A Case for Why You Should Stay Positive in the Current Job Market.

Heads up: this is one timely article. Meaning that as soon as I publish it, the data I cited will probably be a moot point. Why?

BECAUSE EVERYTHING IN THE JOB MARKET CHANGES RAPIDLY, PEOPLE.

At least…this here job market, rebounding along with an economy that has never before seen the likes of what it is used to, being that we’re working our way out of a world-wide pandemic that has not been seen in over a century. What we know as ‘normal’ is not so anymore, and let’s double down on what ‘normal economy’ and ‘normal job market’ look like these days.

Hence, the title of this piece and why I am making the case to stay positive.

Based on my experiences in the world of work, there are two parts to this conundrum: facts and emotion.

According to the latest jobs report (and we’re looking at August 2024 here), fewer jobs were added than economists expected.

 Facts (What you see):

• Hiring is cooling.

• Wages increased.

• Fed rates are for sure going to be cut, giving a little more breath to the economy by making it a touch easier to borrow money.

• Unemployment dropped from the previous month from 4.3% to 4.2%.

• Layoffs are at a historic low.

Emotions (WHAT YOU MAY FEEL):

• “HIRING IS COOLING?!”

• “Ghost jobs are on the rise and every time I apply, NO ONE GETS BACK TO ME.”

• “Wages increased for people WHO HAVE JOBS. I’VE BEEN LOOKING FOR MONTHS.”

• “RECESSION.”

• “Applicant tracking systems (did my resume actually get to a person?!).”

• “I’m still on unemployment.”

• “I have a job. I’m holding onto my job; however, I am also miserable at said job but also need to pay bills but also and also on top of that…I’m stuck.”

Reality (A Mix of Fact and Feeling, per se):

• Yes, the Great Resignation is no longer happening, and more people are holding onto those jobs, so hiring is slowing.

• If you’re a new graduate, it can be even harder to become professionally employed, as fewer vacancies open up.

• Rates are high, so people are pulling back on their spending.

• Rates are going to be cut no matter what; it’s just how much and this is a constant moving target.

This is all enough to cause a major head-spin. Emotionally, it’s hard to accept data when you are not made of data and your situation is personal to you. This is especially true when you’re applying to over 100+ jobs and get 2 interviews, or when you’ve been ghosted, or when you have to keep hearing “we went with someone else”, or you feel your qualifications are in question when you’re more than qualified for a role. Sound familiar?

When you combine the two, it adds up to a whole bunch of “what ifs”, “what if-nots”, and good old-fashioned fear. Anger. Maybe even questioning your self-worth when you get rejections or don’t hear back at all. I understand it; I have been there. I was an active participant in the workforce when the 2008 recession happened, and it was an absolute nightmare. I can confidently say, 2024 is not that, but I do want to help safeguard your emotions when fear feels like it’s taking over.

 I encourage you to ask these questions to give yourself your OWN solid data:

1. If you are seeking a new role, why?

2. If you left a role (and it was not a layoff), what caused you to leave?

3. How long have you been seeking a new role?

4. What are you willing to take if a role is offered to you (think salary, workplace culture, work/life balance, industry, etc.)?

5. How long are you willing to give yourself to search?

And then address yourself to remember that you ARE more than enough:

1. What have I accomplished in my career so far? (This is true, even if you do not have a long work history).

2. What is my strongest skill?

3. What do others in my life always come to me for?

4. What do I value in myself?

5. How will (NOT can, WILL) an employer benefit from what I bring to the table?

Be honest with yourself when you answer. And give yourself a little grace. You WILL find a role. It may take a little longer than expected in this environment, and you may feel disenfranchised by the whole process. But you WILL find a role.

Professionals out there like me are here to help guide you, actively listen to the emotion, and give you solid 3^rd-party feedback when it all feels too much, so don’t be afraid to reach out! It’s kinda my thing.