Are you at a crossroads, reflecting on your career choices? If you find yourself contemplating your next career steps, it may be prudent to pause and consider the forecast.
The job market seems to be shifting from a post-pandemic, high-turnover environment to a “low-hire, low-fire” landscape. This could limit your choices. You’ll likely be navigating a mix of economic uncertainty, AI-induced career anxiety, and market instability. That’s one perspective, one side of a coin. I also see opportunity – if you have a solid career plan – you take into account the shifting winds and consider how to navigate them.
As an ICF certified coach as well as a recruiter, I am listening to learn about your career aspirations, as well as your focus on “the next job opportunity.” Since I do a lot of passive candidate sourcing, if I already understand your career aspirations, I can consider not only the current job opportunity and your curent situation, also what is important to your career growth in the long term. We can both evaluate the opportunity, the circumstances in the market, as well as your longer term career interests.
As I interview and listen to your personal and career aspirations, here are some trends I have learned while interviewing candidates in this job market that I will share:
1. Job Market Stability, Job Security, Application Process Integrity
In this market, candidates are concerned about a job climate that has included a government shutdown, monetary policy issues and global political and economic uncertainty. Closer to home: as candidates consider their own reality – local job market growth is a big topic. And personally, many candidates are increasingly concerned about the integrity of the job application process. Some candidates have expressed that the job application process seems to be broken. Here are some perspectives from the market and as well as perspectives that candidates have shared.
The “Double Whammy” of Inflation: With real wage growth faltering, employees are feeling the strain of rising costs, making financial stability a primary concern.
The “Jobless Boom” Anxiety: While the economy may look strong, job growth has been slow creating anxiety about finding new roles in a “frozen” market.
Fear of “Invisible” Hiring: In several interviews, candidates shared that they feel the system is stacked against them. I’ve listened to more than one candidate citing articles that up to 40% of job searchers believe they have applied to fake or non-existent postings.
2. The AI Divide: Productivity vs. Displacement
In my conversations with candidates, they are beginning to use AI in their workflows and are beginning to realize some efficiencies. A few have expressed concerns about job displacement.
Skill Gaps: Some candidates have expressed the need to learn new skills to be relevant applying for jobs. Others are embracing AI and are interested in finding new ways to do repetitive tasks.
Uncertainty About Training: Candidates are sometimes expected to use AI but feel they are not receiving adequate training, leading to stress and anxiety.
3. Flexibility as a “Must-Have”
Almost the first question candidates ask in an interview, is “can I work remotely?” Flexibility has shifted from a pandemic-era perk to a baseline expectation, with many workers willing to walk away from fully in-person roles. I have seen some increased flexibility with my clients – creating flexibility in work week schedules depending on business needs.
I find that it is imperative to get the candidate onsite comittment early in interviews – and make sure that it is well documented to share with the employer. This issue may also lead to employee turnover – as many employees are continuing to look for a more flexible work-life-balance.
The “Flexibility Premium”: Candidates are increasingly willing to trade lower pay for better work-life balance and remote/hybrid options.
4. Compensation and Transparency
With inflation shaping financial decisions, salary transparency is no longer optional for job seekers.
Pay Sensitivity: As budgets tighten, candidates continue ask about transparency to ensure they can maintain their life styles.
Compensation Focus: Candidates are looking beyond base salary, focusing on benefits, including healthcare and mental health support.
Key Takeaways
Meaningful Work: I consistently notice that candidate interviews are becoming more focused on seeking purpose and alignment with their personal values.
Flexibility is King: It is a top factor in attracting and retaining talent.
Emphasize Stability: The 2026 candidate is looking for “solid ground”.
Most of us don’t just stumble into the perfect career—we have to plan for it. My brother? He’s a tech genius. No flight plan needed. He just built things, solved problems, and the opportunities came flying at him.
For the rest of us? A little strategy goes a long way. Passion can be the wind that gets us off the ground, but we need a solid flight plan to keep our careers soaring. Whether you are launching into a new career, changing jobs, or climbing the corporate ladder, a well-structured career plan is essential. Here’s how to create one:
A well-managed kite flight is about sustaining altitude while adjusting to shifting conditions. Career success follows the same principle—long-term growth requires ongoing effort and alignment with personal values.
Reassess and Realign Periodically
Regularly reflect on your career progress and adjust your goals as needed.
Keep refining your flight plan based on evolving interests and market dynamics.
Give Back and Mentor Others
Share your knowledge and experiences to help others rise.
Cultivate a leadership mindset that inspires and uplifts your team.
🛬 Landing with Purpose: Long-Term Success
At some point, you’ll want to look back and ask: Did I fly in the right direction?
Did I build something meaningful?
Did I help others along the way?
Am I proud of where I landed?
Your career, like a well flown kite, can soar to great heights with the right planning, adjustments, and perseverance. Whether you are launching, pivoting, or climbing higher within your organization, a well-thought-out flight plan will help you navigate with confidence. Stay grounded in your values, embrace the winds of change, and enjoy the journey to professional success!
Not all career changes are intentional. Sometimes, the winds shift suddenly, and you have no choice but to adjust—or crash.
That’s exactly what happened to me when my biggest biotech client, ICOS, was acquired by Eli Lilly. Overnight, my entire team and I lost a lucrative contract. The pressure was immense—not just for my own career, but for the people whose careers were, in many ways, tethered to mine.
The only project I could land to keep NWRPros from closing its doors was in healthcare—a field I had never worked in. Neither had my team. But when you’re up against strong winds, you don’t stand still. You move with them.
What followed was a four-year engagement with Group Health Cooperative (acquired by Kaiser), where we built and implemented an outsourced recruiting solution from scratch. We recruited physicians, nurses, healthcare IT leaders, and critical hospital staff—all while navigating an industry we were just beginning to understand. It was a trial by fire, but we not only survived—we thrived. That project became a defining success, proving that with the right mindset and adaptability, you can master new terrain.
💨 Navigating Career Crosswinds
Career shifts—especially the ones you don’t plan for—can feel like chaos. But just like a kite in shifting winds, you can regain control by making the right adjustments:
🎯 Assess the Wind Conditions – When a major shift happens, don’t panic. Step back and analyze where the opportunities are. Healthcare wasn’t on my radar, but it turned out to be a door that opened at exactly the right time.
🪁 Adjust Your Flight Path – You may not land exactly where you expected, but you can still soar. Our team leaned into our expertise in talent acquisition and adapted it for healthcare, proving that skills are often more transferable than you think.
💨 Lean Into the Gusts – Unfamiliar industries, new challenges, and unexpected setbacks can feel overwhelming. But the very things that seem like obstacles are often the winds that lift you higher—if you embrace them.
🙌 Trust the Tension – The right amount of challenge keeps you strong. If I had stayed in my comfort zone, NWRPros might not exist today. Instead, we learned, evolved, and delivered results that even seasoned healthcare recruiters would be proud of.
A strong kite isn’t afraid of the wind. It uses it.
If you find yourself caught in an unexpected career shift, take a deep breath, adjust your strategy, and trust that you have what it takes to soar. You never know—what seems like a detour might just be your biggest success story yet.
What career shift have you faced that ended up shaping your path for the better? I invite your comments. 🚀🪁✨
When I first started working in Biotechnology, I faced a steep learning curve—but it quickly became a deep-rooted passion. It was intellectually challenging and, to this day, remains my favorite industry to support. I had the privilege of working with brilliant scientists—people dedicated to changing the world, tackling one disease at a time.
In one role, I hired fresh graduates stepping into the lab for the first time. In another, I recruited Principal Scientists and Scientific Leaders, working across all career levels. Through it all, I found myself in the role of a trusted advisor—listening to dreams, aspirations, and career goals. I supported talent development for both individuals and my company clients, often acting as a coach long before I formally embraced the profession.
After twenty years of these experiences, I find myself writing about career development—offering my insights and reflections in the hope that you, too, can chart a successful and fulfilling career path. And what better metaphor for this journey than a kite? Whether you’re just launching, navigating unpredictable winds, or soaring to new heights, the principles of flight apply to every stage of your professional life.
This series explores how to manage your career through the lens of flight, with insights on how to harness the winds, adapt to change, and keep your kite aloft. I hope these ideas help you find success and fulfillment in your own journey.
Version 1: Early Career Development – Learning to Launch
Starting your career is a lot like learning to fly a kite. At first, you’re figuring out how to hold the string, where the wind is blowing, and how much effort it takes to get the kite off the ground. You might be running full speed ahead, hoping the wind catches, or struggling with a tangled mess of string and expectations.
Like a kite, your early career success depends on the conditions around you—mentors, opportunities, and even a little luck. The key is learning how to navigate these forces. Coaching at this stage helps with understanding wind patterns (the workplace culture), adjusting the tail (building new skills), and ensuring your string is strong enough (resilience and adaptability).
Not every launch is perfect, but with practice, you’ll find the right balance of effort and patience to keep your career soaring.
Version 2: Middle Management – Navigating the Winds
You’ve launched your career, and now you’re in middle management, where the real art of flying begins. No longer just trying to keep the kite in the air, you’re now steering it, handling unexpected gusts, and ensuring it doesn’t crash into others flying alongside you.
At this stage, leadership coaching helps you adjust your grip—knowing when to hold firm and when to give some slack. The higher your kite goes, the more unpredictable the winds can be. Office politics, competing priorities, and team dynamics all create turbulence, and it takes skill to keep your career aloft without getting tangled in unnecessary conflicts.
Mastering the winds of middle management means knowing when to pivot, when to let your team take the lead, and how to keep your own career aspirations aligned with the bigger picture. The key is to stay aware, make strategic adjustments, and remember that control isn’t about force—it’s about finesse.
Version 3: Executive Level – Reaching New Heights
At the executive level, you’re no longer just flying your own kite—you’re influencing the entire sky. The perspective is different up here; you’re responsible for creating favorable conditions for others, making sure the airspace is clear, and ensuring that new kites can rise alongside you.
Leadership at this stage requires not only vision but also the wisdom to know that success isn’t about keeping the kite tethered tightly. True leadership means knowing when to let go of the string just enough for innovation and new ideas to take flight. Coaching at this level focuses on legacy, sustainability, and creating an environment where others can soar.
The higher your kite, the more visible you are. People look to you for guidance, and your movements influence theirs. Executives must navigate shifting market winds, balance company goals with people’s needs, and ensure that they aren’t flying too high without a strong foundation below.
A Career Well-Managed
A well-managed career, like a well-flown kite, leaves a lasting impression—one that inspires others to take flight. As you reflect on your own professional journey, consider the ways you can take control of your trajectory, adjust to changing winds, and support those flying alongside you. Whether you are just launching, navigating, or leading at the highest levels, a thoughtful and strategic approach can make all the difference.
If you’re seeking guidance in steering your career with intention, working with a career coach can provide invaluable insights. Coaching helps ensure that your string remains strong, your flight remains steady, and that you’re soaring in the right direction. No matter where you are in your journey, the sky is full of possibilities—so go ahead, take flight!
Twelve years ago, a client asked me to conduct an executive search for a Director of Human Resources. After a prolonged search with several twists and turns, my client hired Maryanne – who had been Director of Human Resources for a large financial services company in New York. Maryanne’s background was top notch. She had recently won numerous awards for diversity and hiring initiatives. She had ten years’ experience in HR design and implementation of innovative and strategic programs.
My client was very excited about hiring Maryanne. They were facing challenges with new executive leadership and exponential company growth. It was a fast-paced manufacturing environment with multiple facilities in several states. My next steps were to support Maryanne’s relocation and onboarding. Maryanne arrived on-site in Seattle in May of 2013. Her husband Dave dropped her off at the lobby entrance. Maryanne introduced me to her husband and their puppy, Cody. I am a dog lover – the spark of our new friendship.
One Saturday, several weeks later, I got a call from Maryanne. She and Dave were on the Ferry to Whidbey Island where I live. They had heard about a dog park on Whidbey. They were going to treat Cody to a new experience – and would I mind if they stopped by to say hello. We all enjoyed a lovely afternoon – Cody especially – a few acres to chase birds and deer.
I had made a new friend – Maryanne – and of course, Dave and Cody as well. Both our friendship and our career journeys have connected at crossroads these past twelve years. One notable example was supporting the human resources change management effort for a large telecommunication merger and acquisition. We both felt like we were running in a marathon – we had to focus one step-at-a-time. Other examples include hiring initiatives for several biotech startups – where we built from the ground up. These kinds of partnerships and collaboration can test the mettle of a relationship.
Over these past years, we have both learned to leverage our common relationships and continue to create an ongoing practice to nurture our networks.
We’d like to share them with you:
Give Before You Ask – An ongoing practice – “Dig your well before you need water.”
Offer referrals and connect people with mutual interests.
Give positive feedback on their achievements and career milestones.
Share information on job postings and position opportunities you have learned about that may match their experience.
Offer to write Linkedin recommendations and endorse skillsets.
Stay Active in Professional Associations
Join and contribute to leadership associations or industry-specific groups.
Offer to speak at events, mentor others, or write thought leadership articles.
Engage in Ongoing Conversations
Set reminders to check in with key contacts quarterly or annually.Send a quick message to catch up or share an article that might interest them.
Invite connections for a virtual coffee chat or in-person lunch.
Leverage Social Media – Linkedin, Twitter for Professional Growth
LinkedIn helps to stay in touch, share insights, and engage your connections.
Twitter allows you to follow companies, and potential job openings.
Follow industry leaders and participate in relevant discussions.
Join professional groups and actively contribute to conversations.
Post updates on your expertise, projects, and lessons learned to stay visible.
Attend Industry Events & Webinars
Participate in industry conferences, networking events, and virtual meetups.
Make it a habit to introduce yourself to new people at each event.
Follow up with attendees via LinkedIn or email to reinforce the connection.
The Ongoing Benefits of Networking
Networking isn’t about a one-time connection; it’s about building relationships that continue to evolve. The ongoing relationship I have with Maryanne is a testament to how personally meaningful professional relationships can be. An added and ongoing benefit is that our relationship has brought us both new and satisfying career growth opportunities.
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