Job Market Reality Check: The Workforce Is Being Rebuilt
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Job Market Reality Check: The Workforce Is Being Rebuilt

The May 2026 employment reports tell a larger story than job gains and losses. Hiring is expanding across industries, AI is accelerating workforce transformation, and companies are redefining the skills they need. Here's what these changes mean for your career and how to position yourself for what's next.

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Salary Negotiation for Women: How to Ask for More
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Salary Negotiation for Women: How to Ask for More

Thinking about asking for a raise but not sure where to start? Learn how to prepare, position your value, and approach salary conversations with confidence using real-world insight from a former Fortune 50 hiring leader.

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Job Market Reality Check: April 2026
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Job Market Reality Check: April 2026

For the first time in months, the major employment reports are telling similar stories. April 2026 job growth is concentrated in healthcare, transportation, and construction, while AI-driven layoffs continue to rise. Here’s what it means for your career strategy.

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April 2026 Reading Round-Up: Identity, Perception, and Defining Your Value
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

April 2026 Reading Round-Up: Identity, Perception, and Defining Your Value

April’s reading round-up explores identity, perception, and career growth through books on communication, leadership, and personal development. Featuring insights from Naomi Klein, Al Pacino, and more, this month’s list challenges how you define your value and how others perceive it in your career.

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Job Market Reality Check: March 2026
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Job Market Reality Check: March 2026

March 2026 job reports are finally aligning…somewhat. Growth is concentrated in healthcare, construction, and infrastructure-related roles. This post breaks down what the data reveals and how to position yourself for what is changing in the job market.

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Success Has a Sound: What I Heard at Cleveland SHRM NOHRC 2026
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Success Has a Sound: What I Heard at Cleveland SHRM NOHRC 2026

What does success sound like where you work? At the Cleveland SHRM NOHRC 2026 conference, I explored how communication, presence, and storytelling shape culture. From powerful sessions to meaningful conversations, one idea stood out: success isn’t just what gets done, it’s what gets heard, recognized, and repeated.

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Job Market Reality Check: February 2026
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Job Market Reality Check: February 2026

The February job market data tells two different stories. Job gains from ADP and losses from BLS are leaving professionals unsure what to believe. This post breaks down what is happening and how to move forward with confidence.

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February Reading Round-Up: Reinvention, Courage, and a Cleveland Author Event
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

February Reading Round-Up: Reinvention, Courage, and a Cleveland Author Event

February’s reading list explores reinvention, courage, and career growth through books by Shonda Rhimes, Seth Godin, Brené Brown, and more. Plus a behind-the-scenes story from a Cleveland VIP author event with Misha Brown and reflections on how reading strengthens leadership, perspective, and career management habits.

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The Job Market Is Slowing. Your Pay Might Be the Real Risk.
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

The Job Market Is Slowing. Your Pay Might Be the Real Risk.

The job market is slowing, but job cuts may not be the biggest risk. Pay compression quietly impacts long-term earning potential. This post breaks down January employment data, wage growth trends, and why knowing your market value matters more than ever.

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What Is a Career, Really?
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

What Is a Career, Really?

A career is more than a job or title. It is the long arc of your professional life, built through daily choices, habits, and environments over decades. Let’s reframe what a career really is and why ownership matters more than milestones.

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January Reading Round-Up: Disruption
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

January Reading Round-Up: Disruption

January 2026 reading round-up exploring career management, leadership, and navigating disruption through audiobooks that sharpen thinking and professional judgment.

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My Book and I Share a Birthday
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

My Book and I Share a Birthday

A personal reflection on the first year of Own Your Career and what it revealed about career ownership, professional growth, and women leading on their own terms. From launching a book to building community, this post shares milestones, lessons, and what’s next.

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Why the Job Market Is Forcing a New Career Strategy
Annette Garsteck Annette Garsteck

Why the Job Market Is Forcing a New Career Strategy

The job market is shifting, and traditional career strategies no longer work the way they once did. Conflicting employment data and changing conditions are forcing professionals to rethink how they build opportunity. This post explores what’s changing and what will matter most as you prepare for career growth in 2026.

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