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The best HR advice comes from people who’ve been in the trenches.
That’s what this newsletter delivers.
I Hate it Here is your insider’s guide to surviving and thriving in HR, from someone who’s been there. It’s not about theory or buzzwords — it’s about practical, real-world advice for navigating everything from tricky managers to messy policies.
Every newsletter is written by Hebba Youssef — a Chief People Officer who’s seen it all and is here to share what actually works (and what doesn’t). We’re talking real talk, real strategies, and real support — all with a side of humor to keep you sane.
Because HR shouldn’t feel like a thankless job. And you shouldn’t feel alone in it.
Newest YouTube video this week:
In this week’s video, I talk share strategies for job seekers to decode job descriptions and find hidden clues, warnings, and important signals. I explain how to read between the lines of job postings to understand a company's true needs, potential challenges, culture, skill priorities, and hidden requirements.
Checkout this weeks new roles:
New roles every week !
Company Shoutout:
AutoZone Is Hiring Future Leaders!
If you know someone ready to accelerate their career, AutoZone’s Manager-in-Training (MIT) program is a powerful launchpad.
Future leaders belong at AutoZone and their training and mentorship will get you there.
This short-term, high-impact program prepares individuals for Retail and Commercial Store Management roles, the leadership backbone of the company.
Through hands-on experience, structured training, and real-world responsibility, MITs are guided toward a management position in as little as 8 weeks based on performance.
AutoZone are offering a long-term career path with room to grow.
What makes this Program Stands Out?
Comprehensive training that blends real work with structured learning
Fast-track advancement into management roles
Personalized mentorship from experienced leaders
Employee-first benefits supporting physical, mental, and financial well-being
Clear path for long-term upward mobility
If you or someone in your network is looking for a career shift, leadership opportunities, or a supportive environment to grow in, this is a great role to press start on.
💡Job hunting Tip of the week 💡
Stop Applying Cold and Start Warming Up Opportunities
Most job seekers see a job posting and immediately hit apply.
High-level job hunters warm up the opportunity first.
The difference between a cold application and a warm one can determine whether your resume gets ignored or seriously considered.
⸻
🎯 1. What Does “Warming Up” a Job Mean?
It means creating some level of visibility or connection before you apply.
Instead of being a random name in a stack of 300 applicants, you become someone familiar.
⸻
🔍 2. Why This Matters
Warming up a job helps you:
• Increase the chance your resume gets noticed
• Build name recognition with recruiters or hiring managers
• Gather insider information before applying
• Potentially secure a referral
• Stand out without changing your qualifications
Familiarity builds trust.
⸻
🧩 3. How to Warm Up an Opportunity
Before applying:
• Check if you have mutual connections at the company
• Engage with the company’s LinkedIn posts
• Reach out to someone in the department for insight
• Send a thoughtful message to the recruiter
• Ask one smart question about the role
You are not asking for a job. You are building presence.
⸻
🎮 4. Think of It Like Scouting Before the Match Starts
In competitive games, you scout the map before committing to a strategy. You gather information, understand positioning, and prepare.
Applying cold is like running in blind. Warming up gives you awareness and advantage.
⸻
💡 TL;DR: Stop being just another applicant. Warm up opportunities before you apply and increase your odds of getting noticed.
Want to take it to the next level with me ?
Press Start with me, and I will level you up.
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What’s New with the Job Market this week?
1. Layoffs Spike to the Highest January Level Since 2009
U.S. employers announced 108,435 job cuts in January, more than double last year’s total and the highest January figure since the Great Recession.
Cuts are concentrated in transportation and tech, with major reductions from UPS (up to 30,000 roles) and Amazon (16,000 roles).
Only 7% of cuts were attributed to AI replacement, economic conditions and restructuring remain the primary drivers.
2. Hiring Plans Are Weak — Lowest January Since Tracking Began
Employers reported the lowest January hiring plans since 2009, signaling caution heading into 2026.
Economists warn this could indicate a weaker environment ahead if the trend persists.
3. Job Openings Continue to Slide
December job openings fell by 386,000, continuing a year‑long downward trend.
Openings are now down nearly 1 million year‑over‑year, with the biggest declines in:
Professional & business services
Retail
Finance & insurance
4. Private Sector Job Growth Nearly Stalls
ADP reports the private sector added just 22,000 jobs in January, driven mostly by education and health services. Manufacturing and business services saw declines.
This aligns with a broader “low‑hire, low‑fire” dynamic, slow movement on both sides of the labor market.
5. January Jobs Report Delayed
Due to the brief government shutdown, the official BLS January jobs report is postponed to Feb 11.
This delay is creating a temporary data vacuum, pushing analysts to rely on alternative indicators.
6. The Job Market Is Effectively “Frozen”
Multiple indicators show a deepening hiring freeze:
Job openings at their lowest since 2020
January job cuts at their highest since 2009
Tariffs, deportations, and AI adoption are all contributing to the slowdown
Economists expect only ~60,000 jobs added in the upcoming BLS report, with unemployment holding around 4.4%.
🔎 Bottom Line
The labor market is softening further: layoffs are rising, hiring plans are shrinking, and openings continue to fall. The overall picture is a stagnant, low‑mobility job market heading into early 2026,with healthcare and education remaining the few bright spots.
FREE STUFF TO HELP YOU ON THEN JOB HUNT!
Free LinkedIn Level up: Your Open-World Job Hunt Guide Here
Free Resume Checklist
What not to do for your resume with tips (Sorry Mario)
Check out Marios Resume and learn from his mistakes.
Level up advice & meme’s!
Need to level up that job hunting skill tree?
Level up with Skill Share and check out The Ultimate Job Search Guide free for a Month.
It also has templates and other cheat codes in it.
Affiliate Section: Explore these Cheat Codes and more below.
These are affiliate links, meaning Dellyn Digital earns a commission on any purchases made through them at no additional cost to you. This support helps me to continue creating valuable content tailored for you and other job seekers with a passion for video games. I thoroughly research and personally endorse the tools and products listed to ensure they provide genuine benefits. If I don’t trust or use an item or service, it won’t be featured here.
Teal Is another great tool to use on the Job hunt.
One of the best tools, to help you on the job hunt. It helped me keep things in order when I was on the job hunt. I go over some of their reports on the YouTube channel check them out.
First impressions do matter. Having a lame profile picture will hurt your chances when you’re looking for work. It might seem small, but it matters. Check out this cheat code and level up that LinkedIn profile pic.
Applying to over 50-100 roles a day or even week is a lot for anyone but with this tool, it makes it super easy. Just make sure those roles line up with your skills (Do Not apply to roles that you’re not a good fit for). Remember what uncle Ben said:
“With great power, comes great responsibility“
Making short form videos can be hard and it takes time. That’s why you can pull from your long form videos and make something fast with this tool. Making content around what you do is key when on the job hunt. Show them what you’re made of because video is the future. I know you came across some applications asking you to make a video, right?
Descript is easily one of the best editing software’s I’ve used since starting my YouTube channel in 2024. If you’re looking to get into video editing Descript got you covered.
You should be building something on the side using the skills you have.
You add value to a company, why not do it for yourself, and add value to others?
If you ever wanted to start your own business and don’t know where to start, level up with Marketing Agency Near You.
They leveled me up and will do the same for you.
Whether you're navigating in a video game or the job market, remember:
Preparation and strategy will lead to victory, always!
Take a moment to implement this week's tip and get ready for another week of progress.
Thank you for being part of my journey.
Your support means the world to me.
That can be in the form of a like on my YouTube Channel, a comment on my LinkedIn posts, sending me some Ko-fi, or even sharing any of my content.
I’m honored to help level up your job hunt, in some way.
It truly fills my cup to teach and share my knowledge with you in a fun way.
Always keep leveling up.
I will see you in the next issue.
Dellyn Lee
Founder, Dellyn Digital
Want to make a newsletter like this, press start and check out Beehiiv.
I will see you in the next issue!