The Confident Career

Starting Salaries Have Not Changed Much Despite Tight Job Market for College Graduates

The unemployment rate in the United States is currently at 3.5%. With more jobs than job seekers on the market, usually that means employers offer higher wages as a recruitment tactic. However, in this case, a significant change in salaries offered has not occurred, which is puzzling many experts. Furthermore, while pay rates have not increased, profits, in fact, have.

While experts are still analyzing the situation, there are several factors that may be contributing to lower salaries or a lower rate of raises. In no particular order, some of these include:

Is Hypersensitivity A New Skill Employers Are Looking For?

In 2016, the World Economic Forum (WEF) released a report in which it listed the top skills employers will be looking for in 2020. We’re now in 2020 and we can see that much of what was predicted in the report has been correct. Soft skills took the top spots of the list, and understandably so. If you compare today’s workplace with those from the past, you won’t see people leaning over at their individual desks relentlessly typing away from 9-5. Instead you’ll see plenty more scenes of collaboration and team work. The dynamics of the workplace are changing and with it a new set of attitudes have been rolling in. Eight out of the top 10 skills mentioned by the WEF are:

Are Traditional Jobs Being Outpaced by Gig Economy Opportunities?

California recently made headlines as it passed a bill, AB 5, to reclassify freelancers or independent contractors, also known as “gig workers”, as employees. The intent of the bill is to provide more benefits and protection for freelancers, but many employers and freelancers are at odds with the new law, set for January 2020. For employers, the law may cause a 30% increase in costs as the newly classified employees would require minimum wages, health benefits, holidays, and more. For freelancers, being classified as employees will restrict their freedom and flexibility to set their own hours and other work terms, which, for many freelancers, is the huge draw away from traditional jobs and towards contract work, with 51% saying that no amount of money will draw them back into traditional work. 

But what exactly is the Gig Economy and how relevant is it in the bigger picture of the American workforce?

Why Failure Helps Your Career

When you listen to celebrities being interviewed about their success, they often end up talking about their failures. They reflect on how many times they were rejected and how, if you want to achieve your goals in life, falling flat on your face is a prerequisite.

Fear of failure is so common because it puts a magnifying glass up to our insecurities. Failing makes us feel uncomfortable, like we have nothing worthwhile to offer. So, it becomes easier to avoid trying anything new because then we don’t have to broadcast our shortcomings and confirm our hidden self-doubt.

Career Moves to Make If You’re Living Paycheck-to-Paycheck

Many Americans now, unfortunately, know the feeling of living paycheck to paycheck, due to rising costs of living, high barriers to entry in the job market, and stagnating wages. This is leaving many with the feeling that there is little hope that they will be able to save money or have enough to cover emergency expenses. 

It seems financial stress is everywhere these days, and it makes sense, as living paycheck to paycheck can also leave many wondering what they would do in a situation where they lose their job. However, in spite of the many financial difficulties facing Americans, there are still people who are finding success when it comes to managing their personal finances and growing their careers. 

While it is easy to get discouraged, taking steps forward in your career can help mitigate financial stress. There are many things that you can start doing today that will boost your career and hopefully set you on track to boosting your income and increase your job security.