The hottest Career Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health & Wellness Topics

How to be(come) a manager

Wednesday Wisdom • 123 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
💼 Business Career
  1. Becoming a manager means doing a different job, not just coding. You won't have much time for hands-on tasks, so you need to let that go and focus on managing your team instead.
  2. It’s important to find a mentor and connect with peers who can help you learn how to manage better. Talking with others in similar situations can give you fresh ideas and support.
  3. You need to learn the tools and skills required for management. Understanding processes, having tough conversations, and giving feedback are all key parts of being a successful manager.

A Snowy Last-Minute Friday Edition

Become a Senior Engineer • 39 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Fridays are a great time for reflection on your job and career, allowing you to assess your emotions, learning, interactions with teammates, and successes and failures.
  2. Leaving everything better than you found it is an important concept that involves sharing failures, thus contributing to improvement within your team and network.
  3. Persistent effort and engagement can lead to growth, even starting with small numbers in a new venture, by focusing on community engagement and setting achievable goals.

Staying Calm When You Want to Disappear

Leading Developers • 103 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Career
  1. When faced with pressure, pause and take a deep breath. It helps calm your nerves before responding.
  2. Always evaluate the situation by asking yourself questions about what's happening and what you know versus what you don't.
  3. After assessing, respond clearly and confidently. It's important to communicate what you understand and seek help if needed.
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Learning by Doing

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🚌 Education Career
  1. Doing is often better than just thinking. If you want to learn a skill, just start practicing it a lot.
  2. Trying many things and being okay with failure helps you learn faster. When you're not focused on being perfect, you can improve more easily.
  3. Having a 'beginner's mind' can lead to better results. Beginners often do well because they aren't held back by too much prior knowledge or self-doubt.

Quick Ask Zoe

Thoughts on a Typewriter • 58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Career
  1. The author attributes their ability to write quickly to their fast typing speed of 60-70 words per minute.
  2. The author reflects on how learning to type in school significantly impacted their writing productivity and speed.
  3. The author recognizes the importance of slowing down in writing to enhance creativity, inspired by their English teacher's advice.

Manufacturing Serendipity

Balancing Act • 58 implied HN points • 10 May 23
💼 Business Career
  1. A simple email can have a profound impact on your career.
  2. Persistence and following up can lead to unexpected opportunities.
  3. Don't hesitate to reach out to someone you admire and respect for advice or mentorship.

10 Years of Solo Consulting (Part 2)

burkhardstubert • 79 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
💼 Business Career
  1. It's important to charge more for strategic advice compared to implementation work. Clients often don't realize the value they get from your expertise, so it's beneficial to price according to the value you create.
  2. Using productized services can save time and increase income. These services combine a standard product with a small amount of customization for each client, allowing you to charge more consistently.
  3. Setting your own payment terms can lead to better cash flow and less hassle. By charging clients upfront or setting clear rules about payments, you can avoid the stress of late payments and complicated contracts.

Failure as a Feature, Not a Bug

Perspectives • 6 implied HN points • 04 Dec 25
💼 Business Career
  1. Failure is a necessary tool for growth and staying competitive, so take smart risks and treat setbacks as learning opportunities.
  2. Leaders should model vulnerability and normalize failure so their teams feel safe to experiment and innovate.
  3. Build simple habits—start with small bets, separate your identity from outcomes, create external accountability, and run blameless reflections and stories to capture learnings.

My Path to CTO, Part I

The Engineering Manager • 7 implied HN points • 26 Nov 25
💼 Business Career
  1. It's important to explore your interests and be open to new opportunities, even if they seem random. This can guide your career path unexpectedly.
  2. Different experiences and passions can help you stand out in your field. Being unique can lead to new chances and growth.
  3. Listening to your gut and knowing what you want from work is crucial. Sometimes, experiences show you what you want to avoid in your career.

Some news about The (Im)Posture

On Looking • 139 implied HN points • 25 Aug 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Career
  1. The newsletter will continue with an anthropological focus as the author starts a PhD in anthropology at the University of Cambridge, providing insights into research and discussions.
  2. Paying subscribers will have more interactive and experimental content, while the core essays will remain free for everyone.
  3. There will be a hiatus in the newsletter from mid-September to mid-October due to the author's relocation and academic commitments.

Pros and Cons of a C-level Job in 2024+

The Uncommon Executive • 19 implied HN points • 14 Mar 24
💼 Business Career
  1. C-level executive roles offer significant impact on company trajectory and industries, allowing for big bets and tangible results in a shorter timescale.
  2. Executives have more control over their schedule, better anticipation of risks, and the ability to create work for others at well-run companies.
  3. The executive role comes with overflowing stress from high-level accountability, feelings of loneliness at the top, and a distance from day-to-day operations.

The Courage to Coach

Notes in the Margins • 59 implied HN points • 03 Jun 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Leah Farmer focuses on coaching, which she finds exciting and fulfilling.
  2. Leah specializes in Professional & Executive Coaching, Vision & Strategy Consulting, Life & Change Coaching, and Working Genius Facilitation.
  3. Her coaching philosophy revolves around curiosity, connection, and courage to change.

Six-Word Memoirs, Career Moves, Reverse Sear

Austin's Analects • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🍲 Food & Drink Career
  1. Six-Word Memoirs offer a concise way to connect with others by describing yourself in just a few words.
  2. When planning your next career move, consider mapping out adjacent careers and necessary skills to see what roles align best with your interests and strengths.
  3. A simple 'reverse sear' method can help you cook a perfect steak every time: season, oven cook, sear, and rest to enjoy a delicious meal.

A New Year’s dialogue with... my AI coaching app

Building the Builders • 3 implied HN points • 31 Dec 25
💼 Business Career
  1. A scarcity mindset—seeing time, opportunities, and energy as nonrenewable—undermines creativity, relationships, and risk-taking, while an abundance view treats resources as renewable and compounding and enables bolder moves in work, experiments, and family life.
  2. Slow-feedback projects and subtle social moments need intentionally built feedback loops to sustain momentum and confidence; simple habits like session-level notes, prompts, or visible reminders turn distant progress into immediate, learnable signals.
  3. Deliberate identity work helps you "remember what you know": study persistent builders, free-write without censoring, and act opposite scarcity-driven fears so repeated practice and risk-taking produce the evidence that cements an abundant, builder mindset.

London, Google, & So Much More...

Notes in the Margins • 59 implied HN points • 05 May 23
💼 Business Career
  1. The year 2023 brought significant changes to the author's life, including moving to London, starting a new job, and eventually leaving that job.
  2. Working at Google turned out to be a mismatch for the author, prompting her to focus on her coaching business instead of rushing into another job search.
  3. The author is now shifting her focus to growing her coaching business, expanding her online presence through Instagram and TikTok, and offering consultations to professionals.

Building a Successful Company, Sharing Ideas Online, and Career Cheat Codes

Austin's Analects • 19 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
💼 Business Career
  1. Key secrets for building a successful company involve getting the right people on board, showing category leadership, creating unique products, and ensuring everyone in the company is focused on sales.
  2. Sharing your ideas online allows you to grow your skills, learn publicly, and become the best version of yourself before pursuing corporate opportunities.
  3. To advance in your career, consider starting an internal newsletter to build relationships and standing out, as well as making a list of what you want out of your company to actively pursue opportunities and skills.

Personal Updates, and ... Refunds

Myth Pilot • 39 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
💼 Business Career
  1. The author has been missing due to a new project taking up most of their time.
  2. The author mentions that this new project is important to them personally.
  3. Readers can sign in for a 7-day free trial to access the full post archives.

MBB vs other consultancy companies

An Ode to Restlessness • 19 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
💼 Business Career
  1. Working for a large consulting company like MBB gives you more project options. This means you can explore different types of work and find what you really enjoy.
  2. MBB has a reputation for high quality because of the top talent they hire. This means you'll be working with smart people and on exciting projects, which can lead to unique experiences.
  3. Having MBB on your resume opens doors for future opportunities. Whether you stay in consulting or move on to another career, the experience and connections you gain at MBB will help you succeed.

A Note to the Universe

Nomad No More • 39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Writer is seeking change and a return to the corporate world for benefits and stability.
  2. Experienced in diverse writing tasks and looking for a job that offers challenges, continuity, and a great team.
  3. Seeking opportunities or connections in communications or marketing that align with desire for stability and routine.

The Homunculus

The Rest • 39 implied HN points • 05 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Career
  1. Challenging norms in art can evoke ambivalence and reflection in individuals.
  2. Our experiences and activities can shape our brain and body in unexpected ways.
  3. Being exceptional has its place, but navigating ordinariness also holds significance and value.

Quitting

Seeking Solutions • 39 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Consider the revenue multiple when evaluating a startup's valuation.
  2. Realistically project if the company can grow enough for you to make a return.
  3. Evaluate the company's spending efficiency and runway to decide if it's time to quit.

Career Transition Complete

Ben’s Blog 🏉 🧠🧑‍💻 • 25 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🎾 Sports Career
  1. After seven years, the career change is finally done. It feels amazing to get paid doing what I love, especially after struggling to find my path.
  2. I used to dislike running and public speaking, but now they are central to my work. This shows that interests can change, and you may find joy in unexpected places.
  3. Talking with mentors is important. Conversations can lead to new ideas and connections, helping to support and grow your passions.

Find the Middle of a Singly LinkedList[Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 39 implied HN points • 08 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Career
  1. To find the middle of a singly linked list, use 2 pointers - one fast and one slow. This approach simplifies the process and is efficient.
  2. The reasoning behind finding the middle involves understanding the ordered structure of values in a linked list. It exploits this organized structure to bisect the list and locate the middle.
  3. Learning to think in abstract groups instead of specific data types can enhance problem-solving skills. This technique can be extended to more complex structures beyond linked lists.

Managing..up?

Sunday Letters • 119 implied HN points • 21 Aug 22
💼 Business Career
  1. It's important to understand what your manager wants and not just tell them what they want to hear. Building trust is key for a strong team.
  2. Think about the problems your boss faces and help find solutions. This shows initiative and helps you prepare for future roles.
  3. Instead of overloading your manager with details, focus on providing clear and concise information. They appreciate when you streamline their workload.

The Rubber Duck Method for Debugging [Technique Tuesdays]

Technology Made Simple • 59 implied HN points • 13 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Career
  1. The Rubber Duck Method is a powerful tool for debugging code, helping identify both logical and runtime errors as you explain your code to a rubber duck.
  2. Speaking out loud while explaining your thought process can help you make connections and insights, preventing your brain from skipping steps and making more errors.
  3. In interviews, treating your interviewer as a rubber duck by verbalizing your thoughts can improve your problem-solving skills and communication, impressing the interviewer.

Good Explanations Require Vulnerability

Adam’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 03 Dec 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Good explanations require vulnerability to be effective and empowering.
  2. A good explanation strikes a balance between providing enough detail for understanding without overwhelming the recipient.
  3. Recognizing the importance of vulnerability in communication can help both junior and senior employees navigate interactions better.

How to code for 60 years

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 20 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Career
  1. Engineering and coding can have very long careers; some people code for decades and adapt to many changes in technology.
  2. Learning is a continuous process, and it's important to stay humble and curious, no matter how experienced you become.
  3. Younger coders may benefit from understanding the fundamentals and history of coding, rather than just focusing on trendy tools.

Turnaround #4: Career and money

Turnaround • 316 implied HN points • 13 Aug 19
💼 Business Career
  1. When considering a career, focus on meaningful work and opportunities for growth rather than just money
  2. Money is important, but it's considered a hygiene factor in job satisfaction, not a primary motivator
  3. Finding a job that aligns with your values, allows for personal development, and provides opportunities for recognition and responsibility can lead to greater job satisfaction

Office Hours

Story Club with George Saunders • 83 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📚 Literature Career
  1. On getting an agent: Agents are essential gatekeepers in the publishing world, helping with submissions and negotiations.
  2. Agent relationships: A good agent can relieve pressure by handling business aspects, letting the writer focus on their art.
  3. Agenting advice: Prospective agents should not charge for reading work, should be transparent about edits and submissions, and communication should be open and respectful.

Perspectives 2025 in Review

Perspectives • 1 implied HN point • 08 Jan 26
🎭️ Culture Career
  1. The community grew a lot in 2025, adding thousands of new readers and connecting people across platforms through shared interests like family, career, and wellbeing.
  2. Practical, human-centered topics resonated most—readers loved guidance on leadership and career (like executive presence), preparing for AI, and heartfelt personal stories about family and resilience.
  3. Collaboration and a distinct creative voice strengthened the work—guest contributors brought fresh perspectives and original hand-illustrations gave the publication a warm, personal look.

I'm glad to be a 33 years old (ancient) software engineer

Sheep Code • 26 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Career
  1. You'll enjoy coding much more as you gain experience over the years. It might feel boring now, but in time, it will become something you love doing.
  2. You have the potential to earn a lot more than you think. With hard work and the right opportunities, a six-figure salary is very achievable.
  3. Being smart isn't the only key to success in tech. Being effective, working well with others, and solving problems can matter even more.

✂️200k Tech Layoffs,🔧 Top10 Skills in 2025,🤹 GenZ Career Gaps,🧑‍🏫 Learning Quotient

Work3 - The Future of Work • 19 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
💼 Business Career
  1. Connecting risk-free capital with hiring sprees can lead to layoffs and damage a company's brand, culture, and long-term growth.
  2. Artificial Intelligence will assist workers in their tasks rather than completely replacing them in the future.
  3. Employers are seeking individuals with a high Learning Quotient (LQ) who can think quickly, problem-solve, and adapt to changing technologies.