The hottest Career Advice Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Sub Club Weekly Digest # 6

The Sub Club Newsletter • 118 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. There is a new column called 'Jobs for Writers' for finding jobs in the writing industry. It's a great way to get your foot in the door and gain experience.
  2. The newsletter features some cool competitions where people can win money or subscriptions for sharing their writing stories or job listings. It's a fun way to get involved!
  3. They are offering workshops and events for writers to come together and submit their work while getting support and guidance. It's a good chance to learn and improve your writing skills.

Face it: you're a crazy person

Experimental History • 196910 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Before you choose a job, it's important to think about the daily tasks and details involved. If you can't picture yourself doing those tasks or find them interesting, that job might not be right for you.
  2. Many people imagine the glamorous parts of high-status jobs without realizing the tough, repetitive work that comes with them. It's crucial to understand the full picture before pursuing a career.
  3. Everyone has unique interests, and finding a job that matches your personal quirks can lead to success and happiness. Unpacking what you like and what a job really involves can help you find your right path.

10 techniques to pass 90% of algorithmic interviews

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 3936 implied HN points • 06 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Algorithmic interviews are mostly pattern-recognition tests, so identifying which known pattern a problem fits lets you solve it quickly.
  2. Roughly ten core techniques — like hashmaps and two pointers — show up repeatedly, so mastering those gives you coverage for most problems.
  3. Doing well is also about grit and signalling: consistent, strategic practice matters as much as raw talent, so build a sustainable prep routine to avoid burnout.

Dear Babies: On escaping the career doldrums

Maybe Baby • 637 implied HN points • 28 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Career Advice
  1. The piece is framed around escaping the career doldrums and aims to help people break out of unfulfilling work routines.
  2. There's a direct call to join a nationwide general strike on Friday, January 30 to stop ICE and block further ICE funding, with expressed solidarity for Minnesota.
  3. The content is behind a paywall, so readers are asked to subscribe or sign in to access the full post.

Against loose feedback loops for young professionals

Optima & Outliers • 179 implied HN points • 24 Jun 24
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Working at big companies can teach you specialized skills, but they often don't show you how your work contributes to the bigger picture. You might learn things that are valuable in a small circle but not necessarily important for real-world impact.
  2. Starting your career at a startup can be more beneficial for developing broader skills. You'll see the direct results of your work, and it pushes you to understand what really delivers value to customers.
  3. If you want a career where you can make a real impact and create valuable products, it's worth considering spending some time outside of large corporations to gain that experience.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

A framework for ML Design Interviews

Recommender systems • 86 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. A repeatable ML design interview framework can greatly improve your success in FAANG-level interviews and has led to many offers.
  2. A good framework helps you pace the discussion, create a coherent narrative, and signal to interviewers what you would have covered with more time.
  3. The full framework is only shared privately on request instead of being posted publicly, so you need to message on Substack to receive it.

Effective Urban Planning in 10 Simple Steps

Exasperated Infrastructures • 33 implied HN points • 02 Feb 26
🪑 Design Career Advice
  1. Decide carefully about planning school and commit to being a lifelong learner; pick a technical specialty you can go deep on while also learning the adjacent fields that shape your work.
  2. Develop clear core values and a reasoned point of view, and learn the local politics and history so your projects actually fit the people and place you’re serving.
  3. Build relationships by showing up, be open to moving between public/private/nonprofit work, ask for help politely, and protect yourself from burnout while you persist through the field’s counterintuitive challenges.

If you’re laid off

Alex Ewerlöf Notes • 609 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. It's okay to feel a range of emotions after a job loss, but getting back up quickly helps you grow.
  2. Don't take job loss personally - it's often a systemic issue within companies.
  3. Job security is not guaranteed, so reskilling and adapting to market trends is crucial.

Beware of Econ Grad School

In My Tribe • 956 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Econ grad school might not be the best choice if you're just curious about ideas. It's better to explore other careers that can satisfy that curiosity, like business.
  2. Many econ programs focus on teaching specific skills rather than encouraging discussions and new ideas. This can stifle your interest and creativity.
  3. You can learn a lot about economics on your own. Understanding basic concepts and real-world business behavior can be more valuable than fancy math techniques from grad school.

7 Lessons I Learned the Hard Way From 9+ Years as a Data Engineer

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 730 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. It's important to avoid building complex systems just for the sake of it. Focus on creating infrastructure that actually helps your team and the business.
  2. If you don’t plan your data model, you’ll end up with a messy one. Always take the time to design it properly to make future work easier.
  3. Good communication is really powerful. Being able to share your ideas clearly can help you get support and make a bigger impact in your projects.

The Art Of Ignoring Career Advice

Mindful Modeler • 399 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Career Advice
  1. Consider advice that resonates with you and ignore what doesn't align with your values.
  2. Question general advice that may not be specific to your unique situation and priorities.
  3. Understand that advice is often based on the experiences and biases of the person giving it, so weigh it against your own goals.

Asking for mentoring

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Many people are shy about asking for mentorship, but it's important to overcome that fear. Asking for help is a good move, and usually the worst that can happen is a 'no.'
  2. When reaching out for mentorship, have specific and thoughtful questions ready. It shows you're serious and helps the mentor know what to expect.
  3. Mentoring should be beneficial for both parties. Prepare to make the conversation valuable, not just for yourself, but for the mentor too.

How To Fast Track Your Career As An Engineer

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 930 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Focusing on impact in your work can accelerate your career growth and lead to more satisfying outcomes.
  2. To have more impact in tech, run towards unsolved problems, be scrappy in finding solutions, and prioritize ruthlessly.
  3. Impact can be achieved by reducing costs or increasing revenue, and understanding how your work contributes to these areas is essential for career advancement in engineering.

How to build a side-project to get a job in Machine Learning [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 159 implied HN points • 01 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Developing an amazing side project is crucial for getting your first job in Machine Learning. Ditch the basic datasets and focus on building exceptional projects to stand out.
  2. When building your career in Machine Learning, individual factors like goals, interests, skills, location, experience, and networks play a significant role. Tailor your approach based on your unique situation.
  3. For undergrad students seeking a role in Machine Learning, focusing on creating strong side projects is a key step. These projects can help you differentiate yourself and showcase your skills effectively.

Sometimes it is okay to just coast

Wednesday Wisdom • 217 implied HN points • 08 Jan 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Career Advice
  1. It's okay to just take a break and coast when you're feeling stuck. Sometimes, trying too hard can make things worse.
  2. The passing of time can bring clarity. Things will get better as you give yourself a chance to relax and think.
  3. Not every job needs to be exciting. Taking a simple job to pay the bills can help you recover and find your direction again.

Pratik's Year in Review: 2025

Pratik’s Pakodas 🍿 • 8 implied HN points • 02 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. AI agents and skill-based subagents let you run many tasks in parallel and move work forward continuously. This shifts the role from single-threaded coder to an orchestrator who delegates, evaluates, and scales output.
  2. Building a community depends on habits and critical mass more than platform features; migrating people to a new platform requires heavy outreach, patience, and active admins. Tools help, but sustained engagement is earned through social habits, not just better functionality.
  3. Measure and design life around 'great days' by engineering conditions that produce them — prioritize sleep, consistent healthy habits, slack time, and small experiments. Small rituals and intentional choices matter more for long-term happiness than chasing big achievements.

How do you get started?

Sunday Letters • 39 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Everyone struggles with starting something new, whether they're a recent graduate or looking to advance in their careers. It's important to figure out what you want to do next.
  2. Instead of waiting for permission or a specific opportunity, take the initiative and start working on what interests you. Engaging in projects you care about can lead to new roles and responsibilities.
  3. Being proactive in your career can impress others and create more opportunities. People often appreciate when someone volunteers to help or take on new challenges.

Career advice: Learn how to write

Wednesday Wisdom • 151 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Writing is a valuable skill, even with AI around. Good writing helps you communicate better in teams and makes your work more effective.
  2. Practice makes perfect when it comes to writing. The more you write, the better you'll become at organizing your thoughts and expressing them clearly.
  3. Strong writing skills help you think clearly. Writing forces you to clarify your ideas, making it an essential tool for problem-solving.

Wanna career? Move to the center!

Wednesday Wisdom • 132 implied HN points • 25 Dec 24
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. To boost your career, it's often best to move to the 'center' of power in a company. The best projects and biggest opportunities usually happen there.
  2. Being on the 'periphery' can lead to a satisfying career, but you may miss out on important projects and promotions. It might feel tough to get noticed from the outside.
  3. While working at the center can bring many advantages, it's important to choose what matters most to you. Sometimes a good quality of life is worth more than climbing the corporate ladder.

Landing an EM role in 2025

Leading Developers • 43 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. To get an interview for an Engineering Manager role, focus your job search. Instead of applying everywhere, target positions that truly match your skills and interests.
  2. Make your resume stand out by tailoring it to show why you're the perfect fit for specific roles. Highlight your achievements and simplify your language for better clarity.
  3. Networking is key. Connect with people in your desired companies, especially hiring managers, to boost your chances of landing a job interview.

Fastest Way to Learn Coding and Actually Get a Job

Brain Bytes • 59 implied HN points • 20 Dec 23
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Choose a flexible programming language like Python or JavaScript to boost your chances of landing a beginner job.
  2. Take your time learning coding through books, tutorials, or courses - don't rush the process. Type along with tutorials and practice consistently.
  3. Build simple projects using frameworks, add them to your portfolio, and deploy them online to enhance your chances when applying for jobs. Showcase your projects and personality in your resume.

Breaking into UX Research: what can you do to land your first role?

UX Psychology • 119 implied HN points • 31 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Breaking into UX research can be challenging due to limited junior roles and increasing competition, but there are various pathways to entry.
  2. To prepare for a career in UX research, assess your existing skills, leverage past experience, network actively, and work on side projects.
  3. Consider applying for roles related to user research or product development, even if not directly in UX, to gain relevant industry exposure.

7 valuable life lessons from successful people.

Jon’s Newsletter • 179 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
🚌 Education Career Advice
  1. Failure is part of life and can teach us valuable lessons. Embracing failure helps us grow stronger and more determined.
  2. Having a vision or plan for your life is important. It helps guide your decisions and keeps you in control of your journey.
  3. It's okay to take risks and follow your passions, even if it means leaving a secure job. Sometimes taking chances leads to great rewards.

Career advice: Learn how to debug

Wednesday Wisdom • 85 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Learning to debug helps you solve your own problems, giving you control over your work and allowing you to be more effective.
  2. Debugging teaches you valuable lessons and knowledge that you can apply in future situations, making you more confident as you grow in your career.
  3. When you debug before asking for help, you can ask clearer questions and provide better information, which makes it easier for others to assist you.

Breaking Into Tech

Jake [Building in NYC] • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. To get a job in software engineering, you need to learn key technical skills like React, Typescript, and some backend basics. Focus on building small projects to practice what you've learned.
  2. Having good communication, flexibility, and grit is just as important as technical skills. Being open to learning and asking questions can really help you succeed in your first job.
  3. Networking and finding a mentor can make a big difference in breaking into tech. Building relationships and getting support from experienced people is key to finding job opportunities.

More on Follow-Ons

Venture Upward • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Follow-ons in venture capital are for earning money from carry, not for just building a track record.
  2. Increasing investment in subsequent rounds can escalate downside risk without similar upside benefits.
  3. Being strategic about follow-on investments in portfolio companies is crucial to avoid excessive risk and maximize returns.

Work isn't what you think it is

Sunday Letters • 159 implied HN points • 17 Oct 21
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Your career path is unique, and it’s shaped by random events and choices, not just a clear plan. Don’t try to follow someone else’s journey; create your own.
  2. Having a lot of impact in what you do is key to long-term success. Focus on what matters to you and makes a difference.
  3. Passion for your work can lead to success and satisfaction. Enjoying what you do doesn’t mean it’s not valuable, so embrace what you love.

How to crush your Daily Standups[Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Give detailed updates in your daily standups, including your decision-making process, collaborators, important information, and technical details.
  2. Involve more stakeholders by discussing how your work impacts others, inviting collaboration for better projects.
  3. Understand and express the 'why' behind your tasks, which provides context for creating thorough solutions and requires knowledge of both Computer Science and project economics.

How to Use Github to Land your first software Job[Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 09 Jul 22
🕹 Technology Career Advice
  1. Using Github to land a software job can be beneficial for those who want to highlight their coding skills, but it's important to recognize the tradeoffs involved and be willing to put in the effort required.
  2. Common advice on gaining a job through GitHub, like contributing to open source projects extensively, may not always be the most optimal strategy. It's essential to approach GitHub as a social network and connect with like-minded individuals.
  3. Building a strong presence on GitHub requires dedication and time spent coding and engaging with communities. While it may offer an alternative path to job opportunities, there are no shortcuts in putting in the required work.

Putting Yourself Out There

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 9 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. To be successful, you need to take action and put yourself out there. Simply wishing for success won’t get you anywhere.
  2. Building a network is crucial. Attend events, go to parties, and meet people to create opportunities for yourself.
  3. Don't be afraid to shoot your shot and ask for help. Having a large network can provide support and open doors for you.

Sunday Letters - what, who, and why

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 03 Oct 21
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. The Sunday Letters started as updates to a team but evolved into discussions on broader themes like leadership and innovation.
  2. They serve as reflections and pieces of advice that the writer wishes he had known earlier in his career.
  3. Writing these letters regularly helps the author stay attentive to patterns in leadership and fosters good conversations around ideas.

Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Self-Assessments

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Career Advice
  1. Don't assume your manager knows everything you've done. Always remind them of your achievements to help them evaluate your performance.
  2. Be specific when describing your work. Instead of using vague statements, share exact numbers and outcomes to show your real impact.
  3. Keep track of your accomplishments throughout the year. This makes it easier to write your self-assessment and ensures you don't forget important contributions.