NEXT | Navigating Career Pivots & Reinvention in the Age of AI

While it's harder to "land your next job" in 2026 than it's been in years, it's easier than ever to build something of your own.

In this first episode under the new name, I make the case for both — and walk through the six pieces of the stack I used to build my own business, most of which cost nothing.

Whether you're staying, searching, or ready to pivot, you're the one in the driver's seat.

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

This is our last show under the name Land Your Next Job. 

I'm shifting to NEXT so we can answer the bigger question of what's next that so many people are asking me. 

It'll still be in your feed, so if you haven't already like, subscribe, and follow! 

And come find me on Substack!

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

Running towards = positive energy 

Running away = negative energy

Regardless of the circumstances of how you landed here, you can definitely reframe where you're headed into a future-facing "towards" rather than a past-looking "away."

That simple change shows up in your words, your body language, your energy - and eventually, the outcome you seek. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

Many of us associate our identity with our job, with our title, with our type of work. But who are you without your job? 

The same worthy human being you were yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that. 

It can be hard to answer that question, “What do you do?” when you’re in the messy middle. It’s tempting to jump into another group to claim an identity - a political party, a sports team, a religious affiliation - but none of those tell the full picture either. 

Simply being human is having a renaissance right now as we all struggle with the line between us and AI. How would you finish these sentences? 

I’m a human who loves… 

I’m a person who believes… 

I’m someone who helps others… 

Your identity is a journey, rather than a destination. We’re human beings, not human doings. It’s okay to just be. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

Here are my 8 steps to use LinkedIn efficiently - and hate it less! 

1. Figure out why you're there
2. Set your thoughts intentionally. I am on LinkedIn to x, y, and z
3. Set your work hours - get in, get out, move on
4. Follow people you like
5. Unfollow the people that bug you
6. Follow companies you like
7. Apply off of LinkedIn
8. Turn off notifications Anything else?

If you're still early in your search, need to optimize your LinkedIn profile, or just one of those people who wants to use LinkedIn more, check out Day 2 of my free Job Search Bootcamp. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

What makes for a Perfect Every Day? Not a day where everything goes perfectly. but an every day where you set yourself up for success. Erika shares her 6 activities - her Perfect Every Day FREMOW. What are yours? 

1. Friends/Family
2. Reading
3. Exercise
4. Meditation
5. Outside
6. Writing

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

Referrals can be game-changers in the job search, particularly if they come from people who know you and can recommend you to a hiring manager or recruiter. Here are 5 easy ways to make that interaction as friction-free as possible. 

1. Set up a calendar system. Here are a few to try: Cal.com, Tidycal, Cal.zo
2. Have a resume ready to send at a moment's notice - even from your phone
3. Provide a short list of job titles that you're looking for.
4. Develop an elevator pitch that tells someone in ~30 seconds what you're looking for. 
5. Once you get a commitment to refer you, email them a forwardable list of bullet points on why you'd be great at the job
   
   

Your people want to help you. It's your job to make it as easy for them as possible. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

How do you tell the story when it's complicated? Whether you were laid off, fired for performance reasons, or something different, you need to have a short, simple answer that quickly shifts the discussion back to why you're the best person for the job. Tune in to get some hints on how to write your own story - and move on. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

The job search isn't a sprint. It isn't a marathon. It is a race of undetermined length. Erika talks about the challenges of not knowing how long it will be, shares some 2026 statistics, and gives you ideas for how to estimate yours, as well as how to stay resilient for a longer search. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn

In this episode, Erika shares what it means to take a 1099 consulting/contract job vs. a permanent full-time W-2 job. She breaks some myths, shares why now may be the right time to consider a 1099, and gives ideas for how to find one, including the website oncontracting.com. 

Whether you're looking to get back to work as quickly as possible, or just want to better understand the options, you'll definitely learn something. 

Ready to get support on what's next? Check out erikaparkerprice.com and book a free call.

Questions? Comments? DM Erika on LinkedIn