Career Briefs: Overcoming Job Search Challenges

Dear Reader:

My heart aches as I see the devastation left by Hurricane Helene. Many places I’ve called home have been hit hard, and I have friends and family grappling with the aftermath. To those who have lost loved ones, homes, or livelihoods, please know that you are not alone. I send my deepest sympathies to each and every one of you affected by this disaster.

In times like these, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and discouraged. But let’s remember that the human spirit is incredibly resilient. We have the strength to overcome adversity, rebuild, and come out even stronger.

Job loss can feel like its own kind of disaster. If you’ve recently lost your job, I understand how much it can shake your confidence and sense of security. It’s natural to feel lost and uncertain, but please know you are not alone.

Job searching is a team sport. Now is the time to leverage the connections and the community you’ve worked hard to build. Also consider joining a local job search club or partnering with a job searching friend.

My hope for this newsletter has always been to be a source of encouragement and stratgey for those searching for a job. I hope that you find the resources in this week’s issue helpful.

Take care, and remember, we’re in this together.

In this Issue

• Actionable Layoff Advice + Free Resources

• Cautious Optimism: What CFOs are Saying About the …

• LinkedIn Top 50 Startup List

• Is Social Media Sabotaging Your Job Search (and Yo …

• The Evolving Role of the CMO

• Reinvent Your Career: Where Passion Meets Practica …

• A Self-Care Checklist for Leaders

• Advertise with Briefcase Coach

Actionable Layoff Advice + Free Resources

Layoffs happen to good, hardworking people all of the time. I recently interviewed a former client who, despite his impressive qualifications, found himself unemployed for nearly two years. 

In our conversation, he shared his struggles and how he adapted his job search strategy. His story offers valuable lessons and actionable advice that can help anyone navigating a similar situation.

Here's his story .... and actionable advice that you can apply to your search. Article includes a free downloadable job search tracker!

Cautious Optimism: What CFOs are Saying About the Economy

The recent CFO Survey out of Duke Fuqua School of Business seems like CFOs are generally cautiously optimistic about their respective companies’ financial state. They see growth potential, but there are some concerns looming, especially with the election coming up.

I think it is important for job seekers to know that many companies are still planning to invest and grow, which hopefully translates into more job opportunities! However, some are hitting the brakes due to uncertainty. This means it's more important than ever to:

• Target companies in growth mode: Do your research and focus on those industries and organizations that are showing positive signs.

• Highlight your adaptability: With some uncertainty in the air, companies will value candidates who can navigate change and handle new challenges.

• Network strategically: Connect with people in your field and stay informed about which companies are hiring.

Even with some economic question marks, it's not all doom and gloom! Stay positive and keep refining your job search strategy.

LinkedIn Top 50 Startup List

LinkedIn just released their list of Top Startups for 2024. They state that they measure startups based on four pillars: employment growth, engagement, job interest and attraction of top talent.

• Employment growth is measured as percentage headcount increase, which must be a minimum of 10%, over the methodology time period

• Engagement looks at non-employee views and follows of the company’s LinkedIn page, as well as how many non-employees viewed or followed employees at that startup.

• Job interest counts the rate at which people are viewing and applying to jobs at the company, including both paid and unpaid postings.

• Attraction of top talent measures how many employees the startup has recruited away from LinkedIn Top Companies, as a percentage of the startup’s total workforce.

If you’re looking for inspiration or potential target companies for your job search, this list could be a great resource. As always, do your due diligence by researching these companies’ work and culture and connect with their employees on LinkedIn.

Briefcase Coach Referrals

It always makes my day when a former client reaches out to recommend Briefcase Coach. It's a huge vote of confidence in our team and the work we do to create amazing career documents. To show our appreciation, we're offering a special bonus for referrals! If someone you refer books our services before the end of the year, they'll get $100 off, and you'll receive a thank-you gift from me personally.

Is Social Media Sabotaging Your Job Search (and Your Mental Health)?

We all know how important networking is for a successful job search, and in today's world, that often means using social media. But what if those platforms are actually hurting your chances?

I recently read an article that really got me thinking about the downsides of social media, especially when it comes to mental health. It highlighted how even celebrities like Lawrence Fox are ditching these platforms because of the negativity and stress they create.

And let's be honest, we've all been there – endlessly scrolling, comparing ourselves to others, and feeling inadequate. Not exactly a recipe for a confident job search, is it?

The article got me thinking about how this impacts our job search in a few ways:

• Distraction: Social media can be a major time suck, pulling you away from productive job search activities like networking, updating your resume, and applying for jobs.

• Negative self-image: Constantly comparing yourself to others' "perfect" online personas can erode your confidence, making it harder to put yourself out there.

• FOMO: Seeing everyone else's "amazing" career moves can make you feel anxious and discouraged, even if their online portrayal isn't the whole story.

Maybe it's time to re-evaluate our relationship with social media. Could taking a break, or at least being more mindful of our usage, actually boost our job search success and our well-being? It's definitely something to consider.

The Evolving Role of the CMO

The role of marketing is changing BIG TIME, especially with the rise of things like streaming and AI. In March, Starbucks made headlines when they announced that they were eliminating their global CMO role. Johnson & Johnson, Uber, UPS, Etsy and AM InBev have also eliminated the role or broadened the scope to include addition or more targeted responsibilities.

According to EMarketer, companies are reallocating the investment into more localized strategies to cater to specific geographic needs and focus.

“The marketer role is that red thread across the organization that knits everything together so that the messaging, the quality experience, the emotional resonance shows up in every single moment that the brand’s creating,” C-Suite execs like the CFO and CEO want to “not only see it turn into revenue but also express a higher stock price.” - Greg Silverman, global director of brand economics at Interbrand in Digiday

The traditional role of the CMO focused on promoting products, today’s CMOs are becoming more like strategic leaders who prioritize customer experience, leverage digital tools, and work closely with other teams in the company. This means the skills companies are looking for in marketing leaders are also changing.

So, what does this mean for you?

• Be adaptable: Don't just focus on traditional marketing skills. Brush up on areas like data analysis, technology, and content creation.

• Think beyond the CMO title: Marketing leadership roles might have different names now, like "Head of Growth" or "VP of Customer Experience."

• Highlight your strategic thinking: Companies need marketers who can connect marketing efforts to overall business goals.

  Check out this article in Forbes for more on how the role of CMO is evolving.

Reinvent Your Career: Where Passion Meets Practicality

Deepak Jayaraman, a seasoned leadership coach and consultant, hosts the Play to Potential podcast, where he interviews leaders from various fields about unlocking their full potential. Recently, he spoke with Atul Khatri, who shared his journey from IT executive to full-time stand-up comedian. Their conversation led Deepak to explore what it takes to reinvent one’s career, how to assess the personal and professional implications of such a change, and the importance of self-reflection during transitions.

In this article, Deepak highlights how many of us reach a point where we feel stuck, yet the idea of reinventing ourselves can be daunting. He offers practical advice for navigating this phase, including exploring new hobbies, trying different things in your current role, and using mindfulness techniques to stay centered. I particularly appreciated his insight about finding the balance between passion and practicality.

Reading this took me back to when I was just starting out, helping friends with their resumes as a side gig. At that time, I was also considering whether to turn my passion into a full-time career, similar to Atul Khatri's leap into comedy.

If you’re contemplating a career change, I highly recommend checking out Deepak’s insights. You can find the article on LinkedIn here.

A Self-Care Checklist for Leaders

Palena Neale is a leadership consultant and coach known for her work in helping leaders enhance their effectiveness and well-being. In a recent article in Harvard Business Review, Neale highlights how many leaders struggle to prioritize their well-being, even though it’s essential for effective leadership.

Her article emphasizes practical steps, such as assessing your physical and emotional health, building supportive relationships, and recognizing moments of choice in your daily life. These strategies can help you stay resilient and focused as you navigate your job search.

I highly recommend checking out Neale's checklist. It’s a great reminder that taking care of ourselves is vital not just for leaders but for anyone.

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