How to get a job (or not)

The question that I have on transparency on pay, are they including benifits like employer based health insurance or is it just flat out salary w/o the value of benifits?

That's yuge. (Not for everyone, but a lower salary can be better if you get a 401k match and lower health insurance premiums.)

In my last job search I filtered for the minimum I was willing to accept. Also reported a company to Indeed for responding with a lower salary than advertised.
 
I'd imagine it's just salary - I have no real idea that it's just salary - but the rest is too hard to evaluate. Like, how much is paternity leave "worth" to any applicant? How does one evaluate benefit plan A vs benefits plan B? They both take your personal situation into account. How much is more Paid Time Off days "worth"? It depends, right? But pure salary is easy to compare.

I think making compensation transparent is a great idea. If, in any given company, we all knew what each other was making, it'd only benefit the workers. Granted, it needs to be mandated for all employees to make this beneficial - otherwise, there's no reason for individual employees to selectively disclose their own personal salary. That said, I'd be in favor of making *all* benefits transparent.
 
It will likely be just base salary. Benefits will be on top of that.
 
I think making compensation transparent is a great idea. If, in any given company, we all knew what each other was making, it'd only benefit the workers. Granted, it needs to be mandated for all employees to make this beneficial - otherwise, there's no reason for individual employees to selectively disclose their own personal salary. That said, I'd be in favor of making *all* benefits transparent.
Unionisation FTW. It kind of requires some sort of sharing salary data.
 
AI recruitment software is 'automated pseudoscience', Cambridge study finds

Claims that AI-powered recruitment software can boost diversity of new hires at a workplace were debunked in a study published this week.​
Advocates of machine learning algorithms trained to analyze body language and predict the emotional intelligence of candidates believe the software provides a fairer way to assess workers if it doesn't consider gender and race. They argue the new tools could remove human biases and help companies meet their diversity, equity, and inclusion goals by hiring more people from underrepresented groups.​
But a paper published in the journal Philosophy and Technology by a pair of researchers at the University of Cambridge, however, demonstrates that the software is little more than "automated pseudoscience". Six computer science undergraduates replicated a commercial model used in industry to examine how AI recruitment software predicts people's personalities using images of their faces.​
Dubbed the "Personality Machine", the system looks for the "big five" personality tropes: extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism. They found the software's predictions were affected by changes in people's facial expressions, lighting and backgrounds, as well as their choice of clothing. These features have nothing to do with a jobseeker's abilities, thus using AI for recruitment purposes is flawed, the researchers argue.​
"The fact that changes to light and saturation and contrast affect your personality score is proof of this," Kerry Mackereth, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Cambridge's Centre for Gender Studies, told The Register. The paper's results are backed up by previous studies, which have shown how wearing glasses and a headscarf in a video interview or adding in a bookshelf in the background can decrease a candidate's scores for conscientiousness and neuroticism, she noted.​
The researchers believe the technology needs to be regulated more strictly. "We are concerned that some vendors are wrapping 'snake oil' products in a shiny package and selling them to unsuspecting customers," said co-author Eleanor Drage, a postdoctoral research associate also at the Centre for Gender Studies.​

Snake oil in the AI and HR industries? Surely not!
 
extroversion, agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, and neuroticism.

facial expressions

This part is a tautology.

Light and saturation are a problem, but if you're posting a picture on LinkedIn you have plenty of time to prepare accordingly and put your best picture forward. It's similar to dating apps - there are known ways to take a photo to generate swipe rights.

The greater problem with using those subjective factors is it's a sneaky way to discriminate against disfavored groups (like Harvard with Asian applicants). The AI wouldn't know to stick it to Asians unless you program the bias into the algorithm, so its weakness at the end of the day is people gaming the system.
 
The Five Emails You Need to Send Out Now
BY RAY A. SMITH AND RACHEL FEINTZEIG

Yes, you’re busy checking off your year-end to-do list. But here’s an easy item to add that could pay dividends down the road: Connect with five people who, in different ways, could boost your career in 2023. There’s no better time of year than right now to power up that roster of professional allies. So many people have changed jobs, and entire careers, recently that even the strongest networks need some tending. And while the job market remains strong, the number of companies embarking on layoffs is climbing, and many business leaders predict more job cuts are coming. It can be daunting to message someone you haven’t spoken to in years or develop a distant contact into a relationship. Here are five people to email, with scripts to do it gracefully.

1: A member of your inner power circle
These are the professional Samaritans for when you need urgent advice, job leads or referrals—and fast. Ask yourself who could help if you were suddenly laid off, and get results? Try this quick exercise to figure out who belongs here: Imagine you’ve just learned your job is on the chopping block. Take five minutes to write the names of six to eight people you would email first for help. These are folks who know you well—close colleagues, former co-workers, mentors. Focus your list on the half-dozen who are enthusiastic networkers and have a proven record delivering good in-tel on industry developments. Pick one person to email. Remember, this is someone you would have no qualms asking to tap his or her network on your behalf— so don’t sweat the email too much. Ask them to lunch or a drink in the new year, or a 20-minute catch-up call. Be clear about why you want to connect. You’re considering ways to grow your career, and would love his or her advice. Or, you want to hear about his recent transition to a new field because you’re interested in a similar move.

2: The influencer
Next, pick a strategic contact you know could be helpful to your career… if only you had a more solid rapport. Don’t waste valuable words in the opening on compliments or lengthy explanations. Make your ask, quickly and politely. And please avoid the cliché phrase, “Can I pick your brain?” Instead, try one of the following: “I’d really appreciate your insight because you’ve been there.” “I heard you speak/enjoyed what you wrote/liked what you said at the meeting, especially___. I would love to hear more. “I’ve followed your work closely. What you did with____really resonated with me because I’m doing something similar.” Point out any shared experiences, and be specific. You went to the same university, or are both women who trained in civil engineering. Mentioning commonalities might give them a better sense of how to help you. “If you’re an Air Force Academy grad and you ask for time, I’m going to find it,” says Trier Bryant, co-founder of workplace consulting firm Just Work and an Academy grad who spent more than 15 years in the military.

3: The VIP
This is a higher-level professional with the ability to open the right doors, or get you to someone who can. It could be a fast-rising executive in your network. The former boss of your boss. That entrepreneur who commented on your LinkedIn post.
If you’ve never met, can a mutual acquaintance connect you? If so, offer to craft the note, or go ahead and send a brief paragraph on your bona fides and goals to guide them. Get to the point quickly about who you are and what you want. The goal is to have your target respond “thoughtfully, in the moment, rather than delaying it indefinitely,” says Dorie Clark, an author who teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School.
For example: “I’m looking to go in this direction in my career and would like your advice.” Or, “I’m interested in how you overcame this business challenge as I navigate this industry.” Make it easy for them to accept your request. “If you ask for a phone call, make it a 10-minute phone call,” Ms. Clark says.

4: That long-lost contact
NURTURE CONTACTS WITH REGULARITY
Master the cadence of keeping up with different kinds of contacts. Here’s how often executive coach Aimee Cohen recommends touching base:
■ Close contacts (your team colleague turned friend who left for a different company): Monthly
■ Midlevel contacts (The boss you worked with for a year before they got transferred to another department): Quarterly
■ Extended contacts (The guy from accounting you used to joke with by the water cooler):
Twice a year for example In general, set a goal of reaching out to three contacts every week. They can be someone already in your network who is due for their check-in, or someone new you are adding to the rotation.
■ Acquaintances (such as a vendor whom you worked with once, years ago): Annually, sending him or her a note around the holidays,

Cue the awkwardness! You haven’t talked to this person in years and suddenly you’re parachuting into their inbox, hoping they will remember you and, ideally, forget how much time has passed since you’ve been in touch. Don’t dance around the fact that it’s been a while, just embrace it, says Aimee Cohen, who runs Minneapolis executive-coaching and leadership-development firm ON Point Next Level Leadership. She’s opened notes with “Blast from the past,” or “I know you might faint at seeing my name in your inbox but___.”

You can also play on the pandemic whirlwind of the past few years: “I know that it’s only been three years but it feels like 100 since we’ve last connected.” Make clear that you remain clued in to their interests and expertise, and could be helpful. For example: “I’d love to catch up and hear more about what you’re on the hunt for these days.” Or, “I know it’s been a while, but I saw this podcast about triathlons and immediately thought of you. Are you still competing?” The classic error is to reach out after a significant amount of time with a direct ask, such as wanting help with a job search or a recommendation. You want to be approaching them “from a position of power, not panic,” Ms. Cohen says. Explain that you’re not looking yet, but would love to learn more about their role and experience.

5: The departing co-worker
When a co-worker says goodbye, it’s an opening. “Leaving a job is a moment of vulnerability” no matter how fabulous their next step is, says Michele Woodward, a Washington, D.C.-area executive coach. Reaching out immediately is best, but responding to a goodbye note from further back can work, too. Try starting with, “I made a note to ask you what the first 90 days was like,” Ms. Woodward suggests, or, “I made a note to ask you how work is going.” You could also pose a timely question such as, “How are you all handling return-to-office over there?” The goal is to reconnect, picking up where you left off and moving the relationship forward.

—Kathryn Dill contributed to this article.
 
The Five Emails You Need to Send Out Now
BY RAY A. SMITH AND RACHEL FEINTZEIG

Yes, you’re busy checking off your year-end to-do list. But here’s an easy item to add that could pay dividends down the road: Connect with five people who, in different ways, could boost your career in 2023. There’s no better time of year than right now to power up that roster of professional allies. So many people have changed jobs, and entire careers, recently that even the strongest networks need some tending. And while the job market remains strong, the number of companies embarking on layoffs is climbing, and many business leaders predict more job cuts are coming. It can be daunting to message someone you haven’t spoken to in years or develop a distant contact into a relationship. Here are five people to email, with scripts to do it gracefully.

1: A member of your inner power circle
These are the professional Samaritans for when you need urgent advice, job leads or referrals—and fast. Ask yourself who could help if you were suddenly laid off, and get results? Try this quick exercise to figure out who belongs here: Imagine you’ve just learned your job is on the chopping block. Take five minutes to write the names of six to eight people you would email first for help. These are folks who know you well—close colleagues, former co-workers, mentors. Focus your list on the half-dozen who are enthusiastic networkers and have a proven record delivering good in-tel on industry developments. Pick one person to email. Remember, this is someone you would have no qualms asking to tap his or her network on your behalf— so don’t sweat the email too much. Ask them to lunch or a drink in the new year, or a 20-minute catch-up call. Be clear about why you want to connect. You’re considering ways to grow your career, and would love his or her advice. Or, you want to hear about his recent transition to a new field because you’re interested in a similar move.

2: The influencer
Next, pick a strategic contact you know could be helpful to your career… if only you had a more solid rapport. Don’t waste valuable words in the opening on compliments or lengthy explanations. Make your ask, quickly and politely. And please avoid the cliché phrase, “Can I pick your brain?” Instead, try one of the following: “I’d really appreciate your insight because you’ve been there.” “I heard you speak/enjoyed what you wrote/liked what you said at the meeting, especially___. I would love to hear more. “I’ve followed your work closely. What you did with____really resonated with me because I’m doing something similar.” Point out any shared experiences, and be specific. You went to the same university, or are both women who trained in civil engineering. Mentioning commonalities might give them a better sense of how to help you. “If you’re an Air Force Academy grad and you ask for time, I’m going to find it,” says Trier Bryant, co-founder of workplace consulting firm Just Work and an Academy grad who spent more than 15 years in the military.

3: The VIP
This is a higher-level professional with the ability to open the right doors, or get you to someone who can. It could be a fast-rising executive in your network. The former boss of your boss. That entrepreneur who commented on your LinkedIn post.
If you’ve never met, can a mutual acquaintance connect you? If so, offer to craft the note, or go ahead and send a brief paragraph on your bona fides and goals to guide them. Get to the point quickly about who you are and what you want. The goal is to have your target respond “thoughtfully, in the moment, rather than delaying it indefinitely,” says Dorie Clark, an author who teaches executive education at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business and Columbia Business School.
For example: “I’m looking to go in this direction in my career and would like your advice.” Or, “I’m interested in how you overcame this business challenge as I navigate this industry.” Make it easy for them to accept your request. “If you ask for a phone call, make it a 10-minute phone call,” Ms. Clark says.

4: That long-lost contact
NURTURE CONTACTS WITH REGULARITY
Master the cadence of keeping up with different kinds of contacts. Here’s how often executive coach Aimee Cohen recommends touching base:
■ Close contacts (your team colleague turned friend who left for a different company): Monthly
■ Midlevel contacts (The boss you worked with for a year before they got transferred to another department): Quarterly
■ Extended contacts (The guy from accounting you used to joke with by the water cooler):
Twice a year for example In general, set a goal of reaching out to three contacts every week. They can be someone already in your network who is due for their check-in, or someone new you are adding to the rotation.
■ Acquaintances (such as a vendor whom you worked with once, years ago): Annually, sending him or her a note around the holidays,

Cue the awkwardness! You haven’t talked to this person in years and suddenly you’re parachuting into their inbox, hoping they will remember you and, ideally, forget how much time has passed since you’ve been in touch. Don’t dance around the fact that it’s been a while, just embrace it, says Aimee Cohen, who runs Minneapolis executive-coaching and leadership-development firm ON Point Next Level Leadership. She’s opened notes with “Blast from the past,” or “I know you might faint at seeing my name in your inbox but___.”

You can also play on the pandemic whirlwind of the past few years: “I know that it’s only been three years but it feels like 100 since we’ve last connected.” Make clear that you remain clued in to their interests and expertise, and could be helpful. For example: “I’d love to catch up and hear more about what you’re on the hunt for these days.” Or, “I know it’s been a while, but I saw this podcast about triathlons and immediately thought of you. Are you still competing?” The classic error is to reach out after a significant amount of time with a direct ask, such as wanting help with a job search or a recommendation. You want to be approaching them “from a position of power, not panic,” Ms. Cohen says. Explain that you’re not looking yet, but would love to learn more about their role and experience.

5: The departing co-worker
When a co-worker says goodbye, it’s an opening. “Leaving a job is a moment of vulnerability” no matter how fabulous their next step is, says Michele Woodward, a Washington, D.C.-area executive coach. Reaching out immediately is best, but responding to a goodbye note from further back can work, too. Try starting with, “I made a note to ask you what the first 90 days was like,” Ms. Woodward suggests, or, “I made a note to ask you how work is going.” You could also pose a timely question such as, “How are you all handling return-to-office over there?” The goal is to reconnect, picking up where you left off and moving the relationship forward.

—Kathryn Dill contributed to this article.
Ugh, that sort of dynamic in human interaction is so fake and/or transactional.
 
Yes it is and many folks find too difficult or structured. It is easily seen as "too corporate", but If one is focused on work work and building a network of support, that is the way the game is played. For those who find such an approach offensive or distasteful, you might see it as a "pick one" offering rather than as a do all five.
 
TBH, I do this already, although maybe not that intentional.
Closer friends I text often.
People from my extended network I text regularly, but not so often.
And then the extended circle, which once in a while gets a text, or for special occasions (like for New Year's).

I see the posted text as more of a reminder to keep in touch with people, and to think about that many people are interesting persons which you might just not have time to keep an extensive contact with.

EDIT:
Okay, maybe I'm also just different.
Pretty sure I'm the only one here who has a list with my friends lying right next to the computer :lol:.
(I have a lot, and none of them I see each day, so sometimes I need a reminder who is around and with whom I should talk again)
 
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It may seem like it sucks, but it honestly is great advice and fighting against it is only going to do yourself a disservice. The world runs on who you know, as well as your ability. Not "playing the game" just makes it an uphill struggle.

Yes Beej's post is very arbitrary and corporate.. but it is very solid advice and could reap huge rewards for low cost.
 
It may seem like it sucks, but it honestly is great advice and fighting against it is only going to do yourself a disservice. The world runs on who you know, as well as your ability. Not "playing the game" just makes it an uphill struggle.

Yes Beej's post is very arbitrary and corporate.. but it is very solid advice and could reap huge rewards for low cost.

So, a job?

Man who recently admitted to inheriting wealth and earning income off of asset management instead of labour denigrates working class for not enjoying having their soul hollowed out on a daily basis by corporate interests and fanaticism.
 
Man who recently admitted to inheriting wealth and earning income off of asset management instead of labour denigrates working class for not enjoying having their soul hollowed out on a daily basis by corporate interests and fanaticism.

Man who left corporate career having successfully done so as a result of "playing the game". If I was still there i'd be pushing £100k now. I stepped away due to a house building project that I needed to devote my time to.

Also, I didn't suggest you need to enjoy it.. but a few emails and meetings is hardly arduous if they are people who's company you appreciate.
 
I'm looking for work at the moment and while I don't go as far as the suggestions, I have messaged some former colleagues and a former manager that I hadn't spoken to in a while. They've been really helpful.

My wife is also changing jobs and spoke to some peers and acquaintances about it, they helped her a lot too.

Are we bad people for using people?
 
Man who recently admitted to inheriting wealth and earning income off of asset management instead of labour denigrates working class for not enjoying having their soul hollowed out on a daily basis by corporate interests and fanaticism.
No need to get personal
 
So, a job?
I think that article was all about doing it outside of work.

I'm no stranger to asking and doing favours from and for people I know. But it's usually more like "Hey, can you help me out?" and like "Yeah, sure. Here you go." None of that overdone fake crap.
 
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