The Newly Frantic Job Searchers
Unemployment is low and organizations are advertising more than 8 million open roles. So why are so many job seekers getting so frustrated? We examine how everything from AI to an uncertain economy has made applying for—and finding—jobs harder than before. Plus, facing low revenue-growth projections, many leaders say they need to ask workers to be more productive—but are not sure how to do that. We look at tactful approaches they can take.?
Sign up?here?to get the full edition of This Week in Leadership in your inbox every week.
Why Finding a New Job Has Gotten a Lot Harder
The same message keeps coming back:?Thanks for your interest, but we are moving forward with other candidates at this time.?Calls from recruiters—there used to be a few each week!—have dried up. Outreach to LinkedIn connections and other contacts often receives no response.
The mounting challenges of finding a job are causing many to give up the search altogether. According to the most recent data from the US government, 1.6 million people wanted a job and were available for work in December—but?did not apply for one. Moreover, in that same month there were also 346,000 “discouraged workers,” which the government defines as people who believe there are no jobs available for them.
Those are the official numbers. Anecdotally, the situation is even worse.
Demanding More… and More
The post-holiday glow has faded, and teams are back on the job, focused on 2024 goals. Facing low growth projections, many leaders may want to demand longer hours or more efficient work from their employees, perhaps with a company-wide memo or town hall. They want to ask for?more?commitment and productivity, but they fear setting off a social-media storm. How can leaders get employees to actually work harder in this environment?
领英推荐
While encouraging?better?work might be an option, experts advise that leaders let go of their dreams of long hours. Today, it is quite possible that CEOs simply can’t exhort their staff to work longer.
4 Ways to Think About ‘Upskilling’
“Upskilling” is one of the latest buzzwords in corporate offices, and along with that lexical popularity comes the assumption that everyone should be doing it, like becoming a thought leader or practicing yoga.?Upskilling, in the right situation, could help you remain competitive in the job market, qualify for a promotion, or earn a higher salary. ?
But do you?really?need to devote a big chunk of time in your already-packed day to master the art of being an AI-prompt guru, Scrum Master, or contract negotiator, among a plethora of other possible roles? Not necessarily, experts say. Formal upskilling, through coursework or graduate school, is often useful, but not essential. For curious people in dynamic working environments, it’s quite possible to learn all you need on the job.
Other Must-Reads from Korn Ferry?
Check out?Briefings, our bimonthly national magazine, for in-depth and unusual looks at critical leadership issues.
CEO @Abjjad | Leadership & Management Advocate | Certified Instructor & Board Member | Author of the Chronicles Series
1 年The current job market dynamics, marked by low unemployment and a surplus of open positions, have created a paradox where job seekers, despite numerous opportunities, face increased frustration. Factors such as the integration of AI in hiring processes and economic uncertainties contribute to the challenges of applying for and securing jobs. Additionally, leaders, grappling with low revenue-growth projections, seek ways to enhance productivity among their workforce. Navigating these challenges requires strategic and tactful approaches to address the evolving dynamics of the job market and workplace productivity.
This is by far one of the most accurate accountings written of today's climate. Thank you, Korn Ferry.