#1 for Career Coaching on LinkedIn. I help senior-level ICs & people leaders grow their salaries and land fulfilling $200K-$500K jobs —​> 300+ placed at top companies.

Ranked The Top Career Coach Worldwide On LinkedIn | Helping Senior ICs & People Leaders Land $200K-$500K Dream Jobs

Ready to grow your salary and land a role you actually love?

I've helped over 300 professionals break through salary ceilings and land life-changing positions at Google, OpenAI, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Apple, Nvidia, Amazon, and other top companies.

Here's what makes my approach different:

Most job seekers waste months applying to hundreds of jobs with no results. My clients land multiple offers in 6-12 weeks using "The Simple Success Method" - my distilled 5-step system that focuses only on what gets you hired. After 300+ successful placements, I've learned that executive-level results come from doing the RIGHT 5 things perfectly, not overwhelming yourself with complicated processes.

My track record speaks for itself:
✓ 300+ clients placed at dream companies  
✓ Average salary increase: 40-80%  
✓ 300M+ content views helping job seekers  
✓ Featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Business Insider  
✓ Built my own 7-figure business using these exact strategies
✓ Ranked the top job search coach on LinkedIn (#1 in the U.S. and Worldwide by Favikon)  

What you get in Career Leap:
→ The Simple Success Method™ (my battle-tested 5-step system)  
→ 1:1 coaching sessions with me personally  
→ Exclusive access to proprietary AI job search tool  
→ Group coaching with other high-performers  
→ Private community of ambitious professionals  
→ Complete confidentiality throughout your search  

This isn't for everyone. I only work with senior-level individual contributors and people leaders who are serious about making a major career move and ready to invest in themselves.

My guarantee: If you don't land a $200K-$500K role within 90 days, we'll keep working with you until you do. That's how confident I am in this system.

More about me: Currently living in Chicago. I worked at LinkedIn for 4 years helping Fortune 500 companies hire top talent, then founded my own 7-figure recruiting start-up. Now I use that complete 360° perspective - platform insider knowledge + hiring expertise + entrepreneurial success - to help people land jobs they actually love.

Ready to transform your career?
  
Send me a DM with "CAREER LEAP" or book a free job search strategy call: https://lwspuk8wil4.typeform.com/to/LeHkspKC

P.S. - Spots are limited. I only take on a select group of professionals each month to ensure everyone gets the attention they deserve.

Reno Perry

My biggest hiring mistake taught me everything.

I passed on someone because they didn't fit the mold.

She had passion. 
She had drive.

But no industry experience.

So I hired the "safe" choice instead.

9 months later, they were gone. 
I was just a stepping stone. 

The person I rejected?

She's now embedded and thriving at another company. 
With no plans to move on. 

That's when it clicked:

People never forget the leader who took a chance on them.

And leaders who don't take chances?

They miss out on incredible talent.

What I’ve learned:

↳ Drive beats degrees
↳ Potential beats pedigree
↳ Character beats credentials

But most of all: 

Attitude beats everything. 

The intern we promoted over more senior candidates.
The career changer who became our top performer.
The self-taught developer who built our best systems.

They all had one thing in common:

Someone believed in them before they proved it.

Now that's how I lead.

I look for hunger, not just qualifications.
I bet on people, not just resumes.
I build futures, not just teams.

Because when you give someone their shot?

They don't just remember. They deliver.

Who's someone who gave you a shot? 

Tag them in the comments below.

"Cool office perks" are dying.

And the companies you actually want to work for
already know that.

I talk to hiring leaders every week
who are building teams at the $200K–$500K level.

Here's what the best companies are spending on instead of ping pong tables:

True flexibility.
Could be hybrid, async, or remote work.

AI upskilling across every level.
Not just engineering. Everyone.

Mental health and wellness support
that goes beyond a meditation app.

Family care benefits that actually cover
the messy reality of having a family.

Career development budgets
people can use without jumping through hoops.

Equity compensation at all levels.
Not just C-suite. 

Transparent pay scales.
No guessing. No negotiating against yourself.

Leadership coaching programs
because promoting someone without support
is just setting them up to fail.

Notice the pattern?

None of these are perks.
They're investments in the kind of people
these companies can't afford to lose.

And the data backs it up.
Companies doing this see dramatically higher retention,
employee satisfaction, and productivity.

So if you're job searching right now,
especially at the senior level,
stop asking "what are the perks?"

Start asking "where is this company actually investing?"

That answer tells you everything
about whether they'll invest in you too.

What's the most meaningful investment
a company has made in you?

---

The companies making these investments
are also raising the bar on who they hire.

If you're targeting a leadership or senior IC role
in the $200K–$500K range,
I run a small accelerator built for exactly that.

DM me the word "READY"
or check the link in my Featured section.

I've interviewed 2,000+ people.

The best candidate usually isn't the most experienced.
It's the one who's most prepared to show their value.

Not with memorized lines.
With real answers that build confidence and spark trust.

You're almost guaranteed to hear these 5 questions.
Here's the mindset behind answering each one well:

"Tell me about yourself"
Lead with one clear result that connects to the role.
End with why their future excites you, not just yours.

"What's your greatest weakness?"
Pick something real but not role-critical.
Show the system you've built to improve.

"Why are you leaving?"
Stay positive and forward-focused.
Frame the move as a step toward greater impact.

"Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"
Align your ambition with their growth path.
Show how this role is the bridge.

"Why should we hire you?"
Point to results that solve their exact pain.
Make it obvious you'll add value from day one.

But here's what most candidates miss…
being ready when it's YOUR turn to ask questions.

That's your chance to show you're thoughtful,
strategic, and serious about the role.

I put together a cheat sheet with
10 high-impact questions that set you apart.

Save it. Screenshot it. Send it to a friend
who's got an interview coming up.

If you're preparing for interviews at the
$200K–$500K level and want strategic support,
I'm opening a few seats in my Job Search Accelerator.

Book a strategy call here to see if it's a fit: https://lnkd.in/gCKpEsYg

I've helped 100s of candidates land 6-figure roles.

The best offers don’t always go to the best candidates.

They go to the most prepared ones.

Save this for your prep.
Share it with someone who needs a win.

12 tough interview questions with A+ answers
(from someone who’s seen what works):

1. “Tell me about yourself.”
↳ Share your value, impact, and what you’re building next.

2. “Walk me through your resume.”
↳ Show how each step made you stronger and more strategic.

3. “Why are you leaving your current role?”
↳ Don’t trash the past—focus on what’s ahead.

4. “I see a gap in your resume. Why did you take time off?”
↳ Be real. Keep it brief. Then move forward.

5. “How do you lead without authority?”
↳ Show how you align people and drive results anyway.

6. “Have you ever disagreed with your boss?”
↳ Prove your maturity: challenge with logic, solve with impact.

7. “What’s a decision you regret?”
↳ Pick one. Own it. Share what changed because of it.

8. “What’s something you’d do differently if you could?”
↳ Point to one thing that would’ve made a big difference.

9. “If I called your boss, what would they say about you?”
↳ Share real feedback that shows clarity, trust, and leadership.

10. “What’s your biggest weakness?”
↳ Be honest. Keep it small. Explain how you manage it now.

11. “What’s the biggest risk you’ve taken?”
↳ Walk through the bold move and the payoff.

12. “Tell me about a project that failed and what you did.”
↳ Own the mess. Show how you fixed it and rebuilt trust.

Great answers don’t just sound good.
They show you’re already thinking at the next level.

So if this helped you rethink how you prep...

Save it.
Remember it. 
Use it. 

Because your next big opportunity could come down
to just 1 question.

But you’d better be ready for all 12.

—

📌 P.S. Ready to land a stronger role in 2026?

I'm hosting a free masterclass where I'll walk you through exactly how senior-level candidates engineer the offers they want.

Grab your spot here: https://lnkd.in/g8fyNm7g

Your LinkedIn profile is costing you opportunities.

(And you don't even know it.)

I've reviewed 1000+ profiles.

Most make the same 7 mistakes.

The good news?

They're all fixable today.

Here's what separates profiles that get ignored
from profiles that get interviews:

1. Your Photo

Blurry selfie → Professional headshot
Dark lighting → Natural light
Busy background → Clean, simple backdrop

2. Your Headline

"Marketing Manager" → "Helping B2B SaaS Companies 
Triple Pipeline Through Data-Driven Campaigns"
Job title only → Keywords + impact + value

Try these headline formulas ↓
[Title] | [Keyword 1] | [Keyword 2] | [Keyword 3] | [Value Statement]
[Title] | [Industry/Expertise] | [Value Statement or Achievement]

3. Your About Section

Resume copy → Your actual story
Third person → First person, conversational
List of duties → Problems you solve

4. Your Skills

23 random skills → Up to 100 strategic ones
Old terminology → Current industry keywords
Set and forget → Update every quarter

5. Your Recommendations

2 generic ones → 3+ specific ones
Old colleagues → Recent success stories
Vague praise → Measurable outcomes

6. Your Custom URL

in/12345abc → in/yourname
Hidden profile → Easy to share and find

7. Your Activity

Ghost mode → Weekly engagement
Broadcasting → Conversations
Silent scrolling → Strategic commenting

The reality?

Recruiters spend 6 seconds on your profile.

Make them count.

I've helped 100s land 6-figure roles.

Every single one started here.

Your competition isn't just sleeping.
Their profiles are working 24/7.
Yours should be too.

Pick one section.
Fix it today.
Then move to the next.

Small changes. Big results.

—

📌 P.S. If you’re serious about making a move and want help positioning yourself for $200K–$500K roles, I work with a small number of clients inside my Job Search Accelerator. You can fill out the short form in my Featured section and, if it’s a fit, book a strategy call.

I stopped asking "What's the culture like?" in interviews.

Not because culture doesn't matter. It determines everything…your growth, confidence, stress, and well-being.

I stopped asking it because it never reveals the truth.

Ask any hiring manager and you'll hear the same three lines:

"Collaborative." "Innovative." And dare they say "Like family."

Vague. Rehearsed. Meaningless.

If you want real insight, you need questions that force specifics, not slogans. Questions that uncover actual behavior, not branding.

The 12 on this cheat sheet do exactly that.

Pay attention to how leaders respond, not just what they say. 

Do they lean forward or get guarded? Do they name real people and real examples or speak in theory? Do they admit where they're still improving or pretend everything is great?

Those moments tell you everything.

Because you're not just interviewing for a job. 

You're interviewing for the next 2,000 hours of your life.

Ask the questions most people are too afraid to ask. 

You deserve real answers.

📌 Want help landing a better role and a healthier team environment? Visit the featured section on my profile to learn more and book a free strategy call.

The most successful people I've met share 1 skill:

They’re powerful communicators.

I've watched so many talented professionals get overlooked.

(Especially in job interviews these days)

All because they couldn't package their value into stories that stick.

The right frameworks can help you do that.

Here are 5 story frameworks every professional or job seeker needs to know:

1. PCAR Method
↳ Forces you to set the scene before jumping to what you did
↳ Makes interviewers feel the weight of your impact

2. The Minto Pyramid Principle 
↳ Saves time by leading with conclusions
↳ Perfect when you must make your point quickly

3. AIDA Framework 
↳ Builds momentum from the first word to the final ask
↳ Keeps readers engaged through your entire message

4. StoryBrand Framework 
↳ Shifts focus from what you did to what they need
↳ Makes your value instantly relevant to your audience

5. The Hero's Journey
↳ Turns career gaps into growth stories
↳ Shows resilience instead of just listing jobs

Each framework helps you:

✅ Build real connections
✅ Make your message stick
✅ Say more with fewer words
✅ Stand out from everyone else

Your experiences already matter.
These frameworks just help others see it too.

Which of these frameworks are you using right now?

If storytelling in interviews is the piece that's costing you offers (which it probably is tbh), that's exactly what we fix inside Career Leap.

My clients don't just learn frameworks. We practice real reps with them until their stories land every time.

Link in my Featured section if you want to see how it works.

Many candidates overthink this question.

They try to answer it by:

❌ Proving everything all at once
❌ Sharing their needs instead of the company
❌ Giving answers that are too generic/general

But what often works better?

Stories that show your impact.

(I would do this for most interview questions btw)

Research suggests stories are remembered up to 22x more than facts.

And the best ones follow a clear structure:

Problem → Constraint → Action → Result

Here’s what that looks like: 

1. Problem
What challenge were you solving?

2. Constraint
What made it harder—tight deadline, limited budget, unclear direction?

3. Action
What steps did you take? What skills did you use? What was your role?

4. Result
What changed because of you? Use data when you can or clear outcomes.

Some questions I always come back to:

☑ Does this story solve a problem they care about?
☑ Can it be shared concisely in no more than a few minutes?
☑ Does it highlight your decisions, not just your tasks?
☑ Will they remember both the result and how you work?
☑ Does it feel like your story, not a script?

When those answers feel solid, your story will feel solid too.

At the end of the day, you don’t need a perfect answer.
You need a structured one that connects.

Ever shared a story in an interview that really landed?
Would love to hear how you approached it.

📌P.S. If you want support using stories like this to land a better, higher-paying role, I’m opening a few spots this month in my job search accelerator. We have people leaving this month due to landing jobs! Fill out the short form in my Featured section and if it’s a fit, we can talk.

How_to_Answer_Why_Should_We_Hire_You

I’ve had jobs that look great on paper but still felt like I was in the wrong role. 

The smartest career move you can make this year?

Aligning your ambition with your energy.

If you're crushing goals but feeling completely off-track, you're not broken.

You're just misaligned.

I see this all the time with people “doing well”

Great title. Good money. Totally drained.

They think they need to blow up their career and start over.

But that's not it.

You don't need a career overhaul. You need realignment.

There's a Japanese concept called Ikigai - it means "reason for being."

It's basically the intersection of what you're great at, what energizes you, what pays well, and what fits your life.

I've adapted it into a career framework I use with clients to find that sweet spot.

It's four overlapping questions:

→ What are you trusted to deliver? (Your zone of mastery)
→ What would you do even if it didn't pay? (What drives you)
→ What's actually in demand? (Market reality)
→ What fits your life right now? (Not just your ambition)

The magic happens at the intersection.

That's where you get focus, clarity, and motivation without burning out.

I broke down the full framework in the graphic below 👇

Look at it. See where you're strong. Notice where you're missing.

That gap? That's what's making you feel off.

—

P.S. This kind of clarity work is what we do with clients inside my Job Search Accelerator. I help professionals align their skills, ambition, and energy so their next role actually compounds their career. 

If you want to explore working together, you can apply and book a strategy call here: https://lnkd.in/gCKpEsYg

The best companies don't have to beg people to stay.

I talk to hiring leaders every week.

The ones with great retention aren't doing anything complicated.

Their people feel challenged. Trusted. Recognized. Like their career is actually moving somewhere.

These are exactly the things you should be testing for in your interviews.

Most candidates never ask the right questions to find out if a company actually operates this way.

Or just says it does.

The difference between a role that energizes you and one that burns you out in 18 months usually comes down to how well you interviewed them.

Shelley Piedmont, SPHR, SHRM-SCP

You've spent years building real expertise. You've solved many problems and delivered great results.
 
But when it comes time to talk about what you do, whether you're considering a career change or sitting in an interview, you can't quite put your finger on what makes you valuable. You know you're good at what you do, but you can't clearly explain why or how that matters to someone else.You're struggling because you've never stepped back to truly understand what your experience adds up to and how to talk about it in a way that makes sense to someone else.

I was a recruiter for 20 years, which means I've interviewed thousands of leaders. I've also coached 400+ mid-career professionals through career transitions and interview prep.What I've learned is this: most people know what they're good at. They don't know how to talk about it.

I work with people in two situations:

1) You're thinking about a career change.You know you need something different, but you're stuck. You're worried your experience won't translate. You're scared of starting over or taking a pay cut. You don't know how to explore options without blowing up your current stability.

I help you figure out what actually makes sense for you, then show you how to talk about your background so it sounds like an asset, not a liability.

2) You have interviews coming up, and you're not ready. When you try to explain what you do, it either comes out as a rambling career history or three vague sentences. You leave interviews kicking yourself because you forgot to mention half your accomplishments.I teach you how to tell your story in a way that's clear, confident, and actually lands. The organization has a strategy; you should, too.

Here's what's different about working with me: I've been on the other side of the table. I know what hiring managers are actually listening for. I know why some answers work and others fall flat.

For example, everyone says they're a "strategic thinker," but almost no one shows how they think strategically or what results that thinking produces. That's the difference between an answer that sounds good and one that gets you hired.

"I was feeling very lost when we started. Shelley helped me organize my plan, understand my strengths, and put an actionable plan together. I now feel ready to move forward with purpose."

"Shelley gave me different ways of looking at how I answer interview questions, which will help tremendously."

Book a free consultation, and I'll show you what's getting lost in translation. Check out the link in my contact information.

Interview the Right Way Coach

Shelley Piedmont

I can tell many of you do not know the difference between a persona descriptor and a performance descriptor.

Recruiters do, and this could be one of the reasons you are not getting interviews.

A persona describes a character or trait. On a resume, this is often a self-described title, such as "I am a creative visionary." 

The problem: Often, it is an unsubstantiated claim. Because you say it doesn't mean it is true.

Now, performance descriptors are different. They describe what you have done. Your accomplishments. You are providing proof.

Which do recruiters and hiring managers care more about? Yes, the latter.

Effective job seekers take a persona descriptor and ask themselves, "What did I do that makes me say I have this trait?"

Team Player (Used ad nauseum on resumes) → Aligned sales and product teams to hit an aggressive launch deadline.

Innovative (Subjective) → Architected a new billing workflow that saved 10 hours weekly.

Hard-working (Baseline requirement) → Exceeded quarterly KPIs by 15% for three consecutive years.

Problem Solver (Aren't most people?) → Negotiated a $20k vendor credit after a service disruption.

Your homework: Go through your resume and LinkedIn About section. Highlight your persona descriptors. Swap them out for a metric or a specific action.

Now see if that doesn't draw more interest.

-----
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes instead of exhausts you.
♻️ Resonated with you? Your repost could help someone else, too
🔔 Follow + ring the bell for weekly career reality checks
🟪 Questions about your next move? I'm here to help. Ask below or DM me

Shelley Piedmont🧭

Clarity↣Strategy↣Hired For Managers to VPs • Job Search Strategist & Interview Coach • Career Coach, Job Change Advisor & Resume + LinkedIn Strategist

Don't apologize for wanting to leave a job after 90 days.

In this market, survival jobs are real. Many took jobs they knew were not a great fit to pay the bills or to stop having to look for work.

Now, you’re back interviewing, facing the awkward question, "Why are you looking again after only 3 months?"

You don't help your cause by sounding defensive or saying, "I just needed a paycheck." 

You haven't lessened the risk of hiring you.

If you can’t explain why the current role isn’t the right fit, recruiters assume you don’t know what you want. 

That isn't an interviewing problem; it’s a career clarity problem.

Position yourself as not running away from a situation that is not working for you. Instead, you are running toward a role/organization that is strategic for your career.

When you have clarity, you are no longer a risk. You are a desirable asset who knows exactly where to drive the most ROI.

Check the carousel for tips on how to stop apologizing and start positioning yourself.

📤👥If this is not your current situation, share it with someone struggling in this situation.

I have a YouTube channel. My latest video is about how to overcome being "overqualified" in an interview: https://lnkd.in/eUjkTGfb

I write about this and other job-search topics in my biweekly newsletter. Please subscribe: https://lnkd.in/er6DT_8P

If you have an upcoming interview and need help to prepare, I have a one-session Rapid Readiness interview prep service: https://lnkd.in/erMzc3Si

How To Answer The Job Hopper Question.

Nothing is more frustrating than trying to return to a company and being told "no," and not understanding why this is happening.

You didn't leave because you hated them. Maybe it was for a promotion, a better commute, or a new challenge. Now, the timing is right to go back, and you know you can do the job.

You reach out or they reach out to you. You have a great conversation with a recruiter. The hiring manager seems thrilled.

Then...nothing. Crickets.

As a former recruiter, I’ve seen this happen. I encountered something called The Block List or Do Not Hire List.

These lists can stop a return, even if you were a top performer.

Today, I am talking about:
— Why "good work" doesn't always guarantee a return. 
— How to tell if you’ve been blocked from returning.
— What you can do to uncover is you are on this list.

Here is a video where I speak more to this: https://lnkd.in/epduvtYE

Here is a blog post where I speak about block lists: https://lnkd.in/eD_VHGQb

I write about this and other job-search topics in my biweekly newsletter. Please subscribe: https://lnkd.in/er6DT_8P

📤👥You may not want to return to a former employer, but this could be happening to someone you know. Share this point with them.

Are You On A Do Not Hire List?

I've always hated the advice that a one-page resume is the only way to go.

So, I am glad my Monday Number 2 debunks this advice. 

Two is the number of pages that most resumes are these days. Not one but two.

Here is what the data shows.

Entry-level:  Nearly all stick to one or two pages, with two pages emerging as the clear winner at 60% of submissions. 


Mid-level professionals: Two-page resumes remain the standard, but three-page resumes have doubled from 7% to 15%. More experience means more to say.

Senior leaders: While two-page documents still dominate, 40% of senior professionals exceed three pages. A 20-year career can't be credibly summarized in the same space as a 3-year career.

And the interview rate for each tells what works.

Two-page resumes achieve a 3.24% interview rate; the highest of any format.
 
•     One page: 3.06% interview rate. 
•     Three pages: 2.6% interview rate. 
•     Four-plus pages: 2.12% interview rate. 

Provide enough detail to prove your qualifications, but know when to stop. Recruiters have a breaking point, and it's around page three.


Remember, length is all about relevance. It should never be a goal in itself.

Your resume should be as long as it needs to be to demonstrate you can do the job, no longer and no shorter. For most people, that's two pages. 

Cutting your most impressive accomplishments to hit one page is self-sabotage. Padding to three pages with marginal details is equally counterproductive.

Context matters more than page count.

Stop obsessing over page count. 

Source: Huntr 2025 Annual Job SearchTrends Report

Monday Number episode 2 thumbnail: Woman with hand cupped to ear in listening gesture on purple background. This episode reveals that 2-page resumes achieve the highest interview rate at 3.24%, debunking the one-page resume myth with data from over 128,000 job applications. Website: www.mycareergps.com.

You can spend your time complaining about ghosting, or understand why this is happening, so you can be a better candidate.

(I think the latter is better, but hey, your choice)

Statistics show that 31% of recruiters manage 21+ roles simultaneously. With 100+ applicants per role, that’s over 2,100 resumes to skim while juggling interviews and hiring manager meetings.

Recruiters don't want to ignore you, but they’re drowning. They are putting on their own life vests.

So how can you be a better candidate?

Remember, recruiters are not investigators.

If a recruiter has 6 seconds to look at your resume, they won't hunt for your qualifications. 

If your ROI isn’t visible immediately, the opportunity is lost. 

You have to show that you are the obvious solution to their specific problem.

So this is how you become a better candidate.

1) Place your most relevant achievements where the eye lands first. This is the top-third, or in publishing, what is called "above the fold."

2) Think like an engineer and reverse engineer a job description. Ask yourself where on the resume I addressed a bullet point.  If it’s not clear, you haven't made yourself the best solution for them.

3) You rely only on job boards and applying online. This simply isn't enough in 2026. Build relationships before you need them and connect with team members directly.

The smart job seekers don't complain about the system. That is a waste of energy.

They learn how to navigate around it.

What’s the one piece of advice you ignored at the start of your search that you now take seriously?

-----
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes instead of exhausts you.
♻️ Resonated with you? Your repost could help someone else, too
🔔 Follow + ring the bell for weekly career reality checks
🟪 Questions about your next move? I'm here to help. Ask below or DM me

From no offers to two.

How? 

Through not telling the stories that meant the most to this job seeker. Those were not connecting.

Instead, in our interview prep sessions, we focused on what would help him connect with the interviewer.

Many of you are doing the same thing. You've lived through long hours and hard deadlines. You emotionally invested in what happened.

Yet the hiring manager couldn't care less about your memories; they care about their problems that need to be solved.

That is why a strategy for interviews is important.

It helps you see what stories to tell and what to focus on in them.

Here is how we accomplished that shift:

-Instead of just saying what he did, we practiced explaining why it mattered to the interviewer. We shifted the focus to "I can do this important activity for you."

-We disected job description. We repositioned his expertise to align with their needs, so they didn't have to guess whether he was a fit.

-We prioritized results over process: He was getting stuck on the how and rambling. The focus became on the outcome, so the value was impossible to ignore.

Through all this work, he became more confident. He knew his stories were now more compelling.

And it showed in his interviews. Where he had not gotten far in the interview process before, he is now making it to the final round and is deciding between two offers.

That is a good place to be!

So, I ask you, are you telling the stories you love, or the stories they need to hear?

If you need help determining the difference, DM me (always free). Let's work together to get you those offers.

-----
I'm Shelley. I used to hire for companies, but now I advocate for YOU. My goal? Helping you find work that energizes instead of exhausts you.
♻️ Resonated with you? Your repost could help someone else, too
🔔 Follow + ring the bell for weekly career reality checks
🟪 Questions about your next move? I'm here to help. Ask below or DM me

"That was so exhausting."

If you’re an introvert, you’ve likely felt this after a networking event.

You feel the job search is an extrovert's game. 
You feel like you're "selling" yourself, which feels fake.
You feel you need to be someone you are not in the room to get noticed. 

But to be clear: Introverts are hired every day.

Some of the most effective CEOs and leaders are introverts. They are successful because of what they do, their value. They got their positions by showing this.

As a career coach, I see too many talented people burn out by trying to be extroverted.

Stop doing that.

Instead, I’m breaking down how to navigate the job search on your own terms, including:

Strategic networking: Why 1:1 conversations are your safe place.

Depth over breadth: Why one meaningful connection beats 25 elevator pitches.

The power of preparation: Using your reflective nature to research and strategize better than the competition.

Energy management: How to build routines that allow you to recharge after social interactions.

Think of your introversion as a competitive advantage. You just have to know how to use it.

Check this out to find out how your introversion can work for you.

📤👥If you're an extrovert, share it with those introverts you know struggling in this situation.

I have a YouTube channel. My latest video is about how to overcome being "overqualified" in an interview: https://lnkd.in/eUjkTGfb

I write about this and other job-search topics in my biweekly newsletter. Please subscribe: https://lnkd.in/er6DT_8P

If you have an upcoming interview and need help to prepare, I have a one-session Rapid Readiness interview prep service: https://lnkd.in/erMzc3Si

Introvert Job Search Strategy

Come with me to San Diego!

This will be my third year attending the Career Thought Leaders Professional Development Symposium.

Why do I go?

I learn a ton about job search and career development. As "Learner" is one of my top strengths, it is an opportunity to deepen my understanding of my profession. The more I know, the better for my clients.

It is also a great community (my Relator strength loves this). I have built great relationships with many of the career practitioners that I have met at this conference.

The lineup is great this year. A whos-who of career pros sharing their knowledge:

Alex Budak
Angie Callen, PCC, MJSC
Anthony Musso (MSW, ACRW, CCSP)
Debra Boggs
Denise Bitler, MRW, MJSC, CERW, CDBS, CHJMC, CICNC
Kathleen Dohoney, ICF ACC
Kyla Duffy
Laura Lee Ellen "Laura" Johnson, MBA, MPBS, CDBS, CICNC
Marie Zimenoff (who puts this on)
Meredith Pasekoff-Dinitz, CCMC
Paula Christensen

And many more.

So will you join me April 19-22 at the Courtyard Liberty in San Diego?

You can learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/eqSm7d68

When I was in HR, 3-3.5% raises, across the board, were the standard. Some years there may be more, some years, a bit less, but most everyone got something.

Those days might be over. 

My Monday Number is 75%. That is the number of companies that gave raises to at least 80% of employees. 

This year, that number may be significantly lower. Many are rethinking "peanut butter" raises (where salary increases get spread across everyone like, well, peanut butter on bread). 

Instead of giving everyone a little, more firms are considering giving top performers a lot and everyone else little to nothing. 

The total raise pool isn't shrinking (it's still about 3.5%), but how it's distributed may change.

The job market is terrible for white-collar workers. With fewer openings and limited options to leave, employers have less incentive to spread raises around. Raised are going to those they want to keep. Everyone else? Well, if you are unhappy and go, they're also betting that automation and AI can fill any gaps from departures.

What this could mean:

Top performers: You might see 6-8% or higher instead of 3%.

Average performers: You might see nada. The money that used to be spread around now goes exclusively to those seen as valuable.

Those with in-demand skills: Skills scarcity could work in your favor even if you're not top-ranked.

Adding insult to injury: Jobs are no longer secure, and doing your job well may no longer earn you a raise. You need to be doing it better than your peers or bringing skills that are hard to replace.  This also means you need to document your wins, build valuable skills, and make sure your manager knows your contributions. That way, you can be put in a group they are eager to reward and retain.

Source: Korn Ferry Insights, February 11, 2026

Monday Number episode featuring Shelley Piedmont with hand cupped to ear in listening gesture on purple background. The number 75% is displayed. This episode reveals that 75% of companies gave raises to at least 80% of employees last year, but many are now abandoning 'peanut butter' raises in favor of giving larger increases only to top performers. Website: www.mycareergps.com

taplio

The Battle

Reno Perry

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance ScoreReno Perry's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

taplio

The Battle

Reno Perry

Shelley Piedmont

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

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);}Reno Perry's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreShelley Piedmont's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreReno Perry's LinkedIn Performance