People are giving up on their job search.

People are giving up on their job search. The unemployment rate fell to 4.2% in June. But economists say that wasn't because more people found jobs. It's largely due to people who just stopped looking. And once someone stops looking for jobs, they're no longer counted as unemployed. The latest data shows there are now about half a million discouraged workers, meaning people who want a job but just stopped looking because they don't believe jobs are available or they don't think they're gonna get hired. Parents, particularly mothers, are a big part of that group because they can't find the flexible or remote jobs that they need. And this really matches up to what I've been seeing as someone with hiring experience who now helps people get hired. I'm seeing a lot of qualified people who maybe five years ago wouldn't have had any trouble finding a job. Now it's not uncommon to see people searching for a year before they land their next role. So I'm gonna share with you the three things I always advise my clients to help you improve your chances of getting hired. So first, you wanna apply early. Companies receive hundreds of applications, and recruiters often stop reviewing resumes after just the first few days. So I'm gonna link to a job search site I like, and I don't have an affiliation with them, but it lets you search newly posted jobs directly from company applicant tracking systems. So they're legit and you can search very recent postings, like within hours. Second, you wanna make sure your resume is competitive, okay? That means it needs to be ATS friendly, include the right keywords, and clearly show how you've solved the kind of problems the employers looking to solve. Focus on jobs where you need at least 70 to 80% of the qualifications. Third, if you're applying for mid or senior level roles in most industries, you need to use LinkedIn. I know a lot of people don't like it, but it's still one of the main ways recruiters find candidates, often before a job is widely advertised. So build out your profile, connect with the people in your industry, and don't be afraid to reach out to recruiters after you've applied. And if you want more resume tips and job search advice, you can check out the link in my profile.