Career Tips, Job Search Strategies & Recruiter Insights
Published Monthly
How to Position Yourself for Promotion Without Asking
Show Them
Act Like the Job You Want
Act Like the Job You Want
You don’t have to beg for a promotion to get noticed, and frankly, you shouldn’t have to.
The best way to position yourself for
advancement? Show them you’re already operating at the next level.
Here’s how to do that — no awkward “Can we talk about a promotion?” convo required.
Act Like the Job You Want
Act Like the Job You Want
Act Like the Job You Want
Start thinking and behaving like the person in the role above yours.
- What problems do they solve?
- How do they contribute to the team?
- What’s their communication style?
Begin adopting those behaviors, not to copy, but to embody leadership in your own way.
Own Your Impact
Act Like the Job You Want
Own Your Impact
Promotion decisions are often based on perceived value. Don’t just do great work, make sure people know about it. Keep track of your wins.
Instead of just saying, “I completed a project,” say, “I streamlined the onboarding process, reducing new hire ramp-up time by 30%.”
That's the kind of language decision-makers remember.
Be a Connector
Ask for Feedback and Use It
Own Your Impact
Promotable people lift others. Help your teammates shine, support cross-functional projects, and become someone others look to for guidance.
Being generous with your knowledge, support, and encouragement makes you stand out, and builds a reputation as a future leader.
Stay Visible
Ask for Feedback and Use It
Ask for Feedback and Use It
You don’t need to be loud to be visible.
- Join meetings prepared.
- Speak up with thoughtful input.
- Volunteer for stretch assignments.
- Ask smart questions.
Leaders notice people who make the room better when they show up.
Ask for Feedback and Use It
Ask for Feedback and Use It
Ask for Feedback and Use It
One of the fastest ways to grow is to say, “What could I have done better?” Then actually implement it. This shows humility, drive, and emotional intelligence — traits every leadership team looks for.
Promotion doesn’t come from asking once, it comes from consistently showing you’re already doing the work.
Before you schedule that career conversation, ask yourself: Would I promote me based on my daily actions?
What’s Happening in the Job Market
📉 Economic Contraction and Recession Concerns
The U.S. economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2025, the first decline in three years. This downturn is attributed to a surge in imports ahead of new tariffs, leading to a widened trade deficit ~ Reuters.
Economists are divided on the likelihood of a recession; some predict a shallow downturn, while others believe it can be avoided with appropriate policy adjustments. ~ Business Insider
📊 Labor Market Trends
- Job Growth: In March, U.S. employers added 228,000 jobs, with notable gains in healthcare, hospitality, and construction. The unemployment rate edged up to 4.2% as more individuals entered the workforce. ~ NPR
- Federal Employment: Significant layoffs have occurred within federal agencies, with over 275,000 positions affected due to restructuring efforts. ~ Wikipedia
- Wage Growth: Average hourly earnings increased by 3.8% over the past year, but real wage growth, adjusted for inflation, stands at 1.4%, indicating that wage increases are not fully keeping pace with rising prices. ~ Actalent
🤖 Technological Disruption
Artificial intelligence and automation are increasingly impacting the job market. Intern-level positions are being replaced by AI, and industries such as finance, healthcare, and customer service are experiencing shifts in employment patterns due to technological advancements . ~ Vanity Fair
Balancing Work and Life
The Power of 15 Minutes of Stillness
Digital Decompression: Logging Off with Intention
Digital Decompression: Logging Off with Intention
Every day, I give myself the gift of 15 quiet minutes. No phone. No screens. Just stillness. Some days I breathe deeply. Other days I stare out the window and let my thoughts wander. It’s not about productivity, it’s about presence.
In those 15 minutes, I reconnect with myself. I remember who I am outside the emails, expectations, and endless to-do lists. That pause resets my energy. It’s where I untangle the noise and return to clarity.
We’re taught to glorify hustle, but I’ve learned that real power comes from stillness. When I don’t pause, stress takes over. When I do, I lead with intention, not reaction.
Try it. Block out 15 minutes. Set a timer. Sit in silence. Breathe. Be still. Let your nervous system catch up to your ambition.
You don’t need hours at a retreat. You just need 15 minutes a day to come back to yourself.
Digital Decompression: Logging Off with Intention
Digital Decompression: Logging Off with Intention
Digital Decompression: Logging Off with Intention
We spend so much of our day online that “logging off” can start to feel like an afterthought — a quick click, a mindless swipe, a scroll that never quite ends. But here’s the thing: how you end your digital day matters just as much as how you start it.
Digital decompression isn’t about banning screens. It’s about creating a conscious boundary between work and personal time, especially if you work remotely or in a hybrid setup where your living room doubles as your office.
I used to close my laptop, reach for my phone, and suddenly find myself in an Instagram rabbit hole. I wasn’t actually disconnecting, I was just shifting screens. My mind stayed “on” long after work ended.
Now, I practice logging off with intention.
At the end of the day, I take 5–10 minutes to shut things down mindfully:
✅ I review tomorrow’s top priorities
✅ I close browser tabs and email
✅ I write a one-line journal entry (something I accomplished or a moment I’m proud of)
✅ I power down and physically walk away
Then, I give myself 30 screen-free minutes. I might stretch, cook dinner, or take a walk, something that lets my nervous system exhale.
This tiny ritual helps me reclaim my evening. It draws a line between “work mode” and “me mode.”
True work/life balance isn’t just about having time, it’s about being present in it.
You Asked. I Answered.
Real Talk from Your Favorite Recruiter
One of my favorite parts of what I do is hearing from you. Whether you're a job seeker, a career changer, or navigating burnout in your current role, your questions are what inspire me to show up, share my insight, and keep this conversation real.
Every month, I’ll answer one reader-submitted question — candidly, compassionately, and from the lens of 20+ years in recruiting, coaching, and career strategy. Nothing is off-limits: resumes, interviews, growth, layoffs, salary talk, rejections, mindset shifts… whatever’s on your mind.
Should I ever apply to a job if I don’t meet all the qualifications?
My answer? YES — and here’s why.
Most job descriptions are a wish list, not a checklist. If you meet 60–70% of the qualifications, especially the core responsibilities, and you can clearly explain how your experience translates, apply.
Here’s a secret: great candidates don’t always check every box. They tell a compelling story about how their skills, passion, and potential make them a fit.
Of course, don’t apply to jobs where you’re clearly unqualified. But if your inner critic is the only thing holding you back, hit submit.
You miss 100% of the chances you talk yourself out of.