The hottest Career development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Lessons in Navigating Career Lostness

David Spinks' Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. It's common to feel lost in your career, especially after achieving previous success. Sometimes you need to pause and reflect instead of rushing into the next step.
  2. Ambitious people often share similar fears about success and worth, which can lead to burnout. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward real change.
  3. Transitioning in your career is a journey without a clear map. It's okay to not have all the answers; listening to yourself and taking small steps is the key.

How I got a Referal by getting Strangled [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 24 Apr 22
💼 Business Career development
  1. Having a strong LinkedIn profile can make recruiters reach out to you, increasing your chances of getting past initial screens during job applications.
  2. Engaging online with the right people, like industry experts, can help you build a network and get referrals to top firms.
  3. Meeting people in person can be a direct and effective way to form strong connections for referrals and other support in your career.

The Cost of Couple Equity

Logos and Liberty • 1 HN point • 09 Jul 24
🚌 Education Career development
  1. The earnings gap between men and women often results from 'couple inequity' caused by demanding work environments that are incompatible with caregiving responsibilities.
  2. Couples face difficult tradeoffs between equity and financial security due to the structure of workplaces, like 'greedy work' and 'up or out' promotion policies.
  3. Solutions to reduce the gender earnings gap include increasing flexibility in jobs, lessening the cost of childcare, and changing societal norms around gender roles and caregiving responsibilities.

Product Management ++ 👀

Turnaround • 138 implied HN points • 16 Dec 19
💼 Business Career development
  1. Neil McElroy's memo proposing the 'Brand Men' role at Procter & Gamble laid the foundation for modern brand management and product management in consumer product companies.
  2. The evolution of technology has shifted the composition of Fortune 500 companies towards the technology industry, impacting the role of product managers who now require a blend of management frameworks and tech understanding.
  3. Product managers today need to not only understand management strategies but also be adept at technology to succeed in the competitive landscape of building successful companies.
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Thoughts for the Second Half of 2025

Jay's Data Stream • 5 implied HN points • 15 Jul 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Being 'in-the-pocket' feels safe and comfortable, like following the crowd. But sometimes, taking risks and stepping 'out-of-the-pocket' is necessary for growth.
  2. Mornings can be super productive for many people, while afternoons often lead to distractions. Finding the right routine can help you get a lot done.
  3. It's important to prioritize your time wisely. Too often, we focus too much on small issues instead of what truly matters in our lives.

DeepMind in Deep Dilemma

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. DeepMind is losing some of its top talent to competitors like OpenAI. This is causing concern about its ability to keep up in the AI race.
  2. Elon Musk is starting a new venture that aims to create a rival to OpenAI. This indicates growing competition in the AI industry.
  3. Google is facing challenges and may need to rethink its leadership approach to retain talent and address these issues.

How to Earn Six Figures as a Software Engineer in the UK

The Fat Software Engineer • 72 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Earn six figures in the UK as a software engineer by working hard, smart, and grinding Leetcode.
  2. Consider going to university for benefits beyond education like adulting skills, lifelong friends, and networking.
  3. Transition from a first job at a bigger company to a startup after gaining experience, focusing on learning, negotiating salary, and preparing for big tech roles.

Finding a more profitable business within your existing business.

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 12 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Focusing on one specific area of your business can lead to greater success. By concentrating on Emceeing, it's possible to streamline efforts and see better results.
  2. Accepting discomfort is part of the growth process in business. It takes time to adjust to changes and trust your own instincts.
  3. Saying no to some income opportunities can actually open doors for better financial stability and free time for other important aspects of life.

Trophy Jobs

Working Theorys • 54 implied HN points • 17 Jul 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Trophy jobs are jobs people seek for status over substance.
  2. Identifying a trophy job involves evaluating the status-to-substance ratio.
  3. High-status jobs are not always trophy jobs; individual motivation plays a significant role.

Preparing for Senior Level Leadership

DruGroup • 59 implied HN points • 02 Nov 21
💼 Business Career development
  1. Senior leadership comes with a lot of pressure that can be hard to escape, so preparing to share some of that pressure can help ease the transition.
  2. Making decisions as a senior leader is different because you need to own the choices you make, so it's good to practice making decisions at lower levels and learning from the outcomes.
  3. Time management is crucial for senior leaders, so getting better at saying no and focusing on important tasks can help when you reach that level of leadership.

If Miranda Priestley Was Your Boss | LSW#45

The Leading Sapiens Weekly • 30 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Recognize the importance of adjusting your approach based on who you're working with, especially dealing with power differentials in organizational settings
  2. Learn to identify leader stereotypes and their preferences to improve stakeholder interactions
  3. Understand that stakeholders have unique styles that require tailored approaches for effective communication and collaboration

You are not a method

Counting Stuff • 54 implied HN points • 02 May 23
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Teams are often created to fill niche use cases, leading to specialized roles and organizational politics.
  2. Being type-cast into a specific role can limit opportunities for growth and variety in work tasks.
  3. To break out of being type-cast, showcase your ability to do different kinds of work and actively seek out diverse opportunities.

UX Roundup: Titan of Human Factors | Long UX Career | AI Articulation Barrier | Design Challenge | Leonardo Text | UX Podcast

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 32 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Jakob Nielsen was named a 'Titan of Human Factors' by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.
  2. Consider the longevity and evolution of a UX career over 40 years.
  3. Using AI interfaces raises similar challenges to early computer interfaces like DOS in terms of articulation barriers.

🔐 TPM Microguide On Interview Preparation - v1.0

Building Rome(s) • 9 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Preparation is key for Technical Program Management (TPM) interviews. You should practice personalizing your answers based on your experiences rather than just memorizing them.
  2. Understanding the types of questions you'll face can help a lot. Interviews often include hypothetical scenarios and technical questions, so being ready for these can make you feel more confident.
  3. Having a strong elevator pitch is important. This is your chance to introduce yourself and explain what you bring to the table in a quick and engaging way.

Power

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 10 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Being friendly with your boss is often more important than just working hard. It's good to build relationships at work instead of only focusing on your tasks.
  2. Life is about connections and asking for what you want. If you want a raise, it's okay to ask, but it helps if you're friendly first.
  3. Social media can be useful for staying in touch with people and celebrating their successes. A simple click of 'like' can show you care and can have a positive impact.

2. Vote with your feet

Insight Axis • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jul 21
💼 Business Career development
  1. Consider how your environment influences your success and well-being. Changing your environment can improve your situation.
  2. If you find yourself in a role or organization that doesn't align with your qualities or needs, don't hesitate to leave. Find a better fit to thrive.
  3. Voting with your feet - leaving a situation that doesn't work for you - is a powerful way to take control of your life and find fulfillment. Don't feel obligated to stay and fix a broken system; prioritize your own well-being and success.

Run your 1:1 with your manager the best way

Askwhy: UX Research, Product Management, Design & Careers • 50 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. Your 1:1 with your manager is crucial for building trust and working on your relationship.
  2. Set clear goals for your 1:1 meetings, including understanding priorities, receiving feedback, and discussing career development.
  3. Organize your agenda, prepare in advance, and follow up effectively to make the most out of your 1:1 meetings.

Gis a job

A Bit Gamey • 27 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Building connections through uncommon commonalities can create strong bonds that stand out and make one fit in.
  2. Demonstrating value to employers by focusing on what you can offer them rather than what they can do for you can lead to opportunities.
  3. Developing a personal brand through online presence, like optimizing LinkedIn profiles and creating personal websites, can enhance job prospects and credibility.

🪠Be a Plumber

UnfairNation by Ehsan Zaffar • 4 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Being a plumber is becoming more valuable and better paid than many white-collar jobs. Some experts predict cleaning and fixing will win out over office work.
  2. While AI is taking over many office jobs, there is a growing demand for tradespeople like electricians and plumbers. They're needed for jobs machines can't do.
  3. If you're looking for a career path, consider hands-on trades or high-tech fields, because those jobs are more secure and will probably grow in the future.

How to get good at Exponents and Logs[Math Mondays]

Technology Made Simple • 19 implied HN points • 31 May 22
🚌 Education Career development
  1. Logs and exponents are essential for understanding time/space complexity and optimizing numerical computations. They are fundamental for advanced math and important for fields like Machine Learning.
  2. To get good at logs and exponents, practice on Khan Academy. It offers lectures and problems to help you master the basics efficiently.
  3. For those interested in AI/Data Science, mastering log transformations is crucial. Utilize resources like Brilliant's questions and focus on deep learning concepts involving logs to advance your skills.

🌸 Newsletter #30: A new HTTP status, manage difficult colleagues, finally understand the DNS...

Women On Rails Newsletter - International Version • 19 implied HN points • 26 Apr 22
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. The newsletter covers a new HTTP status code and updates on frameworks like Astro and Redwood.
  2. Tips on building relationships with difficult colleagues, recruiting juniors effectively, and balancing coding as a manager.
  3. Exploring resources for better coding practices like semantic HTML and a DNS playground.

Reflections, Plateaus, and Fresh Starts

Path Nine • 25 implied HN points • 28 Dec 23
💼 Business Career development
  1. 2023 was a challenging year with highs and lows, false flats, and personal and professional struggles
  2. Building a house faced delays, conflicts, and sunk-cost fallacy effects
  3. Running a business led to financial struggles, cost-cutting measures, and adapting to changing circumstances

If your network is your net worth, this is how you get rich

The Caring Techie Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Building strong networks is about investing social capital through kindness and goodwill.
  2. Creating an environment where people feel safe to ask questions and where they feel heard and acknowledged is crucial for fostering connections.
  3. Anticipating and meeting others' needs, offering help, and sharing knowledge are valuable ways to build social capital and support others in various settings.

Your Top 5 Development Areas Backed By Research 🧪

PeopleStorming • 19 implied HN points • 10 May 22
💼 Business Career development
  1. McKinsey identified 56 key elements essential for professional success across cognitive, interpersonal, self-leadership, and digital categories.
  2. Research showed that qualities like confidence, adaptability, deliberateness, motivation, and synthesis are crucial for employment, high income, and job satisfaction.
  3. Skills from the world of improvisation, such as adaptability, confidence, and synthesis, are highly valued in the business world and can be beneficial for personal and professional development.

The Ultimate Guide To Managing Your Ideas

Day One • 2 HN points • 16 Mar 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Ideas are the seeds of creation, and your environment plays a crucial role in nurturing them to grow.
  2. When managing ideas, learn all you can about them and document resources that come your way to prepare for when you can work on them.
  3. Create a roadmap for your ideas with skill-based and income-based milestones to maintain focus, prioritize tasks, and compound efforts for faster growth.

5 Steps to Take Back Power in Your Career

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Don't wait for the perfect job. Instead, focus on making the most of the position you have and use it to build skills and connections.
  2. Follow your interests and share what you learn. You don’t have to be an expert to teach others; sharing your journey can resonate more with people.
  3. Be consistent in showing up and sharing your thoughts. Building your personal brand is about being true to yourself and expressing your values regularly.

Stephan Guyenet and I Talk About the Hungry Brain

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 19 implied HN points • 09 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Career development
  1. Stephan Guyenet discusses the concept of the Hungry Brain and how our brain controls our eating habits and behavior related to body composition and obesity risk.
  2. The conversation covers topics like why we get fat, the impact of environments on body composition, and the most effective individual and societal actions to promote healthy body composition.
  3. Stephan Guyenet shares insights on his book 'The Hungry Brain,' the process of writing it, and his career path evolution post-academia.

An introvert’s 3 secrets to networking

amivora • 6 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
💼 Business Career development
  1. Use work tasks, like hiring, to connect with others. It's a good way to meet people while doing something you need to do anyway.
  2. Set specific goals to talk to new people at events. This can help ease the stress of networking and make it more enjoyable.
  3. Practice politely excusing yourself from conversations. It allows you to meet more people without feeling rude.

Generation Hustle

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 20 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
💼 Business Career development
  1. Surviving in the media industry requires standing out and being very good or very lucky.
  2. Diversification and staying relevant in various platforms is necessary for success in today's media landscape.
  3. Tenacity, talent, and adaptability are crucial in navigating the challenging and ever-changing media industry.

🔝 Special Edition: The 10 most read articles of 2021!

Women On Rails Newsletter - International Version • 19 implied HN points • 13 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. The post shares the 10 most read articles of 2021 on Ruby on Rails and the web.
  2. It includes insights like the impact of mimemagic, Hotwire, creating pull requests, and identifying toxic workplaces.
  3. Readers can also find resources on bug description, personal learning curriculum, and earning a living with open source.

The Hagakure #76: Why Are You Not Hiring Junior Developers?

The Hagakure • 17 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Career development
  1. Many companies mistakenly prefer seniors when dealing with software development, not realizing that complexity requires learning and teamwork
  2. Technical complexity and lack of disciplined leadership can lead to more focus on maintaining infrastructure, reducing room for junior developers
  3. Fast-paced startup environments often prioritize execution over learning, making it challenging for junior developers to gain experience and be hired

Role of returnee students in education, technological development, and opening up of China

Pekingnology • 18 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🚌 Education Career development
  1. Researching and shaping narrative around Chinese students studying abroad and their contributions in China.
  2. Providing insights into policy of attracting global talent and developing international talent studies.
  3. CCG's commitment to understanding and promoting the role of global talent in contemporary society through extensive policy research and initiatives.