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#JobSearch : What You Need To Know About Layoffs, Hiring Freezes, Inflation And A Possible Recession. MUst REad!

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The current job market feels like whiplash. Coming out of the pandemic, there was a huge pent-up demand for workers to help companies get back up and running. The job market was so hot that discussions centered around the Great Resignation trend with about 4 million Americans quitting their jobs on a monthly basis. Job seekers boasted about having numerous offers to choose from and companies complained they couldn’t find enough workers with the required skills and experience.

Seemingly overnight, everything has changed. Americans have woken up to the new reality of inflation. In an effort to keep the economy afloat, the Federal Reserve Bank and the United States government injected trillions of dollars into the marketplace, sending stimulus checks to families, enhanced unemployment benefits and other fiscal measures.

The fear and consequences of inflation may lead to a recession with massive job cuts, hiring freezes and job offers rescinded.

Why Should I Care About Inflation?

At first, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and others in the Biden Administration said that inflation was “transitory”—it wasn’t. As it turned out, inflation hit 40-year record highs. The costs of everything, ranging from gas to home prices, soared.

When the cheap money previously flowed into the economy, venture capitalists invested billions of dollars into tech startups. The prices of stocks and cryptocurrencies rose to dizzying heights, as both professional and novice investors bought and traded securities with the confidence that everything goes up.

Unfortunately, nothing goes up forever. Runaway inflation has pricked the everything-goes-up bubble. One of the results was that the spigots of cheap money were turned off, and the party was over. Instead of aggressively hiring, tech companies started cutting back and laying off personnel.

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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 …

Why Fed Chair Jerome Powell Is Important

To understand what is happening, we need to pay heed to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. In talks with Congress, Powell said that he needs to considerably raise interest rates to beat down inflation.

When interest rates rise, the costs of loans, mortgages and credit cards go up. The extra costs eat into the consumers’ pocketbooks. With less discretionary income, families will hold off on expenditures. They’ll spend less, make fewer purchases and avoid dining out as much or traveling as they used to. As the consumers constrict their spending, the economy will slow or even contract. This causes a recession.

While Powell didn’t say he is purposely causing a recession to battle inflation, his policies, based on history, could potentially lead to it. The rate hikes make it more difficult and expensive for companies to access capital, boosting the likelihood that the U.S. goes into a recession next year.

Are We Headed Into A ‘Hurricane?’

Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan and one of the most respected Wall Street leaders, gave a stern warning to investors. He advised people to prepare for an upcoming economic “hurricane.”

At an investor conference in June, Dimon said, “That hurricane is right out there down the road coming our way.” The chief executive added, “We don’t know if it’s a minor one or Superstorm Sandy. You better brace yourself.”

With the cost of capital starting to rise, tech and other sectors will pull back on growth, enact layoffs, impose hiring freezes and rescind job offers. During the year of over-exuberance, revenue and profits were not as important as achieving growth and scale. When a downturn happens and money is costly and not free-flowing, unprofitable companies will be headed toward trouble. If startups still have sufficient funds left from rounds of capital raises, they can buy time. Those that burned through their funds may be headed for trouble.

Layoffs, Hiring Freezes And Jobs Rescinded

Since May, tech startups have laid off nearly 27,000 workers, according to layoffs.fyi, which tracks publicly announced job cuts. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who said that he had a “super bad” feeling about the economy, said the electric car manufacturer would cut 10% of its workforce. Musk, who also is in the midst of buying Twitter, said that there may be possible layoffs at the social media site.

Microsoft said in May that it would slow hiring in its software group. Meta also announced that month a hiring freeze for some teams.

Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, informed employees through email that the ridesharing app company would start to treat hiring like “a privilege.” The chief executive said Uber’s decision to pump the breaks on hiring is due to the “seismic shift” in the market.

In June, Coinbase, the large cryptocurrency platform, announced on its corporate blog, “In response to the current market conditions and ongoing business prioritization efforts, we will extend our hiring pause for both new and backfill roles for the foreseeable future and rescind a number of accepted offers.” The cryptocurrency exchange platform then let go of around 18% of its workforce—or about 1,100 people.

Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by the Winklevoss twins, said a “crypto winter” is coming. The meteoric rise of cryptocurrencies and fervent hyping and buying of digital assets are falling back to earth. Gemini felt the change in the temperature of the markets and economy. In response to “turbulent market conditions that are likely to persist for some time,” Gemini is downsizing 10% of its astronauts—a term it coined for its employees. Two other digital asset platforms, Crypto.com and BlockFi, said they are laying off people as well.

Fintech unicorn Bolt announced it would lay off workers, as the tech bubble is slowly bursting. Klarna, a Sweden-based fintech company in the buy-now-pay-later space, announced plans to lay off about 10% of its global workforce, in a pre-recorded video message.

Robinhood, Netflix, Peloton, Cameo, Noom, On Deck, Workrise and others have also announced layoffs or temporary freezes.

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Forbes.com | June 23, 2022

#JobSearch : Wondering Why You’re Not Getting Job Interviews? Here’s Why. Great REad!

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Of course, you’re feeling confused and frustrated. With the Great Resignation still underway and job openings at a record high, you might have started your job search thinking it would be a piece of cake.

Now, you’re stuck wondering why you’re not getting more job interviews, even though you’re pretty qualified for the roles you’re applying for these days. But, before you assume you’re doomed or out of luck, here are three resume mistakes that might be the culprit:

Your resume focuses on the wrong results.

It’s not your fault. Most resume advice tells you to make your bullets results-oriented. But, results-oriented bullets are pointless if they focus on the wrong results. Your resume could have tons of numbers and accomplishments that make you proud. But, if those bullets aren’t necessary for the job, hiring managers and recruiters might read your resume and think you’re awesome, but they won’t know why they should interview you for the job opening they’re looking to fill.

Want better advice? Make sure your bullets are relevant and results-oriented. If you’re not sure if you have the wrong results on your resume, take a moment to read a job description for one of your desired roles. Then, read your resume to see if it speaks to the specific relevant needs of that type of role. If it doesn’t, then you’ll know where to start to land more job interviews.

 

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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 …

You’re not telling the full story.

A few signs you might be making this mistake: you leave things off your resume because it was a team effort and you don’t want to appear as though you’re taking credit for it, you don’t include relevant skills because it wasn’t a part of your official job title, or you don’t mention certain accomplishments because it only happened a couple of times.

While you might mean well by leaving these things off your resume, underselling yourself and not telling the full story makes recruiters and hiring managers assume you don’t have the experience needed for the roles you want. The good news is that, as a career coach, I know first-hand that a few changes can make a huge difference.

To start, sift through your resume and, for each bullet, ask yourself: “What’s the story behind this?” If the story behind the bullet is more compelling than the actual bullet, update the bullet to illustrate the true story by adding relevant details to showcase your expertise.

Your resume is full of distractions.

No, this isn’t about the format of your resume. Sure, the wrong format can be distracting, but there’s another element that’s not talked about enough that can distract from your expertise. Most job seekers don’t notice it because when you’re constantly working on your resume, it can be hard to see this mistake. But, the distraction is jargon.

Jargon, in terms of your resume, is any word, accomplishment, or result that would be difficult for others outside of your company or industry to understand. Jargon is a distraction because, even if your resume sounds great, it’ll leave recruiters and hiring managers thinking you’re better off staying where you are – even when you know you have the necessary experience to do the job.

To catch and remove jargon, pull up a few job descriptions of your ideal role and study the language they use to describe the responsibilities and qualifications for the position. Next, read your resume to see if you describe your experience the same way. Then, remove any terms that don’t align with the role you’re pursuing next.

If you’re guilty of any of these resume mistakes, then that’s good news! That means there’s still things you can do to improve your job search. If you’re willing to tackle these three resume mistakes, you’ll be in a much better shape to land more interviews for jobs you’ll love.

Forbes.com Author: Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level. She is the author of the guide How to Go From Zero Interviews to Dream Job Offers.

Forbes.com | June 20, 2022

#YourCareer : It’s Possible To Humanely Lay Off People With Empathy And Compassion. What Leadership Should Do When Laying Off People. Great REad!

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The United States has already seen around 17,000 job cuts in the tech sector and more are likely coming.

Most workers who have been terminated describe a cold, cynical process that’s devoid of any empathy. Others tell horror stories about mass Zoom firings and 48-hour holding patterns in which their future is in limbo.

What Happens When Human Resources Asks For A Quick Talk

You may get a call or email from a human resources representative saying, “Could you please come to my office at 4 p.m.?” When a company is not doing well, you have a sense of what’s about to happen next. The walk to the elevator banks, going up a few floors seems to last an eternity. You are hoping that you’re not getting a pink slip, and it’s for another matter.

In a whirlwind, you are told that your services are no longer required. You are offered papers to sign, and before you can process what happened, you’re escorted by a security guard to collect your belongings. All the technologies are cut off and you take the elevator of shame down to the lobby and walk outside feeling numb and bewildered.

 

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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 …

Airbnb Demonstrates How To Empathetically Lay Off People

Letting a person go doesn’t always have to be a harsh, humiliating experience. One standout example is the way Airbnb handled separations from the payroll in May 2020, during the early months of the pandemic. In a message to employees, Airbnb cofounder and CEO Brian Chesky said that he had “sad news” and told his staff that they were forced to downsize, in light of the company’s financial situation and the uncertainty of how badly the virus outbreak could impact its business. The short-term home and apartment rental app downsized 25% of its workforce, representing around 1,900 people out of the 7,500 international workforce.

Instead of using one-way Zoom calls to extend the message, he provided color and context as to why this had to be done. Chesky acknowledged that the pandemic could have a major impact on the travel industry for an unknowable amount of time, and as a result revenue could be hit hard.

Chesky told his team that anyone who was laid off, it’s not because of anything they’ve done wrong nor a reflection on their work ethic. Rather than providing platitudes, the company was prepared to offer severance, equity and healthcare packages. Its intent was to treat everyone in a compassionate and thoughtful manner. The company offered its team 14 weeks of base pay, plus an additional one week for every year at Airbnb, and the tenure will be rounded up to the nearest year. Health insurance was covered through COBRA for 12 months.

The short-term rental company provided an Alumni Talent Directory to help people find new jobs. Departing employees were given the option to have their profiles, résumés and work samples available for future employers to see. The company allocated its recruiting team to help the impacted workers find jobs. The departing staff also received four months of career services and were permitted to keep their Apple laptops to help with their job searches.

The Cold, Impersonal Zoom Firings During The Pandemic

It’s never easy nor pleasant to let a person go or enact mass layoffs. Airbnb acted honorably with empathy and compassion. This was juxtaposed with how a few other companies acted during the pandemic. While white-collar workers were primarily still working from home, the cold, impersonal one-way Zoom firings became commonplace.

At around the same time, scooter-sharing startup Bird fired 406 employees in a manner that you could only imagine on an episode of Black Mirror. The unfortunate workers were told all appointments were canceled and that they should log into a one-way Zoom call. A disembodied voice read from a script telling the listeners that they’ve been picked for layoffs. Their Slack and employee accounts were discontinued and end dates were supplied.

Ridesharing app company Uber announced a layoff of 3,500 employees. The remote workers were informed of their job loss via an online Zoom call. Ruffin Cheveleau, the head of Uber’s customer service, informed workers that it was their last day at the company. Wonderschool, ZipRecruiter, WeWork, the Wing and other companies all used video calls to inform employees that they’ve been terminated.

Recent Tone-Deaf Offer Recissions And Layoffs

Recently, Coinbase, the large cryptocurrency platform, announced it will place a hold on hiring and rescind job offers, due to the difficult economic and geopolitical events. Pulling the rug out from under the job offers didn’t sit well with many employees.

There was an immediate online backlash against the cold and cruel treatment of those who had their job offers abruptly taken away. The company said in response, “We will apply our generous severance philosophy to offset the financial impact of this decision” and will help the people who had their offers overturned. A talent hub was created to help the impacted people. This includes job placement support, résumé reviews, career coaching and access to the company’s network of people.

Coinbase employees started an online petition, leaked Thursday by crypto site Mirror, to remove top executives, including chief operating officer Emilie Choi, chief product officer Surojit Chatterjee and chief people officer LJ Brock, “in a vote of no confidence.”

In a tweet storm, CEO Brian Armstrong tweeted, “If you have no confidence in the execs or CEO of a company, then why are you working at that company? Quit and find a company to work at that you believe in!”

The polar opposite of how Airbnb acted is the story of Vishal Garg, CEO of unicorn mortgage lender startup Better.com. The chief executive coldly told his 900 employees that around 15% of the workforce will be fired in a one-way video.

To add insult to injury, Garg accused “at least 250″ terminated staffers of stealing from the company. In an email to employees obtained by Forbes in 2020, the Better.com CEO wrote, “HELLO—WAKE UP BETTER TEAM. You are TOO DAMN SLOW. You are a bunch of DUMB DOLPHINS and…DUMB DOLPHINS get caught in nets and eaten by sharks. SO STOP IT. STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. YOU ARE EMBARRASSING ME.”

What Leadership Should Do When Laying Off People

Getting laid off is a crushing blow. In addition to the financial aspect of losing a job, it can cause serious mental and emotional stress. Leaders need to focus on the messaging to make the best out of a bad situation.

Leadership should start by offering color and context of what is happening. There is no reason to shame the staff. Instead, management needs to praise their work and accomplishments. Let the impacted workers know about available severance packages, healthcare options, what happens to their stock and options and give access to recruiters, career coaches and connections within the firm’s network of contacts.

Human resources and managers need to take the time and energy to speak one-on-one with the people who are being let go. Listen to their feedback, offer words of encouragement and write a glowing recommendation. Offer to keep in touch, as “boomerang” hires have become popular.

 

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | June 14, 2022

#YourCareer : The Split-Screen Job Market: Low Unemployment, High Turnover, Plenty Of Openings—And More Layoff Headlines. Great REad!

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Becky Frankiewicz recently returned from hobnobbing at Davos with other top business leaders, and the president of ManpowerGroup North America couldn’t help but notice a disconnect while she was there. On stage: Plenty of chatter about the prospect of a recession, and what that could look like for jobs and the economy. But in at least 15 different conversations with C-level executives she had while at the global meetup of titans, just one said they were pulling back on hiring.

“The data isn’t necessarily matching the narrative,” Frankiewicz tells Forbes. “We’re seeing a bit of a diverging job landscape, yet the labor market as a whole is still very tight.”

Every day seems to bring a tale of two job markets. On the one hand, data, like Friday’s better-than-expected jobs number, shows a labor market where unemployment remains low and the economy continues adding jobs, even beating economists’ forecasts. Earlier this week, the Labor Department reported that job openings slipped but hiring demand remained strong, while the turnover rate stayed high.

Yet on the other hand, the news cycle seems to bring near-daily stories of hiring freezes and layoffs, particularly in the technology sector and among startups. Tesla’s Elon Musk, Reuters reported Friday, wants to cut jobs and pause hiring amid what he reportedly called a “super bad feeling” about the economy. Other big tech companies, like Meta and Microsoft, have said they will slow hiring in certain parts of their business. Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said in early May it would treat hiring “as a privilege.”

Meanwhile, job cuts tracked by the aggregator site Layoffs.fyi found that at least 15,000 tech workers lost their jobs in May, with cuts at companies like Bolt (25% of its workforce), Klarna (10%) and Carvana (12%), as well as many smaller startups shedding workers.

Headhunters say they’re seeing a drastic shift in how people are responding to inquiries in recent weeks, especially in sectors or at job levels where stock equity plays a role.

“Even a month ago we were going through hoops, doing everything we could to get people to respond to us—multiple messages on LinkedIn platforms, multiple social media platforms, text messaging,” says Jeff Christian, CEO of the executive search firm Christian & Timbers. “Now we’re seeing a 70% increase in response rates. People are curious. And they’re afraid.”

 

Higher interest rates, geopolitical turmoil and a continued global pandemic—combined with a punishing stock market—have made investors pump the brakes, leading more venture-backed companies to slow or cut hiring. In May, Forbes reported that an internal poll of Andreessen Horowitz’s portfolio companies showed that more than half were pulling back on 2022 hiring.

“It’s about companies not being able to access funding or at least get the valuations that they’re hoping to achieve—that’s very much the driver for some of these layoffs and hiring freezes,” says Glassdoor economist Daniel Zhao. He’s seeing similar trends in mortgage-related jobs in financial services, which are also dependent on interest rates.

 

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 …

But he says that while there is clearly a lot of concern about the economy, the headlines about job cuts are “not really showing up yet in the data as a wave of layoffs that would be comparable to past perceptions or downturns.” Overall, he says, the “holistic picture is still one where employer demand is extremely high and there aren’t enough workers to fill those jobs.”

Zhao says it’s common at an inflection point in the economy, like where we find ourselves now, to see stories that suggest two directions. At such times of change, “it’s always a little bit difficult to square the anecdotes that you hear with the data as it moves in real time.”

Still, he thinks some things are different about the current economic intersection. All of the focus on the “Great Resignation” over the past year or so, as well as the difficult time many industries have had finding workers, could influence what they do going forward. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see employers continue to focus on trying to retain and attract workers, even if there is a moderate downturn,” he says.

Brian Kropp, Gartner’s vice president of research, points to other disconnects he’s noticing. “In the past, revenue and staffing moved almost perfectly together,” he says. “Three months from now this could be different, but at least right now, the relationship between revenue and hiring is just not as consistent and highly correlated as it’s been before.”

That could be due to the backlog many companies already have when it comes to staffing unfilled roles, as well as the increased churn Kropp thinks companies will see as hybrid work allows people to switch jobs more frequently. “The labor market for places that aren’t impacted by concerns about interest rates or concerns about stock equity—that labor market? It’s still red-hot, going a thousand miles an hour.”

Just like many companies have learned lessons that “just-in-time” supply chains couldn’t withstand the havoc of a global pandemic, they’re also learning the same lean approach can hurt them when it comes to talent. Frankiewicz says many employers—especially those with the resources to hire more workers—have adjusted to more of a “just-in-case” philosophy when it comes to their workforces to try to avoid understaffing. At a time when more workers aren’t even showing up to their shifts, says Frankiewicz, it’s “not just in case I can’t find the talent, [but] just in case I can’t fill the shifts.”

Recent data from ManpowerGroup shows talent shortages reaching the highest levels in 16 years, and Frankiewicz said in an email about Friday’s jobs report that “the tension is palpable, yet the reality is optimistic.”

She wonders how the current market could impact a downturn. “We’ve never faced an entry into a recession like what we’re facing now” with such a tight labor market, Frankiewicz says, saying two key differences are a structural change in the number of workers in the economy, citing lower birth rates, and the demand for technology skills not only in tech firms, but across all sectors. “It’s why we’re having this conversation—because there is no playbook.”

 

Forbes.com | June 3, 2022 | Jena McGregor

#YourCareer : Laid Off, Furloughed or Fired: Understanding the Differences. MUst REad for All!

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Innovation and reinvention are common themes in the modern workplace. This can often result in shifting resource allocation and employee headcount. The coronavirus pandemic has also resulted in many workers losing their jobs, temporarily or longer term. Regardless of economic conditions, employers cut staff for various reasons. It is unlikely that you will work for the same employer from college graduation to retirement the way some in previous generations did. You could face a sudden change in your employment status at any point in your life.

Human resources and career experts say it is important to be prepared and to understand your position.

1. Furloughed vs. laid off vs. fired: What are the differences?

“We have to let you go.” This phrase no employee wants to hear can also be accompanied by some confusion. There are some important differences between being furloughed, laid off or permanently terminated, according to the Society for Human Resource Management. Not all employers make accurate and consistent use of the terminology, so it is also important to understand the context of the separation. If you find yourself having this conversation with your employer, be sure to ask questions to figure out what it means for you.

Terms you should know:

  • Furlough: A temporary reduction in hours where an employee remains on the payroll but isn’t actively working or is on a reduced schedule. In some cases, an employee may be furloughed without work for weeks or months. Alternatively, an employee may work fewer days a week and take home a smaller paycheck. Furloughed employees may have an easier transition back to work because they remain on the payroll and usually maintain benefits like health insurance.
  • Layoff: A layoff is usually a temporary dismissal, during which the employer intends to rehire the worker. Layoffs often convert into a permanent separation if the employer doesn’t rehire the employee. Layoffs often don’t have predetermined time periods, and could last for weeks to months. They occur when work is no longer available at no fault of the employee. Usually, a layoff means an employee is removed from the payroll and stops receiving benefits such as health insurance.
  • Permanent separation: A termination without intention of calling the employee back. Depending on the context, this type of termination could include a so-called “reduction in force” or a firing. Employers can offer reasons such as elimination of a particular position, budgetary constraints, misconduct, violation of company policies or an employee not being the right “fit” for a role.

 

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:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-g-laughter-b46389198/

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 …

It is important to understand the distinctions. A clear understanding of whether you are being furloughed, laid off or permanently terminated could mean the difference between having health-care coverage or not.

If you are laid off or fired for reasons unrelated to conduct, you will typically lose your health-care coverage, though you may be able to continue your existing plan under Cobra, or the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, a federal law that allows employees to continue their employer-provided health insurance. However, you will probably have to foot the bill for 100% of the cost of the plan.

Under furlough, on the other hand, employees usually keep their health-care benefits, but not in every case, says Amber Clayton, HR Knowledge Center Director at Society for Human Resource Management. She says that some employers’ health-care plans only cover employees who work a certain number of hours a week, which could mean furloughed staff lose eligibility.

Employers and workers should both keep a close eye on the language in their insurance policies in the event of a furlough.

In brief
  • A furlough is a reduction in hours, while a layoff is a temporary dismissal.
  • If you are fired it might be called permanent separation and could be due to your position being cut, budgetary constraints or misconduct.
  • Your benefit entitlement may differ depending on which situation you are in.
  • It is important to assess your skill set and plan your next move.
  • Take steps to keep your mind-set positive
2. Think about what is next.

Loss of income is a big financial burden for most people. A 2019 study by the Federal Reserve found roughly four in 10 Americans wouldn’t be able to come up with $400 in a financial emergency. It is important to come up with a plan to support yourself during your period of unemployment, whether that means taking out a loan, filing for unemployment benefits or taking on a different type of work than you are used to.

The next-step checklist:

  • Communicate with your employer. If you have been furloughed, check in regularly with your manager to get updates on the timeline for when you can return to work. If you were laid off or your position was permanently terminated, don’t be afraid to ask HR if there are other opportunities or open positions at the company that you can explore.
  • Get your finances in order. Even if your separation is a temporary layoff or furlough, you can and should look for other work. This is also a way to ensure that you get at least partial unemployment benefits, which you can apply for at your state’s unemployment insurance office. Some states require applicants to prove they have been actively looking for work. You have every right to work another job while you are furloughed.
  • Look for different types of work. If you are having trouble finding open positions similar to your last one, start thinking outside the box. “Think in terms of a portfolio rather than thinking in terms of a singular skill, singular professional, or singular career,” says Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, founder of Reinvention Academy, a consulting firm focused on helping clients embrace change.

After you are laid off, furloughed or terminated, think about how you can use the time to diversify your skill set. Consider taking on a new kind of job that you might not have considered before. “Think of it as an opportunity to develop a skill and get paid for it,” says Dr. Zhexembayeva. She compares our career paths to journeys. “We all have a kind of bigger project, like a highway, but we also have country roads in the form of little side hustles.”

3. Getting laid off or fired may require you to shift your mind-set.

It is normal to feel anxious or upset about the loss of a job, especially when it contributes to financial stress. Try to channel your negative energy into positive action as much as you can. Remember that change is normal.

On average, U.S. employees had spent a little over four years in a job in January 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. For workers ages 25 to 34, that average was just 2.8 years.

“If you are changing careers by choice or because somebody made that choice for you, the No. 1 thing is to stop thinking of it as something shameful,” says Dr. Zhexembayeva. “You are living in the world, and you will be facing a lot of disruptions. It’s not the fact that you avoid the disruptions that make you [a] success, it’s the fact that you stand up and keep going that makes you successful.”

Try these tips for positive thinking:

  • Write down your strengths. Make a list of your professional wins over the past year and use that to structure an action plan on how you will do more of it.
  • Practice mindfulness exercises. This doesn’t just have to come in the form of meditation.Any repetitive activity that you don’t find stressful will do, from running to cooking.
  • Get creative. Think about the skills you have that you could monetize. Do some research on how other people have made money with the same expertise.
Resources
  • Your local unemployment office. Not only can you file for unemployment benefits there, but these offices often offer resources to job seekers such as résumé-writing courses and interview practice.
  • Try a “Fear to Action” exercise. These free exercises can help you figure out the next steps you can take by drawing connections between your fears and their potential impact.
  • LinkedIn and Glassdoor. Set job alerts for your industry.
What to do next
 WSJ.com | February 24, 2021 | By Alex Janin 

#JobSearch : An Unexpected Perk Of Remote Work- It’s Easier To Job Hunt. Great REad!

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Before Suzanne Garner worked remotely, part of her job hunt and interview prep included practicing driving to and from her potential new office, previewing the route and the stoplights that could delay her. But since she started working from home seven years ago, she says “all that stress goes away” now when it comes to job searching: To interview for a new job, she doesn’t have to make excuses for being out of the office, schedule calls for early morning when her boss won’t overhear or hop on a plane to meet potential employers—let alone do homework on traffic routes.

“Before working remotely became more commonplace, I didn’t even search for companies outside of driving distance,” says Garner, who lives in San Diego and has worked as a marketing director for Boston-based, health information platform Outcomes4Me since late March. “Working remotely certainly provides more flexibility in terms of time and where you can meet when it comes to interviewing.”

With the pandemic-induced pivot to more virtual work, more and more job seekers are experiencing not only the freedom to interview for remote-based jobs—but the ease of doing so outside the view of their manager’s watchful eye. Gone are the days of having to throw on a suit jacket at least a block away from the office to secretly dress up for an interview. For many, the muffled, heads-down calls to coordinate interview logistics are a thing of the past. No longer are sick days needed to head across town—or across the country—for an interview.

Much has been made of how the Great Resignation is being driven, in part, by the access workers have to a national pool of remote jobs. But there’s a less trumpeted factor at play: Many obstacles to interviewing are eroded for job seekers who are in the privacy of their home office, working flexible hours and able to step away at a moment’s notice.

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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 …

According to the latest update from WFH Research, a project started in May 2020 by an economist and professors at Stanford University and ITAM in Mexico to track working arrangements and attitudes, nearly half of the 2,000 U.S. workers surveyed say working from home has made it easier to interview for prospective jobs.

In writing about the findings, which the researchers say they plan to continue exploring in the coming months, they write that “working from home can make it easier to take 30 minutes to an hour to do a virtual interview, or browse job ads and fill applications on a personal device without worrying about coworkers and managers snooping over your shoulder.”

One of the researchers, Stanford professor Nicholas Bloom, says when your boss knows you’re interviewing for another job, it can be bad news. “If you are actively looking for another job and you interview with three or four different companies, that’s extremely hard if you’re working in the office everyday because you have to come up with several excuses,” Bloom says. “Maybe you fabricate an entire ailment—I don’t know. But it’s hard.”

Interviewing while working remotely allows employees to schedule even more interviews than ever before, says Carly Mednick, a2022 Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and founding partner at recruitment agency Monday Talent. “If you take into account an hour-long interview, commute to the office and back, we can be talking two hours or more of time to carve out.”

With location no longer a requirement, the job pool has not only widened; the search process has less friction. When it came time for Maia Thornton to interview for her new job as a senior knowledge specialist at Bain & Company, she didn’t have to worry about booking flights and taking time off to travel and could instead focus on nailing the interview.

“It was really seamless for me to still do my job and then also look out for my own career development,” says Thornton, who is currently based in Columbus. “I leaned on LinkedIn, and I didn’t have to worry about traveling and taking days off work.”

Working from home makes scheduling those interviews easier. For B.J. Schone, who joined feature management platform LaunchDarkly as director of learning and development in April, the biggest perk of the remote job search was the time saved.

“Maybe that’s why it’s easier for some folks to be switching so much during the Great Resignation,” San Diego-based Schone says. “You can just hop on a Zoom call from your own room and conduct all the interviews there.”

He says jumping offline for a 30-minute interview or quick chat with a recruiter was easier to schedule at home. So was filling out job applications.

“For many employees, it was like they’re going to preschool, and being watched, making sure they are at their desk or in the cubicles,” says Antonio Neves, a career coach for mid-career professionals.

The role has switched, Neves says. Job seekers are now interviewing employers just as much as employers are interviewing them. Employees, especially mid-career professionals, he says, have more leverage now and are more often deciding “to dip their feet in the water to see what’s out there.”

Going forward, the ease of interviewing, Bloom predicts, will lead to permanently higher employee turnover and impulse job changes—the same way online shopping has increased impulse spending. “We will see the same with people changing jobs because it’s so easy now when you’re working remotely to do it very quickly,” he says. “You can have jobs where you apply in the morning, schedule an interview for later that day and, if you’re a great candidate, have a job offer at the end of the day.”

Forbes.com | June 1, 2022
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#BestofFSCBlog : The Summertime Vibe Shift In The Job Market. Corporate Leadership Abhors Uncertainty. Must REAd!

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There is a vibe shift that takes place during Memorial Day weekend. It signifies the unofficial start of summer. The local town pools open and so do public beaches. You can feel the change in weather. The sun is shining and winter clothes are stored away. The kids are happily counting down the days until school is over. Parents start planning family vacations. The collective mood positively changes, especially for those who live in cold climates for most of the year.

What To Expect When Job Hunting In The Warm Weather

Vacation schedules wreak havoc on the hiring process. If you are seeking a new job, be mentally prepared, as there is a downside to this period. Historically, from around now to the middle of September, there is a steady slowdown in hiring. Since people generally plan vacations for the summertime, the folks involved with the hiring process may not be around.

Every year we see the same scenarios play out over and over again. The human resources professional quarterbacking the interview process places an out-of-the-office notice on her email and phone message. By the time she returns, the hiring manager is in Disneyland. Then, the candidate is on a beach somewhere.

Since interviews now require three to around 10 rounds with personnel from the group, along with other divisions, it becomes nearly impossible to get everyone aboard with the interviews in an orderly fashion. Due to the fractured schedules, it’s difficult to schedule interviews, momentum is lost and the applicant is left out in the dark.

There’s A New Challenge For Interviewees

You’ll likely run into resistance when applying for a job and getting called for an interview. Inflation, supply chain disruptions, rising costs, the war in Eastern Europe, overinflated valuations of startups and a plunging stock market are taking their toll. There have been a number of tech companies that have enacted hiring freezes and started conducting some downsizing.

Corporate leadership abhors uncertainty. With all of the issues swirling around, it’s easier for hiring managers to slow-walk the process or simply put it on hold. They’d rather take a wait-and-see approach. As we get deeper into the summer, it’s a convenient excuse to say, “We might as well wait until September, when everyone is back from vacation, and can then start looking at candidates once again.”

This doesn’t mean you should give up looking for a new job. It’s meant to manage your expectations. If you interview and don’t hear back, you’ll know that it’s not just you. This is a systemic matter for the time of year.

 

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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 …

On The Positive Side

There is a wild card. Even with all the geopolitical drama over the last month or so, America still has around 11 million jobs available.

If the Federal Reserve doesn’t raise interest rates too quickly, the stock market stabilizes, inflation calms down and China starts reopening and shipping goods to the United States, as Covid-19 cases subside, America may see renewed optimism.

Many people pull themselves out of the job market, since they have trips planned, just want to destress, enjoy the peaceful time away from the office and don’t look forward to enduring an interview process in 90-degree weather.

Both hiring personnel and prospective job hunters will tell themselves, “I’ll enjoy the summertime and get back to the search in the fall.” They’ll add, “After two years of being in a lockdown and worried about catching or spreading Covid-19, I just want to enjoy life for a while and not have to deal with any additional pressure.”

There is a contrarian game plan. You may want to put some travel plans aside for a while. With fewer job hunters around, there is less competition and you’ll stand out. If a company desperately needs to quickly hire and there are not too many other candidates, you have a better chance of succeeding and winning the offer.

For those who get out of their search mode, they’ll be met with tough competition once everyone gets back into interviewing when the summer ends.

Easy-To-Do, Career-Enhancing Tips

If you aren’t thinking about a job switch this summer, consider how you can advance your career over the summer lull. Usually, companies offer Fridays off or at least a half day. There is an unwritten rule that there’s more leeway during the summer months. Work and the pace of things appreciably slow down.

You can use this extra time to get ahead. Sign up for some online classes. Get a needed license or certification that you’ve been putting off. Now that the pandemic has largely ebbed, cultivate a mutually beneficial network of like-minded professionals. Ask for career advice. Invite a person who is in the role you’d love to have for a cup of coffee. Inquire about how they got to where they are and see if they’d offer some tips and suggestions.

Reach out to recruiters to get on their radar. Request an online or in-person meeting to discuss your short and long-term career goals. Now that they know you, the recruiter can keep her eyes open for when the perfect job opens up. If you are unsure of what to do next, enlist the help of a career coach. The same holds true for your résumé and LinkedIn. There are professionals who can write or enhance your résumé and beef up the LinkedIn profile.

Since business generally slows down, schedule a meeting with your boss to go over expectations and see if there is anything you could do to improve, add on new challenging tasks or feel out if there are any internal lateral moves you could make. By the time September rolls around, you’ll be prepared and ready to take your career to the next level.

Jack Kelly  Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | May 30, 2022

#JobSearch :Why You Should Start Preparing For Rejection When Interviewing. With Both Stock Market Drop & Higher Inflation, the Job Market will Tighten Soon.

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The United States has been accustomed to a hot job market with plentiful jobs and an abundance of interviewing opportunities. Over the last year, the job market offered so many opportunities that there were months when 4 million Americans quit their jobs, feeling confident that they’d find a better opportunity.

Economic and geopolitical events will most likely change the job market landscape. Record-high levels of inflation, the Federal Reserve Bank stopping its policies that pushed vast sums of money into the economy, the Biden administration curtailing financial stimulus packages to families and other events will have a deleterious impact on both the consumer and companies.

As costs significantly increase, businesses need to pass it on to the customer. Tech companies have already initiated hiring freezes and job cuts to save money, hunker down and get through this new, more austere period. The spigot of venture capital funding will be tightened.

Fortunately, there are still more than 10 million jobs available. We need to keep a watchful eye out for the JOLTS report that provides the data on the number of roles available, as it may soon show fewer jobs open.

The result of all of this is that when you are interviewing, it’s likely to be harder, with more meetings that lead to nowhere. Since the future is cloudy, executives are not sure what to do, so they’ll slow-walk the process. It will be easy for businesses to dump the extra work on the current employees and wait to find the perfect candidate who will accept a lower compensation package.

 

Here is what you need to know while you are interviewing to keep your sanity.

Mentally Managing Rejection

No matter how successful a person is, there is always rejection in their journey. If you are once again turned down for a job, take some time to accept, process and grieve. After a short while, dust yourself off and start again.

There is nothing to be ashamed about. People get rejected all the time. An all-star athlete is traded to another team. A popular politician is voted out of office. Famous actors get rejected for roles all the time.

Try to learn how to be resilient. After feeling bad, you need to focus on bouncing back. To do this, avoid fixating on the loss. Be honest with yourself. Think of anything you did or didn’t do, which could later serve to improve your next interview performance.

The good news is that interviewing is a numbers game. The more interviews you go on, the higher the chances you have of finding a new job. This is why you need to brush yourself off and get started right away. As you attend more interviews, you’ll improve your performance. You’ll start anticipating commonly asked questions and be armed with great answers.

It’s helpful to cultivate a supportive network to share your feelings. You’ll likely hear the same stories from them too, as it’s not unique to get rejected. Try to keep a sense of humor and perspective. There will be other jobs. You may end up finding a job that is far superior to the one you lost out on. In hindsight, the rejection was the best thing that ever happened to you.

 

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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 …

Adjust Your Expectation

If a colleague interviewed and found a job three or six months ago, their experience will not be similar to what you will be going through. It will take longer, you’ll lack feedback and get ghosted. There is a good chance you won’t receive an offer. If you do, it may be substantially lower compared to what your coworker received.

On the positive side, you can take solace in the fact that it’s not just you that is experiencing this new change. Nearly everyone else will be in the same position. This may not make you happy, but at least you’ll know that it’s not your fault.

You Need To Remain Confident

When the job market swings dramatically from buoyant to somewhat challenging, it can be jarring. It’s easy to start feeling dejected after not obtaining invitations to interview or constantly coming in second or third place. After a while, it’s easy to start losing confidence. After taking so much time and energy to interview, not receiving offers can damage your self-esteem.

You need to practice positive self-talk. This entails continually reminding yourself of all of your great qualities. Keep in mind all of the times you triumphed over adversities. Think of your reasons for going after this new role. It could be because you’re trying to earn more money to provide a better life for your family. This powerful reason will help you power through the difficulties of interviewing and getting rejected.

Accept The Change

If you’ve been accustomed to easily finding jobs, it’s natural to become complacent. In a blazing hot job market, you don’t haveto try as hard, since hiring managers desperately need the help. Their standards will be lowered and expectations not too high. This is changing due to the new reality. You now must bring your A-game to the interview.

You need to study the job description and prepare an elevator pitch that shows you possess all of the requisite requirements. Search LinkedIn to learn all about the people who will be interviewing you. Use the profiles to consider mutual commonalities that will enable you to quickly bond with them. Ask your recruiter for all the insider information about the company, the hiring personnel, corporate culture, compensation ranges and what they are looking for in a candidate. See if you know anyone at the organization and ask them to put in a good word and recommend you.

Role-play interviewing with trusted friends and peers. Ask for constructive criticism. You may have been too casual, as the job market was hot. That attitude won’t work in a cost-cutting environment.

Think Of Interviewing Like A Marathon

Interviewing during tough times is hard. Getting rejected hurts your ego. It is easy to give up. Instead, frame the process as a marathon. It’s actually, at times, more akin to a Tough Mudder competition, along with a decathlon.

Just as top athletes need to be in peak condition to perform, you need to view interviewing similarly. Prepare and perfect your presentation. Make sure that you take care of yourself. Try meditation, affirmations, manifestations, yoga or whatever you like to do to get psyched up.

Rejection Stokes Passion And Great Achievements

Overcoming adversity can empower you to achieve great things. It is easy to let rejection get the best of you. The harder part is to learn from the experience.

The key is leveraging rejection in your favor. It could serve as the motivating factor to try again with greater vigor and passion. A Jedi-type mind trick is to feel that if you can rebound from a setback, still feel fine and have the people you love still care for you. You’ll be empowered and unafraid to take on new challenges. The lesson learned from rejection is that with the right mindset, it’s only temporary, but can build your inner strength, which can help lead you to achieve great things in the future.

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 25, 2022

 

#JobSearch : Helpful Tips For Your Job Hunting Journey. Great REad!

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An ancient Latin proverb applies to most any pursuit in life: “If the wind will not serve, take to the oars.”   That timeless counsel seems especially pertinent for anyone searching for employment. Doubly so in a volatile job market.

        Question: How do you stand out?

Some experts predict that, by 2025, people in their 30s will comprise the majority of the world’s workforce. Most of those people are still navigating the early stages of their careers. They’re facing the challenge of establishing their own personal “brands” and standing out in a crowded pool of applicants. Unfortunately, many of the applicants in that pool are ill-prepared for launching—not to mention advancing—their careers.

Mark Zides can help. As founder and chief executive of CoreAxis Consulting, an award-winning talent management firm, he teaches young adults the skills they need to climb the ladder of career success.

His new book is The #PACE Process for Early Career Success. It offers a rich combination of real-life experience, research, and specific tips along with a dose of tough love.

In this instance, PACE stands for Plan, Apply for, Commit to, and Evaluate your ideal career path.  Finding the right job can be tough. Mark Zides shows how to grab the oars and row to success.

Rodger Dean Duncan: What is it about today’s work environment that makes it so difficult for the upcoming generation to get traction with their careers?

Mark Zides: The virtual nature of the workplace makes it difficult. There isn’t an opportunity to drop into someone’s office to ask a quick question. It’s difficult to build relationships in the workplace that help establish trust and credibility. There’s an inherent perception of the Gen-Zs coming into the workplace that they’re not as prepared as prior generations, which is a challenge they need to debunk with good work ethic in order for society to feel they are making an impact.

 

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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 …

Duncan: What mindset seems to be most helpful for today’s job seekers?

Zides: It’s extremely important to be open and agile. The professional world is one that is ever-changing, and anyone who gets stuck in the weeds gets left behind. Being open to change will alleviate a lot of stress and make you an invaluable resource. While staying open, agility is key. The world moves fast, which means you need to, as well.

Duncan: You encourage job hunters to “train your hustle muscle.” Can you elaborate?

Zides: Your “hustle muscle” is a combination of behaviors and actions that a job hunter needs to perform to be successful. The job market is dynamic and challenging. Today’s job seeker needs to become an elite networker, both inside the company that they’re looking to be employed by, as well as with the connections they have who can help them get into the desired organization. Job hunters need to approach the market in a progressive way, where they are planting many seeds and establishing many connections that can help them ascend beyond just the hiring manager’s inbox, into other influencers in the organization.

Duncan: Networking is obviously important in job searching. What best practices do you recommend?

Zides: Everyday, a job searcher should be making at least five connections through LinkedIn that they believe would be mutually beneficial. As part of their networking strategy, I recommend joining LinkedIn groups that are in the ecosystem of the industry and community they are looking to join. Follow leaders in the industry on the platform that you aspire to work with. Attend virtual (and in-person if available) events to get your name and face out there.

Duncan: What role does personal brand play in a job candidate’s search for the right fit?

Zides: A first impression is a lasting impression, whether you like it or not. Your personal brand is critical to building a professional image. Your brand is something you must live by. It’s something that must align with the work you create and your professional performance. When searching for a role, make sure your branding, messaging, goals, and beliefs align with the company you’re looking to work for.

Duncan: Most people know that an interview can make or break a job candidate’s opportunity, and these days many interviews are virtual. What are the keys to making the most of a Zoom interview?

Zides: First and foremost, make sure you show up dressed for the job you want. Look professional and share your camera. When you’re talking with the interviewer, look into the camera. Eye contact in person is key, and making the extra effort during the interview will go a long way. Make sure the place you setup not only has great lighting, but is quiet. Silence your phone and make sure there aren’t any distractions around you. Finally, when the interviewer is talking, use the mute button to eliminate any background noise you may not be aware of. This will also show active engagement in the conversation.

Duncan: You quote Winston Churchill as saying, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” How does that apply to someone who’s trying to stand out in the job applicant crowd?

Zides: The reality is that you can interview for ten jobs and be turned down by all of them. But you cannot quit. Do not lose your momentum, enthusiasm, energy, and desire to land a job. If you are going through this experience of failure, learn from your past interviews so you don’t make the same mistakes in the next one. Polish your approach, or even try a new one. Ask past interviewers what you could have done better. Just make sure you have thick skin and don’t become defensive. The key is to never lose your passion for what you believe in and always stay true to yourself and the goals you have set for yourself. The right job will come along, and it will be worth the wait.

Duncan: The first 60 to 90 days seem especially important in acclimating to a new work environment. What’s your counsel on making the most of that breaking-in period

Zides: With any new role, the first 60 to 90 days are critical as they build the foundation for your future success. During this time, it’s important to learn as much as you can, to not be afraid to ask for feedback and direction, and at the same time to not be afraid to make mistakes. Because that’s how you learn.

It’s also a critical time to start establishing your company network and connections. Find yourself a mentor(s) and learn from them. Be a team player. Become part of a community at the company that makes you feel included and where you’re making an impact to your peers, team, and the organization. Always be curious. Ask for feedback and direction from your manager or other leaders on your team.

Finally, outwork everyone. Be heads down, focused, open, agile, and help where you can but not to your main role’s detriment.

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website or some of my other work here.
Forbes.com | May 24, 2022

#BestofFSCBlog : Over 5K Reads! Career Experts Offer Advice For People Who Are Worried About Layoffs. Tons of Expert Links/Articles. A MUst REad for ALL!

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There was a huge pent-up demand for workers once the economy reopened, along with a surge in spending as people left their homes to dine out, shop in stores, attend events and travel.

An influx of companies is announcing layoffs and downsizing. The rationale for the decisions is due, in part, to economic and geopolitical events.

 

The stock market boomed and everything looked rosy. Rising inflation, supply chain disruptions, the cost of everything increasing and threats of an escalation in the Russia and Ukraine war have struck fear in the hearts of corporate executives.

They started to think that perhaps they were too exuberant in their hiring and now feel the need to tap on the breaks, hold off on hiring and consider some layoffs to conserve capital.

This may all turn around soon for the better. However, if there are more layoffs and job freezes, here’s some advice from career experts on what people can do to be prepared for quickly engaging in a job search.

 

Great Tips to prepare for Job Layoff or Transition:

  • Immediately begin to prepare.

  • Know your transferable skills and your unique, differential advantage. Only here do you find true job security.

  • Update your résumé with quantifiable, measurable benefits accomplished in the past 18 months.

  • Refresh your LinkedIn profile capturing all of your upskilling, certificates and accomplishments. Make sure it’s complete and robust.

  • Join LinkedIn groups and participate.

  • Network. Network. Network.

I was recently told of a company president who bragged that 60% of their workforce were now contractors. This [was] after shrinking the workforce by thousands over time. He then went on to boast about the significant amount of healthcare dollars, benefits and other company savings.

His remaining employees now live in fear daily because of their new rolling layoff policy. At any time on any day, HR can show up at your cube, escort you to a conference room and let you go. No warning, personal improvement plan or feedback and little recourse.

We will all lose our jobs at some point in our careers……….. Bottom Line: Always Be Prepared.

Sweta Regmi, CEO And Career Consultant, Teachndo

This is how it starts. First, there will be a freeze, then a salary-raise freeze during a performance review, then no yearly bonus, then eventually layoffs. I have been there.

Some companies will do [temporary] layoffs, should you wait? This is the time to lay off people who are not part of the tribe. Management issues, those who are change-resistant and those who speak up will be targeted. If you are paid a high salary, you are an easy target too.

Listen to water-cooler talks. Rumor mills might be true. There may be constructive dismissal. Do not sign any new job description because it will forfeit the previous responsibilities.

Proximity bias is real [and] face time is in dire need. Taking on extra tasks is a strategy to stick around, but be mindful of work-life balance. Anyone can go from office pet to threat. Keep an eye out!

Start reactivating relationships with people who left. Transfer all your reviews and documents to personal emails, including the job offer you have signed, if severance is not paid properly. Lawyers need to see job offers.

 

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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 …

Erica Reckamp, Executive Résumé Writer And Job Search Consultant, Job Search Like A Pro

We’re headed for leaner staff in Q3 and Q4.

 

  • I’ve already seen rumblings in the C-suite and the inevitable fallout after a favored leader exits.
  • Recession is likely on the horizon, as the cycle of requests for wage increases, subsequent price increases and inflation needs to stop somewhere.
  • Companies unable to hire shift funding to automation over payroll.

 

It’s happening.

What can professionals do?

  • Up the visibility of your contributions (self-advocate, show up, chip in).
  • Build skills through online credentialing platforms or free coursework.
  • Strengthen your career collateral (résumé, LinkedIn, profile, bios, letters).
  • Consider a content strategy or social proof (LinkedIn, conferences, publishing, etc.)
  • Engage with your network! Start spreading some goodwill, as it will be needed whether a layoff hits you or someone else in your network

 

Virginia Franco, Executive Storyteller, LinkedIn And Résumé Writer, Cofounder, Job Search Journey

I’m starting to see signs that the job-a-palooza party might be coming to an end. Now’s the time to get your career marketing collateral together, shore up your network and make sure you have closed the skills gap for any roles of interest should you be worried your job is at risk.

Ed Han, Senior Recruiter, Cenlar FSB

I suspect that when such high-profile employers, like Meta, Amazon, and Uber, institute freezes, even employers who are feeling confident start to wonder if those shops know something they don’t and produce a ripple effect.

But even if so, this doesn’t mean that no employer is hiring. Even in a down market, someone is making money, after all. And this goes to the importance of job seekers building a target list of preferred employers. Go after what you want, instead of simply spraying and praying.

Marti Konstant, Keynote Speaker And Author, Activate Your Agile Career: How Responding To Change Will Inspire Your Life’s Work

There is another underlying trend that impacts the numbers. The alternative workforce, which includes freelancers, gig workers, contract and consultants, is now between 40% and 50%. This enables companies to still stay current and relevant, yet have the best available talent.

Adrienne Tom, Executive Résumé Writer And Job Search Strategist, Career Impressions

Unfortunately, what goes up almost always comes down. Now is the time to get ready. Don’t wait for the layoffs or cutbacks to be announced before putting a plan in place and getting your career tools prepared.

I don’t recommend moving or changing jobs if you like where you are, but be ready for the possibility that you may have to execute a search suddenly. It’s wise to always be ready—and always have a career management plan in place—but even more so if you are hearing rumors or feel uncertain in your current company.

David Lee, Career Coach, Heart At Work-Career Counseling And Outplacement

This upcoming shift is a great reminder of why it’s so important to ‘dig your well before you’re thirsty,’ to quote the Harvey Mackay book from around the time of the dot-com bust, and connecting with your network and seeing how you can be helpful to others versus only reaching out when you need something from them.

Rebecca Bosl, Career Coach And Executive Résumé Writer, Dream Life Team

The ‘music is still going’ and use this time to do all the things you need to do to land a job fast now. Build your network [and] refine your career marketing materials.

If you are sitting on the sidelines, get back in the game now before the hiring freezes and layoffs start.

Sonal Bahl, Founder And Career Strategist, SuperCharge

Push the digits. Go through your address book and send around 20 to 30 emails per day to people that include friends, ex-colleagues, former headhunters you worked with, parents you chat with at the morning school drop off…basically anyone who knows your first name and can recognize your face in a police line. And use these exact words (adapt for style):

Hi [Insert Recipient’s Name],

I hope all is well! Not sure if you know, my employer [Company Name] is going through a massive reorganization, and unfortunately my position, along with hundreds of others, is likely being made redundant. So, I’ve recently started to look for a new challenge in the [your desired field] field and am reaching out to you to ask for your help with any leads or contacts. I am looking for a [your desired level and role] position in or near [Desired Location]. I am also open to an in-house opportunity for the right company and role. If you know of any job opportunities or leads that you might be able to share with me, please send them my way, it would really mean a lot to me. Below, I have included a list of my dream companies. I have also attached my résumé for your reference, and feel free to pass it along. Thanks in advance for your help! I hope you all are doing well and hope to catch up with you soon. Take care!

Warm regards,

[Insert Your Name]

Those who care will respond immediately, and you’ll also find out who your real friends are! A one-liner follow-up from those you don’t hear back from would help too. Now, if you have dug your well before you’re thirsty, there will be plenty of fresh drinking water (opportunities) in your well (network). If you haven’t, outreach, outreach, outreach. No panic, just taking action.

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 12, 2022