Factors That Have Made the Job Market More Difficult in 2026:

 Factors That Have Made the Job Market More Difficult in 2026:

Technology Advancements:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Automation of Daily Tasks:  AI is automating tasks, threatening entry-level and administrative roles. This issues, coupled with the skills gap widening between the demands of the role and the skills offered by the talent pool, it is harder for those with limited tech skills to find work.

Solution - Job seekers should take time to enroll in classes / programs designed to advance tech skills. This is esp. necessary for older workers as well as those who are entering the workforce.

Advice for Anyone Who Graduated School Post Winter 2020:

 Advice for Anyone Who Graduated School Post Winter 2020:

This is the first posting of a new series designed to help those who have been most affected (from a career standpoint) by what I will call "The COVID ERA".

1. Make it a point to continually develop your business and technical skills, preferably in "real" classes and not "virtually". Place yourself in an environment where you can interact (1:1 or in a group) with other adult learners and teachers. You will benefit more than in-person exchanges as opposed to Google Meet, Zoom, etc.

Do not take the "virtual" way. It may be logistically easier but you are not getting the value you need / deserve.

US Job Market - 2025

 Last year was a slog for the U.S. labor market.

Companies throttled back hiring. The U.S. government shed over a quarter million jobs. Uncertainty over President Trump’s tariff policies kept many companies from taking on new workers. Others decided they would first like to wait and see how artificial intelligence will allow them to do more with fewer people. High-profile layoff announcements spooked workers, who decided to stay with the jobs they have—leaving less room for new workers to get a foothold.

Salary Transparency

 Salary Transparency

State of California Employment Law (SB 1162) requires the disclosure of pay scales in job openings for all positions, internal and external, with “pay scale” defined as the salary or hourly wage the employer reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay scale does not need to include bonuses, commissions, tips, or other benefits.

This new pay transparency requirement for businesses with 15 or more employees extends not just to job postings on a company website but to third-party platforms such as LinkedIn or Indeed as well.

There are other states across the USA that have similar statutes.  If the job postings does not meet this criteria, you need to wonder why the company is hiding the "wage range".

Misleading Job Titles

  Misleading Job Titles

Inaccurate job title can be damaging from a compensation, client relations, consideration for promotions / transfers and more. Job titles do have different meanings across diverse industries, driving confusion. For example, in the financial services industry, the title "Vice President" is used indiscriminately while in all other industries, the title indicates a strategic / leadership role.

Job titles can be a determining factor about the incumbent feeling appreciated at work or not. It can also have a massive influence on whether a candidate will consider moving roles, companies or even industries.

My LI Profile - https://lnkd.in/gshNVy5

What is the 70 rule of hiring? - (Job Postings are a Wish List)

 What is the 70 rule of hiring?

The 70-30 hiring rule is straightforward: hire candidates who meet 70% of the job requirements. The remaining 30% consists of skills or traits that can be developed after hiring through onboarding, mentoring, or on-the-job training.

++++++++++++++++++++++++

The leads to a posting that I send to all clients:

Job Search Tip - Do not take job posting as being 100% accurate

One of the biggest mistakes job candidates make is disqualifying themselves because they do not meet EVERY requirement in the job description. While certain requirements truly do matter, many qualifications are more of a "wish list" than a mandatory qualification.

Key point - if you can demonstrate that you have the experience and wherewithal to do the job, then apply without hesitation.

 

Quiet Hiring

 Quiet Hiring

When companies fill roles without any serious effort to advertise the role. The role is filled internally (retrain / promote from within) or is done via referrals (networking). This is essential what I have been calling "The Hidden Job Market". If the job is posted, it is only to appease someone in house or is a matter of protocol.

Recruiter's Best Strategy

Recruiter's Best Strategy

 (Please note that this post is about real, professional recruiters who are easily to verify and not the scam artists that send you emails and InMails...)

Recruiter's time is valuable. They are driven, organized, poised and do not want to waste time.  They do not want dozens of resumes.  Too inefficient.  They want 4-5 strong matches.  They are using artificial intelligence (AI) and other tools to identify the best candidates.  

Therefore, make sure your LI profile is up-to-date, filled with the right keywords and that you are active on the platform so they can find you.

 

About Job Titles

Job titles vary wildly across companies. What’s a “Supervising Producer” at one place might be a “Talent Lead” or “Department Head” at another. Don’t let terminology keep you from finding your fit.

Today's Quote - What Makes you Live

 

• "Don't ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who are alive." – Howard Thurman 

Recent Grads - Looking for Your Career Opportunity -

  Recent Grads - Looking for Your Career Opportunity - Create a spreadsheet that will keep you organized.

The spreadsheet will serve as a log where you can keep the name of the companies and positions you have applied. You should include dates, location, type of company, method submitted (email, company website, job board).

You can use a second tab to upload the names of new contacts. These people are now part of your network.

My LI Profile - https://lnkd.in/gshNVy5