The pandemic is becoming something we’re learning to navigate in the background of our lives.

The women in my orbit are beginning to step out of survival mode and realize…I want more from my career. I want to get to that next level in my organization. I want to walk away from that toxic culture. I want to work in a way that works for me.

Career Command was designed to help these women define who they are and what path they need to take to grow closer to their vision. Then with the support of their coach (that’s me!) and their new squad of 15 women, they take action to make their vision a reality.

You’re someone I know who could use this group program filled with other supportive women who are proactive about their careers.

But here’s the reason I know I can help you. It’s because I helped Laura tap into what she truly wanted in her career and helped her realize it was nothing like the rigid box of a vision she thought she had to settle for.

You see, when Laura started working with me, she was stuck at her job of 11 years and kept looking for THE ONE next path. She was at a very niche job and knew that she wouldn't find another version of that role. She felt really limited and stuck with her options--like there was only one way forward.

So she sought me out.

What I told Laura is the same thing I’m going to tell you. Which is that there is not ONE right path out there for you. There are MANY!

By first looking inward at your strengths, what you want to learn and the impact you want to have in your career – we can then figure out the right roles that connect to what you want and get clear on all the transferable skills that can be used to position you for those roles.

It all starts with what YOU WANT.

Yes, Laura was as shocked as you are. And it was that very thing that broke her free, allowing her to leave her job of 11 years and start a new job in a different industry.

In her own words...

“Gaining a true understanding of my superpowers and passions was instrumental to this next step - Rachel was instrumental in guiding me through that.”

If you’re feeling stuck. You don’t know what you’re good at anymore. Or you’ve lost the spark that used to light up your vision.

I can help you find your answers. Your vision. Your spark.

The Career Command Four-Month Shift will provide you with a clear career pathing framework to lead you through every step of your transition.

With Four-Month Shift you’ll get access to:

• The Career Command Process: Video training and resources to help you shift your mindset, identify your superpowers, and create a solid networking and job search strategy.

• Weekly Live Video Support Calls: Dig into the lessons and modules within the Career Command Process, share insights with your crew and get real-time feedback from me, your Career Coach, on where you may be feeling stuck (Thursdays at 12pm ET.)

• One Private 1:1 Session with me and the option to purchase additional sessions at a discounted rate of $250.

• Curated Career Pods: Connect with a group of like-minded women who will be your team, your supporters, and your accountability partners.

• Resume & LinkedIn Audit: After reviewing resources on best practices for both your resume and LinkedIn profile, our team will provide you with customized feedback on how you can optimize both to maximize your search and your personal brand.

There are only a handful of spots left for this cohort of Career Command Four-Month Shift and registration closes on Sunday, April 3rd at 10 PM ET.

Do you want to feel energized and excited by all the new opportunities in your career, like Laura?

The women who have already joined this group are talented and creative…and hungry for a change, like you. I can’t wait to see you there!

Goodbye, January 2022!

I haven’t been this happy to release a month since March of 2020. 

Emotions ran high. PTSD from early pandemic days loomed large. Decisions became impossible to make, to get right and to stand by. 

I drew my energy and my peace from my new daily writing practice (I passed my one month anniversary!), my work helping more women identify and claim their career desires (we just wrapped an exciting 4-week group program), our family Wordle competition (That somehow my 10-year old is winning. I want 10-year old neural pathways!) and of course, you know me…my podcast addiction. 

Here’s a round up of podcast episodes that are giving me the tools and the inspiration to keep moving forward and doing my best despite the big expectations I had for 2022. 

The Happiness Lab: Stepping Off the Path of Anxiety
https://www.happinesslab.fm/2022-new-year-mini-season/stepping-off-the-path-of-anxiety

First of all, I recommend the entire 2022 mini season that dives into the tougher emotions we don’t like to recognize or talk about like anger, anxiety, grief. In this episode, Dr. Laurie Santos talks with Psychotherapist and meditation teacher Andrea Wachter about tools to acknowledge and quiet anxiety. Have a notebook handy for this one. I listened to it twice! 

On Being: Pico Iyer and Elizabeth Gilbert - The Future of Hope 3
https://onbeing.org/programs/pico-iyer-and-elizabeth-gilbert-the-future-of-hope-3/
This is part of a 4-part series of conversations around hope and I’ve enjoyed all of them. Having experienced the loss of her partner, Raya Elias, in 2018 Liz Gilbert connects lessons of surrender she learned from this loss to similar insights during the pandemic. I always find wisdom in Liz’s vulnerable observations and clear words that capture our humanity. 

Dare to Lead: The Great Awkward
https://brenebrown.com/podcast/the-great-awkward/

Brené always knows how to name the things none of us want to say. She and her sister Barrett discuss what “going back to the office” will look like and how inevitably it will be different than it ever was and we should expect it to be awkward AF. 

PS. This was the last episode Brené released before announcing she would hold off on releasing episodes until further notice. While she didn’t say it, this is clearly in response to Spotify continuing to give a platform to Joe Rogan and others who are spreading misinformation. Way to use your expertise and power to make change and stand in your values, Brené! 

CYG: Grief Companionship

https://www.callyourgirlfriend.com/episodes/2021/10/29/grief-companionship

This conversation is from the fall of 2021, but I thought it was so relevant as so many people are grieving both the people they lost in the past two years and also all of the things we’ve missed out on because of this damn pandemic. We have so little language and conversation around grief and this episode provides really practical things you can do for your people who are suffering alone right now. 

Pop Culture Happy Hour: Wordle is a daily dose of delight, despair, and sometimes smugness

https://www.npr.org/2022/01/24/1075352735/wordle-is-a-daily-dose-of-delight-despair-and-sometimes-smugness

For those of you who didn’t think you could create a new daily habit…you were wrong! If you’re like me and you haven’t missed a day since you started playing…I see you. This is some Worldle Nerdery that will make you smile all the way through. 

Enjoy this list and let me know some other favorites of yours that are getting you through! 

Quietly listening and wordling,

Rachel

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week, the holiday movies are beginning to trend on Netflix, the Christmas Blend is brewing at Starbucks and the virtual and intimate in-person holiday gatherings are beginning to fill up our respective calendars.

For those of you who’ve been following along with me for a few years now, you may be able to predict what I’m about to say. It bears repeating.

The holiday season is MY FAVORITE time for networking and job searching.

I have clients who get new roles in December every year. I’m serious. Every. Damn. Year.

Are you ready to get your networking on at all of those holiday meals and parties?

It’s time to get your 🦆🦆🦆 in a row and I am so excited to have EXACTLY what you need to get there.

Next Monday, I’ll be launching my new - Nail Your Elevator Pitch Mini Course.

After this mini course, you will walk away with:

A memorable and authentic pitch, that sounds like you, feels energizing and activates your network so they can help you with your next career move.

I’ve got all the tools to get you there...quickly.

Short video how-to’s, three different pitch formulas to match where you are in your process (just starting out and don’t have the answers, actively job searching, or returning to the workforce after a gap).

A workbook so you can follow along with the videos.

All of this for only $60. Yes, I know. This makes me happy.

And I’m even offering a 45-minute 1:1 session to workshop it with me at a discounted rate of $125.

So if you’re motivated to test out your new pitch over these next holiday weeks, look out for my email on Monday.

OK, off to dot some i’s, cross some t’s and put some more love, compassion and joy into a process that most people dread. I’ll walk you through it, bring the fun...and you’re going to take career leaps.

Here. We. Go!

This past weekend my ten year old daughter got her first Covid Vax and I began to breathe out a little.

I’ll be gathering with a small group of family again for Thanksgiving and collectively the 14 of us will have had 33 shots. Throw in a couple of rapid tests for the littles and I’m feeling pretty good about our odds.

Life is starting to feel hopeful again. And yes, I know...we’ve been here before. Remember the joy of June? We’ve turned so many corners at this point, we’re working with an unrecognizable shape of things.

On the career-front, for my clients, the landscape is exciting and optimistic and way outside the boxes they built for themselves prior to our work together.

One client applied to three jobs and got three offers.

Another was negotiating her dream job and the employer requested they make the role a level more senior to match her qualifications.

And still others are asking for sizable bumps in salary from their previous roles--and getting them.

If you are still thinking about making a move in 2021 or after the holidays, now is your time to strike.

To get out there, share your compelling story, state your terms and stand in your power to get what you want. To quote one of my favorite movies, Almost Famous, that I watched with my family this weekend, “It’s all happening.”

I would love to support you in making your shift!

Check out my three 1:1 Coaching Options

Sign up for a 30-minute Complimentary Call if you want to learn more about these options.

PS. Reminding you that holiday time is THE BEST TIME for networking. More on that soon...in the meantime, here's what clients are saying about 1:1 Private Coaching!

I had the pleasure of working with Rachel as my 1:1 coach during my career transition. When I started working with Rachel, I had left a job that was frustrating and wanted to take some intentional time off to figure out the next chapter of my career. I was doing quite a bit of networking and exploration but I was feeling a bit lost about my path forward and needed some guidance and a champion to push me through the process. Through Rachel's career transitioning framework, I was able to follow a step by step process without feeling completely overwhelmed and asking myself questions around my core values and the non-negotiables I wanted in my next job. Having clarity on this has helped with being more focused on what I want and know that I don't need to compromise; that I can craft the path I want. She has also helped me build confidence to steer the conversation and ask for what I want, and know that if things don't work out as planned, it's OK, that there are other options to explore.

Rachel was also fundamental in helping me navigate through my interview processes. Having someone with whom I could bounce off ideas and go into each conversation with confidence about what I wanted to accomplish in each step was very valuable. Having worked with her, I feel I have the tools and resources to reflect back and figure a way forward whenever I am feeling stuck about my career. For anyone looking to go through a career transition and needs a champion in the process, I highly recommend Rachel. -- Maki K

Networking to find your next gig can feel overwhelming when you’re scrambling to fit in all the responsibilities of your current job, your family and those two 7 minute workouts a week (Thanks, New York Times!). After-work events can seem like an impossibility when you’re exhausted and desperate for a little QT with the TV at the end of the day. 

Enter our friend, LinkedIn. Imagine, networking in your PJ’s while binge-watching Billions. Yes, this can happen. And while this won’t be your entire strategy, it will help you gain momentum in your search so your in-person conversations can be fruitful and high impact. 

Its time to get tactical, friends! For you LinkedIn power users out there this may be a review, but I find many of my clients are just scratching the surface with how to use this critical tool. Here’s how we dig in and 10x their results with my 6 Ways To Leverage LinkedIn For Your Job Search.  

1. Explore Profiles Of Others With Roles You Had And Roles You Want
Before you commit to updating the language in your profile, do your research! Search some of the job titles you’ve had and learn how others are describing themselves and the keywords they use to brand their expertise. Do not plagiarize, but take notes on common themes that you may want to include in your profile. On the flip side, I find many of my clients are not clear on the kinds of roles they want for their next gig. Search roles that you’re curious about and notice if the descriptions in these profiles resonate with you, include expertise you have and skills you want to learn. 

2. Synch Up Your Resume and LinkedIn Profile
This is LinkedIn 101, but you would be amazed at the number of people who are not doing it! Take some of the building blocks from your resume like the summary, expertise bullets and bullets for each job and use them as a starting point for your LinkedIn Profile. Since you’re not working with the same length restrictions on LinkedIn, feel free to add more to your LinkedIn summary that would give it more personality and intrigue—beyond what’s in your resume. Make the dates between your resume and your LinkedIn profile match. Period. Hiring managers and recruiters are going to make this comparison so you should beat them to it! Include your education, certifications, interests, volunteer work, etc.—everything you can to fill out the picture of who you are. And speaking of pictures, you need one! Here’s a needle in a haystack task for you—find the one photo of you without your kids. If you don’t have one, recruit that friend who’s exploring her photography skills to snap one of you ASAP. 

3. Expand Your Network To 500+ Contacts
The larger your LinkedIn network, the more successful you’ll be with Step 4 that I’ll discuss in a moment. Four years ago, I created a game for myself to hit 500 contacts. I wasn’t sure why I was doing it at the time, but I’m so glad I did—and so are my clients who are able to make new connections through my expansive network! By making it a game, it was fun instead of a chore. And this is the perfect task to do while you’re winding down in the evening. Ideally, you should personalize each request, but if that’s dramatically slowing you down—the standard request is often overlooked so I wouldn’t get too stressed about sticking with it. Don’t limit yourself by only expanding your network with contacts in your city. People move around and they have global connections. Right now, your focus is on broadening your reach, regardless of location. 

4. Research Your Target Companies And Find Contacts 
I take a proactive approach to job searching by focusing on target companies rather than simply applying to job postings ad nauseam.  Once you’ve expanded your network, search your target companies, follow them on LinkedIn so you see their updates in your newsfeed. Then either within the search bar or on the company page, LinkedIn will allow you to see “people at this company.” You will see a list of people who either currently work at the company or have at one time. You can then narrow your search by checking the checkboxes for 1st and 2nd degree connections in the left margin of the page. If you have 1st degree connections to your dream company—congratulations—you’ve got the golden ticket. Reach out to this contact for an informational interview, even if there’s not a role currently available. If you only have 2nd degree connections, don’t fret! You can reach out to your 2nd degree contact and ask for an intro to his or her contact at the company. If you don’t have 1st or 2nd degree contacts, go back to step 3 and continue expanding your network. 

5. Get Active And Contribute Content In Your Area of Expertise (So meta!)
One way to get noticed on LinkedIn is to become an active participant in the community. The easiest way to do this is to like, comment on or share the articles in your newsfeed. Each time you do this, your profile is shown in the newsfeeds of ALL of your contacts. Way to get easy exposure, friends! If you have time to go a bit further, post other articles you find that fit with your expertise and your personal brand. And of course, the highest level of contribution is to create content for the LinkedIn community. While it can be time-consuming, it’s a great way to build out your brand, share your point of view and help in areas where you see gaps in skillsets and information. See you around the newsfeed!

6.  Ask For Endorsements
While asking for something from others can often be hard, it’s worth it. Reach out to colleagues past and present, with whom you’ve built meaningful relationships to ask them to share an endorsement for you. If the first few you reach out to are busy, don’t take it personally and connect with others on your list. These endorsements fill out your page with powerful nuggets about who you are, your personal brand and what it’s like to work with you. Hiring managers expect to see them on your profile and it can be a red flag if you don’t have any. 

Becoming a LinkedIn Ninja is the perfect way to jump-start your 2017 job search. Get your wheels turning, ideas firing and your network churning so that you land the right next job for you.

I’m going to tell you a secret that you don’t want to hear. I know, it’s been a long and intense year. The world is riddled with uncertainty. You’ve been pushing hard on finding your next adventure and you simply want a break from your job search. And here comes December rolling in–you’ve found your way out! The holiday onslaught of parties, spending and debauchery (well, maybe that’s just me) gives you the perfect reason to call it quits for a while!

Here goes the record scratch, weary one: Do. Not. Stop.

Several of my clients are on their final rounds of interviews RIGHT NOW because it’s business as usual at many organizations that are hungry for new talent. During my previous career in Digital Marketing, I, myself, received two job offers during the week between Christmas and New Years. More champagne for me, people!

You CAN muster your last bit of 2016 career search mojo, and here are my top three reasons why you should:

1. The struggle is not real: 
   Everyone else believes the myth that there are no jobs to be found in December, so you have the chance to stand out! Hiring managers are receiving fewer resumes and scheduling fewer interviews, so your resume has a greater chance of making it to the top of the pile.
    
2. 2017 planning is top of mind:
   Many organizations have wrapped up their budget season and 2017 planning in November. Now, they’re clear on the action they need to take and the people they need to execute on their audacious goals. You could be one of those people!
    
3. Time and flexibility is a flowin’: 
   When I was working a full-time corporate gig, I was always a member of the skeleton crew in the office during the holidays. I took on tasks that rarely made the priority list, like organizing my desk and scheduling time with people I’d been meaning to meet with ALL YEAR. In short—people you want to meet with may have more time to connect with you now, than any other time over the next year. Even if you don’t feel like applying for jobs right now, use this time to set up informational interviews and networking meetings with contacts who will be thrilled to talk to another human being after sitting in a ghost town all day! 

This is your chance to make the last month of the year the most critical of 2016. And if you still decide to shut down communication on the job front—you must keep reading, logging your ideas and celebrating all of your wins from this past year.  Because if you’re anything like my incredible clients—there’s a lot to celebrate!