This morning I posted a reply to a brave soul who posted about their job search—thank you. I touched me in a way I have not written about in a while. If this helps someone else too, please take it and pass it forward. Don’t worry about reposting this from me, take it, re-write it, make it your own mantra for the day 🙂

Thank you today LinkedIn member… for reminding us what LinkedIn was truly built for: helping people find jobs!

Your honesty cuts through the noise. And while I won’t pretend to have magic advice you haven’t already heard, I want to offer something deeper: “perspective.”

Will your certifications like PMP help? Probably.
Will your degree open doors? I hope so.

But more than credentials, these are milestones—proof of your commitment, your growth, your grit. You won’t regret earning them, no matter where they lead.

I know this season is hard. It’s frustrating. It’s exhausting. Most all of us on here feel this, behind our SHINY profiles… But it’s also the moment to dig deeper—to go beyond the surface and find the real opportunities.

After decades of navigating careers, I’ve learned this: LinkedIn and job boards are just the outer shell. They’re the Matrix right!! You’ve got to unplug to see the truth. The real jobs—the ones that fit you, challenge you, reward you—are hidden behind the fog of algorithms, gatekeepers, and generic postings.
So how do you find them?

You fight through the fog. You build real relationships. You talk to people—personally, directly. You set up 1:1s. You follow up. You stay curious. You stay kind. You keep showing up.

Because somewhere out there, one or two people hold the key to your next chapter. And they’re not just recruiters—they’re connectors, mentors, former colleagues, the person you never expected, even strangers who see your value.

I’ve been in your shoes. I’ve taken time off. I’ve worked odd jobs. And it was in those moments—when I felt furthest from my goals—that I made the breakthroughs that changed everything.

So keep going. Keep posting. Keep connecting. You’re not just looking for a job. You’re building the next version of your career. And we’re here for it.