If you're wondering if you should negotiate your salary ...Let me guess, is anxiety trying to talk you out of it? ...The answer is YES, you absolutely 1,000% SHOULD negotiate your salary!

I wish someone had given me this advice before I entered the job market. In this episode, we address EVERY fear, and answer the most common questions Gen Z professionals ask related to salary negotiation.

This crucial step is all part of YOU achieving YOUR career goals! Don't let the opportunity pass you by. 

We cover:

• Why salary negotiation is a normal and EXPECTED part of the hiring process
• What to do if you don't have a competing offer
• What to do if you work in a low-paying industry or field
• Navigating the decision to negotiate in your first full-time job
• Why you should get multiple opinions to determine your market rate
• The gender wage gap - it WIDENED in 2025!

Happy job hunting :)

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

The Gen Z experience in the world of work today is nothing short of... Chaotic? Contradictory? Overwhelming? Way too difficult for no reason? Fill in the blank.

Gen Z career coach, entrepreneur, TedX speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice Ang Richard joins Career Composer for a candid conversation about the challenges we face in the world of work today and how to navigate them. And, how our unique strengths make us best equipped to handle whatever's thrown at us!

We cover:

• The transition from school to work and why it's so difficult
• Ang's tips for success in your first 90 days on the job
• How to make a great first impression in your first full-time job (and in any new role!)
• How to cultivate harmony and collaboration in intergenerational workplaces (Hint: it's all about communication!)
• Why Gen Z is so amazing!!!

Let us know if you resonate with this episode in the comments! We see you, we hear you, and we're sending you all good vibes on your career journey.

Ang's Socials:

IG / TikTok: @earlycareercorner

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-richard/

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Happy Monday! I can't tell you the amount of times I've been asked: "How do I follow up after applying for a job?" Today, I'm answering ALL of your questions and sharing why the traditional career guidance is no longer relevant in today's job market. We cover:

• When you should follow up
• How to know who to contact (and whether you should email or LinkedIn message)
• What to SAY!!!

Don't worry about sending the "perfect" email - the important thing is that you put yourself out there and take the necessary step to stand out in a competitive market. Follow @CareerComposer on Instagram to get my FREE email template for following up with employers! 

Thanks for listening!

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Happy Monday! If you desperately need to get your job applications out there, or even if it's your first time job searching -- this episode is FOR YOU! Erin explains the Top 5 steps job seekers need to take to properly apply for jobs, AND how to apply faster than ever before.

Don't miss this episode if you're job searching in today's competitive market! 

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Welcome back to Career Composer for our first episode of 2026! In this episode, we talk about how to set and achieve career goals for the year. This episode is 2 parts -- getting in the right mindset (creating your career vision board) and mapping out realistic, achievable goals. Anything can happen this year!

In this episode:

• Getting in the right mindset for a fresh start
• Creating a conceptual vision board for your life and career
• Setting actionable, realistic career goals
• Staying motivated and avoiding burnout
• Things to remember (and avoid) as you work towards your goals

Quote to remember: “The world is an opportunity to validate your greatness.” -- Alex Toussaint (my favorite Peloton instructor!)

Wishing you an amazing year!

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Special guest and human resources professional Abby Weaver shares her experience navigating not 1, but 2 (!!!) layoffs in her early twenties! What DON'T we cover in today's episode?

• Should you search for jobs when you're anticipating a layoff?
• What can you expect from a severance package? What is severance?
• How to address a gap on your resume due to a layoff
• The difference between getting laid off vs. getting fired
• How to navigate changing work friendships when you no longer work for the same company
• Navigating low self-esteem and confidence after a layoff, plus how to deal with anxiety when you're anticipating a layoff
• What to do with your time when you don't have a job!
• Applying for full-time vs. part-time roles and the different types of employment
• Traveling abroad to refresh your job search motivation! YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE
• Your job does not define you. Remember, work is only one part of who you are!

If you're currently navigating a layoff or expecting one, we're here for you and hope this episode offers some level of comfort and reassurance that you're not alone. You will get through this, and you will be okay. <3

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

The Prelude is your music appetizer to our main Career Composer episodes! Erin introduces today's career topic, chats about music, gives her weekly song recs, and catches you up on all things Career Composer. Thanks for listening!

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Erin shares her advice for how to navigate a quarter-life crisis (or multiple) and the career comparisons that happen so often in our 20s. When we're all at different places in our lives and careers, it is way too easy to get stuck in a comparison spiral. You're not alone!

We cover:

• Erin's most recent quarter-life crisis at Ocean City Maryland (and why Lana Del Rey is the best medicine)
• Why there is so much pressure to be perfect in our 20s!!!
• Advice for navigating friendships when we're all in different places
• How money, status, and job title play into career comparisons. Hint: Your career does not equal your worth!
• Why it's totally normal to feel this way (and how to use career comparisons to motivate you to make a change)

Check out The Prelude to hear song recs from Erin's Summertime Sadness playlist on YouTube, plus Erin's take on Taylor Swift's "The Life of a Showgirl" announcement on New Heights podcast!

Enjoy :)

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

The Prelude is your music appetizer to our main Career Composer episodes! Erin introduces today's career topic, chats about music, gives her weekly song recs, and catches you up on all things Career Composer. Thanks for listening!

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.

Welcome back to another interview prep episode! Today, we’re breaking down (yet another) one of the most common questions you’ll get in an interview: “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”

It's easier than you think, there is an EXACT formula you can use to answer this question, and you can PREPARE YOUR ANSWER ahead of time! 

We cover:

• The exact format you can follow to answer both parts of this question
• How to choose the right strengths and weaknesses to mention
• When to list more than one strength or weakness
• What not to say when talking about weaknesses
• Example responses for early-career professionals!

Don’t forget to check out The Prelude for a music tie-in and more ideas for strengths you can mention in your answer!

Get my FREE Job Application Tracker!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, X/Twitter, Threads: @careercomposer
YouTube: @careercomposer

Email: [email protected]

ASK ERIN (FREE!): Email Erin at [email protected] to get started. Use "ASK ERIN" in the subject line!

1:1 Career Coaching Services: Email Erin at [email protected] for information about her coaching services! Use "1:1 Career Coaching" in the subject line.