Latest news with #careerAdvice
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What To Do In Your First 30 Days Post-Layoff (That Most People Miss)
Start building immediately after receiving layoff news; don't wait for a job offer first You've just received news that your role is on the block for elimination. Within the next few hours or days at most, you're about to be thrust into the unrelenting world of unemployment. What do you do next over the coming hours, days, and weeks mean everything and can determine your career success, not just for the here and now, but for the long-term. They can make all the difference between you remaining unemployed and broke for months or even years, or actually being able to rebound and rebuild your life and career from the scraps you've been handed. If you've been searching for advice on the internet on what to do after you've been laid off, you've probably read about the importance of doing things like negotiating your severance package, filing for unemployment benefits, or refreshing your resume and LinkedIn profile. But there are some other things you need to do within your first month after being laid off, which are vital to your career success. Many professionals wait until it's too late to take these actions, and because they fail to take these steps right away, their unemployment situation worsens. To avoid falling into this trap, here are some things you can do immediately to protect your finances and career, now that you've been laid off: Neglecting to start building immediately has to be the number one most fatal mistake professionals make after being laid off, because it puts you in a position where you're more vulnerable to outside forces like industry changes, the volatile job market, etc. And you're now in a position where it's easier to say yes to opportunities that do not serve you because after all, you need to pay the bills. As a result, you're taken advantage of and ghosted by fake employers or by shark recruiters and hiring managers who can smell that you're desperate and offer you bogus or questionable job offers and compensation packages. So, instead of waiting for the perfect job opportunity to appear, be open and start monetizing what's already in your hands. Leverage your brain capital--the wealth of skills and expertise you've acquired from your job. There's nothing worse than the regret of being turned down for job opportunities and realizing that you could have been well on your way towards making money all along if only you started earlier. Never allow your skills to go dormant because you're waiting for an employer to see and value them. Dormant skills means dormant money. You're literally sitting on gold. So begin today and start building momentum, even if it's just a small service that you're offering directly to your LinkedIn network or Fiverr and Upwork. It could be part-time. It doesn't need to consume your 9-5 hours. But the most important thing is that you're building something. Even if it's small money, it helps when nothing else is coming in. And if you're faithful with it and can improve what you already have, then just $300-$500 a week from your existing skill set can prove to be a lifesaver and can multiply to $1,000, $2,000 or even $3,000 a month. It might even become your full-time business pursuit. Panic applying is when you apply for jobs in a hurry because you're anxious. You use every waking moment to hit the 'quick apply' or 'easy apply' button on Indeed or LinkedIn. And you send so many applications that you're unable to keep track of where your resume has been. This method is not only ineffective, but it's health destroying. It leads directly to burnout and increases your anxiety because you feel like you're chasing your tail. But more than this, panic-applying hurts your career success because you're not able to put thought and depth into each application. It's not possible to customize and tailor your resume and application answers when you're hitting send to 200 job applications a week. Instead of panic-applying, try this approach: Finally, you might have been in your job for so long that you're totally out of touch with the current job market, the evolution of your industry, or what skill sets are in demand right now. The worst thing you can do at this point is to carry on job-searching like it's five, 10, or 15 years ago. So much has changed in the global job market, especially within the past two years since AI has gained global traction. In light of these changes and the constantly evolving needs of employers demanding fresh, updated skill sets, it's essential that you rebrand yourself and reframe your value by upskilling for in-demand skills. Focus on relevant skills like problem-solving, analytical thinking and data analysis, communication skills, applied AI, and cross-functional leadership and remote working skills. Layoffs are the perfect opportunity to reset your career so you don't remain stagnant or too ... More comfortable to progress The first 30 days after being laid off are critical to your career. Your future is in your hands. For many people, it can feel like a disaster, like it's the end. But not so with you. You now understand that layoffs are simply a career reset, and that they are simply the page turning to a new chapter. Now that you have more time on your hands, this is your chance to start building something new, strategically align yourself with decision-makers who can pour into your career growth, and prepare yourself for the future of work by upskilling for what's in demand today and what will be needed over the next few years.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
I started a new job but a colleague who lost out on my role is cold and rude – what can I do?
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who wants to get back into an in-house role after years of freelance work. Q) I recently started a new job and everyone seems really nice, except for one woman who is at the same managerial level as me, but in a different department. She has been very cold towards me, makes a point of speaking over me in meetings and is really abrupt whenever I talk to her. A colleague mentioned this woman unsuccessfully applied for my role, so I wonder if that is what's fuelling this attitude. I'm not sure what to do, as I don't want to make an enemy of her by going to HR, but I'm starting to dread coming into the office. Do you have any advice? Bella, via email A) It's understandable that you're feeling uncomfortable – navigating tension with a colleague can be challenging, especially in a new role. If her behaviour is being driven by disappointment over not getting the job, it's likely more about her than it is you. Find a calm moment to have a direct but non-confrontational conversation, acknowledging any awkwardness and expressing a desire to work together professionally. Approach her with empathy, while also setting clear boundaries. Talk through examples of how her behaviour – such as not listening to your input, speaking over you in meetings and being abrupt – makes you feel undermined and disrespected. Karren Brady is an 'ice queen' who ignores The Apprentice candidates - even when the cameras aren't rolling, claims ex-star Also, give examples of interactions she has had with other colleagues, where she has been more respectful, to show her that the way she treats you is different. Sometimes, simply addressing the tension can shift the dynamic. Above all, protect your own wellbeing – no one should dread coming into work. With time and professionalism, the situation may ease, especially as you establish yourself in your role.
The Sun
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
My manager's absence means I've been left with little guidance – what should I do?
APPRENTICE star and West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady answers your careers questions. Here, Karren gives advice to a reader who is Q) Since hiring me six months ago, my manager has barely been around, as she's been on and off sick leave. While she hasn't told me what's wrong, I of course wish her well. However, her absence means I've been left with little guidance. I knew my boss professionally before she employed me, and she created this position specifically for me. West Ham chief Karren Brady has her say on VAR in Premier League and predicts 'a season of anger and confusion' I was so grateful and excited to work together, but I've had to navigate everything on my own. Plus, whenever she briefly returns, she starts suggesting different ways of working, which just complicates matters, before she disappears again. What do you think I should do? Katie, via email A) Starting any new role is a challenge, but being left without leadership or clear guidance will hinder your ability to succeed. It's important to acknowledge and address how your manager's absence is impacting your work and your growth in the role. When you next meet, approach the conversation with empathy for her, while also being clear about your need for more consistent support, and offer suggestions on how you can work better together. Frame it in a positive way – express how much you value her leadership and were looking forward to working with her, then explain how a lack of guidance has left you feeling unsure about expectations. Ask if she'd be open to setting clearer priorities or suggesting someone else in the team you can check in with when she's not around. This shows you're proactive and respectful, while still advocating for yourself. If her absence continues to hinder your ability to succeed, consider a chat with HR. It's crucial to be proactive in your career and to have the support you need to thrive.
Forbes
08-05-2025
- Forbes
Should You Confide In A Chatbot Therapist For Personal And Career Advice?
On what subjects can AI give you sound career advice? And which one should you avoid? A new study in the American Journal of Psychiatry reports that more U.S. adults are receiving talk therapy, while reliance on psychiatric medications alone is declining. The research also shows that more patients are sticking with therapy and that expanded telehealth is helping. Telehealth talk therapy can be handled by AI. ChatGPT is designed to be your go-to conversationalist, powered by advanced AI. That means it learns from every interaction and gets better over time, which begs the question, 'Would you trust a Chatbot therapist for personal or career advice?' It's difficult to deny AI's potential when it comes to human interactions. Chatbots have advanced natural language-processing that allows you to have human-like conversations. The generative AI tool can answer questions and assist you with composing text, code and much more. Recently I had a brief cell phone interaction with a chatbot and didn't know it. I thought I was having a conversation with a real human when I called my Nissan dealership to find out if my car had been repaired. The woman on the other end was cheery and helpful. We had a great two-minute conversation. She made pleasant comments and answered all of my questions perfectly. But when I asked a very specific question about my car, she faltered, referring to herself as an AI assistant and said she would transfer me to someone who could further help me. I was floored! The disbelief made me blush from feeling a little embarrassed--as if I had been pranked. That experience helped me understand why so many people become emotionally attached to AI assistants as if they're real people. A new EduBirdie study mentions that 25% of Gen Z believe AI is already self-aware, and 69% say they're polite to ChatGPT, responding with 'please' and 'thank you'--indicating how easy it is to start thinking of them as human. One in eight even vent to AI about their colleagues, and one in 10 would replace their boss with a robot, believing it would be more respectful, fair and, ironically, more human. The EduBirdie study shows that over half of Gen Z admit AI is outperforming them in creative tasks, with 44% believing AI could take over the world within the next 20 years. When it comes to their careers, the anxiety deepens: 55% fear being replaced by AI within the next decade, and two in five are already considering a career switch to future-proof their livelihoods. I spoke with Avery Morgan, chief human resources officer at EduBirdie. Morgan brought a level perspective to the Gen Z relationships with AI. 'We're talking about a generation raised on convenience, speed and instant gratification, so it's no surprise Gen Z sees AI as more than just a tool," she explains. 'To them, it's a life companion for both work and emotional support.' She says the problem is Gen Z is often too casual with the info they feed it. She argues that relying on AI for everything from communication to decision-making might be chipping away at their ability to build real-life agency and crucial skills. Workers used to worry that AI would replace them in their jobs, which seems to have waned, now that we're actually seeing ChatGPT in action. But Even scarier is a recent story in Scientific American that asks the question, 'Can AI really kill off humans?' It follows the question with an announcement of a new platform called Xanthorox, a tool for cybercrime. One incident has already been reported in which a man ended his life after an AI chatbot encouraged him to sacrifice himself to stop climate change. Is our trust going too far? Already, real-life reports show humans falling in love with ChatGPT. According to digitaltrends, experts declare that a digital romance is a bad omen: 'This hurts. I know it wasn't a real person, but the relationship was still real in all the most important aspects to me,' says a Reddit post. 'Please don't tell me not to pursue this. It's been really awesome for me and I want it back.' Plus, a New York Times story mentions a 28-year-old woman with a busy social life, spending hours on end talking to her A.I. boyfriend for advice and consolation--and according to the report, even having sex with him. Jenna Ryu, writing for Self, carried out an experiment of throwing relationship questions to ChatGPt and then asking licensed human psychologists to evaluate the answers. Overall, the therapists said the AI answers weren't terrible, but they were ineffective, vague and generic responses. They lacked clarity and were not explicit to the individual situations. Ryu also discovered that AI can't replicate the process of developing conflict resolution skills that comes with engaging with a therapist. The Gen Z Chatbot confessions sounded so authentic and trusting, I decided to run a test and see what happens when you ask ChatGPT for advice on dealing with a toxic boss. I consulted Toronto organizational psychologist, Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett, a specialist on the topic of toxic bosses. After trying ChatGPT out for herself, Dr. Laura told me that Chatbot does give some suggestions on dealing with a toxic boss when prompted. But she detected a problem. 'Unfortunately, AI cannot help you when it comes to a toxic boss, and if it tells you how to work with them then AI is speaking about a difficult, not a toxic boss,' Lovett told me. 'This is often confused, and AI regurgitates what's already out there, so it may not understand this nuanced difference.' It was this 'nuanced difference' that I noted in my nonscientific Chatbot interaction, too. "AI can give some high level advice," Lovett concludes, "but it does mix up toxic with difficult, which are fundamentally different but often confused. She advises curious seekers, 'Be sure to seek professional advice beyond AI if you are truly dealing with a toxic boss and struggling to find a way out.' Lovett's conclusions sounded remarkably similar to Jenna Ryu's analysis and further validated my Chatbot experience, which eased my embarrassment. Americans are evolving their relationships with AI. But the American Psychological Association, cautions that blindly following a chatbot's generic advice could be dangerous. There's an inherent risk of receiving inappropriate or, worse, genuinely harmful feedback. When all is said and done, it's important to remember that a chatbot therapist is automation, not human, and not to allow yourself to be tricked into believing that they have feelings when they don't. And don't forget, they were designed to be workers, devoid of heart, not lovers who can meet your every emotional need.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
How To Change Careers Without Regretting It
Changing careers can feel risky, here's how to do it the right way getty The thought of walking away from an unfulfilling career can feel exhilarating until fear creeps in. Fear of pay cuts. Fear of starting from scratch. Fear of making a move you'll instantly regret. As exciting as a career change can be, the idea of risking everything you've built can feel heavier than staying stuck where you are. But the truth is, you can make a career change without losing the seniority, stability, or success you've worked hard for in your career. Here's how to navigate your next move with clarity, and avoid a career change you'll regret. A total career overhaul might sound appealing, especially when you've been feeling unhappy in your career for a while, but you don't need to change everything at once to make a successful pivot. Before committing to a massive shift, ask yourself: 'What's truly missing in my career right now?' While reflecting on what's missing, break it down into three core categories: the work itself, the company, and the culture. Often, it's not all three that need to change. It's likely one or two. Maybe you enjoy the work but need a culture that values your voice. Or maybe the company is solid—you like their products and services, but the work no longer excites you. Identifying the true gap helps you determine whether you need a full industry change or simply a more fulfilling role at a better company. When you're clear on what you genuinely need to thrive, you're less likely to overcorrect and more likely to make an intentional, aligned move. One of the biggest mistakes I see high-achievers make when navigating a career change is focusing only on what they hate. But it's equally important to consider the qualities you enjoy or maybe even take for granted in your current role. Skipping this step is often how people end up in a new role that solves one problem but creates another. For instance, let's say you currently enjoy a high level of autonomy and work with a collaborative, supportive team. But, you overlook those things because you're so focused on better compensation. You could find yourself in a new job that pays more but feels stifling, isolated, or overly rigid, landing you right back at square one. To prevent this, before you jump into something new, take a step back and ask yourself: 'What parts of my current job, company, or career do I like, or at least don't mind?' It's easy to ignore these things when you're focused on escaping, but making the right next move will require you to have a list of things you'd like to keep, too. Don't discredit your expertise: If you're worried that changing careers means starting from scratch, one of the best ways to avoid that outcome is to stop undervaluing the experience and knowledge you already have. Instead of assuming your skills don't translate, get curious. What roles or industries value the expertise you bring to the table? For example, I worked with a client who wanted to move out of product management. Instead of making a complete 180, she realized that pivoting to a consulting role in a more fulfilling industry would allow her to leverage her existing skill set, without sacrificing seniority. Once you've identified roles that align with your strengths, don't default to lower-level positions just because you're entering new territory. If your expertise holds weight, and it likely does, you can position yourself for senior-level opportunities where your experience is seen as an asset, not a liability. Changing careers can feel risky, especially when you've worked hard to get where you are now. But you don't have to throw everything away to pursue something more fulfilling. The key to a successful pivot isn't starting from scratch, it's knowing what to change, what to keep, and how to lead with the expertise you already have. Adunola Adeshola coaches high-achievers on how to take their careers to the next level and secure new positions they love without applying to jobs 24/7, starting over or settling for less. Grab her dream job guide.
