“The Market Effect on Your Job Search, and The Rise of the Portfolio Career"
My A-List Friends!
What a year it's been… and somehow we're just getting started.
If you've been on the brink of existential crisis, while juggling your job search, launching a new business, or figuring out your next career move- you're not alone.
Here's what we know to be true: we've now seen more layoffs this year than since the Great Recession, LinkedIn is receiving more than double the amount of applications it's gotten since 2022, and AI is somehow making things more complicated- with over 80% of employers integrating it into their recruiting process (this is why the rejection emails keep coming and it may feel like you're screaming into a giant void!)
So what do you do?
It's time to start looking into turning your career into a portfolio. The rise of the
portfolio career, is one influenced by market dynamics and an increase in the creator/gig economy. Long gone are the days of having just one job, or relying on one source of income for security. Enter in side hustles, fractional work, freelancing/consulting opportunities, and a whole lot of new startup founders and small business owners.
It is my hope that you lean into understanding how to monetize the skills you already have and find new ways to get paid in ways that serve you.
In a world (and market) that has a whole lot of problems, remember the people that win see solutions.
Let's talk solutions:
✨ Getting Started
Stop panic-applying. Start auditing.
What are you actually great at? What do people already pay you for — or ask you for free? That’s your leverage.
You don’t need a whole rebrand. You need one small monetized test:
• One advisory client
• One fractional offer
• One beta service
Momentum builds clarity.
🪞 Using Your Network
Don’t say, “I’m looking for a job.”
Say:
“I’m taking on 2 fractional clients in X.”
“I’m advising founders on Y.”
“I’m building Z.”
Re-engage. Add value. Be visible.
Your network doesn’t need your résumé. It needs your positioning.
🖊️ Developing a Framework
Identify your top 3 monetizable skills. Match them to an urgent problem. Package them into a clear outcome.
Make noise about it.
Build your portfolio.
Build your leverage.
Build optionality.
🌱 A MasterClass to Help You Out
This can be a lot to navigate alone, so I want to help you out.
If you’re ready to get clear, grounded, and in control of what’s next—join my next masterclass.
👇 ( sign up below)
Keep Going
I’m proud of you for doing the work to bet on yourself.
Stay focused. Stay kind to yourself. And keep going. I’ve also included some of the latest funding and job opportunities below to help you move forward.
— Ariel 💚
