A key sign you're ready for a raise includes being a "silent power player," where you're frequently relied upon during critical moments or consistently chosen for high-stake projects. Another sign is if you have changed your role by taking on more responsibilities and elevating what your job entails.

The trend of job hopping is becoming prevalent, with 64% of employees viewing it as the most effective way to get a substantial salary increase. Over the past three years, job hoppers have seen their salaries rise by 35%, compared to just 18% for those who remain with their current employer, according to a recent survey from Side Hustle.

Outdated hiring practices can turn off potential employees, including requesting cover letters, requiring multiple interview rounds and valuing years of experience over skills, writes Milos Eric of OysterLink. Instead a cover letter, look to a candidate's LinkedIn profile or portfolio or consider an introductory video submission or answer to a question relevant to the position.

Employers may be gaining leverage over employees as job openings decline, but instead of succumbing to a callous approach and micromanagement, companies should give employees greater autonomy, prioritize their well-being and adopt strategies to keep top talent, write Navalent's Ron Carucci and Jarrod Shappell. "If key talent leaves at higher-than-market rates, leaders should be accountable for fixing the conditions that drove them away," they write.

In 2025, honest communication has become a critical component for CEOs aiming to inspire trust and retain employees -- almost 70% of employees surveyed said they're more likely to stay with a business that communicates openly, according to PwC. As workers and consumers increasingly demand transparency, leaders are moving away from vague corporate language and instead engaging in straightforward conversations, particularly during challenging times like layoffs.

Employers are rushing to hire AI talent, with 75% of tech hiring managers acknowledging the pace is unsustainable, according to General Assembly's State of Tech Talent 2025 report. General Assembly CEO Daniele Grassi warns that this approach lacks a sustainable strategy and suggests investing in internal skill development and skills-based hiring to bridge the AI talent gap.

If there are tasks on your to-do list that never seem to get crossed off, you may need to schedule a "Scary Hour" on your calendar to clear out the backlog of tasks and chores you've been avoiding. "By containing it to an hour, you make it feel less difficult or insurmountable. It no longer feels like an endless slog when you have a clear endpoint," says Alexis Haselberger, a time management and productivity coach.

The RAW ring, developed by dating app developer RAW and Queens Tech, is designed to track a partner's emotions. The wearable device comes in pairs and uses biosensors to monitor heartbeats, voice and emotional cues, allowing couples to stay connected by sharing emotional states such as stress and arousal.