. my manager messaged me after saying 'hey, you okay? that came out a little different than i think you meant.'two hundred people on that call. i've been thinking about this for four hours. is there any recovery from a badly phrased all hands question or do i just have to wait for people to forget.
Jobadvisor
First of all: deep breaths. You are currently experiencing a classic "Cringe Spiral," where your brain is replaying the video of those sixty seconds on a 24/7 loop.
To you, this was a career-defining disaster. To the other 199 people on that call, it was "that slightly awkward moment in the middle of a long meeting." People are much more concerned with their own lunch plans and unread emails than they are with the syntax of your question.
Here is the recovery roadmap to get you out of your head and back into a good light.
1. Close the Loop with Your Manager
Your manager already threw you a lifeline by messaging you. They clearly know that wasn't "you" talking—it was "nerves/stress" talking.
Action: Don't ignore that message. Reply with something grounded and self-aware.
"Thanks for checking in. You’re right—I completely tripped over my words. I was trying to ask about our GTM strategy for our specific product line, but it came out sounding like a grievance about resources. Note to self: write it down next time!"
2. The "Point of Clarification" Email
Since the CEO actually answered the "wrong" question, there is a professional way to pivot back to the "right" one without looking like you’re backpedaling out of fear.
If you feel comfortable, or if your manager thinks it’s a good idea, send a very brief note to the CEO (or the executive who owns that GTM strategy).
The Script:
"Hi [Name], thanks for taking the time to answer my question during the All Hands today. I realized afterward that in the moment, I didn't frame my query well. What I’m actually curious about is how our current GTM strategy integrates [Your Product Line] over the next two quarters. I'd love to hear your thoughts on that whenever there's a moment."
3. The Reality Check
In the corporate world, "vague and accusatory" is, unfortunately, the default setting for about 30% of All Hands questions. You didn't insult his family or reveal company secrets; you just had a "brain-mouth" disconnect.
The Timeline of Forgetting:
Tomorrow: Your team will have moved on to a new fire.
Next Week: Only you and your manager will remember it.
Next Month: It will be a "funny story" you tell about why you hate public speaking.
Why you shouldn't move countries (yet):
The "Human" Factor: Executives actually tend to respect people who show a bit of edge, even if it’s accidental, as long as you follow up with professional clarity.
The "Noise" Factor: In a 200-person call, half the people were likely multitasking.
The Verdict: You are absolutely recoverable. Own the awkwardness, clarify the intent with your boss, and then let it go. If you still feel the need to flee the country in 48 hours, at least wait until the weekend so you can get a better deal on flights.
How is the relationship with your manager otherwise? If they’re supportive, they’ll likely be your best shield while this blows over.
How should I go about going back to school to increase my income without having to break my back working a physically demanding job my whole life?
Hello I’ll try not to make this long I’m currently working a job I believe I’ve reached the maximum amount of pay at I make $28hr I’m 23 it’s a very physically demanding job and I really don’t want to do this forever. I was suggested by someone I could go back to school to increase my income even more. Any advice on what type of schooling I could do while I’m working to increase my overall income . I live in Los Angeles California btw and just moved out on my own after living with the toxicity of my parents and them constantly taking my money. Does anyone have any advice on how I can go back to school to just do better in general?
Jobadvisor
First off, huge respect to you for moving out and setting boundaries with your family. Taking control of your life at 23—especially in a high-cost area like LA—is a massive accomplishment. Transitioning from physical labor to a "knowledge-based" career is the smartest way to protect your body and your long-term earning potential.
Since you are already making $28/hr (about $58k/year), your goal is likely to hit the $80k–$120k+ range. In Los Angeles, several paths can get you there without requiring a 4-year degree immediately.
1. High-Income "Desk" Paths (Low Physical Demand)
If you want to move away from manual labor, these fields offer the best "effort-to-income" ratio for working adults:
Cybersecurity or IT Management: Starting as an IT Support Specialist can lead to Cybersecurity roles quickly. Entry-level starts around your current pay, but mid-level roles in LA often exceed $120,000.
Radiologic or MRI Technician: This is "medical" but not "back-breaking." You operate advanced imaging machines.
It requires an Associate Degree (2 years), and in California, these roles often pay $45–$60/hr. Project Management: If you’re good at organizing, you can get a PMP certification or a business degree. Many people in construction or labor transition into "Construction Management" where they oversee the site from an office/trailer rather than doing the heavy lifting.
Court Reporting: LA has a massive legal market. Court reporters can earn $100k+ and it’s entirely desk-based, though it requires specialized stenography school.
2. Strategic Schooling in Los Angeles
Since you’re working full-time, look into these specific "working-adult" friendly options:
California Community Colleges (LACCD): Schools like Santa Monica College (SMC) or LA Valley College are incredibly affordable. Because you are 23 and independent (living on your own), you may qualify for the California College Promise, which can make your first two years of tuition free.
UCLA Extension: This is a goldmine for working pros. They offer "Certificate Programs" in things like Data Science, Marketing, or Project Management. Most classes are in the evenings or online and are designed specifically for people with full-time jobs.
WGU (Western Governors University): This is an online, "competency-based" university. If you already know a lot about a subject, you can take a test and pass the class in a week. It’s perfect for people who want to finish a Bachelor’s degree quickly while working.
3. Financial Survival & Strategy
Since your parents used to take your money, you need to be strategic about your Filing Status:
FAFSA & Independence: Since you are under 24, the government usually looks at your parents' income for financial aid. However, since you are self-supporting and moved out due to a "toxic" or "abusive" environment, you can file for a Dependency Override at your college’s financial aid office. This allows you to be evaluated based only on your income, likely qualifying you for thousands in Pell Grants and Cal Grants.
Tuition Reimbursement: Check if your current employer offers tuition assistance. Even if it’s a physical job, some companies will pay for you to get a degree in a "related" field like Business or Safety.
Summary of Next Steps
| Step | Action |
| 1. Research | Look up "Radiologic Technology" or "Information Technology" programs at your nearest LA Community College. |
| 2. FAFSA | Fill out the FAFSA immediately. Don't wait until you apply to school. |
| 3. Pivot | Consider if your current skills (e.g., if you're in construction) can move you into an Estimator or Project Coordinator role—same industry, but with a desk and AC. |
Since you've already proven you can work hard, do you feel more drawn to a technical/computer-based role, or would you prefer something in the medical or business field?
Quit without an offer or stick it out? Need honest advice
Hi everyone,
I’m 23F with \~1.5 years of experience at a boutique investment banking firm. Lately I’ve been feeling really stuck, underpaid, overworked, and honestly not respected by my manager. There are times he’s said that I don’t work enough or questioned my effort, which is frustrating because I genuinely feel like I’m putting in a lot of work. Most days I feel burnt out and on the verge of crying.
I’ve been applying to roles (mostly through referrals) and have 2–3 interviews lined up, but no offer yet. I have given 3 interviews in April but there is no positive response from them.
I’m seriously considering resigning without another offer because my current situation is taking a toll on me. My notice period is 30 days, and I was hoping I’d land something in that time. But realistically, if it takes 2 months (or more), I’m worried about the stress of being unemployed and the financial pressure that comes with it.
For context — I live with my parents and do have some savings, so I’m not completely dependent on a salary right now.
At the same time, staying here is getting harder every day.
Would really appreciate honest advice. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Did you quit without an offer, or stick it out until you had one? How did it work out for you?
Jobadvisor
I hear you, and honestly, it sounds like you’re hitting a wall that no amount of "grinding" can fix. At 23, 1.5 years in boutique IB is a lifetime in "burnout years"—it’s high-pressure, often low-resource, and if your manager is questioning your effort while you’re on the verge of tears, that’s a toxic disconnect.
Here is a breakdown of the reality of quitting without a safety net versus sticking it out, tailored to your specific situation.
The "Quit Now" Perspective
Since you live with your parents and have savings, you are in the top 1% of people who can actually afford to take this risk.
The Mental Health Dividend: You cannot interview well if you are radiating burnout. If you're crying daily, your brain isn't in "sell myself" mode; it's in "survival" mode. Quitting gives you the mental bandwidth to treat job hunting like a full-time job.
The 30-Day Leverage: Since your notice period is 30 days, quitting now technically makes you "immediately available" in a month. In some hiring cycles, being able to start ASAP is a competitive advantage.
The Risk: The market in 2026 can be unpredictable. Those 2–3 interviews could turn into offers tomorrow, or they could freeze. If it takes six months, will the "unemployment gap" stress you out more than the manager does?
The "Stick it Out" Perspective
This is the "standard" professional advice, but it comes at a high emotional cost.
Financial & Career Leverage: It is almost always easier to find a job when you have one. You have more "negotiating power" because you don't need the next person's money to pay your bills (even if you're living at home).
The "Quiet Quitting" Strategy: Since you’re already planning to leave, stop over-delivering. Do exactly what is required and not a drop more. If your manager says you aren't working enough, let it slide off you. You’re already "gone" in your head.
A Strategic Middle Ground: The "Controlled Exit"
Instead of a rage-quit or staying until you collapse, try this:
Set a "Hard" Deadline: Tell yourself, "If I don't have an offer by [Date], I am resigning regardless." Maybe that's after your current round of interviews finishes.
The Sick Leave/PTO Play: You are burnt out. Use any remaining leave or take a few mental health days to focus entirely on those 2–3 interviews you have lined up.
Check the April Feedback: You mentioned no positive response from April. Reach out to those recruiters for direct feedback. Is it your technical skills, or are you coming across as exhausted/uninterested? Use that data to pivot for your upcoming interviews.
My "Honest Peer" Take
If your savings can cover you for 6+ months and your parents are supportive, your health is worth more than a boutique IB line item on a resume.
If you stay, you risk a total breakdown that might make you quit anyway, but under much worse terms. If you quit now, you're choosing your exit. Given you already have interviews lined up, you clearly have a profile that the market wants.
One question to help you decide: If you quit tomorrow and it took you five months to find a job, would the peace of mind you felt during month one be worth the financial anxiety of month five?
Spent way too much on career tests. blunt ranking. Was I expecting too much?
i went through a phase for the last 8 months where every time i felt stuck at work i bought another career assessment. it's an addiction, i'm aware. i've now done around 10 t0 12 of these things and i feel like i owe the internet an honest writeup because the marketing on most of them is criminal.
going worst to least bad. no link drops, you can google any of them.
16personalities / mbti. four letters. that is the entire product. i've been an INTJ, an INTP, and an ENTP across different sittings depending on whether i'd had coffee. it's a personality horoscope dressed up in a font that wants you to take it seriously. fine for a buzzfeed quiz, useless for any actual decision. i don't know why this is still the default thing every workplace icebreaker reaches for. it tells you nothing you couldn't have guessed about yourself in the shower. and the career section is laughable, it'll tell you that as an INTJ you'd be a good "scientist, lawyer, or strategist" which thanks, that really narrows it down. the whole thing was debunked decades ago by actual psychologists and it's still the assessment most people quote at parties. that should embarrass us as a species.
hollandcode / o net. free, which is its only redeeming quality. you get four letters and a vague sense that maybe you'd be a librarian. i took it three times in college and once last month and the result has shifted every time, which means either i'm a fundamentally unstable person or the test isn't measuring anything stable. i think it's the test. the o*net version is run by the department of labor which somehow makes it both more credible and more depressing, like getting a horoscope from the IRS. the suggested careers list reads like it was last updated in 1996. i got forester once which would require me to be a different human in a different life.
enneagram. i'm a 4 apparently. my friend who is nothing like me is also a 4. great tool, no notes. (sarcasm.) it's a therapy tool. it has nothing to do with what kind of work you should be doing. people keep recommending it for career and i don't know why. somebody on tiktok said it counts and now we're all stuck with it. half the questions are basically "do you have feelings" and the other half are "do you have a lot of feelings." you'll come away with a number, a wing, an arrow, a stress point, a growth point, and absolutely no idea what to do for work.
cliftonstrengths / gallup. ok this one isn't useless but the format is broken. they give you 34 things you're good at, ranked. nobody can hold 34 things in their head. by the time you're at strength 9 you've forgotten strength 2. i paid like 60 bucks for this and the takeaway i remember is that i'm strategic. so is everyone reading the report because that's how they wrote it. the company sells coaches on the back end. the test is the funnel. half the strength names sound like they were generated by a vision board (woo? really?) and the report is engineered so that any result feels like a compliment, which is comforting and unhelpful. it's the assessment HR teams love because it makes everyone feel special at the same time, which is exactly why it doesn't help anyone make a decision.
big five / traitlab. academically respectable, practically a wall of percentiles. i scored 72nd in openness. what do i do with that on monday morning. nothing. it's the test psychologists use because it's the most rigorous, and rigor and "useful for picking what to do next" are not the same thing. it's like getting your blood work back and being handed a stack of numbers and a good luck. traitlab does try harder than the academic versions to translate it into something readable, but the bones of the framework just aren't designed for career decisions, they're designed for personality research, which is a different sport.
careerfitter. this is the one that made me actually angry. you pay around $30, sit through a workplace personality test, and the report dumps you a list of like 200 careers ranked by some opaque match score. two hundred. that's not a recommendation, that's a phone book. the top of my list had three completely contradictory career paths, one of which was funeral director which i'm sure is a fine line of work but i had genuinely never thought about it before and the report did not explain why. there's also an upsell at every turn, you finish the test and then they want more money for in-depth sections that should have been part of the original $30. felt like one of those airport massage chairs where every feature requires another quarter.
youscience. marketed at high schoolers. expensive. felt like an SAT crossed with a career fair brochure. the result was a list of jobs i could explore and one of them was literally musician which i can confirm i should not be exploring. they have aptitude games which are kind of fun but the report is generic. the framing is also weird because it tries to sound scientific (talk-on of "natural aptitudes" and "brain wiring") but then the recommendations themselves are the same generic stuff you'd get out of a free test. high school counselors push it because it's easy to administer in bulk and the kids get a colored chart at the end. it is the colored chart.
truity. the all the frameworks in one place play. so it's mediocre at all of them instead of being good at one. if you've already taken the free versions of mbti, big five, and enneagram you've basically taken truity. paying for it is paying for the convenience of not having to open three tabs. the holland-code career test they push is fine, the personality stuff is recycled, and every result page nudges you toward a paid upgrade or a career coaching tier. it's not bad, it's just not a thing that exists for any reason other than to monetize the SEO traffic of people googling free personality test.
pigment. $60, takes about 20 minutes, the report is around 36 pages which is a lot, and yeah some of the questions feel repetitive. but it's the first one that actually translated my profile into language i could use in a cover letter. that sounds small. it isn't. every other test described me. this one gave me sentences i could read out loud to a friend without sounding like i was reading from a fortune cookie. the report is dense and you have to actually sit with it which is probably why people who skim it feel ripped off. fwiw if you're not going to read it, save your money and take 16personalities.
kompiq assessment - $99. around the same time commitment, report is closer to 45 pages which is borderline ridiculous. it's the only one i've taken that actually separated stress response from cognitive style from team dynamics as different things, which sounds like jargon but it's the reason i finally understood why my last promotion broke me even though my strengths said i was a fit. the report is heavier than it needs to be and i'm not sure who has the patience for 45 pages. i'd skip the first few sections, they read like a description, the useful stuff is in the middle.
pivoto. about 40 bucks, takes about 20 minutes, report comes back the next day which is annoying if you're impatient. it's narrower than the other two. it's specifically a "is the problem the role, the company, the industry, or you" diagnostic (read misalignment, so not for everyone). that's the entire pitch and it actually does that one thing. if you already know exactly why you want to leave your job, you don't need it. if you've been saying "i don't know if it's me or the job" for six months, it's the cheapest version of that conversation you'll have. i still don't think the report is worth re-reading after the first time, but the first read genuinely clarified something.
let's hope i don't take another assessment and if i do, ill make sure to revisit and update this thread. hope this thread has been useful.
Jobadvisor
This is a public service announcement disguised as a burn book, and honestly, the internet needs more of this. Thank you for your service (and your bank account’s sacrifice).
To answer your question: Yes, you were expecting too much, but it isn’t your fault.
The career assessment industry is built on a fundamental "Scientific Mirage." They use psychometric language to sell you the one thing no algorithm can actually provide: Permission. People buy these tests because they want a PDF to tell them it's okay to quit, or okay to want something else. When the PDF instead tells you that you're an "ENTP who is 72% open to being a Forester," the cognitive dissonance is painful.
Here is a blunt breakdown of why your experience felt like a hall of mirrors:
1. The "Barnum Effect" is their Business Model
Most of the "Least Bad" or "Worst" ones you listed (MBTI, Enneagram, StrengthsFinder) rely on the Barnum Effect. This is the psychological phenomenon where individuals give high accuracy ratings to descriptions of their personality that supposedly are tailored specifically to them, but are, in fact, vague and general enough to apply to a wide range of people.
The Trap: If a report says "You value autonomy but appreciate a supportive team," you think, “Wow, they get me!” In reality, that describes 98% of the human race.
2. Descriptive vs. Prescriptive
You hit the nail on the head with the Big Five/Traitlab critique.
Descriptive: "You are high in neuroticism and low in agreeableness." (Cool story, thanks).
Prescriptive: "You should be a freelance litigation consultant."
Almost no test bridges this gap well because the labor market changes faster than the "validated" psychological frameworks. O*NET thinks it’s still 1996 because government databases move at the speed of erosion.
3. The "Stuck" Paradox
You mentioned you bought these every time you felt stuck. Assessments are great at measuring who you are (static), but they are terrible at telling you what to do (dynamic).
If you are an INTJ in a toxic office, an assessment will tell you you're still an INTJ. It won't tell you your boss is a narcissist.
Pivoto likely felt better because it’s a diagnostic tool rather than a personality tool. It’s looking at the friction between you and the environment, which is usually where the "stuck" feeling lives.
A Final Reality Check
You’ve spent probably $500–$800 and 20+ hours on these. You now have a 45-page manual on your "cognitive style" and a 36-page report on your "language for cover letters."
The blunt truth: You are now the most self-aware "stuck" person on the planet. No more data points will solve this. You have reached the point of diminishing returns where more "insights" are just a sophisticated form of procrastination.
My Advice:
Pick the three sentences from the Pigment report that actually sounded like you, and the one insight from Pivoto about why you’re misaligned. Delete the other 100+ pages of PDF fluff. They are ghosts of your "stuck" phase.
Given that you've analyzed your stress response versus your cognitive style, what is the one specific task you do at work that consistently makes you want to open a tab and buy another test?