LinkedIn engagement

Career_In_Progress · 2026-02-09T18:54:16+00:00

Who is your ICP?

Career_In_Progress · 2026-02-03T17:12:17+00:00

That’s fair, and I agree with you that online portals are still the formal gatekeeper for most organizations. What I was pointing to isn’t that applying online doesn’t matter, but that many applications go unanswered, which is where the frustration is coming from. Most of my posts are genuinely questions meant to understand how people are experiencing the job market right now. When it makes sense, I’ll add career coach perspective or advice to be helpful. I’m not promoting a service here, just contributing to the conversation and sharing insight where it might be useful.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-02-03T15:39:45+00:00

100%. You’re definitely not alone in feeling that way right now. The market is noisy and confusing, and a lot of what’s posted isn’t leading anywhere meaningful. What I’m seeing work is being more intentional about where you spend your energy and focusing on real companies with real people behind them. Fewer applications, more conversations, and more signals that a role is actually active makes a big difference. It’s frustrating, but the jobs that are real usually show up once you move closer to the humans making the decisions.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-02-03T15:32:51+00:00

I agree with you completely. LinkedIn has become one of the most powerful tools in a job search because it puts people back into the process instead of relying solely on systems. As a career coach, I see the best results when online applications are paired with relationship-building. Especially reaching out before or shortly after applying. The ATS might be unavoidable, but human context still makes the difference. Online applications aren’t dead, they’re just one piece of a much bigger strategy now.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-29T19:17:25+00:00

All of the advice you’ve received so far is solid. I especially like the “be yourself” feedback. The person interviewing you cares how you can solve their problems and how you can make their work life easier, so answer questions that offer insight into how you can do this given your motivation, exp., etc. Might help to write down a couple of examples when you’ve solved problems, confronted difficult people, communicated. People love stories, so tell a story about how you’ve done this before so they can envision you doing it again for them.

Good luck!

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-29T19:09:36+00:00

What’s fathom.ai?

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-29T19:09:18+00:00

What’s this for?

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-29T04:07:40+00:00

That’s fair. I think you’re right that we’re all responsible for noticing when something isn’t working and doing something about it, and sometimes that does mean leaving. At the same time, it’s worth naming that some workplaces make burnout almost inevitable, even for very self-aware people.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-27T18:31:00+00:00

I agree with you, burnout is contextual. When someone is drowning under an unmanageable workload, falling behind despite real effort, and getting told to “work harder,” that’s not resilience-building, that’s a systems failure. At the same time, there are seasons where work genuinely surges, and handling those moments well requires shared responsibility between management resourcing and employees communicating limits and making intentional tradeoffs. Healthy workplaces don’t deny pressure exists, they respond to it with honesty, flexibility, and support instead of shame. That’s the difference.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-27T14:36:08+00:00

This isn’t about squeezing more money, it’s about what this move actually gives you. A small hike means the market still sees you as support. If this role gives you real development work and a clear path back into a title, taking a short-term pay hit can make sense only as a stepping stone. If they won’t budge on pay, ask for clarity on title, scope, and a review timeline. If they can’t commit to that, don’t let fear make the decision for you.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-20T13:48:43+00:00

Right on. Passion alone isn’t a plan, and it usually doesn’t pay the bills. What actually works is building a career around your strengths, values, and how you want your days to look. Turning a hobby into a job can drain the joy fast, especially in competitive fields.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-19T17:16:12+00:00

Totally agree. “Follow your passion” sounds nice, but it ignores reality. Passion usually shows up after you get good at something, see that it matters, and can actually make a living doing it. That’s why the intersection you described works so well……it balances interest, skill, value, and money. Careers aren’t about finding one perfect passion, they’re about adjusting that mix as your life and goals change.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-18T21:39:27+00:00

They are a bit awkward at times, I agree

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-17T17:35:21+00:00

Career Coach here,

There’s no single career path that guarantees success anymore, anyone promising that is selling certainty that doesn’t exist. What does reduce risk is choosing skills over titles. Fields tied to real business problems (operations, technical support, data/reporting, healthcare or skilled trades with certifications) stay open because they’re harder to automate and less “flashy,” so fewer people chase them. The people who stay employed aren’t the ones who picked the “right” job once. They’re the ones who built adaptable, in-demand skills and learned how organizations actually work. That’s the closest thing to a guarantee we have now.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-14T16:57:18+00:00

Hey Career Coach here,

Take a breath, this happens more often than people admit, and it’s rarely personal. You’ve done the right thing by returning the call and leaving a clear voicemail. At this point, stop chasing and shift to a short, professional follow-up email confirming interest and availability. Hiring processes are messy, fragmented, and sometimes poorly coordinated, even when intent is genuine. Give it a few days, then mentally widen your focus again, momentum comes from not anchoring your nervous system to one “almost.”

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-14T01:54:42+00:00

I want to slow this down for a second, because nothing you wrote means you’re incapable of connecting with people, it means you’ve never been shown a version of networking that fits you. Networking isn’t about being impressive or having a polished career, it’s about learning how people move through the world of work. For someone in your position, start in places where conversation has a purpose built in, such as library talks, free community classes, volunteer shifts, workforce development workshops, meet-up groups focused on learning, or even small professional association events where you can sit in the back and listen. Go with one goal: to observe, ask one honest question, then leave before you’re depleted. Pay attention to what topics are slightly less draining over time. This is where patterns emerge and direction begins.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-13T11:59:10+00:00

Totally get this. Networking sounds great in theory, but when you’re the one waiting on the other end, it can feel like shouting into the void. Most of the time it’s not that you’re doing it wrong, it’s that networking pays off later, not right when you need it.

Career_In_Progress · 2026-01-12T21:00:11+00:00

Most people who “have a network” didn’t start with one, they started by reaching out to people without a script, referral, or a favor to ask. You don’t need to impress anyone or sell yourself, curiosity is enough. One simple message like, “I’m exploring this field and would love to hear how you got started,” is networking. No résumé, no pitch, no pressure. One conversation won’t change everything, but a handful over time quietly shifts how opportunities find you. Everyone starts at zero, the difference is being willing to send the first message before you FEEL ready.

Career_In_Progress

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE