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#JobSearch : How New Graduates Can Stand Out In Today’s Competitive Job Market. Got Kids? Great REad for ALL!

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Universities in the United States are graduating an estimated two million students this month–primarily dominated by undergrads. While some of this spring’s graduates have already secured employment, most are mass-applying for open positions.

To stand out in the crowded entry-level applicant pool, follow these five practical tips for landing a job.

Be Strategic In Your Job Applications

Instead of submitting as many applications as possible, take time to develop a strategy. Working from a plan conserves energy and effort by ensuring increased organization, focus and clarity.

  1. Consider allowing yourself a realistic timeline, such as a 60-day plan. If you need more time, revise the strategy as needed and start again.
  2. Set a job search routine. Designate a consistent number of daily hours to achieve a weekly goal. For example, allocate Monday through Friday between 9 am and 2 pm, allowing for breaks and lunch, with the goal to submit at least five targeted applications weekly. Focus on specific industries most likely to offer the positions you seek.
  3. Customize each resume and cover letter.
  4. Create a spreadsheet or use an AI tool like Notion to track applications, follow-up times and other outreach and network building.

 

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Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

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Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Build Your Professional Network

One advantage that mid- and later-career workers have over those just entering the job market is more time to establish a network. For new graduates, allocating time and energy to growing a relevant circle of acquaintances is especially important. Hands down, personal referrals lead to more job opportunities than online applications. Here are a few creative ways to meet new contacts who may happily support your job search.

  1. Community activities are good for your mental and physical health, keeping you at your best during the stress of job hunting. These community-focused, inclusive gatherings are also an invaluable asset for networking. Consider rock climbing, martial arts, ultimate frisbee or pickleball meet-ups to meet new connections. Remember that not every valuable resource will be employed. Meeting a partner, daughter, father or neighbor of someone on the hunt for talent could be the key.
  2. Volunteer in the community, even when it doesn’t directly align with your job focus. For example, coaching children’s soccer is a great way to meet working parents. It’s also a great way to showcase leadership and team-building skills. VolunteerMatch.org showed 49,354 volunteer opportunities in Austin, Texas, for example.
  3. Social media can be a great way to connect with others who share your interests and passions. Do you love business and finance? Subscribe to the the Daily Bagel or Morning Brew, listen to all their weekly updates and post twice weekly on your favorite social media channel. LinkedIn is an excellent platform for building professional connections. Posting content you care about gets the attention of others who value the topic. Ask questions, run a survey or always engage with commenters. Don’t forget to comment on other people’s posts. People may not respond to a direct message, but many will respond to a well-intentioned, thought-provoking comment. Following companies and leaders who interest you and commenting on their posts, puts you on their radar.

Build Up Your Portfolio During The Job Search

Contract and fractional work can lead to permanent, full-time roles. Don’t hesitate to build your portfolio with intermittent opportunities while waiting for what you want.

  1. Use tools like Upwork for short and long-term projects across various skill sets, or Contra, which is ideal for creatives. These platforms also provide the opportunity to showcase sought-after soft skills such as reliability, communication style and relationship building.
  2. Learn more about soft skills and why employers are keen to recruit talent who demonstrate them.

Leverage AI As You Look For Jobs

Technology is constantly changing, and companies’ use of AI tools is no exception. Employers are increasingly implementing AI tools to streamline operations and increase productivity. Showing even basic knowledge and application of a few tools–many that have wide usage and appeal, can set you apart.

  1. Brainstorm leads and write better applications and cover letters (avoid copy and pasting!) using ChatGPT and Grammarly. Additionally, Youtube creators like ‘Tech with Lucy’ share free videos showing how AI can simplify the job-finding process.
  2. Practice interviewing. Even without AI, recording responses to record role or industry-specific interview questions can help identify nervous habits and opportunities for improved communication.
  3. Make learning and experimenting with AI tools part of your employment strategy, and share your experiences if an interview allows. This demonstrates ongoing curiosity and willingness to keep learning.

Upsell Your Value

If you are the product and your skills are add-ons, consider how to position yourself as offering much more than the job requirements. Highlight the intersection and transferability of additional skills to highlight versatility and differentiate yourself from others.

  1. Add this upsell language to your cover letter, as well as LinkedIn.
  2. When you score an interview, include relevant examples in practice. It’s perfectly acceptable to use a school-related activity as a proof model.
  3. Skill transferability also opens the door for applying for positions outside of one’s primary area of study. Once in the door, set a path to where you want to be.

New graduates may fear competing in the job market, but perspective matters. According to a March 2025 U.S. jobs report, more than three million workers voluntarily quit their jobs in the first three months of the year. Almost two million more left involuntarily. So even with two million fresh graduates in May, that’s not enough to replace the open positions created in the first quarter of this year. Moreover, many of these graduates attended school part-time and are already employed.

 

Forbes.com | May 25, 2025 | Sheila Callaham

#YourCareer : 3 Tips To Stay Relevant In Your Job As AI Takes Over. Question: How Much Will AI Affect your Job??

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As a member of Gen X who has tracked trends in education and employment for a living for over two decades, reading Steven Kurutz’s New York Times article about the Gen X “career meltdown” hit a little too close to home. Kurutz describes the career fate of Gen X workers who are creatives in newspaper journalism, photography, graphic arts, and related industries. He convincingly explains that, due to AI, this group of workers teeters on obsolescence when we should be at the height of our careers.

As AI becomes more of a must-have than a nice-to-have, I’ve been thinking about what this means for the skills, credentials, and experiences workers should pursue to remain competitive and continue adding value in their careers.

Over the last year, I had the chance to collaborate with my colleagues at Jobs for the Future’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work and a stellar advisory committee to investigate how AI could lead to quality jobs, catalyze wealth-building, and promote economic opportunity for everyone, particularly for workers in jobs that are susceptible to disruption from AI and automation.

This led to the publication of call to action report for how education and workforce practitioners, employers, investors and policymakers can ensure AI makes everyone better off. This process helped me consider some changes I need to make to remain relevant at work. I’ll share them here in the event they are helpful to you.

Be Proactive When It Comes To Technology

Over the next three years, 92% of companies plan to increase their investments in AI according to McKinsey. If you think you can avoid integrating AI into your skillset, it’s not likely. AI is now a core feature in leading business process software. Gen X workers who want to continue to add value at work must be proactive in getting smart about AI.

Don’t make the mistake of waiting for your employer to help you get up to speed. Employers are rapidly implementing AI, but few are providing support to their employees. Only 31% of workers report receiving employer-provided AI training, according to a recent survey by Jobs for the Future that accompanied the call to action. Unless you work for companies like PwC and Accenture, which are investing billions of dollars in providing AI upskilling support to their teams, you are largely on your own.

Employers tend to prioritize AI skills over experience, according to a 2024 report by Microsoft and LinkedIn. Specifically, 71% of business leaders would choose a less experienced candidate with AI expertise over a more experienced candidate lacking those skills, and 77% believe AI will allow early-career talent to take on greater responsibilities.

Unsurprisingly, younger generations are using AI more, with 85% of Gen Z using it at work, compared with 76% of Gen X. This shift means that having more experience no longer guarantees a competitive edge for Gen X workers. So unless we acquire AI skills, we may find ourselves outpaced in job opportunities and career advancement by our Millennial and Gen Z colleagues. No one is coming to save us.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

 

Article continued …

Collaborate With Digital Native Colleagues

Most of us in the “sandwich generation” need to work at least 15 to 20 or so more years before we can comfortably retire, but there’s no way to do that without learning a few more tricks. We can’t fall into the cognitive trap known as the Einstellung effect, where our existing knowledge flattens and the range of ideas and solutions that we consider narrows.

AI can help us get out of our own way, identify blind spots, and solve problems in ways we might not have previously envisioned, according to Harvard Business Review. But we should avoid going it alone. Collaborating with our younger colleagues will help us go further faster. The power of unlocking innovation lies in combining the different kinds of knowledge that Gen X and younger generations of workers hold.

Gen X workers have more lived experience than our Millennial and Gen Z colleagues. We have what psychologists call crystallized intelligence, the knowledge accumulated from prior learning and past experiences. Our younger colleagues tend to have more fluid intelligence, which allows them to solve new problems without relying on past knowledge. Collaborating across generations in formal and informal ways at work on teams and on projects can generate win-win solutions that enhance creativity and innovation.

Use AI To Strengthen Your Human Abilities

As we learn more about integrating these new AI capabilities into our daily work lives, it’s helpful to remember what we can do that this technology cannot. AI may be able to fulfill some technical functional aspects of your job, but it doesn’t have the unique experience you bring to your work.

A key takeaway from the call to action report is that we want AI to uplift what it means to be human. For instance, AI can efficiently manage my research on education and employment, often completing tasks faster than I can. It can also identify significant trends in my field. You may be in a similar situation if you are in a knowledge-driven profession.

However, there are certain aspects of me and my experience that AI simply can’t replace. AI cannot fully grasp my perspective that is shaped by my personal journey. The data AI is trained on does not adequately represent the experiences of many Americans who share a similar racial, ethnic, and economic background as mine.

I have worked at my job for 20 years and have collaborated with leading organizations and experts in my field. These experiences have given me valuable insights I continue developing daily. In addition, my liberal arts education and multidisciplinary graduate studies give me a unique perspective on AI’s outputs. While there is still much to learn, my experiences make it difficult for AI to replicate exactly what I do.

As workers navigate this new world and reimagine their careers, it’s important to remember to use this technology as a support, not a replacement. Embracing AI can help reinvigorate our work when our careers are losing momentum. By leveraging our experience, unique perspectives, and the strengths that define us, we not only avoid becoming obsolete but can thrive in this next chapter.

Forbes.com | May 8, 2025 | Michael Collins 

 

#JobSearch : A Job Search is Common Sense, Not a Secret Process. Steps on Basics for a Job Search. Keep it Simple.

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Marketing gurus advertise ‘secrets’ to job search their services to put fear in your mind that you might be missing something and failing in your job search efforts. Ask yourself, ‘What do they know that I don’t that I must know to succeed?’ There are no ‘secrets’ to the process of job search. The word ‘secret’ implies something known only to the marketer. These are psychological words used to scare you into buying.

Job-hunting procedures are the same as in the last half century. The only difference – in the 21st Century, job applications and resume submissions are completed online. You create a marketing tool – your resume. You develop a plan – answering help-wanted ads and uploading resumes online, attending job fairs, or delivering a resume personally. You answer questions – in a telephone or a face-to-face interview with a hiring manager. Company reps compare interviewed applicants and determine which candidate offers the most ‘bang for the buck’ for the salary range budgeted then make an offer. The following steps are the basics for a job search.

 

Like this Article?  Share It! You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Ensure your resume is word-processed into a digital form. Be prepared to deliver your resume electronically from your phone or computer and uploaded to an online recruiting platform. If you are a poor writer, get a professional to write or grammar-check the text. Keeping the resume to two pages or less in the 21st Century is no longer critical because it is stored online. But – don’t go overboard and write 20 pages, either. The maximum number of pages is four (federal civil service resumes have a new mandate to restrict the length to a maximum of five pages).

Dress for success. Dressing in droopy pants, torn jeans, and tee-shirt to hand-deliver a resume is stupid. That young lady behind the register might be the owner’s daughter, who will relay to Mama that you aren’t fit to shop in the store, much less applying for a job. Or you may pass the hiring manager in the hallway as you walk into the establishment. They will remember someone dressed sharply and ready to do business with their clientele.

Follow up in 2-3 days, and politely ask about any decisions to interview. In many companies, the recruiter may not answer the phone because they are physically overwhelmed with analyzing hundreds of resumes. Don’t take it personally if your calls are not returned. Have your script ready: “I brought in my resume and completed an application on (name the day), and I was wondering when you will start the interviewing process?”  Don’t beg or tell your hard-life story.

During the interview, think carefully about the question before answering. It is okay to take a few seconds to think, but don’t take too long. Answer in complete sentences and use the ‘Queen’s English.’ Let the interviewer finish their questions. Then present your list of questions about the position, company, and what problems the company wants to solve by hiring you. Ask if they would like samples of your work or a list of references.

Obtain business cards of everyone you spoke with while interviewing at the company. Immediately after the interview, hand-write brief thank you notes addressed to each individual you encountered – the HR representative, hiring manager, or interviewer – and place the notes in a mailbox that day.

Wait a week before communicating with the company if they haven’t called you back immediately. Interviews may be spread across several weeks. When you call, politely ask if any decisions have been made. You may leave a voicemail message if you can’t get a real person. Keep the message brief and cheerful, and carefully pronounce your full name and telephone number.

If you receive the message another candidate was chosen, don’t ask what you did wrong. Companies decline to answer those questions for fear of litigation (e.g., EEOC issues). Don’t waste your and their time. If you do reach a real person, ask them if the company would be open to considering you for another position. This question lets recruiters there are no hard feelings and you are open for further consideration.

Shopping for a new job is tedious. The process for today’s job searches is time-consuming and frustrating. Modern-day job-hunting is dominantly online and digital but prepare for ‘old-fashioned’ knocking on doors and making phone calls to folks you know in your network of friends, family, and business acquaintances.

 

FSC Career Blog Author:   Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., manages and operates a consulting firm in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Richmond, Colonial Beach (Dahlgren), and Gloucester, VA. Her background is 25+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry. She is the author of 1,020+ books and textbooks on business, human resources research, career search practice, women’s studies, genealogy lineages, and adult coloring books. Her books are listed on Amazon.com under her author’s page for Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D.

Dawn Boyer, Ph.D., owner of D. Boyer Consulting, provides resume writing, social media management and training, business development, and human resources consulting. Reach her at Dawn.Boyer@DBoyerConsulting.com or http://dboyerconsulting.com.

 

FSC Career Blog – May 2, 2025

 

 

 

#JobSearch : When the Paycheck Stops: Real-World Strategies to Make Ends Meet While You’re Unemployed. Options You Can Consider.

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Losing your job can feel like getting the wind knocked out of you. The rhythm of regular paychecks disappears, but the bills keep arriving like clockwork. Whether it was a layoff, a firing, or a choice you had to make for your own well-being, the financial pressure doesn’t wait for you to catch your breath.

Still, you’ve got options—more than you might think—and the key is acting quickly, strategically, and a little bit creatively.

Get Uncomfortable and Honest

The first thing you’ve got to do is face the numbers. That means sitting down with whatever financial tools you trust—maybe it’s an old-school notebook, maybe it’s a spreadsheet—and figuring out what you’re working with. You need to know your exact monthly expenses, not just a guess. It’s not always fun to look that closely, especially when your income’s vanished, but the clarity gives you power. Without knowing the damage, you can’t stop the bleeding.

Cut First, Justify Later

You don’t need to debate whether cutting your streaming subscriptions or pausing your gym membership is “worth it.” If money isn’t coming in, anything that isn’t food, housing, or critical transportation is up for elimination. You’re not canceling joy forever—you’re just hitting pause. And once your financial feet are back under you, you can decide what to bring back with intention. This isn’t about living like a monk; it’s about buying yourself time.

Sharpen Your Skills with an Online Degree

Time away from the workforce doesn’t have to be idle—it can be the perfect opportunity to double down on what you already know and build it out into something even stronger. By going back to school, especially through flexible online programs, you can expand your skill set without putting your life on hold. Earning a degree online in computer science adds fresh credibility and updated knowledge to your resume. Through the foundational principles of computer science, you’ll gain expertise in areas like logic, architecture and systems, data structures, AI, and computer theory.

Bring in Income, Even If It’s Not Ideal

It can sting your pride to take a gig that feels “beneath” you, but pride doesn’t pay the electric bill. Food delivery, ride-sharing, remote customer service—these kinds of jobs might not be glamorous, but they’re cash flow lifelines. Think of them as stepping stones, not setbacks. Your career is still yours, and these gigs don’t rewrite your story—they just keep the lights on while you write the next chapter.

Like this Article?  Share It!    You can now easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 3.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

Updated NEWS: #BestofFSCBlog – May24 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.6 million impressions on our FSC Career Blogs within 7 days on LinkedIn……. #2– Over 3.5 Million participates on our FSC Career Blog page below within three years!  Both the Team/myself want to thank you all for participating! …… Chris G. & Team,www.firstsun.com

Daily FSC Career Blogs/Articles: Articles/blogs on today’s Job Search (Over 8K Daily Readers)- Go to ‘Blog Search’ & type in updated info on resumes, job search, networking, social media job search, etc.

https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

New- FSC LinkedIn Newsletter– Daily articles/blogs on Today’s Job Market & Seach. Subscribe Today!

https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/fsc-linkedin-network-7081658661743308800

Connect with us on LinkedIn (under Chris G. Laughter) : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

Best Daily Choice: Follow the Best of FSC Career Articles/Blogs  @

https://twitter.com/search?q=bestoffscblog&src=typeahead_click

Question: Searching for ‘the Best Daily Career Search Articles/Blogs on the web’ on Job Search, Resume, Advancing/Changing your Career, or simply Managing People?

Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type (Jobsearch, Resume, Networking, etc) in Blog Search:  https://www.firstsun.com/fsc-career-blog/

What Skill Sets Do You Have to be ‘Sharpened‘?

 

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Monetize the Hidden Skills You Overlook

If you’ve ever fixed a sink, babysat your niece, written a halfway-decent resume, or made a killer lasagna, congratulations—you’ve got something people will pay for. Sites like TaskRabbit, Rover, Upwork, and even neighborhood Facebook groups are full of people looking for real-life help. You’d be surprised what your everyday skills are worth when someone else doesn’t want to do the work themselves. Sometimes, the talent that feels “normal” to you is exactly what others need.

Tap Into Community Without Shame

A lot of folks avoid asking for help because they’re worried about how it looks. But you’re not weak for needing support—you’re human. Food banks, mutual aid groups, and local nonprofits exist for this exact moment. If someone offered you a life jacket when you were drowning, would you turn it down just because it’s not designer? Use the help, pay it forward when you can, and drop the guilt—because surviving is nothing to be embarrassed about.

Negotiate Your Bills

You’d be surprised what bills can be adjusted if you pick up the phone and ask. Credit card companies, utility providers, landlords—they often have hardship programs or payment plans, but they won’t offer them unless you start the conversation. Be calm, be honest, and don’t be afraid to say, “I’ve lost my job and I need some flexibility.” The worst they can say is no, but a lot of the time, they’ll work with you more than you’d think.

Shift Your Mindset Without Toxic Positivity

There’s a difference between pretending everything’s fine and staying open to possibility. You don’t have to slap on a fake smile or chant affirmations you don’t believe. But if you can remind yourself that this chapter isn’t permanent—and that you’ve made it through hard things before—it helps you stay in motion. You’re not failing. You’re adapting. That mindset doesn’t fix everything, but it keeps you from sinking into the quicksand of hopelessness.

Rebuild While You Hustle

Being out of work doesn’t mean you’re out of moves. Use the time you’ve got to tweak your resume, learn a new skill online, or reconnect with your network—even if it’s just dropping someone a message to say hi. Little actions compound. That part-time delivery job or side hustle doesn’t stop you from chasing something better; it just helps you stay afloat while you steer the ship. And when the tide turns—and it will—you’ll be better positioned than if you’d stayed frozen.

Unemployment isn’t a personal failure—it’s a season. A hard one, yes, but not a life sentence. If you approach it with honesty, hustle, and the willingness to get scrappy, you’ll find ways to stretch your resources without snapping your spirit. No one dreams of being in this position, but plenty of people make it through and come out more resilient than before. You’re not done. You’re just between chapters—and the next one’s still yours to write.

FSC Blog Author:  Cherie Mclaughlin – Contact Cherie @ cherie@couchbasedbiz.com

 

FSC Career Blog | April 23, 2025 

#CareerChange : The Leap: Rerouting Your Career Toward Passion with Eyes Wide Open. Steps to Consider. Great Read!

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Changing careers to follow a personal passion isn’t a romantic blur of vision boards and coffee shop brainstorming. It’s a deliberate walk through fog, equal parts thrilling and disorienting. The stakes are high because the motivation is personal, but so are the potential rewards. What often gets overlooked is that the path is less about reinvention and more about reconciliation between what once was, what truly matters, and what still might be.

Below are areas to consider when taking that leap or transition. 

Trade the Identity, Keep the Skills

Switching careers isn’t an act of erasure. The professional history collected over years—the missed deadlines, the small wins, the awkward team meetings—hasn’t been for nothing. Skills are portable, and even if they don’t map one-to-one onto a new field, they still influence how new tasks are approached and problems are solved. Passion might be the destination, but it’s often past experience that powers the engine.

Get Comfortable With Discomfort

The decision to start over often stirs up resistance from within. Stability is seductive, especially when it’s been earned through years of labor and sacrifice. But comfort zones are named that for a reason: they rarely make room for transformation. Letting go of a predictable routine to wade into unfamiliar territory means learning to sit with uncertainty, sometimes for longer than seems reasonable.

 

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Article continued …

Measure Desire Against Reality

Wanting something badly doesn’t always mean it makes sense right now. A painter at heart still needs to pay rent, and the yoga teacher in training might not be ready to give up a six-figure salary just yet. Passion has to sit at the table with pragmatism, says Shellye Achambeau, not shove it off the chair. Research, financial planning, and honest timelines create a bridge between fantasy and a version of reality worth chasing.

Shape Passion Into Structure

Starting a business rooted in personal passion means shifting from daydreams to logistics, which is where many stall out. The first step is clarity—defining the product or service in concrete terms that solve a problem or fulfill a real demand. Next comes groundwork: forming a legal entity, securing necessary licenses, and building systems that support growth, not just ideas. Using a platform like ZenBusiness can help new business owners form an LLC, stay on top of compliance, create a website, and manage finances—all in one place.

Talk Less, Listen More

Advice will pour in from every corner—friends, colleagues, and people who haven’t spoken in years suddenly become career coaches. But it’s the quiet, unfiltered stories from those who’ve walked this path before that carry weight. The ones who fumbled, adapted, pivoted again. Instead of collecting opinions, it helps to seek out lived experiences that reveal the grittier details and subtle wins behind every glossy success story.

Build While Staying Put

Sometimes, jumping isn’t the only option. Many career pivots begin as parallel projects—freelance gigs, evening classes, volunteer work—that run alongside the day job, suggests The Daily MBA. These testing grounds offer perspective without immediate risk. They’re laboratories where passion can be stress-tested in the real world and either validated or redefined before any dramatic exit plays out.

Redefine What Success Looks Like

The old blueprint for success might not apply in this new life. Promotions and raises are easy metrics to track, but following a passion often reshapes the scoreboard. Impact, creativity, autonomy, and joy might take on more meaning, even if they don’t come with instant recognition. Letting go of former definitions doesn’t mean failure—it just clears the way for more honest ambition.

Pursuing a personal passion is rarely a straight shot. It’s a patchwork of planning, adjustment, and learning to honor what drives the deepest curiosity. The world often romanticizes the leap, but overlooks the everyday grind it takes to land well. Yet for those who’ve done the work, the reward isn’t just doing what they love—it’s proving to themselves they had the courage to try.

FSC Career Blog Author:  Cherie McLaughlin . Contact Cherie @ cherie@couchbasedbiz.com

 

 

FSC Career Blog – April 14, 2025

 

 

#JobSearch : To Boost Your Prospects, Don’t Be A Job Seeker. Be A Job Shopper. How to Find Leverage in a Tough Job Market. Great REad!

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Looking for a job? Whatever you do, resist the temptation to “flood the zone” with applications. To stand out, you must be strategic in building your online brand, networking, interviewing, and negotiating.

That’s the counsel of Madeline Mann, author of Reverse the Search: How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping. A former HR recruiter, Mann has spun her insider knowledge of the hiring process into an award-winning career coaching empire called Self Made Millennial. Her YouTube channel has had more than 24 million views and her other social media posts attract millions more.

Clearly, people welcome smart help in finding the right job. Mann says an important key is to switch paradigms (and tactics) from being a job seeker to being a job shopper.

“The switch challenges the entire way people have been conditioned to approach their career,” Mann says. “We’ve been taught to follow the employer’s directions at every step of the hiring process, wait patiently for their responses, and do our best to answer their questions. But Job Shoppers are aware that this causes you to fade into the background, and instead know how to unearth opportunities, get noticed, and take interviews in different directions.”

Mann says most people conduct a job search like they’ve been handed a Rubik’s Cube for the first time. What does that look like in terms of observable behaviors?

“Most people frantically do many actions in the job search, but their results don’t match the effort—like tirelessly turning a Rubik’s Cube without knowing the strategy to solve it,” she says. “This looks like applying to dozens or even hundreds of jobs online, believing that sheer volume will increase their chances. If they try networking, they do it haphazardly—sending their résumé to people and asking for their help. When they finally get an interview, they treat it like an exam they have to pass. They study hard, but it’s a lot of misguided energy that makes the preparation ineffective.”

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

 

Mann has identified several job seeking myths.

“Many job seekers think applying for lower-level roles will make their search easier, but overqualification is a red flag for employers,” she says. “They worry you’ll leave quickly or demand a promotion. Instead, target roles that match or stretch your experience and highlight transferable skills.”

Another myth, she says, is that more education makes you stand out. “In reality, degrees are often just a baseline requirement. Many professionals use additional schooling to procrastinate instead of building relationships and hands-on experience, which are far more effective.”

Some believe job searching is a numbers game, but only a fraction of hires come from job boards. “Rather than mass-applying, focus on the right roles, personal branding, meaningful connections, and strong positioning,” she advises.

Being open to many types of roles can also backfire. “Employers want people who clearly know exactly what role they want,” Mann says. F”inally, waiting for the perfect opportunity leads to stagnation. Job Shoppers take control, strategically exploring options to land the right role with confidence.”

Mann says that even in an employer’s market, job shoppers have leverage.

“Despite receiving many applications, companies still struggle to find the right talent,” she says. “Job Shoppers use this to their advantage by focusing their strategy on easing the hiring managers’ concerns about making an offer. First, they do all the hard work up front to match themselves to why they are a fit for the role and the overall company. Then in the interview they showcase their skills through vivid examples, work samples, and deeper conversations, making employers see them as part of the team. When done well, this approach doesn’t just land an offer—it makes companies eager to stretch their offer to secure them.”

For people choosing their next career step, Mann recommends focusing on three core factors.

“The first is strengths,” she says. “Your job should be something you’re naturally good at and regularly gets you into a flow state. The second is values. Focus less on your passions and interests and more on what you value in a job. That could be professional growth, time flexibility, a social environment, and so on. Finally, ensure your next career move has good market demand. This means that the salary (and salary trajectory) fits what you need financially, and that the number of open roles are increasing year over year instead of decreasing.”

By focusing on these three things, she says, you are much more likely to land a role that you enjoy and compensates you well without having unrealistic expectations of what a “dream job” should be.

Mann emphasizes that “your résumé isn’t about you.”

“We were taught to put all our best accomplishments on our résumés, but this isn’t a good strategy,” she says. “Instead, study what the employer is asking for and build your résumé back from that. On your résumé put only accomplishments that are what the employer is looking for, even if that represents a small fraction of your total work and ignores some of your biggest career moments.”

Finally, Mann offers negotiating tips for job candidates.

“When a company gives you an offer, and you counter with a higher amount, know that it is common for them to come back with an amount that is between their offer and your counter,” she says. “Therefore, when you’re making your counter, observe the midpoint between the two salaries and ensure that is a number you would accept. Additionally, make your counter offer an unusual number, like $188,500. This gives the impression that the salary was well researched and may get you a few extra thousand dollars.”

Follow me on LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work.

 

Forbes.com | April 1, 2025 | Rodger Dean Duncan,

 

#JobLoss : The Silence After the Storm- The Emotional Fallout from Sudden Unemployment. How Do/Did You Manage?

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 The layoff announcement hit with the force of a thunderbolt, leaving behind a deafening silence.  A moment ago, you were a valued professional, contributing to a team and mission you believed in.  Now, you’re grappling with the stark reality of sudden job loss.

In the wake of the unemployment storm is a landscape of emotional wreckage we’re not prepared for, an unnerving silence where questions surface.  How do I tell my family?  What if I’m unable to find another job?  What do I do next?

The loss of a job is not just a career setback; it’s a profound disruption to your sense of self.  The cardboard box of belongings, the absence of office chatter, the sudden empty schedule can all feel surreal, as if it’s happening to someone else.

If the emptiness of waking up with no place to go feels unbearable, you’re not alone.  For many, work is more than just a paycheck.  We define ourselves by our roles, titles, and the contributions we make.  It’s our identity; it’s who we are.

 

Navigating Identity Loss

We’ve been taught to carefully construct our professional persona, our brand.  When that foundation – your daily routine, your sense of purpose, your professional community – is swept away, it’s not just a job that’s lost; it’s part of you.  You feel unmoored and adrift in a sea of uncertainty.

This becomes nauseatingly apparent the first time you’re in a social setting and someone asks the inevitable question, “So, what do you do?”  The casual question can feel like heavy judgment.  You might stammer and offer a vague explanation.  But it’s a stark reminder of your altered reality.

Not having an answer to that question can make us feel like we no longer belong, like we’ve been stripped of our social currency.  Losing our daily routine and professional purpose can lead to an unexpected, yet profound, identity crisis.  You may find yourself questioning your skills and your value.  “Am I still competent?  Am I still relevant?”

But this period of uncertainty can also be a potent catalyst for self-discovery.  Rebuilding your identity begins with acknowledging the loss and grief, but refusing to let your employment status define you.  You’re more than your job, and this period of transition offers an opportunity to redefine yourself on your own terms.

Building Emotional Resilience and Positive Mindset

The initial shock of job loss is often followed by a wave of intense emotions, including anger, sorrow, frustration, anxiety and fear.  These feelings are valid and a normal part of the process.  Suppressing these emotions can lead hinder the healing process.  The way out is through, by allowing yourself to experience what you’re feeling without judgment.

That said, healing is not a linear process.  You may feel good and hopeful on some days yet awful and despairing on others.  This rollercoaster of advances and setbacks are part of the journey.  Which is why learning to manage negative thoughts and self-doubt becomes crucial for building emotional resilience.

When faced with rejection or uncertainty, it’s easy to fall into a spiral of negative self-talk.  You can use your mindset as the antidote to the negativity.  Cultivating a positive mindset involves embracing challenges as new opportunities for learning and growth.

When unconstructive thoughts arise, a good practice is to challenge them by focusing on your strengths and accomplishments.  Taken one step further, how might these assets move you forward?  This line of thinking is a reminder that your employment status does not reflect your worth as a person, that you have more to give in a new situation.

This reframe of exploring new possibilities and further developing your skills makes it easier to embrace the unknown and be open to unexpected paths.  In order to ready yourself for new opportunities is to practice self-care.

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Focusing on Self-care

Prioritizing your physical and mental well-being is essential during this challenging time.  Establish healthy routines that include regular exercise, nourishing meals and adequate sleep.  Not only will this keep you healthy, but it will provide structure to your day and a productive stress outlet.

A strategy that’s useful when you’re in this liminal space between your prior and upcoming professional roles is practicing self-compassion.  This means to simply treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a friend going through a difficult time.

Other mindfulness techniques can be quite helpful, including meditation, breathing or walking in nature.  The more you focus on the present moment, the better you’ll be able to manage your anxiety about the future and cultivate a sense of calm.

Acknowledging your struggles, forgiving yourself for any perceived shortcomings, and prioritizing your self-care will help you find the acceptance needed to complete the healing process.  Accepting that job loss is a part of life allows you to release the heavy burden of resentment and move forward with clarity and purpose.

Moving forward requires both a strategic plan and practical action steps.  Here are some suggestions to consider:

What to Do – Immediate/Tactical Steps:

  • Establish a Support Anchor: Take a deep breath, regain your composure, and inform your closest family/support person.  This provides an immediate emotional anchor during a time of shock.
  • Organize Your Documentation: Gather all relevant documents, including your severance package, benefits information, and any outplacement services that are offered.  Create a digital folder to store all documents related to the layoff and job search.  This ensures you have all necessary information readily available.
  • Secure Your Financial Foundation: Review and adjust your budget, cutting non-essential expenses.  Contact your creditors, if need be, to discuss potential payment plans.  Determine health insurance options and file for unemployment immediately to secure your financial stability.
  • Create a Job Search Launchpad: Create a job search email account to keep your search organized.  Create a job search to-do list, including updating your resume, LinkedIn profile, and registering on job search sites.  This initiates your proactive job search strategy.

What to Do – Longer term/Strategic Steps:

  • Embrace the uncomfortable silence: Don’t rush to fill the void.  This silence is a space for reflection.  Allow yourself to sit with the discomfort, to listen to the questions that arise, and to acknowledge the emotions that surface.
  • Establish a reflection ritual: Set aside a specific time each day for quiet reflection.  This could involve meditation, journaling, or simply sitting in silence.  Use this time to process your experiences, identify patterns and gain clarity.
  • Design a personal discovery project: Use this time as an opportunity for exploration.  What have you always wanted to learn, create, or experience?  Start a personal discovery project, whether it’s learning a new skill or topic, writing a book, or volunteering for a cause you care about.
  • Plan micro-adventures: Break out of your routine by planning small, manageable adventures.  This could be a hike in a nearby park, a visit to a local museum, or a day trip to a new town.  These experiences can help you rediscover your sense of curiosity and wonder.
  • Build your support circle: Go beyond casual conversations.  Identify 1-3 people you can truly confide in.  Schedule regular check-ins, even if it’s just a brief phone call.  This is your emotional safety net.
  • Give yourself permission to heal: This is not a race.  Healing takes time and is not linear.  There will be good days and bad days.  Be kind and patient with yourself, and celebrate every step forward.
  • When you feel ready, set goals for the future: It can be helpful to start thinking about what you want your life to look like after this transition is completed.  What are your aspirations?  What would you like to achieve?  Having something to look forward to can help you stay motivated.

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

Job loss can be a catalyst for positive change.  It can provide the unexpected space you need to pursue your passions, explore new career paths and reinvent yourself.

Take time to reflect on your professional goals and aspirations.  Are you still engaged in your current line of work or is it time for a change?  How might you explore new roles and industries that align with your values and interests?  Is this the right time to consider entrepreneurial ventures, freelancing or consulting?

If you’re unsure, this is the perfect time for personal and professional development.  Expand your skillset by taking online courses, attending workshops, and networking with those you meet along the way.  You never know where these new connections and experiences may lead.

Creating Your Future

Setting realistic goals and taking measured action is essential for moving forward.  Start by creating a strategic plan that includes updating your resume, networking and applying for positions.

This period of silence after the storm is not an ending, but a pause.  It’s a moment for reflection and chance to rebuild.  The emotional fallout is real, but so is your capacity for resilience.  By prioritizing self-care and investing in yourself, you can create a fulfilling and successful future.  In doing so, you’ll emerge stronger and more prepared to embrace the next chapter of your life.

 

                                                                   FSC Blog Author – March 26, 2025 | Kathy Robinson, AthenaWellness.com

#JobMarket : The Biggest Issues Facing Today’s Job Market & How To Overcome Them. Great Read!

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The job market is undergoing a profound transformation. It’s being shaped by AI, technological breakthroughs, economic and political shifts. While opportunities exist, there are persistent challenges creating turbulence for employers and job seekers alike.

One of the most glaring issues is the mismatch between the skills workers possess and those employers urgently want. Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics are rendering traditional skill sets obsolete at an unprecedented pace.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 provides a view into the evolving job market. For instance, AI and machine learning specialists are grabbing headlines. The report states that 39% of core job skills are expected to change by 2030. With fast paced changes, the future of work demands agility. Technological skills such as AI expertise, big data analysis, and cybersecurity are strongly desired by employers.

A Cooling Hiring Climate, Economic and Policy Headwinds

After a period of robust growth, the job market has noticeably slowed. Hiring rates have dipped, and job postings have declined from their highs. Companies, cautious about budgets and economic headwinds, are taking longer to fill vacancies. For job seekers, especially in white-collar sectors like technology and finance, this means fiercer competition and fewer openings. The days of abundant choice seem to be waning, replaced by a more selective and deliberate hiring process.

 

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Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, Llc (FSC) is celebrating over 32 years in delivering corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, the UK, & Mexico!   Visit us @ www.firstsun.com  OR Ask for a Quote for Services at  info@firstsun.com

We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

Broader economic forces are adding complexity. Inflation, potential slowdowns, and policies like immigration restrictions contribute to creating uncertainties. For instance, sectors dependent on immigrant labor, such as construction and hospitality, could face acute shortages as borders tighten. Businesses are hesitant to commit in an unpredictable climate. In response to the unknowns, it’s understandable that companies would cut back on hiring and scale back expansion plans, which further dampens job growth.

Worker Discontent and Retention Struggles

Even with unemployment relatively low, dissatisfaction is simmering. Employee well-being has hit a historic low, with only about half of U.S. workers reporting they feel they’re thriving. Many crave better work-life balance and flexibility. However, issues such as workers wanting remote opportunities clash with companies’ push to end remote work. This disconnect is fueling turnover and forcing employers to rethink how they retain talent in a workforce that’s increasingly vocal about its needs.

For recent college graduates and career switchers, breaking into the job market is tougher than ever. Unemployment among young degree-holders is ticking up, and the sheer volume of applicants, often resorting to mass resume submissions, makes standing out a Herculean task. Adding to the frustration are “ghost” job postings and unresponsive employers, leaving many feeling stuck before they even start.

Navigating the Future

The job market of 2025 is a dynamic, challenging space. This is a polite way of saying that things are going to continue to be rocky and difficult. Therefore, people must find ways to adapt to an ever changing marketplace. You can catch up by upskilling. In particular, focus on high-growth areas such as tech and AI. For employers, the stakes are just as high. They need to spend money to invest in training and prioritizing employee mental health and well-being.

How Job Seekers Can Thrive in a Tough Market

With the job market cooling, competition intensifying, and skills demands shifting rapidly, landing a good role in 2025 requires more than a polished resume. As hiring slows and employers grow pickier, job seekers must adapt strategically to stand out. Here’s a roadmap to enhance your odds of success in this challenging landscape.

In a world where technology is rewriting the rules, upskilling is non-negotiable. Employers are clamoring for talent fluent in high-growth areas like artificial intelligence, data analysis, and cybersecurity, fields where demand outstrips supply.

Don’t have a tech background? No problem. Platforms like Coursera or Codecademy offer beginner-friendly courses in Python or cloud computing, while certifications from Google or AWS can add instant credibility. Pair these with timeless soft skills like adaptability and communication, and you’ve got a winning combination.

Craft Applications That Cut Through the Noise

Generic applications drown in today’s flood of resumes. To rise above, tailor everything. On your resume, weave in keywords from the job posting.

Quantifying your wins by writing “boosted efficiency by 20%” beats vague responsibilities. Your cover letter? Make it a story. Research the company’s recent moves such as a new product launch, and show how you’d add value. It’s not about volume. Submitting ten or so customized applications a week trumps mass spamming.

In a tight market, build your network deliberately. On LinkedIn, engage with recruiters and industry leaders by commenting on their posts. Reach out informally, too. Ask a former colleague or alum for a quick chat about industry trends, not just openings. Aim for 1-2 hours or more of networking weekly.

Hiring managers crave evidence you can deliver. If you’re light on experience, create it. Build a portfolio. If you have the aptitude, code a basic app, or draft a business proposal. Freelancing on Upwork or volunteering for a local cause can turn skills into resume gold. Even short internships can bridge the gap until you find the job you want.

Be prepared, rejection stings more when jobs are scarce, and employer ghosting is all too common. Keep up your momentum. Frame “nos” as getting closer to a “yes”.

If you keep going, and don’t give up, ultimately, you’ll find a new job.

 

Forbes.com | March 10, 2025 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : 10 Must-Try AI Cover Letter Generators To Boost Your Job Search. Think Cover Letters are Important? IF Not, Better Think Again.

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According to LinkedIn research, nearly three in five (58%) people worldwide plan to look for a job this year. Yet half are frustrated by the job search, reporting that it has become more complex over the last 12 months. The most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report revealed that more than 6.8 million Americans are unemployed, with just over 20% looking for work for 27 weeks or more. Not surprisingly, many job seekers are turning to AI cover letter generators to accelerate their job search.

A compelling cover letter can make all the difference in landing an interview. According to a Resume Genius survey, 94% of hiring managers think cover letters are influential when deciding whom to interview, with 83% reading most of the cover letters they receive. AI cover letter generators save valuable time while improving the quality of applications.

But is it acceptable to use these tools when writing a cover letter? And how can you leverage AI cover letter generators effectively? Let’s explore the pros and cons along with 10 cutting-edge platforms to speed up your job search.

Is It Acceptable to Use AI Cover Letter Generators?

Yes—with caveats. Using AI cover letter generators to help draft applications is increasingly common and accepted in most industries. However, these tools should serve as your assistant, not your replacement. Hiring managers seek authentic candidates who can articulate their fit for the role. Most successful job seekers use AI cover letter generators as a starting point so they can then personalize the document to showcase their qualifications. This approach maintains authenticity while leveraging the efficiency of AI.

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Article continued …

The Pros and Cons of Using AI Cover Letter Generators

Using AI cover letter generators offers significant advantages. These platforms can analyze job descriptions to identify key skills and requirements, ensuring your letter addresses employers’ needs. AI cover letter generators save considerable time, especially when applying to multiple positions. They can also help overcome writer’s block by providing a structured starting point.

However, there are drawbacks to consider. Content from AI cover letter generators can sometimes sound generic or impersonal without proper customization. Some may produce writing that feels artificial, potentially raising red flags with recruiters familiar with AI writing patterns. There’s also the risk of including inaccurate information if you don’t carefully review the output from AI cover letter generators.

The most effective approach combines the efficiency of these tools with a personal touch, resulting in optimized cover letters that genuinely reflect your skills and achievements.

10 AI Cover Letter Generators That Deliver Results

These leading AI cover letter generators offer varying features and functionalities to help you create compelling applications that stand out to potential employers.

1. ChatGPT

Key Features: While not specifically designed as an AI cover letter generator, ChatGPT offers unmatched flexibility in crafting your message. Its conversational interface allows for incremental fine-tuning through simple prompts like “make it more informal” or “remove clichés.”

Pros and Cons: As an AI cover letter generator, ChatGPT provides infinite rewrites at no extra cost and can match any tone or style you request. However, it lacks visual formatting options and tends to be wordy unless specifically directed otherwise.

2. Grammarly

Key Features: Grammarly’s AI cover letter generator creates detailed, tailor-made content almost instantly. It analyzes your resume and the job requirements to produce a personalized letter.

Pros and Cons: This AI cover letter generator produces natural-sounding first drafts and catches potential grammar and style issues. However, it provides text-only output, requiring separate formatting, and can sometimes sound overly formal.

3. Jobscan

Key Features: Jobscan uses cutting-edge technology to create ATS-friendly cover letters. This sophisticated platform analyzes your resume and job description, producing a tailored cover letter highlighting key skills and experiences in seconds.

Pros and Cons: Jobscan excels at optimizing content for applicant tracking systems, potentially increasing your chances of getting past initial screenings. The downside is that this AI cover letter generator’s focus on keywords can sometimes result in less natural-sounding wording.

4. Kickresume

Key Features: Kickresume’s AI cover letter generator creates content based on your professional background and job descriptions. Users can choose from diverse templates designed for various industries and career levels.

Pros and Cons: The platform offers attractive templates and an intuitive interface. However, some users report that this AI cover letter generator’s content can sound generic without significant editing.

5. Piktochart

Key Features: Piktochart combines professional writing with clean, modern layouts. Users can either input a prompt or upload their resume to this AI cover letter generator to create a visually striking job application.

Pros and Cons: The professionally designed templates from this AI cover letter generator make letters stand out visually. However, the text often needs significant polishing, and design customization options can be limited.

6. Resume Genius

Key Features: Resume Genius offers an AI-powered cover letter builder that’s easy to navigate. After answering a few questions about your background, this AI cover letter generator formats everything for you. You can preview your letter using different templates and select matching resume templates for a cohesive application package.

Pros and Cons: The intuitive interface makes it simple to create professional-looking cover letters quickly. However, some users find that the content from this AI cover letter generator needs significant personalization to avoid sounding generic.

7. Rezi

Key Features: Rezi’s AI cover letter generator focuses on creating ATS-optimized applications. Its algorithms ensure that every cover letter is crafted to pass through applicant tracking systems while remaining compelling to human recruiters.

Pros and Cons: The platform excels at smart keyword integration based on job description analysis. However, some users find this AI cover letter generator’s one-click regeneration feature produces inconsistent results.

8. Rytr

Key Features: Rytr’s AI cover letter generator offers unique tone controls with over 20 options, from professional and formal to enthusiastic and friendly. Users can specify the job title, required skills, and desired creativity level.

Pros and Cons: The ability to generate multiple versions with different tones saves time on rewrites. However, this AI cover letter generator does not have direct resume integration, and the output is plain text requiring separate formatting.

9. Teal

Key Features: Teal offers a comprehensive career growth platform beyond simple cover letter generation. Its AI cover letter generator creates tailor-made documents by analyzing your professional experience alongside specific job requirements.

Pros and Cons: The holistic approach helps create a cohesive narrative that ties your experiences to the target role. The learning curve for this AI cover letter generator can be steeper than with simpler tools, but the results are often more personalized.

10. VisualCV

Key Features: VisualCV combines visual appeal with AI-driven content optimization. This AI cover letter generator’s platform offers customizable templates that ensure your cover letter gets noticed while the AI content improver refines your writing.

Pros and Cons: The intuitive drag-and-drop editor allows for easy customization, and analytics provide insights into how recruiters interact with your application. Some users find this AI cover letter generator’s templates limiting for specific industries.

Unlocking the Full Potential of AI Cover Letter Generators

The key to success with AI cover letter generators lies in using these tools strategically—leveraging their efficiency while ensuring your authentic voice shines through. By combining the capabilities of these tools with thoughtful customization, you’ll craft compelling cover letters that open doors to new opportunities without sacrificing the authenticity that makes hiring managers sit up and take notice.

 

Forbes.com | March 7, 2025 | Caroline Castrillon

#JobSearch : Get Ready, Springtime Is One Of The Best Times Of Year To Interview And Land A New Job. How to Prepare. GReat REad!

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In the northeast, we are still enduring cold weather. However, soon we will be entering Spring. Around April and May, the job market picks up steam. It has long been a prime season for job hunting and hiring. There is a window of time for recruiting, until the summer slowdown arrives.

Springtime often feels like a sweet spot for job hunting. There’s more to it than just the calendar flipping to April. The nicer weather, sunshine, blue skies, and blooming flowers tend to lift people’s moods. It’s a psychological boost that can make job seekers feel happier, more energized, and ready to chase new opportunities.

It’s not just about feelings and vibes. Spring aligns with a practical hiring surge. Companies often kick off new budgets in the quarter, greenlighting roles they’ve planned since January. Experienced hiring managers, recruiters, and human resource professionals know they need to quickly hustle to find the best candidates before their competitors get to them.

Spring’s a Goldilocks moment. Optimism meets opportunity. To navigate it smartly, strike early. Update your résumé and LinkedIn by mid-March, ping recruiters, and network. Research target firms you want to work for. Summer’s lull looms fast, so move before the window shuts.

They also want to fill seats before the summer slowdown hits. Come June, hiring slows a little as bosses, workers, and recruiters start planning their family vacation schedules. By August it’s practically a ghost town for job postings as nearly everyone is away.

The Cons Of Searching For Job In The Springtime

The spring job market will be competitive. Many job seekers enter the market simultaneously. This increased competition makes it harder for people to stand out among numerous applicants. Companies may have prolonged interview processes and hiring delays, which can lead to uncertainty and anxiety for job seekers. These extended timelines can stretch what should be a few weeks into months.
Some employers post job descriptions seeking “perfect” candidates with an impossible mix of skills and experiences, often referred to as searching for a “purple squirrel.” This can frustrate job seekers who feel they can’t meet these unrealistic standards.  Job seekers may encounter “ghost jobs” postings that companies keep live but have no intention of filling. This can lead to wasted time and false hope for applicants.

 

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We here at FSC want to thank each of our corporate partners for the opportunity to serve & moving each of their transitioning employee(s) rapidly toward employment!

Article continued …

The Psychological Impact

The psychological impact on hiring is a subtle but powerful force, especially when tied to seasonal shifts like springtime. As the weather turns brighter, sunshine replacing winter gloom, people’s moods lift, backed by studies like those from the Journal of Affective Disorders showing seasonal changes can cut stress and spark optimism.

For job seekers, this translates into a surge of motivation and confidence. It’s a positive feeling going after the roles you want. Employers feel the shift too. Hiring managers, buoyed by the same upbeat vibe, push to fill roles as budgets kick in.

Contrast this with summer, where vacation mode dulls urgency, or winter, where holiday fatigue and short days can sap enthusiasm, spring hits a psychological sweet spot. It’s less about the calendar and more about momentum. The spring optimism can tip the scales in a candidate’s favor.

What You Need To Do To Be Prepared

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile to reflect your most recent accomplishments and skills. Ensure that your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile are up-to-date and highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.

Tailor your applications to each company’s specific needs and culture. Take advantage of the increased networking opportunities that come with spring, such as career fairs, industry conferences, and professional meetups. These events can lead to valuable connections and potential job leads.

Define what you are looking for in a new job, including the type of role, industry, and company culture. This clarity will help guide your job search and ensure you’re applying for positions that align with your goals. Attend networking events, reach out to former colleagues and mentors, and join online professional communities to expand your network. This can lead to valuable connections and potential job leads.

Research companies you’re interested in working for and tailor your applications to each company’s values and culture. This demonstrates your interest and understanding of the company. Job hunting can be challenging, but maintaining a positive attitude and persisting in your efforts will help you stay motivated and focused on your goals.

 

Forbes.com | March 6, 2025 | Jack Kelly