Strategies to manage your career during uncertain times

 How are you? This week’s economic news continues to be bumpy, uncertain and heavy (there’s no way around it - it’s hard to watch >10k federal workers lose their jobs). 

I am not here to make you feel panicked.

And, you don’t need to panic. With the right mindset and strategies, you can continue to manage your career strategically during this stretch. 

I’m here to equip you with those mindsets and strategies. And generally, to be real and honest with you as I am with all of my clients. 

Start here with last week's newsletter, as it has important tips and context. 

This is an important and relevant read for every single woman on this list, as I guarantee that you’ll want to make some sort of career change in the next four years. 

I want you to be as prepared and set up for success as possible. You don't have to put your future on hold. 

I have a lot to share, and know your reading time is limited — to make sure this stays newsletter-friendly and doesn't turn into a novel, I'm breaking it into sections again. Part one last week, part two this week and the final section next week. 

Let’s dive in. 

Here are three strategies you need to make a successful career change in today’s uncertain economy…

(With a few more to come next week)

Start today. 

Ok, you read that and are probably thinking, “wow, that’s Cydnee’s ‘expert’ advice?! It’s so basic…” 

What I’ve learned in coaching 100+ millennial women is that this advice is anything but basic. Going after a career change means boasting about your wins, asking for help, reprioritizing your time and many other things that feel uncomfortable and best avoided.

But waiting to start thinking about or acting on a career change until you absolutely have to, makes it that much harder. 

Starting is the best gift you can give your future self. There is a lead time, the opportunities you have in 6 to 9 months are a direct result of the actions you take now. 

Additionally, other people are starting - building relationships with hiring managers, creating their professional brand, etc. When you’re ready to make a change, you don’t want there to be others in line ahead of you. 

Starting can be small and simple - jotting down ideas, initiating a single conversation. Take a few small steps and they'll build to more. 

Be specific and be flexible. 

Ok, anyone who has been on this list for a while knows how strongly I recommend being clear and specific on your purpose and what you're looking for. When you align your brand, narrative and energy around your vision, you become magnetic. You’ll vibe with info interviewees, be easy for hiring mangers to advocate for and attract aligned opportunities. 

The advice still very much stands. 

Anddd, if you’re running into closed doors going after your target opportunities, find windows that are cracked open. Some functions or industries are just going to be harder to get into - depending on how exposed they are to tariffs or capital markets, the degree of pivot you're trying to make, etc. 

So see where you can get momentum and go after it. This might mean accepting an opportunity adjacent to the one you want, but will get you in the door to lay the groundwork for a future pivot. Or, perhaps take on contract work to build relationships and credibility, while you keep searching for your dream role. 

To quote my favorite consulting-ism - be flexible within a framework. You're being strategically flexible, not applying for or accepting anything that comes your way. 

Embody what you are going after. 

There’s a standard playbook on how to get a job that (mostly) works today (more next week). But I’m convinced that the real differentiator in today’s market - the real driver of whether a hiring manager will bet on you – is to be the person who is already doing the role you want. 

It is a lot easier for a hiring manager to make the mental connection for someone who is already doing / living / embodying the work vs. someone who says they do. 

I don’t mean you need to be doing a very specific job already to get that job somewhere else. I mean that instead of talking about what you want, find ways to do it (especially if making any sort of pivot) – join and get active in relevant communities, look for advising or pro bono work, write articles or post about the topics. 

As a bonus, this will boost your confidence, expose you to relevant contacts and give you recent, relevant experience to talk about in interviews. 

Most importantly, remember: 

You've got this. 

You are wildly capable, have years of top training, experiences and relationships. 

You can create the career change you want. 

More next week! 

Warmly -

Cydnee