An early February batch of links
Since the most recent batch of links went out, paying subscribers received a copy of the sermon I delivered last month, followed by a recommendation for how candidates should address and discuss gaps on their resumes. This coming weekend, they will receive a reflection on the so-called Attending Effect.
Below, you’ll find a batch of links that represent the themes this newsletter covers, which are career development, community building, and self care.
The CEO ‘return to office or else’ is having limited success in 2024. “Employees need actual reasons to come to the office such as in-person brainstorming sessions, in-person coffee chats with executives and mentor relationships based on complementary in-office days.” This is the beginning of it, but too limited in scope to encompass all of what employees can find from commuting into the City.
The key to happiness might be living within walking distance of a coffee shop.
Welcome to the era of so-so jobs. “But just because there hasn't been a sudden spike in unemployment doesn't mean it's an ideal moment to hop to a different job or bank on HR being terrified to lose you if they don't give the fat raise you requested.” I think about this a lot when people recommend making a move. To where? To do what? Who has announced they’re hiring? And how will you find it? Via a headhunter? Pfft.
The New Work-Life Balance: Don’t Have Kids.
Employers Want to Fire Workers Without Getting Shamed on TikTok. The ending to this article is a punch in the gut. Worth the read to find out how HR is equipping themselves to manage the natural reactions from large swaths of people they don’t know well, if at all, to their professional fates.
Bring back cubicles! “Roulet pointed out that the rise of hybrid work is another likely factor behind the cube's sneaky return to favor. Many people got used to doing their focus work from home, without being distracted by coworkers. That can make the transition into open-concept office settings especially jarring. "If they're in an open space, they have to suffer noises — people chatting, people moving around — which can be very disturbing if you haven't been used to it," Roulet said.”
I am so bored by and bothered by this perspective! This isn’t a thing anyone says other than people chiming in about how often others get bothered.
How the AI boom could influence wage growth.
Therapists Trade the Couch for the Great Outdoors. “They say that combining traditional talk therapy with nature and movement can help clients feel more open, find new perspectives and express their feelings, all while helping them connect with the outside world.” While this isn’t for me, I could see the value of it for those who prefer not to sit still.
Her pregnant wife filed for divorce. The lawsuit changed who gets to be a parent in Pa.
LinkedIn’s New AI Chatbot Wants to Help You Find Your Next Job. This sounds like. a worthy investment on their part. The service has long been a different product for paying and non-paying subscribers. It’s time for regular people to get some utility out of it rather than having to do the work offline to find their next place of work.
The sweet, sweet life of America's DINKs.
If you yearn for the void, try floating naked in a dark tank. This doesn’t sound like it would be much fun during or after. I guess people want to try anything once to see if it makes an impact on their emotional state, especially after other options failed, despite promise, to produce results.
Zoom Layoffs Target DEI Amid a Broader Pullback on Diversity Initiatives.
7 Small Acts of Self-Care Your Heart Will Love (That Have Nothing to Do With Exercise or Healthy Eating). I love that sharing a meme is the seventh item on this list. While you’re at it, start a newsletter. But definitely not a podcast.