Social, political, economic and technological changes create huge disruptions in the labor market. The past few years have been a tightrope walk between uncertainty and instability.
Every time there is a major shift, people are laid off and have a hard time reentering the job market.
I was once asked in an interview, what type of person was the most difficult to work with. I instantly said an unmotivated person. Motivation is everything when it comes to either moving up in an organization or getting a new job. To move up or even just hang on in a turbulent economy, you need the motivation to do your best. When it is time to change jobs, you need motivation to do the hard work to get to a better place.
In the last two weeks, I have worked with six people who shared a similar story- job offers that seemed to come from out of nowhere. They wanted advice on whether to jump ship or to stay at their current jobs.
When I hear the same story multiple times in a very short period, I pay attention… and I worry.
Like it or not, the economy is shifting. If you are not paying attention you may find yourself in a stagnant position or worse.
When my daughter applied for summer internships during her freshman year in college she expected to be noticed just because she submitted her resume. “Won't they just call me? Can't they just see that I am good from my resume?” She was shocked to learn that she had to follow up multiple times and pursue potential employers more directly. She came to understand that just applying is not enough.
Most people hate interviewing. It is one of the most nerve wracking experiences you can go through. Even the most talented candidate gets butterflies when being interviewed.
Figuring out what to say on the spot is not a good strategy. Developing a strong understanding of how interviews work, what will be asked in an interview, and why each question is important is essential to your success in an interview.
One of the most painful jobs of a career counselor is to tell a person that their job prospects are going to be very limited if they cannot shift to a cutting edge company or if they do not go back for more education or training.
Finding your purpose in life is a gift. It is about figuring out what you want to do with your time and your life.
It starts when you are just a kid and you have to navigate the toy box, the backyard or the neighborhood. What did you do for fun? When you were a child, play was not a frivolous waste of time. Play is about experiencing new things, developing relationships, embracing interests, and refining skills.
Job offers are always contingent on background checks. If you are getting the keys to the castle, they want to know that you have good character, good judgment and solid ethics, and that you are scrupulously honest.
The pandemic is affecting everyone whether they catch the virus or not. No one wants to get close to anyone else. Everyone is isolating. Isolation is becoming a habit.
Resumes are an essential tool for job seeking. Writing one is tricky. Fail this task and you are going to be overlooked and ignored by the people you most want to notice you.
It’s all over the news lately. The US Department of Labor reported that more workers are quitting their jobs than any time in the past 20 years. That means people are comfortable taking a risk by leaving their current employer. The stars have lined up to make this one of the best labor markets in years.
Salaries are climbing and employers are scrambling to fill open positions as the American Economy expands at a brisk pace. Now is the time to figure out what you are worth and perhaps ask for a raise. Now is also the time to consider if you are in the right place or if you should make a move while the market is exploding.
What does it take to get 36 job offers? Focus? Drive? Discipline? Persistence? Strategy? Hard work? All of that and more...
A piece of you dies every day you spend in a job that you hate... To quit or not to quit, that is the question. People often ask me if I think they should quit their jobs. This is a huge question, especially in uncertain times.
The job market has changed radically over the past year. Some jobs have completely disappeared, while other jobs expanded and new jobs have emerged. Social change, economic disruption, technological developments, and political instability over the past year – all have caused shifts that impact the demand for labor.
The pandemic has taken a toll on the job market, but there is reason for optimism.
While a lot of the information about the unemployment rate is dismal the pain is not evenly spread. The most recent national unemployment rate stands at 6.7 percent, with 10.7 million people looking for work. This is significantly lower than earlier 2020 - highs. The numbers, however, are still twice the pre-pandemic levels of 3.5 percent unemployment and 5.7 million people seeking work.
I grew up in a small mill town where everyone knew everyone. I was the third generation of my family to live there. I knew the doctor, the plumber, the jewelers, the baker, the butchers, the librarian, the postmaster, bank tellers, the telephone operators, the auto mechanics, and most of the teachers. Chances are someone in my family went to school with them or their kids.
There was a particular line from Kamala Harris’ VP acceptance speech that resonated with me, “I know a predator when I see one.”
I get really upset when I see someone being abused.