Newsletter

Every January, I hear some version of this: “I know what I want next. So why does it still feel like things aren’t clicking?” Sometimes it’s timing. Often, it’s something simpler. The issue I see a lot People aim for more senior roles - but still describe their work at a more junior level. Not because they’re unqualified. Because they default to talking about what they did , not the decisions they made . The work is strong. The signal isn’t. Why this matters Hiring managers d

I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions. Not because I don’t care about progress. And not because goals don’t matter. I’m not immune to the surge of energy that hits every January. It’s because resolutions usually start on the wrong side of the equation. They jump straight into action - when a bit of consideration would be more useful first. January is loud. Update the resume. Apply to roles. Message recruiters. Doing something feels responsible. Urgent. Necessary. But actio

Every December, clients start asking: “Should I squeeze in a certification before January? Will it help my job search?” Sometimes the answer is yes. Most of the time, the answer is: it depends on what story you’re trying to tell. Here’s how I coach clients through this decision. 1. Quick certifications only pay off if they reinforce something you're already strong in A weekend or 3–5 hour certification can absolutely add credibility - ​ but only when it formalizes work you al

TL;DR: December conversations look casual, but this is when people are the most reflective and the most willing to talk about what’s actually going on inside their teams. If you stay in intel-gathering mode instead of “please validate me” mode, you’ll get context you won’t get any other time of year. Why “Just Catching Up” Is More Strategic Than You Think December is the easiest month of the year to get someone on a call. People slow down.They look back at the year.They thin

The next six weeks aren’t for pushing harder. They’re for removing friction. If you’re planning a job search or pivot in Q1, here’s the truth I’m seeing across clients right now: People are tired. They’re discouraged. And they’re waiting for January to magically fix the problem. It won’t. What will help is taking a few small, strategic steps now - so you don’t start January already behind, overwhelmed, or trying to sprint from zero. Here’s what I’m recommending to job seeker

I recently had a wrap-up conversation with a client - someone whose search took longer and went in more directions than he expected. He landed a role he’s excited about, and while I’m over the moon for that win, the real story (I think) is in what the process taught him. His search wasn’t straightforward - there was clarity work, networking, timing, and a lot of figuring out what actually felt right. Here’s what he shared: 1. “I had to put my own oxygen mask on first.” He’d b