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- Pay Raise Letdown, Interview Preparedness, 'Fauxductivity' Work Trend - Feb 6, 2025
Pay Raise Letdown, Interview Preparedness, 'Fauxductivity' Work Trend - Feb 6, 2025
Why you SHOULD still ask, a bulletproof interview blueprint, the illusionary work trend, your weekly freebie, plus, work wisdom and the headlines that matter.
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Hey, Career Climbers! Let’s be real — sometimes pay promises don’t quite deliver. With AI and job shifts being the focus for businesses of late, it’s crucial to demonstrate your value. Just below are some insights and tactics to help you advocate for yourself.
On the agenda:
🤔 Pay Raise Letdown: The case for asking for more.
✅ Interview Preparedness: With this bulletproof blueprint.
🌀 ‘Fauxductivity’: The trend of illusionary work.
👉 Weekly Freebie: An interview cheat sheet — on us!
SPOTLIGHT
Pay Raise Letdown: The Case for Asking for More
If your recent pay raise felt like a letdown, you’re not alone…
The Situation: A Forbes report shows that 73% of U.S. workers are struggling financially, and a recent BambooHR survey found that nearly 1 in 3 employees were dissatisfied with their latest raise — a sharp increase from last year. With average salary bumps stagnating, many professionals feel their pay isn’t keeping up with the rising cost of living, and rightly so.
The Cause: Many companies are tightening budgets in response to economic uncertainty, leading to smaller-than-expected salary increases. 📉 While employers cite inflation and revenue concerns, workers feel the pinch — especially as housing, healthcare, and daily expenses continue to climb.
Should You Still Ask? The short answer: Yes! Even in industries facing budget cuts, companies know that retaining top talent is cheaper than hiring employees. If you bring measurable value to your role, you have a strong case for higher pay. The key is timing and strategy — approaching the conversation with clear data on your impact can make the difference.
Feeling unsure about how to negotiate? You’re not alone. Whether it’s timing your talk, leveraging a counteroffer, or proving your worth with hard numbers, the right approach can significantly elevate the likeliness of succeeding.
Read expert-backed negotiation tips on how to ask — the right way:
THURSDAY’S STEAL
Absolute Interview Preparedness with this eGuide
Your next career breakthrough is closer than you think. The Be Prepared Interview eGuide by CareerAddict will give you the edge you need, with actionable tips and insider strategies to ace any interview.
✔️ Step-by-step interview prep to tackle tricky questions
✔️ 34-pages of proven techniques so you enter full of confidence
✔️ Download and read on any device
This is more than just another guide — it’s your roadmap to impressing in every interview. Enjoy your community coupon, exclusively for The Dose subscribers:
Ends February 9 — midnight.
NEWS THAT MATTERS
The top stories and trends concerning working pros.
The term "Fauxductivity" has emerged as a trending buzzword in the workplace, describing the illusion of productivity without achieving real results. [NDTV]
According to a survey by Software AG, many employees are using AI tools at work without their employers' consent, raising concerns about data security and workplace ethics. [BBC]
The software company is cutting 1,000 roles amid restructuring, but also ramping up hiring for salespeople focused on its growing AI product offerings. [Bloomberg]
Bay Area companies dominate Glassdoor's 2025 list, with Bain & Company, Crew Carwash, and In-N-Out Burger leading the rankings for employee happiness. [NBC]
"Soft quitting" refers to employees doing just the minimum required, avoiding additional effort. This trend has sparked debates on work culture and employee engagement. [Irish Examiner]
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WORK WISDOM
Just a little re-branding on this section (formerly called ‘Career Advice’) — bringing you practical career and work hacks ;)
How to Answer Interview Qs with the STAR Method
Many of us have experienced the dreaded “Tell me about a time…” questions in interviews. This type of interview (known as behavioral interviewing) requires you to share anecdotes to give the hiring manager insights into your past behaviors and competencies.
Your past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, so before making an offer, employers want to know how you would behave in certain situations. Although many interviewees find these behavioral interview questions particularly challenging, they become more straightforward to answer with some preparation.
One particularly effective technique to use for behavioral interview questions is the STAR method. Keep reading to learn how you can use this method to shine in your next interview.
WEEKLY FREEBIE
An Interview Cheat Sheet
Got a job interview coming up? You’re gonna need this: our editable and fillable Interview Questions Worksheet to help you prepare convincing answers to common and tricky questions — and impress the hiring manager.
This complimentary download is made exclusively for The Dose community by our very own career experts.
Download link available to email subscribers
BREAKROOM
Before you go:
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Created with care by the CareerAddict team.