Soon, Cal Newport and I will be reopening Top Performer for a new session. This is the course we teach that shows you how to deeply understand your career, build rare and valuable skills, and translate those skills into work you love.

In anticipation of the new session, I’ve been writing some lessons on career advice. I started by explaining why you should master your career rather than try to run away from it. I argued that you need to build rare and valuable skills, which don’t come automatically. I also showed why working harder can actually backfire, if that becomes your source of competitive advantage.

The theme throughout all these lessons is that to have a great career, you need career capital. Skills, relationships and other assets that make you in demand.

However, while getting career capital isn’t trivial, and it’s the main thing that separates the desirability of different careers, it isn’t the only step to having work you’ll love. Having career capital isn’t enough, you need to actually use it to negotiate the lifestyle you want to live.

What Kind of Lifestyle Do You Really Want?

For a lot of people, they never step back and really ask themselves what kind of career they want. Instead, they act like ambitious rats in a Skinner box, pushing the right levers to get short-term career rewards, without asking whether they want to be in that box in the first place.

You Need to Negotiate Your Lifestyle

May, 2019

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Soon, Cal Newport and I will be reopening Top Performer for a new session. This is the course we teach that shows you how to deeply understand your career, build rare and valuable skills, and translate those skills into work you love.

In anticipation of the new session, I’ve been writing some lessons on career advice. I started by explaining why you should master your career rather than try to run away from it. I argued that you need to build rare and valuable skills, which don’t come automatically. I also showed why working harder can actually backfire, if that becomes your source of competitive advantage.

The theme throughout all these lessons is that to have a great career, you need career capital. Skills, relationships and other assets that make you in demand.

However, while getting career capital isn’t trivial, and it’s the main thing that separates the desirability of different careers, it isn’t the only step to having work you’ll love. Having career capital isn’t enough, you need to actually use it to negotiate the lifestyle you want to live.

What Kind of Lifestyle Do You Really Want?

For a lot of people, they never step back and really ask themselves what kind of career they want. Instead, they act like ambitious rats in a Skinner box, pushing the right levers to get short-term career rewards, without asking whether they want to be in that box in the first place.

I recently read this interesting story about someone who became a physics major “accidentally”, prodded along by the short-term competition to get grades, and then to get into grad school, he never really asked what kind of career he actually wanted.

I think this is actually a lot more common than most people realize. They get into a company that prioritizes working really long hours, so they start putting in hours to please the people around them, instead of asking whether this company is actually a good fit. Or they start chasing incremental promotions, without really asking whether a tiny bump in salary is worth the added responsibility.

In the first lesson, I made fun of people who chase illusions to get rich without adding value. But, in fairness, at least those people have a lifestyle they’re trying to create. They might be going about it in an ineffective way, but they at least know the kind of life they’re trying to build. Do you?

Continue Reading: https://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2019/05/26/negotiate-lifestyle/

When external forces—whether political shifts, economic downturns, or industry disruptions—shake the very foundation of a career, it’s normal to feel powerless and lost. You may question your path, your value, the decisions you’ve made, and your future. Many thousands of professionals experience these same moments of uncertainty, whether in early, mid, or late career stages. While external circumstances may be beyond our control, research and practical experience show that we can shape our mindset, responses, and deliberate actions to create breakthrough outcomes, even in very turbulent times.

Below are 7 key strategies that provide a framework to regain clarity, strengthen your resilience, and generate new, exciting momentum during periods of career upheaval.

1. Acknowledge and Process Your Emotions

Career upheaval is emotionally taxing and often deeply fear-inducing. Feeling fear, frustration, regret and grief when the work you’ve invested in is threatened is a natural human response and something thousands of people share.

Rather than suppressing these emotions and trying to pretend you’re not feeling them, we benefit from acknowledging and processing them. Techniques like journaling – to get clearer on what you’re thinking and feeling – and engaging in candid, open discussions with trusted peers, seeking new mentorship, and tapping into professional support networks can help you navigate these emotions more productively and effectively than on our own.

Self-compassion is critical at these times as well, and remembering that struggling does not equate to failure. In fact, research indicates that resilience involves not just “bouncing back” from adversity, but adapting and thriving through flexible thought and behavior. Recognizing your emotions and allowing yourself to experience them fully is foundational to navigating upheaval effectively.

2. Reframe the Challenge as Opportunity

Reframing adversity—which is choosing to see our challenges as potentially useful (and often necessary) opportunities for growth—has been shown to significantly strengthen resilience and mental well-being. Research confirms that positive reframing boosts adaptability, helping us cope more effectively with setbacks. When we view difficulties as potential gateways to growth, and keep exploring what that growth can look like in the months and years ahead, we expand our capacity to handle challenge and ultimately support stronger mental health.

Beyond the psychological benefits, reframing allows us to interpret situations in ways that are true and realistic yet also more empowering compared with other, more negative interpretations (such as “I failed this in a big way and it’s utterly hopeless now.)”

By shifting your perspective toward expansion, hope, and possibility, you can open doors to new pathways you might never have considered but are actually better suited to who you are and what you care about most at this time in your life. This shift not only enhances personal growth but can also leads to greater success, impact, and reward in your career and professional life in the long run.

Reneging and ghosting are costly inefficiencies in recruiting. Here are practical adjustments you can make to improve your outcomes.

If there’s one word that’s more urgent than ever for recruiting teams today, it’s efficiency.

With leaner teams, slimmer budgets, and an unpredictable market, every hire matters. So when a candidate reneges on an offer, or ghosts late in the process, it’s more than just disappointing—it’s a direct hit to efficiency. And while it’s easy to blame the candidate, sometimes the real issue lies within the recruiting process itself.

Here are practical adjustments you can make to reduce reneges and ghosting, and protect your efficiency.

How can more compelling employer branding reduce reneging?

High-quality talent is less likely to renege when they feel aligned with your values and excited about your culture. Infuse your employer brand throughout your hiring funnel so candidates can see themselves joining your organization. For example:

• You won’t fill the top of your funnel with quality candidates if you haven’t caught their attention before your competition has. Consider early identification tactics to build awareness and trust earlier in the campus to career journey.
• Encourage employees and interns to post on the Handshake social feed and share their authentic, real testimonials and examples of work life.
• Build out your Handshake Brand Page to highlight your benefits, culture, and opportunities.
• Host hiring events that attract top talent and add value to the candidate experience, like resume review workshops or alumni panels. Post-offer, invite them to new-hire events, or informal team gatherings so they can start networking.

When candidates have started to build relationships and can envision themselves thriving in your organization through real-life stories, they’re less tempted by other offers—and your recruiting funnel becomes more efficient.

Continue Reading: https://joinhandshake.com/blog/employers/reduce-reneging-keep-candidates-engaged/

Proactively address these questions to help entry-level job seekers, interns, and new hires build confidence, onboard faster, and stay longer

Think back to your first job search: exciting, yes, but also overwhelming. From workplace etiquette to career growth, entry-level job seekers have lots of questions—they’re just not always asking them out loud. They’re searching online, wondering if they’ll belong, and if they should apply.

By anticipating and answering entry-level questions, you do more than ease nerves—you help new hires feel seen, supported, and ready to succeed.

15 questions entry-level talent want to ask (and how you can answer them)

Here are some examples of questions entry-level job seekers and new hires may be too afraid to ask out loud, and suggestions for how you can answer them.

Question: How do I write a resume if I don’t have experience?

Answer: You have more experience than you think! On your resume, highlight class projects, volunteer work, campus leadership, or part-time jobs—anything that shows transferable skills. For example, hard skills like a foreign language or software, and soft skills like teamwork, problem-solving, or communication. Employers know early-career candidates won’t have years of experience; what matters is showing initiative and potential.

Question: How do I ask for a letter of recommendation?

Answer: It’s normal to ask, and most professors and supervisors are glad to help. Give plenty of notice and a clear deadline, share the details of the role or program, and remind them of specific projects you worked on together so they can write a strong, personalized letter.

Question: How do I explain a job gap, transfer, or switching majors in an interview?

Answer: Be honest and frame it as growth. If you switched majors, talk about what you learned and why the new direction excites you. If you took time off, share what you gained—whether it was work experience, caregiving, or personal development. We’re looking for self-awareness and how your journey prepared you for this role.

Question: How do I ask about salary or benefits in my first job?

Answer: It’s completely appropriate to ask. The best time is after we’ve talked about your qualifications and fit for the role. You might say: “I’m excited about this opportunity—could you share the salary range and benefits?” We expect this question and will provide the details so you can make an informed decision.

Question: How do I ask for help at work without looking unprepared?

Answer: Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. The best way is to first try solving the problem, then explain what you’ve already attempted when you ask. For example: “I tried X and Y, but I’m still stuck—can you suggest the best next step?” That shows initiative while still seeking guidance.

Continue Reading: https://joinhandshake.com/blog/employers/questions-entry-level-talent-want-to-ask-and-how-to-answer/

“How do I choose the right career?”

“How do I present myself at work?”

“What are the tips that I can use throughout my career journey?”

If you find yourself constantly asking these questions, you’re not alone. Many people, especially fresh graduates, feel anxious about their career prospects.

We can help.

Meet Chuck Green and Jim Garvey, industry veterans and expert recruiters at Accenture. They answer some of these questions to help lead you toward a long and illustrious career. One where you can truly shine. 

Choose the right career

What are the questions I should ask myself when evaluating a new role?

Jim: There are several. First, you need to consider whether this role makes sense for you personally, professionally, and financially. Are there learning opportunities and clear career paths? What is the overall culture like? Is it collaborative and result-oriented?

Chuck: It’s also important to think about where you want to be in your career a few years down the line. Do you want to be more of a generalist in your area, or eventually become a subject matter expert? Does the employer provide the opportunity for either?

What if I want to pursue a career that’s in a different direction from my field of study?

Jim: We’ve seen a shift in this direction, and it’s becoming more common. If you find a new career path that gives you joy and enables you to perform better, I’d encourage you to switch careers. Our priority is to identify the best fit for a role based on an individual’s skill set, extracurricular activities and leadership qualities.

Continue Reading: https://www.accenture.com/us-en/blogs/blogs-careers/key-tips-to-set-yourself-up-for-career-success

Unlock the metrics that help you understand your funnel, optimize recruiting, and drive ROI

Recruiters do more than fill seats. They build the teams that shape your company’s future.

This critical work deserves better metrics. So that when someone asks, “Why isn’t this role filled yet?” you can answer with precision, not guesswork. You need metrics that can help you show what’s working—especially when resources are tight.

But in a market where recruiters are asked to do more with less, proving that impact takes a collaborative, full-funnel, data-driven strategy.

To help you do that, here are some of the most essential recruiting metrics to track throughout your hiring funnel—and show the business where you deserve some kudos, and where you might need some support.

10 essential recruiting metrics to track this season

High-performing talent teams analyze every stage of the candidate journey. Understanding your hiring funnel helps you make smarter decisions and maximize impact.

Top of funnel: Brand & reach

1. Legacy vs. reach school mix

Are you expanding access or staying in your comfort zone?

2. Employer brand engagement (impressions and engagement rates)

Are students interacting with your story on social channels, scrolling past it, or not seeing your brand at all?

Middle of funnel: Engagement & nurture

3. Candidate touchpoints

Are you building on each touchpoint and staying top of mind through events, messages, and brand views?

4. Renege data

Are accepted offers slipping through due to lack of engagement post-offer?

5. Event ROI

Are you overspending, underspending, or still unsure about the formats that convert best?

Read More: https://joinhandshake.com/blog/employers/essential-recruiting-metrics-to-track/