Stressful career decisions & wellness research / LinkedIn Updates -audio and virtual events

Ah how the digital world changes so quickly. I am publishing this Newsletter today earlier than scheduled (bi-weekly) due to?breaking news over the last 24 hours. LinkedIn is launching their audio rival to Clubhouse and an interactive virtual live event product. ??

And from last week’s Newsletter on how to stand out in looking for the next job it was also fitting from conversations and feedback since that people are keen for guidance on making wiser job choices.? Let's kick off with the latest news as it landed today.

As ever the world of LinkedIn never stops evolving.?Breaking news the 7th January from Tech Crunch ?editor??Ingrid Lunden and??Jack Poses , LinkedIn’s Product Lead for Video, Creators & Events comes the following news for roll outs

As expected LinkedIn was to introduce a dynamic audio rival for Clubhouse to enable a stronger connection in real time of member’s profiles and engagement.?The virtual events capability on the platform of listing, hosting and marketing interactive, virtual live events will be another game changer on the national and global stage for organisations.

The new events feature does not require using other 3rd party software to run the event as its all on the platform. There will also be embedded tools for online attendees and hosts to directly speak to each other live and to moderate conversations along with the ability for 2 way discussions between participants. Read all the information below:

LinkedIn article from Jack Poses Check out his updates and commentary on launching an entirely new interactive events experience that allows members to more actively participate in conversations.?

Tech Crunch article

Check out how the new live events and audio tools will look like and timelines globally

Official LinkedIn Audio Guidelines & Tips https://www.dhirubhai.net/help/linkedin/answer/130602 https://www.dhirubhai.net/help/linkedin/answer/130603

Career and job decisions have an incalculable impact professionally and personally. Learning how to make wise career and job choices is essential for mental and workplace wellbeing. Wellbeing and success is at stake with the consequences of choices being positive or negative?with the repercussions across all areas of life and work.??

Stress & Wellbeing

According to research by LinkedIn 72% of women and 52% of men experience stress and negative situations during their job search.??After all it is a vulnerable and confronting time with a lot at stake.

Even the most confident and experienced of professional candidates will face challenges in their quests irrelevant of being at $80K or $800K salary levels.

Over the last 2 years there has been a rise in deeper reflections and navel gazing around career purpose, direction, life fulfilment and?workplace wellbeing ??factors.

But irrelevant of sector or role, I estimate circa 50 per cent of job choices will ultimately meet with regret and in hindsight, deemed unwise. Remorse and unrest generally starts to niggle people within the first one to six months of starting any new role.

I can guarantee that after 11 years owning a recruitment agency. Admitting a career gaffe to yourself is hard, but even harder to others.

Justify ~ Rationalise ~ Reassure

The precursor to a new role, promotion or career change which may be unwise are???proclamations to justify, reassure and rationalise that decision.

Tuning into those fervent attempts to convince and qualify choices (to self and others) is a strong indicator of misalignment and unease.

There are many moving parts, conflictual and emotional elements when in the job search hot seat.??Making wise choices for the right reasons lays a platform of self-confidence and a career trajectory that supports authentically.?

But unwise choices will erode on many levels both consciously or unconsciously.

When a choice is a wise one there is a collective sense of harmony and excitement. Harmony is instinctive and there is no need to rationalise, justify and reassure yourself or others of the decision.??And the converse as outlined above when a decision leans to an unwise one.

Risky decision wheel

I have observed regularly the 3 key elements that contribute to making unwise job decisions. These stymie critical thinking and keep?competent professionals on a treadmill of unhappiness and unrealised potential.?

They can be individual risk factors or combined as part of a risky decision wheel.

Wrong Motivations

There are many motivators when choosing a new role or career pivot.?But some can be so bright and shiny that the allure of them blindsides to other pertinent realities.

Money, prestige, fame, security, a great agency or organisation to have on the CV are big alluring and illusionary motivators.? And desperation of a job or situation can be deafening and can bite the proverbial hard.

Critical thinking is key to minimise deluded decisions that once the gloss has worn off may put you behind the eight ball.?

It’s not the actual motivator that matters in singular form but the alliance with other factors and variables to consider.

We all seek to survive and thrive with the latter crossing over to making a real difference and impact broadly.?

But if the motivators are purely monetary or selfish they may lead to unwise long term decisions and dissatisfaction.?A deeper analysis of your who, what, why will clarify wise decision making.

Sunk Cost Bias Fallacy

The impact of sunk cost bias fallacy is as prevalent as?illogical and erroneous.?Essentially it refers to the hardwired tendency to follow through on activities, a course of action and?career where considerable cost (effort, time and money)?has already been invested.

We all have fallen into this rabbit hole in some way and for career decisions it begets the question if the current costs outweigh future benefits.?

And those biases can be applied from family and community expectations to deliver also.

After long and laborious hiring processes the ego to win overrides wise decisions also.?Desperation and the desire to conquer often shrouds evidence.?Be mindful.

A good definition of Sunk Coast Fallacy from?CIG ?which applies to all sectors and professions:

“ Assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon’s School of Business, Christopher Olivola cites cognitive dissonance, a phenomena that occurs when we feel remorse after making a decision, as the main reason why we most often fall for the sunk cost fallacy.

This cognitive dissonance often leads to defensive behaviour and thoughts in regards to an original decision ––?but this emotional reaction could cause you to continue down a path that clearly isn’t working for you. “

Men often feel trapped to a career path that no longer benefits them and fear change due to investments to date.?I undertook?a survey in 2020 asking?Mens Level of Work and Career Happiness ?and their decisions. The results and feedback was insightful.

Fear

Fear is more pernicious than realised and manifests in a myriad of ways.?Knowledge is power and without full knowledge wise job decisions are compromised.

Let’s be very clear, hiring and job search is a two way street, and particularly for senior leaders and managers.?Yet far too many candidates, irrespective of being at the $80 to $800K band?fall into the master-slave hiring pit.

Recruitment agencies, panels and hiring managers are equally complicit in the pit.?Holding a two way mindset must be understood that today’s candidate can be tomorrows hiring manager, and memories are long in the public service and agencies.

I have seen this play out so many times.?Strong leaders with stewardship over hundreds become acquiescent and meek in the hiring process.?

Negotiation skills, empowerment and fearlessness are hidden for fear of reprisals.?So candidates don’t dig enough, ask important questions and challenge for mutual value.?And it is of mutual value for all parties to learn as much as possible about each other.

Like an ostrich head in the sand, many choose not to ask the hard questions for fear the answers will nullify their interest.?

This impacts across motivations and the reality of management styles and culture the role pertains.

Women are?particularly fearful of putting themselves out there as indicated in the??2019 LinkedIn?Gender Insights Report? ??it was found that women will only apply for roles if they meet 100 per cent of the criteria compared to men who confidently apply if they meet 60 per cent criteria.

Many professional outstandingly talented?women pursue roles that do not fully capitalise on their value as they don’t put their hat into the ring to learn more in robust direct conversations.

Note???Job advertisements are mostly cut and pasted, poorly thought out and rarely share the reality of a role, the purpose of the role and what success will look like.?90% of JD’s are useless so the greater the need to have quality conversations at the front end to determine if the role is even suitable or relevant. Further, perceived issues of?ageism ?bias and fear to address those issues keeps both men and women from applying to roles.

Due Diligence & Reference Checks

Undertaking your due diligence and reverse reference checks are critical elements of risk prevention. ??Reference checking is a two-way street.?Given the attrition of staff due to toxic management it is essential that as a candidate you dig deep without fear. Always reference check the management, staff and culture.?LinkedIn, networks, Google and casual conversations are all part of the mix, just as they are for the employer.

Summing up - no guarantees

There is no guarantees in careers and job choices. Minimising unwise choices and maximising wise decisions requires taking stock of your true motivations. Taking respectful control of the process and embracing a marketing curious mindset will fortify confidence.

And don’t ignore any evidence at the front end as rarely do situations improve. Don’t fall into the belief that it may be different for you despite contrary feedback.??

Free resources

Check out my range of free eBooks and resources to help navigate professional job searching, career confidence strategies and using LinkedIn on my website?here

About the author

Sue Parker is the founder and owner of DARE Group Australia.??A personal brand communications, career/job search strategist and LinkedIn specialist, Sue works with business leaders, small businesses and career executives in both?public and private sectors.?

Known for her witty insightful opinions and bold strategies, she help clients step up and stand out with confidence.

A well published media commentator and writer on her expertise, Sue is the Australia's No 1 media contributor on LinkedIn topics and news.?TV & Media Portfolio here

Get in touch to explore how Sue can help your business or career goals and challenges.?[email protected] ?or?www.daregroupaustralia.com.au