Latest news with #jobsearch
Forbes
5 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Freelance or Full-Time? How to Choose Your Next Career Move
Should You Go Freelance Or Hold Out for Full-Time? I was recently laid off with some severance, which gave me some cushion in the job search. I know the job market is a slog though, so I wanted to make sure my skills are kept sharp not just for my next job but really in the long run. I am considering setting up an editorial and content strategy consultancy, so that at least I have recent projects that can continue to be valuable to potential employers. Would setting up a whole new business get in the way of actually seeking a job? Is that dividing my attentions/efforts into competing buckets? In a perfect world, if I knew I could not fail, I would set up my own consultancy offering fractional editorial leadership, from content strategy to execution, but I also don't know if I have what it takes to be a solo entrepreneur. – Experienced Journalist The best next career move is not a one-size-fits-all. It depends on your interests and priorities, as well as your runway for how long you can hold out for what you want (e.g., money you have to support yourself, emotional capacity to live in the uncertainty). It also depends on opportunities available to you – if you're an AI expert and getting multi-million dollar offers, you may want to ride that wave. This journalist asks about launching a business or looking for a job. When you're unemployed, that is your first fork in the road. Do you hedge your bets and try both? Or go all-in on one option? Why You Should Focus On One Option – Either Freelance Or Full-Time A big part of landing your next opportunity will come down to networking -- whether you're establishing a business and pitching your first clients or interviewing for jobs and pitching prospective employers. If you're pursuing both, you risk sounding undecided and therefore less attractive to either clients or employers. Even friendly networking contacts may be hesitant to refer you or just get confused about what you want help with (i.e., new business or job leads?). In addition to networking confusion, your branding may seem unfocused if you're speaking to clients and employers at the same time. Your LinkedIn profile plays a prominent role in your next move, and you have only one public profile. Your resume, networking pitch, and even professional references also need to be tailored to a next step. Why You Don't Have To Choose And Should Pursue Both Freelance And Job Search That said, there are professionals at different levels, in different roles and across industries who have managed to hold a traditional job and build a side hustle at the same time. The potential networking and branding hurdles are not insurmountable. You will need to show that you can perform as both a consultant and in-house and that you're genuinely interested in both. A big benefit to you of pulling that off and pursuing both business launch and traditional job search is that you broaden your chances for finding your next thing. If you're like this journalist who is not 100% sold on entrepreneurship, pursuing both is a way of experimenting before having to decide. Another big benefit is a speedier route to getting hired. Your next business client as a freelancer or next employer as a full-timer might be the same organization, so making yourself available to both a consulting assignment and traditional job can make it easier for that organization to say Yes. It gives them options, in case their budget is for outside vendors or for a permanent headcount. It gives the organization a try-before-you-buy option, as they can bring you in for a limited time or single project and then convert from temp to permanent, full-time. It also gives you a try-before-you-buy option, and you might decide to stick to consulting or hold out for another employer. How To Maximize Your Career Potential In Today's Job Market Today's job market has been linked to chaos, competition and uncertainty (yikes!). This gives the edge to Team Both – pursue freelance and look for a job. For each opportunity you consider, make your pitch less about the mechanics of consulting versus in-house and all about the best way to solve the problem your client/ employer is facing. Preview your solution, and emphasize your expertise – whether you come in as a freelancer or full-time employee is secondary to the fact that you will help them. In your networking and branding, keep the focus on your results – how you get paid is secondary to getting results. As you build up your business, you may find that landing a job is something you can layer on top of your existing business. In an uncertain market, having options is critical for moving forward. In a chaotic market, multiple sources of income is the foundation of career security.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Ten Ways To Supercharge Your Job Search
job search concept, find your career, woman looking at online website by laptop computer. People ... More searching for vacancies or position on the internet, recruiting, finding jobs. Unemployed and poor economy The average job search today lasts 24 weeks. As an independent career coach for 28 years, I can promise you that job search success is no accident. With job searching on the rise, you might want to check to see if you're in a mentally good place. Here are the ten most common reasons for succeeding in your job search. Success Reason One: Think positive. Nobody ever got anything accomplished with negative thinking, which is all you need to understand in sculpting your attitude. And while there are many factors beyond your control, attitude is certainly the one that's not. This is the absolute top choice. Is this easy? Of course not. Is there any other way to do this? Of course not. And that settles that. Success Reason Two: Get up an hour earlier. It's too easy to get into a rut but it's also easy to stay out of one. Getting up even earlier than you did when you were working is part attitude (see above) and part discipline. I don't have enough space in this and three more columns to spell out all the benefits of making yourself do this, but you'll find them all when you do. In essence, does the early bird really catch the worm? Every time. Success Reason Three: 'One more call.' When you think you're done for the day, make one more call. That's five more calls per week, but if you divide the day into four time periods and do this for each – before coffee break, before lunch break, before mid-afternoon walk, and before day's end – that's twenty more calls per week. Adds up, doesn't it? Take it from an old salesman who understands the numbers game. This is where you gain advantage. Success Reason Four: Who else? While you're networking, keep thinking 'Who else can help me?' On the other side of the person with whom you're networking is a whole new network. There's always someone else. Always. Success Reason Five: Widen your thinking. What else are you capable of doing? A waiter can become a concierge. An accountant can be a business manager. A nurse can become a medical equipment trainer. While this is admittedly a tough time to making leaps like this, there's no doubt it's possible with a little creativity and initiative. Success Reason Six: Increase your options. Don't define your job search just by your past, by what you have done; think in terms of what you can do. In other words, what are your transferable skills? Even in the worst of all job markets, there is always a demand for these: communication, interpersonal and team building, creativity and creative thinking, analytical thinking, design and strategy, research, management and administration, ethics and value setting, leadership, and technology. You have some or nearly all of them – and this is what gets many candidates hired. So don't limit yourself. Success Reason Seven: Keep your antennae up 24/7. Every minute of every day is an opportunity to find an opportunity, to meet new people, and to connect. Networking happens everywhere, not just professionally. Yes, you want to find your formal networking functions, but networking also happens while shopping, at backyard barbecues, at the dry cleaner, during a ball game, at church, at the swim club, and while volunteering. You never know where you can hook up, so every minute of every day is critical. Stay alert. Success Reason Eight: Expand your resources. The job boards are good, but there's so much more. Learn and use valuable databases in your public library. Read the rest of the paper or trade magazines. You won't find job listings; you'll find job clues! Industry or professional associations come into play here – big time. Success Reason Nine: Temp, Contract, or Interim. This only gives you a paycheck; it's a smart job search strategy. Millions of people a day go to work as a temp, contractor, or interim, and many eventually get hired. It gets you into companies you'd like to work for, and temp jobs are found 'from the mailroom to the boardroom.' It can be long term, it's a great opportunity to sell yourself, to 'try before you buy,' and is in many corporate budgets. This is a no-brainer. And Success Reason Ten: Act; don't react. The American workplace will never again accommodate the passive job seeker, so be proactive and make things happen. Plan, do your research, target companies, network – and declare victory in advance. In The Art of War, Sun Tzu, Chinese military strategist of the 4th century BC, said 'Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war and then seek to win.'
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Getting A Job Is Getting Harder With Layoffs And Fake Listings
Newspaper job listing pages, stacked to illustrate job search and employment opportunities and the ... More job hunting process of looking for careers and occupations in the classified ad section of printed papers. For concepts of unemployment, employment issues, recession, economic depression, recovery, job seeking and discovery. Horizontal image with no people. Jobs market data of late, which should describe the reality of businesses and workers, seems misleading. Not intentionally, but through the mechanisms of trailing data and the need to dig to find early signs of what might be happening. A Data Recap The monthly job numbers for June were not as comforting as they seemed on the surface. Although above expectations, that didn't tell the full story. The number of long-term unemployed, who have been jobless for at least 27 weeks), grew by 190,000 to 1.6 million. They were 23.3% of all unemployed people. Government employment was up by 73,000 in June, with state government employment up by 47,000 (40,000 of that being in education). Healthcare employment was up by 39,000 in June. Other major industries — mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction; construction; manufacturing; wholesale trade; retail trade; transportation and warehousing; information; financial activities; professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and other services — were flat. As ManpowerGroup President and Chief Strategy Officer Becky Frankiewicz wrote at the time, 'The top-line numbers look positive, but our real-time data reveals underlying shifts. June marked the weakest hiring month of the year, with new postings down 7% month-over-month and 2% year-over-year. Open postings fell 8% from May.' What Else Is Happening To try and better understand some of the larger dynamics in labor markets, here are data about new jobs and job openings in a single graph using data available from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Announced job openings and actual hires. New jobs shows the number of jobs added every month by taking the total number of employed persons in that month and subtracting the employed persons in the previous month. These are jobs where someone has been hired. If the number is negative, there are fewer jobs than in the previous month; if the number is positive, there are more jobs. New job openings are the number of job openings that companies say they have. These are supposedly open positions for which companies say they want to hire. The treatment is the same as with added jobs, by subtracting from a month's number the number from the previous month. Again, it can be negative if fewer or positive if more. To make the graph easier to understand and see, it starts right after the big pandemic swings in 2020. The number of lost jobs in April 2020 was 20,471,000, which makes everything else virtually impossible to see because of the relative scales. The number of jobs added is significantly higher than the number of new job openings. Looking at the averages for each in 2025, there were 127 jobs added each month but only 52 job openings were announced. This suggests that while there is still hiring in some areas, corporate projections of new jobs have dropped. Positions Getting Slashed Many companies are slashing positions. According to a site that tracks tech and federal layoffs, tech 163 companies discharged 80,103 employees so far in 2025. In government, DOGE laid off 67,749 employees and there was a total 178,296 total federal departures. There are serious shifts going on in employment. Many job advertisements are reportedly fake and one study of 1,641 hiring managers found 40% of respondents admitted to posting fake job notices. The practice isn't new, but it has jumped in popularity to create an impression to competitors and shareholders. How many of the new job openings have been fake? To what degree are government statistics being manipulated by corporate trolls? Job seekers, corporate strategists, investors, and even the Federal Reserve have their work cut out for them when trying to grasp what the labor market is doing.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
10 Job Posting Red Flags And What These Phrases Really Mean
Spot job posting red flags before you apply by learning which phrases signal a role isn't the right ... More fit. Job searching can feel like a grueling full-time job. With hundreds of applications often leading to just a handful of interviews, job seekers are becoming more selective about where they invest their time and energy. According to a recent Adobe Acrobat survey, job seekers on average spend only 30 minutes per application, making it essential to quickly spot which opportunities are worth pursuing. From missing salary ranges to cringeworthy phrases like 'customer-obsessed,' even small details in a job posting can be dealbreakers. If you're ready to take a more strategic approach to your job search, here are the top 10 job posting red flags, along with reasons why each word or phrase could be a sign to move on. 1. 'Customer-Obsessed' (33%) Companies touting their 'customer-obsessed' mindset often see it as a badge of dedication. But for job seekers, this phrase raises questions about the expectations for employee availability and boundaries. It can signal a company culture that prioritizes customer demands above employee well-being, leading to burnout and poor work-life balance. When a company openly prioritizes customers over employees, it may expect staff to be available after hours, work overtime without compensation or put client satisfaction above everything else, including your own needs. 2. 'Wear Many Hats' (33%) If a job posting says you'll 'wear many hats,' it typically means you'll be juggling multiple roles and responsibilities. While some flexibility can be a plus, this often translates to a lack of support or clear priorities. You may end up taking on extra work without extra pay or recognition, and expectations can quickly become unmanageable. This language is also a sign that the company may not have invested in clear job descriptions, structure or proper staffing, potentially stretching employees thin and leaving little time for career growth or advancement. 3. 'Rockstar' (32%) Job postings calling for a 'rockstar' can sound fun, but they often lack substance. These buzzwords may focus more on personality than on real qualifications or skills. It can indicate a company culture that values style over substance or expects constant high performance without offering corresponding support. Often, the search for a 'rockstar' signals a high-pressure environment where individual achievement is valued over teamwork, and where recognition for hard work might be minimal or inconsistent. 4. 'High Sense Of Urgency' (29%) A 'high sense of urgency' suggests a workplace that is always in overdrive. Some may see this as energetic, but it often means persistent stress and pressure. This could indicate poor planning, constant fire drills and little regard for employee bandwidth. Workplaces that operate with a continual sense of urgency often struggle with unrealistic deadlines and a lack of long-term planning, which can leave employees feeling exhausted and undervalued. 5. 'Fast-Paced Environment' (25%) Many roles are naturally busy, but describing the workplace as 'fast paced' can sometimes be code for chaos. This phrase is frequently used to cover up high turnover or staffing shortages. You could find yourself overwhelmed with responsibilities and expectations to keep up without proper support. Job seekers should be wary of roles that highlight pace without addressing how the company invests in training, resources or team collaboration. 6. 'High-Energy' (24%) If a job ad says the company is looking for 'high-energy' candidates, take note. This term is vague and can hint at an unsustainable pace or lack of boundaries. It may reflect an expectation for relentless enthusiasm, regardless of workload or resources. Employers who seek 'high-energy' employees may expect you to constantly 'go the extra mile,' often at the expense of your own well-being or outside commitments. 7. 'Works Well With Ambiguity' (21%) Flexibility is valuable, but 'works well with ambiguity' is sometimes used as a catch-all. It can suggest you'll be navigating shifting priorities without much direction. You may face a lack of clarity, structure or support, making it hard to succeed or grow in the role. Without clear goals, direction or leadership, employees can become frustrated, disengaged or struggle to achieve meaningful results. 8. 'Family' (20%) Describing the workplace as a 'family' can sound inviting, but it blurs the line between professional and personal life. Some companies use this term to encourage extra effort without extra compensation. It may lead to unrealistic expectations for loyalty, overtime or emotional labor. In these environments, boundaries can be unclear, and employees may feel pressure to 'pitch in' outside their job description, often with little regard for work-life balance. 9. 'Entrepreneurial Spirit' (18%) While entrepreneurial qualities are great in many roles, this phrase can sometimes mask a lack of structure or support. You may be expected to do more with less. It often means limited guidance or resources and an expectation to "figure it out" on your own. This can be rewarding for self-starters but frequently leads to burnout or frustration if resources are stretched thin and priorities are unclear. 10. 'No Task Too Small' (16%) This phrase suggests that everyone, regardless of seniority, is expected to pitch in on basic tasks. While teamwork is important, this can be a red flag for a lack of boundaries or defined roles. You could be asked to take on menial tasks outside your job description, with little room to focus on career growth. Without clear role definitions, it's easy to get stuck doing work that doesn't match your skill set or move your career forward. How to Handle Multiple Job Posting Red Flags If you notice more than one of these red flags in a single job posting, it's worth pausing before you apply. While no workplace is perfect, a combination of these phrases may be a sign of deeper issues with company culture, transparency or resource allocation. Trust your instincts and look for opportunities where expectations, boundaries and values are clearly communicated. Don't hesitate to ask clarifying questions during the job interview, or to move on if something doesn't feel right. Successfully Navigating Job Postings Recognizing warning signs early empowers you to steer clear of jobs that could derail your career growth or drain your motivation. Prioritize job postings that offer clear expectations and values aligned with your own. When you're selective and intentional in your job search, you're far more likely to find a job that fits your values and leaves you feeling fulfilled, not frustrated.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
‘It's a systemic problem': WP NCMPs invite Singapore's fresh grads to share their job search experiences
SINGAPORE: If you're a fresh graduate struggling to land a job, the Workers' Party's (WP) newly minted Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP), Eileen Chong and Andre Low, want to hear from you. In video messages released over the weekend, Mr Low reassured the youth who find themselves in this boat that 'It's a systemic problem, and not yours to find alone.' Ms Chong, meanwhile, said, 'We hope to help you amplify your voices.' @thehammertok CALLING ALL FRESH GRADS 🎓🗣️📣 ARE YOU 🫵 facing challenges 😩 in securing a job? 🧑💻 let us know your thoughts about this issue! 🤔🩵 #wpsg #singapore #youth #unemployment #jobmarket @Andre Low ♬ original sound – The Workers' Party 🔨 – The Workers' Party 🔨 Mr Low noted the four gaps that make the job search hard for new graduates—skills, experience, opportunities, and expectations—and added that the latest generation to enter the workforce faces 'enormous' challenges, including economic volatility, and the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology. For her part, Ms Chong, who is the president of the WP's Youth Wing, asked fresh grads who have been able to find employment about the nature of their jobs: whether they're actually underemployed and if they've been able to secure full-time permanent roles or temporary contractual ones. 'Whether you're a recent graduate, a current student, or a parent of someone navigating today's job market, we want to hear from you,' said Mr Low. He and Ms Chong are inviting people to share their job search experiences, creative solutions, and the challenges they still face. Those who are interested in doing so may send either of the two NCMPs a direct message on Instagram via @ or @eileenchongps. They may also email Mr Low at [email protected] or Ms Chong at [email protected]. In another video, the two noted that while it has been reported that graduate employment is up by 4% year on year, this may not be the experience of some young Singaporeans. @thehammertok hear from our youths about what they have to say about the job market 🥲 i think we are cooked – struggling admin trying to find a job too #wpsg #singapore #youth #unemployment #jobmarket ♬ original sound – The Workers' Party 🔨 – The Workers' Party 🔨 The clip featured a young woman who said that her friends who have just graduated 'have not been able to find a job for months.' A young man, meanwhile, talked about people he knows who want a certain job but end up taking another, just to make a living. Last month, the WP MP Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) highlighted the growing trend of companies hiring interns instead of fresh graduates, saying he had been hearing from residents who have recently graduated about how difficult it is to secure a job at the moment. The young residents who spoke to him said that some of their peers have been looking for jobs for several months or even more than a year and have been unsuccessful in securing an offer for a full-time job. /TISG Read also: WP MP Louis Chua highlights increasing trend of companies hiring interns instead of fresh graduates See also Tech salaries climb slowly after turbulent 2024
