Career Confidential
April 2025 Edition | Curated by Teegan Bartos
Because the job search at this level? It’s different.
Dear Reader,
This is the very first issue of Career Confidential, and I want to start by sharing the story that lit the spark.
I’d just returned from a solo trip to Belize, on a one-mile island, surrounded by strangers who became something more.
There was a rancher who breeds exotic animals. An interfaith minister. A SaaS sales leader. A stay-at-home mom.
At first, we exchanged titles. Backgrounds. The usual surface stuff.
But the magic happened once the titles fell away.
That’s when the real conversations started—about pivots, pressure, purpose. About what it means to outgrow a season, to carry success that doesn’t always feel successful, to quietly want more.
And that’s when it clicked.
The title isn’t the story. The story is the why. The challenge. The shift.
That insight isn’t just true on a beach in Belize, it’s true in boardrooms, Zoom calls, and LinkedIn profiles around the world. It’s true for the executives, founders, and operators I work with every day.
People who know where they’re going next…but need space, perspective, and precision to get there.
That’s what this newsletter is for.
Every month, I’ll send you the same clarity I deliver in my work:
- Insight that reveals what’s actually going on in the market
- Strategy to move forward, not just stay afloat
- Tools that work—even when time is tight
Not because you need help. But because even the most capable people perform better when someone sees what they’re building and says, “Let’s go.”
Thanks for being here for Issue No. 1.
Hiring Holds Steady—But Execs Know What’s Coming
On the surface, March looked strong: 228,000 jobs added. Wages holding. Hiring still active. But just beneath the optimism, contingency plans are quietly being made behind closed doors.
Boards are shifting into risk management mode.
CEOs are pausing growth investments.
Heads of Talent are reevaluating Q2 forecasts.
And knowledge workers are increasingly being replaced with AI capabilities.
Executives know the truth: we’ve been in a white-collar recession since 2024 and the ripple effect is gaining speed.
📎 The Atlantic: The Big Freeze
📎 Tariff Impact Overview
What this means for you:
Whether you're holding on to the role you have, recovering from a recent layoff, or actively exploring your next move, this is the time to own your narrative before someone else does it for you.
Because in a market like this, visibility isn’t optional—it’s a strategic advantage.
⚠️ Job Search Tip of the Month: Outsmart AI-Powered Scams ⚠️
Scammers have evolved and AI is helping them scale faster than ever.
Fake recruiters. Fake job listings. Fake career sites.
They don’t look suspicious. In fact, they look exactly like the real thing.
With just a few prompts, AI can replicate logos, language, websites, and even LinkedIn profiles—making it harder than ever to tell what’s legit and what’s a digital trap.
Before you apply, click, or engage, take 30 seconds to protect yourself:
- Verify the recruiter’s LinkedIn profile. Look for mutual connections and activity history.
- Inspect the email domain...no sketchy misspellings or lookalikes.
- Search the company name + “scam” and see what surfaces.
- Trust your gut...if something feels off, it probably is.
Your reputation, personal data, and even your identity are part of your career capital. Protect them like you would your résumé.
Job Connection Tuesdays Are Back
During the pandemic, I co-led a weekly job seeker and employer spotlight series with Amazon recruiter Dan Roth and it made a difference.
Week after week, our posts reached over 100,000 people, sparked thousands of comments, and led to real interviews, real offers, and real momentum for job seekers who just needed a chance to be seen.
Now, I'm bringing that energy back.
Every Tuesday on LinkedIn, I open up space for meaningful career connections between:
- Job seekers – Comment with what you’re looking for (or DM me, and I’ll share anonymously on your behalf)
- Hiring leaders & recruiters – Drop a link to your company’s open roles and widen your reach
- Supporters & allies – Engage, amplify, and tag someone who needs to see it
We’ve seen firsthand what can happen when a community comes together.
Let’s not underestimate the power of one connection, one comment, one act of kindness.
🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn to join the movement
From the JYC Team: Time Management Isn’t Your Real Problem
By Samantha Enayati, Master Coach – Executive Functioning & Performance
You don’t have a time problem. You have a capacity problem.
Because yes, your calendar is full.
Yes, you’re doing all the right things.
And still, it feels like you’re always one step behind.
You've got discipline, put in the effort, and have the productivity app to your phone. But our brain operates under pressure, especially when there’s no space to breathe, recalibrate, or reset.
In her latest article, JYC Master Coach Samantha Enayati breaks down why even the sharpest leaders get stuck in reactive mode and what to do when your brain feels maxed out before the week even starts.
| “We’re not taught to manage time. We’re taught to respond to pressure.”
You don’t need to hustle harder. You need systems that protect your bandwidth and help you perform at the level you’re built for.
2025 Talent Trends to Watch
Top Skills of 2025
According to LinkedIn data, the fastest-growing skills shaping the U.S. workforce in 2025 are:
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AI Literacy
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Conflict Mitigation
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Adaptability
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Process Optimization
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Innovative Thinking
AI Mandates Are Changing the Hiring Approval Process
Some companies (hello Shopify CEO) are now requiring hiring managers to prove that artificial intelligence can’t do the job before approving a hire. Headcount planning is no longer about future growth, it’s about present justification.
Reputation Risk Is Shaping Executive Hiring
Executive candidates are being vetted not just for performance, but for perception. Boards are weighing social sentiment, public statements, and digital footprints as part of brand and shareholder risk management.
LIVE Thought Leader Lab – April 24 @ 1:30pm CT
You don’t need to post daily, go viral, or chase the algorithm.
You just need to own your voice and let the right people hear it.
Thought Leader Lab is a FREE, executive workshop for leaders ready to be seen for what they bring to the table.
Whether you want speaking gigs, board seats, or your next bold move, it starts with visibility that feels aligned.
In 60 minutes, I’ll show you how to:
- Position your voice to attract high-level opportunities
- Build a personal brand that works while you’re working
- Do it all without relying on job boards or content burnout
🗓️ April 24 | 1:30pm CT
🎁 $1,900+ in bonuses (for live attendees only)
🎟️ Limited seats | No replay | 100% FREE
Register: https://www.joltyourcareer.today/thought-leader-lab-registration
Referral Corner 💌
Know someone who’s positioning for a pivot or quietly exploring their next role? Send them our way and we’ll send you a thank-you gift.
P.S. from Teegan
The market may shift, but your value doesn’t.
Let this be the month you stop waiting for the “right time” and start moving with intention.
Thanks again for being here for Issue No. 1. I can’t wait to grow with you.
Career Confidential
Career Confidential is your unfair advantage in a noisy, unpredictable market. This is where ambitious professionals, executives, and thought leaders come to stay informed, stay visible, and stay in control of their next move. Each issue delivers clarity on hiring trends, branding strategy, and leadership visibility—so you don’t just keep up, you stay ahead. If you want to be known, respected, and top of mind for the right opportunities—this is where it starts.
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