Learn from pros who have sat on both side of the negotiation table and know what it takes to seal the deal. Capgemini’s Lynn Hodak and Katrina Grant. Hint: consider your education, experience, and location – and how that translates to competitive compensation. Then take a breath, be humble, and make the ask. At the end of the day, your current (or future) boss wants you to succeed. And salary is a big piece of that performance puzzle.

Each month the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its monthly jobs report. And the big question: what does it mean to you, as a job seeker? 

The reality: behind the inflation chatter and unemployment highs and lows, there are tons of tidbits that can help inform your search – and in this episode of Hardly Working, our own Chief Economist Aaron Terrazas breaks it all down. Because more than ever, the labor market’s “defying gravity.” We’re seeing knowledge workers clocking even more time, Wall Street’s erring on the “this isn’t so bad” side, and remote work is here to stay – at least for about one-third of us. 

Aaron’s biggest takeaway, though? You can’t time your life to the economy – so get out there, do your homework, and be prepared to take (mitigated) risks. With that mindset, you’ll be well on your way to a bigger, better career in 2023. 

New Year, new career, and job search expert Laurisa Milici is here to help. In this hands-on episode of Hardly Working, she’ll share her secret sauce – the exact process Laurisa used (literally) hundreds of times to find her next great consulting gig. From making your CV stand out, to working your existing relationships, to being your own professional hype machine and, ultimately, finding your Career Clarity, Laurisa lays it all out. Because, let’s face it, you’re spending one-third of your life at work. And you deserve a career that works for you.

New year, new career, right? Right! An award-winning leadership coach Ronnie Dickerson-Stewart is here to help hit the ground running with a simple, powerful framework for success. From assessing your inner circle, to understanding the changes that brought your career to this exact point in time, to committing to learning, gratitude, and networking like a pro, Ronnie’s laid it all out in this actionable deep dive. Because 2023 is going to be your career year…starting now. 

The reality? Every office is dysfunctional. Yes, even yours. Your (real) job, then, should be figuring out that unique flavor of dysfunction and what it actually takes to succeed. Because we’re betting it isn’t time, talent, and a get-it-done attitude. 

In this installment of Hardly Working, author Ken Kupchik doles out hilariously spot-on workplace insights from his latest book, I Hope This Email Finds You Never. From landing your dream job to navigating the proverbial water cooler to getting promoted – and having to boss around your coworkers for the first time – Ken puts a real, relatable spin on workplace culture, preparing you for whatever comes next. 

When it comes to data analytics, there are no dumb questions – and everyone has a seat at the table, explains General Assembly Data Engineer & GA Data Analytics Instructor Candace Pereira-Roberts. If you’re a curious problem-solver and creative thinker ready to step out of your comfort zone and into a fast-growing industry, a data-related career could be in the cards – and Candace has plenty of tips and tricks for diving in like a pro.

At 34, chef and restaurant owner Mark Taylor found himself with $600 in the bank – and the need to immediately pivot professions. Fast forward to today and Mark’s an influential force in entertainment, renowned for leading Nickelodeon Animation, negotiating billion-dollar Netflix orders, and always carrying his trusty Nerf gun (he’ll explain). 

In this dynamic back-and-forth, leadership author and former direct-report Paul Falcone digs into Mark’s powerful POV on everything from the (delightful) challenge of managing creatives to value-based relationship-building, and why he’ll never stop asking, “are you feeling valued, appreciated, and respected today?

Rebecca Minkoff is one of the most dynamic voices in fashion. But in the beginning, launching her now-coveted handbag collections meant shuttering her apparel brand. It was painful, she admits, but in the end, that powerful pivot set the stage for her massive success. 

In this episode, Rebecca shares her hard-won rules for success, plus strategies for rejecting fear, tuning out social expectations, and designing your own unique path forward.

Networking is key to building a powerhouse career. But just thinking about mingling with could-be contacts is enough to send us into full anxiety mode. So how do you quiet the overwhelm, indecision, and fear of rejection standing between you and the robust professional network you deserve? In this Fishbowl Live, career coach, speaker, and trainer Phoebe Gavin unpacks common hurdles and hang-ups, offering clear, sustainable next steps to simplify – and amplify – all things networking. 

Religion is a sensitive topic, but it’s a big part of many people’s identity. As our societies move towards cultivating inclusion, will religious minorities be included too? Simran Jeet Singh, the Executive Director for the Aspen Institute’s religion and society program opens up the conversation with Elisa Domingo the Chief Inclusion Diversity and Equity Officer at Allstate, sharing their perspectives around religious diversity in the workplace and how we as leaders can be more supportive of the people we work with.