Career Briefs: Navigating Global Opportunities, Professional Growth, & An Everchanging Market

I don’t know about you but as a basketball fan, I’m gearing up for the thrill of March Madness. The buzzer-beaters, the underdog stories, and those unforgettable moments that remind us just how quickly a game can turn around. It’s the ultimate illustration of the need to stay agile, focused, and ready to make a move when it matters most.

It got me thinking: navigating today’s job market is very similar. It's fast-paced, unpredictable, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, a new challenge surfaces. But success in basketball—like in your career—doesn’t hinge on hitting the perfect shot every time. It’s about staying in the game, adjusting your playbook as you go, and always being ready to sprint for the next fast break or hit that clutch shot when the moment calls for it.

I talk to a lot of people in the midst of a career transition, and they often describe it as playing in a high-stakes game where every decision feels like it could make or break them. Honestly, I think we’ve all been there. But here’s the thing: in basketball, it’s not the occasional missed shot that defines your career—it’s how you bounce back. It’s about how you pivot, rebound, and keep pushing forward, no matter the setback.

So whether you’re job hunting, shifting careers, or just staying ahead of the game, remember: success isn’t about avoiding mistakes—it’s about staying ready for the next play. The game is always moving, and sometimes, the most exciting opportunities appear when you least expect them.

When that moment comes, don’t hesitate. Take your shot.

Cheering you on from the sidelines, 

Navigating the Global Job Market: A Guide for Executives Seeking International Roles

Considering an international move? It's a powerful career strategy but requires careful planning. Our latest article, "Navigating the Global Job Market," delivers more than just advice. We've tapped into the real-world experiences of seasoned international career coaches, relocation specialists, and global business leaders. Their firsthand knowledge provides actionable strategies for your own international career journey.

We understand that readiness is key. That's why we've included a comprehensive, free assessment within the article. This tool will help you pinpoint where you stand on the global career readiness scale. Are you just dreaming, or are you truly equipped to make the leap?

Discover your strengths, identify potential gaps, and gain actionable insights to solidify your international strategy.

Suzy Welch on Navigating Career Transitions

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Suzy Welch, a renowned author and career expert, to delve into the art of navigating career transitions with authenticity. During our conversation, she underscores the critical importance of self-discovery—understanding your values, strengths, and passions—before making any career decisions. Drawing from her own career experiences, she emphasizes that career paths are rarely linear and often require intentional decisions.

Suzy advocates for a life designed with purpose, where one's career aligns with core values, and stresses the importance of continuously updating skills. Her upcoming book, Becoming You, offers valuable tools for identifying personal values, strengths, and interests, empowering individuals to forge authentic career paths. Read the full interview here.

Maximizing Your Potential: Key Steps for Professional Growth

Determining whether you're fulfilling your potential can be challenging, but asking the right questions can provide clarity. Talent is often defined as the ability to perform at extraordinary levels with minimal effort, while potential is talent that has yet to be realized. Many people operate below their potential due to external factors, poor career choices, or a lack of constructive feedback. 

As highlighted in the article, Ask Yourself These Four Questions to Figure Out if You Are Fulfilling Your Full Potential, seeking brutally honest feedback from industry experts, evaluating your career progression against peers, and focusing on tangible growth are key steps in assessing your progress. Additionally, identifying and addressing personal bottlenecks—such as weak technical skills, lack of networking, or poor execution—can unlock significant progress. Comparing your trajectory with others in your field and tracking measurable improvements can help pinpoint areas for development. While this self-assessment may be uncomfortable, it serves as an essential step toward professional growth, ensuring that you are not simply spinning your wheels but making meaningful strides toward fulfilling your true potential.

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out: Focus on Impact

When applying for jobs, particularly in corporate environments, it’s essential to do more than just list your responsibilities on your resume. Many job seekers make the mistake of detailing tasks without showcasing the tangible results or impact of their work. It's important to remember that businesses are profit-driven and want to understand how your contributions directly affect their bottom line.

Farah Sharghi, a former recruiter at top tech companies like Google, TikTok, and Uber, emphasizes the need to make your resume stand out by demonstrating the unique value you bring to a company. In the article, I worked as a recruiter at TikTok, Google, and Uber. This common résumé mistake could be why you're not hearing back, she explains that one of the most frequent mistakes she sees is candidates listing their responsibilities without highlighting the outcomes or business impact. 

Job seekers should ask themselves: What specific business challenge are you addressing? How does your work drive the company’s success? If you can clearly communicate these points, you’ll position yourself as a valuable asset to potential employers. Ultimately, the ability to articulate the results of your work is key to navigating the job market and standing out from the competition.

Healing from Professional Heartbreak: How to Move Forward

Professional heartbreak—whether from losing a job, a failed business, or a betrayal at work—can be just as emotionally devastating as personal grief. Because careers are often deeply tied to identity, setbacks can trigger feelings of loss, failure, or even a crisis of self-worth. The article When Your Job Breaks Your Heart explores the emotional toll of professional setbacks and highlights how deeply work can be intertwined with our sense of purpose. Many struggle with unspoken grief, especially when their values clash with an employer’s or when years of dedication go unrecognized. Left unprocessed, this pain can erode confidence, trust, and the willingness to take future professional risks.

Recovering from professional heartbreak begins with acknowledging the emotional toll. Suppressing the pain only prolongs its impact, so it’s crucial to process emotions fully—whether through reflection, conversation, or professional guidance. Reframing the experience as a learning opportunity can also help shift focus from loss to growth. Seeking new challenges, redefining success, and surrounding yourself with supportive networks can reignite passion and purpose. While the heartbreak may feel overwhelming in the moment, with time and intentional healing, it can serve as a powerful catalyst for resilience and renewed ambition.

Managing Mindset in the Job Search: Curated Career Conversation

I'm excited to announce my upcoming LinkedIn Live with my colleague and friend, Sarah Henning, Founder of Shiftive. Sarah has an amazing gift for helping people not just 'work,' but truly thrive—which is exactly what Shiftive focuses on: empowering clients to 'work happier and live happier'.

In today's world, with its constant shifts in the job market and the unique pressures leaders and executives face, having a healthy mindset is more important than ever. We'll be providing real, actionable tools not just to survive but truly flourish in your job search through positive mindset management.

I'm excited about this conversation, and I hope you'll join us!

Federal Workers Face Long Delays in Unemployment Benefits, Exposing System Failures

Federal workers laid off in recent months are facing significant delays in receiving unemployment benefits, largely due to verification issues and overwhelmed state unemployment offices. They lost their federal jobs and now can’t get jobless benefits: ‘You’re left watching your bank account slowly bleed’ highlights how many are left in financial limbo, struggling to navigate a complex system that often fails to accommodate the unique payroll structures of federal employment. Despite submitting required documents and spending hours on hold, countless former government employees find their claims stalled, compounding their financial stress.

With layoffs continuing—particularly as a result of previous federal workforce reductions—the number of displaced employees seeking benefits is growing, putting additional strain on already burdened state systems. Experts warn that these delays could have widespread economic consequences, as workers without timely financial support may struggle to pay bills, limiting consumer spending and economic stability. Without meaningful reforms to streamline the unemployment process for federal employees, many will continue to face prolonged uncertainty, deepening the financial hardships caused by job loss.

Was Sam Altman Right About the Job Market? How AI is Transforming Careers

As AI continues to advance, it’s reshaping the job market in significant ways, and job seekers need to adjust their strategies accordingly. Was Sam Altman Right About the Job Market? explores how AI-driven automation is transforming industries, with AI models now capable of handling tasks from coding to research—potentially displacing certain jobs. However, rather than seeing AI as a threat, professionals can use it as an opportunity to enhance their skills and adapt to new demands.

For job seekers, this means:

1. Embrace AI as a Tool: While AI may replace certain tasks, it can also enhance your productivity. Familiarizing yourself with AI tools and incorporating them into your work can give you an edge. Many industries are adopting AI to streamline processes, so demonstrating proficiency with AI could make you more competitive in the job market.

2. Focus on Roles That Leverage Human Skills: Although AI can automate tasks, there will always be a demand for roles that require creativity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. Job seekers should focus on developing skills that complement AI, such as strategic thinking, problem-solving, and leadership.

3. Adapt to New Job Categories: As AI transforms industries, new roles will emerge that weren’t possible before. Positions that manage or integrate AI into workflows will be increasingly important. Being open to learning new skills and exploring new job categories can help you stay ahead of the curve.

4. Highlight Outcomes, Not Just Responsibilities: In a market that’s evolving quickly, it’s crucial to clearly communicate the impact of your work. Focus on the outcomes and results of your efforts, demonstrating how you’ve contributed to the success of your team or organization. This is especially important as employers look for candidates who can use both human and AI-driven tools to achieve business goals.

The job market is changing, but by staying informed and adaptable, job seekers can position themselves for success in this AI-driven future.

Protect Yourself from Sophisticated Job Scams on Social Media

Job scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it harder for job seekers to spot the warning signs. According to a recent report from Heimdal, based on thousands of social media posts and victim reports from 2023 and 2024, scammers are heavily targeting industries like finance and IT, with remote job postings often serving as bait. These scams are particularly dangerous due to tactics such as unrealistic salary offers, misleading job descriptions, and suspicious contact details, which can easily deceive even the most cautious job seekers.

Email continues to be the most common contact method for scammers, followed by social media platforms and fraudulent websites. How to Avoid Job Scam Tactics on Social Media outlines how these scams not only result in financial loss but also take an emotional toll on victims, leaving many with feelings of distress, anxiety, and frustration.

To protect themselves, job seekers should remain vigilant for common red flags such as upfront payment requests, unsolicited offers, and job opportunities that require no interview. Scammers often disguise themselves as legitimate companies, but researching potential employers, verifying contact details, and consulting trusted sources can help expose fraudulent job postings. Additionally, it's crucial to avoid clicking on suspicious links or sharing personal information with unknown recruiters. Staying informed and exercising caution are key steps in avoiding these increasingly sophisticated scams.

Explore Potential New Opportunities with 12 Companies Hiring This Month

The latest roundup of hiring companies in 12 Noteworthy Companies That Are Hiring in March highlights a wide array of job opportunities across industries, offering job seekers the chance to grow their careers. From finance and media to tech and education, these organizations are looking to hire new talent while also investing in employee growth.

A growing number of companies are emphasizing leadership development and prioritizing employee well-being. Pamela Honores, a paid social media manager at GroupM, praises the company's strong leadership culture, saying, "The great leadership that we have cares about its managers and associates—anyone who is involved in the ecosphere of the company.”

What This Means for Job Seekers

For those actively job searching or considering a career move, now is an ideal time to explore these opportunities. Here’s how to make the most of your search:

• Research Company Cultures: Leverage employer profiles on platforms like The Muse to gain insights into benefits, workplace environments, and employee testimonials.

• Tailor Your Application: Customize your resume and cover letter to highlight skills and experiences that align with the company’s mission and the specific roles they’re hiring for.

• Expand Your Network: Connect with professionals in your field to uncover potential opportunities.

• Stay Ready: Even if you’re not actively applying, ensure your resume and LinkedIn profile are updated, so you’re ready for unexpected job offers.

With a variety of industries actively hiring, now is the perfect time to explore new possibilities and align your career goals with the right fit.