📰 In this issue

🔹 Industry Pulse: Remote work: The comeback story nobody expected

🔹 Skill Spotlight: The power of Intellectual honesty in an AI-driven world

🔹 Career Moves: Leveraging experience for a career change

🔹 Tech Corner: When quantum meets AI: The future of intelligence

🔹 Work-Life Integration: Building a career where you can be you

🗃 Insider

ResumeResponseGPT

While you’re at it, if you’re actively looking for a new job, you’ll find the ResumeResponseGPT Chrome Plugin an indispensable tool. With over 10,000 job listings analyzed, 800+ users, and a 5.0 Rating, this is a keeper.

📰 Industry Pulse

Remote work: The comeback story nobody expected

Are you curious about the current state of remote work in the IT industry? Well, we've got some exciting news for you! Despite the buzz about RTO, remote work is still going strong and evolving to meet your needs.

According to SIA's Temporary Worker Survey 2024, 86% of temporary workers in computer and mathematical occupations were either hybrid or completely remote in 2023. Fully remote work has slightly decreased since peaking in 2021, but we’re on a comeback and remote work is here to stay!

While it's true that some companies have encouraged employees to come back, the data tells a different story. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reveals that the percentage of hours worked remotely in tech roles has actually increased in recent months, matching the highs of 2022 and 2023.

So, what does this mean for you as an IT professional? On average, workers in tech occupations were working remotely for about 2.7 days a week in September 2024. That's right, hybrid work is at its highest level, which was pretty much a shocker to us.

While the push for fully remote work may have lost some steam, the demand for flexible work arrangements is still going strong. Staffing firms and clients recognize that to attract top IT talent like you, they need to offer remote work options, at least part of the time.

Embrace the hybrid work revolution and seize the opportunities that come with it! Your skills are in high demand, and the future of work is yours to shape. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep thriving! Remember, there’s a talent shortage out there and after January 20, 2025 the H-1B program in the U.S. may be seeing some BIG changes.

📎 Related Resources

• Hybrid work is the ‘new normal’ for many workers

• The Year In Remote Work—2024’s Biggest Shifts

🏫 Skill Spotlight

The power of Intellectual honesty in an AI-driven world

We probably take too much time on upskilling and reskilling. Bottom line, your skills, ideas, and unique perspective are still incredibly valuable. Intellectual honesty—staying grounded in facts, earnestly seeking truth, and setting aside personal ambitions—is your most powerful asset. There will never be a dearth of ideas, so prioritize demonstrating their value over simply talking them up. Avoid unnecessary distractions; focus on growth by cutting anything that doesn’t contribute to revenue and doubling down on what you do best.

While AI is undoubtedly powerful, it can't replicate your creativity, experience, or drive. Stay authentic, focused, and committed to innovation! Intellectual honesty is all about staying true to facts, remaining unbiased, and being transparent in your pursuit of truth and knowledge. It includes several key practices:

• Pursuing truth: Seek out facts and evidence, even when they challenge your own beliefs, and remain open to changing your views when presented with compelling information.

• Avoiding bias: Recognize personal biases, put them aside, and consider multiple perspectives with objectivity.

• Acknowledging limitations: Be candid about the boundaries of your knowledge and avoid overstating expertise.

• Giving credit: Respect and credit others’ contributions to avoid plagiarism.

• Being transparent: Clearly explain your reasoning, share the evidence backing your conclusions, and welcome constructive feedback.

As AI continues to shape the world, intellectual honesty becomes even more vital. It fosters sound decision-making, builds trust, and empowers us to face complex challenges with integrity.

📎 Related Resources

• Why Innovation Depends on Intellectual Honesty

• Integrity Over Intelligence

🚀 Career Moves

Leveraging experience for a career change

Are you feeling stuck in your career, yearning for a change but afraid of losing the progress you've made? You’re most likely in a position to reinvent yourself professionally without starting from scratch. Discover how to strategically leverage your existing skills, build a supportive network, and embrace adaptability to seamlessly transition into a thriving new career.

As you embark on your career transition, the biggest thing is to recognize the value of your existing skills and identify how they can be applied in new contexts. Soft skills such as leadership, analysis, and communication, are transferable across industries and roles. By leveraging your past achievements and thinking creatively about how your strengths can add value in your next field, you can ensure a smooth and successful transition.

Your professional network is a critical asset during a career change. If you know anyone in your desired industry, reach out for guidance, opportunities, and support. Additionally, conduct extensive research to understand the landscape of your new field, identifying emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities for growth. By combining the power of your network with strategic insights, you can position yourself for success in your new career.

This may not be a walk in the park. Transitioning into a new industry might come with a steep learning curve. Embrace the mindset of adaptability and commit to continuous learning to stay ahead in today's dynamic job market. Recognize that challenges are part of any transition, but approach them with resilience and a problem-solving attitude. By staying open to new knowledge and experiences, you can successfully navigate your career change and maintain progress.

Remember, a career transition isn't about starting over; it's about strategically applying your strengths in new ways to unlock your full potential. Now is the perfect time to explore new possibilities and enhance your professional journey. Take the first step towards your thriving career and discover the opportunities that await you. With determination, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, you can successfully transition into a new field and achieve your career goals.

📎 Related Resources

• More Than Handshakes: What is Professional Networking

• 4 Solid Strategies for Expanding Your Professional Network

💻 Tech Corner

When quantum meets AI: The future of intelligence

AI has been increasingly integrated into our daily workflows and routine tasks. The fusion of AI with quantum computing, known as quantum AI, is on the horizon, promising to revolutionize various industries.

Quantum computers leverage principles like superposition and entanglement to perform complex calculations exponentially faster than classical computers. While still in the early stages, all the mega players like Google, IBM, Microsoft and others are heavily investing in quantum computing research.

So what’s the story with a Quantum AI merger?

1. Faster training of large AI models

2. Enhanced pattern recognition for improved insights

3. More realistic and sophisticated generative AI outputs

4. Optimized decision-making for complex, multivariable problems

Industries such as finance, healthcare, robotics, and logistics stand to benefit greatly from quantum AI. However, challenges like hardware instability and the need for specialized algorithms need to be addressed before widespread adoption can occur.

Experts believe that fully realized quantum AI is still years away, but the groundwork is being laid for a future where AI's capabilities are amplified by the power of quantum computing. As research progresses, we can expect to see quantum AI play an increasingly significant role in shaping our professional lives and transforming industries worldwide.

📎 Related Resources

• Quantum threats plague next-gen data platforms

• What is quantum AI?

🧘 Work-Life Integration

Building a career where you can be you

You need to like what you’re doing, otherwise heading off to the shop in the morning is just another way to pay the bills. That sucks! Your voice doesn't matter at work? Do you hesitate to share your ideas, ask questions, or raise concerns for fear of negative consequences? You deserve to work in an environment that not only allows for the safe sharing of ideas but actively encourages and celebrates it. This is where psychological safety comes in.

In a psychologically safe work environment, you don’t have to worry about sharing your thoughts, knowing that your perspective is valued and respected. By offering your unique insights, you help your team make better decisions, detect potential risks, and identify more effective approaches. If you don’t think your contributions can make a significant impact on your organization's success, then maybe it’s time to look elsewhere.

If everything is cool at work, you're more likely to take calculated risks and propose creative solutions. In an atmosphere where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, you can explore new ideas that could distinguish your company from its competitors. By sharing your innovative thoughts, you contribute to a culture of creativity and help your organization stay ahead of the curve.

Working in a psychologically safe environment means feeling like an integral part of your team. When your perspective is valued, you naturally become more engaged and invested in your work. This increased motivation and sense of belonging can lead to higher job satisfaction and a greater commitment to delivering exceptional results.

Psychological safety allows you to bring your whole self to work without fear of judgment or exclusion. When you feel supported and celebrated for being your authentic self, you're more likely to stay with your organization long-term. This is particularly important for employees from underrepresented groups, who may otherwise feel marginalized or unsupported in their work environment. By working in a psychologically safe atmosphere, you can thrive in your career and reach your full potential.

Embrace the power of psychological safety and take the first step towards a more fulfilling professional journey. Seek out organizations that prioritize this essential aspect of workplace culture, and don't settle for anything less. When you feel comfortable sharing your ideas, asking questions, and being your authentic self at work, you'll unlock a world of opportunities for personal and professional growth. Your future self will thank you for investing in a career that values and supports you every step of the way.

📎 Related Resources

• How to create a culture of psychological safety at work

• Psychological safety in the changing workplace

This is the FREE career newsletter that could
end up costing you a lot more not to subscribe to.

Opportunity Overdrive is brought to you by Candle. At Candle, we empower the modern worker and put them at the center of opportunity.

For more information about our project, visit: https://www.projectcandle.ai/