According to the Wall Street Journal, America’s largest employers are cutting white-collar positions at an alarming rate, leaving experienced and new workers struggling to find opportunities in a stagnant job market. AI plays a role in the elimination of some white-collar jobs, with some CEOs directly crediting the technology with reducing headcount. The Wall Street Journal reports that the landscape of white-collar employment in the United States is undergoing a dramatic shift as companies embrace AI and prioritize efficiency. Tens of thousands of corporate jobs have been eliminated in recent months, with major players like Amazon, United Parcel Service, Target, Rivian Automotive, Molson Coors, Booz Allen Hamilton, and General Motors announcing significant layoffs. This trend is leaving both experienced professionals and new graduates with fewer options and increased competition for the remaining positions.

The nation’s largest employers have a new message for office workers: help not wanted. Amazon.com said this week that it would cut 14,000 corporate jobs, with plans to eliminate as much as 10% of its white-collar workforce eventually. United Parcel Service UPS 0.74%increase; green up pointing triangle said Tuesday that it had reduced its management workforce by about 14,000 positions over the past 22 months, days after the retailer Target said it would cut 1,800 corporate roles. Earlier in October, white-collar workers from companies including Rivian Automotive, Molson Coors TAP -3.65%decrease; red down pointing triangle, Booz Allen Hamilton and General Motors received pink slips—or learned that they would come soon. Added up, tens of thousands of newly laid off white-collar workers in America are entering a stagnant job market with seemingly no place for them.

While official unemployment remains low, America’s labor market is stagnating: wage growth has slowed, job creation has weakened, and labor force participation is in decline. White-collar employment, particularly in tech, has fallen by 1.9 percent since its peak in 2022. This may sound modest, but previous recessions in 2008 and 2020 began with similar declines. In the tech industry, layoffs are up 36 percent from last year. What began in 2022 as start-up downsizing has since spread to larger, higher-profile companies such as Microsoft, Google, Salesforce, and Meta.

Have you ever been to a networking event or on a first date and wanted to impress the person you’re talking to, but it was hard to make a natural connection because you were stuck in your head? The conversation feels like it’s on the brink of stalling, and you’re overthinking, trying to come up with something to say.It’s natural to overthink a social interaction, especially when you want the other person to like you. So, how do you get over that blocked feeling and make a genuine connection? Communications expert Vanessa Van Edwards, founder of the Science of People and author of Captivate: The Science of Succeeding with People, shared some great advice during a Reddit Ask Me Anything. Van Edwards says the key to overcoming overthinking is to go from perfect to purpose. A grinning woman has good people skills.via Canva/PhotosHow to stop overthinking during small talkVan Edwards' advice came after someone asked: “I tend to overthink when trying to make a genuine connection with someone, which can sometimes cause a block in conversation. How do you recommend shaking it off?”“The ONLY way I have been able to conquer this is reframing from perfect to purpose,” Van Edwards wrote. “I used to try to make a connection with someone by being ‘perfect.’ The perfect conversation. The perfect stories. The perfect connection. The perfect handshake...you get it. It actually caused me to be less perfect.”She added, “I realized that what made me less nervous was trying to aim for a purpose. So now in EVERY interaction I create some kind of purpose, anything from ‘pretend you are about to introduce this person on stage, what would you need to know about them’ to ‘find 3 similarities between us.’”By reframing social interactions so they have a purpose beyond impressing people, you're bound to feel more relaxed. A woman speaking to colleagues at a networking event. via Canva/PhotosLet’s say it’s a first date. Here are some examples of a purpose that’ll direct your conversation:Find the types of entertainment you have in common.How would you write a short Wikipedia introduction on them?Get a clear picture of where they would like to be in 5 years.What’s a great purpose to have in a networking conversation?How can I help this person achieve their goals?What are some things about our industry that they know that I don’t?What are some pitfalls they’ve encountered in our industry that I should avoid? Three people talk during a networking event. via Canva/PhotosThe great thing is that in situations where you can plan ahead, such as a networking event or a date, you can already have your purposes top-of-mind, so you can go into the interaction without feeling nervous. After you’ve spent the first 20 minutes or so focusing on your purpose, the conversation may begin to flow naturally.Finally, there’s no need to try to impress people when you first meet them by showing off how smart, funny, and accomplished you are. In fact, your job is to do the opposite. Studies reveal that by showing an interest in others, you will be seen as far more likable than if you try to impress people. So practice active listening and ask a lot of questions, and you’ll make the best first impression possible.

Childhood dishes can take you straight back to your seat at the family dinner table. Comfort meals that were served there are uber nostalgic. And there is one dish represents the epitome of Gen X and baby boomer childhoods: casseroles.These one-dish wonders were loaded with flavor and baked to perfection. Pulled straight from the oven to the dinner table, casseroles filled the house with the smell of unique home-cooked recipes.And while most of us are eating casseroles today at Thanksgiving, Gen Xers and boomers grew up eating casseroles on the reg. Here are 15 old-school casserole recipes that Redditors grew up eating, which are just as yummy today: - YouTube www.youtube.com Chicken casserolesFancy Fast Chicken casserole"Fancy Fast Chicken is delicious and so simple. Line up chicken breasts in a casserole dish. Dump uncooked stuffing over top the chicken breasts. Pour Cream of Mushroom (Onion or chicken works too) and incorporate it into the stuffing. Top with cheese of your choice, and fried onions if you're inclined. Bake at 350 for 45min or until chicken is thoroughly cooked." - ApplepoisoneerChicken Curry Divan casserole"My favorite is Chicken Curry Divan. A friend made it for me in college 40 years ago and it is a favorite to this day. Never disappoints. Many people have asked me for the recipe over the years. My best friends kids now that they are grown have each approached me for it.1 1/2 lbs chicken breast tenders cooked and cut into bite sized pieces3 cups broccoli in bite sized pieces2 cans Cream of Chicken soup1 cup mayonnaise (must be Mayo)2 tsp curryJuice of 1 lemonShredded sharp cheddar (use the amount you like o like a nice even cover of the top)3/4 cup crushed Ritz crackers3 tbsp melted butterIn 9x13” baking pan layer chicken then broccoli.Mix the soup, Mayo, lemon juice and curry together well, pour over chicken broccoli mixture evenly and smooth out. Sprinkle cheese over top evenly. Crush crackers fine, mix in melted butter well and sprinkle evenly over top. Cook at 375° for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and top brown. Serve with rice." - karinchupChicken and Rice casserole"This baked rice & cheese casserole has become a staple in our house! It’s great as a side dish, or I’ll add rotisserie chicken and serve it as a main dish." - anchovypepperonitoniChicken & Dumplings casserole"The secret of this is not to stir anything. That's what makes your dumplings. When you dish it out, you have your dumplings on top.2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded; 2 cups chicken broth; 1/2 stick of butter; 2 cups Bisquick mix; 2 cups whole milk; 1 can cream of chicken soup; 1/2 medium onion, minced; 1 cup frozen peas; 3 tsp chicken Better Than Bouillon; 1/2 tsp dried sage; 1 tsp black pepper; 1/2 tsp salt.(1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees(2) Layer 1 - In 9x13 casserole dish, melt 1/2 stick of butter. Spread shredded chicken over butter. Sprinkle black pepper and dried sage over this layer. Do not stir.(3) Layer 2 - Sprinkle minced onions and peas over chicken(4) Layer 3 - In small bowl, mix milk and Bisquick. Slowly pour all over chicken. Do not stir.(5) Layer 4 - In medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of chicken broth, chicken bouillon, and soup. Once blended, slowly pour over the Bisquick layer. Do not stir.(6) Bake casserole for 30-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown." - Superb_Yak7074Chicken broccoli casserole"I made chicken broccoli casserole last week and that's a favorite here. This is pretty close to how I do it." - gimmethelulz - YouTube www.youtube.com Potato casserolesFuneral Potatoes"The unfortunately named, funeral potatoes!" - IRLpersonTater Tot casserole"Tater tot casserole. My mom made this at least once a week when I was growing up, but she added a quart of green beans to make it a meal. If you brown your ground beef in a good size cast iron skillet, you only dirty up one pan to make it!" - hcynthia1234, upperwareParTAYBreakfast casserole"I’m making a breakfast casserole this morning for brunch later—a bag of frozen hash brown potatoes thawed, a pound of sausage sauteed with peppers and onions, a brick of cheese grated, eight eggs beaten with a bit of milk and cream and some salt and pepper. Layer in a casserole, ending with cheese. Bake around an hour at 375." - CWrendHamburger pie casserole"One of my childhood favorites. Did not add vegetables or cheese though. This was an end of the month struggle meal that everyone loved." - DarnHeatherShepherd's pie casserole"Shepherd's pie : brown 1.5 lbs ground beef with half a chopped onion, salt and pepper, drain it and then spread into a 13x9 and stir a can of cream of mushroom soup into it. Spread a drained family size can of corn on top, use a container of prepared mashed potatoes for the top layer. Bake for a half hour at 350." - ExplanationLucky1143 - YouTube www.youtube.com Noodle casserolesTuna casserole"Love my mom's tuna noodle casserole: 1 bag broad egg noodles, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 2 cans tuna, 1 cup frozen corn or 1 can kernel corn, 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs, 1 tbsp celery saltCook noodles per package directions, drain, then place in a 13x9 casserole dish. Mix in cream of mushroom soup, tuna, corn, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, and celery salt. Top the casserole with the remaining cheese and bread crumbs. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until done enough for you." - PinkletonMock Stroganoff casserole"Mock stroganoff - brown 1lb ground chuck. Mix in 8 oz sour cream and 1 can cream of mushroom. Add to 1 lb of cooked egg noodles. Season with black pepper. Extras - fresh mushrooms and/or onion cooked with the beef. Any precooked veggies of your choice, peas or broccoli work well. Splash of Worcestershire, soy sauce, or fish sauce. Garlic or onion powder. Parsley, thyme, or cilantro." - Nathan_SaulCabbage noodle casserole"I have a quick cabbage and noodles that uses bagged cole slaw. Cook a bag of noodles. Put aside. Cut up a lb of bacon and a med onion. Cook in pan until bacon is slightly fried and onions are clear. Add cabbage(without carrots) let sit 10 min or so. Add to noodles. It's so easy." - conjas11 @allrecipes Thanksgiving prep class is now in session! ??‍? If there's one thing you need to nail on the big day (other than the turkey, of course), it's Green Bean Casserole. This recipe tastes just like the one your grandmother used to make, if not even better! ? Continue reading or click the link in the @allrecipes bio to get the full recipe. Ingredients: 2 (15-ounce) cans cut green beans, drained 1 (10.5-ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup ¾ cup milk 1 (2.8-ounce) can French fried onions salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions: Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix green beans, condensed cream of mushroom soup, milk, and 1/2 of the fried onions in a 1.5-quart casserole dish. Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbly, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle remaining onions on top and return to the oven for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Let rest for a few minutes before serving. ?‍?: Nicole #thanksgiving #greenbeancasserole #greenbeans #thanksgivingsides Vegetable casserolesGreen bean casserole"This is the best green bean casserole recipe, it does use the canned onions but you make your own cream of mushroom and it's soooo good. I've made it on random weekends, it's not just a Thanksgiving food. I don't know much about older foods, I just really wanted to share that recipe." Corn casserole"Our family Corn custard doesn't have crackers but we double the recipe and there's never any left over. 2 eggs, 1 cup of sweetened condensed milk, 1/2 flour, 2 T soft butter, 1 tsp sugar, 1 can of creamed corn, 1 can of whole corn. Mix all together and bake in a 8x8 about 45 min at 350. Gotta have that!" - Psychological_Bat890