Career Briefs: Market Shifts and Broadening Options

A few weeks ago, I asked my LinkedIn network a simple question: “When was the last time you used your network to open a door for someone else?”

The truth is we all want doors to open for us but not everyone is equally willing to open doors for others. Over 1,000 professionals responded to my survey, and the results were interesting. Over 20% of respondents admitted they hadn’t used their network to help someone else in over a year. 

But here’s the thing, networking isn’t just about what you get; it’s about what you give. And every time we open a door for someone else, the stronger and more valuable our own networks grow.

So here’s my challenge for you this week: take a moment to look at your network. Who could benefit from a connection you already have? Who might be just one introduction away from a new opportunity, a breakthrough, or a fresh perspective?

A simple introduction, a thoughtful recommendation, or even sharing a relevant job post could completely change the trajectory of someone else’s career.

When you open a door for someone, you might be surprised at how far the ripple effect can reach.

Ps. What do you like reading in the Briefs? We are thinking about our content strategy and want to make sure our newsletter is one you look forward to opening. I genuinely would love to hear your feedback (good and bad!). Reply to this newsletter.

Federal Reserve Adjusts Rates to Address Labor Market Weakness

Amid growing concerns about the stability of the U.S. economy, the Federal Reserve has acted to support the labor market. The Fed announced a reduction in interest rates by a quarter point, signaling a shift in focus from inflation to employment stability. Eleven of twelve Fed governors, including Chairman Jerome Powell, supported the standard cut, while newcomer Stephen Miran favored a larger half-point reduction. Powell described the move as a risk-management decision following downward revisions to recent job growth, with unemployment projected to rise modestly to 4.5 percent by year-end. 

Policymakers anticipate two additional cuts before the end of 2025. Economic growth forecasts were slightly revised upward to 1.6 percent, while inflation is expected to reach 3.1 percent this year, with the Fed not projecting a return to its 2 percent target until 2028. The move underscores the Fed’s balancing act between supporting a softening labor market and keeping inflation on a sustainable downward path.

Read more here: Federal Reserve cuts interest rates a quarter point as US job market wobbles.

What Recruiters Really Look for on LinkedIn — And How You Can Get Noticed

I had the pleasure of joining Andrew Seaman, Editor at Large for Jobs & Career Development at LinkedIn News, this past Thursday, for a special LinkedIn Live, “How Recruiters Use LinkedIn and Ways to Stand Out.”

During our conversation, we discussed some of the latest features on LinkedIn Recruiter, and I shared a few practical tips on writing a profile that not only attracts more views but also tells your story in an authentic way. We also pulled back the curtain on what recruiters are really paying attention to and how even small tweaks to your profile can make a big difference in getting noticed.

You can join the 38,000 people who have already watched the LinkedIn Live here: How Recruiters Use LinkedIn & Ways to Stand Out.

Have you made any changes to your profile that helped you get noticed by recruiters? I’d love to hear about your experience!

Executive Order Signals Shift Toward Broader 401(k) Investment Choices

The Trump administration is signaling a major policy shift in retirement plan investment options. The August 7, 2025, executive order directed the Department of Labor to reexamine its stance on alternative assets in 401(k) plans, a move that could dramatically expand the investment landscape. If adopted, plan menus could extend well beyond traditional stocks and bonds to include private equity, real estate, commodities, managed digital asset funds, infrastructure projects, and even lifetime income solutions.

For plan sponsors, this presents both opportunity and responsibility. On one hand, new regulations could lower enforcement risks and empower sponsors to deliver participants access to asset classes once reserved for institutional investors. On the other hand, fiduciary duty does not disappear. Participant litigation tied to performance, fees, or risk exposure is always on the horizon.

The real challenge will be unlocking the potential of broader investment choices while still safeguarding participant outcomes. As the regulatory framework evolves, proactive sponsors will view this as an opportunity not only to mitigate liability but also to differentiate their plans, positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation in retirement plan design.

Read more here: Executive Order Opens Door to Alternative Assets in 401(k)s: Key Considerations for Plan Fiduciaries.

Layoff Strategies

I truly hope you never experience a job loss. But if you do find yourself on the wrong side of a layoff, executive career coach Gina Riley has created an outstanding guide to help you navigate those uncertain times.

Her article, Layoff Survival Guide: 12 Career Transition Strategies For Executives, emphasizes proactive steps such as investing in education, diversifying income streams, strengthening mental health, and sharpening one’s personal brand with practical application suggestions.

Three main takeaways:

1. Be proactive, not reactive — Build skills, document achievements, and craft your value proposition before you need them.

2. Diversify and position yourself — Explore alternative income streams, personal branding beyond LinkedIn, and internal company opportunities to widen your safety net.

3. Prioritize your well-being and mindset — Engage with therapists, understand change management, and prepare clear career narratives to stay resilient and confident during transitions.

I highly encourage this one: Layoff Survival Guide: 12 Career Transition Strategies For Executives

Age Inclusion: The Next Frontier in Business Strategy

Demographic change is no longer a future concern. It is reshaping the global economy, labor markets, and consumer behavior today. Older adults are increasingly active, financially influential, and engaged in work and consumption, yet many businesses remain youth-centric in their products, marketing, and talent strategies. Age-inclusive approaches require rethinking both offerings and organizational design: products should be accessible and appealing across life stages, marketing should celebrate vitality and reinvention rather than youth, and workforce strategies should accommodate longer careers and intergenerational collaboration. 

Programs like phased retirement, mid-career reskilling, and reverse mentorship unlock experience and innovation simultaneously. Companies that integrate age inclusion into strategy gain resilience, relevance, and growth potential, positioning themselves to thrive as longevity and multigenerational dynamics define the marketplace. Ultimately, designing for all stages of life is a strategic imperative that turns demographic shifts into competitive advantage.

Read more here: Age Inclusion Is Your Company’s Next Competitive Advantage.

Boomerang CEOs on the Rise

Amid mounting leadership pressures, a striking trend has emerged in corporate America: the rise of the boomerang CEO. A growing number of US companies are reinstating former leaders as succession efforts stumble, with 22 S&P 1500 firms now helmed by returning chief executives. High profile examples such as Disney’s Bob Iger and UnitedHealth’s Stephen Hemsley highlight the appeal of trusted figures during periods of instability, yet research from Spencer Stuart reveals a sobering pattern: boomerang CEOs consistently underperform their initial tenures, eroding shareholder value. 

The trend raises pointed questions about succession depth and board governance, while investor unease intensifies around the steep incentives required to lure executives back. These appointments serve as temporary stabilizers rather than enduring solutions, underscoring the urgent need for companies to strengthen long term leadership pipelines.

Read more here: US companies opt for boomerang CEOs as succession plans falter.

Trump Signs Order to Add $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visa Applications

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation that will dramatically overhaul the H-1B visa program by imposing a $100,000 fee on new H-1B applications—a move aimed squarely at curbing perceived abuses and protecting U.S. workers. Under the new rule, any H-1B petitions filed after 12:01 a.m. Eastern on September 21, 2025 must include this additional payment.

The White House later clarified that the fee does not apply to current H-1B holders, renewals, or petitions submitted before that effective time.

Building Executive Presence as a Professional

Executive presence is a crucial differentiator for leaders who want to command influence without force or arrogance. For quiet professionals and sensitive strivers, it may seem like a challenge, yet their innate empathy and emotional intelligence can be transformed into a distinct advantage. Executive presence is shaped by three elements: what you do, what you say, and how you say it. These ‘sensitive strivers’ can strengthen their presence by speaking up early in meetings to establish confidence, leading with the most important message instead of over-explaining, framing communication around impact and outcomes, and keeping remarks concise and powerful. These practices, combined with natural strengths of empathy and insight, enable quiet professionals to not only project authority but also create environments where others thrive. Ultimately, executive presence is less about personality and more about intentional action.

Read more here: 4 Executive Presence Tips For Quiet Professionals.

The New Face of Unemployed: College Educated

There’s a tough-to-swallow article in The New York Times this week highlighting a troubling detail from the August employment numbers: nearly 26% of jobless Americans have been out of work for more than six months—the highest share in over three years. Economists warn this spike in long-term unemployment is unusual outside recessions and, with job openings shrinking, could leave many sidelined from the labor market. (Read article without paywall)

I’m deeply passionate about breaking the stigma around long-term unemployment. Bias against the unemployed can lead to hiring discrimination, even for highly qualified candidates, limiting their opportunities and causing a broader misallocation of talent in the economy. In 2021, at the height of pandemic layoffs, I interviewed a job seeker who was unemployed for 18 months. Before the layoff, he was an award-winning leader—and even though the story is a few years old, his insights and resilience remain as inspiring today as they were then.

Read more here: Actionable Advice from a Job Seeker During Long-Term Unemployment

WARNING: Sophisticated Phishing

Someone — or a group of people — is using my name, photo, and likeness to target job seekers with highly sophisticated messages. They’ve also started doing the same for members of my team. I’ve already heard from many smart, discerning professionals who’ve forwarded me long email threads from these bad actors.

Here’s what they’re doing:
➖ Mining LinkedIn for personal details about job seekers.
➖ Creating multiple fake email addresses that look similar to mine (but not using my official domain).
➖ Scraping my website for language and then using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft deceptive marketing emails.
➖ They've even gone as far as using a tool to create an email signature with my photo.

I know for a fact the following email addresses have been used:

[email protected]
[email protected]

(I can't include email addresses in my post, or LinkedIn may flag it as spam)

These fake scammers are offering packages that feel "too good to be true."

Here’s an example of one of the offerings:
One-Time Payment Plan (Full Career Boost)--Ranges fom $350-$500 which includes the below benefits:
LinkedIn profile optimization
200 highly tailored job applications aligned with your goals
Priority positioning with hiring managers
Strategic guidance to increase offer conversion
ROI Guarantee: Clear strategy and direct placement to secure your next offer faster

If you receive an email claiming to be from me that feels off — especially if it’s not from my official domain — please treat it as suspicious. Report it, block it, and let me know. I am keeping records.

HERE'S WHAT I'VE ALREADY DONE:
- Filed with the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission
- Sent Cease and desist letters to the email addresses
- Filed with Google Abuse
- Notified LinkedIn Trust and Safety
- Notified Upwork's Safety
- Written multiple LinkedIn posts warning job seekers

I’m deeply frustrated by this and want to protect our community. Thank you for helping me curb these scams.