🔮 2024 Career Forecast: Human connection, flexibility > $, & more trends to watch this year

🔮 2024 Career Forecast: Human connection, flexibility > $, & more trends to watch

2023 zoomed by with AI advancements moving at breakneck speed, unexpected layoffs in otherwise profitable sectors, and landmark victories for union workers in the auto and entertainment industries. As we step into 2024, a year brimming with potential, including a revitalized IPO market and a closely contested US Presidential election, what exciting opportunities and challenges will it bring to your career path?

1. AI in Recruiting: Human Connection Still Reigns Supreme

• AI's making waves in recruiting, but it's still in the 'getting to know you' phase. Companies are using AI as an entry ticket but relying on good old human judgment for the final call. Networking and making personal connections will be more crucial than ever.

• Action Item: Attend industry meetups, join professional groups, and make your presence felt. Personal connections can make you stand out in an AI-filtered crowd.

2. Cross-functional Skillsets: The New Currency in a Cross-Industry Marketplace

• Skillsets are becoming the universal currency in the job market. Hiring managers are looking beyond industry boundaries, focusing on skills that can navigate AI integration, evolving consumer habits, and complex global supply chains.

• Action Item: Highlight your adaptability and industry-agnostic skills. Whether it's critical thinking, creativity, or digital literacy, make sure these are front and center in your resume and interviews.

3. Job Hopping: From Taboo to Trendy!

• Job hopping is shedding its stigma. With rapid strategy shifts and the need for agility, short stints are becoming more common. However, the art of storytelling for each job transition remains crucial.

• Actionable Item: Refine the narrative of your career journey. Ensure that your resume and interview stories reflect a purposeful path, even if it's woven with many short-term roles.

4. Employees Will Continue Prioritizing Workplace Flexibility and Value Alignment Over Salary Bumps

• The era of prioritizing minor salary increases is taking a backseat. Employees now value workplace flexibility, security, and alignment with personal values more than ever. Companies mandating a return to the office need compelling reasons to retain top talent.

• Action Item: When exploring new job opportunities, prioritize finding companies that offer the flexibility, security, and values you're looking for. Research company cultures and policies, and during interviews, ask questions about work-life balance, remote working options, company values, and employee well-being programs.

5. The Shift to Sustainable Careers Over Aggressive Corporate Climbing

• The allure of promotions is fading as employees seek sustainable career paths. The focus is shifting from rapid upward mobility to long-term career satisfaction, balancing responsibilities and personal growth.

• Actionable Item: Explore and negotiate roles that align with your strengths and career aspirations. If you're in a managerial position, consider offering diverse growth paths and incentives that are not solely tied to traditional promotions.

📉 Notable Layoffs this Week

• Google likely to layoff 30,000 employees post new AI innovation

• Xerox plans to lay off 15% of its workforce as part of a transformation under new leadership, The Wall Street Journal reports.

• Digital news startup The Messenger is cutting around two dozen employees in the face of low cash reserves, The New York Times writes.

🛠️ Job Seeker Tools

Zippia

www.zippia.com

Zippia is your all-in-one job seeker platform with resources, tools, company analysis, job postings, and more.

Lemmi

lemmi.io

Lemmi is your AI-assisted career companion, guiding your dream job-searching journey. The platform optimizes and simplifies core activities, empowering candidates to stand out in the competitive market while maintaining a harmonious work-life balance.

wrkoholic

www.wrkaholic.com

Wrkaholic autonomously job-hunts with near 0 user input, leveraging unique techniques to enhance interview odds and reduce application anxiety, ensuring users get only their interview invites, (and no spam or negativity).

📊 November 2023 Jolts Report: Continued Strength but Some Emerging Concerns

The November 2023 JOLTS report indicates a steady yet slightly concerning US labor market. Job openings remained flat at 8.8 million, with a decreased hiring rate and a decline in workers voluntarily leaving jobs. Layoffs were historically low, maintaining the trend since April. The report shows a decrease in hiring, particularly in Professional & Business Services and Leisure & Hospitality sectors, attributed to reduced employee turnover. The overall situation suggests a strong labor market but hints at potential challenges in hiring and employment sustainability.

Key points:

• Job openings were flat over the month with 8.8 million job openings at the end of November, according to the latest BLS data.

• Employers continued to slow down on hiring as the hires rate ticked down. And fewer workers left old jobs on their own accord, as the quits rate declined as well.

• Layoffs remained very low and have been equal to or below their pre-pandemic all-time low since April.

Have questions about Interview Prep? Need your resume reviewed? Head to the Offboard community to join a network of jobseekers. 🥳

The Offboard Community offers an alternative to LinkedIn, providing a unique space tailored for job seekers in tech. It’s not just a platform for networking; it’s a resource designed to help you regain your footing and advance in your tech career, supported by the knowledge and experiences of your peers.

Below are some of the community features:

1. Create an anonymous account or join as yourself

2. Discussion or ask for help re: layoffs, interviewing, resumes, money & finance, upskilling, and more!

3. Jobs: Find or refer jobs, and engage in our live job chat space

4. Watercooler Chat: Just looking for a general place to chat with other job seekers? Jump into the Watercooler.

5. Join Virtual Events (Coming Soon)

Curious if your company has a layoff planned?

Look into the crystal ball to see if your company has a layoff coming up by leveraging federally mandated WARN notices!

www.warntracker.com