Archive for category: First Sun Blog

You are here: / / First Sun Blog

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 26K Read- How Job Seekers Can Get Ahead Of The Summer Slowdown. Steps to Maximize your Chances of Finding a New Job. Great REad!

/in /by

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer in the United States, and while hiring may slow down a bit, it does not mean you have to put your job search on hold.

There are action steps you can take during the summer season to maximize your chances of finding a new job.

Job Search Basics

The shifting attitudes, schedules and seasons do not diminish the value or necessity of tried-and-true job-hunting methods. Proven strategies like networking, tailoring your résumé and cover letters, researching companies and practicing for interviews remain crucial regardless of the temperature outside.

Ensure that your résumé is up-to-date, highlights your most relevant skills and achievements and is tailored to specific job descriptions. Craft compelling cover letters that showcase your enthusiasm and qualifications for each position you apply for.

Polish your LinkedIn profile, ensuring it accurately reflects your skills and experience. Consider having an optimized website or online portfolio showcasing your work, especially if you are in a creative field.

Reconnect with old colleagues, friends or classmates in person or on LinkedIn for potential job leads. Attend industry events or online webinars to expand your network and make new connections. Reach out to people in your desired field for informational interviews to learn more about their roles and companies.

Anticipate frequently asked interview questions and practice your responses. Research the companies you’re interested in and prepare insightful questions to demonstrate your genuine interest.

Set up alerts on job boards for positions that match your criteria. Consider working with a recruiter specializing in your industry who can connect you with relevant opportunities.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

Job Hunting Strategies For The Summer Months

While maintaining your job search momentum, it’s okay to adjust your pace during the summer. Prioritize high-quality applications and focus on companies that resonate with you. Even if you don’t hear back immediately, do not ghost recruiters or hiring managers. Send a follow-up email after a week or two if you haven’t heard anything, as this demonstrates continued interest and professionalism. Summer can be a great time for informational interviews. People might be more relaxed and have more time to chat during the upcoming months.

Take advantage of the potentially slower pace to take online courses, attend workshops or gain new certifications relevant to your field. This can enhance your skill set, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

Additional Career Advice

Job hunting can be a marathon—not a sprint. Stay positive, focused and don’t get discouraged if you do not land your dream job right away. Hiring managers can pick up on a candidate’s level of enthusiasm and positivity during the interview process. Project confidence in your skills and your ability to contribute to the company. Be open to new opportunities or roles that might not have been your initial target. You might discover a great career path you hadn’t considered before.

Be Better Than You Were Yesterday

Dedicate time to improving yourself. Read books about your industry, watch or listen to relevant career related and motivational podcasts.

Plan out what you want to do to make an impact once the summer is over and it’s back to business as usual, and design a strategy to achieve these goals. Write them down and follow up on a daily basis.

Focus On Your Wellness

Take a break from the constant emails and work notifications and allow your mind and body to truly relax and recharge. Catch up on sleep or establish a regular sleep schedule. Feeling well-rested can significantly improve your mood and energy levels.

Engage in activities that promote relaxation, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, yoga or spending time in nature. Since the weather is nice, venture outdoors and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Go on a hike, jog, run or walk to maintain mental clarity, as well as your physical health.

Pursue activities you enjoy, whether it’s reading, writing, listening to music, playing games or creating art. Focusing on hobbies can be a great way to de-stress and express yourself creatively.

Spend quality time with friends and family. Engage in face-to-face conversations, share meals or participate in activities you all enjoy. Strong social connections are essential for emotional well-being.

Take time to reflect on things you’re grateful for in your life. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a helpful way to cultivate a positive mindset, which will be critical to your job search success.

 

Forbes.com | May 24, 2024 | Jack Kelly 

#YourCareer : How To Know It’s Time To Start Looking For A New Job. Question: Do You Know When? ….. Must REad for All!

/in /by

In the grand tapestry of your career, not every thread will be vibrant, and not every role will feel like it was tailor-made for you. Put another way: some jobs are bad. Sometimes, the signs it’s time to move on are as glaring as a neon “EXIT” sign; other times, they’re subtle nudges towards the door.

So, if you’re confused, here are some unmistakable signs that it’s time to embark on a job hunt.

You’re Learning Nothing

A role that doesn’t challenge you is a dead end. It’s time to find a path that leads upwards. While financial stability is crucial, a fulfilling career is about more than just a paycheck. If the only thing keeping you at your job is the salary—not what you’re learning—it’s a sign that you’re potentially sacrificing your happiness and satisfaction for monetary comfort. And listen, I understand a lot of people don’t have a choice about this. But if you’re in a position where you do, then I recommend tidying up your resume.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

You Hate Your Company

This is obvious, but also, people miss it all the time. If your core values clash with the company’s culture or direction, you might be in an uncomfortable and unsustainable position. Work should not require compromising your principles (but no judgement if it does…I know we all need jobs). Still, a job that aligns with your values will not only be more fulfilling but also enable you to contribute more authentically. When the mere mention of work triggers an involuntary eye roll, listen to your gut. These reactions are your body’s way of saying, “We can do better” or “I literally hate everything about this.”

All You Do Is Complain

Look, I love complaining, don’t get me wrong. And it’s normal to have occasional grievances about work—if people didn’t complain about work, I have whole friendships that would dissipate into silence. But if you find yourself constantly venting about your job to anyone who will listen, it’s a sign of deeper dissatisfaction. When the cons consistently outweigh the pros, it’s time to seek a role that brings more positive narratives to your life.

You Feel Invisible

Emo 90s music, but make it…your job. If your contributions are consistently overlooked or your ideas are met with silence, it’s not just frustrating—it’s demoralizing. Everyone deserves to be in an environment where their voice is heard and valued. If you’re not seen, you might want to reconsider.

No Promotion In Sight

Stagnation can be subtle. If you’ve been in the same position for years with no real change in responsibilities or title, despite your efforts to advance, it’s a red flag. If you can’t envision a future at your company or in your current role, it’s an indicator that it’s time to move on.

Forbes.com | May 16, 2024 | Virginia Hogan

#JobSearch : Answering ‘Tell Me About A Time You Failed’ In A Job Interview. Bottom Line: They Want to Know How you Reacted & Managed It.

/in /by

Interviewing for a new job can be draining and stressful, especially when the interviewer asks tricky questions. Among the hardest questions to answer can be “tell me about a time you failed.” Just when you’re trying to present yourself in your best light, the interviewer is seemingly undermining your efforts.

Figuring out how to answer this question effectively is especially important. The job market is super challenging right now—and it’s also super stressful. But when you know how to answer the toughest questions, you set yourself apart, reduce your anxiety and increase your chances of success.

Why Interviewers Ask About Failure

Perhaps the biggest mystery about this question is why interviews ask about failure at all. Why is this an important question that’s included in interviews? And what are organizations looking for when they asak you about failure?

Smart employers know there will always be times when performance isn’t perfect. And great cultures reward appropriate risk taking—because it drives innovation and growth. And these conditions mean that some failure will be part of the work experience.

They want to know how you’ll handle it, whether you can learn from it and if you can bounce back when you encounter friction, frustration or setbacks.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

How Interviewers Ask About Failure

So, what are the different potential versions of this question?

You should listen for a few different ways potential employers will ask the question—so you can reinforce the right themes no matter how it comes across. They may ask,

  • Tell me about a time you failed.
  • Share an example of a time when you weren’t hitting the mark.
  • Tell me when your work didn’t measure up.
  • What was a time when things didn’t go as you had planned?
  • How do you handle failure?
  • What do you do when you’re frustrated?
  • How do you work through failures?
  • Tell me about a time when you struggled, and how you handled it.
  • Describe a time when you had to pivot.
  • What was a time when you had to change course because things weren’t working out?

No matter how the interviewer asks, be ready with themes that you want to emphasize—so you can be clear about your answer while you also connect it with their specific question.

How to Answer an Interview Question About Failure

So how should someone answer ‘tell me about a time you failed’ in an interview? And what are key points, words or themes that should be included in the response?

Essentially, interviewers want to hear four things.

  • First, they want to know how you handle failure. You’ll want to be sure to communicate that you’re self-aware—and also willing to be honest and admit mistakes. You will also need to answer in a way that shows you’re not overly negative—and that you can keep your cool in tough situations.
  • Next, they want to know that you learn from failure and that you are able to not only reflect, but take action to continuously improve. Share how you consider your performance (but don’t obsess), and how you have adjusted your approach to do better next time.
  • Also, they want to know you have the capability to be resilient and persevere. You’ll want to communicate that you are able to realize you’ve missed the mark, take action and stay optimistic. They will want to know you can bounce back and stay focused on the future.
  • And finally, interviewers want to know you’re a team player. You’ll need to take responsibility for your failures and own your missteps—and avoid blaming others or throwing team members under the bus.

When you’re answering, be thorough, but also concise. Answer with four points: First share the situation and your role. Second, talk about what went wrong. Third, share what you learned. Fourth, talk about the adjustments you plan to make for next time. Put the emphasis on how your reflection helped you move forward and how you’re able to adjust, adapt and improve.

Use words like “reflection,” “taking responsibility,” “taking ownership,” “learning,” “improvement,” “teamwork,” “adapt,” “move forward” and “do better.”

Be clear and transparent about what didn’t work well, but also avoid going into unnecessary detail. Also avoid getting emotional. Instead, remain calm and professional.

Succeeding in Your Interview

Most people—71% according to survey by The Harris Poll conducted for Bloomberg—find the job search process to be complicated. In addition, 69% say they suffer mental and emotional effects of the job search including fatigue (84%), stress (77%), anxiety (75%) and frustration (46%), according to a survey by Monster,

If you’re finding it tough, you’re not alone. But also know that you can reduce the negative toll the process takes by being ready for the most likely questions and boosting your confidence to answer effectively.

You’ll feel the pressure to perform brilliantly in your interview—but ironically when you can articulate times when things didn’t go well, you can shine in comparison to other candidates and get the job.

 

Forbes.com | May 14, 2024 | Tracy Brower, PhD

#JobSearch : 5 Ways To Respond To Hiring Managers Who Ghost Job Candidates. Question: How Do you Handle Recruiters Who ‘Ghosts You’??

/in /by

Much has been written about the many points to keep in mind when applying for your dream job: Minimize the use of ChatGPT to craft a resume. Be honest on your resume. Curb your anxiety so you can put your best foot forward. And look the part because companies often judge applicants based on their appearance. These are a few tips to abide by, but what if you do everything perfectly and still don’t hear back from the company? You could be among the job applicants ghosted by hiring managers.

Eight in ten hiring managers confess to ghosting job candidates according to a new study. After polling 625 hiring managers, Resume Genius’s Ghosting Trends in Hiring Report asserts that it’s clear widespread ghosting is more prevalent than most people realize, leaving candidates in limbo and unsure of their application status. Of the 80% of ghosting managers, 11% admit they always ghost job applicants, 22% say they ghost frequently, 47% occasionally and 20% say they never ghost candidates. Resume Genius sought to understand why candidates may be purposely misled or ghosted during the hiring process and offer strategies for candidates to minimize their risk of being ghosted.

“2024 has been a tough year so far, with more layoffs making the job market even trickier,” acknowledges Ed Huang, co-founder and executive director of Resume Genius. “As companies trim their budgets and reduce staff, a lot of people find themselves looking for work again and are facing more competition than ever.”

When you add to the mix a surge in AI-generated resumes leading to a flood of applications, hiring managers are increasingly overwhelmed, that makes it tough for them to respond to everyone personally, he continues. “As a result, ghosting has become more common, often leaving job seekers stuck in an unfortunate waiting period that leads nowhere.”

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

Five Reasons Hiring Managers Ghost Job Applicants

“Understanding why ghosting occurs is necessary for both hiring managers and job seekers to improve communication and transparency in the hiring process,” Huang points out. “Our findings aim to shed light on what job ghosting means for candidates and help them get a better handle on their job search.” Here are the primary reasons hiring managers gave Resume Genius for not responding to candidates:

  1. 34% cite ongoing decision-making about the right candidate.
  2. 33% mention the high volume of applications.
  3. 32% say the candidate doesn’t fit the role or company culture.
  4. 31% indicate that the candidate’s salary expectations exceed the budget.
  5. 31% say the company has already filled the position.

The report revealed that smaller companies with less than 100 employees and medium-sized companies with between 101 to 1,000 employees most often ghost due to still deciding on the right candidate. Larger companies with over 1,000 employees typically ghost candidates who don’t fit the role or company culture.

“From my experience, employees at small companies need to wear many hats, and it’s a struggle to find someone who can wear them all,” observes Geoffrey Scott, senior hiring manager at Resume Genius. “Larger companies tend to have more specific needs, so they can quickly determine whether someone is a good fit or not based on their strict criteria.”

If you’re applying to a smaller organization, mention your flexibility and willingness to face challenges in your resume, cover letter and during the interview,” Scott adds, explaining, “At a larger company, you should tailor your resume to precisely match the skills and experience requirements in the job description. These strategies can greatly enhance your visibility in the current competitive job market.”

Five Ways to Respond to Potential Ghosters

Nothing is more agonizing than putting your time and energy into the process of applying for a job. Your resume is in tip-top shape. You spent hours preparing for the interview to present yourself in the best possible way. Then you wait and wait, and all you hear are crickets. But all is not lost. Take the towel you want to throw in, wipe the sweat off your brow and do these five things.

1- Politely follow up on your application. In the event that job seekers experience ghosting during their job search, Resume Genius recommends that they respectfully follow up if they haven’t heard back within one to two weeks. “A concise, polite email to the hiring manager expressing continued interest in the position can help keep their application active.”

Aaron Case, career expert at CV Genius suggests, reaching out via LinkedIn or email if you’re unsure about your application’s status. He says this is a positive step toward clarifying where you stand as an applicant, while also demonstrating your interest and proactive attitude. “If the job is real, they’ll appreciate the contact. If it’s not, you save time to focus on real opportunities,” he explains.

2- Keep the connection alive (on your end). Maintaining a professional connection with a company—even if you don’t initially secure a position—is beneficial, according to the report. “Polite follow-ups and staying in touch can demonstrate your serious interest and might prompt a response or leave a favorable impression,” the report emphasizes. “By keeping contact, you enhance your visibility for future openings, as companies often prefer to hire familiar, previously considered candidates. Simple actions like sending a thank-you note or asking to connect on LinkedIn can keep potential opportunities open without dwelling on any past ghosting incidents.”

3- Maintain your online professionalism. The report cautions that even when you’re tempted to vent about job-search frustrations (like being ghosted), staying professional online is essential. The report cites a 2023 survey by the Harris Poll in which 75% of U.S. companies review applicants’ social media profiles, and negative posts have led nearly half of hiring managers to reject candidates. “To protect your professional image and future opportunities, avoid naming specific companies in complaints,” the report cautions. “You can consider using platforms like Reddit if you’re looking to get advice while maintaining anonymity.”

4- Evaluate and adjust your job-search strategy. If you find yourself frequently ghosted during your job search or applying for ghost jobs where you don’t hear back, the experts at Resume Genius suggest that you consider revising your approach. “Assess whether the roles and companies you’re targeting truly align with your skills and experience. Consulting with a trusted family member or mentor can provide valuable insights and help you refine your job search strategy.

5- Resume Genius concludes by reminding job seekers to have someone review their resumes and cover letters to ensure they’re effectively tailored and polished. Then take into account how stable your target industry is, as sectors like tech have experienced fluctuations that could influence your job search outcomes.

Forbes.com | May 17, 2024 | Bryan Robinson, Ph.D.

#JobSearch : How To Spot Ghost Jobs And Make Your Job Search More Efficient. Question: Do You Know IF a Job is REal or Not??

/in /by

You apply for an open position and anxiously await a reply. Yet, weeks go by, and you hear nothing. As it turns out, you may have encountered a widespread phenomenon—the ghost job. Ghost jobs, also known as fake jobs, permeate the job market. While these positions appear online, they are either already filled or non-existent. In some cases, employers keep a job posting up even though they don’t intend to fill the position anytime soon.

A recent study confirms this growing trend. In a survey of over 1,000 hiring managers, 68% admitted keeping job postings active for more than 30 days. In addition, one in 10 respondents has had a job opening for more than six months. When asked why they aren’t actively trying to fill these roles, the top three reasons included:

  • Wanting to be open to new talent
  • Keeping current employees motivated
  • Giving the impression that the company is growing

Other motivations for posting ghost jobs were to keep an active pool of job applicants or to placate overworked employees.

So, as a job seeker, how do you know which job openings are legitimate? These suggestions will help you differentiate between a ghost job and the real thing.

Check the timing

According to research, it takes approximately 44 days for companies to fill an open position. When applying for jobs, first check the date it was posted. If it has been open for two months or more, there’s a good chance you’ve found a ghost job. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider applying—especially if the role is an ideal fit. First, check the company website to confirm that the job posting is found there. If not, you can assume that the role has been filled.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

Look for detailed job descriptions

Authentic job postings usually include details about the qualifications and responsibilities of the role. If a job description is vague, it’s usually a red flag. Many ghost jobs don’t even include a position description. Instead, they highlight a long list of perks to encourage candidates to apply. Ultimately, if the listing reads like a generic template, you can count on it being a fake job posting.

Do your due diligence

Another tactic is to research the company in the press. If the organization just announced a hiring freeze, they will unlikely fill new positions immediately. Checking the company’s social media channels is also an excellent way to confirm whether a job posting is authentic. If they are actively hiring, employers often post about their open positions. You’ll also be able to see if you have any connections that work at the company. At that point, you can network with someone you know to inquire whether they are still hiring.

Ask the company directly

If you’re interested in a role posted a while ago, contact the company directly. Conduct a LinkedIn search and reach out to the hiring manager. If the position is already filled, it’s a win because you saved yourself some time. Another bonus is that the hiring manager may offer to consider you for future opportunities. On the other hand, if the role is open, you can discuss your skills and qualifications with someone directly involved in the hiring process.

As a job seeker, it can be frustrating to waste time applying for jobs that don’t exist. While ghost jobs are a reality in the current environment, there are ways to identify them. In the end, don’t rely on simply applying to online job ads. Instead, build personal relationships and leverage your network. By creating a solid personal brand, employers will seek you out instead of the other way around.

 

Forbes.com | May 14. 2024 | Caroline Castrillon

#YourCareer : What To Do When You’re Unhappy At Work. Question: How about You?….. Great Read.

/in /by

I think it’s fair to say that most people would prefer to do a myriad of other things rather than go to work everyday. Unfortunately, you need to earn a living to provide for food, shelter, clothing and other basic necessities required for you to survive.

There, however, are some fortunate people who love what they do for a living. Billionaire Warren Buffett continues to work into his 90s, while other notable politicians, celebrities and businesspeople remain active in the latter half of their lives. These people thrive on the action, intellectual challenges and seem to generally enjoy their jobs.

However, if you’re unhappy at work, it can be detrimental to your mental health and emotional well-being. Reporting to a dictatorial boss, remaining stuck without a promotion for years or not being paid what you’re worth will wear you down over time. If you find yourself in this position, you must figure out why and what to do about it, or risk being chronically dissatisfied and miserable.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

What To Do Next

If you are unhappy in your work life, the first step you must take is to speak with your direct manager. It may be awkward and uncomfortable, but request a one-on-one meeting with your boss. To avoid a potential blow-up, talk in terms of possible solutions instead of offering a litany of complaints. Focus on the reasons why you deserve the additional compensation, promotion and bonus.

During this conversation, ensure that you are not in attack mode or pointing fingers for blame, or else it will not go well. Even if you are understandably upset, you must play the game and not add more flames to the fire.

To ensure a more meaningful interaction, take time to think deeply about the triggers that are making you unhappy. Could it be your micromanaging and toxic boss, an unpleasant corporate culture, being passed over for raises and promotions or your rude co-workers?

Once you’ve isolated the things that you dislike, try to figure out how to make changes to improve the situation.

If you harbor ideas of fixing the situation, now is the time to share what will make your work life better. For example, ask why you didn’t get a promotion. Inquire about what you need to do to get your career to the next level. If you feel underutilized, let your boss know. It will be helpful to bring to the table documents, data and information that reflects you’re doing a great job, but are being overlooked.

If you desire an internal lateral transfer to another division or feel the necessity of gaining additional knowledge, upskilling and training, ask your manager to help achieve these goals.

Don’t Be Afraid To Move Internally Or Leave

Be prepared, as you might not get the answers you had hoped for. If that’s the case, in the short term, try to make your daily experience at least tolerable. Focus on the aspects you can control. This includes setting boundaries with your boss and colleagues.

If nothing changes, after a while, look into opportunities to transfer to a different department or team. The switch could provide a fresh, new perspective and a better fit for your skills and interests.

If you’ve exhausted all options and your work situation is still causing unhappiness or is negatively impacting your mental health, you may need to start looking for opportunities elsewhere. Update your résumé and LinkedIn profile, seek out recruiters that specialize in your space and start looking for a new job.

Work-Life Balance And A Healthy Mindset

It’s important to cultivate a healthy work-life balance, especially when you’re unhappy at work. Prioritize activities and hobbies you enjoy outside of work to reduce burnout. Speak with friends, family or meet with a therapist to help you through this situation.

Look at the abundant lifeyou have outside of the office, and express gratitude for all the great things you have going for yourself. Try not to dwell on the negativity. Focus on your successes, no matter how small, so you can find a measure of happiness.

You will need some time away to disconnect. Change up your routine by utilizing your paid time off to relax and reenergize. A change of scenery will do you well and help give you mental clarity to decide your next steps.

Find sports, clubs and hobbies that you can succeed in. This will help gain your confidence back. Slowly building up small, incremental successes will provide you with positive reinforcement and move you forward.

Prepare a game plan to figure out the next step in your career journey. Write an action plan on how you will achieve those goals, and then actually do it. The process of writing it down makes it real and will help hold you accountable by physically seeing it.

Do What Makes You Feel Better

By helping others in need, you can feel better about yourself and it will also put your own problems into perspective. Volunteer your time at a food kitchen for the homeless or a children’s hospital.

When you get despondent, you may resort to excessive drinking, eating, risk-taking and drugs to numb the pain. These things will only worsen your situation. Do the opposite by focusing on your physical, mental and emotional health. Engage in activities such as reading, watching intelligent and uplifting videos, listening to inspiring podcasts, going to the gym, doing yoga or just taking long walks in nature.

Think of the people that make you miserable and extricate yourself from those social settings. Stop watching vacuous shows on television or doom-scrolling and substitute those activities with a productive, new hobby.

Live in the moment, by stopping your critical monkey brain from telling you how bad you are, and appreciate the beauty that life has to offer.

 

Forbes.com Author: Jack Kelly – Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.

 Forbes.com | May 10, 2024

#JobInterview : Smart Ways To Avoid Tense Conflicts In The Job Interview Process. How Job Seekers Can Avoid Conflict. A MUst REad!

/in /by

Going to a job interview is a stressful event. It’s even tougher when the job market is tight and you’re in between roles. You’re entering the hiring process at a disadvantage. The hiring manager will still have a job after the meeting, but you might be passed over and must continue interviewing with numerous other companies in pursuit of a new opportunity.

Entering an interview scenario is nerve-racking. Your adrenaline is racing. Your mouth becomes dry, your heart is beating faster and there’s a feeling of panic. In the back of your mind, it’s hard to concentrate on the interview when you’re afraid that your emergency funds are dwindling because you have been out of work for a while. The stress and anxiety could potentially turn into a dilemma, ruining your chances of receiving a job offer.

The key to succeeding in the interview for job seekers is to deftly avoid potential conflicts. You can do this by having the right attitude, coming across as motivated, enthusiastic and highly interested in the role. Put aside any preconceived notions about the interview and be polite no matter how things play out.

The expression “first, do no harm” is part of the Hippocratic Oath that medical students pledge when becoming doctors. It also holds true in the interview process. For both the hiring manager and job applicant, it’s imperative to avoid any self-inflicted injuries. This means that you want to bring your best self to the meeting and treat everyone involved in the process with respect and dignity.

How Job Seekers Can Avoid Conflict

The first thing to do, which is admittedly hard, is to stay calm and composed throughout the interview process—no matter what they say or do.

To deflect a potential conflict, actively listen to the person and avoid interrupting them in the middle of the conversation. You have to show them that you are a true professional. Avoid getting defensive or going on the attack over something innocuous that the hiring manager said. If things get heated, acknowledge that you had a part in the disagreement to de-escalate the tension and continue on with the interview. Stay away from using deprecating, negative language or start blaming the interviewer for something they said.

A good hack to win people over is to show that you are locked into the conversation by actively listening to the interviewer and reframing what the interviewer asked you. Make eye contact, use their name in conversation and nod your head as the hiring manager makes salient points. If you need clarification, ask follow-up questions.

Hiring managers look for assurance that you really want the job and like the company. Therefore, it’s expected that the job candidate will enter the interview armed with all the information about the organization, including knowledge about its products and services, where the company stands relative to its competitors and its mission statement. You want to be able to clearly articulate why you want this job or else the hiring manager will be annoyed that you came in unprepared, and the interview will go downhill from there.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

You Never Know If Someone Is Just Having A Bad Day

Interviewers are only human and are impacted by life events that spill into the hiring process. What I’ve seen firsthand over the last 20-plus years in recruiting is that both job applicants and managers can enter the meeting with a chip on their shoulder. It could be that the hiring manager had a spat with their spouse, their child is sick and they couldn’t find child care or they are just in a sour mood that day.

Waking up on the wrong side of the bed, the interviewer neglects to read the résumé, which irritates the job applicant. The candidate can treat this as an irrevocable egregious faux pas or let it pass. If the manager is curt, stares blankly at you and is devoid of any emotion or energy, it may be appropriate to cut your losses, politely excuse yourself and leave before the situation escalates into a full-blown conflict.

In today’s toxic environment, people are on edge. They harbor conscious and unconscious biases and sometimes it comes out during an interview. With this backdrop, you can imagine that the stressed out interviewer may make a sarcastic comment, say something mean or inappropriate and a conflict ensues.

How Hiring Managers Can Avoid Conflict

As a representative of the organization, hiring managers should treat all job seekers with respect, putting aside all personal opinions about them. Avoid asking inappropriate or discriminatory questions pertaining to an interviewee’s race, religion or gender. Steer clear of making off-color jokes that could be misconstrued or embarrass the candidate.

To avoid any potential conflicts—both during the interview and when or if the person joins the company—look for signs of emotional intelligence by paying attention to how candidates communicate, observe their level of empathy and their ability to compromise.

The hiring professional can test candidates’ conflict resolution skills with scenario-based exercises and evaluate how they respond. Stay away from candidates who come across as angry, argumentative and seem incapable of navigating opposing viewpoints.

Demonstrate your ability to remain professional and not get defensive, even when facing accusations or disagreements. Avoid emotional or negative language that could make you seem irrational. Emphasize your willingness to work together toward a mutually agreeable outcome, and acknowledge any mistakes you made by taking accountability.

Forbes.com Author:  Jack Kelly,  Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | May 8, 2024

#JobSearch : If You’re Having A Hard Time Finding A White-Collar Job, Here’s Why. Cautious: Once Memorial Day Comes, You Can Anticipate a Summer Slowdown.

/in /by

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits has surged to the highest level in more than eight months. Initial claims for unemployment benefits increased by 22,000 to 231,000 the week ending May 4, up from 209,000, the United States Department of Labor reported Thursday.

The data indicated a higher rate of unemployment for professional and business services workers, while claims for Americans working in manufacturing were down.

The U.S. white-collar job market is currently experiencing a slowdown. Compared to the overall labor market, white-collar workers are seeing a significantly slower growth rate. The U.S. economy added a dismal 175,000 jobs last month, the lowest rate in six months, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Well-paying industries, such as finance, technology and professional services, are being adversely affected, while blue-collar, skilled labor jobs are relatively secure. Notably, not all white-collar jobs are hurting, as there are pockets of needs in various sectors. There is still a high demand for healthcare, government and certain skilled tech professionals, such as AI-related software engineers.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

Healthcare And Government Dominate Overall U.S. Job Gains

U.S. job growth is being driven largely by the healthcare and government sectors. Healthcare added 56,000 positions in April, which is in line with its average monthly gain of 63,000 over the past 12 months. Employment surged in ambulatory healthcare services (+33,000), hospitals (+14,000) and nursing and residential care facilities (+9,000).

Government jobs increased by 8,0000 last month. In April, local government employment was unchanged, following a boost of 51,000 in March. Within the past year, the government had added an average of 55,000 jobs per month.

Professional And Technical Services

Nearly 300 tech companies have terminated over 81,000 workers in 2024 so far, after the sector hemorrhaged more than 263,000 positions last year, according to data from Layoffs.fyi.

February of this year recorded the highest rate of job cuts for any February since the financial crisis, research from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas revealed.

A CompTIA analysis of the BLS data found that tech occupations across various industries fell by 20,000 in April.

Despite major job cuts, the tech sector continues to selectively hire for certain niche white-collar roles that require highly specialized skills that match exact job requirements.

Last month, 179,000 new tech-related job listings were posted. Openings for AI positions or “occupations that require AI skills accounted for 11% of all tech job postings in April,” according to CompTIA, an association that provides information technology certification.

The Concerns Of U.S. Workers

Amid economic uncertainty and the potential for automation and AI taking away jobs, white-collar workers are concerned about holding onto their jobs or trying to find a new opportunity. In a 2023 job market survey by Professional Résumé Writers, nearly half of workers self-reported that they were concerned about losing their employment, with executives exhibiting the most worry (66%).

The power dynamics have shifted in the job market, and now employers have the upper hand. For job switchers, this translates to less bargaining power, meaning companies may lowball you in salary, benefits and perk negotiations.

Upon recent layoff announcements, organizations have seen their share prices appreciate, as investors take it as a sign of the company being fiscally responsible. As a result, employers are kowtowing to shareholders by remaining lean.

Once Memorial Day comes, job seekers can anticipate a summer slowdown, as U.S. hiring historically comes to a screeching halt with human resources, hiring managers and candidates on vacation.

Forbes.com Author: Jack Kelly – Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | May 9, 2024

#JobSearch : Why It’s Hard to Get Hired Despite Glowing Jobs Reports. Recruiters Acknowledge, “Some Jobs Advertised are Fake”. What Say You??

/in /by

The monthly jobs report out Friday will probably look great, if recent months are any indication. Yet plenty of workers have rarely, if ever, felt more stuck.

I hear from a lot of white-collar workers on the job hunt who say it’s much harder to get hired than the unemployment numbers make it sound. They complain about hiring managers who ghost them and draw out the interview process. They say job listings linger on companies’ career pages and never get filled. Or get reposted repeatedly.

It’s enough to make people who are between jobs question whether businesses are serious about hiring. After all, leading voices like JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon continue to warn that the U.S. hasn’t escaped the threat of recession.

Recruiters acknowledge the uncertain outlook is a factor and even say some jobs advertised are fake, designed to give the impression of company growth or build a reservoir of résumés to tap at a later date. It is one thing not to get a job—it’s another to feel like you’re being gamed. And it’s wreaking havoc on people’s self-worth and belief in their career paths.

I was mid-conversation with Katherine Braun, a clinical-trial manager in the medical-device industry, when she received a text from a recruiter. The message said a company she planned to interview with had decided to pause hiring for the open role—for six months.

“Same old, same old,” Braun told me. “I’m jaded at this point.”

She’s been looking for work since a one-year contract ended in November. Because of the finite nature of clinical trials, she changes jobs frequently and says she’s never had such a hard time landing one in her 15-year career.

What bothers her most is the way some employers seem to relish being able to string candidates along. One flew her in for several hours of face-to-face interviews then never followed up.

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

Numbers don’t lie, except when they do

After vying for talent with generous pay and work-from-home flexibility, companies have reasserted control over the employer-employee relationship. Bosses who preached self-care now squeeze maximum efficiency out of their teams and hold out for “perfect” hires when they reluctantly agree reinforcements are needed.

One in 50 American workers jumped from one company to another in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, among the lowest rates in three decades.

Some workers harbor serious doubts about the government’s statistics, backed by the fact that initial monthly payroll tallies have been way off at times. The number of jobs added in December was ultimately revised up by 34%, while an eye-popping January total turned out to be 27% smaller on review.

Other workers who trust that Uncle Sam’s economists are acting in good faith still say you have to look under the top-line data to understand the dour mood in offices and the pervasive feeling that online job portals amount to nothing more than your résumé versus oblivion.

Meikeisha Scott-Parker, out of work as a project manager since January, recently cleared a second-round interview and believed an offer was imminent. But she didn’t get the job because she was overqualified and too expensive, a recruiter told her.

A few days later, she saw the same position reposted with an advertised wage that was $10 an hour less than originally listed. She figures the company either trimmed its budget or concluded that it could find adequate help at a bargain price.

“The truth is, had they asked me, I might have taken $10 less because of the situation that I’m in,” Scott-Parker says. “The market is so slow right now.”

More than three-quarters of the reported job gains in the latest month were concentrated in four sectors: government, healthcare, construction, and leisure and hospitality. Jobs in tech, finance, law and accounting were essentially flat or slightly down.

Picky companies and perfect candidates

Inflation and high interest rates contribute to many people’s sense that they can’t get ahead even if they’re good earners, says Mark Hamrick, a senior economic analyst at Bankrate.

“Housing affordability is miserable right now, and borrowing costs are at the highest levels in a generation,” he adds.

Even homeowners who bought at the right time lament that their investments can’t shield them from the fallout of a job loss. Cara Crabb-Burnham is sitting on a valuable asset in the Massachusetts home she purchased in 2020 but says she’s unable to borrow against the equity because she is unemployed.

“I have all this money tied up in the house, which could sustain me for several more months, but I can’t get to it because I don’t have enough income to show I could pay it back,” she says. “It’s this twisted cycle.”

Crabb-Burnham, a regulatory-compliance manager, has resorted to credit-card debt instead. She estimates she has applied to 500 jobs since September and landed five interviews.

Recruiters confirm the theory that companies are now pickier than they’ve been in a long time.

Joseph Jewell, a tech recruiter, thought he’d found someone great for a recent job opening, and was stunned when his client rejected the person. The reason? The candidate was a big-picture thinker, and bosses feared he wouldn’t be satisfied in a role that simply requires strong software-writing skills.

The position remains unfilled after several months.

“I just want to take my head and hit it against the wall,” Jewell says. “I meet so many candidates and think, ‘You should have a job already.’ ”

WSJ Author:  Write to Callum Borchers at callum.borchers@wsj.com

WSJ.com | May 2, 2024

#JobSearch : 5 LinkedIn Profile Hacks That Help Recruiters Find You. In an Over-Saturated Market Like This One.

/in /by

In an over-saturated market like this one, by far the easiest way to find a job is for a recruiter to see you. Now that LinkedIn membership has grown to more than 1 billion people globally, your discoverability on the platform is more crucial than ever before.

Regular users of the platform can see first, second- and third-degree connections. Recruiters using the LinkedIn Recruiter tool are able to surface every user worldwide, which is obviously an overwhelmingly large talent pool. LinkedIn in has a series of powerful algorithms that help recruiters surgically refine their outreach: understanding how these work enables you to optimize your profile for maximum discoverability:

1. Utilize The Skills Functionality

LinkedIn recently increased the number of skills you can include on your profile from 50 to 100. You can append skills to three areas on your profile: against each role you’ve held, against any volunteer positions and against your education. Utilizing the skills functionality is increasingly critical, as platform-wide 40% of recruiter searches now begin with skills (as opposed to beginning with job title and company). Wherever possible avoid generic skills like “project management” and opt for greater specificity such as “agile,” “waterfall” or “scrum.”

2. Interact With Places Where You Want To Work

Whether a recruiter search begins with job title or with skills, the first returned universe of candidates tends to be fairly broad. One of the ways LinkedIn Recruiter offers to slice the data is offering up a subset of candidates that are “engaged with your talent brand.” Users that have applied for jobs, followed the company page on LinkedIn or engaged with posts made from the company page show up in this pool. You’re more likely to hear from a recruiter at AppleApple 0.0% if you’re engaged with Apple’s talent brand, so be sure to follow all the pages of the companies you’d like to work at.

 

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 – Aug23 we hit Two Milestones: #1– Hit over 1.2 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 …

3. Utilize The Open To Work Feature

Recognizing that not everyone wants to advertise that they’re ready for their next role, LinkedIn offers up two related pieces of functionality. The green, visible to all users, “Open To Work” banner stirred up outsized controversy, even though LinkedIn’s own data shows it’s delivering exactly the outcomes it was designed for. Whatever you decide about the public banner, you should absolutely use the private notification that lets recruiters know that you’re interested in new opportunities: users that do so receive 40% more outreach from recruiters than those that don’t.

4. Upload Your Resume To LinkedIn

Uploading your resume serves two important functions: it enables you to apply for roles directly from the app, and as long as you’ve selected the toggle to “share resume data with recruiters” it significantly enhances your discoverability. You can rest assured that your resume is only visible to recruiters using the LinkedIn Recruiter product and is not visible to ordinary users.

5. Regularly Check All Your Message Inboxes

In both the app and desktop versions of LinkedIn, messages are now sorted in to “focused” and “other” subfolders, and you should get into the habit of regularly checking both. Across the whole of LinkedIn, the average response rate for recruiter outreach is just 30%. For every ten candidates recruiters send messages to, only three respond, and that includes folks responding to say they’re not interested.

Whether or not you’re in the market for a job right now, you almost certainly know someone who is. Get into the habit of responding to recruiters that reach out to you so that you can both connect folks in your network with opportunity, and crucially establish relationships with recruiters that may well serve you in the future.

The post-pandemic talent market is incredibly difficult to navigate, allowing your LinkedIn profile to do some heavy lifting for you helps to differentiate you from the competition.

 

Forbes.com Author: James Hudson
Forbes.com | May 1, 2024