Pressure creates diamonds - you can make a career change today
Whew, I started writing this mini-series in mid-March when tariffs were limited to our neighbors.
Ha, those days feel quaint.
(BTW, read to the bottom for resources to help you through this stretch)
Now, a week after tariff-ing most of the world and riding the stock market dips, economic uncertainty has been dialed up several notches.
We still don't know how things will land – so here's your gentle and loving reminder to stop checking your investment accounts and limit your dooms-day hypothesizing with your mom.
And instead…
Focus on controlling what you can control.
Keep moving forward to create the career (and life) you want.
Over the past few weeks, we've covered the mindsets and strategies you need to your career strategically amidst economic uncertainty (read the recap here):
Manage your Freeze response.
This is your time to Lead.
You are wildly capable.
Start today.
Be specific and be flexible.
Embody what you're going after.
Even if you're not in active job search mode right now, I encourage you to give these a read.
You won't want to stay stagnant in the same role for the next four years and I want you to be prepared when you're ready to make a move.
Plus, mentally preparing is a great way to take control!
I will keep talking about this topic - sharing recommendations and resources - here and on LinkedIn as we gauge the full impact on the economy.
If you have questions, reply and I'll answer them.
Here are the strategies you need to get the highest return on your networking and set yourself up for future success (plus, a few resources below):
Build relationships with decision makers.
I'm intentionally not diving into the brass tacks of running a job search in this series. But I do want you to be strategic about your networking - whether you're actively in the job market or building new relationships with an eye on a move in the future.
A job search over the past few years has looked like this…
See exciting opportunity, find network contact to refer you, get an interview. Get job, contact gets a referral bonus. Win. Win.
This is still an important step in your search, but its over-saturated and having that referral isn't proving the golden ticket that it once was.
Be sure you're also building meaningful connections with two types of folks at every turn: a) hiring managers (or decision makers with budget authority) and b) peers who you can turn into advocates.
You're not going to get a ton of time with hiring managers (depending on seniority), so aim to have at least one touch point with them, leave a positive impression and keep them warm via email. Then focus on really fostering a relationship with your lateral contacts - you want them to be jumping up and down shouting your name as soon as a new role is posted.
Pressure creates diamonds.
Alright, hear me out. This is a long game and its not going to get you a job in the next quarter…but:
Innovation comes out of every downturn.
The entire gig economy was spurred in the Great Recession. Think about all the remote work tools and essentially a new segment of the economy that was created in Covid. Similar to any good innovation process, when faced with constraints, people rise to the occasion.
We are already in a period of massive innovation with AI and crypto, but there will be other new companies, functions and technologies sprouting.
Pay attention and then (if aligned with your Operating Principles, Strengths and North Star ), aim to lead one, join one or master one. Bonus points if you create one!
Good things come out of hardship - no doubt each of us is going to be stronger and more resilient on the other side of this uncertainty.
The most important thing we can do right now is to support each other in moving forward to create the careers (and lives!) that we want.
In that vein, I'm feeling called to share the resources I have that can help you or the women in your network right now:
The Accelerator will take you from constantly spiraling on “what's next?!” to knowing exactly what role is made for you, and building the plan and confidence to make it happen in just three-weeks.
I'm offering 33% off to anyone whose employment has been impacted by the Trump admin's policies or shifting political climate (i.e., Meta “low performer” layoffs, USAID dismantling). Use the code: '2025POLICIES' no questions asked.
This deeply personalized, high-touch partnership will take you from a constant nag of dissatisfaction - your career doesn't fit who you are or what you care about - to discovering your purpose, fully realigning your career with what matters most and building the future you want.
This 32-page playbook synthesizes my expertise leading a recruiting team that interviewed 100s of candidates and coaching 7 clients to new jobs in the last six months. The playbook includes best practices for making your narrative and resume memorable, converting contacts into meaningful relationships and proven client examples.
This is the first time I'm making it available outside of my 1x1 coaching, but I have a hunch its going to help a few women on this list.
These are the eight mindset tools I've used over and over again with my clients to help you fully own your value, deepen your self-trust and radically amplify your confidence. You'll get proven confidence-boosting prompts, daily practices, mantras and meditations to replace your doubt and stress with trust - today!
If you're needing any other support or just not sure where to start, book a call and we'll strategize together.
Remember:
You've got this.
And, we're going to get through this together .
Let's keep moving forward to create the career (and life) you want.
