This summary of articles addresses many issues faced by the long-term unemployed.
As a job seeker, especially a long-term unemployed one, you may feel vulnerable, powerless and/or discriminated against. And yes, all of these things may be real, but there are a lot of things in the hiring world you cannot change right now.
What you can do is take control over your actions and behaviors.
So what I’ve been doing since 2010 is explain what the hiring landscape looks like and what trends are out there and what the latest and greatest things are in job search.
I do this so that you, the unemployed job seeker, will see what actions you can take to best navigate your job search.
Knowledge is power. And I want you to have the power successfully find a new job.
I also want you know that I don’t support ageism or any kind of “isms.” But the reality is, they exist. So the question I ask is: What battle is more important for you to win … securing a new job or correcting discrimination or the many bad practices that occur during hiring?
If securing a new job is most important to you, then you’ll need to know what you can do to work within the flawed system. This starts by letting go of the frustration and focus on what you can control.
The most important article in this week’s summary is the one about the long-term unemployed. But you’ll also find articles about:
- How to get a conversation with someone (who could hire you)
- Pandemic interview questions
- Skills you need for remote work
- The power of being likable
- Learning to learn
UNEMPLOYMENT
A Crisis of Long-Term Unemployment Is Looming in the U.S. | HBR
To most jobseekers, hiring institutions are a black box; opening up this box serves a dual purpose of de-personalizing employer rejections, thus lessening self-blame and internalized stigma, and of pointing to possible strategies. This helps people understand their labor market experiences in a less personalized way, which lessens the emotional fallout of unemployment and helps maintain resilience for continued searching.
Ofer Sharone
JOB SEARCH
The Hardest Part Of The Job Search (And The Secret To Get Beyond It) | Dr. Dawn Graham
Today, the average candidate only receives about a 2% response rate from online applications, which is more of a reflection of the inadequacy of our hiring systems, rather than the alignment of our qualifications.
Dr. Dawn Graham
INTERVIEWING
10 Pandemic Interview Questions and How to Answer Them | Career Contessa
Empathy is going to be intrinsic in all of these pandemic interview questions. As a candidate, we think that answering these questions with empathy in mind is important. Equally important is volleying these questions back to the interviewer—as we’re all navigating a tough time right now.
Career Contessa
51 Behavioral Interview Questions & Answers To Master | CareerSherpa
Behavioral interview questions require the candidate to explain how you resolved an issue, solved a problem or fixed something. Embedded within each answer are the human drivers or qualities that show why you took the actions you did. It’s like a small peek into what motivates you.
Hannah Morgan
REMOTE WORK
4 Essential Soft Skills You Need For A Remote Role | Glassdoor
In 2021 we expect workers splitting time between home and the office to be a more common workplace policy.
Dr. Andrew Chamberlain, Glassdoor’s Chief Economist
CAREER
Why Being Likable Can Be A Remarkable Life Skill | Larae Quy
Thanks to Phyllis Mufson for sharing this article.
The well-researched OCEAN model has identified 5 personality characteristics that are most important to people’s lives. The five traits are: Openness to experience, Conscientiousness, Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Neuroticism (sensitive/nervous vs. secure/confident). These five traits are stable over time and they persist despite our circumstances. They have an impact on how well you do in life.
Larae Quy
Out of the 5 personality traits, research has identified one above the rest that predicts professional success: agreeableness. In other words, likability.
Learn How to Learn – Part 5, Self Management Series | HR Bartender
Hannah Morgan speaks and writes about job search and career strategies. She founded CareerSherpa.net to educate professionals on how to maneuver through today’s job search process. Hannah was nominated as a LinkedIn Top Voice in Job Search and Careers and is a regular contributor to US News & World Report. She has been quoted by media outlets, including Forbes, USA Today, Money Magazine, Huffington Post, as well as many other publications. She is also author of The Infographic Resume and co-author of Social Networking for Business Success.
