113. Stop Waiting for Motivation: What to Do Instead

Permission to Pause: Why Rest Is Part of Your Job Search and Life Strategy, Ep 119

After five consecutive weeks of job search episodes, I'm hitting pause — and I'm making the case that you should too. In this episode, I share that I'm heading to Italy for a couple of weeks with my husband and two other couples who have been friends since the school pickup line days. All of our kids are now in college or beyond — and this trip is one of the unexpected gifts of the empty nest season. I'm giving myself the rest of June to unplug, recharge, and transition back into real life before returning to the podcast in July. But before I go, I have something important to say to anyone who's been grinding through a job search without a break: pushing harder is not always the answer. Sometimes the most strategic thing you can do is stop, recalibrate, and come back with fresh eyes. In this episode I cover: * Why rest is a legitimate job search strategy — not a sign of giving up * How strategic volunteering through organizations like Catch a Fire (catchafire.org [https://catchafire.org/]) can keep your search moving while doing something meaningful * Why spending time with people this summer is networking — even when it doesn't feel like it * How paying attention to what lights you up is clarity work in disguise Her Next Chapters will be back in July with new episodes. Until then — rest, recalibrate, and go be with people you love. Grazie, friends. See you in July. Free Resource Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1798689/sites/168451588455663141/Resume_Template] - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work with Me Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume? Book a 30-minute Resume Review [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/resume-review] with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.  Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps? Schedule a career consultation [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/consult-call-40-minutes] to see how I can support you.  Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina]

Not Just Any Job: How to Build a Target Employer List and Search with Intention, Ep.118

You're not 22. You're not looking for your first job out of college. And you're not willing to take just anything. So why are you searching like you are? In this episode of the Her Next Chapters job search series, I'm sharing one of the most underused strategies in a midlife job search: building a target employer list. Instead of reacting to job postings, you'll learn how to use LinkedIn's company search and filters to identify the right employers — before a role ever gets posted. Then I'll show you how to activate your network with something specific and actionable, so the people who already know and trust you can actually help. This is the job search as an act of intention. And it changes everything about how you show up. Topics covered: LinkedIn company search, filtering by location, industry, and company size, how to research target employers, and how to give your network a concrete ask. Free Resource Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1798689/sites/168451588455663141/Resume_Template] - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work with Me Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume? Book a 30-minute Resume Review [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/resume-review] with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.  Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps? Schedule a career consultation [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/consult-call-40-minutes] to see how I can support you.  Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina]

117. Your References Are More Than References: How to Build a Job Search Support Team

In this episode of Her Next Chapters, we continue the job search series by talking about a commonly overlooked strategy: gathering references at the beginning of your job search — not the end. Most people wait until a final interview or job offer to think about references. But what if your references became part of your job search support team from the start? Christina shares: → why references are about more than checking a box for employers → how reconnecting with former colleagues can activate your network → why relationship-building matters more than simply applying online → how to approach former managers, peers, and direct reports → tips for creating a professional reference list document → a personal story about asking for references after a 13-year career break This episode is especially helpful for women navigating career transitions, returning to work, or rebuilding professional confidence in midlife. If you’ve been relying only on online applications, this conversation will help you think differently about networking, visibility, and human connection during your job search. Christina also shares a free Reference List Template you can use during your job search. To get a copy, email Christina at Christina@HerNextChapters.com [Christina@HerNextChapters.com]. Free Resource Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1798689/sites/168451588455663141/Resume_Template] - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work with Me Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume? Book a 30-minute Resume Review [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/resume-review] with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.  Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps? Schedule a career consultation [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/consult-call-40-minutes] to see how I can support you.  Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina]

116. Above & Beyond: The Job Application Moves Nobody's Making (But Should Be)

Are your job applications disappearing into a black hole? You're not alone — and it's not your resume. It's the system. In this episode, host (and career coach) Christina Kohl breaks down why the standard "apply online and wait" approach is failing midlife women in today's job market, and exactly what to do instead. Whether you're pivoting careers, stepping into a new industry, or returning to work after time away, this episode gives you a practical, step-by-step playbook to stand out before a human even opens your file. You'll learn: * Why AI-powered Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are filtering out strong candidates — and how cover letters often disappear entirely * The single most powerful move you can make before submitting any application (hint: it's 13x more effective than applying through a job board) * What employee referral programs are, how they work, and why timing is everything * Why mailing a physical resume and cover letter is getting people interviews right now * How to drop off your application in person — and what to say when you get there Free Resource Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1798689/sites/168451588455663141/Resume_Template] - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work with Me Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume? Book a 30-minute Resume Review [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/resume-review] with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.  Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps? Schedule a career consultation [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/consult-call-40-minutes] to see how I can support you.  Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina]

115. Why Your Job Search Feels Scattered (And How to Get Clear on What You Actually Want)

If your job search feels scattered, frustrating, or like you're spinning your wheels… this episode is for you. In this second episode of the Job Search Series, we’re stepping back to something even more foundational than your resume or interviews: clarity. Because if you don’t know where you’re going, everything else—your resume, your applications, your networking, and how you show up in interviews—will feel unfocused and ineffective. In this episode, I’m walking you through: *  Why lack of clarity is the real reason your job search isn’t working  *  What “career clarity” actually means (hint: it’s not one perfect job title)  *  How to identify what you want more of—and less of—in your next role  *  The 3 simple steps to start finding your direction  *  How to use informational interviews and strategic volunteering to test new paths  *  Why your resume should reflect where you’re going—not just where you’ve been  If you’re a mid-career woman ready for a career change but unsure what your next step should be, this episode will help you move from feeling stuck to taking aligned action. 🎧 This episode is part of a multi-part Job Search Series designed to help you land the right role—not just any role. Strategic volunteering leads mentioned on the episode: Catchafire.org [https://www.catchafire.org/volunteer?name_filter=&type_filter=1&type_filter=2&type_filter=5&page=1&init=true] Volunteer Match (Idealist) [https://www.idealist.org/volunteermatch] Free Resource Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template [https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1798689/sites/168451588455663141/Resume_Template] - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Work with Me Want an HR expert’s eyes on your resume? Book a 30-minute Resume Review [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/resume-review] with Christina - live on Zoom, recorded, and focused on one goal: getting you interviews.  Want to talk through your career goals and explore next steps? Schedule a career consultation [https://calendly.com/christinakohl/consult-call-40-minutes] to see how I can support you.  Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina [http://www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina]