Labor Day! Celebrate the Worker! On-site, Remote and Hybrid as Work Continues to Evolve

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This weekend we honor the contributions and achievements of American workers. Looking back on history of this American holiday makes it as relevant today’s workers, on-site, hybrid and remote.  The location and nature of work continues to evolve but the workers remain as important as ever.  Celebrate the worker!

The Labor Day holiday originated in the late 19th century during the labor movement, when workers struggled for better working conditions, wages, and hours.

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882. It was organized by the Central Labor Union, a coalition of trade unions. The holiday quickly spread to other states, and by 1894, 23 states had adopted it. In that year, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.

Labor Day is now a time for Americans to reflect on the contributions of workers to the nation’s economy and well-being. It is also a time for workers to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

Here are some of the key events in the history of Labor Day:

  • 1882: The first Labor Day holiday is celebrated in New York City.
  • 1884: The Knights of Labor adopt a resolution that the first Monday in September be considered Labor Day.
  • 1894: President Grover Cleveland signs a law making the first Monday in September of each year a national holiday.
  • 1909: The first Labor Day parade is held in Washington, D.C.
  • 1938: The Fair Labor Standards Act is passed, establishing a national minimum wage and a maximum workweek of 40 hours.
  • 1971: The Employment Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) is passed, providing retirement benefits for workers.

Labor Day is a reminder of the importance of workers’ rights and the contributions that workers make to the economy. It is also a time to celebrate the achievements of workers and to reflect on the progress that has been made in improving working conditions and workers rights.

 

Jobs Likely to Be Eliminated by AI

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There are a number of jobs that are most likely to be eliminated by AI in the near future. These include:

  • Data entry: AI-powered machines can perform data entry tasks faster and more accurately than humans.
  • Customer service: AI chatbots and voice assistants can handle routine customer service queries, reducing the need for human interaction.
  • Telemarketing: AI-powered telemarketing systems can make calls and generate leads without the need for human agents.
  • Truck driving: Self-driving trucks are already being developed and could soon replace human truck drivers.
  • Factory work: AI-powered robots are increasingly being used in factories to perform tasks such as welding, painting, and assembly.
  • Accounting: AI-powered accounting software can automate many of the tasks that are currently performed by accountants.
  • Legal work: AI-powered legal research tools can help lawyers find and analyze legal precedents.
  • Journalism: AI-powered news writing tools can generate news articles that are indistinguishable from those written by humans.

These are just a few of the jobs that are most likely to be eliminated by AI in the near future. As AI technology continues to develop, it is likely that even more jobs will be automated.

It is important to note that not all jobs will be eliminated by AI. Some jobs, such as those that require creativity, critical thinking, and social interaction, are less likely to be automated. However, even these jobs may be affected by AI, as AI-powered tools are developed to help humans perform these tasks more efficiently.

The rise of AI is a major challenge for the workforce. However, it also presents an opportunity for new jobs to be created. As AI automates tasks, it will free up human workers to focus on more creative and strategic work. Additionally, new jobs will be created in the field of AI itself, as well as in the industries that are disrupted by AI.

The future of work is uncertain, but it is clear that AI will have a significant impact on the workforce. It is important to be prepared for this change by developing the skills that will be in demand in the future. These skills include creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, and social interaction.

2022 Verses 2023 Job Market

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The job market in 2023 is vastly different than it was in 2022. Here are some of the key differences:

  • The number of job openings is much higher. In February 2023, there were 11.3 million job openings in the United States, compared to 6.9 million in February 2022. This means that there are more jobs available than there are people looking for work.
  • The unemployment rate is much lower. The unemployment rate in February 2023 was 3.6%, compared to 3.9% in February 2022. This means that there are fewer people unemployed, which is putting upward pressure on wages.
  • The demand for workers in certain industries is very high. The industries with the highest demand for workers in 2023 include healthcare, technology, and transportation. These industries are all growing rapidly, and they need more workers to keep up with demand.
  • The job market is more competitive. With so many job openings and so few people unemployed, the job market is more competitive than ever before. This means that job seekers need to stand out from the crowd if they want to get hired.

So, how can you succeed in today’s job market? Here are a few tips:

  • Network with people in your field. Networking is one of the best ways to find out about job openings and get your foot in the door.
  • Tailor your resume and cover letter to each job you apply for. Make sure your application materials highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the specific job.
  • Be prepared to sell yourself during interviews. Be confident and articulate when you’re talking about your skills and experience.
  • Don’t give up. The job search can be tough, but it’s important to stay positive and keep trying.

With a little hard work and perseverance, you can succeed in today’s competitive job market.

Here are some additional tips for differentiating yourself in the job market:

  • Highlight your soft skills. Soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, are increasingly important in the workplace. Make sure you highlight your soft skills in your resume and cover letter.
  • Get certified. Certifications can demonstrate your skills and knowledge in a particular area. This can make you more attractive to employers.
  • Volunteer your time. Volunteering is a great way to gain experience and make connections. It can also help you develop your soft skills.
  • Stay up-to-date on industry trends. The job market is constantly changing. Make sure you stay up-to-date on the latest trends in your field. This will help you stay relevant and marketable.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success in today’s job market.

New from BLK

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Stock Market is tanking, interest rates are rising, inflation is at 40 year highs and the talent shortage for numerous roles continues to climb.  We at Berman Larson Kane continue to witness an increase in client job listing across almost all categories of skill sets.  Demand has not yet created a large percentage increase in salaries; however, we do see this soon having a high chance of becoming a reality.

So, if you are a jobseeker your employment prospects continue to be excellent.  If you are an employer competition for top-talent continues to be highly competitive.

We at Berman Larson Kane celebrated our 42nd year in business and thank all for your support.  Our prior inflation experience suggests that if history repeats itself; we will see a high rate of turnover in all job categories.  Both a challenging and good, exciting time for ALL.

REAPPLYING AFTER A REJECTION

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Career Report April – June 2022 Issue 249

Feature Story

REAPPLYING TO A COMPANY AFTER A REJECTION

When it comes to careers, persistence is an attribute that can clearly pay off – especially since employers are keen for workers who are truly interested in and passionate about their jobs. But what about when a job seeker gets rejected from a company that he wants to work for? Can he continue to pursue employment at that company, or could his persistence work against him?

According to an article published by CareerBuilder.com, job seekers shouldn’t be discouraged from applying again to a company that’s turned them down.

“When an applicant has taken the time to understand the company, the people and the customers, getting rejected the first time around should never discourage that applicant from future prospects with the firm,” said Joshua Siva, co-author of the book, “BOLD: Get Noticed, Get Hired.” Any number of reasons could have led to the rejection, he pointed out.

Siva told CareerBuilder.com that there are three things applicants should do before applying again to the same company.

The first is to understand the gap in their previous application. How? “Ideally this comes from the company through a contact involved in the hiring process, but if not, the applicant needs to be honest with themselves: ‘Did I have the experience, did I speak the company’s language, did I sell myself the right way?’ Make a list of these things, and spend whatever amount of time is needed to close the gap, and be sure to have it documented and readily demonstrated,” Siva said.

Next Siva recommended that a job seeker should connect with someone at the company in a related function. “[This is] in order to learn everything about their role, their background, how they got in, company trends, etc.,” Siva said. “It’s amazing how far asking questions can take the applicant, because at the end of it all, the potential applicant will likely get asked about their own ambitions and, when shared, who knows what doors may open via the employee.”

Finally, Siva suggested following up periodically with the human resources manager involved in the hiring process from the original rejection. In your follow up, Siva said to remind the HR manager of your résumé on file, share what progress you’ve made since and reiterate your passion for the company. “It’s always a favorable position when an applicant is on the mind of an HR professional involved with recruiting, because they constantly have visibility and support requests to fill roles.”

After you’ve been turned down by a company you may be tempted to re-apply right away, especially if there’s another job that interests you. But, according to the article, it may be in your best interest to wait it out a few months, to ensure that you’re in a situation where it would make sense for them to potentially consider you again.

 Lisa Rangel, managing director of Chamelon Resumes, an executive résumé-writing and job-search service, said that in general, it’s good to wait a minimum of three-to-six months. “There needs to be enough time to allow for a possible change in the company situation and for the person to amass additional and/or relevant skills that are different than before,” she told the online employment website.

Depending on what you’re looking for, and how important it is to work at the company versus in a particular position, you may wait until a similar position comes along, or you may be willing to work in a different function or department just to get a foot in the door, the article noted. Based on what type of position you’re applying for the second time, you should adjust your application materials as needed. But regardless of whether the position is the same or different from the original job you applied for, you need to show the company that you’ve grown.

“To be taken seriously for the competitive and coveted positions in the marketplace, those who are and aren’t currently employed need to be advancing and improving themselves as time goes on,” Siva told CareerBuilder.com. “If applying for the same role, that improvement needs to speak to closing the gaps in their previous application. If applying for a different role or function, that progress needs to demonstrate the pivot in knowledge and the commitment made to pursuing the new function of focus.

“Above all else, the applicant needs to be bolder and more creative the second time around in order to stand out from other applicants, in addition to their former self and application,” Siva added.

 News from BLK

Stock Market is tanking, interest rates are rising, inflation is at 40 year highs and the talent shortage for numerous roles continues to climb.  We at Berman Larson Kane continue to witness an increase in client job listing across almost all categories of skill sets.  Demand has not yet created a large percentage increase in salaries; however, we do see this soon having a high chance of becoming a reality.

So, if you are a jobseeker your employment prospects continue to be excellent.  If you are an employer competition for top-talent continues to be highly competitive.

We at Berman Larson Kane celebrated our 42nd year in business and thank all for your support.  Our prior inflation experience suggests that if history repeats itself; we will see a high rate of turnover in all job categories.  Both a challenging and good, exciting time for ALL.

NEWS FROM BLK

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Inflation, health risks, hybrid work from home options and record job listings are all contributing to a continuous growth in the competitive war for top talent.   We at Berman Larson Kane have been sharping our proprietary ATS and AI resources to uncover the hidden talent in the market for our clients.

As for job seekers the record number of listings has created an optimum year for seeking new employment.

2022 will bring a lot of movement in the job market and we at Berman Larson Kane’s 40 plus years of experience are reminder of early 1980’s as wage inflation and competition for talent wars emerge.

I assure all job seekers and employers that we will continue to provide the best samples of jobs and candidates that the market has to offer.  We so look forward to these exciting challenges in the job market.  Stay well and healthy!

Resign from Your Job with Grace / News from BLK

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Resign from Your Job with Grace

As predicted, we are in the era of the “Great Resignation” with the most recent reports hitting record numbers of people voluntarily resigning from their jobs. As we move along the pandemic era many are reevaluating life/work balances, work from home options, high risk health service jobs and are making and planning on occupational adjustments.

In fact, one recent survey revealed that as many as 40 percent of workers say they are planning to leave their jobs. And while it may be tempting to give the boss an earful if you do land a new job, workers need to keep in mind that the way they quit can have a long term impact on their career.

Here are some tips from the newspaper article on to resign from a job on good terms:

  • Be prepared. Review your employee handbook or employment contract before announcing your decision, so you know what your company policy is regarding resignations, severance, return of company property, and pay for unused vacation time. Also, find out the company’s reference policy to see what information will be disclosed to a prospective employer. If you have another job lined up, be sure to have your offer in writing before you resign.
  • Use it or loose it. If you haven’t used vacation time and will lose it if you quit, you might want to use your time before leaving or link it to your resignation date. But if you don’t want to burn any bridges, don’t take vacation and announce your departure just after your return.
  • Make an appointment. “Be formal and make an appointment with your boss,” recommended Tanya Maslach, a San Diego, Calif., career expert who specializes in relationship management issues. “Be prepared and engaging—and be transparent,” Maslach said. She also recommends asking your boss how you can help make the transition easier. After the discussion, put your resignation in a hard-copy letter that includes your last day and any transitional help you’ve offered.
  • Give Two weeks Notice. Two weeks advance notice is still standard but experts recommend offering more time if you’ve worked at a company for more than five years. Importantly, though, you also need to be prepared to leave right away—some companies require it.
  • Don’t take the stapler. “It’s not worth it,” said Michael J. Goldfarb, president of Northridge, Calif.-based Holman HR. “If there are security cameras or coworkers with a grudge, stealing from the company doesn’t look good.” In some cases, you could also end up getting billed for the missing equipment—or even taken to court, he said.
  • Scrub your digital footprint. Clear your browser cache, remove passwords to Websites you use from work, such as your personal email or online bank account and delete any personal files on your work computer that aren’t relevant to work. Don’t delete anything work related if you’re required to keep it.
  • Be honest but remain positive. Be helpful during the exit interview, but keep responses simple and professional. Don’t use the session to lay blame or rant about the workplace. “Whatever you do, don’t confess about how much you disliked working there,” said Maslach.
  • Stay close. Consider joining an employee alumni association, which often serves as a networking group for former employees. It can be a good way to keep up with changes in the company and industry—and find leads to new jobs down the road. Lastly, make an effort to keep in touch with coworkers you worked with; they may end up in management roles.

NEWS FROM BLK

Inflation, health risks, hybrid work from home options and record job listings are all contributing to a continuous growth in the competitive war for top talent.   We at Berman Larson Kane have been sharping our proprietary ATS and AI resources to uncover the hidden talent in the market for our clients.

As for job seekers the record number of listings has created an optimum year for seeking new employment.

2022 will bring a lot of movement in the job market and we at Berman Larson Kane’s 40 plus years of experience are reminder of early 1980’s as wage inflation and competition for talent wars emerge.

I assure all job seekers and employers that we will continue to provide the best samples of jobs and candidates that the market has to offer.  We so look forward to these exciting challenges in the job market.  Stay well and healthy!

Fighting Zoom Meeting Boredom

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Career Report October – December 2021 Issue # 247

Zoom Meeting Boredom Battle

If you don’t like attending Zoom meetings, you’re not alone. Most workers feel there are simply too many on-line meetings to attend on a daily and weekly basis, and that many of them are entirely unnecessary. But virtual meetings don’t have to be that way here are two secrets to making virtually any meeting both interesting and productive.

The first is to use the meeting to practice being “present moment-oriented.” In other words, try to absorb yourself in the meeting and don’t allow your mind to wander.  Make a deliberate attempt to be focused allowing you to get as much value out of the experience as possible.  Do not minimize the screen continue to look into the camera and keep those emails and text messages in off mode.

You can spend your time daydreaming or wishing you were somewhere else, but that doesn’t help you in your job or in your career. These virtual meetings provide an opportunity to show your superiors and coworkers that you are really a good listener. This will help you be highly responsive to whatever is being discussed. That way, if there is something you can contribute, you can make a strong impression with your answer.

Employing the “present moment” technique you will find meetings to be far more interesting. Additional insights will come to mind, and your contributions will grow.  Listening intently will also increase your sense of respect from others. They may not be consciously aware of it, but it seems that when those present in a meeting sense that you are truly paying attention, they want to listen to you as well.

The second secret is to tell yourself that you are going to learn something from each meeting. Listen intently to what is said and try to hear something you don’t already know. Rather than comparing what you’re hearing to what you already believe, search for new wisdom, a new insight, or a new way to do something.

Instead of saying “Yeah, Yeah, I already know this stuff,” try to clear your mind and allow yourself to have a beginner’s mind.

You will find the results quite impressive and significant. Your learning curve will dramatically increase, and meetings will become fun again. Why not spend this time in a productive, healthy way, practicing valuable emotional skills instead of wishing you could turn off your camera and mute your boss.

Try practicing staying fully present and by doing you’ll make your work life more interesting and effective.  And ZOOM FATIGUE will become less of a reality and you might actually enjoy the experience.

NEWS FROM BLK

Clients are hiring, candidates are seeking new employment and the scramble for top talent is extremely competitive.  Compensation with resurgence of inflation will begin to add another wild card into the mix. Office work, remote work, ideal mix percentage has corporate HR departments and management in a whirl of how to create the ideal and most productive standards.  We at Berman Larson Kane believe the immediate employment future is an evolving target and that both employees, new hires and corporations will all benefit from new standards.

As for the past quarter and this final quarter it is a good time to be a jobseeker, a good time to hire new talent and create a new set of standards and compensation.  We at Berman Larson Kane will do our best to assist all on their path to continuous success and remain flexible and ready to pivot at a moment’s notice.

We wish all good health and are always available to listen to your concerns and see if we can assist as the new normal emerges.  Stay well and healthy.

Negotiating with Your Employer Post Pandemic

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CAREER REPORT JULY – SEPTEMBER 2021 ISSUE # 246

Negotiating with Your Employer Post Pandemic

If you are like many professionals, you’ve been waiting to see how your workplace will adjust to the PPN (Post Pandemic Normal) , if one exists?  

While the economy looks to be turning around, experts say you may have to wait a bit longer for a real salary increase because companies remain cautiously frugal and not sure of the work force options with new acceptable remote options.

One new option that did not exist seamlessly pre-pandemic are remote workers.  But now that remote workers are becoming more the norm.  Companies now can hire from lower cost of living areas of the country or offshore and pay workers less for the same skill set.  So that the logical line “I am more productive from home than the office” might have unanticipated consequences long term.

Do not be discouraged, though. Since firms are also becoming concerned about retaining their best employees. Now might be a good time to negotiate for other things that could make your job easier or sweeten the deal for you.   Like a fixed work from home schedule, better home computer systems, a flexible hourly schedule with meetings attendance optional.

Before you ask for anything; however, think about what would make your job or life better—and consider if those things will be easy for the company to say yes to and continue to maintain a solid work force as more workers return to the office.

When you have your performance review, go over your job description and compare it to what you are already actually doing a lot has change during the past 12-18 months. There might be quite a discrepancy which might merit a promotion or change in hours and compensation.

Ask your manager for a mid-year review to make your case. While many companies froze salaries during the pandemic, several of them added exceptions for promotions.

If it is your life that could use some renegotiation, ask to customize your work schedule with a flexible start time or a few weeks a month of telecommuting. But do not focus exclusively on your needs when you ask. Explain how having a week without a lengthy commute in a quiet home office will help increase your productivity or improve your work. 

And don’t give up if your first request isn’t accepted find out what about your offers don’t work and use to create something that will.  Now is the once in lifetime window of change hopefully you can make it work towards yours and your employer’s advantage.

NEWS FROM BERMAN LARSON KANE

A steady increase in new orders continues to materialize during the past quarter and we are very optimistic going forward.  Most of our clients are seeing an increase in their businesses and see and opportunity for quick recovery.  This fast-paced recovery should lead to a new increased hiring demands at all levels of the work force.

During the early months of the pandemic many economists were predicting a V shape recover.  We believe they were correct with this projection just did not realize how long and severe the bottom of the V would last.

So going into the third quarter we at Berman Larson Kane see promising signs of employee demand at all levels for the rest of 2021.

Stay healthy and enjoy the new normal that will emerge.  We will all be stronger, healthier, and wiser from our pandemic experiences.

Older Workers Not Looking to Retire Post Pandemic

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CAREER REPORT APRIL-JUNE 2021 ISSUE # 245

Older Workers Not Looking to Retire Post Pandemic

If you are an older worker looking to delay retirement, it’s important that you look and act youthful, display enthusiasm for what you do, and exhibit a sense of energy. It’s also very important to be well-liked by superiors and co-workers and to demonstrate that you can still make valuable contributions to your company’s success. Clearly, as an older worker, you need to work at showing your employer that you should remain on the job.

Here from an article published by The Bergen Record are some thoughts and advice for older workers who want to keep working, offered by a leading outplacement consultant:

Look and Act Young — Everyone knows people who are 50 who look and act as if they are 65 and people who are 65 who look and act as if they are 50. So be sure to dress in currently fashionable clothes and show enthusiasm for your work. Also, exhibit a sense of excitement and energy as well — traits that younger individuals do not always show.

Be Likeable — In some cases, workers near retirement or even those with a lot of seniority, begin to detach from their jobs and co-workers. By doing so you are making a big mistake. That’s because being disliked, especially by people in authority, is the single most important reason people are discharged — not for their lack of skills and abilities. You were liked when you were hired and you must consciously work at maintaining that kind of loyalty and rapport with your employer. It will not continue automatically.

Don’t Take Things For Granted — In the workplace, people also fall out of favor by becoming careless or overconfident about themselves. That is when you are most likely to make mistakes that will downgrade you in the eyes of your supervisor. Don’t let it happen. Keep up your good qualities.

Demonstrate Flexibility And Creativity — Talk to your employer about ways you can solve problems and develop ideas to make your employer more money or be more competitive. You want to counteract stereotypes that suggest older workers do not have imagination.

Stress Relevant Experience — Your employer should feel that you can continue in your position and possibly take on new tasks. It’s important to convince your boss that age has nothing to do with learning new concepts and accepting new ways of doing things.

Stay Current And Embrace Technology — When deciding to keep your position, it will be helpful if you are up-to-date on current technology and new applications. Do not appear as if the world has passed you by.

Get Yourself Noticed — Consider this idea: Find out what your supervisor’s favorite civic or charitable activities are and volunteer to work for those organizations. That will bring you into regular contact with the supervisor in a non-job situation, which should increase your visibility and give you additional opportunities to make a favorable impression. Developing some shared experiences off the job will be a definite plus for you.

Make Your Intentions Known – If your employer may be expecting you to end your service with the company soon due to retirement, it’s critical that you advise your superiors that you want to keep working. Your bosses may be interviewing for your replacement, if they have not found one already.

Emphasize Loyalty — When you decide to tell your employer you do not wish to retire, it will be important to outline why they should keep you on. Be sure to demonstrate that you are still committed to your job; employers need to feel that employees are 100 percent dedicated to the company.

NEWS FROM BLK

We are very pleased to celebrate out 41st anniversary this quarter.  We have witnessed a lot of changes in the staffing business and have done our best to adjust to shifting economic and technology climates.  This past quarter we have implemented an artificial intelligent applicant tracking and CRM that we are already witnessing improvements of service to hiring authorities and jobseekers. 

As president to Berman Larson Kane for 41 years; I continue to be amazed at the hiring process and job seeking skills that lead to a successful hire and career advancement.  Some of the changes over the decades have required pivot adjustments to business processes.  However, the one constant over the years has been a jobseeker who has a love for what they do and an employer who needs it done.  Assisting in that match is the magic of staffing.

Thanks for your support over the decades we all so greatly appreciate it ….Bob Larson, CPC