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#YourCareer : Follow These 5 Steps to Make Your Next Difficult Conversation Easier. Great to Read & Share!

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As a police sergeant, defensive tactics instructor, and member of the regional crisis negotiation team (outside of Boston, Massachusetts), Din Jenkins in no stranger to difficult conversations and high-stakes scenarios. Jenkins is also the CEO of his own company, Supply the Why, which focuses on conflict resolution and DEI training.

In recent years, Jenkins has found himself facilitating a number of difficult conversations between police and civilians regarding the appropriate use of force and other tactics. He joined Negotiate Anything to share his simple, five-step framework for successfully navigating conversations where the subject matter may be especially sensitive or difficult.

Start Small

According to Jenkins, some of our most difficult conversations are those that are emotionally charged and/or involve a highly polarizing topic. Because these conversations can’t be avoided, especially in today’s society, it’s important to approach them in a manner that will be safe for all involved.

Start with a small group; a one-on-one conversation is ideal. The goal is to avoid large groups where multiple people’s ideas align and one or two people feel outnumbered or ganged up on.

“We tend to gravitate towards people who share our ideologies and values,” Jenkins shared.

In emotionally-charged conversations, this can lead to a pack mentality and ultimately, an unproductive (and potentially highly confrontational) conversation.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

 

Be Realistic

It’s important to remember that complex situations cannot and will not be solved in one conversation. From reproductive rights to foreign affairs, there is no shortage of complex issues to discuss in today’s world.

To solve some of these problems and the associated tensions, difficult conversations are necessary. That said, realistic goals should be set from the start. One of the best ways to do this is to acknowledge that a follow-up conversation (or multiple) will likely need to be had. Then, allow the first conversation to be all about exchanging ideas and building trust.

“Once you have that foundation of trust, people feel safe to have more of these conversations,” Jenkins explained.

 

Stay Focused on One Topic

When we’re involved in highly emotional discussions, it can be hard to stay focused on one topic. Once our emotions become triggered, logic and rational thought sometimes go out the window.

“This is the one that really requires the greatest amount of internal discipline,” Jenkins said.

To keep the conversation on track, and avoid any potential attacks, slow down and try to stay on one topic at a time. Then, take the opportunity to let your conversation partner ask their questions and seek clarification.

Do Your Homework

In emotionally-charged conversations, especially where issues related to identity are being discussed, participants will often want to validate their argument with data.

With a long career in law enforcement, Din is familiar with this tactic but advises against it. Not only can statistics be manipulated to support varying sides of the same argument, but should those stats be incorrect or misrepresented, trust will likely be compromised.

Not only do you lose credibility but this can also cause the opposite side to retreat back into defensiveness.

While Jenkins generally advises against the use of data, he has advice on how to safely incorporate facts into the conversation.

 

“The best way: let everybody get their turn talking,” He explained. “You have to be patient and there has to be that trust that both people will get the opportunity to present.

 

Don’t Try to Win the Conversation

Finally, though it seems counterintuitive, Jenkins encourages people to enter the conversation with a collaborative mindset (where possible).

Because so many of these conversations involve highly-sensitive topics and passionate people, oftentimes the focus of the conversation becomes “winning” or proving that one perspective is best.

When dealing with complicated matters like politics and race, it’s unrealistic to expect to change somebody’s opinion in one conversation. Rather than viewing the discussion as an argument or debate, seek to exchange ideas and thought processes. Then plan to follow up at a later time.

Equally important is identifying your personal goal in the conversation. Oftentimes these discussions take place because two or more people will be interacting on a regular basis (at work or in social environments) or because one or more parties are seeking mutual understanding in a close, personal relationship.

If this is the case, mutual understanding and respect should certainly be one goal. That said, take time to discuss your hopes for the conversation and future relationship.

 

Forbes.com | August 23, 2022 |  Kwame Christian

 

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 8K Reads! 5 Ways To Manage Your Career Ahead Of A Recession. Chances are You’re feeling some Concern about the Economy and the Job Market.

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If you’re an employee, chances are you’re feeling some concern about the economy and the job market. And your concerns are reasonable, given the number of companies taking action to lay off workers or freeze hiring.

But while it’s easy to let your anxiety take center stage, you can respond proactively and also protect your current position with some pragmatic choices.

Concerns Are Justified

As you consider how to react to the current context, it’s helpful to be clear about what’s going on and focus on the facts. According to a study by the Conference Board, 41% of respondents believe we’re already in a recession, and 33% believe we will be in a recession in the next six months.

Much of this belief is based on organizations which are tightening their belts. For example, 36% of people say their companies are restricting hiring to critical roles, and 22% say hiring has been frozen entirely. Another 19% report their company has taken steps to restructure, and 13% say their organization is laying people off.

A study of 4,500 people by FlexJobs reinforces concerns with 25% of people saying they’ve been laid off or know someone who has. And 18% of people have had an offer rescinded or know someone who has. According to the Conference Board research, concerns about job loss are concentrated among Millennials with 64% expressing worry compared with 46% of Gen X and 26% of Baby Boomers.

 

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

Taking Action

While it’s best to stay calm, it’s also smart to know what’s happening around you so you can respond constructively.

Focus on Your Finances

Choices about your career are closely tied to your finances and the degree to which you feel financially secure and financially flexible. Whether you’re facing a potential layoff or a job change, these experiences are woven closely with your financial position. Many people are fearful. The Conference Board found 60% are worried about a decline in the stock market. This was especially true for Baby Boomers, 71% of whom are concerned compared with 59% of Gen X and 43% of Millennials. In addition, people are also anxious about losing their jobs (42%) and the loss of health benefits (14%).

By making some changes in your investments, spending and budgeting, you can shore up your position for a shifting job market. In the Conference Board research, 66% of respondents plan to respond to economic slowdown by curtailing their spending or delaying bigger purchases (54%) like cars or houses. Many (32%) are planning to increase savings or shift their investment portfolios (19%) to reduce risk. All of these are strategies you could consider.

The bottom line: More financial freedom also gives you greater career confidence—knowing you can survive if your job is eliminated or if you want to jump to another opportunity.

Focus on Your Choices

Another key step you can take is to evaluate where you are in your career—and whether you want to dig into your current role or make a change.

In the FlexJobs study, inflation was a factor for 80% of people who reported it’s impacting their career decisions. And 73% of people said the biggest concern affecting career choices was a recession. According to the Conference Board study, 40% of Baby Boomers say they’ll delay retirement if there is a recession.

Given these factors, there are three ways you can think of your choices:

  • Consider how much you’d like to make a change, knowing the job market is tightening. Focus on two questions: What’s satisfying or dissatisfying in your current role? How important or impactful are those elements for you? For example, if you lack a sense of meaning in your work, and if this is having a significant effect on your motivation and happiness, it may be wise to make plans for a job search. On the other hand, if the organizational communication is sub-par, but it doesn’t have a huge effect on your day-to-day experience, your best bet may be to stay where you are.

 

  • Consider whether something better is available. In a tighter job market, you may also have less power than you had in the past—in terms of demanding pay, benefits or even remote work. In the FlexJobs survey, 44% of people thought it would be harder to find a remote job in the coming year. They’re probably right. Greater numbers of employers are seeking to bring people back to the office at the same time more people are looking for jobs—and people are increasingly willing to take jobs that require time in the office.

 

  • Also, consider how much effort you’d like to put into a job search. In the FlexJobs survey, 62% of people didn’t feel very confident about their ability to find another job, given the market. In addition, 43% said it took them more time to find a new job than in their previous searches. Know that if you choose to make a change, there will be a fair amount of effort you’ll need to spend on searching for a new role. Factor this into your decision making.

 

Focus on Performance

Another way to respond to potential headwinds in your job security or career options is to perform brilliantly and bring your best. When times are tough, it’s easy to become anxious or distracted. Don’t lose your attention, and avoid getting pulled into the rumor mill. Employers value those who keep a cool head and maintain engagement, even when things are challenging.

Focus on doing great work. Focus on your customers (internal or external). Focus on your team and your colleagues, and delivering great outcomes to them. When you can maintain your motivation, it will enhance your value and your job security.

Focus on Your Network

Another smart investment of your time and energy through tough times is in your network. You may be facing concerns, but so are your friends and co-workers. Tune in, ask questions, listen and demonstrate empathy. When you focus on the community and how you can support others, it will add to your own happiness and fulfillment, and will be a benefit to the team.

In addition, renew connections in your network. When you invest in your relationships on an ongoing basis, people are more likely to be present if you need their help in testing the waters for a new opportunity or seeking a new role.

Focus on the Future

You can also manage your concerns and reduce your worry by focusing on the long view. Remind yourself there are always ebbs and flows in the economy and in any role—and you have the skills and talents to get through successfully. Focus on what you can learn as you face challenges and overcome them.

Ironically, when things are significantly disrupted, the situation can be especially rich for new possibilities. You may find yourself with severance or outplacement support to find the new job you’ve been wanting anyway. Or the company restructure may position you perfectly to take on a new role which is the perfect next step.

Resilience is about three things: knowing what’s happening, making sense of it and then responding or improvising. Stay informed, evaluate how the situation is affecting you and then be proactive with your response. Every tough situation you encounter builds your capability and your adaptability. Resilience is a muscle you can build, and focusing on your own ability to get through will help.

In Sum

You may face challenges, but you can be proactive and protective. Shore up your finances and evaluate your current role. Ensure you’re adding value to the company and community. And overall, stay optimistic. Give yourself permission for a down day now and then, but then get back up and look forward—to all that will be coming over the horizon.

Forbes.com | August 23, 2022

#CareerAdvice : What To Do If You Work For A Narcissistic Boss. What Are The Warning Signs & What to Do? Thoughts/Suggestions?

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Have you ever started a job and had a weird feeling about your new boss? They seemed polite, considerate and caring during the interview process. The manager made exciting promises about career growth within the organization. They confided in you that they were on a fast track to becoming a top executive and would take you along for the ride.

Over time, you’ve noticed a change. The supervisor has a darker side: a highly inflated ego, an inflated sense of entitlement and a glaring lack of empathy for their team.

At first, you may have given your boss the benefit of the doubt. You rationalize that you’ve all been under a great deal of stress and anxiety over the last two years dealing with the pandemic. You make an excuse for them, telling yourself that you never really never know what a person is going through. You tell your co-workers that problems at home could be the reason for the outbreaks.

As time progresses, it becomes clear that it’s more than just having a difficult boss. The person is disconnected from reality. Your manager may be a narcissist.

 

Here are some signs to watch out for to determine if you’re working for a narcissistic boss.

What Is a Narcissist?

A narcissistic boss is not like the boss from Dilbert⁠—this person is on a whole other level. A narcissistic personality disorder demonstrates a pattern of arrogant, self-centered actions.

The boss is devoid of empathy, lacks consideration for the staff and constantly needs people to provide them affirmation and adoration. You’ll notice that the supervisor tries to manipulate and take advantage of the weaknesses of others. The manager is primarily concerned with their career and disinterested in the growth of their staff.

The workplace becomes toxic as narcissists create friction, tension and drama to gain a continual flow of attention.

A disturbing element of narcissists is that they are drawn to power and are status seekers. They possess the learned skills of seizing opportunities to advance themselves up the corporate ladder without any regard for those who are trampled upon to get there.

 

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

 What are the Warning Signs To Look Out For

A narcissistic boss feels entitled to privileges and special treatment. They will manipulate workers to get what they want, even if it means stealing credit for another person’s work product.

They’ll constantly seek out praise from their staff. They’ll exaggerate their importance and contributions to put themselves on a pedestal. Of course, they won’t be humble about any small accomplishment and brag or outright lie about what they’ve done at the office. They’ll pick out pet employees who will stroke their massive egos. The narcissist won’t apologize, as it’s always someone else’s fault.

Their behavior can make the workplace feel hostile and toxic. They’ll pit people against each other. Instead of offering psychological safety, narcissists will feel free to hurl abuses at their staff and dress them down in public.

The Impact On Your Career And Mental Health

If you work for this type of person, it’s a foregone conclusion that your mental and emotional well-being will be impacted. You’ll worry about holding onto your job due to the mercurial tendencies of the boss. One day, they’ll love you and the next day, you’ll get ignored or yelled at.

If you show signs of promise to upper management, the temperamental narcissist will look at it as a personal threat and try to sabotage your promotion and advancement. Any minor deviance from the manager’s strategy will be perceived as a personal attack and will be met with punishment.

The boss will use a “divide and conquer” approach, pitting people against each other. A worker who doesn’t kowtow to the boss will be ostracized. If you point out a problem that needs tending to, the manager will gaslight you into making you feel that you caused it, even though it was the narcissist’s fault.

Fear runs rampant within the division. Employees don’t know if the manager will praise or admonish their work. It’s easy to start doubting yourself and your abilities. It becomes increasingly hard to focus, as you’re always worried about an outburst from your boss. You’ll start feeling on edge, calling out sick and taking days off work.

What You Need To Do About It

If you need the job, you’ll have to learn to go along and play the game. Try to gain an understanding of the person. Figure out ways to ingratiate yourself with them. It may feel demeaning, but feed into their ego with flattery and praise to stay on the person’s good side. Make them shine in a meeting. Give the credit for a successful project to the boss, even though you did all the hard work and put in the long hours.

Unfortunately, this is only a Band-Aid solution. You can’t change a narcissist. Usually, going to senior management or human resources would be the solution. However, in this instance, it most likely won’t work.

The manager is not rational or reasonable, so they’d likely lie and blame everything on you. They probably even have a file of trumped-up charges of things you supposedly did wrong.

Rather than fighting a losing battle or trying to redeem the person, you may be better off cutting your losses and moving on to another opportunity for the sake of your mental health.

 

Forbes.com | August 16, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : 6 Things To Do When You Don’t Know What To Say In A Job Interview. Share it: What Difficult Question Did YOU Have to Answer?

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Research the company. Iron your clothes. Come up with questions.  If you’ve ever Googled “How to prepare for a job interview,” then you already know that acing one means — at the very least – checking these boxes.

But I’ll admit, despite all the hours of interview prep in the world, sometimes you get thrown a question that makes you sweat.

“What’s the biggest piece of criticism you’ve received from previous employers?”

“What’s a mistake you made in your last job and how could you have handled it better?”

“What does a meaningful career look like to you?”

As the hiring manager looks at you with raised eyebrows, your mind goes blank. You have one thought and one thought only: “I don’t remember putting on antiperspirant this morning…”

Maybe this sounds like an all-too-familiar situation, or maybe it doesn’t. But go to enough job interviews and I promise you one thing: eventually you’ll be sitting across from a hiring manager who throws you a curveball that you can’t hit back.

Of course, it’s much easier to overlook the possibility of this altogether (sounds tempting, doesn’t it?). But just like ironing your clothes, figuring out what to say when you don’t know what to say at all is a necessary step if you want to end the interview process with a job offer in your hands.

Here are six steps you can take to form an answer to any question thrown your way during a job interview.

Step 1: Stop worrying.

A successful job interview is more about your energy than your words. Even with the perfect response, bad energy kills the mood. Reducing your anxiety during a job interview is easier said than done – especially since job interviews aren’t the ideal time to take long deep breaths and meditate.

Still, take a moment to challenge your negative thinking. Consider books for this like Eckhart Tolle’s A New Earth and Byron Katie’s Loving What Is. Remind yourself that one weak answer in an interview won’t necessarily eliminate you from the running. You’re human, so give yourself permission to be one.

Employers ask job candidates difficult questions on purpose. Filling a new position costs companies an average of $4,129, so employers want to make sure they’re hiring the right candidate. But this also benefits you — difficult job interviews are statistically linked to higher employee satisfaction once the job is accepted. Make it through employers’ tough questions, and you’ll be rewarded for it later.

Still feel anxious? While I’m not a big believer in the concept “fake it until you make it,” there is something to be said about mustering confidence for important situations.

Research shows that almost 40% of employers reject candidates for the quality of their voice and overall lack of confidence. If you don’t have a question ready-to-go in your back pocket, the best thing you can do is minimize your fear and move forward with confidence. You need to answer the question either way, so you may as well do It without looking scared.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

Step 2: Take a moment to pause.

A strong response doesn’t need to be quick. Don’t word-vomit your way to an answer. It should be expected that a good interviewer will ask you one or two questions you don’t see coming, and it’s completely reasonable to take a few moments to think about your response when they do. In fact, taking a moment to ponder your answer shows the employer that you’re introspective.

If a quick pause doesn’t suffice, signal to the hiring manager that you’re still considering the question by saying something along the lines of, “That’s a great question. Do you mind giving me a moment to think more deeply about this one?”

 

Odds are the recruiter will be more than willing to give you the time you need to pull your thoughts together. Have a notepad handy, start writing, and don’t be afraid to ask the recruiter to repeat the question. In some cases, they may even suggest moving to the next question so you’ll have time to develop your answer by the end of the interview.

 

Step 3: Think out loud & proceed with caution

It usually only takes a few seconds before a response starts to form your head. Deliberate on it for a few extra moments to make sure it’s appropriate and relevant to the question being asked. Then, extract the key points or lessons you want to highlight and weave them into an answer.

Some people might find it easier to think out loud. If done correctly, verbalizing how you arrive at your answer can showcase your creativity and problem solving skills to a hiring manager.

With that being said, be sure to proceed with caution if you have difficulty predicting where a thought is headed. You don’t want to go off on tangents and you also don’t want to reveal an unflattering image of yourself. Speaking slowly and deliberately will buy you more time to think and hone your response.

Step 4: Respond with honesty and authenticity.

Formulas used to answer interview questions don’t usually help when you’re thrown a curve ball that leaves you stumped. It’s hard enough to figure out how to come up with an answer when you’re flustered, let alone organize it neatly using the S.T.A.R. method.

In a more positive light, leaving room for your authentic and messy thinking can actually serve you well. A survey of 200 talent acquisition professionals reported that, in addition to their confidence, hiring managers value candidates with authenticity and honesty the most. Don’t aim to impress the hiring manager with a perfect response (these don’t exist, anyway). Instead, show your ability to be vulnerable by grappling with a difficult question on the spot.

Pulling an authentic and impromptu response together relies on more than basic interview prep. When given a daunting and abstract question like “What do you hope to accomplish throughout your lifetime?” you need to rely on more than what you learned from reading the about page on a company’s website.

Instead, think about how you can work the self-awareness and insight you already have into your answer. Deciding what career path to pursue has already required you to think about your goals and motivations. Weaving this background information into your answers where appropriate not only shows your authenticity, but shows the employer that you see your work as more meaningful than a paycheck.

 

Step 5: Elaborate on your growth mindset

In the same survey with 200 talent acquisition professionals, 72% said they consider a candidate’s arrogance as the biggest personality turn off.

If you don’t know how to answer a field-specific question, it’s okay to admit that you don’t know. But don’t end things there — convey your growth mindset to employers by explaining your willingness to learn and improve new skills. While you might not have all of the hard skills a company is looking for fully developed yet, describing your interest in the field and openness to feedback tells employers you have the drive to grow at the company.

 

Step 6: Emphasize your desire to grow at the company

Conveying a growth mindset is good, but also need to emphasize that you are especially interested in honing your skills at the specific company for which you’re interviewing. This is the time for you to sprinkle in the information you gathered from researching the company during your interview prep. Be open to discussing your personal connection to the company. How do their core values resonate with you? Have they done any recent projects that interest you? If the hiring manager hasn’t already asked you, address your motivation for applying for the job.

Above all else, hiring managers want to know that their employers are committed to the company and invested in their work. Most specific job-related tasks can be taught or picked-up during the onboarding process.

… But as far as the motivation to excel goes, only the employee can bring that.

 

Forbes.com | August 12, 2022 |  Ashley Stahl

 

 

#JobSearch : Good News-Bad News – Over Half A Million Jobs Were Created Last Month. Here’s The Catch. Great REad!

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There was great anticipation leading up to the July jobs report. For months, economists, Wall Street analysts and politicians debated whether or not the United States was heading into a recession and what this would mean for Americans.

Upon Friday’s report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, both sides of the aisle were amazed at the creation of 528,000 new jobs—more than doubling the 250,000 projected. The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, reverting to its pre-Covid, 50-year low.

The good news felt like a much-needed relief for families to feel more confident in the U.S.’ economic recovery.

Job Growth Was Strong Across Almost All Sectors

Payrolls skyrocketed by 22 million over the past 27 months. The U.S. private sector saw growth with 629,000 positions above their pre-pandemic peak in February 2020. This means the labor market has recovered all the jobs lost in the pandemic.

The gains in employment were widespread. The July report showed that employers in leisure and hospitality are briskly hiring, along with restaurants and bars. There were payroll increases in healthcare, professional and business services, which include many white-collar jobs.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Twitter: Follow us @ firstsunllc

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

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

Question: Want the ‘the best/current 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, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

There Are Some Worrisome Issues In The Jobs Report

Unfortunately, if you dig deeper, all is not well. White-collar, full-time jobs were down by 71,000 over the month, while voluntary and involuntary part-time workers increased by 384,000.

The most significant contributions to job growth were front-line and part-time workers. Many of these folks preferred full-time roles; however, they were unable to obtain those positions. People were also pushed into part-time jobs because their hours were cut back.

Around 92,000 more Americans are working multiple jobs, 279,000 fewer people self-employed and there are 623,000 fewer people in the workforce compared with February 2020, as the workforce participation rate dropped.

The participation rate is a metric used to determine the percentage of Americans working or seeking a new job. The formula calculates the rate by taking the number of people aged 16 and older who are gainfully employed or actively seeking employment, then dividing it by the total working-age population.

The opting out of the labor force is attributed to Baby Boomers retiring, net immigration declining and concerns over Covid-19. All of these factors contributed to an estimated 2 million to 4 million Americans staying out of the market—bringing down the participation rate.

According to Layoffs.fyi, 65,962 employees were laid off in the tech startup space. LinkedIn reported that dozens of top companies across many sectors have enacted layoffs.

The Job Market Is Moving Toward Part-Time Work

It looks like the U.S. is heading into a different type of job market. More Americans are working part-time jobs, participating in the gig economy and needing to hold two or more roles to keep up with inflation.

This trend could foreshadow future problems as a large segment of the population is unable to earn sufficient funds to take care of their families as the costs of food, gas and rent are skyrocketing due to runaway inflation.

The Wage-Price Spiral

The July numbers are large enough to heighten concerns over a wage-price spiral. If this trend continues, it could be ruinous to the economy. Here’s what happens: workers demand more money due to the costs of inflation. In response, businesses need to raise their prices to compensate for the salary increases.

As costs spiral higher, workers notice that their paycheck doesn’t go as far anymore because the costs of goods and services have accelerated. Once again, the workers call for compensation increases to keep up with the rampant inflation rate. This could end up in a vicious upward spiral.

The Good News Is Bad News

The irony of a hot job market is that Fed Chair Jerome Powell views it as fanning the flames of inflation. Since his mandate is to lower inflation, Powell needs to substantially cool down the economy. This will be accomplished by raising interest rates. The intended consequence is that the companies will need to cut costs, which includes conducting layoffs and hiring freezes.

The good news is that there seems to continue to be an almost insatiable need for talent by companies across the board. This bodes well for job seekers. There should be plenty of jobs available until Powell aggressively ratches up interest rates. As inflation remains stubbornly high, it will continue to impact the lower-wage workers who will involuntarily need to take two or more part-time jobs to stay afloat.

What You Need To Do Now

Heed author Malcolm Gladwell’s advice and go into the office five days a week. It doesn’t have to be forever. While things are up in the air, you want to be seen and heard by managers and essential personnel. The proximity bias may save you when there is a call to cut jobs. A person who is always around will likely stand out compared to the dozens of small faces in a box on a weekly video call.

To fire-proof yourself, work toward being indispensable. Ingratiate yourself with the boss and key decision makers so that they wouldn’t want you to be on the layoff list. Become the go-to person that everyone counts on to get things accomplished.

If you currently have a job, hold tight. You don’t want to be the last one hired and the first one fired at the new company. Unless you have a phenomenal job offer, don’t switch jobs right now.

Although the job market looks buoyant right now, once Powell cranks up the interest rates, companies will cut costs, including layoffs. To be vigilant, get in touch with recruiters, seek out job leads from your network, go on informational interviews, update your LinkedIn profile and résumé and practice your elevator pitch and ways to answer tricky interview questions.

Forbes.com | August 9, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

#JobSearch : Will Your Resume Impress Employers? Take This Quiz To Find Out. Fact: Over 75% of Resumes Never Get Seen by Human Eyes. A MUst REad!

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Linda is a baby boomer who has spent her entire career working in the HR field. This Human Resources Manager currently works at a Fortune 500 company, and she asked for help writing her resume. Kathy said, “I look at resumes all the time. Thousands have passed through my hands, but when it comes to writing my own, I have difficulty doing it. I’m horrible at self-marketing. A resume is just a slick piece of advertising, but it is crucial to your success in getting hired.”

Human eyes never see many resumes. When you make it through the screening process, employers report that most resumes only get a 15-to-20-second glance. If you do not capture their attention quickly, they pass you by and call someone else in for an interview.

Writing a persuasive resume is challenging for most people. Yet, a top-quality resume that effectively sells your skills and accomplishments to an employer is essential to your success. Is yours impressive enough to grab a recruiter’s attention? Will your resume get through the employer’s Applicant Tracking System? There are mistakes you need to avoid in writing your resume. I have created this quiz based on dozens of hiring surveys, hundreds of employer interviews, and 30 years of resume writing experience. It does not matter what generation you are from. I’ve worked with people from every age group to create eye-catching resumes that land the new job.

Let’s put your resume under a “hiring magnifying glass.” First, look at your current resume and take the following quiz to see if your resume stands out.

Are you getting interviews?

This is a yes or no question. Maybe you haven’t tested the waters yet. But if you have, and no recruiters have sought you out, or you are not getting appropriate interviews, you may need professional intervention to learn why your resume is not working. Typically, it is not getting through the ATS or may be too generic without specific accomplishments. Then again, you may be applying for jobs for which you aren’t qualified. No interviews mean you must overhaul and edit it to stress your crucial work tasks, accomplishments, and related experience.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

Is your resume loaded with results?

These are the top criteria employers want to see. Accomplishments and results are what recruiters and hiring managers want to know about. They want proof that you will excel in the job based on the results you have achieved in previous positions you’ve worked at in the past. Outline what you have increased or decreased, how you saved money or time, made the organization money, created something new, solved a big problem, or how you improved employee productivity.

Does your resume use detailed job descriptions?

Vague, general resumes with wordy job descriptions often are ineffective. It is specifics that sell and capture attention. So, first, target the resume to the job you seek. Then, incorporate only the information pertinent to doing that specific job in the resume. This will alleviate the tendency to crowd your resumé with too much nonrelated information or too much detail on older positions that may not be relevant now.

Did you use keywords?

CNBC reported that over 75% of resumes never get seen by human eyes. An uploaded resume goes through scanning software called the applicant tracking system or ATS. To be found when the human recruiter or hiring manager searches, you need to add appropriate keywords. This does not mean copying every word from the job opening and putting them into your resume. Most employers seek your hard and pertinent soft skills determined by the work tasks you have done in the past. Try reviewing several job openings. You will see a pattern: employers want specific skills, knowledge, and experience. Then incorporate those work tasks and job functions in your resume.

Does your resume include a Summary of Qualifications section?

This four-to-six-sentence section includes your experience and top-selling points to do the job. This section is quite influential with employers, but most candidates neglect to include it. This part of the resume has an incredible impact since employers reported that this is the very first area they read. And it concisely demonstrates your solid ability to perform the advertised job.

Do you list competencies up near the top of the resume?

These are typically created in a table, and most employers’ Applicant Tracking Systems cannot read tables. So this section comes across as blank when the employer sees your submitted resume. Instead of a list, employers prefer to see the skills in a statement that shows how you have used that particular skill on the job. So, for example, instead of listing something like project management as a competency, write a bulleted statement under a position you have held to illustrate how you used that in a job.

Is your resume visually appealing?

The appearance of the resume cannot be overemphasized! Don’t get creative with your resume. Fancy fonts, tables, columns, text boxes, colored ink, graphics, charts, headers, and footers are often unable to be read by most of the Applicant Tracking Systems employers use. Instead, you get blanks or garbled, unreadable text. Use a standard format. Use italicizing, CAPITALS, underlining, bolding, indentations, and bullets to emphasize your essential points. Keep your font readable. Size 12 is best and only use standard fonts like Arial or Times Roman.

How do you start each sentence under professional experience?

Begin sentences with descriptive action verbs, such as established, analyzed, implemented, designed, or spearheaded. They add power to your sentences by demonstrating actions. For example, never use the word “I” in your resume. Instead, action verbs help you create powerful statements by listing the step you took and the results the action created.

Have you used acronyms and abbreviations?

Spell out names of schools, cities, work acronyms, and abbreviations completely. It is better to give complete information, as employers may not recognize abbreviations or acronyms. In addition, they often glance over the resume, and you do not want them to get tripped up or annoyed when you do not state the entire phrase.

How long is your resume?

Two pages are the current maximum employers want to see or are willing to read. Whether you are a 60-year-old executive or a professional with years of experience, being brief and concise works best. Be a skillful editor, deleting the portions which are not relevant or are least helpful to supporting the job title you currently seek. Employers look for experience at the current levels so emphasize your work done in the last seven-to-ten years.

Did you proofread it?

Employers notice and hate typos and mistakes. Be sure you proofread the resume a couple of times. Then ask another person to review it carefully too, so you eliminate any errors. Ensure your resume is perfect before you submit it.

 

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

 

Forbes.com | August 9, 2022

#JobSearch : Why It’s A Smart And Effective Strategy To Interview In August. Good News -Bad News. MUst REad!

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August is traditionally one of the slowest months for hiring. The slowdown is comparable to the December holiday season. The major reason for the usual lull in the hiring process is that August is the last chance to take a summer vacation. Most families take time off around Christmas, Hanukkah and during the summer months, especially August.

A new vibe sets in toward the unofficial last month of the summer. Three-day weekends, summer Fridays and mentally checking out of work are commonly accepted practices. It’s an unwritten rule that this is the prime time for families to take their long-awaited trips to Disney, visit family, fly to Europe, check out interesting destinations across America or relax on a sunny beach, reading a trashy novel or just being in a moment of peace and tranquility.

What To Anticipate When You’re Interviewing

If you are in search mode, be prepared for more than the usual ghosting, absence of communications and lack of feedback. Since it’s prime travel and sightseeing season, there will be a turnstile effect occurring at companies. One person after another will be out of the office.

An interview scheduled weeks in advance will get canceled the night before, as the human resources professional reported that they have a cold and need to reschedule. They most likely emailed the change from their summer home in the Hamptons or Catskills.

Upon miraculous recovery, the HR person is back to work, but now the hiring manager is off on a two-week vacation. No sooner than when the supervisor returns, there is a domino effect of all the other parties involved in the interview process saying they’ll be on vacation or away for a few days. You were probably receiving communications about the process and now the emails, texts and phone messages have subsided. This pattern will last throughout the rest of the month into the first couple of weeks of September.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

Did you know?  First Sun Consulting, LLc (FSC) is celebrating over 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

 

Article continued …

There Will Always Be Some Opportunities Available

Don’t give up hope and put your search on hold. You can’t generalize that everything grinds to a standstill. There will always be a small number of roles deemed by management to be essential and need to be filled immediately.

For the crucial open roles, you’ll have a big advantage if you are actively hunting for a job. Fewer candidates will compete for the same job, as they’re off vacation. Even if people don’t go away, they mentally check out.

A smart contrarian plan is to aggressively search for a job while there’s less competition. You’ll stand out that way. With fewer résumés submitted, yours will resonate with the hiring manager. Savvy HR professionals and long-time managers know that if they neglect hiring over the last part of the summer, they’ll be inundated with angry requests from managers yelling, “Why don’t I have any applicants for my job openings?”

The forward-thinking people involved with the hiring process recognize things may move slowly, but they’ll proactively build a solid pipeline of candidates willing and ready to interview once mid-September rolls in. They know that mid-September resembles that back-to-school mentality. It’s the feeling that summer and fun is over and it’s time to get serious and focused again.

The Behind The Scenes Reasons Why Businesses Will Hire Now

Smart hiring managers know from experience that they’ll be caught flat-footed in September and October if they don’t continue hiring now. If they wait until September to re-up the hiring cycle, the time frame may take three to six months to place job listings online, review the onslaught of pent-up demand résumés, retain recruiters to assist with the hard-to-find prospects, conduct interviews, run background checks and prepare an offer. The recipient of an offer would require two or three-plus weeks for their notice period. This would bring you into a start date in late November or early December, which triggers big issues.

White-collar professionals in sectors, such as Wall Street and tech, rely heavily upon their oversized bonuses. In a blazing hot market, companies would buy out bonuses to allure a person to join their organization. It’s not an insignificant amount of money. An investment banker or software engineer may expect high five-digit bonus figures.

A placement in August allows someone to qualify for a bonus if they switch jobs. The longer the time goes by, companies may not want to buy out or give a person a $50k bonus for only working a month or so at the new firm.

In this current economy and job market that is characterized by uncertainty, including runaway inflation, a recession, possible stagflation, layoffs, job-offer rescissions and hiring freezes, it’s more than likely that companies won’t want to shell out a significant bonus. They’ll instead pass on the candidate and wait for someone else who doesn’t require a large bonus reward.

Search For A Job, But Also Practice Self-Care

Understandably, folks don’t want to embark upon a lengthy job search in brutally hot weather. It’s not pleasant to go into the subway station in New York City when it’s 95 degrees and humid outside. The temperature uncomfortably rises as you’re waiting by the railroad tracks. After departing the crowded train car, squished between two sweaty people, you’ll need to walk about 10 blocks to the building for an in-person interview. By the time you arrive, you’re sweaty, your attire is wrinkled, your hair disheveled and you’re starting to get cranky and irritable. This isn’t the best way to shine in a first meeting.

Despite the challenges, you should still continue interviewing. After two-plus years of unrelenting stress and anxiety, taking time out for self-care is not unreasonable. You owe it to yourself to process the effects of the pandemic, try to comprehend what will happen with runaway inflation and a recession and question if the job cuts and hiring freezes are the new normal. With the slower pace at the office and the ability to sneak away while working remotely, it’s easy to just coast for a while and decompress.

What Companies Should Do

After all these years, you’d think executives would see the cycles and take action. It would make sense for business leaders to call for vacation schedules that would make it easier to streamline and fast-track the hiring process.

Businesses lose two or more months of interviewing and vetting candidates by not taking proactive measures. Once companies return to a normal schedule, there will be pent-up demand for hiring without sufficient applicants available. Feeling that they’ve been ghosted, some may have given up. Top talent will have already found jobs with more motivated candidate-friendly companies.

Management should embrace the summertime vibe. As 4 million Americans quit their jobs every month, if companies are missing out on hiring during August, the least they could do is stem the tide of attrition.

With the slower pace, team leaders should schedule time to talk with their staff. They could go to an offsite location and the worker could share their goals. The manager, in turn, can address their desires, ask for feedback, provide accolades for their accomplishments and share constructive criticism that would help them grow and flourish.

The Bottom Line

August is a great time to both enjoy a relaxing summer and search for a great new job, as there will be less competition and you can stand out.

 

Forbes.com | August 4, 2022 | Jack Kelly 

#ResumeWriting : What is an ATS? What is SEO? What are Keywords in Resumes? Think your Resume Got Read? Think Again!

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Job seekers and resume owners are often confused about the terms and definitions of ATS, SEO, and keywords.  Some clients think there is a certain set of standardized words you insert into the resume to get seen after they upload the resume into an online system.

Here is an easy breakdown of the terms and how these resume elements are used by recruiters in the job placement industry.

ATS is the acronym for Automatic Tracking System. The ATS is the software application (often cloud-based) that recruiters use to receive, house, sort, document applicants who apply to specific job requisitions.  Recruiters also perform a procedure called a Boolean search in the SQL database to find applicants with keywords or key phrases in their resumes.  The Boolean search is an automated, and faster method to reduce the number of actual resumes recruiters have to read by identifying the ‘more qualified candidates’ in the system by keyword inclusion.

SEO is the acronym for Search Engine Optimization. Using an Internet browser (e.g., Google, Bing, Opera) to find information means implementing Boolean search using key words to find Search Engine Optimized pages or documents.  The search engine will look for websites with the keywords or phrases and the sites with the ‘most number’ of those keywords or phrases will show up in a result queue, with the most optimized websites at the top of the list.

Recruiters use the same Boolean search process in an ATS (resume database) as an Internet search.  Once the recruiter conducts the search either in the entire database or only within applicants to the specific job requisition, then resumes with the ‘most mentions’ of a key word or phrase will rise to the top of the result queue. Recruiters don’t have time to read 100, 200, 300 resumes, so rely on SEO keywords to find the ‘most qualified’ candidate based on the higher number of mentions of those keywords in the resume.  They will glance through the top 5-10 resumes in the results queue, and if these candidates fulfill the minimum qualifications, they will proceed to interview or push the resumes to hiring managers for decisions.  It is likely the remaining 90, 190, or 290 resumes will never be read and ‘marked’ en masse as ‘other candidates more qualified.’

 

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

Keywords are single words or phrases directly relevant to a job-seeker’s career, skills, experience, and/or education.  For instance, a computer programmer should mention all the programming languages s/he uses as keywords.  Logistics careerists should use the words supply chain, logistics, supply, warehousing, and inventory as keywords, with metrics, to describe their job tasks and achievements.  Salespersons should include keywords related to revenue, sales, marketing, advertising, and income streams.  Property managers should include metrics for units rented, the values of rental properties, descriptions of how they manage or provide maintenance of facilities and vendors contracting for repairs as keywords and phrases.

Executives (C-suite) should not mistake words like ‘leadership,’ ‘guiding,’ and ‘support’ as keywords – these are vague and subjective.  Corporate executives and/or financial directors should have action verbs as keywords and phrases, including development, research, accounting, finance, investments, mergers and acquisitions, supervision, management, director (of something), and/or project or program management.

The action verbs at the beginning of a bullet should be followed with a documentable, objectively written action with a result.  One example, loaded with metrics, would be, “Managed >$20M in contracts for services, current, and future deployment projects including aircraft support equipment, office supplies, and electronics; managed and monitored contracts valued at

~$2.14M for parts and required services, $3.02M in Aircraft Ground Support Equipment requirements, and >$10M in electronics and future deployment components.”

Knowing what these terms mean, and how to use the processes to your advantage, will assist in writing a more objectively-worded, keyword-loaded, and action-based descriptors of your career and experience.  The more keywords, phrases, objective language, documentable metrics, and easy to read bullets in the resume, the faster recruiters will be able to find you, consider your strengths, and pick up the phone to interview.

SEO Key Words for web post:  achievements, action verbs, applicants, ATS, Automatic Tracking System , Boolean search, career , cloud-based, definitions, descriptors, experience, hiring managers, Internet browser, Internet search, interview, job description, job placement, job requisitions, key phrases, keyword inclusion, keywords, metrics, objective language, online system, optimized websites, phrase, qualifications, recruiters, result queue, resume database, Resumes, Search Engine Optimization, Search Engine Optimized, SEO, skills, software application, SQL database, subjective, system, terms, websites. Examples below:

Key Word Hash-Tags (#):  #achievements, #actionverbs, #applicants, #ATS, #AutomaticTrackingSystem, #Booleansearch, #career, #cloud-based, #definitions, #descriptors, #experience, #hiringmanagers, #Internetbrowser, #Internetsearch, #interview, #jobdescription, #jobplacement, #jobrequisitions, #keyphrases, #keywordinclusion, #keywords, #metrics, #objectivelanguage, #onlinesystem, #optimizedwebsites, #phrase, #qualifications, #recruiters, #resultqueue, #resumedatabase, #Resumes, #SearchEngineOptimization, #SearchEngineOptimized, #SEO, #skills, #softwareapplication, #SQLdatabase, #subjective, #system, #terms, #websites

 

FSC Career Blog Author:  Ms. Dawn D. Boyer, Ph.D., an Associate with First Sun, has a successful business and consulting firm in Norfolk, Richmond, Colonial Beach (Dahlgren), and Gloucester, VA.  Her background is 24+ years in the Human Resources field, of which 12+ years are within the Federal & Defense Contracting industry.  She is the author of 940+ books on business, human resources research, career search practice, women’s studies, genealogy lineages, and has illustrated ~118 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, and an associate with First Sun Consulting, provides resume writing, editing, publishing, and print-on-demand consulting.  Reach her at: Dawn.Boyer@me.com or visit her website at www.dboyerconsulting.com.

 

                                                                                                                                          FSC Career Blog – July 31, 2022

 

 

 

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 12K Reads! Instead Of Worrying About A Recession/Job Loss, Do This Instead. Great REad!

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It doesn’t matter if the United States is in a recession or not. The Federal Reserve Bank chair Jerome Powell, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and President Joe Biden have all weighed in: America is not in a recession, and is headed for a more robust economy.

The current administration needs to make Americans feel confident that although the U.S. may be mired in a bad situation, the country is headed in a more positive direction. The longtime, standardly held definition of a recession is two consecutive quarters of contracting growth. If the Fed, treasury secretary and president all offered a present and future of lower expectations, including continued high inflation, a recession and job losses, businesses would pick up on their lead and engage in massive cost-cutting initiatives to remain solvent.

The current climate is far different than past recessions. Usually, recessions have high unemployment rates. The U.S. is at full employment with a record-low unemployment rate of 3.6%. Businesses are begging for workers. There are over 11 million jobs open.

Also, consumers are spending despite the higher prices. In a recession, it’s reasonable to expect families to curtail their expenditures. Instead, restaurants, bars, airports, hotels and in-person events are packed.

Why It Doesn’t Matter

It’s the job of Wall Street experts, economists and politicians to prognosticate stubbornly high inflation, a possible recession and layoffs. Tune them out, as it doesn’t matter. You don’t have control over these global macro events. The one thing you have is the ability to manage and drive your own career.

It would be naive to think that the litany of woes, such as supply chain disruptions, inflation eating into your paycheck and savings, an endless war in Eastern Europe, constant political in-fighting and a steady flow of announced downsizing, won’t impact your job and career. Despite all the obstacles, you need to block out the noise and look out for yourself.

 

Like this Article?  Share It!    You now can easily enjoy/follow/share Today our Award-Winning Articles/Blogs with Now Over 2.5 Million Growing Participates Worldwide in our various Social Media formats below:

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Answer: Simply go to our FSC Career Blog below & Type(#Jobsearch, #Resume, or #Networking) 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 30 years in the delivery of corporate & individual outplacement services & programs to over 1200 of our corporate clients in the U.S., Canada, UK, & Mexico!  

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

Article continued …

What You Need To Do Now

Tune out the negative and take a good, hard look at your job, career and the company you work for. Research the financials of your organization. Search online for any developments that could negatively impact your company’s products and services. Request a meeting with your boss. Ask them to share what is going on with the organization. Delve into questions about the possibility of layoffs, hiring freezes and allowing attrition without replacements. You want to know the company’s financial shape and whether or not it can withstand the current challenging environment.

If you sense that your future within the company won’t be too rosy, take immediate action. Put together a résumé and complete your LinkedIn profile. If you’re not sure what to do, reach out to professional career coaches and résumé writers who can do it for you.

Get In Touch With Recruiters

Contact recruiters for assistance. Not all headhunters are the same. Some are contingent, meaning they only get paid by the company if they make a placement. Retained recruiters primarily focus on C-suite and top executives. Staffing firms generally deal with contract and gig workers. You need to know the differences, so you won’t get offended if a retained recruiter ignores your reach out. You’ll have a better outcome if you find a search professional who focuses on your specialization. The recruiter will intuitively understand what you do, without needing a lengthy explanation. Inquire if the search agent has long-standing contacts with hiring managers, human resources and internal, in-house talent acquisition professionals. Good recruiters will have insider knowledge about the people, corporate culture, the type of applicants they tend to hire, salary ranges, bonus expectations and future internal-growth potential. Experienced headhunters have negotiated salaries for years, and can relieve you of this unpleasant exchange.

Seek Out Job Leads Through Your Network

One of the best ways to find hidden jobs that aren’t posted online is through networking. The term “networking” tends to have a negative connotation for many people. Put this aside. You want to tap into the people you know and trust for job leads.

Make a list of friends, family, neighbors, folks from groups and organizations you’re involved with, colleagues, former co-workers, college alumni and others who could potentially help you. Let them know the type of job you desire, a target list of companies you want to work with and the approximate compensation and title you’re interested in.

Asking for a favor can be awkward. Depending upon the closeness of the relationship, make a phone or video call, invite the person for a coffee, drinks or dinner or simply just send an email. Be honest and direct about your intentions. Keep in mind that it’s less uncomfortable than being unemployed or stuck on a sinking ship without options.

Engage On Social Media To Gain Attention

Another act that requires you to get out of your comfort zone is getting involved with social media. Depending upon your job and career, seek out relevant social media platforms. LinkedIn is an excellent way to start if you are a mid to senior-level, white-collar professional. Send invitations to people who may have access to the jobs you desire. Respond to posts from leaders in your space to attract notice. Write your own content to stand out as an expert. For those in between jobs, it’s acceptable to place the #opentowork banner on your profile. However, this one act isn’t enough. Explain why you are seeking a new role and concisely share the responsibilities you held at your last couple of jobs. Be sure to indicate what you want to do next. By doing this, recruiters, HR and others can understand what you’ve done and what you are now looking for.

TikTok and Instagram are go-to sites if you are young and starting your career or work in a creative field. Twitter is a valuable medium to share your expertise and wisdom, attract an audience and let them know about your search efforts. Join job-seeking groups on Facebook. Let your connections know that you are embarking upon a job search and need their advice, guidance and access to leads.

Stay Positive And Manifest Your Bright New Future

The goal is not to let yourself get overwhelmed by all the dire events. It’s easy to succumb to the never-ending barrage of negative news. To combat the doom and gloom, make a practice of staying positive. It won’t be easy. Throughout the day, think of something that worked out well. Have gratitude for all the good things in your life. Beat back ruminations over past failures. Have several mantras to repeat internally when you need a pick-me-up. Try manifesting getting the job you want. On the more concrete side, enroll in online courses that could provide the knowledge, skills and credentials that may help you stand out against other job applicants.

Forbes.com Author: Jack Kelly – Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | July 29, 2022

#YourCareer : If You Can’t Get A Raise, Ask For This Instead. A Must Read!

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With inflation pushing up the costs of nearly everything, you may be thinking about asking for a raise.

With consumer prices spiking over 9%, your paycheck doesn’t go as far anymore. The average American household will have to spend an extra $5,200—$433 a month—just to consume the same goods and services as last year. Here’s the dilemma: It’s a reasonable request, but the economy, job market and sentiment of business leaders have shifted.

Why Inflation Will Hurt The Job Market

The job market is likely to soften as the Federal Reserve Bank and the Biden administration withdraw from quantitative easing and trillion-dollar stimulus packages. The goal of Fed Chair Jerome Powell is to crush the economy, in an effort to “whip inflation” (the term used back in the 1970s). In the process of battling inflation, companies will see less business and consequently cut staff.

Also, this time period won’t blow over anytime soon. The last major spike in inflation happened 40 years ago. It lasted roughly from 1965 to about 1982. Paul Volcker, the Fed chairman at that time, took dramatic actions to end the ruinous cycle of rising prices and wages by raising interest rates to 20%.

 

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What Skill Sets Do You have to be ‘Sharpened’ ?

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

 

Article continued …

Your Boss Knows You Won’t Leave As The Job Market Weakens

Your boss and management are in a tough spot. They understand that your expenses are rising at a frightening pace. The supervisors see you as a valued employee who does a great job and they don’t want to lose you. However, their fear of you walking out in the Great Resignation has been lessened. The job market is still relatively strong, but that can all change, as layoffs and hiring freezes are announced daily.

The thought process of management is that if they give you a raise, they’ll have to do it for everyone. They’ll say it’s too expensive, especially as their business costs are rising too. The part that’s not said out loud is that they feel the job market will worsen and the odds are high that you won’t jump ship, as you’ll be the last one hired and first fired when things go south.

What You Can Ask For Instead Of Money

If you can’t get a pay increase, think of things to ask for that would improve your work life. These include a four-day workweek, shortened workdays, remote and digital nomad options, staggered hours, more vacation and personal time off, relocating to a lower cost location for the same amount of money, stock and stock options, a larger bonus (if the economy does turn around), a higher title and promotion or child-care assistance.

Decide the most critical factors for you, then push for them. If you don’t receive any of these or other benefits, it shows that your company takes you for granted. It’s almost as if they are daring you to leave.

Some companies prefer to make life uncomfortable for workers, so they depart of their own volition. With attrition, businesses won’t attract the headlines, touting the number of people laid off. They also may not have to pay severance packages.

If this is the case, start a covert job search. Be careful, as in challenging times, word may get back to your boss, and there could be a chance that you get fired. They’d rationalize the termination by contending that the company needed to rightsize, and since you’ve shown that you want to leave, they’ll gladly show you out the door.

Forbes.com Author:   Jack Kelly   Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | July 25, 2022