Job seekers can breathe easier regarding resume gaps. If you're on the hunt for a new position in 2022, here’s what you need to know.
This Week In Your Wallet: Confidence, Careers and COVID
As the days grow shorter and the pandemic still lingers, there’s a collective need for a boost. Sometimes, we have to draw that encouragement from within ourselves.
This week, I want to highlight writer Lindsay Tigar’s insights on building self-confidence, which can help us all feel more equipped to, as she puts it, “take on the world.” Tigar consulted mental health experts to define confidence (the assurance in one's own abilities) and its importance (it reminds us that we can set and achieve goals while navigating challenges).
She created a five-step guide to boost your confidence. One key takeaway: confidence doesn’t mean you won’t face fear or anxiety. It means not allowing those feelings to hinder your progress.
This is a vital read, especially in light of this week’s developments.
The 1-2-3 Impact on Women Aged 40+
A recent report from AARP highlights how the pandemic has affected women aged 40 to 65. According to Michelle Singletary of the Washington Post, 14% of these women lost their jobs, 13% experienced reduced hours, 9% were furloughed, and 4% saw their salaries cut. The situation is particularly dire for Black and Hispanic women. Alarmingly, 70% of unemployed women over 40 have been jobless for six months or longer. Singletary calls this the Trifecta Effect: facing age discrimination, longer unemployment, and often settling for lower wages when they do find work.
Women already faced challenges before the pandemic. Jessica Nordell’s book, The End of Bias: A Beginning, explores the “everyday gender biases” prevalent in workplaces. As she noted in the New York Times, women often receive less recognition for their contributions and face harsher penalties for mistakes. This accumulation of bias leads to fewer promotions and career advancements. I encourage you to check out the illustrations by Graphics Editor Yaryna Serkez for a striking visual representation of these issues.
Understanding The Great Resignation in 5 Clicks
This week, I noticed a wave of insightful articles discussing The Great Resignation, each offering a unique perspective. Whether you're seeking a new job, trying to adapt to your current role, or wishing to avoid commuting forever, journalists are exploring this phenomenon for you. Here are some highlights:
The resume gap is nothing to fear anymore. Anthony Klotz, the Texas A&M professor who coined the term “Great Resignation,” shares insights through writer Krithika Varagur on how to leave a job and find a better fit.
How to optimize your resume for success. When you’re ready to re-enter the job market, Molly Povich's piece provides essential tips for tailoring your resume to stand out to hiring managers.
Struggling with burnout? Learn to care a little less. Despite working from home, many are overwhelmed. Rachel Feintzeig from the Journal discusses strategies to alleviate pressure and reassess task importance.
Reassessing the commute. A Yahoo Finance article prompted me to calculate my commuting hours over 25 years—7,800 hours, or nearly a year of my life. Although I might return to commuting, I’ve cherished the friendships I made on my train rides. Perhaps it’s time to reconnect with them.
