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☆ I was shocked when a recruiter told me I was too old for another tech job. But now I'm fighting back.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-16 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

He would like to work in tech again while building his fundraising company, Purpose Brew Coffee. NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. I've been in tech as a developer, a senior engineer, principal software engineer — whatever you want to call it — for 37 years. AdvertisementThen he goes, "With 37 years in this business, I'm surprised you're not a CTO." I'm an old Army sergeant; I can play paintball, but I'm 58 years old.

Persons: Vern Six, ageism, —, I've, I'm, you've, he'd, It's, they're, I'd, they'd, Let's, We've Organizations: Service, —, LinkedIn Locations: Waco , Texas, Dallas, Guatemala

☆ My parents were always hesitant to let me go to sleepovers. After I went to my first one, I understood why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Gina Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

My parents didn't allow me to go to most sleepovers when I was growing up. Whenever I'd ask my parents, my mom would say, "Because that girl probably has brothers and a father living there." I didn't know why, but I knew it was the reason I wasn't allowed to go to sleepovers before this one. I was nervous about what my dare would be, especially since I didn't know these girls at all. AdvertisementThe parents in the house didn't believe what I told themI went to talk to her mom and noticed the dad was also home now.

Persons: —, sleepovers, I'm, I'd Organizations: Service Locations: Dominican

☆ Why Zyn nicotine pouches are all the rage among workers looking for a boost
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

In today's big story, we're looking at why Zyn nicotine pouches are becoming the go-to alternative for workers looking for a boost . Zyn, a brand of nicotine pouch, has quickly gained a loyal following among some workers looking for a boost during the day. There was a 62% year-over-year bump in the amount of flavored nicotine pouches shipped in the US in 2023. Containers of "Zyn" nicotine pouches. He said the nicotine pouches were too accessible and gave him migraines.

Persons: —, Michael M, Jenny Chang, Rodriguez, Sarah Jackson, Tim Paradis, Sarah, Tim, it's, Zyn, Tim he'll, vaping, Mark Spitznagel, Spitznagel, Samantha Lee, Stanley, Max, Bob Jordan, Dan DeFrancesco, Hallam Bullock, Jordan Parker Erb, George Glover Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Wall Street, Republican, New York Stock Exchange, UBS, Electronic Arts, Verizon, Ford, Reading, Airlines, Boeing Locations: Copenhagen, New, Wall St , New York, USA, Oxford, New York, London

☆ The new office ritual? Zyn nicotine pouches
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-13 | by ( Sarah Jackson | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementShipments of the nicotine pouches in the US in 2023 were up 62% year-over-year. Zyn pouches have found favor with everyone from high-powered Wall Street traders to Tucker Carlson and GOP lawmakers. But after not using nicotine for a while, he wasn't prepared for the hit he got when he popped a 6 mg pouch of Zyn. AdvertisementPalmer sees using Zyn as an important part of his ritual around essential work. "If I could go back and never start using nicotine, I would."

Persons: Clay Coomer, Coomer, Coomer isn't, —, Clay, Zyn, Philip Morris, Tucker Carlson, Raymond Niaura, Niaura, there's, Nate Palmer, wasn't, Palmer, he's, it's, I've, Chandler, I'm, Sam Dashiell, Dashiell, JUULs Organizations: Service, Business, Philip Morris International, Swedish, GOP, New York University, FDA, Labs

☆ Find your brand's 'love language' to secure diverse talent, says a chief people officer
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-12 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

I think a lot of times, companies start by immediately bringing in diverse talent. To be able to fill all these future roles — even with AI — you're going to have to tap into diverse talent. I can't just show up at Georgia Tech and expect all the diverse talent to want to come to my organization. A false narrative is the talent just isn't there, or you're too small to attract the talent. Whatever the love language is for your company, grasp that and utilize that to push DEI forward.

Persons: Sharawn Tipton, hasn't, you've, George Floyd, that's, Let's, It's, —, That's Organizations: Micron Technology, College, —, National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Georgia Tech Locations: San Francisco, Tech

☆ Gig workers face a savings crisis for retirement
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-09 | by ( Alex Bitter | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

AdvertisementSome gig work services are offering a perk usually associated with traditional jobs: retirement savings accounts with matching contributions. Alexandrea Ravenelle, an assistant professor in sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, told BI she would like to see gig workers classified as employees of the platforms, not independent workers. Ravenelle said a better plan would be for companies to extend similar types of retirement benefits to gig workers as employees of those companies enjoy. The Robinhood program also offers gig workers on these platforms access to free financial counseling through GreenPath Financial Wellness, a nonprofit. AdvertisementSergio Avedian, a Los Angeles-based industry advocate for gig workers who drives for an app himself, often encourages gig workers to set aside money for retirement.

Persons: Robinhood, —, Alexandrea, Hill, Ravenelle, Robinhood —, Doordash, Morgan Courtney, Courtney, Taskrabbit, Steve Quirk, they'll, Quirk, Sergio Avedian Organizations: Service, University of North, Financial, Workers Locations: University of North Carolina, Los Angeles, Idaho

☆ How 2 entrepreneurs are tackling diversity challenges with their small businesses
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

This article is part of "Talent Insider," a series containing expert advice to help business owners tackle a variety of hiring challenges. And so what we look at for diversity, equity, and inclusion is to really help people understand the points of commonality. I think that's what makes us different. I think you can never effectively make change if you're only trying to communicate with someone from a digital-marketing campaign. I mean, we all know people have different experiences and different messaging and different types of insights ultimately inform their belief system.

Persons: Brothers John, Mike Burns, Tim Paradis, John, George Floyd, Burns, it's, we're, John Burns, we've, —, I've, you've Organizations: Fortune, Burns Locations: Washington ,, Nairobi, Kenya, America, Washington, Alabama

☆ This CEO wants to kill the résumé
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-03 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Sundaram, now CEO at Applied, is making it her mission to kill the résumé — or at least diminish its role in hiring. Sundaram wants other leaders to follow suit because our work bios — and even job experience — aren't always good predictors of who will succeed in a role. The company might use only five or six questions per test to help identify suitable job candidates. When employers do want to see a résumé, Applied can use AI to strip away information about gender and ethnicity. For her part, Sundaram expects AI will change how so many people work that job candidates' employment histories might often reflect a smorgasbord of experiences.

Persons: —, Khyati Sundaram, Sundaram, résumé, — aren't, résumés, SHL, Marlene Dunne, Dunne, Aaron Cleavinger, Cleavinger, we'll Organizations: Service, JPMorgan, Business, SHL, Murdoch Locations: résumés

☆ I'm a budget traveler who flew first class using airline miles. It was amazing but I wouldn't spend money on it.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-29 | by ( Lauren Poffenbarger | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

I used points from credit-card bonuses to travel first class on Emirates and had a luxurious flight. AdvertisementAfter years of low-budget traveling, my fiancé and I decided to use airline points and flew in Emirates first class from the Maldives to Dubai. Without miles, this first-class flight is usually about $3,000. I used to think flying first class was reserved for the wealthyFlying in Emirates first class was a luxurious experience for me. I wouldn't spend actual money on it, but redeeming our miles for this luxurious first-class experience felt like the best use of our points.

Persons: —, Lauren Poffenbarger, Dom Pérignon, we'd, Bowers, Wilkins, foodie, Hennessy Paradis, Lauren Poffenbarger I'm Organizations: Emirates, Service, Citi, American Express, Bulgari, Dubai International, BMW Locations: Maldives, Dubai, Emirates, Bulgari cologne, Lauren Poffenbarger Emirates

☆ What you're probably doing wrong if you work from home
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Alan Hedge, an ergonomics expert, recommends a mix of sitting, standing, and moving. AdvertisementYou might think you're sitting pretty if you get to work from home. "It's critical that you don't just think in terms of time here — that you think in terms of working in a healthy posture," Hedge said. Critically, he said, the regimen results in 16 transitions when people go from sitting to standing and standing to sitting. You need the right products that you're going to work with, and you need the right postures to work in," he said.

Persons: Alan Hedge, —, wasn't, Hedge Organizations: Service, Department, Cornell University, NASA, Workers Locations: MyBioSource

☆ Instead of taking your job, AI might be more like the best intern ever
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Many workers have expressed fears that the technology will show up at the office like a young gun coming for their job. Williams expects some of the biggest gains from AI won't center on what companies and workers are doing now. Instead, he sees major wins coming from what workers aren't doing but that AI could. Filling in when help is scarceOne reason jobs sometimes aren't getting done is because there aren't always enough workers. If AI could be deployed to help with this work, the time the task takes might get cut in half, Holding said.

Persons: Heather Holding's, she'd, couldn't, let's, Ron Williams, Williams, that's, Jérôme Pesenti, Pesenti Organizations: AIs, Facebook

☆ Some Gen Z workers are turning to AI for career advice and it's actually not a bad idea
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-23 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

In a survey, about half of Gen Zers said AI and social media gave better career advice than a boss. Bosses shouldn't rely on tech to give career advice to their teams, a business professor told BI. Almost half of GenZers said in a recent survey that chatbots and social media offered better career advice than their managers. In the survey, 62% of Gen Z workers said they'd like to talk more about their career path but that their boss was often too busy. "People could kind of say, 'Well, I get better skill-building from a YouTube tutorial than from my manager,'" Myers said.

Persons: Gen Zers, —, it's, Gen, GenZers, inspo, Christopher G, Myers, they'd, Daniel Jolles Organizations: Service, an Academy of Management, Johns Hopkins University, London School of Economics, Political

☆ Why looking for a job can feel like looking for a date
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-18 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Job seekers often churn out what can feel like endless applications, going for gigs that might not even exist. And I think with job interviews, how much can you really gauge from a résumé or a cover letter?" Another parallel he sees: Fake job listings that feel like the dating equivalent of catfishing. "I've found getting a job easier than getting a date," one Reddit user posted. "I keep getting spammed on LinkedIn with job offers from recruiters despite setting my status to not looking for a job.

Persons: Grant Waldvogel, It's, Waldvogel, Zer, he's, there's, I've Organizations: Service, Business

☆ This indoor farming company is trying to win workers over to agriculture — through desk-job benefits
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-17 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Courtesy Eden GreenOne of Eden Green's aims is to remove some of the unpredictability of farming by doing it indoors in soaring greenhouses stacked with rows of greens. At its facility of nearly 83,000 square feet, Eden Green does its growing without soil, a process called hydroponics . Eden Green said it uses 98% less water and 99% less land than traditional farming. Advertisement"You can still have that agriculture job and have a full-time, steady position," they said. Eden Green's retention rate has been above 80% for the past nine months, the company said.

Persons: Stacia Lewis, Willy Wonka's, Lewis, They'd, Eden Green, Eden, Eden Green's, Eden Green's playbook, Eddy Badrina, who's, Badrina, — Organizations: Service, Business, Eden Green Technology, Eden Locations: romaine, Eden, chard, Cleburne , Texas, Cleburne, Dallas, Fort Worth

☆ Older bosses can hurt the productivity of Gen Z and millennial workers
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Gen Z and millennial workers, in particular, are seeing their productivity take a hit partly because of friction with older managers, according to a new report . But the share was higher among younger workers: 37% of Gen Zers and 30% of millennials said they weren’t getting much done. Older workers who had much younger managers didn't report decreased productivity. Varied experiences are one reason it can be good to bring on both younger and older workers, he said. That way of working, plus decades of experience, is why he thinks it’s often wise to rely on older workers.

Persons: —, Gen, ” Daniel Jolles, Zers, Gen Zers, millennials, Jolles, “ They’re, they’re, ” Jolles, it’s, what's, “ Organizations: Service, London School of Economics, Political, Business, LSE

☆ I play Chiefs' mascot KC Wolf, and this is why I'll be wearing SpongeBob SquarePants boxers at the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Dan Meers, 57, who has played KC Wolf, the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs, for 34 years. They were starting up a new mascot program — this new KC Wolf character — and wanted to know if I was interested. I've walked five women down the aisle dressed as KC Wolf. Now I've actually got a tuxedo that fits KC Wolf. This week, ahead of the Super Bowl, we've got 42 KC Wolf appearances in Kansas City.

Persons: Dan Meers, KC Wolf, Louis, Truman, —, I'm, Reed Hoffmann, I've, She's, we've, It's, you've, SpongeBob, Homer Simpson, we'd Organizations: KC, Kansas City Chiefs, University of Missouri, Tiger, St, Louis Cardinals, Chiefs, Associated, Kansas City, KC Wolf, Kansas Locations: St, Charles , Missouri, Vegas, Kansas, Kansas City

☆ If you're looking for a job, the most important skill this year is adaptability
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Madison Hoff | Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A new LinkedIn report noted adaptability as the "top skill of the moment." LinkedIn's Aneesh Raman said this skill is important given how AI is emerging in the workplace. Adaptability is important too given the number of jobs impacted by AI. "The main takeaway for me is that communication, not coding, is the number one skill across jobs," Raman said. AdvertisementAs job seekers search for work in a labor market with 1.4 US job openings per unemployed person as of December, being adaptable could be important regardless of whether you're looking for work.

Persons: Raman, —, Aneesh Raman, they're Organizations: LinkedIn, Service

☆ My husband went through the Amazon Pivot process. It was crushing to watch him cry over losing his job.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-03 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

When the performance-management process started, it was a big surprise for me because prior to that, my husband won a prize from Amazon. For about two months, he was working his regular job and then on this extra work. I would accept if this had happened to me because I complain a lot in my job, but he doesn't. My husband was a role model for our child in part because of Amazon. My husband has a lot of shirts with Amazon on them.

Persons: we've, It's, didn't, he'd, We'd, —, Margaret Callahan, it's Organizations: Amazon, Business

☆ Why is it so hard to find a job right now despite low unemployment?
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-02 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Vargas, a special education instructor, has been mired for months in various stages of interviews for three teaching jobs. Employers' hiring rate fell sharply in 2023, Zhao said. They'll often toss out some number around 40, he told BI. AdvertisementHitting the numbers on job applications is also a priority for Kevin Cash, who previously told BI he's applied to more than 1,200 jobs and has mostly been ghosted. She's accepted a part-time job and plans to teach private classes for students learning English as a second language.

Persons: —, Lynne Vargas, Vargas, Daniel Zhao, Cory Stahle, Zhao, Josh Bersin, Debbie Lovich, Lovich, Royal Siu, They'll, Siu, it's, Kevin Cash, They're, Jeff Calnan, Indeed's Stahle, Stahle, She's Organizations: Service, Business, Employers, Federal, BI, Boston Consulting Group, Navy, US Air Force Locations: Middletown , New York, Seattle, Woburn , Massachusetts

☆ Top workers are more likely to want to quit when companies have strict return-to-office mandates
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Top workers are 16% less likely to want to stay in a job when an employer is strict on office days. A firm return-to-office mandate can also put off workers in general, according to Gartner. AdvertisementIf you're a star at work but your boss makes you head into the office, you're more likely to start hunting for a new gig. Research from Gartner indicates that high-performing workers are 16% less inclined to stay in their jobs when employers roll out strict return-to-office mandates. "What leaders often get wrong is thinking that employees are just trying to do less work or get more out of their companies," Duffy said.

Persons: —, Gartner, Caitlin Duffy, Duffy, they're, millennials, Gartner, there's, Zers, they've Organizations: Gartner, Service, Research, UPS, Workers, Employees

☆ The case for the 4.5-day workweek
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Basis Technologies adopted a 4.5-day workweek by making Fridays a half-day. AdvertisementThe decision by Basis to make the workweek 4.5 days could offer an alternative for companies that are short-workweek curious but aren't ready to commit. Tinkering with FridaysIn the past two to three years, Barron said, Basis has experimented with a four-day workweek and half days on Fridays. But the compromise approach to giving workers more time away from work doesn't mean Basis has ruled out the four-day workweek altogether. "The four-day workweek is not off the table," Barron said.

Persons: —, Emily Barron, Barron, it's, we've, there's Organizations: Technologies, Service, BI Locations: Chicago, North America, Americas, Europe

☆ Why I started using this blunt cover letter after applying to more than 1,200 jobs and rarely hearing back
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementI know that every time I submit a résumé, as I said in my cover letter, "there is a 0.49% chance that a human will even see this application, let alone this cover letter." I stopped pouring my heart and soul into my cover lettersIn the past, if there was a cover letter, I put my heart and soul into it every single time. With this latest cover letter, it was the first time that I came across a required cover letter in several months. AdvertisementA cover letter submitted by Kevin Cash that he says is no-nonsense. As I said in my cover letter, "I just need someone to give me a chance."

Persons: Kevin Cash, Cash, He's, I'd, I've, It's, Hey, Kevin, didn't, that's, Uber, I'm, it's Organizations: Navy, Mensa, LinkedIn Locations: Portland , Oregon

☆ AI is the latest job recruiter, and it could cut bias in hiring
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-14 | by ( Tim Paradis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

When women knew AI, not humans, would review their job applications, they were more likely to apply. A researcher told BI that AI could be a useful tool but humans should always decide on hiring. It's possible that AI, working as a gatekeeper, will do a better job than humans at reducing bias in how we get jobs . Helping tech bros be less bro-eyWomen seeking tech jobs seem to be on board with AI as a surrogate recruiter, according to Leibbrandt's research. When AI was in the driver's seat — at least with the initial screening of an application — women were more likely to put in an application.

Persons: —, Andreas Leibbrandt, Leibbrandt, you'll, Barb Hyman, Hyman, who's Organizations: Service, Australia's Monash University, Business

☆ Millennials and Gen Z are giving up on one of their core values and investing more like boomers
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Cork Gaines | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Preference for environmental, social, and governance — or ESG investing plummeted in 2023 among millennials and Gen Z. The survey examined the support for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and investing across different age groups. Investments receive an ESG rating, and ESG investors pick assets that align with their views on these subjects. AdvertisementIn the survey, preference for ESG investing among millennials and Gen Z — aged between 18 and 41 — plummeted significantly compared to the year before. Tim Paradis and Alex Nicoll of Business Insider explained in December just how controversial the topic of ESG investing has become.

Persons: Z, Gen Zers, Tom Grill, Amit Seru, Seru, David F, Tim Paradis, Alex Nicoll, ESG, Paradis, Nicoll, Sara Eisen, Eisen Organizations: Service, Stanford University, Hoover Institution, Rock Center, Corporate, Investments, Stanford Graduate School of, Stanford Graduate School of Business, United, Investment, Republican, Business, Europa Press Locations: United States

☆ A Harvard student reacts to resignation of Claudine Gay
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Tim Paradis | Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Harvard University's president, Claudine Gay, resigned Tuesday. A current Harvard law student told Business Insider why she's happy to see Gay step down. One current Harvard law student told Business Insider she was glad Gay resigned. President Gay is not at the level that you would expect a Harvard president to be at." I just didn't see a lot of empathy coming from President Gay at all."

Persons: Claudine Gay, Gay, —, Gay's, Bill Ackman, Elise Stefanik, Weeks, it'd, hasn't, Joe Biden, Ketanji Brown Jackson, She's, Harvard's, Alan Garber Organizations: Harvard, Service, Harvard University, Gay, New York Post Locations: Israel

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