Jim Farnsworth


Career development 2d
I’ve been working as an economist in the department for three years and was hoping I’d be promoted to head of the department. But no, they told me they’re hiring some random outsider for the position, someone with no experience, just because he’s “very motivated”.
Am I not motivated? I also have actual work experience. How can I change management’s mind? Thanks.

1   

  • Michelle Nenkai Emanuel

    43m

    Sometimes things happen to us so we can open our eyes an out wings....and fly.
    When your efforts are rewarded with pain,start looking elsewhere. Maybe... it's high time you did! more

  • Steward Tony Pacheco

    16h

    As a Retired Head Hunter, It Appears That They Have Already Extended An Offer To The New Eager Beaver. That What I Interpreted By The Wording You Gave... Us. He More Than Likely Will Be At A Lower Paygrade As Well.
    You Mentioned "Hope" & As A Mover & Shaker In My Own Career, Hope Was Never Considered In My Climb. I Consistantly Fixed & Refined My Plan. What Was Your Plan? It Cant Be Hope. When You Have A Viable Plan, Then You Have Faith In That Plan & You Make It Work. Never Hope It Works. Time Is To Short. So You Fall, But Will You Fall Forward? Will You Go To Work, Pay Your Bills, While Developing Your Plan? Your Plan Does Not Need To Be At The Same Company? Stick To The Plan & Do Not Share It With Anyone. Start Searching For Other Opportunities.

     more

    1
Load more...

Brianna Hollister


Career development 1h
A young, attractive woman just joined our team and immediately started dating a guy from IT. I get it, she’s young and has a personal life. But she basically doesn’t work. She’s always on her phone or disappearing, and when she does do something, it’s full of mistakes.
We’re the ones getting in trouble from management because of this. Now we’re not sure, should we just keep an eye on her work... ourselves, or tell the boss this can’t keep going?

 more
1   

  • jayne ruiz

    1h

    Not sure I understand why we have to hear about her looks and who she is dating or even the sex of the person. Just say a new coworker is not doing... their job. Now, why do you (who is we?) get into trouble about her work? Are you training her or team leading her? more

Adetola AjaoOjo
Career development 1d
Life teaches us lessons in unexpected ways. Sometimes roles change, doors close, and silence replaces activity—but growth never stops. I remain grateful for every experience and open to new opportunities to learn, serve, and contribute. The journey continues
3   

  • Willis Alford

    1h

    As a senior actively involved in involved in several aspects of a startup business, there are two ways to go in life. To "go" or to "grow. To just go... on daily or to "grow", to learn new things, explore new avenues new pathways. I want to "grow" and "squeeze everything " out of life. Life's to short to just "go" daily through life. And I might add, God has a purpose foe each of us! Really!! 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   

  • j b

    4h

    Listen to your parents, stop listening to strangers!

  • Samuel Barutwanayo

    16h

    Hey, kindly I feel like you should follow your parents ideas and you will see the results of their opinions rather than to disrespect them.

    -1
Load more...

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   

  • Refined Print Works

    6h

    I am working in the cafe as the cashier.... but full time busy i don t have time to go and refresh with my friends..... and the family members.. what... can i do? i can look for anew job where i can have atleast time to interact with other people and also family people? some piece of advice please more

  • T E K Iribom

    2d

    Working from home shows the industrial work norm and culture would not apply to you. At your convenience you embark on the tasks assigned to you. ... Interference of a baby is material here. You can still hold your baby and be doing your work. That's typical of work norm.
    2. Giving your baby to your mother- in- law because you are working is not a good one. Mama took care of your husband and now you want to abandon your responsibility for her? Please leave Mama to rest. Her grandson can visit her but not to make Mama babysitter.
    3. The money you want to pay Mama, give it to baby homes to take care of your baby for you. Even this option is not better. Your sacrifices for the baby is a National service. Who knows if you are being given the opportunity to grow the president of your country?


     more

    1
Load more...

Adetola AjaoOjo
Career development 1d
I felt disengaged from my role as PMTCT Focal Person in my office because I was given almost no tasks to manage. I tried everything I could to engage myself. How should I approach my boss to request a different role?


2   
Load more...

Career development

 14h

Good hiring holds the key to a company's success


It takes skill on the part of an interviewer to hire the right person.

As Hilt founder and CEO, Sinead English, says: "While initial screening is often carried out by HR specialists who are skilled at assessing applications, the task of interviewing can then go to individuals, who, while they may be heads of operations, finance, or marketing, may not have the skills required.

"Being a good judge... of people, or a good conversationalist, does not automatically make someone a skilled interviewer. Because that is a learned skill, and small mistakes can cost organisations the best talent, it makes sense to leave hiring to those who have trained for the task."

Nepotism and cronyism are just two of the factors that can influence hiring managers to hire the wrong person. Whatever the reason, it happens a lot. CareerBuilder research indicates it's something 75% of employers have experienced.

As for the cost of a bad hire, the jury's out. According to Business.com, it can be as much as 30% of an employee's salary. Separately, IBEC estimates that poor mental health can cost up to €2,000 yearly per employee.

While they might be more aware of it than most, trained interviewers are - like everyone else - prone to bias. Whether this is of the positive or negative sort, it's always unfair. Which is why, if you're in the market for a job, you're in a battlefield. One in which smarts, beauty and skills, battle bias, machines and error.

We're told that in the recruitment game, the beautiful, tall and male are professionally advantaged. What we're not told - and it's probably safe to assume - is that the aforementioned favourable bias is primarily reserved for cisgender men. Why? Because even in the unfairness battle, all is not equal, with workplace prejudices regularly impacting minorities more than others.

"Being aware of bias is important," says English. "It can creep in, even when interviewers believe they are being objective. Hiring managers often give more weight to a candidate's years of experience than to the quality of their skillset. Job adverts often specify a minimum of ten years' experience in a similar role.

"Yet, ten years on paper could be one year's experience repeated ten times. For this reason, it's advisable for employers to focus instead on what candidates can demonstrably do and on all they can bring to a role."

Asked about how employers view a frequent change of jobs, she replies: "When they see this on a CV, they often see it as evidence the candidate is a job-hopper. This can be the assumption, even though that individual might have been working on short-term contracts or rapidly growing their experience."

As for those who have spent decades in the same job, she says recruiters should not automatically deem them to be too set in their ways to take on a new role.

People favour people who share similar interests, backgrounds and experiences. Hiring managers are no different. "It's common for them to favour people similar to themselves," says English. "They think they are 'the same' and that because of this, they will fit in with their team. This sort of thinking can cloud their judgment."

To avoid this and to ensure a fairer and more objective comparison between candidates - one that minimises bias and allows for consistent data collection, she recommends structured interviews - the standardised assessment process under which every candidate is asked the same questions and evaluated against the same criteria.

While this interview tool has merit, English acknowledges its ability to predict job performance can be low.

Recruiters know they have to be careful with their words, with some being better at asking suitable questions than others.

On the wisdom of beginning an interview with a welcome, she says: "This can be followed by something along the lines of: 'Congratulations on getting to the interview stage for a role in which there was lots of interest'.

"That said, employers might next remark that the candidate's CV made interesting reading. They might then ask that person to use the next couple of minutes to share how they think their experience to date would be of benefit to the organisation."

Revealing how hiring managers can easily trip up, she gives the example 'Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?'.

"It's a good idea to avoid asking that at an interview," Sinead English says. 'Can you talk us through your CV?' is no better.

Explaining why, she says: "Questions like these can make candidates nervous. This may lead to them blurting out irrelevant personal information.

"At an interview, small details matter. Concise instructions and maintaining focus on relevant questions can make a positive difference. It's good to keep comments neutral. 'Nice day out there today,' is good. So too is avoiding questions about personal matters such as family, travel, or religion. At every touchpoint, employers should be aiming for a professional, respectful, and consistent approach."

Sharing that follow-up questions are essential to uncovering the depth of a candidate's experience and for distinguishing candidates who are genuinely capable from those relying on rehearsed or AI-generated responses, she says: "To get around scenarios of that nature, hiring managers might ask something along the lines of: 'You say you spent six months doing that. Tell us what else you had on your plate during that time.' Or: 'You mentioned resources. Tell us more about that."

She says that when interviewing, employers should pay attention to red flags such as excessive pauses, overly polished answers and inconsistencies between what a candidate's CV states and what they are saying at interview.

"AI tools have changed the recruitment landscape," she says. "80 per cent of candidates are using these platforms to prepare their CV. This is absolutely fine once they're not getting AI to lie for them."

Lying is as old as time. Interviewees answering questions online with real-time AI prompts, not so much. To manage this until recently unheard of scenario, hirers are pushing back. Some adopt policies such as 'camera on for the duration of the interview' and perform regular screen-sharing checks.

Using machines to generate replies at interview is not a good idea. It might give one candidate an unfair advantage over another. Worst case scenario it might facilitate lying about experience. But employers' responding by taking the liberty, at online interviews, to gawk while a nervous candidate obediently pans their camera around their room is invasive. Outrageously so. Whether they're sitting in a tiny studio rental, or aboard a yacht on the high seas - assistance dog at their feet - should be their business only.

Any good hiring manager should notice if an interviewee is attentive and speaking from memory, rather than making stuff up and relying on machine prompts to sound convincing. They should notice if they are repeating the questions asked, so as to instigate a typed response from AI, which they then read aloud.

There's much that employers can do to attract the best talent to their organisation.

As English says: "Because recruitment outcomes are impacted by candidate perception of the hiring process, hiring managers should think about how well written the job ad is and whether it reflects clearly what's required for the role. Sometimes the responsibilities list is four times longer than it should be and companies take too long to get back to people after they apply, or interview. Negative experiences can turn candidates away - even from senior roles." more

Career development

 14h

Need Full-Time IT Job


I need strategic, hands-on support to land a full-time position in the IT and Software space. The assignment covers everything from polishing my professional brand to connecting me with active job openings and prepping me for interviews. Key deliverables * A rewritten, keyword-rich résumé tailored to current IT & Software hiring trends. * An updated LinkedIn profile (headline, summary, skills, and... accomplishments) that aligns with the résumé. * A curated list of at least ten suitable full-time vacancies, each with company name, role description, and direct application link. * Practical interview preparation: two mock interview sessions with feedback notes and improvement tips. Work is complete when the résumé and LinkedIn profile are live, the vacancy list meets the specified count and relevance, and I feel confident after the mock interviews. more

Lora L.


Career development 1mo
We recently had a work party and I accidentally saw something I wasn’t supposed to. Today, they announced that this woman is getting a promotion, she will become the head of a new department. They’ve gathered subordinates for her from different departments, and I’m one of them.
But I can’t work with her. I don’t even know how to look at her now. And constantly interacting with her is going to be... awful. I also don’t know how to explain why I don’t want to be in her department.
Could you please give me advice on what to do? Thank you.

 more
2   

  • S G

    18h

    If you saw something, meaning that you saw her having some sort of sexual interlude with someone superior to her in the company, and now she is... getting a promotion, that is actually sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes witnessing other people engaging in activity that makes you uncomfortable. It does not only mean activity directly toward you. If this is the case, you need to report it immediately. Do not listen to people telling you to mind your business because this is absolutely a case of sexual harassment. Without knowing what sort of thing you actually saw I can’t say otherwise.  more

  • Phindile Mahlangu

    1d

    Don't mix personal issues with business.

Load more...

Anonymous member


Career development 1w
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   

  • S G

    18h

    This is absolutely inappropriate and the women here who are telling you that you’re making too much of it are enabling rape culture and abuse in the... workplace. You need to take this to your superiors and HR immediately. more

    2

  • James Anderson

    1d

    Act like someone has really creative ideas, and that you appreciate this person. Coming off any other way will make you a pariah around the office.... Especially if that person was not being suggestive. more

    -3
Load more...

Billy Whitcomb


Career development 3d
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
4   

  • Chas Frank

    1d

    Just for your own edification. look up the people who are principals at the company and the HR person and look at their linked in and social media... posts and see how they tow their own line. today's world is very superficial and full of people who say one thing but do the opposite. more

  • James Anderson

    1d

    A company thinks they can look into your social media life because a) they can, and b) they can. My own opinion is they will be paying you, hopefully,... for a long time. Why shouldn’t they know ALL about you before hiring, instead of after? more

Load more...

Evelyn Aldridge


Career development 6d
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

  • James Anderson

    1d

    It was a bad move to date someone in the office in the first place- as you are discovering. People love to have something juicy to talk about- and you... just gave them  more

  • Rhonda Miller

    4d

    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

    -1
Load more...

Anonymous member


Career development 5d
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

  • James Anderson

    1d

    Your English writing skills are horrific; this usually means your speaking skills are also deficient. No amount of book work or certifications will... help you if you cannot communicate well. I would strongly suggest you take on online course in communications. Employers will never tell you the reason they didn’t hire you. You must correct this now before your English speaking and writing habits can’t be broken. more

  • Gladys E. Bustos

    4d

    Work for the government in enforcement

Career development

 1d

Slower Growth: How It Shapes Job Opportunities And Stability


I've covered enough economic cycles to know one thing: slower growth isn't just a blip -- it's a reset button for the job market. You've seen the headlines, the hand-wringing about layoffs and hiring freezes, but what really matters is how this shift reshapes work for the long haul. Slower growth doesn't just mean fewer jobs; it means a fundamental recalibration of what stability looks like.... Companies tighten belts, workers get pickier, and the whole system starts moving at a different rhythm. It's not doom and gloom -- it's a reality check.

What slower growth means for the job market isn't just about fewer openings. It's about the kind of roles that survive, the skills that matter, and the industries that pivot fastest. I've watched entire sectors get rebuilt after downturns, and the pattern's always the same: the resilient adapt, the rest get left behind. Right now, we're in the middle of that pivot. The question isn't whether the market will recover -- it's how, and who's ready for it. If you're not thinking about what slower growth means for the job market, you're already behind.

I've covered enough economic downturns to know this: slower growth doesn't just mean fewer jobs -- it means different jobs. The kind that pay less, demand more, and disappear faster. Companies tighten belts, and the first cuts? Often the roles that fuel long-term stability.

Here's the dirty truth: in 2023, U.S. GDP growth slowed to 1.6%, and job creation dropped 12% from the prior year. Not a crash, but a slow bleed. The jobs that vanished? Middle-skill roles -- think administrative assistants, mid-level analysts, even some tech support. The ones that replaced them? Gig work, contract gigs, and part-time roles with zero benefits.

I've seen this play out before. Slower growth forces companies to optimize, not expand. That means automation for repetitive tasks and outsourcing for the rest. The jobs that survive? The ones tied to immediate revenue -- sales, customer service, and niche technical roles. The rest? They're either eliminated or repackaged as "flexible" (read: unstable).

So what's the takeaway? If you're in a shrinking sector, pivot or get left behind. If you're in a growing one, brace for instability. And if you're job hunting? Assume every role is temporary until proven otherwise.

Slower growth doesn't just shrink the job market -- it changes the rules. Adapt or get left behind. I've seen enough cycles to know: the ones who survive are the ones who see the shift coming.

I've covered economic shifts for 25 years, and here's what I know: slower growth doesn't just shrink paychecks -- it reshapes job stability in ways most workers don't see coming. Companies tighten belts, and that ripple effect hits careers harder than the headlines suggest. Here's how it plays out, and what you can do about it.

1. Hiring Freezes Become the New Normal

When growth stalls, the first casualty is often hiring. I've seen companies slash open roles by 30-50% overnight. Even if you're employed, your team might shrink, leaving you with more work and less leverage. What to do: Build skills that make you indispensable -- think automation tools, data analysis, or niche expertise. If your company freezes hiring, volunteer for cross-training. It's not just about survival; it's about positioning yourself for the rebound.

2. Layoffs Get More Strategic

Slow growth means layoffs aren't just about performance -- they're about cost-cutting. I've watched companies purge entire departments (hello, marketing teams in 2008) only to rehire later at half the salary. What to do: If your role is at risk, start a side hustle or freelance gig. Even 10-20 hours a week can soften the blow if the axe falls.

3. Promotions Slow to a Crawl

Companies aren't just hiring less -- they're promoting less. I've seen promotions drop by 40% in slow-growth cycles. What to do: If you're stuck, negotiate for a title bump or higher pay without a promotion. Or, if your company's growth is stagnant, start looking elsewhere -- companies still growing will pay a premium for talent.

4. Benefits Get Trimmed

Healthcare, 401(k) matches, bonuses -- all on the chopping block. I've seen companies cut 401(k) matches from 6% to 3% overnight. What to do: If your benefits shrink, adjust your budget now. And if you're job hunting, ask about benefits before salary -- some companies offer better perks to compensate for lower pay.

5. Job Hopping Gets Riskier

In slow growth, jumping ship for a 10% raise is a gamble. I've seen people take lateral moves only to get laid off six months later. What to do: If you're considering a move, ask about job security. And if you're staying put, focus on making yourself irreplaceable -- automate tasks, mentor junior staff, or take on high-impact projects.

Slow growth isn't forever, but it changes the rules. The key? Adapt faster than your competition. I've seen too many careers stall because people waited for things to go back to "normal." They never do.

I've seen a dozen economic cycles, and here's the dirty little secret: slower growth doesn't just mean fewer jobs -- it means fewer good jobs. The ones with real pay, benefits, and upward mobility. When growth stalls, companies tighten belts, and the first cuts are usually the high-skill, high-pay roles. Why? Because they're expensive. And in a sluggish economy, CEOs prioritize survival over expansion.

Take the 2008 crash. Unemployment spiked to 10%, but the real damage was in the jobs that didn't come back. High-paying manufacturing roles shrank by 15% and never fully recovered. Even now, a decade later, wages for mid-career workers in tech and finance are stagnant. The jobs that do return? Often gig work, contract roles, or lower-paying alternatives.

So, how do you adapt? First, accept that the old playbook is dead. No more waiting for a hot sector to boom. Instead, focus on transferable skills -- data analysis, project management, even basic coding. I've seen engineers pivot to sales, marketers transition into UX design. The key? Being useful in multiple ways.

Second, think like a freelancer -- even if you're employed. Build a side hustle, a portfolio, or a network that insulates you from layoffs. In my experience, the people who survive downturns aren't the most specialized; they're the ones who can repackage their skills fastest.

Slower growth isn't the end of opportunity -- it's just a reset. The winners will be those who adapt before the market forces them to.

I've covered enough economic downturns to know this much: job security isn't what it used to be. The experts love to talk about "resilience" and "adaptability," but here's the truth -- when growth slows, the first thing to go is the illusion of stability. Companies tighten belts, and suddenly, your "safe" role isn't so safe anymore.

Take the tech sector in 2022. Layoffs hit 160,000 workers in the U.S. alone, despite record profits the year before. Why? Because growth slowed by just 2%. That's all it took. In my experience, the real danger isn't the recession -- it's the pre-recession panic. Executives start cutting before the numbers turn red, and mid-level employees get caught in the crossfire.

So what's the play? First, diversify your income. Side gigs aren't just for millennials -- they're insurance. Second, build relationships, not just resumes. The people who keep you employed aren't in HR; they're in the C-suite. And finally, stay liquid. Cash reserves and transferable skills are your lifeboats.

I've seen too many smart people get blindsided because they believed the hype. The truth? Stability is a moving target. Your job isn't safe -- it's just on probation.

I've seen entire industries rise and fall, and the one constant? Change. Right now, we're in a slow-growth economy, and that means the job market's playing by different rules. If you're not careful, you'll get left behind. But if you play it smart, you can future-proof your career even when the economy's dragging its feet.

First, let's talk about the hard truth: job security isn't what it used to be. Back in the '90s, a solid 10-year stint at one company could set you up for life. Now? The average tenure's down to 4.2 years (Bureau of Labor Stats, 2023). So, what's the fix? Become indispensable. And no, that doesn't mean working 80-hour weeks. It means building skills that machines can't replicate.

Still not convinced? Here's the cold math:

I've seen too many people wait for the economy to "get better." Spoiler: it won't. The winners are the ones who adapt faster than the market changes. So, ask yourself: Are you building a career, or just holding a job?

The shift toward slower economic growth reshapes the job market, demanding adaptability from both workers and employers. While fewer high-growth opportunities may emerge, stability often increases as companies prioritize long-term roles over rapid expansion. Upskilling and embracing flexible career paths can help professionals navigate this landscape effectively. The key is to focus on resilience -- building skills that endure beyond fleeting trends and aligning with industries poised for steady demand.

As we move forward, the question remains: How can individuals and businesses proactively prepare for a future where growth is measured not just in speed, but in sustainability? The answer may lie in redefining success -- not by chasing the fastest pace, but by securing the most enduring opportunities. more

Obitech Invents
Career development 3d
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
1   

  • James Anderson

    Pro
    8
    1d

    I suggest as the first thing you must do is take a course on English speaking and writing. Communication is the first rule of being good at a job. I... would also learn more about American culture so that when you do get an interview, there are fewer signs of awkwardness. I believe your lack of communication skills are overshadowing your actual skills. more

  • prasad r

    1d

    I suggests you to concentrate on building a business online.. using all your expertise..

Load more...

TutdeChuol Chibhat
Career development 2d
I worked for a job. Project ended and I have stayed for a year without a job. But, I am balancing my world to make ends meet.

Career development

 1d

Running Faster Every Day, Chasing Success, Approval, and Perfection, Until We Forget Why We...


Running Faster Every Day, Chasing Success, Approval, and Perfection, Until We Forget Why We Started: The Exhausting Reality of Modern Life

Introduction: The Relentless Race We Never Signed Up For

Every morning begins with a race. The alarm rings, notifications flood our phones, deadlines hover in our minds, and before our feet touch the ground, we are already behind. We rush through routines,... measure our worth through productivity, and push ourselves to move faster -- always faster -- believing that speed is the same as progress. Modern life has turned movement into meaning and busyness into virtue. In the process, we are running faster every day, chasing success, approval, and perfection, often without stopping to ask a simple but vital question: Why did we start running in the first place?

This relentless pace has become so normalized that slowing down feels like failure. Rest feels like laziness. Contentment feels suspicious. We are praised for multitasking, applauded for burnout, and admired for sacrificing our health and happiness at the altar of achievement. The exhausting reality of modern life is not just that we are tired -- it is that we are tired all the time, yet afraid to stop.

The Culture of Constant Acceleration

Modern society worships speed. Faster internet, faster deliveries, faster results, faster growth. We expect instant replies, quick success, and overnight transformation. Waiting has become intolerable, and patience feels outdated. The idea that meaningful things take time -- skills, relationships, wisdom -- clashes with a world that demands immediate outcomes.

This culture of acceleration seeps into our personal lives. Students are expected to excel academically while building impressive résumés. Professionals are pushed to outperform peers while constantly upgrading skills. Even hobbies are no longer safe from optimization; they must be monetized, shared, or turned into side hustles. Life is no longer lived -- it is managed.

In this environment, slowing down feels like falling behind. And so, we run.

Chasing Success: When Achievement Becomes an Endless Horizon

Success, once defined personally, has become standardized. It is measured in grades, salaries, followers, titles, and milestones achieved by certain ages. These benchmarks promise fulfillment, but they keep moving. The moment one goal is reached, another appears, taller and farther away.

We tell ourselves, I'll be happy when I get there. But "there" never arrives. Success becomes a horizon -- visible, motivating, and unreachable. Instead of enjoying the journey, we sprint through it, afraid that pausing will cost us everything.

In chasing success, we often sacrifice what made success meaningful in the first place: curiosity, joy, and purpose. We forget that achievement without fulfillment is just exhaustion with a trophy.

The Craving for Approval: Living Under Invisible Eyes

Beyond success lies another powerful motivator: approval. In a hyperconnected world, validation is quantified. Likes, views, comments, and shares turn social interaction into a scoreboard. Even offline, expectations from family, teachers, employers, and society shape our choices.

We learn early that approval equals acceptance. So we mold ourselves accordingly -- choosing paths that impress others, suppressing doubts, and hiding struggles. We perform competence even when we feel lost. We smile through stress. We pretend we are fine.

Over time, the need for approval becomes exhausting. Living under invisible eyes means we are never fully ourselves. We are constantly adjusting, filtering, and editing our lives to fit expectations that may not even be ours.

Perfectionism: The Beautiful Lie That Drains Us

Perfectionism disguises itself as ambition. It tells us that flaws are failures and mistakes are unacceptable. In a world of curated images and highlight reels, imperfection feels like weakness.

But perfection is a lie. It is unattainable, yet endlessly demanded. The pursuit of perfection traps us in cycles of overthinking, self-criticism, and fear of failure. We delay starting because we fear not being good enough. We avoid resting because there is always more to fix.

Instead of motivating us, perfectionism paralyzes us. It steals satisfaction from progress and replaces pride with pressure. No matter how much we achieve, it is never enough.

Burnout: The Silent Epidemic of Our Time

Burnout is no longer rare; it is expected. Emotional exhaustion, mental fatigue, and physical depletion have become common experiences. Yet we treat them as personal weaknesses rather than symptoms of a broken system.

We push through tiredness with caffeine and determination. We normalize anxiety as drive and stress as dedication. By the time we acknowledge burnout, it has already taken root -- affecting our health, relationships, and sense of self.

The tragedy is not just that we burn out, but that we blame ourselves for it. We think we are not strong enough, disciplined enough, or resilient enough, instead of questioning a culture that demands constant output without regard for human limits.

Forgetting Why We Started

In the rush to move forward, we forget our beginnings. We forget the curiosity that sparked our interests, the joy that made learning exciting, and the passion that once fueled our dreams.

What began as love becomes obligation. What began as excitement becomes pressure. We continue out of habit, fear, or expectation, even when the path no longer feels right.

Forgetting why we started is perhaps the most exhausting part of all. Without purpose, effort feels heavy. Without meaning, success feels empty. We keep running, not because we want to, but because we don't know how to stop.

The Cost of Constant Running

The cost of this relentless pace is immense. Physically, it manifests as fatigue, sleep disorders, and weakened immunity. Mentally, it shows up as anxiety, depression, and chronic dissatisfaction. Emotionally, it distances us from ourselves and others.

Relationships suffer when time becomes scarce. Creativity fades when rest is absent. Self-worth erodes when identity is tied solely to achievement.

We gain speed but lose depth. We gain efficiency but lose presence. We gain recognition but lose peace.

Redefining Progress: Slowing Down Without Falling Behind

Slowing down does not mean giving up. It means redefining progress. True progress includes well-being, alignment, and sustainability. It allows space for rest, reflection, and recalibration.

When we slow down, we listen -- to our bodies, our minds, and our values. We reconnect with what matters. We learn that growth is not always visible and that rest is not wasted time.

Choosing a slower pace in a fast world is an act of courage. It requires resisting comparison, questioning norms, and trusting our own rhythm.

Remembering Our "Why"

To escape the exhausting reality of modern life, we must remember why we started. Why we chose this path. Why this dream mattered. Why effort once felt joyful.

This does not always mean continuing the same journey. Sometimes remembering our "why" leads us to change direction. Sometimes it leads us to let go.

Purpose is not found in speed but in intention. When we act with clarity, even small steps feel meaningful.

Conclusion: Choosing Presence Over Pressure

Modern life will not slow down on its own. The world will continue to demand more, faster, better. But we can choose how we respond.

We can choose presence over pressure, meaning over metrics, and fulfillment over constant approval. We can allow ourselves to pause, to rest, and to redefine success on our own terms.

Running faster every day may look impressive, but it is not always progress. Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do is stop, breathe, and remember why we started -- before exhaustion becomes our identity.

In a world obsessed with speed, choosing to live deliberately is not weakness. It is wisdom. more

Career development

 1d

Building a Student Portfolio That Stands Out in Scholarship Applications


The first time I applied for a scholarship, I thought good grades would do all the talking.

They didn't.

I remember sitting on my bed at 2 a.m., refreshing my email, convinced I'd nailed it. Strong GPA. Decent extracurriculars. A "clean" application. Rejection email came a week later. Short. Polite. Brutal.

That's when it hit me -- scholarships aren't just about marks anymore. They're about... story. And your portfolio is often the loudest voice in the room.

So let's talk about how to build a student portfolio that actually stands out. Not the generic kind. The real one. The kind that makes someone on the selection committee pause and think, "Okay... this student is interesting."

This is where many students go wrong. A résumé lists what you've done. A portfolio shows who you are while doing it.

Grades tell them you can study.

A portfolio tells them why you care.

One of my juniors once showed me his scholarship portfolio. It was technically perfect. Certificates. Olympiad ranks. Volunteer hours. But it felt... empty. No context. No voice.

We reworked it. Added reflections. Small stories. Why he chose robotics. How he failed his first competition and almost quit. That portfolio later helped him secure partial funding abroad.

Writing about yourself feels weird. Especially if you come from a culture where self-praise is frowned upon. But scholarship committees aren't looking for arrogance. They're looking for clarity.

One student I mentored wrote about how power cuts in her village pushed her toward electrical engineering. No drama. No exaggeration. Just truth. That single paragraph became the most talked-about part of her application.

Your portfolio should open with you, not your achievements.

If you're unsure how to structure this online, a student portfolio website can help you organize thoughts visually without overwhelming readers. Tools like a student portfolio website make this part much easier than stuffing everything into PDFs.

Here's a secret: committees don't trust perfect students.

They trust evolving ones.

Include projects that didn't go as planned. Competitions you lost. Skills you're still learning. Explain what changed after that experience.

I once reviewed a portfolio where the student openly wrote:

"I failed calculus in my first semester."

Bold move, right?

But then she explained how that failure forced her to change study methods, seek help, and later tutor others. That honesty made her application unforgettable.

A good academic portfolio for students isn't about polishing flaws away. It's about showing how you respond to them.

Certificates are fine. Projects are better.

A single well-documented project beats ten scanned certificates any day.

When projects are presented clearly on a personal portfolio site, reviewers can explore them naturally instead of skimming lists. Platforms like a personal portfolio site allow storytelling alongside evidence -- screenshots, links, outcomes.

That combination matters.

Imagine reviewing 200 applications in a week. Would you enjoy digging through clutter?

Clear sections. Minimal scrolling. No unnecessary animations. Let content breathe.

One scholarship officer once told me (off the record):

"If I can't find the student's core work in under two minutes, I move on."

That stuck with me.

A clean online student portfolio layout gives your work the respect it deserves. Using something like an online student portfolio helps keep things readable without design headaches.

Most students treat recommendation letters as separate documents. But when your portfolio supports those letters? Magic happens.

If your professor mentions your leadership in a project, link that project in your portfolio. If a mentor talks about your community work, show photos or reports.

Consistency builds credibility.

I've seen applications where the portfolio and recommendations felt disconnected. And others where they reinforced each other beautifully. Guess which ones won funding?

It's okay to sound human. Casual, even. Short sentences. Honest pauses.

One portfolio I loved included a line:

"I still get nervous before presentations. But now I show up anyway."

That line stayed with me longer than any GPA.

Your portfolio is a conversation. Not a declaration.

If you want flexibility to express that personality, using a digital portfolio platform like a digital portfolio platform gives you room to blend professionalism with authenticity.

If I could go back and redo my first scholarship application, I wouldn't change my grades.

I'd change my story.

I'd stop trying to impress and start trying to connect. I'd show who I was becoming, not just what I had achieved.

So here's my advice:

Build your portfolio slowly. Reflect honestly. Edit gently. And don't wait until deadlines to start.

Your future self will thank you.

And when you're ready to put it all together online, choose tools that let you shine -- not ones that box you in. The right platform quietly supports your story instead of stealing attention. more

Nikki Langley


Career development 1mo
I’m a junior cook who makes soups at the cafeteria. I really love cooking and graduated from culinary school with honors.
Whenever the soup or cream soup turns out great, the head cook always takes the credit and says he made it. But if something goes wrong, he blames me even when I wasn’t the one working on that dish.
It’s really frustrating. Do you think I should talk to the chef about it?

8   

  • Phindile Mahlangu

    1d

    As long you are smart at your own task at work that is not a problem. Consider it as a promotion tomorrow that is why you find yourself dragged-in to... other employees inappropriate task. You manager values you and in terms of your career choice I believe is a must. more

  • Steward Tony Pacheco

    1mo

    Nikki! Make a formal complaint in writing. A copy goes to Chef, HR & Management. Express The Fact That As A Professional Your Good Work Should Be... Validated With The Same Veracity As Any That May Fall Short. (But Who’s To Say That Every Short Coming Is Actually That, In An Unfair Environment) Invite Chef & management to taste said shortcoming when ever soup is unjustly criticized and when praised too. The Restaurant knows you made it. But without out documentation you have to bear it. I do not miss my restaurant days. But keep learning. Eyes & ears open real world lessons learned! School is just school. Sweat equity is earning credit in the kitchen more

Load more...

Tom Lockridge


Career development 1mo
Yesterday during an important meeting with some clients, I accidentally broke a glass and ended up spilling champagne on a couple of people.
First, the director practically burned a hole through me with his stare and now our accounting department wants to deduct the cost of the glass from my salary. And honestly, it seems like they’re planning to fire me.
But seriously, can someone really lose... his job over such a small thing? It could happen to anyone, right?

 more
2   

  • Phindile Mahlangu

    1d

    Sorry that will be a feeling just be patient with them.

  • Sarah Toku

    2w

    This is unfair. It's a mistake not intentionally

Load more...