Fewer Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, prompting speculation that the job market could be building momentum. This is positive, since the more people have jobs, the more they may be able to qualify for cash loans to cover any unexpected expenses they can’t afford.
During the week ending June 7, claims for unemployment benefits fell by 26,000 to a seasonally adjusted 350,000, according to a report from the Department of Labor. This is the fewest claims there have been since the end of the first quarter in 2021, though the improvement was believed to have been caused by fewer temporary auto industry layoffs that often occur in the summer months.
It’s believed an increase in consumer demand for automobiles caused fewer layoffs, but experts warn that this trend may not last for very long.
Although the national rate improved, there were still areas with struggling job markets. The report indicated that California, Kentucky, Michigan, New York and Oklahoma experienced the largest increases in jobless claims during the week. In contrast, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts and Texas reported the biggest improvements.
As the job market builds momentum, if you have been one of the lucky ones who has maintained employment, it might be time for a promotion, especially if your company is expanding.
According to LearnVest, there are a number of ways to go about getting a promotion, such as working hard and having a consistent track record. However, there may be some more unconventional ways to go about landing a promotion, and hopefully a pay bump.
Tell A Boss When They’re Wrong
A recent survey from the website found that many bosses actually like when an employee challenges their thinking, especially if they know they’re right. Although, this doesn’t mean you should challenge your boss every chance you get. Instead, pick and choose these battles carefully so you don’t get on their nerves.
If you can, try to provide facts, examples and data on why you’re correct. Doing so could provide the evidence you need to stay on your boss’ good side.
Be Direct When You Have Bad News And Offer A Solution
Issues arise on a daily basis in most workplaces, says LearnVest. How you handle these situations is often more important than preventing them in the first place. If you can, try to be the first one to tell your boss, and better yet, devise a solution before you bring up the issue.
Since it’s ultimately a manager’s responsibility to be aware of major problems at a company and resolve them it’s good to keep them in the loop, but don’t bother them with every little slip-up.
Smile Regularly And Keep The Workplace Drama-Free
If you have personal problems with co-workers that aren’t work-related, don’t bother your boss with this drama. An inability to work with peers that have different personalities can be a major red flag for managers. It could indicate that once you’re in charge, and have to deal with even more people on a regular basis, you may not be able to mesh.
Additionally, try to smile as often as possible, even if you hate your job, recommends the website. While overdoing it can come off as creepy, your positive attitude can rub off on the people around you. In contrast, if you constantly act miserable, it can negatively affect the productivity of both yourself and coworkers.…