X Launches Job Search Tool

Welcome to another edition of the New Bridge. Here, I will break down the future of work topics that matter, open your mind to use cases, and keep you ahead of the curve.

My #1 goal is to be helpful, so please send me an email if you have any questions or feedback.

In today’s edition:

• X launches job search tool

• The art of active listening

• Increase your pay by 35% with generative AI

🎨 This Week’s Spotlight: Nicolas Bets

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Let’s dive in.

X LAUNCHES JOB SEARCH

In a strategic move to redefine the employment landscape, X recently introduced XHiring—a feature for organizations seeking to elevate their recruitment strategies. It is positioned as a direct competitor to platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed.

You can search job listings by keyword or location, and candidates can apply for roles directly on the platform. To use the feature, companies must hold 'Verified Organizations' status and pay a monthly fee of $1000. The mobile-friendly version of XHiring for iOS and Android operating systems will be available soon. The tool aims to streamline the job recruitment process and is actively promoted by X as a game-changer for job seekers and employers.

XHiring signifies more than a feature release; it marks a paradigm shift in the digital recruitment space. By merging the vast reach of a social media giant with targeted employment functionalities, XHiring empowers both employers and job seekers to engage in a more dynamic and efficient recruitment process.

It’s no surprise that X’s ambitious integration goals are already known as ‘the everything app.’ We are here for it! 🚀

THE ART OF ACTIVE LISTENING

Have you ever questioned whether someone nodding during a conversation is genuinely engaged or merely putting on a facade? Welcome to the world of active listening. In the dynamic space of leadership and people management, the often underestimated skill of active listening emerges as a linchpin for success. Beyond simply hearing words, active listening involves a profound engagement with the speaker, fostering a deeper understanding of their perspectives and needs. This skill proves instrumental in building rapport, fostering collaboration, and steering teams toward collective success.

Why Active Listening Matters:

1. Empathy and Connection: Active listening lays the foundation for empathetic leadership. Leaders can forge authentic connections by fully comprehending team members’ concerns, aspirations, and challenges, fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture

2. Conflict Resolution: The ability to listen actively is essential in conflict resolution. Understanding conflicting viewpoints allows leaders to navigate disagreements diplomatically, leading to comprehensive and sustainable solutions

3. Enhanced Decision-Making: A well-honed skill of active listening provides leaders with a comprehensive understanding of organizational dynamics. In turn, this facilitates more informed decision-making, ensuring that strategies align with the collective vision and needs of the team

Mastering the Art of Asking Effective Questions:

Beyond listening, effective leadership involves asking insightful questions. Here are fundamental principles to guide the crafting of questions:

1. Open-Ended Questions: Encourage dialogue by posing questions that invite expansive responses. Instead of seeking yes or no answers, frame questions that prompt team members to share their thoughts, ideas, and experiences. For instance, ask "Can you elaborate on your approach?" rather than a closed-ended "Did you follow the protocol?"

2. Clarity: Ambiguous questions can lead to confusion and miscommunication. To extract meaningful insights, ensure that questions are clear and concise. Precision in questioning fosters a focused and productive conversation

3. Impartiality: Maintain objectivity by avoiding leading questions that may steer responses in a particular direction. Open the floor for genuine insights by refraining from injecting personal biases into your questions

INCREASE YOUR PAY BY 35% WITH GENERATIVE AI

A recent study revealed that AI is already transforming the workplace. Access Partnership and Amazon Web Services (AWS) collaborated on a new survey of 3,297 employees and 1,340 U.S. organizations across industries to better understand where workplaces might be headed.

Here are the key findings:

• Generative AI has the potential to reshape how people work, from searching for information to writing and building applications

• Nearly all C-suite executives expect generative AI to be transformative for their company and industry, leading to significant investments in enabling employees with productive AI tools

• Acquiring AI skills could boost paychecks and accelerate career growth, with 88% of workers expecting to use AI in their daily work by 2028

• Employers are willing to pay a premium for AI-skilled workers, with salaries potentially rising by an average of 35-42% across various business functions

• The report highlights the profound productivity payoff of AI, with AI expected to automate tasks, boost creativity, and improve outcomes across departments and functions

These findings underscore the increasing importance of AI skills in the workplace and the potential for significant salary increases for those who can leverage generative AI to become more productive.

🎨 SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK:

My passion for art offers moments of serenity and reflection in the fast-paced world of HR. Fusing these seemingly contrasting interests has propelled me to explore innovative ways to integrate both spaces. By combining my enthusiasm for digital art and the future of work, I aim to foster creativity, diversity, and inclusion, leveraging blockchain technology’s potential and enhancing workplace culture and engagement.

In each edition of this newsletter, I shine a spotlight on a talented digital artist who's pushing the boundaries of creativity. Stay tuned for our featured weekly artist, where we'll explore their work, inspiration, and dedication to their craft.

This Week’s Spotlight: Nicolas Bets

When Nicolas was 17, he arrived in Paris from his native Belgium to attend photography school. He plunged body and soul into what was to become his profession - Photography.

Nicolas had a keen sense of observation and tenacious determination, which propelled him to succeed in school and eventually graduate. He got his first job as an assistant to Claus Wickrath, where he learned all aspects of studio lighting. He then assisted Jean-Daniel Lorieux, who focused on colorful outdoor images. It was here that Nicolas learned about outdoor lighting in different types of weather. This is where Nicolas’ photography finally took off.

Nicolas gives free rein to his fertile imagination. His work is recognizable and unique. He sets the scene between the harmony of colors, landscape, expressive power of characters, and spring-like tones. He simultaneously choreographs scenography and spontaneity, while illustrating from an unexpected and offbeat angle. Each of his photographs is an invitation to lightness, an ode to color, and a demonstration of his mastery of photo shoots.

Nicolas’ work brings freshness to the world of fashion photography, which has earned him the coveted opportunity to work with top brands such as Lacoste, Louis Vuitton, Kenzo, Chanel, and many others.

Here are two of Nicolas’ exceptional pieces:

My Wife is Shopping: Nicolas describes his wife as clumsy. She finds herself in incongruous and weird situations. That’s all her charm. He wanted to make a series to honor her. This is how the ‘Where is my Wife?” collection was born.

 Blue Shower: The Hotel Amour was the setting for a photo shoot unlike any other. The sharp water drops detail coupled with bright colors create a visually stunning and captivating piece.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

• Latest layoffs: Firms making cuts

• Inflation affects retirement plans

• Employees see bias in performance reviews

That’s all!

We’ll see you again next week. Email me if you think about any relevant topics you would like me to cover. Thoughts, feedback, and questions are welcome and appreciated.

You can read past The New Bridge newsletters on this site 🚀.

Cheers,

The New Bridge