Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist's Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations

by Thomas L. Friedman

As they learn more about the job through LearnUp, candidates choose to go forward with the application or opt out by clicking a button that says: “I don’t want this job.” Most important, in my view, LearnUp also provides an online “coach” who proactively gives you encouragement, interview reminders, and advice, and who will answer your questions. It is so easy to forget that many, many people in America don’t have a professional network, an alumni network, two parents, or in some cases anyone around them with a job, to consult about how to get one. Ringwald was surprised to learn how many people would ask their coach something as simple as: “What should I wear to my job interview? What do I do if I am going to be late?” Some candidates will text the coach with a photo of what they are wearing to a job interview and ask: “Is this OK?” These questions may sound elementary to you, but, said Ringwald, you’d be amazed how many people need this kind of advice: “All the people we talk to are grateful for it.” She explained that the coach button was inspired by the power of real human coaches we encountered at workforce development offices. Their enthusiasm and support make a huge difference in a job seeker’s success. That’s why we built the coach into the platform. There’s so much friction to getting a job—while trying to manage your life and your family’s lives in the meantime—from deciding where to apply, filling out an application, figuring out if you live close enough, making...

Learnup.com