Career development

Billy Whitcomb

15h

Hey! I had two interviews at the same company and both seemed to go fine. But then their HR person called and said they’re not moving forward with me because of a couple of my social media posts. Apparently they think I look “inappropriate” in them (even though there’s honestly nothing like that).
So I’m wondering, is this even normal? Photos from a party are my own business. Why does a company... think it gets a say in my personal life?

more

2

Sibonginkosi Mpofu
5m
These days it matters, sometimes what we post says something about us
elliott williams
16m
You really have to consider that this just another way to determine who the best fit is. And if you’re posting about your private life, it’s not so... private anymore. So anyone who looks you up will find the same information they did. They know their long term plans for their role and anything that can come up in a background check, within guidelines, or on social media is fair for scrutiny. You should be thankful they told you what they passed on you. more

Career development

1d

The interview's on Zoom. Here's how to actually stand out.

Virtual meetings and job interviews are no longer the exception, but we're not all spiff and polished when presenting ourselves online.

This requires a skill set not naturally in many people's wheelhouse.

Nancy Ancowitz, a career strategist and author of the new book "Zoom to Success," has some coaching tips.

Here are edited excerpts of our recent conversation:

Kerry Hannon: Why did you write... this book right now?

Ancowitz: This is the book I wish I had to help me navigate the virtual world. There is so much that goes into all of this before we even open our mouths -- the lighting (two light sources from the front or sides for balanced, flattering light), the hair, the makeup, the camera, your background, what you are wearing, the tech checks. I show people ways to make it simpler and more accessible to bring your best face forward online.

What are the biggest challenges of virtual presentations?

Speaking to somebody 12 inches from their face, and where their face and your face are so big and filling up the whole space, is really tough for many people. And if you are presenting, looking at 20 or more of those faces in little boxes is truly abnormal.

Another big one is that you can't make real eye contact with anyone since you're looking into your tiny camera. Nobody knows where to look when they are speaking. Maybe you look at yourself. You get distracted by your hair out of place. Also, not everybody's blessed with a great voice, and your voice matters even more on Zoom and other virtual platforms because there's not as much of you to see and to experience. Finally, one of the hardest things, of course, is that you have to be your own tech person and when things go wrong, be calm and cool.

You need to carve out an hour ahead of time to get mentally grounded and ready.

A virtual presentation can create more jitters than in-person for many folks. What are some of the good techniques you can do?

My favorite technique is self-talk, or speaking to yourself in the second or third person. Instead of saying, 'I've got this,' say 'you've got this.' Reframe nerves as excitement. Think 'I feel most alive when I'm tackling things that are a little bit challenging.'

I remind myself to slow down and breathe deeply, which sharpens my focus and clears my head when things get bumpy. Start with a two-minute reset: Inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for eight.

It's a mindset matter. Remember that you're not there to impress people. You're there to share something, to share information, to inspire, to educate, to persuade. But you're not there for their judgment. That's a super important way to manage jitters. more

Phindile Mahlangu
2
3h
Thank you very much.
1
Zakeyo Saili
3h
Thank you for sharing

Berta Harkness

Career development

1w

I work from home and take my 2.5-year-old to my mother-in-law for half the day (she lives just down the street). That was the plan from the beginning and both she and my husband agreed to it.
Now my mother-in-law doesn’t want to watch her grandson anymore. She says I can just work and take care of the child at the same time.
My husband agrees with her. I even offered to pay my mother-in-law like... a babysitter, because I really don’t want to lose my job or get stuck doing only house stuff.
What should I do? I’d appreciate any advice.

more

4

biny
12h
i'm dealing whit something very challenging. my husband job now is basically working whit mental health problems people. but at the moment we don't... have that much, INCOME he decided to take in a normal buy whit ADHD problems!! he sleeps in seperate entrance but weekends he is whit us.
and im moved from Europe 2 years ago did not yet went back to visit my hometown.
you guys thing its normal to live like that?
more
Grace Lorian Olsen
15h
Maybe consider putting him in a daycare for a couple of hours when he is 3 and potty trained? We have two kids and we pretty much did the same thing... when I was working from home. more

Career development

14h

I got a product manager job at Microsoft; moved from India; my advice

Business Insider tells the global tech, finance, stock market, media, economy, lifestyle, real estate, AI and innovative stories you want to know.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rishab Jolly, a 37-year-old senior product manager at Microsoft , based in Redmond, Washington. Business Insider has verified Jolly's employment history with documentation.

The... following has been edited for length and clarity.Before moving to the US in 2015, I studied engineering and computer science in India, where I worked as both a software quality tester and an engineer.I was always interested in the business side of technology, so I left my job in India to pursue an MBA at the University of Arizona. My goal was to gain business acumen to complement my engineering background. I saw firsthand how much innovation takes place in the US and how many opportunities exist to work on cutting-edge products, which inspired me to build my career here.One of the most valuable parts of the MBA program was its partnerships with Big Tech companies. As part of the curriculum, representatives from Microsoft, Amazon, and Google brought projects to campus.Students formed teams, worked on deliverables, and were graded by company representatives. In 2016, I was team lead on a Microsoft project, and we did an excellent job. That gave me a chance to network and to demonstrate my skills to an actual Microsoft product manager.I applied to about 200 jobs, sending the same generic résumé without referrals. I received only three calls back and passed two interviews, but both offers were subsequently rescinded: one company considered my visa too risky without a STEM extension, and another cited budgetary reasons.I needed to secure a job within 60-90 days after graduation, or I would be forced to return to India. I ran out of money, asked a friend if I could crash on their couch, and felt a constant sense of anxiety.During that time, I stayed in touch with the Microsoft contact I'd met through my MBA project. When an opening came up, I asked if he would refer me.He agreed, and I rewrote my résumé to match the specific role. The hiring manager liked my application, called me in, and I got a shot. That referral and tailoring my résumé made all the difference.I was hired by Microsoft in July 2017 and started as a product manager. I became a senior product manager in 2021.First, you have to get the interview, and second, you have to pass it. For the first step, referrals are critical. Big Tech companies receive tens of thousands of résumés every month. A referral can push yours to the top of the stack.To prepare for interviews, I relied heavily on mock interviews. I reached out to peers who had been in the same boat and asked them to test me. They helped me refine my storytelling, practice answering metrics-driven questions, and pinpoint areas for improvement.When I finally interviewed at Microsoft, the feedback I received was that my stories were authentic and clearly based on real experiences. That authenticity resonated far more than rehearsed answers pulled from the internet.In today's tech world, showcasing your skills outside work or school, whether on LinkedIn, GitHub, or through personal projects, demonstrates passion and initiative.I started posting more consistently on LinkedIn during the pandemic. I shared lessons from my career, thoughts on product management, and observations about the industry. I wasn't trying to "build a following," I just focused on topics that genuinely resonated with me.Over time, those posts resonated with others, and a community naturally formed around them. The growth happened gradually and organically, simply because people connected with the ideas and conversations.Recruiters notice when you go beyond the curriculum to learn new tools or contribute to open-source projects. In a fast-changing industry where AI and new technologies emerge every six months, demonstrating your ability to adapt and self-learn is as important as the content of your résumé.While a small percentage of jobs may prefer an MBA, I know successful product managers who came from accounting, English literature, or completely different areas. Microsoft values diverse backgrounds because innovation thrives when teams bring fresh perspectives.Even with this knowledge, I would still pursue an MBA because it was not just about academics; it was also about gaining practical experience. It provided me with exposure to new perspectives, helped me transition into product management, and connected me with mentors and peers who have shaped my career in meaningful ways.I don't think an MBA is mandatory for everyone. It depends on your goals and whether you're looking for a career pivot, a network, or structured learning.Visa restrictions, financial pressure, and cultural adjustments can make the experience stressful. I had moments when I felt defeated, but staying focused and working smart eventually brought everything together.After over eight years at Microsoft, I plan to continue contributing to the technology and innovation ecosystem. I'm exploring the appropriate pathways that align with my career goals, but nothing is finalized at this time. My focus is on the work itself and continuing to grow professionally.My advice to anyone following a similar path is straightforward: network strategically, prepare thoroughly, stay authentic, and continually build your skills and presence. Things may look uncertain now, but persistence and the right relationships can open doors you didn't think were possible.

Microsoft Big Tech

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Career development

2d

Yesterday, I Got the Job Offer ,After 8 Months of Doubt

This is a personal update reflecting on my job-hunting journey, self-doubt, and resilience over the past eight months. I'm sharing this for anyone navigating rejection, waiting, or imposter syndrome.

Yesterday, I got the job offer.

Before the excitement kicked in, there was silence. Relief. A moment to breathe. It felt like the end of a season I wasn't sure I would survive, let alone learn... from.

For over eight months, I was unemployed.

Eight months of applications. Waiting. Refreshing my inbox. Wondering what more I needed to fix.

This wasn't just a job hunt. It was a confrontation with my confidence.

The Part No One Prepares You For

I redid my CV more times than I can count. Each rejection convinced me there was something missing.

Maybe my experience wasn't strong enough.

Maybe my portfolio didn't meet the standard.

Maybe I wasn't telling my story well.

Or maybe quietly, painfully,I just wasn't good enough.

Imposter syndrome didn't whisper. It took over.

I compared myself constantly. I questioned my growth. I looked at other designers and wondered how they seemed so sure while I felt like I was barely holding myself together.

Still, I showed up.

Not confidently.

Not consistently motivated.

But honestly, and that mattered.

Waiting Changes You

Being without work does something to your identity, especially when your craft is tied to how you see yourself.

I questioned my path. I considered shrinking my ambitions. Some days, I wondered if choosing this career had been a mistake.

Yet, even in doubt, I kept refining my portfolio. Rewriting case studies. Applying again. Believing, sometimes reluctantly,that this season wasn't a verdict on my ability.

Sometimes growth looks like survival.

When It Finally Happened

When the offer came yesterday, it wasn't loud.

It was grounding.

Relief before celebration.

Validation before excitement.

Not because the job suddenly made me worthy, but because it reminded me that the version of me who kept going, even when exhausted and unsure, was never wrong to try.

I didn't become capable yesterday.

I was always capable,I just lost sight of it while waiting.

If You're Still There

If you're in the middle of a long job search, feeling behind, discouraged, or invisibleplease hear this:

Your struggle is not a reflection of your worth.

Your doubt does not cancel your skill.

Your timeline is not broken.

This chapter humbled me. It stretched me. It taught me patience, self-trust, and compassion,for myself and for others fighting quiet battles.

Yesterday, I got the job offer.

But long before that, I proved something even more important to myself:

Even when I doubted myself, I still showed up.

If this resonated with you, feel free to leave a comment or share it with someone who might need it today. more

9

Nnenna Agbai Kalu
16h
Congratulations
benson bagonza
1d
Congratulations..thanks for the inspiration. Work hard and protect it. Don't forget the huddles passed through to get it...save invest small small as... salary come in...Merry Christmas and holidays more

Career development

16h

Forget Applications -- Visibility is the New Key to Getting Hired in 2026 - Travel And Tour World

In 2026, the job market has radically shifted. Traditional job applications are no longer the path to success. Instead, the key to securing employment is visibility. With layoffs hitting tech, media, retail, and professional services, millions of job seekers are vying for fewer jobs. But experts say the biggest mistake job seekers are making is clinging to outdated job application methods.... Recruiters now search for candidates based on visibility, not just résumés. It's time to think like a creator. Learn how to get noticed in a market where discoverability, not just skills, gets you hired.

As mass layoffs sweep across industries like tech, media, and retail, job seekers in 2026 face an increasingly competitive job market. But traditional job applications just won't cut it anymore. Employers are shifting their hiring strategies and focusing on visibility. Hiring managers and recruiters now search for candidates through platforms like LinkedIn, where activity, engagement, and expertise are the key to standing out. In a world dominated by algorithms, it's no longer enough to submit a résumé and hope for the best. Instead, those who are visible are the ones who get noticed and hired.

The rise of the "creator mindset" is transforming the way job seekers approach the hiring process. Experts like Brian Futral, Head of Content Marketing at The Marketing Heaven, argue that treating LinkedIn like a static résumé database is a massive mistake. Recruiters are now finding talent the same way audiences discover creators: through consistent posting, engagement, and profile optimization. If you want to get hired in 2026, you need to adopt the creator mentality. Regularly posting industry insights, engaging with peers, and optimizing your profile are no longer optional -- they're crucial to landing your next job.

LinkedIn has evolved from a basic résumé database to a dynamic platform where job seekers must demonstrate their value in real-time. According to Futral, profiles that remain static or feature outdated headlines are overlooked by recruiters who rely on algorithms to find talent. Instead, the focus is on candidates who show up consistently in searches, offer relevant insights, and engage meaningfully with their network. By optimizing your LinkedIn profile with role-specific keywords and posting regularly about industry trends, you'll ensure that recruiters come to you instead of waiting for the next job posting.

In 2026, silence is no longer neutral -- it's a disadvantage. As hiring slows and competition intensifies, being invisible online means being overlooked entirely. Recruiters now use LinkedIn's search filters, activity signals, and engagement patterns to identify top candidates. If your profile is stagnant, you're effectively invisible. The smartest job seekers are focusing on how to be visible and how to show their expertise. This new approach shifts the power dynamic: it's not about applying for hundreds of jobs anymore, but about positioning yourself so recruiters come to you.

Job seekers in 2026 are finding success by positioning themselves to attract inbound recruiter interest. Instead of sending out countless job applications, the smartest candidates are optimizing their profiles to ensure they stand out in searches. According to The Marketing Heaven, job seekers who post regularly, engage with industry trends, and optimize their profiles with relevant keywords are seeing the strongest recruiter interest. This shift means job seekers must think strategically about their online presence. By making sure their profiles act like landing pages rather than timelines, they can ensure that recruiters come directly to them.

A major change in the job market is the rise of direct sourcing by recruiters. Many roles are now being filled before they're even posted publicly. This shift is largely due to the ease and efficiency of sourcing candidates through platforms like LinkedIn. For employers, this means lower hiring costs, faster decision-making, and a reduced risk of poor cultural fits. Job seekers can take advantage of this trend by ensuring they are visible and active on platforms like LinkedIn. By engaging in consistent activity and posting valuable insights, job seekers are making themselves visible to recruiters who are actively seeking talent.

The traditional approach of submitting hundreds of job applications is no longer effective. Instead, job seekers in 2026 must focus on engagement and visibility. Recruiters are looking for candidates who demonstrate expertise and knowledge through their online presence. Whether it's posting regularly on LinkedIn or engaging with others in your industry, consistency is key. Recruiters are now assessing a candidate's ability to communicate, engage with peers, and demonstrate value through content. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile that showcases your skills and expertise is far more valuable than a static résumé ever will be.

In a job market where competition is fierce, those who adapt to the new rules of visibility are the ones who will thrive. The most successful candidates are using LinkedIn like a platform for thought leadership rather than just a job application portal. They are posting valuable insights, engaging with others, and optimizing their profiles to ensure they show up in relevant searches. By thinking like a creator and positioning themselves as experts in their field, job seekers are finding success without ever needing to send out a single application. In 2026, the job market is more about visibility and relevance than ever before.

As the job market evolves, job seekers must think differently to stay ahead. The traditional methods of job searching, like sending endless applications, are no longer effective. Instead, those who succeed in 2026 will be the ones who embrace visibility as the key to employment. By adopting a creator mindset -- optimizing your profile, posting regularly, engaging with industry trends, and positioning yourself as an expert -- you'll ensure that recruiters come to you. The job market has changed, and the ability to be visible online has become the most powerful tool in securing your next job. more

Anonymous member

Career development

4d

Every Christmas, our office does Secret Santa. This year, I got a bouquet of little roses… but the red ones were made out of lingerie. I’m honestly shocked. Is this some kind of joke from my coworkers or are they trying to send me a message? I’m not sure how to feel about it. And I still have no idea who gave it to me. What should I do?

1

James Osewe
20h
A gift is always from a loving heart, accept it,, it's Christmas 🎁
Rick Garside
2d
Before jumping to conclusions, are you SURE they were made out of lingerie? After all, you said they were little roses, which means they are simply... small pieces of fabric. Lingerie and sheer/and or flowery-type fabrics look the same. It doesn't automatically mean your roses were made OUT of lingerie. It could simply be a fabric that looks like it could be lingerie. It's possible the giver would be equally shocked to realize you concluded they gave you 'lingerie' as a gift. more

Jane Tilden

Career development

1w

Hi everyone! I’m a college student and I’m thinking about getting a job as a waiter in a cafe. But my parents are against it, my dad says that kind of job will ruin my resume, like no decent company will ever hire me afterward.
I’m tired of always asking my parents for money and I want to earn my own. How can I convince them?
Thanks

9

Andrew Moseti
1d
Is that the only job you can find? What other ideas do your parents have for you? Perhaps having a discussion with them about the current... opportunities and economic situation could help. They have their reasons, you have yours. Conversation around the issues you have shared with the very people that care for you is very important. more
-1
Cliff Macleod
2d
I think in this economy with this president future employers will understand and will give you credit for wanting
To earn your own way. I have a good... friend whose some worked at a Carivou for two years out of college and finally landed a great job just a few months ago. Just keep looking while you wait tables and don’t be afraid to tell people what you are doing. You never know when a conversation could lead to something! more
-1

Career development

1d

I moved to the US from India. Here's how I landed a job at Microsoft after first misunderstanding the Big Tech hiring process.

He suggests tech hopefuls build a public presence and continually develop skills to stand out.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Rishab Jolly, a 37-year-old senior product manager at Microsoft, based in Redmond, Washington. Business Insider has verified Jolly's employment history with documentation. The following has been edited for length and clarity.

Before moving to the US... in 2015, I studied engineering and computer science in India, where I worked as both a software quality tester and an engineer.

I was always interested in the business side of technology, so I left my job in India to pursue an MBA at the University of Arizona. My goal was to gain business acumen to complement my engineering background. I saw firsthand how much innovation takes place in the US and how many opportunities exist to work on cutting-edge products, which inspired me to build my career here.

One of the most valuable parts of the MBA program was its partnerships with Big Tech companies. As part of the curriculum, representatives from Microsoft, Amazon, and Google brought projects to campus.

Students formed teams, worked on deliverables, and were graded by company representatives. In 2016, I was team lead on a Microsoft project, and we did an excellent job. That gave me a chance to network and to demonstrate my skills to an actual Microsoft product manager.

I applied to about 200 jobs, sending the same generic résumé without referrals. I received only three calls back and passed two interviews, but both offers were subsequently rescinded: one company considered my visa too risky without a STEM extension, and another cited budgetary reasons.

I needed to secure a job within 60-90 days after graduation, or I would be forced to return to India. I ran out of money, asked a friend if I could crash on their couch, and felt a constant sense of anxiety.

During that time, I stayed in touch with the Microsoft contact I'd met through my MBA project. When an opening came up, I asked if he would refer me.

He agreed, and I rewrote my résumé to match the specific role. The hiring manager liked my application, called me in, and I got a shot. That referral and tailoring my résumé made all the difference.

I was hired by Microsoft in July 2017 and started as a product manager. I became a senior product manager in 2021.

First, you have to get the interview, and second, you have to pass it. For the first step, referrals are critical. Big Tech companies receive tens of thousands of résumés every month. A referral can push yours to the top of the stack.

To prepare for interviews, I relied heavily on mock interviews. I reached out to peers who had been in the same boat and asked them to test me. They helped me refine my storytelling, practice answering metrics-driven questions, and pinpoint areas for improvement.

When I finally interviewed at Microsoft, the feedback I received was that my stories were authentic and clearly based on real experiences. That authenticity resonated far more than rehearsed answers pulled from the internet.

In today's tech world, showcasing your skills outside work or school, whether on LinkedIn, GitHub, or through personal projects, demonstrates passion and initiative.

I started posting more consistently on LinkedIn during the pandemic. I shared lessons from my career, thoughts on product management, and observations about the industry. I wasn't trying to "build a following," I just focused on topics that genuinely resonated with me.

Over time, those posts resonated with others, and a community naturally formed around them. The growth happened gradually and organically, simply because people connected with the ideas and conversations.

Recruiters notice when you go beyond the curriculum to learn new tools or contribute to open-source projects. In a fast-changing industry where AI and new technologies emerge every six months, demonstrating your ability to adapt and self-learn is as important as the content of your résumé.

While a small percentage of jobs may prefer an MBA, I know successful product managers who came from accounting, English literature, or completely different areas. Microsoft values diverse backgrounds because innovation thrives when teams bring fresh perspectives.

Even with this knowledge, I would still pursue an MBA because it was not just about academics; it was also about gaining practical experience. It provided me with exposure to new perspectives, helped me transition into product management, and connected me with mentors and peers who have shaped my career in meaningful ways.

I don't think an MBA is mandatory for everyone. It depends on your goals and whether you're looking for a career pivot, a network, or structured learning.

Visa restrictions, financial pressure, and cultural adjustments can make the experience stressful. I had moments when I felt defeated, but staying focused and working smart eventually brought everything together.

After over eight years at Microsoft, I plan to continue contributing to the technology and innovation ecosystem. I'm exploring the appropriate pathways that align with my career goals, but nothing is finalized at this time. My focus is on the work itself and continuing to grow professionally.

My advice to anyone following a similar path is straightforward: network strategically, prepare thoroughly, stay authentic, and continually build your skills and presence. Things may look uncertain now, but persistence and the right relationships can open doors you didn't think were possible. more

Anonymous member

Career development

2d

hello! im currently collecting unemployment insurnace but it will be coming to an end soon. I have been looking for a full time job but no luck. I take public transportation so its very difficult for me to find a job that doesnt require you to travel to multiple offices etc. I would also perfer a full time job rather than part time. Im a 21yr female, I only have myself and I need help finding a... full time job.

I have a diploma of comleption for medical assisting. currently I am taking an online course for medical billing and coding to expand my skills on my resume. please reach out if you think you think you may be able to help. more

Gladys E. Bustos
1d
Work for the government in enforcement

Jina Langley

Career development

6d

Hello! I worked as an economist in a small bank for 3.5 years. Now I’m moving to the same job in a big bank, and I’ll earn $50 more per month. I think it’s a better and more promising option. But my family says there’s no point in changing jobs. I’m really tired of staying in the same place and want something new. Honestly, I also hope for raises and career growth.

How can I convince my family?... They keep trying to talk me out of it, and it’s really stressful.(

more

3

Rhonda Miller
1d
If there is room for job growth and raises in pay, then you are right. It would be an improvement. You can still keep looking in the first couple of... weeks or month at the new job too. more
Uma Aggarwal
2d
I do not fully agree with all the advice. A bright young person still needs the counsel of a seasoned mentor. Youth may not consider the downside of... an action fully and can get hurt. To me, the saying " your health, your family, your job..in that order" makes a lot of sense. Most families are looking out for you when they advise and I would not totally ignore them unless they do not understand or are obstructionist. I would try to tap their wisdom. more

Evelyn Aldridge

Career development

3d

Hey! I was seeing a guy from work and we even lived together for a year. But we broke up. Honestly, I’m fine, we work on different floors. So the only time we might run into each other is in the kitchen. No big deal.

The problem is, everyone at work keeps acting all worried for me, giving me sweets, trying to “comfort” me. I keep saying I’m fine, but they don’t get it. It’s starting to feel... really awkward. How do I make them stop?

more

Rhonda Miller
1d
Check in with the old boyfriend to make sure it he isn't adding fuel to the fire. Ask him "are people in the office interested in your past with me?... because I am getting inquiries. what do you say to them?" more
Djadji Sylla-Samassa
2d
It might be genuine concern, or it might just be people being curious and loving a bit of drama. Either way, acting unbothered and positive usually... makes people back off pretty quickly. more
3

Career development

1d

6 charts to show your family when they ask why you don't have a new job

Unemployment rates for 20-somethings hit their highest level in years.

Kanika Mohan lost count of her job applications.

With a new bachelor's degree, a slate of summer tech internships, and years of networking at campus career fairs, she hadn't expected getting a job to be this hard.

"I remember waking up every single day to at least a few rejection emails, and these emails have... absolutely no personalization to them," Mohan, 22, told Business Insider over the summer. "You can do three rounds of interviews, yet you'll still get a very generic, 'Sorry. You're not a good fit."'

She eventually landed a role at a top tech company, but months of editing cover letters, prepping for interviews, and getting ghosted had been exhausting. And brutal job search experiences like hers aren't an outlier -- they've become the norm.

The job market in the US hit some major milestones this year. Unfortunately for the dozens of job seekers Business Insider has heard from, they weren't the good kind. AI, economic uncertainty, and a shift toward employer power have been felt across the workforce.

Tyler Sorenson knows this all too well. The Gen Zer was so frustrated by limited job vacancies and slow replies to his online applications that he began leaving paper résumés at local businesses.

"I literally just had to walk into that store and hand them an actual résumé for them to even take a look at me," he said in the summer. For him, that actually ended up yielding results: He was able to bypass the onslaught of AI applications and get directly to a human. It's part of just how topsy-turvy the job hunt has become.

The economic situation has everyone feeling stuck: Companies are pulling back on hiring, while people with a steady paycheck are feeling too cautious to make a move. It's culminating in a frozen job market -- and Americans are feeling the chill.

The number of job openings for each unemployed person has tightened

Millions of people are struggling to get a job -- the unemployment rate as of November is the highest since 2021. Meanwhile, job openings have cooled off 37% from their high point in 2022.

"This job market is terrifying," Hilary Nordland, a Gen X job seeker told Business Insider over the summer. "It's a black hole that makes you question everything -- and I don't see a clear path through."

The number of job openings for each unemployed person has come way down over the past few years -- from two openings per unemployed person in 2022 to one this past September. The number of people unemployed briefly surpassed job opportunities in July and August, which hasn't happened since the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.

"Job growth has been very slow over the course of 2025, and it doesn't seem like we've turned around quite yet to translate the pent-up demand for hiring and the recent increase in job openings into actual hires," Nicole Bachaud, an economist at ZipRecruiter, said.

The 'Big Stay' intensified

In 2023, Business Insider wrote about how the Great Resignation, where many workers were switching into new roles amid robust options, was pivoting into the Big Stay, where more workers would keep their jobs, whether they wanted to or not.

That shift became clearer in 2024 and persisted in 2025. The quits rate fell to 1.8% this past October, the lowest since May 2020.

The quits rate provides a good indicator of how confident workers feel about being able to transition to a new employer. The low rate means workers likely don't see many new opportunities.

"When we look at the fact that inflation is still strong, wage growth is cooling in respect to inflation, a lot of workers are maybe thinking a steady paycheck, whether it's my ideal job or not, is better than the risk of me going for something else because there's not a lot of something else out there," Bachaud said.

The job switcher wage premium evaporated from Great Resignation highs

Over the past few years, wage growth for job switchers had far outpaced that of their colleagues holding tight; at the peak of the Great Resignation, job switchers' paychecks were benefiting from major premiums.

But in 2025, the job switcher wage growth came down to earth, and then some. In the back half of the year, job stayers and job switchers have duked it out for who's seeing larger wage growth -- a marked contrast to the larger paychecks companies dangled over potential job hoppers just a few years ago.

That's not necessarily great news for job stayers, though. On the whole, wage growth tempered for both groups, meaning less ample raises. And it's another indicator that job market power has slipped back into the hands of employers.

Long-term unemployment reached levels unseen since 2022

The share of workers who are deemed "long-term unemployed" -- meaning they've been out of work for 27 weeks or more -- has come to encompass a quarter of all unemployed Americans. That's picked up in the back half of 2025, suggesting that many had spent a solid chunk of the year jobless.

For workers thrust out of their jobs, climbing back into the fold is an ever more daunting task.

Clair Todd, who was laid off two years ago, said constant job rejections can make you feel like you are not good enough.

"On top of that, you have to worry about paying the bills without money coming in," she said. "I don't want to say I've given up, but my search has been extremely discouraging."

She stopped actively looking for a new position a few months ago and instead prioritized building a website development business.

Young adults haven't been this unemployed since the early pandemic

The 2025 job market was brutal for every generation, but Gen Zers are in an especially tough spot. The unemployment rate for 20- to 24-year-olds reached 9.2% in August and September, the highest figure since the recovery from the pandemic recession.

"I was applying and I felt like, 'This is so stupid because I know I'm going to get rejected,' recent grad Bella Babbitt told Business Insider last spring.

For those with a college degree, the prospects have been especially grim. The educated 20-something unemployment rate has consistently surpassed the overall unemployment rate since 2021, and the gap has widened. It's not unusual for young people to be out of work at higher levels than the general population, but a degree has historically boosted young people's chances of landing a job. Young men were more unemployed than young women this year, in part because women tend to dominate one of the few growing sectors of the job market: healthcare.

Business Insider has heard from dozens of Gen Zers this year. Some are pivoting from white-collar fields to more seemingly secure blue-collar work, while others said they've submitted hundreds of applications without any luck. Most felt their traditional paths to success disappeared in 2025: The Trump administration's DOGE initiative slashed opportunities in the federal workforce, AI is snapping up entry-level tasks in fields like tech, and major companies aren't hiring due to economic headwinds.

Workers aren't confident about finding a job if they lost theirs

The US isn't in an official downturn, but workers and consumers had an especially bleak outlook this year.

The New York Fed asks people about how likely they think they could find a new job in the next three months if they lost their role today. The average probability fell to its lowest point in August since the survey began in 2013. It's only seen mild recovery since.

Weaker worker sentiment has been paired with fewer job opportunities than a few years ago, stubborn inflation, tariff chaos, and relatively high interest rates.

"I went through months of job searching -- about four to five months -- and it was really scary, it was really harsh, it was really painful," Mohan, the recent college grad, said. "It took a really huge emotional toll and a big toll on my mental health, too." more

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Career development

15h

Honestly its really heart breaking 💔 😪

for over 12 months now i have been hunting for a Job as Full-stack Software Engineer still no luck 😑 . I really don't know what am doing wrong or where am getting it all wrong.

A few couple of months ago I was able to scure a good $10k/mo by AWS as a Software ll. But the offer withdrawn due to HB-1 Visa support.

Honestly, am so excited to... collab and work eh—but I have been at home for a while and i feel like am getting a little bit dusty 🙃 .

Although i haven't been idle, i have had a couple of cool project i have launched with one AI based Fitness App—although this was a Freelance gig 😅.

I can't wait to get back in the game 😩 more

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6 charts to show your family when they ask why you don't have a new job

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The economic purge of the young white male | The Spectator Australia

I can remember when I first realized that something strange was happening to white men in Hollywood. It was around 2014, and my younger colleagues in LA - often British writers, directors and actors who had moved to California to "make it" - began reporting, anecdotally, that their work was disappearing.

By that I don't mean the normal vicissitudes of a volatile creative industry. I don't mean... actors "resting" or scripts getting stuck in "development hell." I mean that all jobs, and job opportunities, were abruptly vanishing. Applications went nowhere, résumés were binned, hopeful meetings were suddenly canceled. And white men in Hollywood in their twenties or thirties, who had assumed they were on the upwards curve of a career, discovered that the optimistic curve had ended. It was more like a ski jump. They were plunging into the drifts of debt, failure and bankruptcy.

Since then I've often wondered where many of those guys went. And now I have more than an answer, thanks to a simmering, eloquent essay in Compact magazine which has gone extremely viral, with Vice President J.D. Vance wading in alongside many other powerful voices. The essay is entitled "The lost generation," it begins in Hollywood but ranges way beyond, and it is by a youngish white "writer" called Jacob Savage.

I put the word writer in inverted commas not to impugn Mr. Savage - on the basis of this essay he is highly talented - but because he is, by his own admission, a failed writer. He is one of the writerly men who floated around Hollywood in the 2010s, only to find themselves rebuffed on all fronts, their scripts unread, their skills unwanted.

Why did Jacob Savage and his cohort lose out so badly that he ended up scalping tickets for a living? Because they were the wrong color, and the wrong gender, at the wrongest, maddest of times. Hollywood was in the first frenzy of #OscarsSoWhite (closely followed by #MeToo), and it was openly determined to atone for the pale male past: by hiring lots and lots of women, Asians, black people, Latinx, lesbians, lesbian Arabs - basically anything apart from younger white men.

Nor was this policy some hidden directive. It was overtly acknowledged, indeed celebrated. The powers that be actively wanted to be seen excluding white men, as proof of their woke, feminist, anti-racist credentials. As Savage notes, one of the great ironies is that much of this purging was driven by the old white men at the top of the movie biz - the boomers. To save themselves, they sacrificed their sons.

If this were merely a tale of Hollywood, we might dismiss it as lunacy in La-La Land. But of course it was not, and is not. As "The lost generation" articulates, Hollywood's anti-white-male pathology briskly infested multiple areas of American life: journalism, academe, publishing. It then crossed borders and oceans, infecting the UK, Canada, Australia and beyond.

Here are a few snippets which give a flavor of Savage's mind-boggling data: "In 2011, the year I moved to Los Angeles, white men were 48 per cent of lower-level TV writers; by 2024 they accounted for just 11.9 percent... Since 2018, only 14.6 percent of tenure-track assistant professors hired at Yale have been white American men. In the humanities, that number was just six out of 76 (7.9 percent)."

Even as he adduces these numbers, Savage includes some startling testimony. This is from the world of senior New York journalism: "'For a typical job we'd get a couple hundred applications, probably at least 80 from white guys,' a hiring editor recalled. '[but] it was a given that we weren't gonna hire the best person... It was jarring how we would talk about excluding white guys.'"

Since the early 2010s, being a white man in many of the best, most fulfilling professions across the Anglosphere has meant being automatically pushed to the back of the queue

There is more - much more. Savage notes how the payroll at one department at a Californian university fell to just 3 percent white males (not a typo). But you get the flavor, and the anger. And that anger is surely justified. Since the early 2010s, being a white man in many of the best, most fulfilling professions across the Anglosphere has meant being automatically pushed to the back of the queue. In some cases, there is no hope at all, even if you are plainly the most talented. You are the victim of profound and immoral discrimination which you did literally nothing to deserve.

As America, so Britain. I could cite multiple UK examples, from the Royal Air Force's notorious exclusive recruitment of non-whites - eventually ruled illegal - to the ludicrous continuation of a literary prize for "women in fiction," which, given the overwhelming domination of fiction by women, is rather like having a prize for getting black men into TV sofa adverts.

But perhaps an anecdote is more powerful. A businessman friend of mine once endured a board meeting at which company diversity was discussed. The head of diversity was asked: "How are we doing with gender equity at managerial level?" She replied: "Pretty well - we're up to 70 percent women." No irony was detected.

The case is made. But does it matter? Aren't we simply righting major historical wrongs, even if some people are hurt along the way? I believe it matters a great deal, and has been seriously pernicious, even if the intentions were noble. Consider just three consequences.

The internet is full of women lamenting that they cannot meet successful, interesting men. Birth rates suggest they may have a point; polls show women have never been so uninterested in marriage. But one reason for all this may be that white men have been bullied and impoverished for 15 years or more - and so they now present, through no fault of their own, as meek, embittered or broke.

Meanwhile, governments are pushing the anti-male agenda, as in Britain where schools are instructed to "root out misogyny and sexism," to counter the so-called Andrew Tate effect. Well, one way to reduce resentment among boys and young men might be to cease the blatant, systematic bias in favor of women.

Finally, there is the ultimate male role: soldiering. As Vladimir Putin menaces Europe, the airwaves are full of generals, politicians and female heads of intelligence agencies telling us we must be more warlike, boost defense spending and so on. In other words, the armed services are about to embark on a recruitment drive. Necessarily, that recruitment will be of young white men.

It will be interesting to see how this is pitched. Perhaps along the lines of: "Yes, we think you are intrinsically toxic, because of your gender. Also, your whiteness makes you morally suspect. In addition, your ambitions to be a lawyer, journalist or doctor are laughably misguided, because women and ethnic minorities must always come first. But, by the way, would you mind dying for the state that treats you like this?"

To use a Hollywood term: I don't think that will make bank at the box office. more

Career development

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Show Me Your Code -- Not Your Credentials

A hiring perspective on why portfolios, GitHub projects, and real code beat résumés in software engineering

When people imagine the hiring process for software engineers or data scientists, they often picture long checklists: prestigious degrees, big-name companies, years of experience, formal titles, and polished résumés.

But if I'm the one screening candidates for an IT role, I don't care... about any of that.

Not your age.

Not your alma mater.

Not your years of experience.

Not even the companies you worked for.

There's only one thing that determines whether I give you an interview:

Your best package of code.

The clearest, rawest, and most honest reflection of what you can actually do.

Because in software roles, your code is the closest representation of real work performance. It shows how you think, how you solve problems, how you structure ideas, and how deeply you understand the tools and technologies you claim to know.

A résumé tells me what you say you can do.

Your code shows me what you can actually do. more

Career development

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Saudi Music Commission launches 'Music Compass' programme

The programme features in-person and virtual workshops covering artist management, the music industry's ecosystem, and advanced practical and professional skills.

The Saudi Music Commission has unveiled the "Music Compass" programme, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen music business management and professional career development within the Kingdom. The programme focuses on equipping... practitioners with advanced skills to manage artistic careers and artists' affairs, while creating more structured and effective career pathways that reflect the rapid expansion of the global music industry.

The initiative forms part of the commission's broader efforts to enhance capabilities across the music sector, raise professional standards and adopt international best practices in talent and career management. By developing practical expertise, the program aims to support the advancement of artists' careers, broaden employment opportunities and reinforce the sector's long-term sustainability. It also seeks to enable Saudi artists and professionals to engage with global markets, contributing to a balanced and resilient music ecosystem in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

"Music Compass" will be delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual workshops and training sessions. The curriculum covers key areas such as artist management, the economic and infrastructural framework of the music industry, and advanced practical training that focuses on professional development tools and real-world skills.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, a select group of participants will be nominated to attend leading international music conferences and festivals. This exposure is intended to provide insight into global best practices while allowing participants to build professional networks with international experts and specialists in music business management.

The programme also includes partnerships with private-sector companies and non-profit organisations specialising in creative talent development. These collaborations are aimed at supporting the sustainable growth of music business management capabilities and strengthening Saudi representation at major international conferences and exhibitions. Through these efforts, the programme seeks to raise awareness of the Kingdom's music sector and accelerate its development both locally and globally. more

Career development

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The Question Interviewers Ask To Test Emotional Intelligence That Only 1 Out Of 100 People Get Right

Sam Carroway

Career development

5d

Has anyone dealt with this before? Can you give me some advice? We’re going to have a Christmas office party and everyone has to come up with a fun game called “Make Boss Laugh”. I really don’t like these kinds of events, especially making people laugh. Honestly, I’d rather not go at all, but I know that would look bad for my reputation and career. Can you suggest a game that’s fun but still... appropriate? Thanks!

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If all of those who take part in this fun activity are civilised then it may not be as wierd as you fear.
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Just come up with a story

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Forget Applications -- Visibility is the New Key to Getting Hired in 2026 - Travel And Tour World

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I moved to the US from India. Here's how I landed a job at Microsoft after first misunderstanding the Big Tech hiring process.

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Career development

6 charts to show your family when they ask why you don't have a new job

Obitech Invents

Career development

6 charts to show your family when they ask why you don't have a new job

Career development

The economic purge of the young white male | The Spectator Australia

Career development

Show Me Your Code -- Not Your Credentials

Career development

Saudi Music Commission launches 'Music Compass' programme

Career development

The Question Interviewers Ask To Test Emotional Intelligence That Only 1 Out Of 100 People Get Right

Sam Carroway

prasad r

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