I used to think networking was just for extroverts, salespeople, or people trying to land their next job. Then I learned that real networking—the kind that builds trust, opens doors, and helps people stay and grow in their careers—is just consistent, human connection.

That realization shaped everything I do now.

Today, I split my time between two worlds:

At Retention and Rewards Partners, I work with HR leaders to solve complex problems around compensation, benefits, and employee retention. I’ve led total rewards teams through M&A deals, culture transformations, open enrollments, and board-level pay strategy. But underneath all the spreadsheets and systems is one simple goal: build workplaces where people want to stay.

And as the founder of The Introverted Networker, I teach professionals how to build strong relationships—without small talk, events, or pretending to be someone they’re not. I write a weekly newsletter, lead corporate workshops, and coach people on how to connect with others in a way that feels real and doable.

My work might look different depending on the day, but it’s all connected by one belief: when people feel seen, supported, and fairly treated, they stay. And when they build trusted relationships at work, they thrive.

If you care about building workplaces where people stay and succeed—or you’re trying to grow your network in a way that actually feels good—I’d love to connect.


Here are other ways I can help you:

⇨ Sign up for my newsletter, "The Introverted Networker," to get tips to improve your networking.

⇨ Get my FREE course, "5 Steps To Grow Your Professional Network," to get the exact networking blueprint I follow every week to grow my own network.

⇨ Follow me to learn how to find new connections without going to networking events

⇨ Download my guide "15 Minute Networking"

⇨ Get my book "The Fast and Easy Guide To Networking For Introverts"

All the links for these resources are in my Featured section above!

The best way to contact me is via email: greg@gregsroche.com

Greg Roche

Your network won’t grow meeting 50 strangers at an event.

And, most people who talk about networking won't tell you this, but...

Stop casting a wide net.
Focus on one person at a time.

That's how your network grows.

Start with people you know.

Re-connect with them.
Talk to them about what they're working on.
Share your goals with them.

Who do they know?
Who should you meet?
Ask them to introduce you.

Expand your relationships from there.

It sounds time-consuming.
But, it's more efficient than you think.

This week, find one person to reconnect with.
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

I teach professionals to connect and build trust. Founder Retention and Rewards Partners. Solving retention and total rewards challenges for HR leaders who need results, not more noise. Aka: The Introverted Networker.

Most people think networking takes hours.
I can do it in 15 minutes.

Can you grow your network in 15 minutes a day?
You can with the right mindset:

The Consistency Mindset.

When you spend 15 minutes each day, 
Over the course of a year, 
It's over 90 hours of networking.

When you do it consistently, you start seeing results.

What can you do in 15 minutes?
• Write a LinkedIn recommendation for a former co-worker
• Send a message to a someone you've lost touch with
• Have a short phone conversation with a connection
• Search for dormant ties thru LinkedIn
• Comment on LinkedIn posts

Any of these will grow your network.

But they only work if you show up, 

And do the work,
Consistently,
Everyday.

Have you spent 15 minutes networking today?

If not, what's stopping you?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker! 

If you want to see my daily networking tips,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Most people quit networking because they can’t see where it’s leading.
 
That’s the mistake.
 
I rarely know exactly what a new connection will turn into.

A job.
A client.
A referral.
Or nothing at all.
 
Like driving a car at night, all I can see is the next conversation.

But, that’s enough.

I'll get where I am going, if I keep going.
 
When you’re building a network, you don’t get a full map.

You get today.
That's as far as you can see.
 
One message.
One coffee.
One thoughtful follow up.
 
Over time, those small moments start to stack.

They create momentum you couldn’t have predicted at the start.
 
You don’t need certainty to move forward.
 
You just need to keep showing up for the next conversation in front of you.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

One random conversation while Christmas shopping changed how I think about networking.

Most people think networking works like a funnel.
 
You reach out to a lot of people and hope a few good things come out the other end.
 
That approach always felt exhausting to me.
The way it’s actually worked in my life is much simpler.
 
It’s more like a chain.
One conversation leads to another.
 
Years ago I lost my job in October.
For weeks I did what everyone else does.

I applied online and waited.
Nothing happened.
 
Then one day in December I ran into a former coworker while Christmas shopping.

We talked for a few minutes.
I mentioned I was looking for a job.
 
She said, “You should talk to Dennis. He’s in the same situation.”
 
I met Dennis.  Dennis introduced me to Jorge.
Jorge and I were looking for the same type of roles.
 
In my search, I also connected with a guy named Jim.
Jim knew I was looking for a job.

He mentioned a role he’d heard about.
I wasn’t the right fit, but Jorge was.
 
I connected Jorge to Jim and Jim connected Jorge with the person hiring for the role.
 
Jorge got the job.
 
Here’s the lesson:
Networking rarely moves in straight lines.

Conversations connect to other conversations. 
People introduce you to other people.
 
You just keep adding one link at a time to your network.
The opportunities start to appear.

That’s why I don’t try to meet as many people as possible.
 
I focus on one good conversation.
Then the next one tends to appear.
The opportunities follow.

What networking links have you made that got you closer to the opportunity you were looking for?

Tell me your story!


I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!
If you want to become a better networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

This one thing will make every conference you attend this year worth the money you paid for it.

Most people walk into a conference and hope for the best.
 
They grab their badge.
They scan the room.
They look for a friendly face.
 
And then they feel stuck.
 
Conferences can feel like a full day of small talk with strangers.
 
Here’s what makes it easier:
Do most of your networking before you get there.
 
When I sign up for a conference, I don’t wait until I’m in the room.
 
I look at the agenda.
I connect with organizers.
I reach out to a few speakers I plan to hear.
I comment on their posts.
I trade a few messages.
 
Nothing fancy.
Just simple, real conversation.
 
When I walk in, I’m not alone.
I already have two or three people I can say hello to.
 
That changes everything.
 
You stop wandering.
You stop forcing random chats.
You build on conversations that already started.
 
One simple idea to try:

Before your next conference, 
 
1. Pick one speaker from the agenda.
2. Send a short note.
3. Tell them you’re looking forward to their session.
4. Ask one thoughtful question about their topic.
 
That’s it.
 
If you want to make conferences feel less draining and more useful, I wrote a full breakdown in this week’s 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘳: https://lnkd.in/gJb_b_CA
 
It goes deeper into how to prepare, how to connect in person, and one small badge trick that makes you easier to approach.

Most people use LinkedIn wrong.
Here's what they're missing:

They lurk.
They scroll.
They log in only when they need a job.
 
Then they say networking on LinkedIn doesn't work.
 
Here's the mindset shift you need to make it work for you:
 
LinkedIn is not a billboard.
It is a conversation tool.
 
Your goal is simple.

Start small online conversations with people who sit near the opportunities you care about.
 
That's it.
 
One practical place to start is this.
 
Make a short Target Company List.
Five to ten companies you are curious about.
 
Then search for people who work there.
Start with 1st and 2nd degree connections.
 
If you already know someone, send a short note.
“It’s been a while. How are things going?”
 
If you don't know them, keep it light.

“I see you’re at X company. I’m learning more about it. Would love your perspective if you have time.”
 
No pitch.
No pressure.
 
If connecting feels like too much, Follow them.

If they post, Comment with something thoughtful.

Not “Great post.”

Add a question.
Add an insight.
Move the conversation forward.
 
That is how you become familiar before you ever ask for anything.
 
One question for you.
 
If someone looked at your LinkedIn account today, would it show quiet scrolling or real conversations?
 
I wrote more about how to use connecting, following, commenting, and even your own LinkedIn data in this week’s Introverted Networker: https://lnkd.in/gXb7GJRq
 
If LinkedIn has felt pointless, the full issue walks through a calmer way to use it.

My favorite LinkedIn ‘metric’ never shows up in the analytics.

It's the people who never "like" or comment on any of my posts, but tell me:

"You're post was what I needed to hear today."

I still get goose bumps when this happens.

It's usually someone I know.

• Recent connection
• Former colleague
• Friend

But, they never show up at the bottom of my post in the reaction or comment section.

However, they go out of their way to reach out to me in real life to tell me what I wrote made a difference in their lives.

I keep this in mind each time I hit "Post":

Behind every:

• Comment,
• Reaction,
• Email

There's a person who is struggling to figure it all out.

If what I write has an impact on one person,
It was a successful post.

For those who show up and share what they know on LinkedIn, even if your post flops in the usual metrics of engagement, you're making a difference.

For those who are moved by someone's post, let them know, even if it's in a private message.

It's the fuel that keeps most of us LinkedIn regulars going!



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Over the weekend, most of the U.S. changed their clocks. Arizona didn’t. Yet my schedule still shifted.

It made me remember something:
Time is a made-up system.

We created it so people could coordinate with each other.
Daylight savings makes that obvious.

Most people will be complaining today about losing an hour of sleep.

That doesn't happen when you live in Arizona.
But, that doesn't mean I'm not affected.

Most of the people I talk to each day are in different states.
In one day, all my meetings moved an hour earlier.

Nothing actually changed about the sun.

The only thing that changed was our agreement about time.

I'll adjust my schedule so that I can show up as the same time as everyone else.
 
Networking works the same way.
We have to agree on a time to show up and connect.
 
People wait for the “right time” to reach out.

The right time to reconnect.
The right time to ask for help.
But time isn’t some magical force.
 
It’s just coordination between two people.
 
Most opportunities don’t happen because the timing was perfect.
 
They happen because two people stayed connected.
 
One conversation, no matter what the time.



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Your best employee is already halfway out the door.
You just can’t see it.

Picture your best employee standing outside, alone.

At her feet is a white line.
Her toes are touching The Line. 

The side of The Line she's standing on is her current reality.
The other side is relief from the stress on her side of The Line.

• It could be the pile of unread emails in her inbox.
• It could be her boss.
• It could be her job.

Something's wrong and it's gotten so bad, she's standing with her toes on The Line.

She's vulnerable.

The next problem, request, or needless meeting is going to push her over The Line.

She doesn't know if life on the other side of The Line will be better or worse.

It doesn't matter.

All that matters is the other side of The Line is different from her current reality.

She didn't get to The Line because someone dangled more money in front of her.

She hasn't even talked to a recruiter or applied to a job.

Some days, when she gets to The Line, she can find a reason to step away.

But on the days when she's at The Line, something new might catch her eye.

She might return that recruiter's message.

She might respond to that email just to "learn more about the role."

At that moment, she's ready to step across The Line.

After that first step, she might take another, 
Then another, and at the end, 
She's telling her co-workers 
She's leaving for something 
New.

Her leaders will say she got offered more money.
They'll say, "we aren't competitive with our benefits."
Her former co-workers will get retention agreements.

They weren't planning to leave, but they'll take the extra money for doing the extra work created by her leaving.

Eventually, they'll get pushed to The Line, too.

They'll be asked to respond to the fire drill.

They'll be told to do one more project because it's a business need.

No work will be taken off the to-do list.

The one-off requests will keep rolling into their inboxes.

Maybe one of these co-workers is the next to The Line

He knows how she got to The Line.

He had never been there himself, but once she left, he took on her work.

He's stepped up to The Line more lately.

He's stepped back, gone to the team offsite, laughed with his co-workers and gone home feeling better about things.

The next morning, when he opens his inbox, there are more things than he can do by the end of the day.

And he feels alone.
With no one to talk to about how he feels
And no one to help him step back from The Line.

Everyone is approaching The Line.

They've all had enough.
They're all vulnerable.

If they get the call or email, they'll step over The Line and start the journey to a new job.

It happens every day. 
It happens to everyone.

Do you notice when you're at The Line?
Do you notice when your employees are at The Line?

Can you step back?
Can you help them step back?

If they can't step back, they're done.
So are you.

If you trained at the gym like you network, would you ever get results?

If not, here’s how to train your networking muscle:

1️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
You don't get your PR the first day at the gym. 
You start light and add weight.

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅Start connecting with one person.
✅Comment on one person's LinkedIn post.
✅Send one message to a former co-worker.


2️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘀
Getting to the gym is a good start. 
Then you have to put in the reps when you're there. 
No wasting time or messing around.

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅Make your comments on LI valuable. No "Nice post" BS.
✅Find ways to give some valuable to your connections.
✅Make introductions. Connect people to each other.


3️⃣ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘂𝗽 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆
Consistency brings the gains!

𝗜𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴:
✅It's ok to skip a day, but don't make it a habit.
✅Track your efforts. Tracking holds you accountable
✅Get an accountability partner. Everyone needs a spotter.

Networking, like working out, isn’t about one big day.

It’s about steady effort over time.

Show up.
Put in the work.
Get the gains.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗴𝘆𝗺/𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

By day, I help companies retain talent.
By night, I learn from people who've already finished their careers.

By day (and honestly, a lot of nights too), I've been focused on building my business Retention and Rewards Partners. 

I help companies with total rewards, employee engagement, and retention strategies.

At the same time, I keep showing up as The Introverted Networker.

Writing about networking, publishing my newsletter, and creating new resources to help people connect and grow their careers.

Two different themes. 

Both fueled by the same passion: 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

Recently, I've started writing (privately) about being a non-retired person who lives in a retirement community.

Focusing on what it looks like to do the work you want to do while learning from people who have already passed the work phase of their lives.

Not sure if it's right for LinkedIn, so I'm asking that question today:

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻?



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker! 

I talk a lot about networking, building more connected workplaces, and maybe living with retired people.

If you want to see more of me

Do one of these:

✅ Save this post so you can come back and find me later
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

What do you want me to write about on LinkedIn?

The author can see how you vote. Learn more

After 27 years in corporate, I quit my job. My first client showed up 24 hours later.

Not because I got lucky.
 
Because a couple months, I had a conversation with someone I'll call Katie.
 
We both worked in HR in Denver.
Different companies, different roles.

We stayed in touch.
No agenda.
Just a professional relationship I kept up over time.
 
When I was thinking about leaving corporate after 27 years, Katie was one of the first people I called.
 
I told her exactly what I wanted to do.
The specific problems I solve.
In the words a client would use.
 
Then we went on with our lives.
 
The day after I resigned, she texted me.
 
"Do you know anyone who could do fractional total rewards consulting for a client in Denver?"
 
I texted back: "Yeah. Me. I just resigned yesterday."
 
That was client number one.
Then she hired me for a project at her own company.
 
Two clients.
One relationship.
One conversation I'd invested in before any of this was real.
 
Here's the lesson:
 
When you're networking for a job, you connect with people at your target companies.
 
When you're networking for your own business, you connect with people who already serve your target client.

Either way, you have to get specific about what you're looking for.
And, tell people what it is.
 
They become your advocates, your referral sources.
You're not selling yourself.
They're doing it for you.

But you have to start the conversations to get to the part where you tell them what you're looking for.
 
I tell the whole story in this week's issue of The Introverted Networker: https://lnkd.in/gsR7fdVb



I'm Greg, The Introverted Networker!

I talk a lot about networking. 
And building better workplaces.

If you want to become a more confident networker,

Do one of these:
✅ Leave a comment: it tells the algo you want more
✅ Hit "View my newsletter" at the top of this post
✅ Share this post with your LinkedIn network

Doing these guarantees I'll be in your feed.

Ever feel like you need just one hour to get started with your networking?

I've got a solution for you!

Join me and Shayna Cavanaugh next week for You Can Sit With Us!

It's an our dedicated to anything you are working on when it comes to job search. Including networking!

You put the event on your calendar
Block the time
Show up and get more done in that hour than you have all week.

It's a great way to get help and get yourself started.

Join us!

Details below!

Interview Prep, Salary Negotiation | Helping burnt-out professionals to not feel like crap at work | Real HR Experience/Real Results ✨

Not sure where to start when it comes to networking?
 
Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think
 
Join us for our next co-working hour on Thursday, 3/5 where Greg Roche, The Introverted Networker, will share some simple tips and strategies for intentional networking.
 
You’ll leave with real strategies to help you:
➜ Network in a way that feels natural (even if you’re introverted)
➜ Build genuine connections without small talk or events
➜ Create trust through simple, human conversations
 
RSVP through the event below and be sure to share with your introverted job search bestie!
 
P.S. – Raise your hand if you’ve ever overthought a LinkedIn message before sending 🙋🏻‍♀️

"I wish I had called you sooner" is a common comment I hear from my clients.  

It is hard to tell your own story. My favorite clients are often people who tell me that they can recognize the strengths and values in other people but have a hard time articulating their own. 
Or at least packaging that narrative on a modern resume. 

I am not a touchy-feely 'let's take assessments' kind of coach. I value assessments & think they can be important for job seekers who need help figuring out their strengths & motivators. However, I work best with people who know where they want to go and just need help getting there. 

I work with all career levels - from C-suite to career sprinters, including Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officers, Customer Experience Officers, Chief Operations Officers, Chief Medical Officer & more. Our clients have landed roles at top Fortune 100 and 500 companies, including AT&T, Alphabet, Home Depot, JPMorgan Chase, Optum & Nike.

I believe in positively changing the trajectory of people's lives through goal setting, purposeful action & strategic networking. 

I help my clients think bigger AND better articulate their unique value proposition.

I offer 5 solutions:

◆  Behavioral-based mock interviews. I offer highly personalized mock interviews virtually through Zoom. I can help you master questions like, "tell me about yourself" or "tell me about the toughest decision you've had to make in the past six months." I understand the interview process and will ensure you are prepared.

◆  Executive-style resumes, board resumes/bios, and other career marketing collateral. No forms. My resumes are attractive, ATS-friendly, and full of quantifiable data. My goal is to hear you say, "wow! I look great on paper!"

◆ Strategic Job Search Coaching. Stop turning your wheels applying for job after job online. My clients land meetings with decision-makers at top employers and get jobs they really want. 

◆ LinkedIn Training. I am a super-user & have been training business leaders how to use the platform since 2007. 

◆  Medical CVs for residents, fellows, physicians, dentists & podiatrists. 

🙌  My company, Briefcase Coach 💼, has been named the top resume writing agency for experienced executives by Balance Careers.

I was named to the list of 2021 most influential people in the HR Space and 2019 LinkedIn Top Voice for the career space.

Subscribe to my twice-a-month NO SPAM job search newsletter: https://briefcasecoach.beehiiv.com/


Want to work one-on-one?

Sarah@Briefcasecoach.com ◆◆ www.briefcasecoach.com

Sarah Johnston

In this market, the smartest job seekers know they can't just apply online and hope for the best.  Savvy job seekers are running their job search like an SDR with a robust contact list that acts like a personal CRM. 

If you want to step up your job search efforts, check out my latest comprehensive article on how to find and connect with recruiters.  There are several videos embedded throughout.

Feel free to share with job searching friends!

Executive Resume & LinkedIn Strategist for $200K+ Global Leaders Board-Level & C-Suite Branding | Former Recruiter --​> Founder, Briefcase Coach | Interview Coach | Outplacement Provider | LinkedIn Learning Instructor

View newsletter: Career Briefs LinkedIn Edition

If you’ve recently reached out to a recruiter and heard nothing back, you’re not alone. According to a new LinkedIn report, the number of job applican

Open article: Insider Tips to Find and Connect With Recruiters by Sarah Johnston • 8 min read

Insider Tips to Find and Connect With Recruiters

Have you ever seen the clip of Snoop Dogg receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

He says:
 “Last but not least, I want to thank me for believing in me… I want to thank me for doing all this hard work… I want to thank me for never quitting.”

Then he ends with:
 “Snoop Dogg, you a bad motherf—er.”

Honestly?

That’s exactly how I feel as a female entrepreneur sometimes. 😂

Because no one exactly rolled out the red carpet.

When I co-launched a marketplace platform that we’d invested a significant amount of money into, I reached out to someone whose literal job—paid by the state of North Carolina—was to support entrepreneurs.

His response?
He’d be happy to let me attend events… as long as I promised not to sell my coaching services.

Umm… okay?

That’s not even what we were doing, but thanks for the preemptive warning, bro.

Another time, I applied to join a local mastermind group that had minimum revenue requirements.

No one ever called me back.

Apparently, the idea that I had actually built something that profitable didn’t pass the sniff test.

But you know who has had my back?

Other people in the trenches.

 Other women building things without a map.

Women who weren’t invited to the founder’s clubs.

And funny enough… my competitors.

Because when you’re actually doing the work, you recognize the work.

So on this International Women’s Day, I just want to say thank you…

To the women building businesses without permission.
To the women opening doors for each other.
To the women who understand that collaboration beats gatekeeping every time.
And also…

I’d like to thank me for believing in me. 😉

“Ya have to be the three Ps,” a retiree hanging around the ballpark told my daughters. “Pushy, persistent, and polite.”

We were in Florida for baseball spring training this past week. We are the kind of fans who show up when the gates open — gloves ready for pop flies and baseball cards ready for autographs.

My girls had already mastered two of the Ps. They were unfailingly polite. And they were more than willing to prove their persistence by waiting around long after most fans wandered off.

But they still had a lot to learn about the first P.

Because in this context, “pushy” didn’t mean rude or entitled. It meant being willing to step forward. To raise your voice just enough. To wave the ball. To make sure you’re not ignored. 

Simply being nice doesn’t get Austin Riley’s attention.

Sometimes you have to politely put yourself in the line of sight.

I’ve noticed that job seekers have a lot to learn in regards to being pushy too. 
 
Many professionals are exceptionally good at being polite. They send thoughtful thank-you notes. They wait patiently for responses. They don’t want to inconvenience anyone. They worry about coming across as aggressive, needy, or entitled.

But in the process, they sometimes make themselves invisible.

Being “pushy” in a job search doesn’t mean being rude or demanding. It means being willing to take up a little space. It means following up when you haven’t heard back. It means asking for the introduction instead of hinting at it. It means telling someone clearly that you’re interested in an opportunity instead of hoping they’ll infer it.

The job market rewards people who show genuine interest and initiative. Hiring managers are busy. Recruiters are juggling dozens of candidates. The person who respectfully raises their hand a second time is often the one who gets remembered.

Polite and persistent keeps you in the room.

A little bit of “pushy” makes sure people actually see you.

Ps. Go Braves! And yes— they got to meet Austin Riley and Michael Harris!

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What Most Job Seekers Don’t Realize About Outplacement Services ⬇️ ⬇️

This month, I had the privilege of working with two professionals who were recently laid off from small to mid-sized companies. Instead of automatically accepting the standard outplacement package, they 𝐩𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝. They didn’t immediately sign their separation agreements—and then went back to HR to ask if they could choose their own outplacement provider.

Here’s the truth: just because your company offers “outplacement” or “free” job search support doesn’t mean you should take it without question.

In fact, I’ve spoken with countless job seekers who were set back months by the generic advice or subpar resume help they received through traditional outplacement services.

To be clear, there are outplacement firms that do phenomenal work—and I’m not here to bash the entire industry. But let’s be honest: once a company pays for outplacement as part of a severance package, the incentive for that support to be exceptional often disappears. Accountability is minimal. Results vary widely.

If you are being offered outplacement services, consider asking your HR decision-maker for the cash equivalent so that you can select your own service provider & find the right fit for you. When YOU are the payer, it's easier to hold the outplacement company accountable.

As an alternative to cashing out (& paying taxes), consider asking HR if they’d be willing to bring on a boutique outplacement firm as an additional vendor—alongside larger firms like Lee Hecht Harrison or Right Management.
If your company has a diversity supplier program, they may even welcome a woman-owned provider like Briefcase Coach.

In case you’re curious, my company, Briefcase Coach, partners with select businesses to offer a high-touch, white-glove outplacement experience for senior leaders. I’m personally involved in every project—because it makes a real difference when the owner is all in.

If your company is not willing to be flexible in its outplacement offering, here's what I'd do if I were you:

1. Try the in-person networking/accountability group. LHH’s “Job Search Work Teams” are often worthwhile—especially if you need structure, accountability, or want to sharpen your job search strategy.

2. Keep in mind: most outplacement agencies offer a resume review, not a full-service rewrite. Expect basic formatting help—not deep dives into your value proposition or results-driven content.

Outplacement writers typically spend 1–3 hours per client. Boutique executive writers? Closer to 15+.

3. Ask if there is a "former employees" or alumni networking group. This could be a real gold mine for you.

4. Attend all of the outplacement sessions on applying for COBRA, unemployment insurance, & budgeting classes. It's important to file for unemployment right away, as it could take up to 10 business days to get approved. 

📣 📣 Are you a CEO or HR Leader looking for outplacement?  Let's schedule a call! 📣 📣 

#outplacement

Some of you recently left jobs you genuinely loved—and through no fault of your own (cough, layoffs, cough)—you’re now preparing to accept a role that doesn’t quite match the excitement, scope, or compensation of the one you lost.

That’s the reality of this market for a lot of talented people.

And listen—taking a role that isn’t your “forever job” isn’t a failure. Sometimes it’s a strategic bridge.

But even if this next job isn’t the one you dreamed about, the offer stage is still your moment of leverage. Don’t treat it like a formality. Treat it like strategy.

Your job during negotiations is to make sure you’re maximizing the full compensation and protection package, not just salary.

Here’s one thing I recommend leaders think about—something most people overlook:

Negotiate your next exit while you’re negotiating your offer.

You can’t control what happens in the future, but you can build protections now.

Check out the Briefcase Coach blog archive to learn how smart executives negotiate their landing pad.

Open article: Importance of Executive Exit Negotiation Before Day One - Briefcase Coach by briefcasecoach.com

Importance of Executive Exit Negotiation Before Day One - Briefcase Coach

Writing your resume for the first time in 2026?
… a LOT has changed since B-School in 2011.

Resumes are no longer:
 • One-page job descriptions
 • Keyword stuffing exercises
 • Objective statements about what you want

They are strategic marketing documents designed to:
 ✔️ Survive ATS filters
 ✔️ Impress human reviewers
 ✔️ Tell a leadership story
 ✔️ Demonstrate measurable impact

My team at Briefcase Coach just published a comprehensive guide on 2026 resume trends — what’s in, what’s outdated, and what hiring teams are actually responding to right now.

If you’re navigating this on your own, here are four ways to get support — at different price points:

FREE
1. LinkedIn Learning Courses
 Head to LinkedIn Learning and search "Sarah Johnston". I have three courses, including Resume Tips for Managers and Leaders, designed to help you modernize your resume quickly and strategically.

2. The Briefcase Coach Blog
 Search “RESUME” on the Briefcase Coach blog. You’ll find dozens of articles — many with sample bullets — covering everything from executive summaries to quantified impact.

INEXPENSIVE ($145)
30-Minute Resume Review

3. Did you write your resume yourself and just want an expert set of eyes on it?
Think of this like professor office hours. You bring your draft. We review it together. We tighten language, strengthen positioning, and make sure your impact is clear and compelling.

Sometimes small strategic shifts make a massive difference.

BESPOKE (White-Glove Service)
4. Want it done for you — thoughtfully and strategically?

Our expert writing team conducts a two-hour deep-dive interview to extract your leadership story, business impact, and differentiators. Then we craft a custom resume aligned to your career targets.

This is not a template.
This is not a resume mill.


It’s high-touch, highly strategic, and built for leaders who want to compete at the top of the market.

Whether you DIY it or delegate it — please don’t use a 2011 resume in a 2026 market.

Open article: 2026 Executive Resume Trends - Briefcase Coach by briefcasecoach.com

2026 Executive Resume Trends - Briefcase Coach

LinkedIn is now the #1 source ChatGPT cites when people ask professional questions.

Let that sink in for a moment.

When someone asks AI about leadership, careers, hiring, personal branding, or professional strategy, there’s a growing chance the answer is drawing from content originally posted on LinkedIn.

According to research from Profound, LinkedIn surged from outside the top 20 to one of the most-cited sources in ChatGPT responses between November 15, 2025 and February 15, 2026.

The analysis drew from two proprietary datasets—Prompt Volumes and Answer Engine Insights—to track which domains are appearing most frequently in AI-generated answers.

In other words:
The expertise you share on LinkedIn today may shape the answers AI gives tomorrow.

That shouldn’t be entirely surprising.

LinkedIn’s parent company, Microsoft, holds roughly a 27% stake in OpenAI.
But here’s the challenge many professionals face:

They want more visibility on LinkedIn…without coming across as a try-hard.

No one wants their post ending up roasted on Reddit’s “LinkedIn Lunatics.”

In a new article I’m sharing, I gathered insights from several LinkedIn Top Voices—including Michael Quinn and Ryan Rhoten—on how to position yourself as an expert on LinkedIn without becoming a “cringe-pert.”

Here are 4 common try-hard behaviors to avoid:

1️⃣ The Humblebragger
 “I’m honored and humbled to announce…” followed by three paragraphs of self-congratulations.

2️⃣ The Content Recycler
 Reposting the same generic leadership advice everyone else has already posted 500 times.

3️⃣ Bro-Prose
Every sentence.
On its own line.
Short.
Dramatic.
Powerful.

4️⃣ The Self-Proclaimed Guru
 Declaring yourself a “thought leader” before you’ve actually shared an original thought.

If you want to build authority on LinkedIn without sounding performative, the full article breaks down what actually works.

👇 Linked Below

#ThoughtLeadership #LinkedIn

Open article: LinkedIn Strategies for Thought Leadership by briefcasecoach.com

LinkedIn Strategies for Thought Leadership

Confession 1: AI makes writing easier. But AI makes me like writing less.
For me, writing is thought work. 
I ruminate on ideas. 
I delight in digging deeper on topics that I don’t know as much about.
The magic happened for me in the refinement.  

Now that it’s “easy,” it feels more like work.

Confession #2: 
I miss typos, run on sentences and ellipsises. 
I miss the human voice. We are going to tell our kids and grandkids, “back in my day, we could read the email and feel the writer’s pause or hesitation.”Now, everything is so polished and unemotional. 

Confession #3:
I used to feel a deep sense of pride in my writing. Now, when I run something I’ve drafted through AI with a prompt like “refine this text,” I feel a subtle loss of ownership.

And when someone compliments an article I wrote with AI’s support, I catch myself wanting to add a disclaimer — almost like, “Well… I had a technical co-author.”

It’s a strange tension: the ideas are mine, the lived experience is mine, the point of view is mine — but the polish feels shared.

Do you agree?  Do you have an AI writing confession?

Has AI changed the way you think about writing?

I’m going to admit something a little cringey.

For a long time, I had a pretty sexist view of basketball. I assumed men’s sports were faster, more exciting, and simply more fun to watch than women’s sports.

Growing up, and even as an adult, most of the competitive sports I watched were men’s games. When that’s all you see, it quietly shapes what you believe about the sport.

But having daughters has a way of challenging your assumptions.

Now that my girls play basketball, I’ve spent a lot more time in gyms, watching girls’ teams compete, and following women’s college games. And somewhere along the way, my perspective completely changed.

Women’s basketball is incredibly fun to watch. I've learned that men and women play the same sport but play it very differently. 

The pace is intense. The teamwork is beautiful. The fundamentals are strong. And yep-- girls can dunk! (Looking at you, Toby Fournier)

Most of all, watching my daughters play has made me realize something important: sometimes our opinions aren’t based on experience—they’re based on exposure.

I would like to invite all of you to participate in the Briefcase Coach-sponsored March Madness Bracket Challenge focused on WOMEN'S basketball.

Prizes:
1. First Prize:  $100 cash
2. Second Prize:  Free resume review (value: $149)
3. Third Prize: Box of Treats

Feel free to share my link to your connections-- this is an open invite to people who want to celebrate women in sports!!

https://lnkd.in/ekVSsYhJ

#NCAA #BracketChallenge #WomensSports

Content exec | Advisor, Connector | Ex Oracle, LinkedIn, lynda.com

“It’s never better than it is in the beginning.” I’ve said this a few dozen times this month in career chats with various people. Pessimistic? Maybe. But the honeymoon phase happens at work too, and it gives us a lot of information. 

💼 New boss doesn’t care about the people on the team > morale likely down in 6 months = do you want to stay for culture change? 

💵 Job offer takes a long time and comes in lower than expected > expect bureaucracy and lower premium on talent = do you want to work there knowing will be hard to get a raise later?

🏡 Insurance broker won’t return your call when you’re looking for quotes > won’t be reachable if you have a claim = do you want to have to fight with your insurance? 

🤝 Partnership deal reveals a key omission, before a contract is even signed > deal likely fraught with “watch your back” moments = do you want to do deals with people who misrepresent terms?

This is obvious, right? But how often do we ignore those little red flags, hoping things will get better? Making charitable assumptions, giving people grace? Determining we personally will make up the difference and overcome a rocky start? If I’ve done it I’m betting you have too. Charitable assumptions can also give you quick 20/20 hindsight. 

We’re all our best selves up front—the polish and follow through are high. Stakes are high.  Am I impressing you? Because you’re impressing me! So if the beginning is giving pause, imagine what happens after everyone relaxes a bit. #careeradvice #negotiation #conflict

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The Battle

Greg Roche

Sarah Johnston

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taplio

The Battle

Greg Roche

Sarah Johnston

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Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Greg Roche's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreSarah Johnston's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreGreg Roche's LinkedIn Performance