Feeling heavy and weighed down at work?

Are you getting frustrated because something is not happening for you yet you’re seeing other people around you scooping up opportunities, promotions, awards, and raises?

Do you feel like you are “behind” in life?

Are you experiencing days where you are on top of the world and then the next feeling like you can’t do anything right?

If someone told you to “Look on the Brightside” right now, deep in your soul would you to want to flip them the bird?

Job interviews have an innate ability to spark a fashion frenzy within us. Suddenly, every item in our wardrobe becomes subject to intense scrutiny, occupying prime real estate and living rent free in our brains. While the landscape of job interviews is evolving in both virtual and in-person formats, the fundamental question of how to dress for an interview stays. The answer to this question however has remained the same in my playbook!

Let me paint this picture for you…

You are sitting behind your computer, cozy with a cup of coffee (or tea-pick your favorite) and are ready to crush the day because you have gone through your daily rituals, gratitude practice, journaling, a workout, whatever gets you in the right mindset.

You have a full planner in front of you with your 2024 goals and at the TOP of your list is finding a new job or to pivot your current job in the new year.

As we say good-bye to 2023 and step into 2024, the career landscape continues to transform with new technologies, shifting workplace dynamics, and global events that have shaped the professional world, urging us to adapt and stay ahead.

Going into my lucky 13th year as a full desk agency recruiter, trust me, I have seen and heard it ALL but for some reason in my soul, 2024 feels like it will be a year of expansion in new ways.

In this blog I am sharing with you some of my predictions (and some tough love) for the year ahead, offering my insights into what you should be focusing on and what might be better left behind if you are looking to level up your career or job skills and hand in that resignation letter in the new year.

Houston, we have a hiring problem....and I have a few solutions!

Buckle in for a cargo load of information coming your way.

As an agency recruiter who has been in the weeds of the recruitment process for well over a decade, 2023 is rounding up to become a year for the books (and not in the best way) when it comes to the highs and lows of successfully navigating the job application, interviewing and onboarding process.

In the fast-paced world of modern professionals, it's easy to get caught up in the daily grind, focusing solely on meeting work deadlines and achieving career milestones. (guilty as charged!)

Often, the idea of investing in personal development and growth opportunities takes a back seat.

Embarking on a job search can be an exciting yet overwhelming journey.

Trust me, after 12 years as an Executive Recruiter working with luxury brands to bring top talent to their teams while helping thousands of candidates land their next career move AND working with my coaching clients one on one to assist with career clarity strategies, I am well-versed in this topic.

Now, imagine stepping into the fashion retail world, where the stakes are higher, and style is everything. Fear not, aspiring fashionista’s…. well-known NYC styling duo Delia Folk and Alison Brun from The Style That Binds Us are guest blogging with me today to guide you on how to dress with panache while avoiding melting into a puddle of sweat during your interview.

Voice of Boston is our series where we interview local tastemakers on their favorite neighborhoods, restaurants and hangouts around the city. If you missed our last one, read our chat with Karen Mauney-Brodek who is the President of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

It seems like you can’t watch the news or scroll on Instagram without seeing something about layoffs.

Job insecurity is a scary subject, especially since you decided you want to stay in your current position and going back out into the job market just isn’t for you. The great news is that there are ways you can make yourself even more valuable in your current role and push past all of those fears and uncertainties that today’s market can bring up.

If you’re an avid follower and Meghan Houle Method blog lover, you’ve already performed a self-assessment in order to gain career clarity. You’ve got your values and beliefs written down and aren’t accepting anything that doesn’t meet your standards. (If you’re new around here or need to catch up, check out my previous blog post to do that now!)

And, you’ve made a big decision it is time to leave your current job and pivot with purpose… (no wonder that is such a great title for my podcast!)

When you think about your current lifestyle, like the job you have or your daily routine, how do you feel about it? Are you in a constant state of motion without any… emotion behind it?

Unfortunately, we all have to work. We have bills, people relying on us, and things we need to do every day but who said work had to be boring or overwhelming?

What if I told you there was a way for you to live the life you truly desire by reigniting your passion doing the things you love to do? You started your career because you love being challenged, you loved showing off your skills, and were excited about all of the growth and opportunities that were knocking at your door.

If you aren’t ready or willing to open it, we’ve got some work to do.

If you are a person who feels absolutely certain about the direction your career is heading and have set actionable goals to make all of your professional dreams come true, you have career clarity.

Congratulations!

You deserve all of the flowers for all of the work you’ve put in to get there.

But let’s be real. (It’s our 2023 motto, right?!)

As a Master Leadership and Career Clarity Coach along with my role as a Senior Executive Recruiter for luxury brands who has helped place thousands of professionals in their dream jobs, I know that the majority of you probably don’t feel that way. At least not with absolute certainty.

Feeling like having this level of clarity when it comes to your career or future can seem out of reach. And you know what? It’s way more common than you think.

Now that you have what you need to get back in the game - with a positive attitude and a clear vision of your future and goals - it’s time to get down and dirty plotting your way to success.

Whether you are ready for a major career pivot or just casually searching for what’s out there, it’s important to remember that nothing will change until you do. Being in your comfort zone means you only do things that are familiar to you and that allow you to stay in control. It’s how so many of us avoid feelings of anxiousness and uncertainty. But being in a comfy bubble can actually hold you back from all of that well-deserved growth.

Here are 3 ways to utilize that new mindset, get out of your comfort zone, and craft your new future, one day at a time.

There have been times throughout my recruiting career when the job market has been on fire.

I would be flooded with job openings across the luxury retail market that I couldn’t wait to share with candidates that were eagerly awaiting a role within one of their dream companies.

It’s Time For An End-Of-Year Professional Clean-Up

The same way you sort through your wardrobe at the end of each season, is the same way you should be having an end-of-year professional clean-up. I’m not talking about actual cleaning here, either. At the end of every year, you should be doing some essential tidying up to ensure you are primed and ready to start the new year off on the right foot.

If you took a look at my desk right now, you’d immediately spiral.

It’s been a willdddd year!

So many people have pivoted into new roles and new industries. Professionals all over the world are taking a stand for themselves and putting their mental health first. They’re leaving jobs that simply don’t work for them (#peaceout) and finding new opportunities to propel their careers forward lightyears. That’s what makes 2023 such an amazing opportunity to keep up the momentum!

You’ve been busting your butt at your job for a few years now.

Maybe you’re doing more than what is asked of you, tackling projects that should really fall within someone else's job description. You’re the first one in the office (or signed in) and the last one out. But you haven’t received a promotion yet, much less a pat on the back for the job you’re doing.

The word ‘resume’ may make you involuntarily sigh. It’s true! Resumes can be a snooze-fest sometimes.

Throughout my career, I’ve probably read hundreds - if not thousands - of them. And I’ve found myself yawning more times than I can count. But here’s the deal - a resume is much more than just a list that shows off where you went to school and what jobs you’ve held in the past. A properly written and formatted resume makes all the difference in scoring your dream position. It’s a digital handshake that should make the reader interested in meeting you for an interview. Without a good resume, you can kiss that corner office (or dreamy remote position) goodbye!

Networking is everything when it comes to scoring a position with your dream company.

The right person can help you get your foot in the door for an interview or at the very least provide you with critical feedback on how you stack up against others in your industry.