YOUR LIFE.

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW...JOB

For many workers, it will be out with the old job, in with a new one In 2022, research from talent solutions and business consulting firm Robert Half shows. The company's biannual Job Optimism Survey tracks worker sentiment on current and future career prospects and reveals key implications for employers.

Some 41 % of workers surveyed say they plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2022, up from 32% six months ago. The top reasons are to secure a salary boost (54%), better benefits and perks (38%), and the ability to work remotely permanently (34%).

Those most likely to start job searching are Gen Z professionals (52%); employees who have been with their company for two to four years (49%); and technology workers (47%). In addition, the survey found that 28% of professionals planning to look for a new job would quit without another one lined up.

"This is the first time in my 37-year staffing career that IVe seen so much movement in the market and so many opportunities for workers at all levels," says Paul McDonald, senior executive director at Robert Half. "With nearly half their workforce poised to make a move, companies should be highly concerned about retention in the coming months."

Regardless of job search plans, 87% of workers surveyed feel confident about their current skill set and 61% seek a promotion as the next step in their career. Yet, 41 % feel they do not have a clear path for advancement at their company. Moreover, 34% feel performance discussions with their manager are ineffective and do not help them reach their professional goals.

McDonald notes: "In today's environment, workers are in the driver's seat. To help keep their best onboard, managers should have regular check-ins with their direct reports to discuss career goals, development plans, and what could make their employee experience better."

When considering their career options, 54% of professionals express interest in fully remote positions at companies based in a different city or state than they live In. Employers recruiting for open roles should look far and wide, McDonald advises. "Your next great hire could be miles away. Companies that embrace remote work options and provide a seamless onboarding experience will have the best chance of bringing in--and keeping--top talent."

DON'T JUST GET A JOB-GET THE ONE YOU LOVE

There is a big difference between just getting a job and landing a job you love. Most people can get a job that allows them to pay rent, but may wake up dreading having to go in every morning. Then there is the job that you love. So, how do you get that job?

Rebecca Finell, founder and CEO of Zip Top, offers some advice:

* Do your research. "Get to know the job description inside and out and do your research on the company itself. What are people saying about the company? What are the employee reviews like? Can you get a feeling of the culture from what people are saying? Use all of this knowledge to create a customized cover letter for the job and to ask targeted questions during the interview itself. If you do not know how to do something, just say you are excited to learn. No employer expects you to know everything. We just want to know that you want to learn it."

* Ask lots of questions. "Have a list of questions ready before you go into an interview, based on the research you've done about the company and based on the job description. Ask about company culture. Ask about what It takes to succeed at that company. Anything that can help you do your job better is good to ask. Bring up their mission and values--ask about where the company sees itself in five or 10 years. Interviews are for you as much as they are for the employer, so take the time to make sure the company and role are a great fit for you."

* Use Linkedln to network. "You will be surprised how many people are willing to talk with you or introduce you to a new connection if you just take the time to ask. Create a thoughtful, personalized message and start connecting. Being one of the largest social media networks made specifically for professionals, Linkedln is the place to be regardless of your career field. Plus, it has a feature that you can set showing companies and recruiters that you are open to new job opportunities.

* If the front door is locked, try another door. "If you cant get the job you want right away because you need experience first, apply for another role In the same company. You can learn more about your dream job and work your way up to the position you really want. Most companies hire from within first, so once you have proven your value and they know your character, you'll likely be first In line for the job you really want to have."

WORDS MATTER WHEN TREATING MENTAL ILLNESS

In a perspective published in Neuropsychopharmacology, leaders from the National Institutes of Health address how using appropriate language to describe mental illness and addiction can help to reduce stigma and improve how people with these conditions are treated in health care settings and throughout society.

The authors define stigma as negative attitudes toward people that are based on certain distinguishing characteristics. More than a decade of research has shown that stigma contributes significantly to negative health outcomes and can pose a barrier to seeking treatment for mental illness or substance use disorders.

Thirty-five percent of people with serious mental illness in the U.S. and nearly 90% of those with substance use disorders do not receive treatment. The authors point to evidence that stigma-related bias among clinicians can contribute to a treatment-averse mindset and to flawed clinical care, including failure to implement proven methods of treatment.

Further, when a person with a mental illness or substance use disorder continues to experience stigma, he or she may...