LinkedIn's #DesperateforWork Is Controversial: But That Ducks the Real Labor-Market Issues

The hashtag "Desperateforwork" has been available long enough enough on LinkedIn to receive an analysis from influential The Wall Street Journal. 

Essentially the dynamic seems to be that the unemployed and underemployed using that banner receive 1) Attention 2) Emotional support 3) Some referrals for interviews/freelance work but no full-time job offers. Many assess resorting to this device as negative. Who wants to hire those "desperate" for work? Shouldn't we then conclude that this initiative is ineffective for the objective of landing a full-time job?

Interestingly, many of those the WSJ interviews are in the "creative" professions such as graphic arts and screenwriting. Those niches are being hit hard by generative AI, overall employers' aggressive cost-efficiency initiatives and the collapse of demand for white-collar workers in a growing number of sectors.

As an intuitive career coach, what I size up as the real issue here is: How long should those professionals continue to chase after the dwindling amount of opportunities in these lines of work? The long-term outlook is not good. For example, OpenAI's video products eliminate much of the need for human moving parts. Just put in-place a manager type or editor. 

But, you bet, career change is hard. I explain why in this article published in O'Dwyer Public Relations. 

However, starting off again might be necessary. Three years ago I began phasing out of content-creation. Obviously I was bottom-fishing. My regret was not doing that sooner. 

Dragging my feet, though, was expected: Transition can be soul-wrenching. We tend to try to duck it through magical thinking that there hasn't been a fundamental shift in the labor market. All we need are the patience and optimism to wait it out. 

Such delusion can trigger a massive financial setback. The longer the chase continues the more opportunities could be missed in earning a good living again. 

Life is hard. Business is even more difficult these days. Get answers – and relief. Jane Genova is a results-driven intuitive coach, tarot reader and content-creator related to careers. Complimentary consultation (please text/phone 203-468-8579 or email janegenova374@gmail.com)