Career development

Jena Yasava

2d

I’m new and have only worked at the company for 2 weeks, but the rule that everyone has to go to lunch together is really bothering me. I’d like to spend my lunch break alone - eat quietly, relax and think.
But in our team that doesn’t seem okay. One time I went to lunch by myself and five minutes later they called me saying they couldn’t find me.
How can I tell my coworkers that I prefer to... have lunch alone without hurting their feelings?
Thanks

more

2

Michelle Willis
10m
I worked at a place where we went out as a department for lunch several times a month. Pay for your own meal. Looking back, I thought we were friends.... Placed in that situation again, I would probably not participate. They used personal information gathered during those lunches against me later. more
Kevin Grant
7h
Its on your own time. Period. You want to be alone to collect your thoughts, relax, or decompress.

Terry Swift

Career development

1h

Hi! Is every job interview this weird now or was I just unlucky? Yesterday I went to an interview at an insurance company and they asked me “What can you do with a regular pencil?” So I started coming up with random ideas.
Then they asked “What’s the difference between a yeti’s ears and a human’s ears?”.
I was shocked. Is this really how they choose candidates now?

Career development

1d

Woman lands job after CEO asks why she shouldn't be hired: 'I wasn't ready for that question'

It's surprising how interviewers are finding creative ways to test candidates, sometimes asking questions that seem almost impossible to answer on the spot.

Recently, a woman experienced this firsthand and turned it into an opportunity that landed her a job.

According to the post, during her interview, the CEO asked her to give one good reason why she shouldn't be hired.

Katyayani Shukla... shared the incident on X (formerly Twitter) with the caption, "During my last job interview, the CEO asked me to give her one good reason not to hire me."

"I told her I wasn't ready for that question and needed some time to think," she adds.

Most people might have expected the CEO to forget, but a few hours later, she received a follow-up message requesting her response. After reflecting carefully, Shukla wrote her answer, and the result was a job offer.

She began by apologising if her answer was long, explaining that it came from careful thought.

"A good reason not to hire me is that I have my life together. What that means for me is that I keep my personal and professional life organised," the email reads.

Shukla further explained that she has her time to work, usually around 9 to 5 on weekdays, and she sets boundaries to keep work inside those hours.

"I genuinely believe that when everything is urgent, nothing is urgent," she adds.

She added that setting boundaries is important for people to respect her as a professional. While some may appreciate that, others might see it as a red flag.

"Being organised and mindful of my time, and other people's time, is very important to me," the email further read. more

2

Keisha Guilford
4h
That was an excellent answer. In the time that we live in work life balance is so important. This also helps with burn out as well as our mental... health. more

Career development

6h

Cardinal Job Fair to help students find jobs in competitive job market

MUNCIE, Ind. -- From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Worthen Arena on Wednesday, Feb. 18, more than 300 employers and businesses met with more than 2,000 students in the Cardinal Job Fair.

According to the Ball State Career Center's Cardinal Job Fair page, a job fair like the one on Wednesday contributes to a 93 percent career placement rate, which leads among other comparative schools.

However, in the... midst of handing over résumés and taking headshot pictures, some students find trouble finding a job that fits their degree after graduation. This comes from a competitive job market.

Ball State's Career Center coordinator of employer relations Kyle Bell says many students can get ahead in finding a job by making good impressions and strong connections with the employers they meet.

"First impressions are huge," Bell said, "Employers will want to be able to have that connection. They're seeking that connection just as much as the student is."

If students did not attend the event, they still have a chance to keep up in the search for post-graduation work. It would involve keeping up with the competition and having awareness.

"I would describe [the job market] as competitive," Bell said. "So, students have to be on their game and have to really find ways that they're going to be able to be a step above other folks."

But, finding a job is not an individual effort. Bell reveals how the process takes many people along the way.

"Utilize your network of people. Utilize your friends," Bell said. "It honestly takes a village to help you get where you're going."

For help with a job or career, go to the Ball State career center or go to Cardinal Career Link. more

Career development

7h

Polished Resume Writing - 22/02/2026 09:55 EST

I want a clean, modern résumé that presents my experience and achievements in the strongest possible light. You'll take the information I provide -- whether an existing document or raw career details -- and shape it into an ATS-friendly PDF plus an editable Word file. The finished piece should feature concise accomplishment-focused wording, clear section hierarchy, and a layout that prints well... while also passing online screening systems. If you have ideas for a matching cover letter template, feel free to mention that as an optional extra when we start. more

Career development

8h

Part-Time Tech Job Application Help

I'm looking for a reliable assistant to take over the day-to-day task of applying to part-time technology roles for me. All applications will go out through Indeed and the Jobright AI platform, using the résumé and cover-letter templates I'll provide. Here's how I picture the workflow: * Scan fresh tech listings every weekday that match the skills and salary range I'll outline. * Tailor the... supplied cover letter when a quick tweak can strengthen the match. * Submit the application through Indeed or push it via Jobright AI, making sure every required field is complete and error-free. * Keep a shared tracker updated with the job title, company, link, date applied and any next-step notes so I can follow up promptly. Acceptance criteria: * Minimum of 50 quality applications sent per day. * Zero duplicate submissions to the same role. * Tracker is updated the same day an application goes out. I'll provide logins, my résumé, and guidelines on which keywords to highlight. You just need a steady internet connection, careful attention to detail, and prior experience navigating Indeed or a similar system. If this sounds straightforward to you and you can start right away, let's get moving. more

Neal Donovan

Career development

1d

A couple of days ago I had a job interview, and they asked me to draw a mountain I can’t climb. I drew Mount Kosciuszko because I don’t have the chance to go to Australia (I’m actually into rock climbing and mountaineering).
When we started talking about what mountain it was, their HR person didn’t believe that such a mountain even exists.
That’s when I decided I don’t want to work for that... company.

more

2

Gift
8h
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk interesting
1
Sheila Milburn
9h
Hmmm. She sounds like the woman on Family Fued that thought Spain was one of the New England states. 🫣🤭

Career development

11h

Recruiter reveals broken Zoom interview etiquette: bathrobes, yoga, and outsourcing thinking to AI | Fortune

In the modern age of remote hiring, the virtual job interview has devolved into a Wild West of unprofessionalism and artificial intelligence shortcuts. According to Sara Nibler, a recruiter at Redballoon who places candidates in roles ranging from manufacturing to media, job seekers are increasingly confusing the convenience of Zoom with an excuse to abandon basic professional etiquette. From... candidates wearing bathrobes to those outsourcing their critical thinking to AI, the virtual hiring process is facing a crisis of casualness.

Nibler, who has worked with more than 80 organizations, including small businesses, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and larger companies, across various industries, personally conducts over 600 interviews per year. She laughed as she recounted some of the things she's seen, telling Fortune in a recent conversation.

"I spoke to one gentleman who, I think he wanted to be very prepared for the call," Nibler said, "but he was, you know, fresh from the shower, with his hair still dripping wet, his shirt was open." Nibler said she would classify this as similar to an interviewee wearing a bathrobe, although technically, a colleague of hers conducted an interview with a berobed candidate.

Another candidate, this one for a high-level position, was doing a lot of stretching, Nibler said. "She had her computer set up on her kitchen counter, and she was doing yoga, essentially, throughout the interview." Nibler said maybe this was done for the purpose of seeming casual, she's not sure, but it was "just not really in tune with what an employer would like to see."

"Because of the informality of a Zoom call, people don't really know how to encounter that as an interview," she explained. The casual approach to virtual interviews isn't just about wardrobe choices; it extends to bizarre multitasking. For instance, there was the instance where a job seeker vying for an entry-level role took his interviewer on a trip to Walmart, walking through the aisles, checking out at the self-serve register, and eventually getting into his car to drive -- all while continuing the interview Nibler said she believed he was busy and trying to fit the interview into his life and she actually did recommend him for the role, but in general, she doesn't recommend candidates who are "so casual." Many interviews feature people who rest their phones in their laps, she said, leaving recruiters staring at the bottoms of their chins or at other awkward angles.

Initially, these breaches of etiquette seemed confined to entry-level applicants, but over several years of working at Redballoon, Nibler said she sees the trend has now expanded to include experienced job seekers. "We are seeing more of people just not understanding what's required of them when they come to a call," she observed. It's a similar vibe when it comes to the influence of AI on the job application process.

However, bathrobes and downward dogs are only half the problem. The rise of artificial intelligence has introduced a new layer of complication to the hiring process. Driven by "AI anxiety," many candidates are attempting to use the technology to gain an edge, only to sabotage their own chances. "I think the AI anxiety can bring out some insecurity and I think that's not going to serve them at all, to be honest, in the interview," Nibler said. During live virtual interviews, she said, recruiters are increasingly catching candidates reading directly from screens, relying entirely on AI to generate their answers.

"I think people should take the time to communicate their resume in a way that just doesn't look like AI," Nibler said. And when it comes to the cover letter, she urged a human touch. "Job seekers think people don't read the cover letter, but I think that's another way to set yourself apart in a world of AI and not use AI for your cover letter." She said it's "pretty obvious" when a cover letter has been AI-written, especially when applicants forget to change the name of the company in the template they've been using. In general, though, it's "almost the exact same number of paragraphs, short first paragraph, three paragraphs, one paragraph at the end. And there are just maybe different, you know, flavors, different tone, but almost identical."

Nibler cited worrying erosion of hard skills, too. The recruiter noted that senior software developers recently struggled to pass a timed skills test that previous cohorts had easily completed, entirely because the new applicants had grown too accustomed to relying on AI assistants and copilots to do their coding.

Despite these challenges, the recruiter warned employers against fighting fire with fire. She strongly advised companies not to use AI to screen resumes, noting that algorithms often miss unconventional, high-potential talent. She related a recent conversation with a small business owner about taking a chance on someone without a college degree, but this candidate was a "chess master" who had spent several years building his career studying chess and competing. "He's been a fantastic hire. Now, AI would have screened [out] that resume," and it would have been the company's loss.

As the tug-of-war between candidates who want remote flexibility and companies pushing for a return to the office continues, the recruiter believes the younger generation is losing out on critical mentorship. Without shoulder-to-shoulder experience with older colleagues, she worries about the degradation of critical thinking skills, especially when AI offers so many early shortcuts. Ultimately, her advice to job seekers navigating this broken landscape is refreshingly simple: "Be honest," dress cleanly and presentably, and put your best foot forward. more

Career development

12h

Comprehensive Staffing Platform Development

I'm ready to move from concept to launch on a fully fledged staffing platform and need a developer who can take the entire build under one roof -- from UI mock-ups to deployment. The visual direction is modern and sleek, so clean lines, intuitive navigation, and a polished user experience are non-negotiable. Core roles * Job seekers will create profiles, upload and manage résumés, apply in one... click, and track application status. * Employers will post openings, filter candidates, review applications, and communicate in-platform. * Admin users oversee everything through a secure dashboard, manage user permissions, and pull real-time reports. Essential job-board features * Job posting & application workflow * Résumé upload, parsing, and centralized management * Advanced search and multi-parameter filtering Beyond the board, the platform must include: * Public-facing marketing website with CMS for content edits * Data-rich dashboards for each role (KPIs, pipeline stats, and activity logs) * Robust admin panel with user, role, and permissions management * Seamless CRM integration to sync contacts, companies, and job orders * Automated email and notification triggers for key events (new job, application status changes, interview scheduling) * Scalable architecture ready for high traffic and future feature modules Deliverables 1. High-fidelity Figma (or similar) prototypes reflecting the agreed modern aesthetic 2. Fully responsive web application coded, tested, and deployed to our chosen cloud host 3. API documentation and database schema 4. Integration connectors/scripts for the CRM 5. Automation rules set up and verified 6. Post-launch support window for bug fixes and refinement Acceptance criteria: each listed feature must function end-to-end for all three user roles; load times under two seconds; no critical bugs outstanding after UAT; complete hand-off of source code, credentials, and documentation. If you've built comparable SaaS or marketplace platforms, especially in recruitment, I'd love to see them. Let's create a best-in-class staffing solution together. more

Career development

12h

Recruiting tech pro says he sees many job seekers using AI in the same way. Here's how to stand out.

Run brutal mock interviews with bold AI personas for honest feedback, says Cotton.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Trent Cotton, an HR industry veteran who is head of talent-acquisition insights at recruiting-software company iCIMS. This story has been edited for length and clarity.

As someone who works in the talent space, I've lately noticed that many people think AI... helps make their résumés look better. My response to that is: You know your AI agent is cheating on you, right? It's doing the same thing for everyone, so your effort to try to stand out is actually making you blend in.

It's OK to use an AI agent to improve your résumé, but instead of asking it to do a rewrite, which can introduce errors, prompt it to behave like an expert career coach. Have it analyze your résumé and ask you probing questions to help you further build out your experience profile.

Next, ask the agent what roles you might qualify for based on your skill set. The results may include ones you didn't know about, so have it explain what those jobs involve. Sometimes you just need to get a different perspective.

In my job at iCIMS, I analyze millions of data points collected from our recruiting software. Each month, I take a look at a specific sector or hot topic and dive deep.

One thing I saw last year was a pretty decent increase in application volume in manufacturing. If I'm sitting in tech, manufacturing isn't the sector I'm thinking of, but manufacturing needs tech to do things like track what's coming in and out of warehouses. AI can provide that kind of insight -- but only if you ask for it.

Sticking with this example, you want to ask the AI: What are some of the top manufacturing companies looking to hire tech talent, and for what kind of positions? Keep going down that rabbit hole to really understand what opportunities are out there.

Once you find job listings that interest you, plug the descriptions into your AI agent and tell it to start interviewing you. When I was in college, you always went through mock interviews. They would just be absolutely brutal with you, but they prepared you. I think we've skipped a couple of generations in doing that. AI can bring mock interviews back.

Tell the AI agent that you want the interviewer to be like someone with business savvy, such as Steven Bartlett from the podcast "Diary of a CEO." But also say you want feedback from the likes of chef and TV personality Gordon Ramsay, because he's known for providing his employees with brutally honest, constructive feedback. Say you want a true grade about your interview performance and recommendations for ways you can get better.

Most AI agents will say your answers are great if you don't give them a persona like that of Ramsay. The AI version of him is going to tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly, and you're going to be better off because of it. more

Career development

13h

Employers Urge Job Seekers to Avoid AI for Résumé Creation

Recent trends in job applications have raised concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in résumé creation. Employers are voicing their opinions, urging candidates to steer clear of AI tools when submitting their applications.

The Role of AI in Job Applications

Oceans, a company specializing in outsourcing and offshoring, recently conducted a unique experiment. They asked job... candidates to submit a video response to a specific question: "What is your most controversial personal conviction about the workplace?"

More than 300 candidates participated in this initiative. However, the results were surprisingly uniform. Many candidates provided answers that closely resembled one another, indicating a reliance on AI for content generation.

Employer Feedback

Matt Wallaert, Oceans' chief experience officer, expressed his disappointment. He noted that the responses lacked originality and structure. It became evident that many applicants opted for an "AI-generated" approach.

* Over 300 video responses were received.

* Responses showed high similarities, suggesting AI influence.

* Employers seek authenticity in candidate answers.

Consequences of AI Usage

Employers like Oceans emphasize the importance of unique, personal insights during the hiring process. Wallaert highlighted that candidates who relied on AI did not fulfill the core requirement of the exercise. Sharing genuine personal beliefs is crucial for securing a job.

As job seekers navigate this evolving landscape, understanding the potential pitfalls of AI in résumé creation is essential. Authenticity remains a valued trait that employers actively seek in potential hires. more

Career development

14h

(More) Chemical Submission - The French civil servant who forced more than 200 women to wet themselves | Mumsnet

Quite unbelievable - but these sorts of things "never happen"....

The French civil servant who forced more than 200 women to wet themselves

Christian Nègre is accused of drugging his victims with powerful diuretics during fake interviews

Marie-Hélène Brice thought she was finally getting her life back.

Four months after the birth of her second child and unemployed, the prospect of working at... France's hallowed culture ministry was a bright one. Better still, the 2016 job interview was with Christian Nègre, a top ministry official.

"He told me we would discuss career possibilities over coffee," says the 39-year-old.

But when he proposed a stroll by the river after she'd finished her drink, she suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to urinate, then excruciating pain. "I was in agony. I had tears in my eyes."

With no toilet in sight, Mr Nègre came up with a suggestion. "I'll hide you with my jacket."

Crouched under his coat near the water, she lost control. "He didn't look away," Ms Brice says. "He looked me in the eyes."

She apologised repeatedly. Perhaps it was childbirth, she thought. Perhaps she had done something wrong. Ashamed, she drove home in tears, convinced she had ruined her chances, and fell into depression.

Two years later, police told her she was not to blame.

Ms Brice is one of seven women who spoke to The Telegraph of the alleged abuse they suffered at the hands of Mr Nègre, a former senior civil servant and human resources director at France's culture ministry.

Now in his 60s, he stands accused of drugging a total of 248 women between 2009 and 2018 during fake job interviews as part of a sadistic power play.

The women recounted how he would spike their coffee and tea with powerful diuretics and then take them on long walks to watch them squirm.

Police say he later recorded his observations on an Excel spreadsheet entitled "experiments".

The apparent aim was to chart their descent into humiliation, and the moment they lost control of their bladder. He relished every detail, from the colour of their underwear to the strength of urine flow, his alleged victims told The Telegraph. more

Career development

16h

System Administrator CV Revamp

I need a polished, professional CV that will help me secure a System Administrator position in the Information Technology sector. The résumé must be written for a job application, not academia or networking, so the emphasis is on clear achievements, measurable results, and keywords that pass modern ATS filters without feeling forced. You will transform my existing career details into a succinct... two-page document with an eye-catching yet clean layout. Think concise professional summary, skills that map directly to system administration (Windows & Linux environments, scripting, virtualization, cloud platforms), and bullet-point accomplishments that demonstrate problem-solving, uptime improvements, and automation wins. The language should be active, metrics-driven, and tailored to the expectations of IT hiring managers. Deliverables: * Editable Word or Google Docs file * Print-ready, ATS-friendly PDF * A brief note explaining keyword choices so I can tweak for future postings I'll supply my current résumé and any missing dates or project numbers you need once we start. If you have past success crafting IT CVs and know what hiring teams look for, I'd love your input and a quick turnaround. more

Career development

18h

Jobseekers share baffling job hunting advice from their parents - The Mirror

The most recent figures show more than 1.8 million people are out of work in the UK (stock image)(Image: PA)

Job hunting is a task no one enjoys, and with the most recent figures revealing more than 1.8 million people in the UK were unemployed during the final three months of 2025, competition for positions is fiercer than ever. Statistics released this week show that the UK's unemployment rate... stands at 5.2 per cent, the highest since January 2021. Excluding the pandemic period, this is the highest figure since autumn 2015.

It's hardly surprising, then, that many people are seeking guidance on how to secure employment. However, that advice isn't always beneficial - particularly if it's offered by someone who hasn't had to look for a job in some time.

One Reddit user expressed their annoyance at receiving outdated job hunting advice from their parents, which they found irrelevant in today's world. Posting on the social media platform's CasualUK page, they queried: "Anyone else's parents give them old-fashioned job advice?"

They shared: "So I'm currently looking for work. Three years in client acquisition and five in sales.

"And my parents' advice? People in their 60s and 70s? 'Go to some of the shops in the town centre, ask for the manager, look him straight in the eye, give him a firm handshake, hand him your CV, and ask for [a] job. You'll be given the job by the time mum puts the dinner on'.

"Then goes on about at my age, he had a trade, a motorbike and a career. At least my mum knows it's all done online now. You're lucky if you even get a f****** interview."

Others shared their own comparable situations, reports the Express. One commented: "My younger brother still lives with my mum. He's been looking for work for a while, and he's a bit naive, so I say to him on a regular basis 'don't listen to a word mum says'.

"I can't remember exactly what she said, but the last time I was looking for work she was giving me a lecture on everything I was doing wrong, I said 'Yes mum, but looking for a scientist job now is not the same as looking for secretary work 30 years ago'. She just can't comprehend that things have changed."

Another said: "Sending applications in online and my dad told me I needed to take job hunting seriously. Get dressed, print off my CV and walk into offices and ask to speak to manager. Could not compute that sitting on my laptop was me trying."

Someone else posted: "Yes, my dad still says send a letter to the CEO and still thinks five applications will mean five offers. It's laughably out-of-date advice."

However, one revealed how the traditional method had surprisingly worked in their favour. They explained: "When I was 14 or 15 (15 years ago) I walked into my local computer repair shop and asked if they need any part-time help.

"I didn't even speak good English back then. I already had experience fixing computers for people privately and hacking game consoles but nothing to prove it.

"They ended up hiring me and I worked there for three years. It helped me massively when I was searching my first real job out of uni. I graduated on Friday and started my full-time job in support on Monday." more

Career development

19h

National Recruitment Drive falls short:

On October 19, 2025, the Government launched a National Recruitment Drive and promoted a new online hiring platform under the EmployTT domain.

At the time, the Prime Minister publicly announced that the initiative would provide more than 20,000 job opportunities across Trinidad and Tobago and asked citizens to register online and upload résumés, or visit physical registration hubs for... assistance.

The response was immediate. Within hours of the website being launched, 30,000 applied.

At the end of the Recruitment Drive, a total of 110,000 people applied for jobs online or in person at the National Cycling Centre.

Four months later, many who applied have not been called to work.

To date, the Government has not publicly released a consolidated national figure showing how many applicants were hired across the ministries.

Of the 30,000 people who applied for jobs from the Government through EmployTT, only 1,801 have since been hired by the Ministry of Works and Transport.

That is roughly six per cent.

That figure also amounts to about nine per cent of the 20,000 jobs promised by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar.

But the Minister of Works and Infrastructure, Jearlean John, who has to date been the only minister to go on the record about the outcomes from the recruitment drive, said there will be another batch of recruitment in the coming days.

In a statement to Guardian Media, John said that the Cabinet approved the engagement of 1,801 casual workers at the ministry through the National Recruitment Drive.

According to the statement, the workers were hired on three-month contracts, with renewal optional based on performance and requirements from the ministry, and are paid through the Ministry of Finance's Employment Fund.

"These workers have been on the ground since December 2025, strengthening our field operations, particularly in areas requiring urgent intervention," John's statement said.

John said that from March 1, 2026, an additional 800 people are expected "to be engaged to further strengthen the existing teams and expand the scale and pace of work across Trinidad and Tobago."

The minister said works were visible across the country and crews were operating during the day and at night "to maximise output while minimising disruption to the travelling public."

The statement listed locations where workers were deployed, including Grand Bazaar Interchange, Piarco Intersection, Uriah/Butler Highway, Churchill/Roosevelt Highway, Diego Martin Highway and Beetham Highway. (See map)

John said the scope included "power washing, grass cutting, vegetation control, drainage cleaning, and critical flood mitigation preparatory works along the Caroni and San Juan Rivers as we prepare for the rainy season."

She added that operations were ongoing in Golconda and the Works Ministry was preparing to commence works in Gandhi Village, along the Western Main Road, as well as the Uriah Butler Highway between Mount Hope, Grand Bazaar and the Caroni area.

She provided clarity regarding payment, saying that the programme was being funded under the Employment Fund, Ministry of Finance, with payments executed via Vote: Head 69, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Subhead 04, Current Transfers and Subsidies, Item 009, Other Transfers, Subitem 09, National Recruitment Drive. (See table)

"This is a whole-of-government programme, and key ministries such as the Ministry of Rural Development and Local Government, the Ministry of Public Utilities, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries have been at the forefront of engagement of workers. Recruitment across the wider State sector is ongoing on a daily basis," she said.

The Government had said the drive would be rolled out in phases, first focusing on public-sector vacancies, then involving private employers.

Weeks after the Recruitment Drive, during the 2026 Budget period, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo linked the initiative to a broader labour shift.

He announced a $475 million Employment Fund and referenced an additional $310 million Unemployment Fund intended to support job creation, while noting that programmes such as CEPEP and URP would transition towards permanent employment opportunities.

The National Recruitment Drive was framed as part of that transition.

Guardian Media asked Tancoo how much of the $475 million Employment Fund had been spent, where payments were recorded, whether personal emoluments had increased, whether workers were treated as employees or contractors, and the estimated annual cost.

Tancoo replied: "I don't have that kind of information at my disposal at this time."

The Finance Minister did not respond to further questions sent to him on the matter.

EmployTT vs Recruitment Drive

Last Friday, Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence Minister Dominic Smith made a distinction, which has never been made before, between EmployTT and the Government's National Recruitment Drive.

He said the platform and the recruitment drive were not the same thing.

Guardian Media had reached out to

Continues on page 7

Smith's ministry in an attempt to access operational data on the EmployTT platform, including the number of people registered, shortlisted, interviewed and hired through the system, which ministries used it for recruitment, whether the platform itself generates jobs or only processes applications, the typical contract duration for placements, and whether salary ranges are recorded within the system.

In response, Smith said, "I can commit to providing some of the information. But please note that EmployTT is not the same as the recruitment drive. It was facilitated using the EmployTT domain, but the recruitment drive was a separate item altogether."

After the programme started, questions arose about whether ministries could hire workers outside the traditional public service appointment process.

On October 26 last year, former chairman of the Public Service Commission Winston Rudder said the National Recruitment Drive was lawful because ministries were offering contract positions, not established public-service posts, explaining that

That distinction matters because it means recruitment outcomes can increase short-term engagements without necessarily expanding the permanent public-service establishment. Ministries normally advertise contract jobs outside the commission's permanent appointment process.

EmployTT terms and conditions

The EmployTT terms and conditions describe the platform as an application and information service.

Users create profiles, upload documents and submit applications. Ministries or agencies decide whether to shortlist or hire. The terms state there is no guarantee of interviews, placement or employment outcomes, and user accounts can be suspended for inaccurate information.

The privacy notice states that personal data is stored by iGovTT and shared with participating employers for recruitment purposes.

In practice, that means registration on EmployTT does not amount to a job offer.

An iGovTT source, who asked not to be named, said the National Recruitment Drive was not run through the normal EmployTT system, even though the public accessed it through the same web address.

The source explained that EmployTT has existed since around the COVID-19 period as a standing government vacancy listing service where individual ministries voluntarily post their own jobs. iGovTT only maintains the website and provides the interface; it does not decide what jobs are advertised or who gets hired, and not every ministry uses it.

For the recruitment drive, the Government wanted to quickly gather vacancies across ministries without first onboarding all agencies into the existing system. A separate recruitment page was created using the EmployTT domain so the public would have a single place to register.

According to the source, iGovTT built the front-end webpage but did not run the recruitment exercise, track applicants or manage hiring outcomes. The actual recruitment process was handled by ministries and programme administrators outside the regular EmployTT vacancy listing service.

Questions to iGovTT's acting CEO Charles Bobb-Semple, via email, were not acknowledged up to publication time.

What applicants reported

EmployTT requires users to create accounts, upload CVs and apply for listed vacancies.

Job postings carry deadlines, and the listings are largely contract-based.

Applicants also reported, in the comment sections under two EmployTT posts on social media, technical problems during the initial push.

People said the platform was "not working" and they "can't submit," while others said that at the final stage, it kept showing "error."

Some users said they were "not being able to submit" and "not getting through."

In the same public thread, other successful applicants advised others to ensure their résumé was in PDF format and to try again when the site was "not too busy."

Others directed applicants to go in person to the Cycling Centre in Couva from October 19 to 24, 2025.

Guardian Media also received direct feedback from at least one applicant, who asked not to be named.

On Facebook Messenger with Guardian Media, the applicant said he never received a response after applying.

Asked whether he was ever contacted, the applicant said: "No answer."

Asked whether he followed up, the applicant said: "Not since January."

He added: "No replies."

The applicant also said he was still "job searching."

He did not respond to follow-up questions.

To test the system, Guardian Media created an account and entered the required information.

However, the process was aborted before the final submission stage, where users reported issues because, at that point, the portal asked for a Certificate of Character, which requires time to obtain. Up to that point, it worked smoothly.

What vacancies are currently visible online *please make into a table or box*

As of last Friday morning, EmployTT and the Service Commissions vacancy system were running side by side and advertising different types of work.

System Employment Type Vacancies Advertised Job Nature

EmployTT Portal Contract / Temporary 22 Professional and technical roles

Service Commissions Permanent Public Service 5 Pensionable public-service posts more

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SHE BUILT THE GUEST LIST -- Lamarra Rice, the Architecture of Access, and the Legacy of a Woman Who Refused to Wait

Written by Jonathan P-Wright (award-winning journalist; Muck Rack-verified) on behalf of The Source Magazine.

Jonathan is CVO of RADIOPUSHERS and Head of Music Monetization for OpenWAV Music.

A mere fraction of individuals in life truly grasp the profound significance of their legacy while they are still among the living. Most people don't think in legacy terms because legacy forces you to... confront time, responsibility, and purpose in the same breath. Legacy is not something you stumble into by accident. Legacy is the rare discipline of envisioning the future impact of your purpose and harmoniously aligning with that vision until it becomes your reality. That journey is seldom undertaken by the majority because it requires a certain kind of inner authority -- an unshakable willingness to build before the world agrees with you.

Trailblazers don't move like they're waiting for permission. They move like they've already been assigned. They walk like the future is watching them, because it is. They make decisions like their name is going to mean something in ten years, because it will. They live with intention, and that intention becomes the blueprint that turns raw talent into something that outlives the moment.

If you want to understand Lamarra Rice, you have to start here -- because her story isn't just a résumé. It's a spiritual posture. It's an architecture. It's the quiet power of a woman who understood early that access is currency, and if the world wasn't going to hand her the guest list, she would build it.

Follow Lamarra Rice on Instagram: @lamarrarice

BRONX-BRED BRILLIANCE, QUEEN-MADE DISCIPLINE

Lamarra Rice, born on March 8, 1991, in the Bronx, New York, is a recognized expert in public relations and a prominent entrepreneur in the media and technology sectors. That birthplace is not a footnote. The Bronx doesn't raise you to be casual about life. It raises you to be aware, to be sharp, to read energy and intention before someone ever speaks. It teaches you that confidence is not arrogance -- it's protection. It teaches you that discipline is not a punishment -- it's a shield. It teaches you that survival might be the beginning, but it can't be the ceiling.

There's a specific kind of intelligence that comes from environments where you don't get to "figure it out later." You learn how to make decisions with pressure in the room. You learn how to stand on your standards when the world tries to bargain with them. You learn how to keep your heart intact without letting your boundaries get soft. That's the kind of intelligence Lamarra moves with: not just book smart, but life smart, market smart, people smart, culture smart. It's the kind of mind that doesn't panic when stakes rise -- it organizes.

This is why her story hits as feminine empowerment in its highest form. Not the surface version. Not the caption version. The real version. The version where a woman walks into a world full of gatekeeping and decides she's not going to beg for access, blend in for approval, or shrink her brilliance to make other people feel comfortable. She's going to master her craft, build her platform, and let her results speak in a language nobody can argue with.

BORN WITH PURPOSE IN HER BLOODLINE

The arrival of Lamarra Rice heralded a transformative shift within her family's dynamic, casting ambitious expectations upon her life even before her umbilical cord was cut. Some people are born into a family and simply exist inside the story that was already written. Other people are born into assignment. Their presence changes the temperature. Their existence forces new expectations into the room. It's as if the universe quietly tells everybody watching, "Pay attention -- this one is going to become a reference point."

For women, that assignment often comes with double weight. The world will demand excellence from women while simultaneously punishing them for not being "small enough" to be convenient. It will admire a woman's strength and then question her confidence. It will benefit from a woman's leadership and still act surprised when she owns it. So when a woman rises anyway -- when she rises with composure, strategy, and undeniable execution -- she isn't just building a career. She's dismantling the old rules and replacing them with a new standard.

Lamarra's journey reads like the story of a woman who understood that calling isn't a suggestion. Calling is responsibility. Calling is a daily choice to move like your purpose matters, even when the room is quiet and the world hasn't caught up to what you already know you're becoming.

PUBLIC RELATIONS IS HER SWORD AND SHIELD

Lamarra is the Founder and CEO of GlobalConnectPR (GCPRUSA), a full-service public relations and digital marketing agency known for delivering a wide range of services across various industries. Lamarra's innovative approach and leadership in the field have earned her a reputation for excellence and effectiveness in connecting brands with their audiences. What makes that statement powerful is what it really implies: she understands perception, and she understands power. She understands that in this era, narrative is leverage, and leverage determines who gets elevated, who gets trusted, and who gets overlooked.

People love to reduce PR to press, as if the work is just about headlines and photos and "buzz." But real PR is positioning. Real PR is protection. Real PR is narrative architecture. It's the ability to make sure the world understands who you are before the world tries to misunderstand you. It's the discipline of shaping clarity in public while building stability in private, so a brand doesn't crumble under attention.

That takes more than skill. It takes emotional intelligence. It takes strategy. It takes a fearless kind of composure. Because in high-level rooms, everybody wants attention. Not everybody can sustain trust. Lamarra's gift is that she doesn't just create visibility -- she creates credibility. She doesn't just chase moments -- she builds foundations.

SHE MOVES WITH RECEIPTS, NOT RUMORS

With more than a decade of experience, Lamarra has forged impactful collaborations with prominent figures and organizations, positioning herself as a leading advisor in public relations and digital marketing. Her remarkable expertise encompasses media relations, event coordination, influencer marketing, talent acquisition, and innovative digital strategies, empowering businesses to achieve extraordinary success. That range isn't random. That range is evidence of a woman who understands leverage and knows how to operate across multiple lanes without losing precision.

There is a reason "decade of experience" matters in industries built on relationships. Time reveals character. Time reveals consistency. Time reveals whether someone can execute under pressure or only shine when conditions are perfect. The more you grow, the more you realize that the market isn't only rewarding talent -- it's rewarding stamina, trustworthiness, and the ability to deliver outcomes repeatedly.

Lamarra's career reflects that kind of durability. She has built a reputation as someone who understands how to connect brands with audiences in ways that hold. She knows how to translate identity into messaging. She knows how to build relationships that outlast trends. She knows how to move in rooms where timing matters and a misstep can cost credibility.

That's not just experience. That's leadership.

CUSTOM STRATEGY, FEMININE PRECISION

Under her visionary leadership at GCPRUSA, Lamarra embodies a personalized approach that meticulously tailors strategies to align with the distinct needs of each client. This is where her intelligence becomes undeniable, because personalization is not easy. Personalization requires listening. Personalization requires discernment. Personalization requires restraint. It means you don't sell a client a template; you study their identity, their market position, their audience psychology, and their goals, then design something that fits like it was always meant to be theirs.

Her unwavering client-centric philosophy cultivates enduring relationships and solidifies the agency's esteemed reputation for excellence in the industry. That kind of reputation doesn't come from charisma. It comes from consistency. It comes from being the person people trust when stakes rise, when timelines tighten, and when the public's attention becomes unpredictable.

From her humble beginnings in the Bronx to her ascent as a trailblazer in the realms of public relations and technology, Lamarra's remarkable journey is a testament to her deep dedication, unparalleled expertise, and steadfast commitment to her clients, as well as to enriching the broader community around her. That arc tells you something about her spirit: she doesn't build for applause. She builds for longevity. She builds for legacy.

ACCESS IS CURRENCY -- SHE BUILT THE BANK

Lamarra not only leads GCPRUSA but is also the visionary creator of the Global Connect Channel, a distinguished online resource designed specifically for publicists and media professionals. This innovative platform, which she successfully launched in [insert year], offers exclusive access to high-profile events, networking opportunities, and media collaboration projects. Currently, the channel boasts an impressive membership of 700 active members, representing a diverse array of industries and backgrounds, with new members joining daily.

That isn't a small achievement. That's ecosystem work. That's infrastructure. That's a woman looking at an industry where access is often hoarded, guarded, and gatekept, and deciding she's going to build a bridge instead of complaining about the wall. Talent is everywhere, but access is not, and Lamarra's platform is a direct response to that imbalance.

As a dynamic hub for professional development, the Global Connect Channel fosters essential connections and collaboration, empowering its members to achieve their goals and drive success in the media landscape. This is feminine empowerment with substance. Not hype. Not hashtags. Not motivational talk without a pathway attached to it. This is empowerment that equips. This is empowerment that creates proximity. This is empowerment that turns isolated professionals into a connected network with momentum.

When you build a room like that, you're not just creating opportunity for yourself. You're altering what opportunity looks like for other people who were never supposed to be invited in the first place.

THE INVISIBLE HAND BEHIND THE HEADLINE MOMENTS

Over the past decade, Lamarra Rice has emerged as a vibrant and influential figure across the entertainment, luxury, and technology industries. Her portfolio reads like the behind-the-scenes story the public rarely hears -- the story of a woman shaping outcomes without needing the spotlight to validate her. The real work in entertainment and luxury is often invisible. It's timing. It's planning. It's relationship building. It's pressure management. It's staying composed when everyone else is reactive.

Film Production is one of the clearest examples. Lamarra played a key role as a production assistant on James Franco's film The Pretenders, where she demonstrated unwavering dedication and versatility within the dynamic landscape of the film industry. Her contributions encompassed everything from coordinating logistics to supporting the cast and crew, showcasing her ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment. A set doesn't reward excuses. A set rewards execution. And anyone who has operated in that type of environment knows it builds a certain kind of discipline that transfers into everything you touch afterward.

That's why her trajectory makes sense. When a woman learns how to deliver under pressure early, she carries that calm into bigger rooms later. She becomes someone who can hold chaos without being consumed by it. She becomes someone who can steady a brand, steady a team, steady a moment, and still bring the work home.

LUXURY, CULTURE, AND THE ART OF ELEVATION

Luxury Branding and Public Relations is where Lamarra's strategy becomes undeniable. In her role as the publicist for Mike Nekta and the prestigious Rockford Collection, she significantly elevated brand visibility by orchestrating targeted media strategies that secured top-tier placements in influential publications such as Vogue, GQ, and The Knot. Those are not casual placements. Those are credibility signals. Those are rooms that change how a brand is perceived and what doors that brand can enter next.

Her strategic approach was pivotal in introducing a range of luxurious experiences tailored specifically for discerning men in search of the perfect wedding band. Through meticulous outreach and relationship-building, she successfully generated over $1 million in revenue for the Rockford Collection by forming strategic partnerships with high-end retailers and participating in exclusive bridal expos. That detail matters because it separates "press" from performance. It's one thing to be seen. It's another thing to convert visibility into measurable outcomes. That takes intelligence. That takes restraint. That takes precision.

Strategic Partnerships reflect another layer of her influence. She successfully orchestrated collaborations, including the exquisite diamond collection by Cynthia Bailey and Mike Hill, which enhanced brand visibility and significantly elevated presence within the luxury market. High-level partnerships require trust, timing, and taste. They require the ability to align narratives so they feel premium and authentic, not forced. That's the art of elevation: raising a brand's perception without cheapening its identity.

A SOFT HEART WITH A STEEL STANDARD

Event Production and Philanthropic Endeavors reveal the balance behind Lamarra's leadership. She collaborated with esteemed organizations like TMT/CSE to orchestrate impactful charity events, showcasing unwavering dedication to philanthropy and deep-rooted commitment to community engagement. Charity work done correctly isn't just intention -- it's operations. It's planning. It's responsibility. It's making sure the mission is real enough to hold people and deliver impact.

Beyond her professional innovations, Lamarra embodies a spirit of generosity and compassion, actively engaging with various charitable organizations and non-profits, where she dedicates her time and resources to making a meaningful impact on her community. This matters because power without compassion gets cold, and success without community becomes hollow. Lamarra's story reflects the kind of woman who can operate in luxury spaces without losing her humanity, who can build at scale while still remembering the importance of service.

That combination is rare. A soft heart with a steel standard is not weakness. It's mastery.

SHE CREATED THE ROOM, THEN CHANGED THE RULES

Artist Development and Management is a lane that exposes whether someone can handle pressure without losing the plot. Lamarra spearheaded comprehensive artist development programs for emerging talents, playing a pivotal role in shaping the career of rapper ScarLip. Through innovative and transformative campaigns, she provided strategic direction that included the unveiling of ScarLip's striking new look and the meticulously planned spectacle at the Met Gala. These efforts not only showcased ScarLip's unique artistry but also led to ScarLip's successful signing with Epic Records, marking a significant milestone in her career.

That kind of work requires cultural awareness, psychological insight, and impeccable timing. It requires the ability to shape identity without erasing it, to elevate visibility without turning an artist into a product, to build a moment that feels organic while still being strategically executed. The public often sees the headline. They don't see the planning. They don't see the late-night revisions. They don't see the strategy conversations, the risk calculations, the relationship building behind the scenes.

This is where Lamarra's fearless spirit becomes unmistakable. She doesn't just participate in culture. She helps shape it from within.

EXECUTION UNDER PRESSURE, EVERY TIME

Concert Production and Sponsorships is where leadership becomes visible because there is no hiding place. Lamarra led the planning and execution of multiple concert productions, coordinating logistics such as venue selection, artist booking, and technical setups. She successfully secured sponsorship placements from diverse brands, fostering collaborative marketing efforts that enriched attendees' experiences and maximized exposure for both the event and sponsors.

That is operational excellence. That is detail discipline. That is the kind of intelligence people don't clap for publicly but never stop respecting privately. Either the show works or it doesn't. Either the sponsors feel value or they don't. Either the audience has a premium experience or they leave unimpressed. This is the lane where talk doesn't matter -- only execution does.

Film Financing adds another layer of credibility. Lamarra successfully orchestrated funding arrangements for a diverse array of film projects, enhancing the creative landscape and significantly contributing to the growth and success of numerous cinematic ventures. Financing is where vision meets risk. It's where trust becomes measurable. It's where credibility isn't claimed -- it's proven. A woman operating in that lane is operating in serious rooms, where decisions become dollars and dollars become legacy.

FROM SERVICE TO SYSTEM -- THE TECH ERA OF A WOMAN BUILDER

Lamarra is poised to make a significant mark in the tech industry with the highly anticipated launch of the Global Connect App in the third quarter of 2025. This state-of-the-art customer relationship management (CRM) platform is meticulously crafted for public relations executives and their clients, designed to streamline communication and optimize workflow efficiency in an increasingly fast-paced environment. That matters because service is powerful, but systems scale. Systems create continuity. Systems outlive the moment.

Technology Entrepreneurship sits at the center of that evolution. The Global Connect App is described as an innovative CRM platform designed specifically for publicists, functioning as an essential gateway for individuals eager to gain access to exclusive events, red carpet opportunities, and various media or press engagements. By bridging the gap between journalists and talents, The Global Connect App not only streamlines connections but also enhances the overall experience for both parties, facilitating meaningful interactions in the dynamic world of entertainment and media.

This is the move of a woman who refuses to let her expertise stay trapped inside her calendar. It's the move of a woman turning knowledge into infrastructure. It's the move of a woman building an institution, not just an income stream. When you translate your mastery into a system, you're not just expanding a brand -- you're expanding a legacy.

SHE DIDN'T WAIT TO BE CHOSEN -- SHE CHOSE HERSELF

The cleanest truth about Lamarra Rice is that she didn't build her life around permission. She built her life around purpose. She represents the strength of a woman who refused to wait, the divine talent of a woman who understood she could not treat her calling like a hobby, and the fearless spirit of a woman who decided to engineer access instead of chasing it.

Her portfolio -- spanning film production, luxury branding, strategic partnerships, philanthropy, artist development, concert production, sponsorships, film financing, and technology entrepreneurship -- reflects a pattern of excellence that is both rare and undeniable. And beyond titles, the deeper story is her intelligence: the ability to see the future impact of her purpose and align her actions with that future until her reality starts matching what she already knew inside.

The world doesn't always hand women the guest list, especially women who come from places like the Bronx and still refuse to be limited by what they've seen. Sometimes the most powerful women are the ones who build the list, curate the room, engineer the access, and then leave the door open for others who were never supposed to be there.

The most powerful part of the story is never the moment the world finally claps. It's the part nobody sees -- the late nights that turn into early mornings, the discipline that shows up even when motivation is missing, the silence where you're building without validation, the faith that keeps you steady when the timeline feels unfair, and the intelligence that keeps you strategic instead of emotional. That's where real legacy is forged, because anybody can shine when the lights are on, but only a rare few can keep building when the room is still quiet.

That's Lamarra Rice. And that's what legacy looks like while it's still alive. more

Career development

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There's Only One Right Way To Answer The Salary Requirement Question In An Interview, Says Career Expert

For many of us, there's nothing more nerve-wracking than a job interview, and the most uncomfortable part, far and away, is the salary requirement question. But according to one career expert, there's actually a very simple, kind of counterintuitive way to ace this part of a job interview.

Job interviews are usually full of questions that everyone universally hates because of the way they often... seem like traps (looking at you, "What is your greatest weakness?"). The salary requirement question is a perfect example. But Anna Papalia, a career expert, interview coach, and author of the book "Interviewology: The New Science of Interviewing," out later this month, said there's an easy way to answer this question that ensures you stay in control of the negotiation. And it's not the answer you might expect.

"When the interviewer asks you, 'What are your salary expectations?' do not give them a number," Papalia emphatically said in a recent video on TikTok. She said it's especially important to never reveal what you are currently or were most recently being paid. "If you are currently making 50, for example, and you're hoping for 60 grand, whatever you do, don't say, 'well, I'm currently making 50, and I'm hoping for 60 grand!'"

Goksi | Shutterstock

This, she said, is the surest way to undermine yourself and end up with less money than you deserve. "They may be paying 60 to 90, and you just shot yourself in the foot by telling them that you would take the lowest end of the range," she explained.

RELATED: Woman Says She Was Rejected After Job Interview Because The Company Didn't Like Her 'People-Pleasing Tendencies'

Papalia advised to turn the question back around on the interviewer. "When they say to you, 'What are your salary expectations?' you say, 'What is the range of the position or what is the position paying?'"

In another video, Papalia explained that you'll almost certainly not get a direct answer. "They're going to give you a range. They know not to give you one number," so that they can continue negotiating. "That informs you on how to answer the question. You would say you obviously want top of the range."

But rather than give a range, some interviewers will push back by saying they need to know what your salary requirement is in order to move you forward in the interview process. Papalia said not to take the bait if this happens and retain the upper hand. "If that's the case," she said, "you say something like, like, 'well, I need to know the range before we move forward,' or, 'I'm sure your range will be something I'd be amenable to.'"

RELATED: Career Expert Warns Workers To Lie About 5 Specific Things During A Job Interview

Papalia said this is among the most common mistakes people make during interviews. Unless the interviewer brings it up themselves, she said applicants should never discuss money in a first job interview. "Interviewing is a lot like dating," she said in a video on the subject. "Would you ask someone on a first date about marriage? No! Slow it down."

PaeGAG | Shutterstock

Early interviews, she said, are more about feeling the situation out and seeing if the job, company, and team are a good fit. And, if nothing else, holding off on that conversation gives you more time to practice sticking to your guns when the topic of salary does eventually come up. In the end, job interviewing is a sort of game, so it's all about strategy and maintaining the upper hand.

RELATED: Doing This Nice Thing At Work Could Actually Be Holding You Back, Says A Career Expert

John Sundholm is a writer, editor, and video personality with 20 years of experience in media and entertainment. He covers culture, mental health, and human interest topics. more

Career development

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Online Certifications Employers Value Most: Top Certification Guide

Anonymous member

Career development

3d

Hi everyone. It looks like our company is planning layoffs, and now they’re secretly testing all the employees. For example, the boss “accidentally” drops a pen and waits to see if someone picks it up. Or he says he’d like some tea and watches who goes to make it for him. There are other situations like this too.
My question is: do they really want to keep only the people who try to please the... boss? Are they ready to let good professionals go just because they don’t flatter him? What would you do in my situation?

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Uma Aggarwal
1d
My first reaction is that you may be paranoid. If the boss does engage in such antics, may be I should consider moving to a more professional... organization. Too much time is wasted in trying to catch such antics and discussing the intrigue. more
Vasant Barve
1d
If boss drops a pen and others are watching it, what short of work you are doing? If you have spare time to watch boss drop the pen, then you must... oick that for him & make tea also. more

Career development

1d

GORE: Workforce landscape is continually changing

With 2026 still in its first quarter, the job market is experiencing slow but reasonable growth, a trend shaped by the significant challenges of 2025.

Partially due to the nerve-wracking government shutdown in the fall of 2025, many Americans not only lost faith in the system's working process, but also felt the discomfort of having the job security blanket yanked from under them. Though the... landscape of employment seems to have shifted with technology making job searching more accessible than ever before, it still hasn't replaced that void of concern when it comes to everyday living, let alone trying to store up any reserves for the future.

The increase in job-searching sites such as Indeed and ZipRecruiter has made finding employment much more accessible. Job seekers can now apply for positions and submit resumes online, eliminating the need for in-person applications. Although this ease of access benefits applicants, it has reduced opportunities for direct eye contact and handshakes with potential employers. Despite urgent hiring needs in many companies, the true extent of these needs is not always clear, and onboarding remains a costly endeavor as businesses strive for operational efficiency.

Understanding both perspectives is crucial: Workers may find discrepancies between job descriptions and pay, with limited prospects for advancement or raises. Employers tend to make promises that resemble political rhetoric and defend their business practices. Some supervisors and directors may misuse their authority and avoid meaningful engagement with candidates. For applicants, asking relevant questions -- such as whether the company has a high turnover rate could be quite essential.

Today's workforce has not only become diverse, but also lenient when it comes to the hiring method. Employing inexperienced and uneducated workers, as well as disengaged high school students, has pushed child labor laws to their boundaries, all for the sake of filling voids instead of employing. Drug testing has almost become extinct, largely due to marijuana legalization. Many businesses have relaxed their "no smoking" policies, allowing employees with poor performance, attendance, and apathetic attitudes. Some employers have lowered their standards by permitting smoking and vaping on company premises to appease workers. Additionally, older individuals remain in the workforce because of insufficient retirement or Social Security income.

The sense of honor and respect once associated with blue-collar work has diminished. In the past, maintaining steady employment was a source of dignity, and welfare was considered only as a last resort. These days, many adolescents are preoccupied with their phones, often neglecting their responsibilities, which creates challenges in the workplace. Other issues, which include nepotism, cronyism, passive racism, and tyrannical actions among employers and administrators, continue.

Post-pandemic research shows unemployment rates have risen, with many people having difficulties overcoming the complacency due to welfare benefits, side jobs, and recurrent unemployment support. Though these alternatives only offer short-term stability, many have gotten too relaxed and complacent without giving a second thought to finding long-term employment. For younger adults, the thought of building a strong work ethic may not be conceived or encouraged due to limited opportunities. The workplace has evolved dramatically.

Many young people are unlikely to succeed in corporate environments and may settle for mediocre jobs simply to cover cellphone bills or recreational expenses. Factors such as their level of education, proper application techniques, and business acumen play important roles in today's job market. If going by the everyday working person, skill may win over education, and though having a degree may be a mark of diligence, it is not always equivalent to having natural skills. Receiving healthy social security and retirement benefits in the future is based on having a strong working foundation early in life, and it's unfortunate that many younger adults won't realize that relevant importance until their latter days.

Despite many negative portrayals of earning income, such as particular content posted on social media or places that pay workers under the table, consistent hard work remains highly valuable. Regardless of the job, dedication, productivity, and strong character define a hard worker and provide the foundation for success. more

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SHE BUILT THE GUEST LIST -- Lamarra Rice, the Architecture of Access, and the Legacy of a Woman Who Refused to Wait

Career development

There's Only One Right Way To Answer The Salary Requirement Question In An Interview, Says Career Expert

Career development

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GORE: Workforce landscape is continually changing