Career development

1w

10 Mistakes to Avoid With a Job Interview Thank-You Email

Sending a thank-you note after an interview is a polite way of showing appreciation for the opportunity and the time the hiring manager dedicated to speaking with you. This simple step can help job seekers leave a positive and lasting impression.

Writing an effective thank-you note after an interview requires careful attention to detail and an understanding of common mistakes. Here are 10 to... avoid and how to steer clear of them:

Timing is crucial when it comes to sending your thank-you note after an interview. If you wait more than a day or two, you may miss the boat by neglecting this important rule.

The best time to send a thank-you letter for a job interview is within the first 24 hours following the interview. Hiring decisions can be made quickly. You also don't want to risk making a poor impression by being the last candidate to send your thank-you email.

2. Not Sending One at All

Fear of making a mistake with your thank-you note shouldn't stop you from sending one. An interview thank-you email is a common courtesy that shows your interest in the position and intent to win the job.

Some candidates may think it's unnecessary and neglect this step. This is good news for you, since you'll stand out from the competition at the end of the interview process if you're among those who send a professional, well-written thank-you email.

3. Following Up Too Soon

You sent your thank-you email, waited a day and heard nothing back. You're anxious to find out the status of the position and are worried your intended recipient hasn't seen your note. Do you follow up to check in?

No. It's too soon to circle back with the hiring team. Remember that employers have many hoops to jump through in the hiring process, from interviewing multiple candidates to following up with reference checks and consulting with others in their company about the decision. An over-eager, premature follow-up email can backfire, so it's best to wait at least a week before requesting an update.

4. Using the Wrong Tone

Your thank-you letter for a job interview needs to stay as professional in tone as your actual interview. This is true even if you're sending a thank-you email after the interview rather than a more formal printed thank-you letter or card.

Some candidates blow this opportunity by writing their thank-you email in an overly casual way, like an email to a friend. Don't just dash off a breezy note, since hiring teams may see this as unprofessional. Instead, craft this communication carefully, with careful attention given to making the same positive impression you did during your face-to-face meeting.

While there's no set word count for a job interview thank-you email, knowing some reasonable ballparks can help you avoid appearing unprofessional. Sending a quick one- or two-liner, like "Great to meet you yesterday -- hope to hear from you soon!" is a faux pas. A short message that fails to reference any key points from the actual interview won't help the hiring committee connect your name with your application. This strategy risks that you'll come off as informal and less serious compared to other candidates.

Likewise, don't go overboard writing two pages on all the reasons you love the company and feel you should be hired. Aim for a happy medium of a few paragraphs that shine.

6. Apologizing for an Interview Mistake

Can't stop thinking about the last answer you gave to a tricky interview question? If you feel tempted to mention it in your post-interview thank-you email, don't. It's difficult to know whether the hiring team thought you botched the answer or not -- and by apologizing for a possible misstep, you will only draw more attention to it.

7. Asking About Salary and Benefits

If you think you have the job offer sealed from your stellar interview performance but haven't been offered the position yet, don't bring up salary and benefits in your thank-you note. The interview thank-you email has a specific purpose, which is to show enthusiasm for the position, respect for the hiring team and demonstrate proper interview protocol. Making the mistake of prematurely bringing up how much the job pays will brand you as a novice and may change the team's mind about you.

8. Begging for the Job

Appearing desperate in your thank-you email after an interview is a definite turnoff for employers. Using your post-interview email to share how badly you need or want the job is bound to backfire. Just don't do it.

9. Making Spelling Mistakes

Consider the thank-you letter for a job interview as a key component of your job application materials. Just as serious candidates triple-check their cover letter and resume to avoid typos, grammatical mistakes and spelling errors, you should thoroughly proofread your thank-you email to ensure perfection. If you aren't strong at spelling and grammar, ask a friend or colleague you trust to review it.

Delivering a gift to the hiring team along with your thank-you note after an interview may be seen as bribery. To avoid this ethics quagmire, don't send anything in addition to the thank-you note. Even if you have the best of intentions, human resources and hiring managers may not view it that way, and you might end up disqualified from the candidate pool. more

Career development

1w

4 Things That Don't Appear On Your Resume But Get You Hired

By now, you might already know that you shouldn't include a career objective or a lovely headshot when drafting your resume. Instead, you'll want to highlight your professional qualifications and relevant skills directly to be shortlisted and hopefully get the job.

Although you can only put limited information in your resume, what doesn't make the cut can be just as important. Here are four... things that employers don't usually find on your resume but get you hired.

According to StandOut CV, it takes 27 applications to get one interview and 162 job applications to secure a job. So, spontaneously sending hundreds of applications to companies and simply waiting for them to contact you isn't a strategy that works. Staying proactive, from your job search to the interview and even afterward, will make all the difference.

Take time to modify your resume based on the role and company you're applying for. By reading the job description thoroughly, you can insert the right keywords in your resume so the applicant tracking system (ATS) can easily find you.

Look beyond job postings as well. Some companies don't advertise their job openings, so ask around. If you have a specific company in mind, don't stop simply because there are no career opportunities available. You can send an email to show your interest. They might remember you and reach out should there be an opening.

While you're in job-hunting mode, learn new skills to be more ready when the right opportunity comes. After every job interview, make sure to follow up and send a thank-you note. Proactiveness as a work ethic can lead to long-term growth in your career.

Apart from your skills and work experience, you'll need a solid network to increase your chances of getting hired. Start with your family, friends, and even neighbors. Stay in touch with your high school or college classmates, colleagues, and former bosses. Even if they can't recommend a job for you, they might know someone who can.

According to a CNBC report, 80% of jobs are filled through personal and professional connections. So, maximize your time by attending networking events. For example, if you're pursuing a career in tech, don't miss tech conferences, workshops, and even local meetups. Join tech communities and contribute to the discussions. As you expand your network and gain valuable insights, you'll also be closer to scoring a promising job.

Your resume might not be able to fully capture how creative or how much of an asset you are to a company. But this will reflect throughout your application. For example, in your resume, you can say, "Revamped new hires' training materials by providing simplified maps and interactive quizzes, increasing retention and team productivity." During the interview, you can expand on how you identified previous pain points and the things your team achieved with your solution.

You can also showcase your creativity through your portfolio. If you're a graphic designer or a digital marketing manager, choose pieces that highlight your versatility, expertise in different platforms, and experience with various industries.

You can include numbers and real results, such as in engagements and conversions. This way, the company gets a glimpse of the value you bring and why they should hire you.

Nearly 70 million companies are on LinkedIn, and every year, over three million get hired on the platform. And an optimized LinkedIn profile is a huge factor in securing a role. That's why I often emphasize the need for a direct and killer headline. In fact, it can lead to a 43% increase in profile views. Remember this formula:

Current Title / Key Skills and Industry Keywords / Big Career Win

If you're a social media manager, you can format your headline this way:

Social Media Manager | Creating Viral Content and Driving Brand Growth | Increased Engagement on TikTok and Instagram by 300%

Your summary section should also provide an overview of your professional journey, highlighting your expertise, passion, and ability to deliver measurable results. And go add in your email address so recruiters can reach out!

You may not be able to present everything on your resume to secure a position, but each stage of your job hunt and even beyond that is just as crucial. Be proactive and creative, build connections, and don't forget to update your social profiles. By going the extra mile and staying visible, you'll land the role you deserve. Rooting for you! more

Career development

1w

5 Tips For Ending A Job Interview On A High Note

If you're a job seeker this graduation season, you've probably gotten a lot of suggestions on how to make the job search as successful as possible. Chances are the first piece of advice you get is how to complete a compelling application, followed by how to prepare for the job interview. You make sure to manage your jitters, dress the part and conduct yourself in a manner that helps you land the... position. But one piece of advice that's often missing is tips for ending a job interview on an high note.

If you're an entry-level applicant, worried about what's on the line before an upcoming job interview, it's only natural to feel some stress. Eva Chan, career expert at Resume Genius, says preparation is your biggest ally against stress. In the face of interview anxiety, she recommends making yourself feel as prepared as possible.

"The era of social media offers a unique opportunity to understand a company inside and out," she notes, suggesting that you do a deep dive into the company's online presence, including social media and professional platforms like LinkedIn. "Get to know your interviewer's background and interests, as well. This level of preparation does more than just provide talking points; it'll empower you with the confidence that comes from being well-informed."

During the job interview, it's important to remember that you need to do more than just passively answer the interviewer's questions and present your qualifications. Don't forget that you're also interviewing the company to decide if it's a good option for you just as much as they're assessing you.

This mindset can empower you from the beginning to the end of the interview. Instead of just answering questions, make sure you're actively asking them. Recruiters are impressed with candidates who show genuine interest in the position by asking thoughtful questions because it demonstrates an applicant's interest. Chan says these questions could relate to company culture, team dynamics, success metrics for the role or current challenges the company is facing.

Have you ever had that sinking feeling at the end of a conversation when it feels like words are left hanging in the air? When that happens, you can feel the tension, as if there's a comma instead of a period at the end of a sentence.

In the 2025 job market, paying attention to how you finish the interview is like putting a period at the end of a sentence. You don't want the recruiter to forget you, so it's essential to let them know why they should hire you. The end of an interview is your last chance to leave a lasting impression. Think of ending the interview as putting a period at the end of a sentence that ties up the conversation.

An effective closing statement is a positive and brief summary of your most compelling skills and experiences that demonstrate what you have to offer the employer, along with your genuine desire to be part of the company's team. Most interviewers expect your closing words to underscore your interest in the position and ways your skills and expertise align with the position and the company's goals.

I spoke with Kara Ayers, senior vice president of global talent acquisition at Xplor Technologies, who shared five tips on how to finish your job interview on a high note.

1. End on an upbeat. Ayers emphasizes the importance of expressing gratitude by thanking the interviewer for her/his time and the opportunity to learn more about the role and company. She stresses that you clearly state your excitement about the position and company culture and how it aligns with both your personal and career skills, competencies and goals. End with confidence, use a positive tone and a quick summary of why you're a strong fit and the impact you believe you could make.

2. Ask thoughtful questions. Ayers advises that you show curiosity and ask about the team, culture and future company goals. Then match your responses to how they align to your personal and professional goals and values. At the end, she says to remember to ask about timeline and what to expect after the interview.

3. Add in something the interviewer doesn't ask about. Ayers suggests that you have something in your back pocket (an experience, achievement or relevance to the role/culture of the company) to share at the end. She gives the example of saying something like, "Before we wrap up, there's one more thing I would love to share that is relevant or important for you to know about me."

She mentions she also likes to ask, "Is there anything that I didn't explain clearly about my experience that you have questions about?" or "Is there anything that concerns you about my fit for this role?" Ayers explains that this allows you to follow up and ensure you're not walking away with any gaps in understanding. "If it is a lack of experience, you could always follow up with examples of how you have learned new skills quickly," she adds.

4. Close the interview by sharing your interests and qualifications. You suggests saying something like, "I'm even more excited about this role after our conversation," then explain why. "Reinforce how your experience aligns to the role and do it with energy," she recommends. "Include 'I can't wait to start to contribute and make a meaningful impact to 'x' organization. Always leave with, 'I look forward to hearing from you and would appreciate any feedback, regardless of the decision/outcome," she advises.

5. Follow up after the interview. "Always send a thank-you note after to the interviewer or team, handwritten, email, LinkedIn message or any other medium," Ayers says. "If you forgot to mention something during the interview that is relevant, include it. It's easy to forget about accomplishments or even if you feel you didn't answer a question the best, follow up with, 'I don't feel I addressed your question about x, I wanted to follow back up on that to clarify.'"

Chan suggests that job seekers remember the interview is an opportunity for both job applicants and companies to assess compatibility. Her advice is that you, "Approach the interview as a conversation, not an interrogation, where both parties explore the potential of a mutually beneficial relationship." When you shift your mindset from being solely evaluated to also evaluating the potential employer, it can help in diminishing your anxiety, transforming the conversation into one of mutual exploration and ending the job interview on a high note. more

Career development

3w

can I ask about the salary before a job interview?

I'm curious to hear your thoughts on how to ask for a salary range prior to an interview. I applied for a job that seems like a great fit based on the job description. However, the job description doesn't list a salary range, nor did they ask for my salary requirements on the application. I know for a fact that I'm currently at the upper salary range for this type of job, and I have no interest in... taking a step backwards.

I got an email asking to set up a one-hour interview on Zoom, which I was willing to do before having any salary info. Today, I got another email asking if I'm willing to do an in-person interview instead. That will require taking a day off work, and who the heck does in-person interviews in the first round anymore? But regardless, I would be willing to do it if we're in the same ballpark on salary. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to waste either of our time.

I've been in this position before, and when I pressed for a salary range prior to the interview it seemed to change the tone of the conversation out of the gate. One time, the company stopped responding even though they had asked me to set up an interview.

Is there any way to ask for salary info prior to an interview without making it weird? more

Career development

14h

'I applied to over 300 jobs': What people wish they knew before they got laid off

SINGAPORE - What would you do if you were laid off unexpectedly?

For Mr Uzen Tan, 30, the answer was becoming a Grab driver with a placard tied to the back of his seat rest. It reads "I got retrenched!", so that every ride can be a "networking opportunity".

"I've probably sent out over 300 applications and have not found a suitable role yet," says the former tech worker. He was laid off from his... previous role as a marketing specialist at Google in April.

More than 20 passengers have since scanned the QR code on his placard to access his resume. Some even offered personal advice. And he has been documenting his journey on TikTok.

Mr Tan became a private-hire driver to pay the bills and help his wife, a human resources manager, take care of their 18-month-old daughter.

"I lie to myself that I am doing okay," he says, adding that the uncertainty of what comes next and having to put up a cheerful front mean daily stress and frequent eczema flare-ups.

Singapore has one of the world's lowest unemployment rates, which stood at 2 per cent in 2024. But global unrest, economic uncertainty and tech-driven upheaval have meant layoffs, retrenchments and involuntary unemployment are becoming a reality for many.

The long-term unemployment rate - defined as someone who has been unemployed for 25 weeks or more - has risen to 0.9 per cent in March from 0.8 per cent in March 2024, according to data from the Ministry of Manpower.

The unemployment rate is highest among those aged under 30. According to the 2024 graduate employment survey, conducted six months after the completion of final examinations, 12.9 per cent of graduates of autonomous universities say they are unemployed.

Meanwhile, 25.2 per cent of graduates of private education institutions reported being unemployed. A growing proportion of university graduates are also now engaged in freelance or part-time work, compared with previous years.

Economic anxiety has also set in for many who are currently working. According to a 2025 annual survey by the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), 34 per cent of 2,000 respondents expressed concern about losing their jobs in the next three months.

A 2023 Institute of Policy Studies survey found that 35 per cent of over 1,000 Singapore workers polled were concerned that the jobs they currently have may not exist in the future.

Those who have been laid off and experienced extended periods of unemployment say that repeated silence or rejections from hirers can spiral into months of isolation and financial anxiety, and erode one's confidence.

What do you do if you find yourself made redundant or if your job hunt lasts for longer than anticipated? Eleven Singaporeans who have experienced these circumstances, as well as experts, share five hacks to weather this difficult period.

Mr Kyson Xu, 35, is no stranger to redundancy, having been laid off thrice since he started working in 2015.

The most recent furlough hit the hardest. In November 2024, he was let go from his senior marketing manager position when the software development firm he was working for went through restructuring.

Over four months of job hunting, he sent out 329 job applications, sat through 16 interviews and was handed three final-round rejections before he finally landed a role as a marketing director in the technology sector.

"Every role I applied to had over 100 applicants," he says. "It felt like I was trying to grasp sand while it was slipping through my fingers."

Data indicates that Mr Xu may not be an outlier. A 2024 LinkedIn survey of more than 20,000 users and 8,000 HR professionals in 17 major markets - including Singapore, the United States and Australia - found that half of all jobseekers and over 60 per cent of hirers feel the application process has become more difficult.

Nearly 40 per cent of jobseekers are applying to more jobs than ever but hearing back less. Most HR professionals say the problem is that fewer than half of job applications received even meet the criteria listed.

According to vacancy portal Jobstreet, there was a 9 per cent increase in applications per job on the platform in April and May 2025, compared with the same period last year, while the actual number of jobs available decreased by 13 per cent.

"This suggests that competition in the job market has intensified, with fewer roles available and more jobseekers applying for the same roles," says Ms Samantha Tan, an HR Business Partner at Seek, Jobstreet's parent company.

The ubiquitous use of artificial intelligence (AI), both among jobseekers and firms who are hiring, is partly to blame. It is easy to send in 10 ChatGPT-crafted cover letters online, but just as easy for companies facing a deluge of these to filter out most applicants.

"The modern job search is defined by scale, speed and automation," notes Ms Kirsty Poltock, country manager of recruitment firm Robert Walters Singapore.

"Unlike previous decades - where job applications were more deliberate and tailored - today's jobseekers submit applications at high volume, often aided by AI."

To cut through the noise, staying up to date on industry trends in what employers - and their automated systems - are looking for is key, says Dr Paul Lim, a senior lecturer at SMU's business school.

"This game to get noticed is a new one," he says, noting that some applicants have taken to copying and pasting the job description into their resumes in the hope that a less-sophisticated automated process will rate their application more positively.

He does not recommend doing so, as they are unlikely to make the shortlist on a more sophisticated system.

Also, some organisations now use technology to interview candidates before progressing to an interview with a human hiring manager, says Dr Lim. American start-ups like HireVue and Spark Hire have emerged to provide this service. So, one might have to get used to being interviewed by an automated system, as well as having to quickly type out one's responses on a timer.

The first mistake made by many is approaching job hunting as a numbers game.

Mr James Ching, 47, who experienced a seven-month period of joblessness after he was retrenched in 2020, says keeping score of the pile of jobs one has applied to is a common pitfall among white-collar workers.

"For laid-off PMETs, your network is your greatest resource, and your next boss is already in your network somewhere," says the career coach of those who fall under the category of professionals, managers, executives and technicians.

Ideally, one should prioritise quality over quantity in networking and applications, and take a multi-channel approach, says Ms Poltock.

Beyond tailoring your application to each role and company, one can also network actively via LinkedIn or through referrals, as well as engage with recruiters who can offer more personalised guidance.

"AI can enhance the job search, but it should be used thoughtfully," she says. She points to a 2025 survey by Robert Walters Singapore that found that while 59 per cent of candidates surveyed here use AI tools to aid their job applications, over half of employers say they can detect when an application has been AI-generated. This was the finding of a survey of 308 employers and professionals in Singapore.

As to the right balance between quality and quantity, experts say this varies from sector to sector, as well as where one is on the career ladder.

For Mr Xu, his retrenchment experience taught him to approach the job search as more of a marathon than a race. This meant tuning out the noise of LinkedIn gurus or networking events without a clear purpose, or trying to stuff as many buzzwords into one's resume. He credits this more intentional strategy with landing him his current IT marketing role.

In contrast, Mr Adrian Kee, who was unemployed for six months in 2024, used ChatGPT to tailor his resume and cover letters to every job opening he encountered.

"I think everyone uses AI now," says the 42-year-old. "Once I get past the first level of ATS (Applicant Tracking System), then it becomes human-to-human talk."

For the former medtech and start-up worker, not using AI tools felt like squandering a useful, free and available resource. He was hired by a medical equipment firm after applying to over 300 jobs this way.

At the very least, former jobseekers and experts say one should not neglect his or her profile on professional platforms such as LinkedIn. Up-to-date information is key as such networks have increasingly become the avenue for recruiters trying to cold-call or screen suitable candidates.

One of the most stressful parts of job hunting is watching your savings ebb away with no clear end in sight. Looking back, jobseekers say preparing for the long haul is one piece of advice they could give to their past - and still employed - selves.

Jobstreet by Seek's Ms Tan says entry-level positions typically take a few weeks to a couple of months to fill. Mid-level roles can take from one to three months, while the search for senior-level positions may range from several months to a year.

The state of the economy, the role's complexity and the nature of the industry also influence these timelines. For instance, 2024's slew of tech layoffs meant that the field was awash with newly unemployed workers competing for a shrinking number of roles.

As such, one should consider all the above factors when budgeting and setting expectations.

Mr Alvin Fu, chief distribution officer of insurance and finance firm AIA, says a newly unemployed person should assume the jobseeking process may take three to six months or more, which means tightening one's budget early and delaying large or non-essential financial commitments.

At the three-month mark, a reassessment might be necessary and one can consider taking on short-term gigs to make up for budget shortfalls.

SMU's Dr Lim notes that many jobseekers often compare new vacancies with their most recently held role in terms of last-drawn salary and title. However, trying to survive may require turning one's focus towards what is enough, rather than what is ideal.

Mr Kee is no stranger to this feeling. After being laid off from a multinational corporation in 2023, followed by four months of unsuccessful searching, he took a 50 per cent pay cut to work in a start-up.

"At that time, it was a period of tech layoffs from Google and Meta, the market was really bad and the number of jobseekers outweighed the number of jobs available. I had a difficult time looking for my next job," he says.

When the start-up failed to take off, the sole breadwinner of his family was unemployed for a further six months before he found his current gig. Looking back, he reflects: "It made me feel like trash, not because I was choosy, but because life put me in such a position that I have to beg for a job."

His advice to others in his shoes: plan ahead for any big-ticket items to protect your mental health.

While unemployed, he sought to shield his son, now eight, from the stress of dwindling finances.

Even though the family cut back on eating out and other expenses, they invested in annual memberships for an indoor playground and the Singapore Zoo. Without holidays abroad, these places became their go-to weekly outing spots so that they could keep costs low without sacrificing family time.

Among current and former jobseekers who spoke to ST, nearly all agreed that one of the silent killers of today's increasingly impersonal hiring landscape is how rejection comes not in the form of a letter - but total silence.

Not only do companies often not respond, but the new phenomenon of

"ghost jobs"

also means that not every vacancy is meant to be filled.

When Mr Ching was unemployed in 2020, he sought out his fellow laid-off PMETs and met them for coffee to exchange tips and go on walks together. "This was my support group, which was needed as it was difficult for my non-laid-off friends to relate," he says.

Find support and treat job hunting like a "day job" - with a corresponding fixed time to shut down one's computer and rest.

For other jobseekers, protecting one's mental health meant turning to friends, occupying time with new courses and hobbies or - in the case of Grab driver Mr Tan - embracing content creation as a creative outlet for job-seeking anxieties.

The sudden void in one's well-oiled routine that often accompanies unemployment can grind down one's self-esteem. This is compounded by how one's peers remain employed and are living it up, while one is expected to cut back on social activities and outings.

To Dr Lim, the most immediate challenge is avoiding the trap of "learned helplessness", when it feels like there is no more hope after facing rejection repeatedly.

It is a disempowering time, but one can take back control by accepting the factors beyond one's control, while exercising agency over the things that are, such as going for upskilling courses. "You can control how many job applications you can send out daily. You can control whom you would like to meet in your network to seek job opportunities," he adds.

For those with fewer financial burdens, they could embrace the sudden freedom of unemployment as a time for reinvention.

Ms Lim Lishan, 32, has spent much of the past year unemployed, save for brief stints of temporary or part-time work. She had trouble adjusting to a new course of antidepressants that made her feel "sluggish and lethargic".

During this time, the bachelorette embraced a low-cost lifestyle. She travelled solo through Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and China, among other places, rediscovering her passion for rock climbing and scuba diving along the way.

This experience made her realise she is after a flexible freelance work arrangement, leading her to turn down job offers to start her own yoga and wellness business.

Such gig economy work might become a feature of the Singapore labour force, especially for younger job entrants who cannot land the jobs they want after graduation or choose to opt out of the rat race.

Mr Kishore Kumar, 26, turned to part-time retail work at the start of 2025 after he voluntarily left his administrative job at a local university. "I was not feeling good about myself or the work I was doing," he says. "Burnout was intense."

It took him over 150 applications before he landed his initial university job. On his second go at job searching, he looked at vacancies with a more discerning eye while working part-time. Some 50 applications later, he landed his current job as a copywriter at ride-hailing firm Gojek in May.

His takeaway? It is important not to act from a place of scarcity and take on jobs you know deep down are not right for you - because you might end up right back where you started. "Make sure the jobs you're getting offers for are ones you actually want to do and can see yourself doing for the long term, and not something you're jumping into out of desperation," he says.

Dr Lim agrees with this, adding that seeing downtime as a threat to one's self-worth or identity can be debilitating. "If one sees this as an opportunity to reset, recharge or even reinvent oneself, this mindset change can chart a whole new path towards new-found success."

One example is Mr Melvyn Loey, 43, who resigned from his position as director of a local law firm in July 2024 to care for his ageing parents.

Although he planned to return to full-time work later that year, the offer from another firm fell through.

"My mental health took a huge beating as self-doubt set in," he says. What compounded the stress of extended unemployment was being responsible for supporting both his own and his parents' households.

Upon reassessing his priorities, he decided to consciously extend his career break, in the hope that more vacancies would open up.

The savings he had built up helped him act from a position of abundance rather than scarcity. "I was actually prepared to go for two years," he says.

He starts as legal counsel of another firm in July. His advice: Always build up a rainy day fund and aim to reframe unexpected negatives as new opportunities.

"At the end of the day, I decided to focus on spending more time with my ageing parents and loved ones, who were the main reason I decided to take a career hiatus in the first place," he says. more

Career development

17h

The résumé is dying, and AI is holding the smoking gun - 3 Quarks Daily

Employers are drowning in AI-generated job applications, with LinkedIn now processing 11,000 submissions per minute -- a 45 percent surge from last year, according to new data reported by The New York Times.

Due to AI, the traditional hiring process has become overwhelmed with automated noise. It's the résumé equivalent of AI slop -- call it "hiring slop," perhaps -- that currently haunts social... media and the web with sensational pictures and misleading information. The flood of ChatGPT-crafted résumés and bot-submitted applications has created an arms race between job seekers and employers, with both sides deploying increasingly sophisticated AI tools in a bot-versus-bot standoff that is quickly spiraling out of control.

The Times illustrates the scale of the problem with the story of an HR consultant named Katie Tanner, who was so inundated with over 1,200 applications for a single remote role that she had to remove the post entirely and was still sorting through the applications three months later.

In an age where ChatGPT can insert every keyword from a job description into a résumé with a simple prompt, her story is not unique. more

Harper Jenkins

Career development

20h

Hi everyone! Can someone please tell me how to get better at giving tasks to others?
Every time I ask for help, I end up redoing their work.
I'm overloaded but it feels easier to just do it myself than fix their mistakes.
Are there any tips to help me stay calm and accept how others do things? Thanks!

1

Abdallah Issah
2h
It's part of the challenges people face when delegating task. The second guessing and skepticism that people might not get it as perfect as we do. I... will say train your subordinates as much as you can, do a close supervision and gradually ease up when they are able to do it as you want them too. With time they will get a hang of it and be able to do it themselves. Do not micro manage too much though. more
Erma Batch
5h
You need to be specific about wshat you need done and the steps for completion. You can usually tell by someone's body language if they are sincere... about helping out. more