The Shimmering Careers Blog

There’s a skills gap in today’s mid-pandemic job market. Companies are struggling to attract applicants who have the skills they need. If you keep that situation in mind, there are ways to use the skills gap to your benefit in a job interview. You can also gain some leverage even if you don’t already have the specific skills that are on the wish list of an employer. You don’t have to be the perfect candidate. You do have to consider why they want to see you and what that mean

There’s a critical shortage right now that is holding up many cloud and edge computing initiatives. No, I’m not talking about supply-chain problems leading to a temporary shortage of some materials. I’m talking about the shortage of talent. In 2017, Gartner predicted that half of all companies worldwide would adopt an all-in cloud strategy by 2021. It hasn’t happened. Wait, that’s not quite right. Companies are adopting cloud strategies; they are just not following through on

In my job interview course, I’ve talked a lot about networking as a key part of any job search, and about its equal importance to the process of finding interviews. Whether you’re seeking formal job interviews or the informational interviews, networking is a time-honored and effective way to grab opportunities. But one part of the networking world has taken something of a hit in the era of Covid. The in-person get-togethers, the conferences or events geared specifically to ne

In my job interview course, I talk a lot about investigating the company in question. What are their values? And that includes their actual values, not just the ones they ostensibly adhere to. What’s the latest news from them? And what’s happening with their competitors and with the industry as a whole? The answers to those questions can give you an effective framework for your own answers to interview questions, and it’s still the case that they’re all good themes to pursue.

On June 8, Microsoft announced four HR initiatives, including a “commitment to publicly disclose salary ranges in all of our internal and external job postings across the U.S.” This adds to an existing commitment to stop asking job applicants about their salary history. This is good news, not only for applicants, but as a sign of progress toward a more equitable workplace in general, especially as it represents a growing trend toward disclosure not limited to Microsoft or to

Elon Musk buys Twitter, immediately imposes massive layoffs, tells those employees who remain that they’d better adopt hard-core, I live for my work habits, and mires the service in next-level controversy as soon as he walks in the door. Meanwhile, Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg tells his staff en masse that company growth is slowing, that they’ll have to do more with less and, by the way, that those who think the world of Meta is not for them should act on that sentiment and head ou

Do cover letters really matter? It’s a common refrain from job seekers nowadays. One small-business owner has this to say: “As the owner-manager of a small professional firm, I always read cover letters before reviewing the accompanying resume. “If I liked the cover letter, I’d look to the resume to confirm the skills and experience we were looking for.” The takeaway for applicants is that there’s no reason not to write a cover letter and there’s every reason to make it as go

As the new year unfolds its light, Envision careers in Leonardo's sight, Data Scientists, crafting art, In tech's canvas, play your part, In a future ever so bright. Guardians of cyberspace, with care, Secure our data, rare and fair, UX Designers weave the thread, Where digital dreams are bred, In realms of virtual flair. In labs, Biotech researchers toil, Planting seeds in fertile soil, Sustainability stewards, with green intent, On Earth's future, they're hell-bent, In a wo

The news about The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ending in 2026 might seem surprising. Here's a top host, hugely successful, yet his show is coming to an end. While the official reason is “financial,” we know there's more to the story, especially after Stephen spoke out about a big company settlement. This situation holds a lesson for all of us in our own careers. Even when you're at the very top of your game, with a fantastic reputation, your job or career path can still be

There’s no better time to look for a new job than when you’re already employed. You’re getting paid, there’s nothing pushing you to look elsewhere other than your own desire to find greener pastures, and there’s no doubt that employers look more kindly on candidates who are still employed. But there are also problems associated with that situation. You may not want to make your job search common knowledge, and you may want to keep it from your boss. For one thing, you’d run t

It’s a truism that the job search is a job unto itself. But if a truism is a statement that, while obviously true, adds nothing to the conversation, this may not be a truism after all, because it does add something to the conversation. In fact, the idea that the job search is hard work is an idea with important ramifications. And all that is doubly true when you embark on a job search while you’re already employed. But with or without that extra pressure, you can easily find

Why Always Updating Your LinkedIn Profile is Good for All Like it or not, LinkedIn is an indispensable part of the job search. But let’s say that you’re currently employed and not quite ready to disclose to one and all (and especially to your employer) that you’re in the job market. Conventional wisdom has often been to beware of making changes to your LinkedIn profile, because a sudden change can be a giveaway that you’re looking to move. When taken as a stand-alone proposit

I often get requests for career help issues that are a bit unrelated to the common needs of resume writing and job hunting. One that I hear consistently is: “How should I handle stress and anxiety?” That’s a pretty broad area to delve into, but we’re not looking for a panacea for global anxiety in the 21st century. Instead, we’re talking about stress and anxiety as they arise in the job search and in job interviews, and, in that respect, there are two distinct sides to any so

I’ve seen all sorts of creative ways people try to get ahead in their job search. I’ve seen people dive into unusual hobbies like beekeeping, volunteering in their community to meet new people, and even studying a new language to stand out to employers. One of the most heartwarming ways I’ve seen is involving a pet, especially a dog. Meeting others at pet-friendly events can lead to chats about all sorts of things, including job opportunities. Taking care of a dog helps build

Creating a Sustainable Career Path As a career coach, I’ve seen a trend. More new grads are coming to me for advice on finding green jobs. It’s not just new grads. Many seasoned professionals are also exploring transitions to greener jobs. I’m delighted to help anyone excited about this transformation, which is about work and about helping the planet. We’re at a point where fighting climate change is not only good but can also be a job. It’s great to see students and recent g

With “Sustainability Analyst” appearing at number 13 on LinkedIn’s list of today’s fastest growing jobs, the weather is more than a topic of polite conversation for job seekers. LinkedIn defines the role as researching and tracking “an organization’s environmental impact to develop strategies, practices, and programs that support corporate sustainability efforts.” That may sound like some very “green” mumbo-jumbo, the kind of language that frequently reflects more of a public