The headlines say the job market is “cooling,” but the real story is far more revealing. Behind the flat JOLTS numbers, steady openings, steady hires, and another drop in quits, is a labor market that has stopped accelerating and started stabilizing. Workers are switching jobs less, competing offers are thinning, and employers are quietly regaining leverage. Host Pete Newsome breaks down what this shift means for pay and power, and how both candidates and hiring managers should adjust their strategies.

He also zooms out to the path after high school. Parents still favor college, but confidence is fading fast as career and technical education gains legitimacy. With rising costs and clearer outcomes from alternatives, families are reassessing what success actually requires and where non-degree routes outperform the traditional four-year path.

On the hiring front, employers are rewriting the rulebook. Degrees still matter, but experience now rivals them, certificates are becoming trusted proof of skills, and nearly half of employers plan to expand skills-based hiring. Add the rise of AI fluency, from practical use cases to formal credentials, and the new standard is clear: show what you can do, and back it with evidence.

Whether you're building your career or shaping a team, the takeaway is the same: focus on outcomes, stack skills that map to real roles, and use assessments that mirror actual work.

💬What part of this shift do you think will reshape the workforce the most?

News Articles:
1. BLS JOLTS Release: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/jolts.nr0.htm
2. ASA Youth Career Readiness Outlook: https://www.asa.org/research/youth-career-readiness-outlook-parent-views-2025/
3. WGU Workforce Decoded Report: https://www.wgu.edu/content/dam/wgu-65-assets/web-sites/impact/wgus-workforce-decoded-report.pdf

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

HR’s biggest watchdog just failed its own audit, and the fallout is a warning shot for every employer. Host Pete Newsome breaks down the $11.5M discrimination and retaliation verdict against SHRM, how a single conflict of interest unraveled their investigation, and what true independence and accountability should look like inside any HR process.

Then he zooms out to the labor market signals shaping 2026. Fresh Upwork data and more than a million U.S. job postings reveal significant month-over-month spikes in QA testing, AI and machine-learning skills, and AI-app integration. Yet the biggest surprise is a 48% surge in demand for interpreters and language support, proof that even as AI adoption accelerates, businesses still rely heavily on human creativity, communication, and cultural nuance to make technology useful and trusted.

Pete also breaks down what 1,000+ hiring managers say will matter most next year: software proficiency, data analysis, cybersecurity awareness, and AI literacy on the hard-skills side, paired with communication, professionalism, resilience, and accountability on the soft-skills side. The message is clear: technical skills open doors, but human skills determine who moves ahead.

News Articles:
1. Upwork November Hiring Report: https://www.upwork.com/research/monthly-hiring-report-november-2025
2. Hiring Managers Reveal the Most Important Hard and Soft Skills for 2026:  https://www.resumetemplates.com/hiring-managers-reveal-the-most-important-hard-and-soft-skills-for-2026/
3. SHRM Verdict Information: https://www.businessinsider.com/shrm-discrimination-lawsuit-verdict-11-million-racism-retaliation

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

The workplace is transforming faster than anyone is prepared for, and today’s data reveals just how uneven the playing field has become. 

In this episode of Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome breaks down the forces reshaping careers in 2025 and beyond. AI adoption is accelerating inside large enterprises, while small businesses struggle to keep pace. Meanwhile, IT leaders sound alarms about rising security risks as agentic AI becomes part of daily workflows.

He digs into the new patchwork of AI hiring laws across the U.S., from mandatory notices and bias audits to human-in-the-loop requirements, revealing how even well-intentioned rules can create a compliance maze if companies don’t build flexible governance now.

Then Pete turns to the human side of today’s labor market. Layoffs are becoming increasingly impersonal, with more workers being notified by email or phone instead of in person. Quiet firing is on the rise due to workload creep, micromanagement, and RTO mandates, which are used to push people out. We explore why maintaining dignity during offboarding isn’t just ethical, but also essential for sustaining a strong culture, fostering brand trust, and achieving future recruiting success.

Finally, he addresses the emotional paradox that millions of workers face: feeling secure in their current role yet uneasy about the broader job market. 

💬 Have you experienced quiet firing or impersonal layoffs in your own workplace?

News Articles:
1. Layoff Lifeline Report: https://zety.com/blog/layoff-lifeline-report
2. ADP HR Trends and Priorities for 2026: https://marketing-assets.adp.com/api/public/content/8179f471128e489caac131f44ac0eb4e?v=88329b93
3. 4CR Q4 2025 Employee Mindset Survey: https://www.4cornerresources.com/surveys/q4-2025-employee-mindset/

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

Are the bosses back in charge now?

On this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky are inspired by an article from the Wall Street Journal to talk about the power struggle between business leaders and employees. The article explains how leaders are learning new ways to conduct business now that the pandemic is over. But Pete and Ricky agree there's a large contrast taking place right now between the companies choosing to make their employees come back into the office and those who aren't. 

Throughout the episode, the two discuss the pros and cons of each side, making it clear that there’s no perfect answer. They share some important considerations that all leaders should review before making this decision, and agree that finding a balance from both a production and retention standpoint is key. 

What’s best for your business? Tune into this episode and find out!

Are you worried about ChatGPT eliminating jobs? One of our listeners is, and we guarantee they aren't alone.

The Hire Calling Podcast this week is all about ChatGPT and artificial intelligence applications eliminating jobs. ChatGPT, a chatbot developed with supervised learning methods, was made available to the public in November by OpenAI. Join Pete and Ricky for an insightful discussion about this new technology, how it works, and the ethical dilemma it may cause. 

Will ChatGPT put your job at risk? Tune into this episode and get to know this technology, while learning how to embrace it rather than fear it. 

What lies ahead for 2023?

Join Pete and Ricky as they discuss the workforce trends hiring authorities and candidates should expect in the year ahead. They base their predictions on the data from the Bureau of Statics and articles from the Wall Street Journal. They believe the freelance market will continue to grow exponentially, and AI will be at the forefront of the workplace.

Prepare your business for what's to come by tuning into this episode and downloading our free  Hiring & Salary Guide for 2023!

On this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete asks for Ricky's opinion on a recent tweet from Bernie Sanders. As a big supporter of the freelance market, Pete was suggesting that Bernie’s ideas aren’t as good for workers as intended. As Ricky describes the history of unions and its importance, he offers his thoughts and beliefs regarding why these institutions will persist.

After discussing their perspectives and the existence of unions, Pete and Ricky can both agree that happy workers equate to a happy world. All in all, continually nurturing and promoting respect for employees should be an objective for every organization.

Tune in to today’s episode for a lesson on unions and a great conversation about the freelance market. Share your thoughts or ask a question at hirecalling@4cornerresources.com, we would love to hear from you!

Let’s face it, employees leave. The bad news? You cannot completely prevent it from happening. But the good news? You can become familiar with the top reasons employees resign and take steps to do something about it. 

On this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete brings in a list of the top ten reasons employees leave. Written almost two years ago, Pete and Ricky talk through each point and determine their relevance in the workforce today. While they agree that these reasons are undeniable influences, Pete and Ricky also believe they are equally preventable.

Why do you think your employees are leaving? Tune in to hear the top reasons and find out what you can do to stop it before it’s too late!

What's the difference between human resources and people operations? Both departments appear extremely similar in nature, dealing with individuals and handling company-employee relationships. 

But as it turns out, there are actually several differences between the two departments and ways each can be leveraged to benefit your organization. 

A few weeks ago, 4 Corner Resources published a blog highlighting the key differences between people operations and human resources. So on today's episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Ricky puts on his HR hat to share the importance of this topic with Pete and our listeners. While these differences may be subtle, each has the power to change your employees' perspectives entirely. 

Tune in to hear why each department is necessary and how implementing both can be used to your advantage.   

What is empowerment in the workplace and why does it matter?

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky dive right into the topic of empowerment in the workplace - what it is, why it matters, and different ways you can implement it in your own organization. Empowerment in the workplace means holding your employees to a higher standard and granting them the ability to make their own decisions and chart their own course. Pete shares why this matter is so important to him and how it was one of the reasons he started his own business. This sense of accountability and transparency gained through empowerment has undeniable benefits and should be implemented in every organization.

Pete and Ricky touch on 8 different ways to achieve this culture of empowerment in the workplace, complementing a recent blog 4 Corner Resources published, and explore their thoughts on each.

No matter how big or small, every organization should consider shifting its focus to this concept. Overcome your lack of trust and tune in to hear how you can start reaping the benefits of empowering your employees!

2022 is officially coming to a close. Everyone had expectations of what was to come this year, and now that we are three-quarters of the way through it’s time to take a look at our predictions. 

On December 6, 2021, 4 Corner Resources published a blog to share potential recruiting trends for 2022. 10 staffing shifts were expected, and on today’s episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky analyze and explore each. Were their predictions spot on or completely off? Tune in as they discuss this past year and share their guesses for 2023. 

Freelancing is on the rise. So, how can that benefit employers?

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky discuss when and how you should fill staffing gaps with freelancers. A great starting point to consider is, do you have the knowledge to guide a new employee and oversee their work, or is it an area you don’t know much about and need an expert to complete the task?  If it’s the latter, turning to the freelance market may be a great solution.

If you are deciding between hiring a freelancer or a new full-time employee, tune into this episode to help you decide what is right for your business!

If you’re ready to take the plunge, we recommend Toptal, Upwork, and Fiverr for the best freelance talent!

The workforce is not what it used to be, but one thing remains constant: communication is key!

Join Pete and Ricky on this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast as they discuss the latest issue in the workplace, quiet quitting and quiet firing. Diving deep into these two new controversial issues, Pete and Ricky explore what they are and how to avoid them. Stemmed from social media’s influence, employees are consciously restricting to match minimum job requirements, while employers have resorted to exasperating their workers. 

Why is this happening, and what can individuals and organizations do about it? Tune in to find out and take note of Pete and Ricky’s advice to avoid this situation yourself! 

What if the real crisis for new grads isn’t a lack of jobs, but a hiring market that’s quietly been rewired? In today’s breaking job news, host Pete Newsome breaks down why landing that first role feels harder than ever and uncovers the structural shifts reshaping the entry-level market in 2025.

Pete dives into the data behind the headlines: recent graduate unemployment is outpacing the national average, full-time job postings are shrinking while applications per role surge, and employer confidence is dipping back toward pandemic-era lows. Layered on top of that, he uncovered a more profound mismatch: degree supply hitting all-time highs while most open roles don’t require one, creating a bottleneck around the few “degree-required” jobs that new graduates target.

You’ll learn how layoffs push experienced candidates into junior roles, how AI is siphoning off tasks that once trained early-career workers, and why hiring managers increasingly favor applicants who can contribute on day one. But it’s not all bad news. Pete highlights the sectors that are still hiring aggressively, including support, education, special-needs services, logistics, public service, and advanced manufacturing, and explains why these sectors remain resilient.

💬What do you think: What’s the one strategy you think will move the needle most for new grads today?

News Article:
Companies Predict 2026 Will Be the Worst College Grad Job Market in Five Years: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/2026-graduates-job-market-7928bcd7

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

Transitioning into a management role can be tough, whether you’ve been working towards this advancement for months or it just fell into your lap! 

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, special guest Carter Alexander joins Pete Newsome to talk about his experience transitioning from recruiter to recruiting manager. Carter has been an employee at 4 Corner Resources for over four years now, and this transition took place during the peak of COVID-19…and let’s just say becoming a leader to an entire team, all while adjusting to working remotely, was not a simple task. 

While this was an exciting opportunity for him, it didn’t come without challenges. Carter shares his perspective on leadership and how he cracked the code on balancing personal and professional relationships. Pete and Carter also discuss their views on the current job market, as well as the abundance of layoffs taking place right now. 

If you are struggling with a career transition, tune in and listen to Carter’s advice on leadership and navigating a new role!

You asked, they answered! Tune in to this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast as Pete and Ricky answer some hard-hitting questions our listeners have sent in recently.

From dealing with unresponsive follow-ups to discussing politics in the workplace, Pete and Ricky share their insight on these tough topics from an HR, sales, and management perspective. Their advice is not only timely, it applies to leaders, employees, and job seekers as well. After listening, you may even find yourself checking out our new website, zengig.com – created to help with all your career guidance needs!

Are you unsure how to handle a current conflict at work? Send in any questions you might have to hirecalling@4cornerresources.com, and your question may be answered during the next Q&A episode! 

There’s no doubt that the Great Resignation is here and has been for a while. No leader wants to fall victim to this employment trend, but what can you do about it, really?

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky talk through an article written by Jessica Stillman that suggests there are 9 questions to ask employees to keep retention high. Taking the place of a stay interview, Stillman believes asking these questions on a monthly basis will help your employee retention and prevent resignations.

Pete and Ricky discuss each question, offering their opinions, advice, and actions to take based on the answers received. Employee retention is on every leader’s mind right now, or at least it should be. As a leader, open communication and forming meaningful relationships with your employees is crucial. When it’s time to ask them the hard questions, you want to receive honest and genuine feedback in return.

Worried about employee retention within your organization? Tune in to find out which questions you should be asking!

Check out the Jessia Stillman Article:
https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/employee-retention-great-resignation-on-on-one-meetings.html 

A Baby Boomer, Gen Xer, Millennial, and Gen Zer walk into an office, what could go wrong? 

Five generations coexist today, and four of them can be found within the workplace. In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky break down the differences between each of these groups and explain why problems are bound to arise with such diverse mindsets working together. While these generations may never be able to fully understand one another, Pete and Ricky agree that flexibility is key for these relationships to function.

While we can’t control these generational differences, our world continues to evolve, and we have to adapt. The question is, are you willing to pay the price of admission? 

If you are a leader struggling with these generational gaps, you are going to want to tune in!

Nobody likes conflict but let's face it, problems are bound to arise when it comes to working with other people. How you handle the situation will not only impact your relationships, but your brand as well.

 In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky discuss managing conflict with upset clients through different perspectives, and share some advice for how to handle it. Where you sit may determine where you stand, but willingness to view situations from another angle is crucial to developing and maintaining future relationships. Leaders and employees should remain honest and genuine through conflict with their clients to determine the desired outcome.

 According to Pete and Ricky, you should always anticipate that conflicts will occur. While you can't change the past, you can control the future of how these situations will play out. Remember to maintain control when dealing with unhappy clients and get help when needed. Successfully win the war by not falling victim to your emotions.

 If you are a recruiter or hiring manager, you are going to want to tune in!

Tips for dealing with upset clients:

1. Where you sit determines where you stand. Things are often a matter of perspective. Someone who’s in the wrong, doesn’t think they’re wrong. Put yourself in the client’s perspective and work towards a desired outcome you will both be happy with.
2. Be vulnerable, honest, and genuine with your conversations. Every situation in unique and should be treated that way. The outcome will depend on how each side approaches the situation.
3. Manage expectation. You can’t avoid problems. So don’t judge someone by how well they can avoid problems, but rather how they are dealt with when they arise.
4. Act rationally and maintain control. Don’t take these situations personal and let your emotions get in the way. Separate the person from the actual act, by accepting, acknowledging, and processing it. Take a step back and shift the conversation from a personal attack to a focus on fixing the problem. And if you feel incapable of having a conversation without becoming emotional, get help.
5. Have your team’s back. When an internal client gets upset, it is crucial to step in when they disrespect your employees. You must separate the performance issue with the respect issue, and act accordingly. It’s one thing to be upset, but a line is crossed once there is a lack of respect communicated.

Time for another Q&A episode!  

Candidate ghosting is on the rise, so what can you do to prevent it from happening? What steps can you take when it happens to you? Pete and Ricky share insightful information about providing each candidate a road map of the hiring process, as well as giving them an opportunity to back out.

As a candidate or hiring authority, what is the best method to build up your LinkedIn profile traffic without buying ads? From regularly posting original content to commenting on trending posts, we have some great advice for you!

We also have some bonus content for our listeners! While it is a little off topic, Ricky discusses how to cook the perfect Ribeye steak. Warning, you will get hungry! 

Which stage of the economy are we currently in? From a business perspective, the economy is at a low point. Several companies are scaling back their spending, increasing their prices, and pausing their hiring efforts. 

 In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky share tips and strategies for rescinding job offers.  As a consultant with an HR background, Ricky suggests the best approaches to take as a leader that will protect the company's brand. But then comes the question, if executives are making the decision to separate, why are they making offers in the first place? 

 According to Ricky, there are many legalities and approvals that make it too late to form explanations. But externally and internally, communication is the key. Start painting an early picture if possible, so that people can see what is happening and independent department leaders can make decisions sooner. 

If you are a leader needing to make a big choice, whether it is rescinding, laying off, or putting in place a hiring freeze, you are going to want to listen in and take notes on Pete and Ricky’s advice.   

Have you ever taken a risk when it came to hiring a leader? Has it paid off? In a tight labor market, hiring the right leader can be challenging.

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky share their best advice on how to hire a leader that is right for your organization. From Ricky's HR perspective, he believes in taking a cautious approach. But what is the best mix of being cautious while also being realistic?

According to Ricky, there are 3 things a good leader should possess, the right skill set, a charismatic personality, and strong chemistry. Is there anything you can sacrifice? Going through different scenarios, both evaluate the risks that come from bringing someone on with a lack of skill set or zero charisma.

If you are a hiring authority you are going to want to tune in!

Tips for hiring leaders

1. When interviewing someone, you should look at three things. Their skill set, personality, and making sure the chemistry is there. All of those things should be present when looking to hire a successful candidate. Determining their personality and soft skills during an interview is crucial and will tell you how that person  communicates. 
2. People can put anything on their resumes. Chemistry matters and personality definitely matters. Make sure your interpretation of their resume is 100% correct before pulling the trigger to hire them. 
3. When hiring an individual for a position they are not qualified for on paper, you have to consider the risk of people not respecting their authority. But for the right person, that risk might be worth taking. 
4. You don't have to be an extrovert to be a really good leader. They may have a harder time, but introverts can be too. You need to find a people person. That situational guidance, leadership, and mentorship is just as important as dealing with the specific tasks at hand.
5. Depending on how close you are to the work that's being done, you have to put more or less value on the particular knowledge and skills that's necessary and then act accordingly. When you're looking to hire someone, depending on the position, you can determine what kind of skill sets have more value than others. 

What risks & benefits are associated with bringing employees back to the office? 

In this episode of The Hiring Calling Podcast, Pete & Ricky offer insightful strategies to ensure a smooth transition from working remote to going back to in person. Using Tesla as an example, businesses are making tough decisions now, and people are not happy about it.  

Is the transition going to be easy? The best way to bring employees back is through phases. Prepare the workers for what is coming, instead of sending an email out of the blue. By going with this approach, employees will have a chance to adjust their lives and it will give them the opportunity to meet expectations. 

Could it be that trust and accessibility is the main cause of bringing employees back? Stay tuned to find out! 

Great leaders will empower their employees and make a difference in their workplace. 

Looking to become a better leader? In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, special guests Rick Simmons and Tony Alvarez from Holiday Inn Vacations join host Pete Newsome to share their unique experiences that completely changed their views on leadership. What could this experience be? The RLF program (Regional Leadership Forum) is a nationally renowned set of workshops designed to evoke creativity, innovation, and critical thinking skills. 

Who were Rich Simmons and Tony Alvarez before they started this program? After 1 month, they transcended into more than just vice presidents. Maybe it was their experience, getting to know other leaders, reading books they never thought to read, gaining insightful knowledge, and channeling their inner selves.  

Sometimes leaders lose touch, and the workplace becomes grey. But there is an opportunity to bring back that color as evidenced by the emotional train that Rich and Tony rode on. Perhaps it might even touch upon your life outside of the workplace as well.  

Did the RLF program work and what impact did it have on their workplace? Listen to this episode of The Hiring Calling Podcast to find out. 

Additional Resources 

• Leadership in the Workplace: Advice for Employees and Managers
• How To Be A Leader In The Workplace
• Strategies for Culture Change Management that Works
• What Is Culture Add And How To Hire For It

Tips for how to become a great leader

1. There's no better investment than time in people. Create great teams of people. Relationships transcend transactions. You are greater than the percentage of turnover you have or don't have. 
2. Lead people in life, beyond the realm of staying in the company. True leadership is supporting individuals moving on to their future endeavors rather than holding them back. Allow them a platform to express their problems and leave them confident knowing they have your support. 
3. Get to know the people you are leading. Who are they? What are their dreams? It is so important to make sure you take the time to really know who you're spending all day with. 
4. Hire the candidate who cares. Spend time getting to know who they are and what their thought process is behind things. Get into a conversation during the interview with a candidate, rather than sticking with questions. More times than not, the candidate will relax and give you more insight and more information about themselves.

With BLS data frozen during the shutdown, there is no employment report, no CPI, and no benchmarks; employers, investors, and policymakers are suddenly flying blind. In today’s Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome digs into how the loss of federal data is reshaping hiring plans, slowing approvals, extending recruiting cycles, and dialing up uncertainty at the exact moment companies were hoping for clarity.

He breaks down what private-sector indicators are showing in the absence of BLS continuity, why leaders default to caution when credibility gaps appear, and how this data blackout could influence Federal Reserve decisions, wage pressures, and Q4 hiring momentum.

Then Pete shifts to the “economic emergency” inside America’s skilled labor shortage. Ford CEO Jim Farley says the company still can’t fill 5,000 mechanic roles, even with pay reaching $120K+, and it’s just one snapshot of a nationwide crisis. With over one million open skilled trade jobs, stagnant training pipelines, and multi-year mastery fields like diesel, EV, and industrial maintenance lacking modern apprenticeship paths, wage hikes alone can’t fix the gap. Pete examines the steps required to rebuild the talent pipeline that the middle class relies on.

He also breaks down fresh Indeed Hiring Lab data to map where demand is rising, stalling, or reversing. Tech remains muted, while healthcare is cooling but remains strong. B2B services are mixed, retail continues to slide, and transportation shows wage stability despite softer postings. The headline? The job market isn’t collapsing, it’s resetting. The future depends on having better data and a more robust skills pipeline.

💬 What do you think: What would convince more young workers to pursue trade careers today? 

News Articles:
1. US Labor Market Quarterly Verticals for Q3 2025: https://www.hiringlab.org/2025/11/13/us-labor-market-quarterly-verticals-for-q3-2025/
2. White House Says the October Jobs Report May Never Be Released: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/11/12/white-house-october-jobs-data/
3. Ford CEO Says He Has 5,000 Open Mechanic Jobs With 6-Figure Salaries From the Shortage of Manually Skilled Workers: https://fortune.com/2025/11/12/ford-ceo-manufacturing-jobs-trade-schools-we-are-in-trouble-in-our-country/

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

Should you rehire previous employees? There are reasons as to why employees are leaving their jobs and there are ways to prevent it. But what happens when they decide to come back? 

Check out this episode of The Hire Calling Podcast, where Pete and Ricky discuss the advantages and disadvantages of boomerang hires. 
 
Wondering what a boomerang employee is? It is exactly how it sounds, an employee that leaves and then comes back to the job they had previously left. Pete and Ricky use "players" to identify the different types of employee scenarios when it comes to considering who to bring back. Players A, B, C, D, E, & F are different from each other but not all of them have a lucky outcome when it comes to the decision to rehire. 

 It is one of the toughest positions you can find yourself in as a business owner. Do you have to interview that employee again? Ricky mentions that sometimes the employee might come back with different negative behavior that they picked up on from the job they left for. 
 
If you are an employer trying to make a rehiring decision or an employee that is trying to make their way back in, tune into this episode of The Hire Calling Podcast. 

 
 Additional resources

• Reasons Employees Are Leaving Their Jobs & How To Prevent It
• Costly Hiring Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
• How To Write An Employee Offer Letter With Sample and Template
• Hiring & Salary Guide

Tips for dealing with boomerang employees

1. Don't let the presence of stress be the reason you take the path of least resistance. It will always be the easiest decision to bring the person back on, but is it the smartest? Even if they have a great skill set, it has to be the right person with the right skill set at the right time for the right job.
2. Just because people apply for your job, doesn't mean you have to hire them. Even if they have worked for you in the past, you shouldn't be compelled to hire an individual you don't want. You have freewill and its your decision to make, just don't forget to do it fairly and follow EEOC laws. 
3. You can leave the door open for employees looking for new opportunities, but don't let your organization be viewed as a revolving door. How committed would would current employees be if they viewed their role as something they can leave and then come back whenever they want?
4. It is crucial to interview those boomerang employees. While that same employee could be back and better than ever, they could also be a completely different person now. Don't assume, you will never now unless you conduct an actual interview. 
5. The first few weeks after an employee leaves is a true indication of how much they benefitted your organization. What will you see after they leave? A mess or the great work they were doing? Keep this in mind when they return.

In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky discuss how an increasing amount of employers are implementing pre-employment social media screening practices. What does this mean for candidates? Is this tactic invasive or insightful? Listen to find out!

As always, we welcome your suggestions for future topics!  Please email us: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

What should employees take into consideration before making the decision to leave their job? In this episode of the Hire Calling Podcast, Pete and Ricky discuss the great resignation and why it is still gaining speed. 

As always, we welcome your suggestions for future topics!  Please email us: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

In this episode, Ricky challenges Pete to answer questions from the recent Disrupt HR meeting that took place in Orlando, FL.  Listen to find out how Pete responds to topics including:
-Maintaining candidate engagement during the recruiting process
-Reducing employee retention in the current candidate's market
-Keeping in touch with strong candidates who weren't selected for a current job opening
-Leadership traits required for employee communication
-How to handle hostile callers

As always, we welcome your suggestions for future topics!  Please email us: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

Patrick Sirmeyer is a staffing company owner who decided to travel throughout the US for a year with his family of four while actively running his business. Patrick joins Pete to share the parenting, business, and life lessons that he and his wife Annanlee have learned during their adventure on the road.

This is the perfect episode for anyone who is thinking about working remotely in a new geography! 

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Please email us: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com.

Pete is joined by Adam Conrad, Founder and CXO of Great Recruiters.   The Great Recruiters platform is the top experience and reputation management solution for the recruiting industry; allowing staffing firms of all sizes to increase trust and transparency through every candidate interaction.  

Pete and Adam share discuss the rapidly evolving labor market, the state of the staffing industry, and what employers and employees alkie can expect throughout 2022.

Please rate and review our show, and email us your thoughts, feedback, and suggestions: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com 

Happy New Year!!

Ricky is back to debate and discuss Pete's predictions for the workplace in 2022. 

Listen to learn what Pete expects to take place in a number of key areas, including:

• The labor market 
• The gig economy
• The remote work trend

As always, we welcome  your feedback and suggestions.  Please email us your thoughts: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

James Lund is a VP and partner with ProFocus, a top rated IT staffing and consulting firm based in Portland, OR.  James sits down with Pete to discuss a broad range of topics related to the evolving market, and why ProFocus continues to stand apart as a staffing leader, including:

• The unique and personal approach ProFocus takes when it comes to creating exceptional experiences for their clients, candidates, and internal employees.  
• The four core strategies that guide their approach to business
• Changes, adaptations, and improvements brought about the pandemic

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for future topics!  Please email your thoughts or ideas to: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

Jason Gamel, President and CEO of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) joins Hire Calling to discuss challenges and opportunities faced by the timeshare industry due to the pandemic.

Jason and Pete discuss how the world's premier vacation ownership companies have adapted to create new and improved experiences in a safe environment for the industry's 10 million owners and more than 500,000 employees.

ARDA is the trade association for the timeshare industry, with more than 400 members consisting of both privately held and publicly traded corporations, including Disney Vacation Club, Hilton Grand Vacations, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Marriott Vacations Worldwide, and Travel & Leisure.

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions for new topics. Please email us with  your thoughts and ideas: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

This episode is all about the wealth of content available on our newly designed 4cornerresources.com website and our 2022 Hiring & Salary Guide.  Pete is joined by the  Peter Porebski, 4 Corner's Director of Operations and  Hayley Horvath, 4CR's Community Manager. Peter and Hayley have worked tirelessly to turn the vision of creating the best hiring and staffing content on the web into reality. 

Both the site and the guide have dedicated sections for:
-HR professionals
-Hiring Managers
-Recruiters
-Job Seekers

Download our guide, browse our site, and please let us know what you would like to see next in the world of hiring, staffing, and recruiting content.  Email us:  hirecalling@4cornerresources.com. 

The U.S. job market is caught in a strange paradox.

Confidence is waning, small-business profits are shrinking, and holiday hiring has reached its weakest point in more than a decade. Yet millions of qualified candidates still can’t land jobs. In today’s Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome discusses what’s really happening behind the numbers: an economy where leaders are losing trust, workers are losing patience, and the hiring process itself is breaking down.

From NFIB’s cooling Small Business Optimism Index to Glassdoor’s 2026 Worklife Trends Report revealing “forever layoffs” and collapsing faith in leadership, Pete connects the dots between market signals and daily workplace reality. You’ll learn how slow hiring cycles, outdated job requirements, and underpriced offers are turning a manageable slowdown into a confidence crisis, and what innovative leaders are doing differently to build trust, speed up hiring, and keep talent engaged.

He’ll also break down the leanest holiday job market since 2012 and what it means for candidates entering 2026, plus where early-career wages are finally catching up.

News Articles:
1. Glassdoor’s Worklife Trends 2026: https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/worklife-trends-2026/
2. Job Seekers Stare Down a Gloomy Holiday Hiring Season: https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/holiday-seasonal-jobs-market-61f071b5?mod=jobs_news_article_pos1
3. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)'s October Report: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.nfib.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/NFIB-SBET-Report-Oct.-2025.pdf

💬 What do you think: What’s one thing leadership could do tomorrow to rebuild credibility? 

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

In this episode, Pete and Ricky cover a broad range of topics, including:
-Showing gratitude in the workplace
-How to assess employee satisfaction
-Speaking your mind at work
-The impact a virtual workforce has on company culture

They also talk a little bit about Pete's recent blog article, How to Measure Employee Satisfaction

In this episode, Pete is joined by a special guest who has worked for the same Fortune 50 company for more than 28 years.  The company is regularly recognized as a top employer, which begs the question: Is it due to their culture, or because of managers like today's guest?

We cover a range of topics: managing a virtual team, the impact of Covid, career motivation, the importance of enthusiasm in the workplace, and how to succeed over time.  

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions! Emails us here: hirecalling@4cornerresoruces.com

Leadership comes naturally for some, but for others it requires an extra level of effort and focus. Fortunately, everyone has the opportunity to develop great leadership traits that will allow them thrive and stand out at work.

In this episode of Hire Calling, we discuss the strategies included in our recent article, How to be a Leader in the Workplace, plus a few additional tips and suggestions that you can apply today!

There's a lot of talk these days about artificial intelligence in recruiting, but what does that mean, really?  In this episode, Pete and Ricky discuss the good and bad of AI and automation solutions for candidate sourcing.

It's time for more audience questions! In this episode Pete and Ricky respond to emails from hiring managers who are looking for answers in advice in today's rapidly evolving marketplace. Listen now if you want to hear how to tackle:

1. Anticipating and preventing employee burnout
2. Candidate and new hire no-shows / ghosting
3. Forcing employees back into the office (spoiler alert: don't do that!)

We love questions and suggestions, so please keep them coming: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com

Pete and Ricky discuss 5 of the tips included in our recent blog: 20 Unique Employee Recognition Ideas.  Listen to hear their thoughts on the various ways you can show your staff their hard work and efforts are appreciated, including:

• Public Recognition
• Cold hard cash!
• Gifts
• Time off from work
• Throw a virtual  party

Thank you for listening! 

As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Emails us here: hirecalling@4cornerresoruces.com

In this episode Pete and Ricky offer six tips that human resources managers can apply to give every new hire a smooth and positive onboarding experience:

1. Create a structed plan and follow it consistently
2. Communicate early and often with your new hire leading up to their start date
3. Anticipate first-day needs in advance
4. Give your new employees a roadmap / set expectations for their first 90 days
5. Check in regularly with your new hire
6. Ask for feedback 

Please also see our recent onboarding articles here:

• New Hire Checklist For Easy Onboarding 
• How to Conduct Virtual Onboarding

Thank you for listening! As always, we welcome your feedback and suggestions. Emails us here: hirecalling@4cornerresoruces.com

In this episode Pete shares the latest data included in the Open Jobs and Unemployment Reports produced by the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and talks about what it might mean for those in and outside of the job market, including:

• Current job openings have surpassed 10.9 million 
• Current unemployment is less than 8.4 million (5.2%)

As always, we welcome your feedback and any suggestions for future topics!
Please email us here: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com 

In this episode Pete and Ricky turn their focus to the other side of the interview desk, giving  hiring managers some tips to help prepare for their next phone screen. These are critical  areas to get right,  including:

• Review the candidate's resume prior to the interview
• Be on time (yes, this isn't just for candidates!)
• Prepare questions in advance
• Set the stage for what's to come

As always, we welcome your feedback and any suggestions for future topics!
Please email us here: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com 

In this episode, Pete and Ricky answer questions from Hire Calling's audience!

In today’s Breaking Job News headlines: Job cuts quietly rise, AI rewrites millions of roles, and Washington finally hits reset.

The latest ADP data reveals private employers are trimming headcount as 2025 winds down. Small weekly losses that hint at a larger story: caution is back in the job market. Companies aren’t collapsing; they’re calculating, pausing to reassess budgets, automation, and 2026 workforce plans.

Meanwhile, Gartner forecasts that 32 million jobs will be transformed by AI every year. Forget the “AI will take your job” panic; this is about task reshuffling and skill reinvention. Host Pete Newsome unpacks what it means for employers building lean, AI-first teams and for workers learning to partner with technology instead of competing with it.

And in Washington, the Senate strikes a bipartisan deal to end the longest government shutdown in history, restoring pay, reversing 4,200 layoffs, and stabilizing budgets that ripple through the broader economy. When the government steadies, hiring confidence follows.

 💬  What do you think: Are companies moving too fast, or not fast enough, with AI adoption?

News Articles:
1. ADP's "The NER Pulse": https://www.adpresearch.com/the-ner-pulse/
2. Gartner Says Leaders Must Create Four Scenarios for Human-AI Collaboration at Work: https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-11-11-gartner-says-leaders-must-create-four-scenarios-for-human-artificial-intelligence-collaboration-at-work
3. The Tentative Senate Deal: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/congress/2025/11/tentative-senate-deal-reaffirms-back-pay-reverses-rifs-for-federal-employees/

Don’t miss out! Subscribe for weekly updates on the latest job news. 

🧠 WANT TO LEARN MORE? Be sure to subscribe and check out 4 Corner Resources at https://www.4cornerresources.com/

👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog

In this episode, Pete and Ricky discuss winning strategies for an in person interview.  From cell phones to body language, the guys cover the obvious, and not-so-obvious considerations that may be the difference between being offered the job, or finishing in second place.

Whether you're new to interviewing or just a bit rusty, this episode is packed with valuable tips everyone can use!

As always, we welcome your feedback and any suggestions for future topics.  Please email us here: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com 

In this episode, Pete Newsome and Ricky Baez share tips that will set you up for success when interviewing.  A little preparation will go a very long way, so please listen before your next interview!  

We can't guarantee you'll get the job, but we promise that this is advice anyone can use to increase their chances for a great outcome. 

We welcome your feedback and any suggestions for future topics.  Please email us here: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com 

In today's show, Pete & Ricky offer advice to employees who are new to working at home as well as those who are looking to improve their workplace productivity, effectiveness, and perception. 

For supporting documentation, please check out our recent blog article that served as inspiration for this episode.

We welcome your feedback and any suggestions for future topics.  Please email us here: hirecalling@4cornerresources.com