Episode 58: Job Hugging?!: Your Guide to Staying Put on Purpose in a Tight Market
What does it mean to job hug, and when is it actually the right move for you? In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, host Jenn Walker Wall breaks down why so many professionals are choosing to stay put right now and how to make that an intentional, strategic choice. From defining your “why” to setting benchmarks, upskilling, or running a quiet passive job search, Jenn shares practical ways to protect your options, strengthen your skills, and create structure in uncertain times. Because sometimes, a good-enough job in a not-so-great market is exactly the kind of stability you need while you plan your next move.
She also introduces the Revive Sessions, new one-on-one strategy offerings from Work Wonders Careers with flexible pricing and a “take it if you need it” discount for those navigating career uncertainty.
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Podcast editing by Vienna DeGiacomo, Good Story Branding
If your industry has been hit hard by cuts and layoffs, how do you adapt your career and stand out in a competitive job market? In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, host Jenn Walker Wall shares practical strategies for making a career pivot and finding opportunities beyond your current industry. From adjusting your resume to look more industry agnostic, to tailoring your job search for new fields, Jenn offers clear, actionable resume strategies and job search tips that help you stay competitive. Instead of vague advice, she provides grounded tactics to help you create possibilities, highlight transferable skills, and keep your career moving forward in a tough market.
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Podcast editing by Vienna DeGiacomo, Good Story Branding
Episode 56: How to Create Income Without a Corporate Job: Portfolio Careers, Self Employment and Other Ways to Make $$
If you’re stuck in a slow job market or waiting for the right role to come through, how do you keep your bills paid and your career moving? In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, host Jenn Walker Wall explores practical ways to make money without a traditional 9-5 job. Whether you’re between roles or looking to diversify your income, Jenn breaks down the options from portfolio careers and freelancing to contract work and side hustles. Instead of chasing quick fixes, she offers grounded strategies for generating income, building momentum, and staying engaged while the job market recovers.
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Podcast editing by Vienna DeGiacomo, Good Story Branding
Episode 55: How to Make a Hard Job Search Easier in 2025
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall provides tips and strategies to make the challenging job search process and market a little easier to navigate. Drawing from extensive observations of various job search patterns, she shares practical advice and emphasizes the importance of customizing resumes and interview strategies, considering freelance or contract work for long-term unemployed individuals, and establishing a balanced job search routine. Additionally, Jenn highlights new offerings and services from Work Wonders Careers and announces the podcast's summer hiatus, inviting listeners to explore the archive and stay tuned for upcoming content.
Episodes and Resources:
03:39 The Timing of Applications
04:29 Being a well qualified applicant
05:56 Applying with Intention and Integrity
07:33 Tailoring Your Approach Throughout the Hiring Process
08:15 Considering Freelancing and Contract Work
11:02 Managing Your Job Search Routine
Episode 54: How to Use Your Resume in 2025: Getting Traction By Applying Cold Online
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World', Jenn Walker Wall, founder of Work Wonders Careers, discusses strategies for making resumes work effectively in 2025. She emphasizes the importance of having a strategic, tailored resume, despite the challenges presented by a tight and competitive job market. Jenn offers tips on how to leverage your resume to stand out as a strong candidate, addresses common misconceptions about resumes and qualifications, and encourages proactive networking.
Episodes and Resources Mentioned:
00:45 The Importance of a Strategic Resume
04:38 "Manipulating" Your Resume for Success
10:50 Tailoring Your Resume to Job Postings
22:01 Networking and Visibility in Job Search
Episode 53: Regret Is a Detour, Not a Dead End: How to Transform Past Decisions into Future Momentum
Career regret is something few of us talk about openly - but nearly all of us carry.
In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, we're diving deep into how to transform career regret into redirection, clarity, and renewed confidence. Whether you're navigating a career transition, trying to rebuild self-trust at work, or healing from time spent in toxic workplaces, this episode is here to remind you: your past decisions don’t define your future.
Regret isn’t a failure - it’s data. And when you know how to work with it, it can point you toward a more aligned, sustainable version of success.
We’ll explore:
03:13 Addressing Career Regret
05:36 Understanding the Context of Regret
08:53 Reframing Regret into Opportunity
14:54 Practical Steps to Overcome Regret
If you’re seeking job search support or simply trying to recalibrate your career with more honesty and self-compassion, this one’s for you.
🎧 If this episode resonated with you, please share it, leave a review, or tag us on social—we’d love to hear what came up for you.
Episode 52: Leveraging LinkedIn for Quiet Visibility: Tactics for Job Seekers, Freelancers, and Business Owners
In the second episode of our Quiet Visibility series 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall share her favorite tactics for leveraging LinkedIn as a tool for Quiet Visibility. This episode highlights using LinkedIn as a tool to elevate professional visibility without resorting to overly self-promotional tactics. She offers practical advice on setting yourself up for successful engagement by curating a meaningful feed and leveraging LinkedIn functionalities to develop and grow professional relationships. She also emphasizes the importance of approach and consistency over virality and shares 'Quiet Visibility’ as a strategy for intentional presence. Jenn also encourages listeners to re-evaluate their LinkedIn strategies and join the upcoming Quiet Visibility retreat for a more structured plan.
Join us live on Wednesday, June 4th for our Quiet Visibility Retreat Night
Listen to episodes 40, 41, and 42 to learn more about our Professional Eco-System concept
02:56 Curating Your LinkedIn Experience
05:12 Engaging on LinkedIn: Tips and Strategies
08:08 Using LinkedIn as a Research Tool
11:47 Building Professional Relationships on LinkedIn
15:54 Consistency and Quality Over Virality
Episode 51: Rebranding the Personal Brand: An Invitation to Quiet Visibility
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall discusses the concept of rebranding the concept of the personal brand into something you actually want to do - for yourself and your career. She shares easy mindset shifts and effective tactics that can help you create a strong persona brand that attracts opportunities in both the short and long term.
Jenn highlights the difference between reflection and revision, and shares insights on quiet visibility tactics that prioritize connection and impact over virality and self-promotion. The episode also covers practical tips for integrating personal branding into your career strategy without feeling insincere or overwhelmed.
01:54 The Importance of Personal Branding
03:54 You're Already Doing Personal Branding
05:19 Quiet Visibility Strategies
12:23 Practical Tips for Personal Branding
Links:
Quiet Visibility for Job Seekers and Freelancers Retreat Night
New services for portfolio careerists, self employed, and freelancers
Episode 50: What to Expect if You're Starting Your Job Search Right Now: A Guide for the Employed, Self Employed, and Unemployed
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall discusses the challenges of job searching during a period of economic and political instability (recorded in April 2025). She addresses the wide-reaching impact of layoffs across various industries and offers practical advice for job seekers and potential job seekers. Jenn emphasizes the importance of preparing for an extended job search and considering interim work opportunities. She also highlights the significance of having effective job application materials, leveraging your professional eco-systems, and staying visible and proactive despite the challenging environment.
01:14 Challenges in the Job Market
04:26 Advice for Active Job Seekers
14:42 Advice for Passive Job Seekers
19:12 Self-Employed and Freelancers: Navigating the Market
When most people think about job searching, they imagine polishing their resume, tailoring cover letters, and applying to as many jobs as possible. But here’s the thing: that’s just the technical side of the search.
In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, we’re digging into what really sets our approach apart—the relational job search. This conversation will help you assess which approach you're using and how to realign your strategy to reflect your values, priorities, and actual goals.
Whether you’re just starting your search, feeling stuck in the middle of it, or looking to support your long-term career evolution, this episode offers fresh insight, gentle guidance, and a way forward that doesn’t require you to contort yourself to succeed.
🎙️ In this episode, we explore:
✨ Key Takeaways:
💬 Episode Quote:
"Job searching isn’t just about landing a job. It’s about building a life—and career—you don’t have to contort yourself to fit into."
🧭 Ready to shift from a technical to a relational job search?
Join the Spring Job Search Cohort or check out our Spring Retreat Night series over on our website. You'll get complimentary access to all 3 Retreat Nights when you sign up for our Community Cohort or any private 1:1 job search strategy services before May 5th!
Keywords:
job search strategy, relational job search, technical job search, career coaching, resume tips, job interview mindset, professional ecosystem, authentic job search, career alignment, values-driven job search, mission driven professionals, networking for introverts, job search burnout
In this episode of Careers at the End of the World, host Jenn Walker Wall shares a powerful reflection question inspired by the Magician card from the Tarot. Jenn discusses the importance of balance among the four elements—earth, air, water, and fire—in achieving goals, particularly in the context of a job search. Through this metaphor, she emphasizes the need for emotional investment, stability, creative ideas, and actionable energy, and addresses common imbalances. Tune in for insightful advice on taking strategic and consistent action in navigating career challenges.
Episode 47: Assess Your Job Search Like a Pro: What Kind of Job Search Support Do You Need to Move Forward?
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall, founder of Work Wonders Careers, walks job seekers through the importance of assessing their job search strategies.
She shares her own assessment process, explaining how identifying tactical bottlenecks can help job seekers select the appropriate next steps for their efforts. Jenn discusses different scenarios job seekers might face, from those needing a simple resume update to individuals struggling with confidence due to toxic work environments.
She details various services like resume writing, job search strategy sessions, and interview preparation, while highlighting the importance of tracking job applications and remaining patient and strategic. .
00:14 Understanding the Job Search Assessment Process
01:29 Identifying Job Search Challenges
08:38 Tailoring Your Job Search Strategy
13:10 Navigating Job Offers and Interviews
24:54 Leveraging Job Search Communities and Resources
26:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Episode 46: Navigating a Long Job Search In Tech: Overcoming a Challenging Market
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall interviews Work Wonders Careers alum Corey, who shares her job search journey in the *extremely* challenging tech and media markets.
Despite the hurdles, including a layoff and graduate school, Corey navigated her focused job search with resilience and strategic networking. They discuss practical strategies like maintaining a job application routine, the value of informational interviews, and the importance of self-care.
Corey's story offers valuable insights and inspiration for anyone enduring an extended job search. Tune in to hear her tactics, challenges, and ultimate success in landing the right role.
00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview
01:34 Corey'sJob Search Journey Begins
03:47 Navigating Challenges and Strategies
06:08 Maintaining Well-being During Job Search
11:04 Networking and Informational Interviews
24:02 Contract Work
27:47 Final Reflections and Advice
Work Wonders Job Search Community
Episode 44: Hot Take: Is the hiring process broken?
**Please note: this episode includes strong language!**
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall addresses misconceptions around the hiring process, emphasizing that it works as designed to meet employer needs rather than job seeker aspirations.
She encourages listeners to focus on elements within their control, build relationships, and contextualize their frustrations as stemming from broader systemic issues, rather than blaming recruiters (and doing so publicly on LinkedIn!). Jenn also discusses the importance of investing energy wisely and invites listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn and join her networking group for further support.
00:16 Is the Hiring Process Broken?
02:10 The Role of Recruiters
03:14 Zooming Out: The Bigger Picture
04:21 Contextualizing the Job Search
06:37 Managing Expectations and Energy
07:55 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement
11:04 Conclusion and Call to Action
Episode 44: My Favorite Job Search Strategy for 2025: Passive Job Searching for (almost) Everyone
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall delves into her favored job search strategy for 2025: the passive job search. Jenn explains the importance of adapting a passive approach amidst a chaotic and competitive job market and contrasts passive and active job searches, highlighting their similarities and why many people might benefit from a passive strategy in the current environment.
The episode also covers the key preparations for a job search and emphasizes quality over quantity when applying for positions. Jenn encourages listeners to view themselves as passive job seekers to navigate the uncertain job market effectively.
00:00 Introduction to Careers at the End of the World
00:08 The Importance of Job Search Strategies in 2025
00:50 Reflecting on Past Job Search Advice
01:28 Introducing the Passive Job Search Strategy
03:15 Active vs. Passive Job Search
06:14 Why Passive Job Search Makes Sense Now
13:14 Preparing for a Passive Job Search
16:30 Conclusion and Next Steps
Join us this month!
Join our Winter Job Search Cohort
Operationalize your passive job search with these podcast episodes:
Episode 13: Cracking the Code: 3 Secrets to Resume Success
Episode 20: How to Craft a Plan for Your Job Search
Episodes 26-28 (More resume and application strategy)
Episode 40-41 (Networking/Professional Eco-System)
Episode 43: Why Your Career Needs a Retrograde: Taking Time to Elevate, Optimize, Pivot or Otherwise Align Your Career
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall welcomes listeners to 2025, emphasizing a thoughtful and reflective approach to the new year. She introduces the concept of using astrological retrogrades to assess and strategize career moves, focusing on themes like slowing down and taking a tactical pause.
Jenn also highlights upcoming events, including the Going Retrograde Retreat Night and the winter cohort of the job search community. Join her in this episode for insights into managing career growth sustainably in challenging times.
05:12 Reflecting on Career Goals
08:01 Understanding Retrogrades and Career Impact
11:13 Strategies for Career Optimization
15:48 Invitation to Going Retrograde Retreat
19:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Register now for our Going Retrograde Retreat Night
Developing Your Professional Eco System: Feel Good Networking Advice, Part 2
In this final episode of the 2024, Careers at the End of the World host Jen Walker Wall reflects on the past year and emphasizes the importance of cultivating a professional ecosystem. Jenn discusses the value of forming meaningful connections and provides practical tips for leveraging tools like LinkedIn for relationship building and career development.
She encourages listeners to be proactive in networking, maintain follow-up strategies, and think strategically about their professional contacts. The episode ends with a preview of exciting content planned for the new year.
01:46 Envisioning Your Professional Ecosystem
03:14 Leveraging LinkedIn for Professional Growth
10:56 Proactive vs. Reactive Networking
15:20 Follow-Up Strategies and Relationship Building
17:53 Relationships as Career Stability
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall shares the importance of building and maintaining a professional ecosystem. Jenn discusses the nuances of networking, distinguishing between large and niche events, and emphasizes the value of creating authentic connections. She shares her personal experiences and offers practical advice on how to effectively navigate professional relationships. She also highlights the importance of making space for these relationships, being consistent, and setting boundaries. She also introduces a proactive approach to networking, stressing the value of investing in people and conversations for long-term career benefits. Stay tuned for next week’s discussion on specific networking tactics and the pros and cons of different strategies.
00:50 Personal Networking Journey
04:27 Creating Space for Professional Relationships
08:04 Commitment to Networking
13:28 Networking Strategies and Consistency
20:08 Conclusion and Next Steps
Episode 40: Why You Are Resistant to Networking
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World', host Jenn Walker Wall returns post-election to discuss the importance of relationships and networking in career development during turbulent times. Jenn acknowledges the emotional exhaustion many are feeling and stresses the importance of mission-driven professionals supporting each other. She emphasizes the value of maintaining a strong resume in collaboration with a strong relational strategy. She also addresses common networking resistance, offers options for "asks", and encourages making networking a regular practice rather than a last-minute effort. Future episodes will focus on developing a professional ecosystem.
Don't forget to check out the Work Wonders Careers Holiday Gift Guide!
01:45 The Importance of Networking and Relationships
03:43 Networking Strategies and Overcoming Resistance
07:10 Recalibrating Networking Expectations
10:00 Building and Maintaining Professional Relationships
15:58 Developing Your Professional Ecosystem
Episode 39: 3 More Dimensions of Career Clarity
In this episode of 'Careers at the End of the World,' host Jenn Walker Wall discusses the importance of achieving multi-dimensional clarity before actively applying for jobs. She explores six dimensions of clarity and focuses on three three external dimensions in this episode: reviewing job postings to identify target roles, aligning qualifications with job requirements, and the importance of asking relevant questions throughout the process. Listeners are encouraged to engage with job postings, assess their qualifications, and maintain curiosity and skepticism to build a strong job search foundation.
Jenn also announces the upcoming release of the Curiosity to Clarity workshop as part of Black Friday offerings, which includes practical exercises and opportunities for direct sessions with her.
Black Friday specials are now available. Check out our email here>>>