Tues 28th Feb Newsletter

Hey, hey, heyyy! 👋

February is almost out and so it's time to celebrate: you’ve made it through 58 days of 2023 so far. So, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back, and prepare to conquer Day 59 with us.

In today's email:

• Tech layoffs: why are they happening?

• Résumé mistakes: expert tips from a certified writer

• Deal of the day: get a unique starter bundle for US7.95

• Dress to impress: what to wear in an office setting

TALKING POINT

What’s with the Tech Layoffs?

The numbers: Amazon, PayPal, Dell, Zoom and Twitter are just a handful in an ever-growing list of tech firms to cut jobs.Combined, over 400 companies have culled nearly 120,000 employees from their workforces since January 2023, according to job cuts tracker Layoffs.fyi, while the tech industry had increased its layoffs by a staggering 649 per cent in 2022 alone.

The reasoning: Company executives have blamed the economy, inflation, lower consumer spend, investor pressure, and overhiring during the COVID-19 pandemic for their decisions.

The future: Although layoff numbers continue to rise, particularly among large companies, some smaller and mid-sized companies are still hiring tech workers, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasting about 418,500 job openings within the industry each year by 2031.

The spread: The layoffs have spread into other industries too, including banking and retail, with Goldman Sachs and Walmart having cut jobs since the start of the year. However, experts say that these layoffs are scarce and that other labor markets have generally been steady.

TODAY'S ADVICE

Watch Out For These 5 Résumé Mistakes

When it comes to writing a résumé, even the tiniest faux-pas can send your application into the “Thanks, but no thanks” pile. But that’s not to say that hiring managers are monsters. They have to sieve through hundreds of applications (for just one job opening!), so they focus on filtering out the résumés that raise red flags, from poor design to inadequate experience.

So, what should you watch out for, and what can you do to keep yourself in the running? Our resident résumé and career expert Chris Leitch wants you to know about these 5 big résumé no-nos!

1. Using a one-size-fits-all approach. Although it’s certainly easier to send the same résumé to every job you apply for, it can do more harm than good. Employers want to feel special and that you want to work for only them, so tailoring your résumé to their company and needs is the way to go. One way to do this is to incorporate keywords from the job ad into your résumé.

2. Writing boring job descriptions. Hiring managers know what a teacher or an accountant does, so you don’t need to provide a list of general responsibilities. Instead, focus on your achievements, as it’s these that show what you’re capable of and what you can do for potential employers. Make sure to quantify your achievements with numbers and stats!

3. Bending the truth. Whether it’s tweaking employment dates by a couple of months or inventing entire college degrees, chances are you’ll get caught for lying and dropped from consideration. Even if you manage to bag the job, the truth will come out eventually — and then you can say “goodbye” to your professional reputation and “hello” to a pink slip. Don’t 👏 do 👏 it 👏.

4. Droning on for 10 pages. Hiring managers want to learn about you and your experience in as little time as possible — they don’t want to read an entire novel. Try to keep it to 1 page, or 2 pages max! Unless, of course, you work in academia or science, where 15-page CVs are not only common but also expected.

5. Sending without proofreading. Excellent attention-to-detail skills? Fluent in Spinach? Expert horse renovator? Yikes! Don’t make embarrassing typos like these by always — always — proofreading your résumé before applying for a job. It’s a good idea to ask a trusted friend or relative to go over it, too, as they might spot something you missed.

Need help writing your résumé? We got you covered!

DON'T MISS

💼 Have an interview coming up? Here’s how to discuss your career development goals.

🤝 Try these 200 conversation starters at the next networking event you attend.

🚀 Skyrocket your career with this complete guide!

🚨 Developing cultural awareness is a must — here’s how you can do it!

WATERCOOLER CHAT

Dress to Impress: Business Casual

As we start moving toward spring, you might be thinking about updating your work wardrobe so you’re feeling fresh and comfortable. But, what’s the right balance when it comes to business casual?

On the one hand, you don’t want to be strolling into the office in ripped jeans and a paint-stained t-shirt. And on the other hand, you don’t want to feel restricted in a suit and tie combo, either.

If you’re struggling with what to wear, here’s some business casual inspo!

DAILY TO-DO

Cut yourself some slack and do your favorite unproductive task — whether it’s bingewatching the latest series of You (we know you love Joe Goldburg, too) or ordering a pizza and sticking on a movie. Squeeze in some time for yourself doing something that you enjoy without feeling guilty about it!

DEAL OF THE DAY

Kick-Start Your Job Search on the Right Foot

Need to write a résumé and cover letter, but don’t have the design skills? We got you covered! Our Starter Bundle features professionally designed and high-quality documents you need to apply for — and land — your dream job:

• 1 standard résumé template

• 1 infographic résumé template

• 1 cover letter template

Plus:

• Font files

• Job Application Checklist

• A Guide to Writing the Perfect Thank You Note

Yours for just US19.95 US7.95

COUPON IS VALID FOR THE STARTER BUNDLE FOR 24 HOURS

ASK AN EXPERT

Have a question you’d like an answer to about your job, career or job search?

Let us know by replying to this email, and one of our qualified and one of our experts could respond to you in next week’s column!

Come back on Friday’s newsletter edition to see if your question has been featured.

MEME IT

Like what you read? Reply and let us know your thoughts.

Created with care by Chris Leitch, Joanna Zambas, Hayley Ramsey and Electra Michaelidou

The linked products are independently selected by the CareerAddict team. If you obtain something we link to, we may receive a commission.