Toxic Productivity, Ghost Jobs Scam & Must-Have Career Toolkit - Feb 4, 2025

In partnership with

Hey, Work Warriors! As return-to-office debates rumble on, let’s rethink the 9-to-5 grind… Overworking isn’t a badge of honor — sustainable productivity is. Below, we take a look into how to break away from the toxic hustle culture.

On the agenda: 

☢️ Toxic Productivity: Why overworking isn’t a badge of honor.

✨ Must-Have Career Toolkit: For the working pros ready to advance.

👻 Ghost Jobs Scam: This alarming trend is on the rise.

SPOTLIGHT 

Toxic Productivity: Why Overworking Isn’t a Badge of Honor

For years, hustle culture glorified long hours, constant grind, and "earning" rest. But the research is clear: overworking leads to burnout, lower productivity, and even health risks. A Stanford study found that productivity plummets after 50 hours /week —yet many professionals still push beyond that… 🤯

So, what’s replacing hustle culture? Sustainable productivity. This mindset prioritizes focused work, strategic breaks, and mental well-being over mindless overwork. Experts recommend:

✅ Setting Boundaries: Answering emails at midnight isn’t a flex — it’s a quick way to exhaustion.
✅ Working Smarter, Not Longer: The 80/20 rule shows that 80% of results come from 20% of effort — so focus on what actually moves the needle.
✅ Taking Real Breaks: Studies show that breaks improve concentration, creativity, and decision-making. Step away from that screen!

The Bottom Line: Toxic productivity doesn’t make you a better worker or employee — it just makes you more exhausted. Sustainable work habits lead to higher efficiency, better well-being, and career longevity.

Are you guilty of any bad work habits? Find out what’s holding you back and how to fix it:

TUESDAY’S STEAL

A Must-Have Career Toolkit for Go-Getters

Whether you’re job hunting or aiming for a career pivot, CareerAddict’s Get Hired Bundle has everything you need to be job-ready and stand out in a competitive market.

• Expert Resume Templates 📝 – Includes professionally designed templates that make recruiters take notice.

• Insider Interview Tips 💡 – Learn proven strategies from industry experts to ace any interview.

• Productivity Tools & Resources ⏳ – So you stay focused, organized, and on track throughout your job search.

Tackle 2025 with confidence — grab the tools that can elevate your search and career:

Ends February 6 — midnight.

TOGETHER WITH 1440 MEDIA

Looking for unbiased, fact-based news? Join 1440 today.

Upgrade your news intake with 1440! Dive into a daily newsletter trusted by millions for its comprehensive, 5-minute snapshot of the world's happenings. We navigate through over 100 sources to bring you fact-based news on politics, business, and culture—minus the bias and absolutely free.

Subscribe to 1440 today.

NEWS THAT MATTERS

The top stories and trends concerning working pros.

1️⃣ Ghost Jobs Scam: On The Rise & How to Dodge Them

The rise of “ghost jobs” — listings that aren't real openings — leaves job seekers frustrated. This story explores how to identify and dodge them. [MSN]

2️⃣ 4 in 10 Retail Workers Fear AI Job Loss

Retail workers are increasingly worried about AI replacing their jobs, signaling a major shift in how automation impacts the workforce. [Chain Store Age]

3️⃣ Hiring Figures Fall Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

Despite low unemployment and job gains, many job seekers struggle as companies reduce hiring. December saw 256,000 jobs added, yet the job market remains challenging. [USA Today]

4️⃣ Dell's Memo 'Retiring' Hybrid Work

Dell mandates a return to office, requiring employees to work in-person five days a week, sparking debate on remote vs. in-office work policies. [Business Insider]

5️⃣ Citi Bucks Back-to-Office Trend

Citigroup CEO announced that most employees will continue working remotely at least two days a week, diverging from some competitors and the Trump administration's stance. [FT]

CAREER ADVICE

How to Answer “What Are Your Strengths?” (Tips and Examples)

JTalking about your strengths in a job interview can be tough — you don’t want to come across as arrogant if you say the wrong thing or unconfident if you say it the wrong way. And you definitely don’t want to use cliché adjectives like “hard worker” or “leader”, because, well, who isn’t both those things these days, anyway?

So, how do you evade falling into the trap of listing pointless descriptions, and actually turn your response into a meaningful and insightful answer?

Well, we’ve prepared a guide that will teach you how to formulate your answer and impress your interviewer with your strengths and examples.

Continue reading »

BREAKROOM

Share this career wisdom with other driven work professionals! Simply hit that forward button, or share this edition.

Created with care by the CareerAddict team.