#careergrowth

Especially if you're younger and recently joined Elevance. Save up six months of expenses. Keep interviewing even though you're employed. Find a way to make money on the side. Don't let this place have all the power over your life.

Work your hours and go home. Take your vacation days and actually disconnect. Hit the gym. See your friends more often. Learn something new so you're not stuck here forever. And talk to real people, not just LinkedIn connections.

I am no longer with the company but very curious about how things are going and moving along since last year's layoffs; and what the overall morale is like in Design and Tech; especially in the Home Division?

Prior to my departure, promotions were scarce and people were feeling stagnant, overworked/underappreciated and not being able to move around and grow... is that still the case for most L4/L5s and maybe L6s?

I used to think working hard was the path to promotion, before I watched three people who barely do their jobs get ahead because they know the right people. Now I spend more time on politics than on actual work, and I feel no guilt. That's just how this place works.

When I got the news that I was being laid off a few months ago, I expected to be devastated. Instead, I felt a wave of relief. Dell has been a mess for too long and I hated my job for far too long. I don't know if I got lucky or the job market is not that bad, but I had a new role within two months. Smaller company and much better culture. Just wanted to say, it's not all bad.

Can people go from AVP to SVP? Or stories that this has been done?

The way things are looking right now, the only way I can grow my career is if I quit and go somewhere else.

Bill’s talking about how RTO will help teammates further their careers, etc, but that’s 100% NOT TRUE if there are no advancement opportunities in your line of work in your geographic location. I was hired to work remotely and at that time my advancement opportunities were open (or at least more open than they are now) because Truist was OK with remote work. Now I have to go into an office that has nowhere for me to grow, OR I have to move to a more expensive city that will eat up any difference in salary I might get with a promotion. The lack of leadership’s acknowledgment of this impact is so disappointing.

I have a lot of bad things to say about Dell, but pay is not one of them. What's the biggest jump you've ever gotten?

Corporations often experience high turnover due to toxic culture, inadequate compensation, limited career growth, and, according to discussions on Reddit, unrealistic sales targets. Key drivers include burnout, poor management, and a lack of recognition, which prompt employees to leave for better opportunities, as discussed in this LinkedIn post and detailed by AIHR and Indeed.

People quitting every month. Almost no chance of moving up. Clear favoritism along ethnic lines. And the list goes on and on. And the sad thing is that I remember when this was a great place to work. When it earned the top spot on the best workplace lists. And that wasn't even that long ago.

My manager told me for years that I was the backbone of the team. Then I asked about a promotion and got told I was too important where I was. That's when I realized that being valuable at DXC doesn't get you ahead. It gets you stuck.

Artificial intelligence increasingly threatens white-collar jobs in Michigan. Experts estimate AI could automate a significant percentage of work tasks. Michigan's large technical workforce faces high exposure to this disruption. The state is expanding adult education and retraining programs. Community colleges are evolving into workforce transition centers to address these changes.

https://mitechnews.com/industry-40/michigan-is-racing-to-retrain-workers-before-ai-reshapes-the-economy/

At AT&T, I’ve learned that sustained success is rarely built on individual effort alone. It comes from being connected to the company’s priorities, engaged with the people driving the work, and committed to moving in the same direction as the broader organization. For many employees who have grown their careers here, relocating closer to Dallas has marked an important step toward greater impact and opportunity.

My own path has required real personal tradeoffs. I stepped away from what was familiar, adapted to new expectations, and chose career growth and responsibility over convenience. Those choices were not simple, but they opened doors to stronger relationships, greater visibility, and more meaningful collaboration.

Dallas is more than the company’s headquarters. It is a place where strategy, execution, and leadership come together. Being closer to key decision-makers and cross-functional partners creates faster communication, stronger alignment, and a deeper sense of shared responsibility for serving our customers and supporting one another.

That proximity also has clear business value. When teams are more connected, barriers are reduced, decisions move faster, and execution becomes stronger. Over time, that kind of discipline and coordination helps improve performance, strengthens the organization, and supports long-term shareholder value.

For that reason, moving to Dallas should be viewed as more than a personal career move. It reflects a willingness to invest in the company’s future, contribute more fully to the team, and help build a more focused, unified, and effective AT&T.

At AT&T, I’ve come to understand that the true path to long-term success isn’t just about individual performance—it’s about alignment, proximity, and shared commitment to the mission. For many of us who have advanced in this company, moving closer to the operational and strategic center in Dallas has been a turning point in our careers.

I made personal sacrifices to climb the ladder of success—leaving behind familiarity, adjusting to new routines, and prioritizing the demands of the role over comfort. Those decisions weren’t easy, but they created real opportunities for growth, visibility, and collaboration that simply aren’t as accessible from a distance.

Dallas represents more than just a location; it represents focus, teamwork, and accountability. Being physically closer to leadership and cross-functional teams strengthens communication, accelerates decision-making, and reinforces the shared obligation we all carry to deliver for customers and for each other.

From a business perspective, this alignment matters. When teams operate with tighter coordination and fewer barriers, execution improves. That kind of operational efficiency and cohesion is ultimately good for performance—and by extension, supportive of long-term shareholder value and stock strength.

In that sense, moving to Dallas isn’t just a personal career decision. It’s a commitment to the broader team, to the company’s direction, and to building a stronger, more unified organization.

Is it possible to successfully negotiate a CL promotion when considering to accept an assignment with more responsibility?

do guidelines on responsibilities handled by each gsr even mean anything? ive been gsr 7 for four years and my responsibility, scope, and importance of work dramatically increased but im still gr7 all the same. Exceeded on all reviews with the exception of met on my second year.

is this my direct management holding their cards close to their chest or is Ford not a place that cares about fairly compensating employees for workload

I got terminated from my job after 7 years. It wasn’t easy to accept especially knowing I was one of the top earners on my team. Last year my performance slipped, and looking back, I could feel something was off. I started to realize I was being pushed out.

But here’s the thing sometimes what feels like a setback is actually a reset.

At the start of this year, I shifted my focus fully into the stock market. I had been learning and investing for almost 6 years, but never gave it 100%. Now I am and I genuinely love it. For the first time, I feel like I’m building something for myself, not just working for someone else.

I’m also starting to move into rental properties, creating another path for income and independence. I don’t know exactly where this road will lead, but I know I’m no longer standing still.

I’m sharing this because conversations like these helped me prepare mentally. If you still have a job, stay sharp and keep growing. If you feel like something isn’t right at work, don’t ignore it prepare yourself. Build skills, save money, create options.

Don’t wait until you’re forced to move -move before that.

Sometimes you don’t realize your strength until you’re pushed into the unknown.

Good luck to everyone on their journey.

Hope for 10 more years

Fcat Team is leveling up! Time for Fcat folks to snag some sweet gigs, internal or external. Get ready to shine!

No opportunity for progression and no pay raises. Thats the whole point of working right?

The job is mind numbingly boring, it drains the life out of you and opportunities are limited to a select few.

The people are great but that’s the only benefit, it’s good to gain experience but don’t stay here for the long term, the only positive on the overall situation is that everyone is in the same boat.

Been at WF for almost 1.5 years and want to switch groups. Problem is, my first year end PR was an IM. Although if any hiring manager read it, they would see the review commentary doesn’t match the rating.

Anyways, how does this affect internal transfers? Do I need to have a “meets” on my most recent review to be considered?

For those of us impacted by the greatest economy of all time and it’s not even close, here’s a LinkedIn template for your layoff with gratitude, grace and a pivot for what’s next!

Thrilled to share a growth opportunity I didn’t see coming.

I’ve been impacted by a recent layoff, and while this wasn’t the outcome I originally envisioned, I’m choosing to see it as a powerful reset and realignment moment.

Endless gratitude to Verizon for the journey, the incredible people, and the experiences that shaped me into the thought leader I am today. Nothing but appreciation as I close this chapter.

Now it’s time to lean into what’s next. The market is…dynamic, and this transition may come with trade-offs—whether that’s compensation, benefits, PTO, or starting fresh without tenure. But growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.

I’m energized by the chance to rebuild, reimagine, and reinvent.

Because sometimes you don’t get what you wanted—you get what you need.

Open to opportunities. Ready to add value. Let’s connect!

Background, fairly new engineer less than 3 YOE and im on a new team (not by choice) and the team is not what I was expecting it to be. This role/work is better suited for someone with more experience. I want to leave this team already and advice on this

I finally started a new role last month. It took me six months of applying and interviewing to get here. The market is brutal right now. Just wanted to say not to give up if you're looking to leave, as tempting and as discouraging as it may seem at times.

Laid off 2 months ago after 28 years with UHG. Devastating! All internal positions I apply for, immediately “they are pursuing other candidates more qualified”. WTH? I’m even applying for job grades lower than when I left & still the same responses.

I’m over 50, was let go as a grade 29, had all 4s & 5s rating every single year. Had a 5th level interview and they chose an EXTERNAL candidate for the role.

Are any employees getting re-hired? Any tips or resources you have?

Any suggestions for companies hiring Optum employees? I appreciate any insight or referrals.

What fresh he-l is this?
Just say you're helping us write our resumes for a job hunt...

She is 64. Will she retire soon? Maybe things will get better then? 🤞

I've got nothing. Maybe that's the real issue here.

1️⃣ Lack of Leadership
Employee: “I stopped looking up because there was no one to look to.”

Great leaders set direction, model integrity, and earn respect every day.

2️⃣ Lack of Trust
Employee: “Every time I spoke up, it cost me something.”

Great leaders reward honesty, defend their people, and prove every voice matters.

3️⃣ Feeling Undervalued
Employee: “My work spoke loudly. No one was listening.”

Great leaders notice effort, name impact, and show appreciation often.

4️⃣ No Growth Path
Employee: “I wanted to grow. They wanted me to stay the same.”

Great leaders build clear paths and invest in growth early.

5️⃣ Lack of Challenge
Employee: “I used to feel alive solving problems. Now it’s just tasks.”

Great leaders reignite curiosity by giving purpose, not just projects.

6️⃣ Burnout
Employee: “The more great work I do, the more they expect.”

Great leaders protect energy, balance ambition, and stop rewarding exhaustion.

7️⃣ Lack of Inclusion
Employee: “I was in the room, but never really part of it.”

Great leaders create environments where every voice is heard and valued.

8️⃣ Unfair Pay
Employee: “They said they valued me, but not enough to show it.”

Great leaders match reward to impact and make fairness non-negotiable.

https://www.stephanieshills.com/weeklynewsletteroptin

Most companies say they value their people. Yet fail to create cultures where people actually feel valued.

But here's what actually makes people stay:

✅ Paid Well – Compensation reflects their worth
✅ Heard – Their voice actually matters
✅ Respected – Not just for what they do, but who they are
✅ Challenged – Growth is encouraged, not stifled
✅ Trusted – Micromanagement doesn’t exist
✅ Supported – Through wins and setbacks
✅ Recognized – Effort is seen, not overlooked
✅ Included – A real part of the bigger picture
✅ Developed – Opportunities to learn and grow
✅ Appreciated – Beyond performance metrics
✅ Empowered – Given autonomy, not just tasks
✅ Promoted – Hard work leads somewhere

Retention isn't a strategy. It's an outcome of how you treat people every day.

Ask your team: “What’s one thing we could do better to show we value you?” Then listen.

What’s one thing you’ve done (or seen) that made people choose to stay longer?

New title? New level?

Just got a 5% raise, 4th one since covid. Don't let the doomers get ya down. If you adapt to the new way of doing things, Cisco is still a great place to work.

I stopped waiting around after the last round of cuts, and I've been sending out resumes for weeks now. Got a call yesterday from a recruiter at a smaller firm. First interview is Thursday. I'm nervous but it feels good to be doing something instead of just waiting for my turn on the list.

My son graduated last year with good grades and two internships. He can't get a single interview for entry level roles. Every job he applies for has hundreds of applicants. My guess is half of them are people who were laid off from senior roles including from here and are just trying to get anything. It's just very, very bleak right now.

While the culture is terrible, one thing the bank does offer is the Skills Academy. This is a huge opportunity to gather and learn new skills for your next opportunity. Not many companies offer this type or level of learning. Take advantage of this while you are here. It’s a huge advantage to add these skills to your resume. Especially any AI courses you can take advantage of. Times are tough, jobs are scarce. Take advantage of what you can. Skills you learn here are transferable. Take advantage!!!

One of my coworkers on my direct team has applied to a new position within dell, which is a grade level above his current level. So it'd be a step up. i7 to i8.

We both do the same job and same exact work but he's just a grade above me. Now, they would be leaving my team on corporate to go into the Federal department, which would open up the i7 position. I am an i6 and nobody else on my team is an i6 so...

Simple reasoning would be that I step into that i7 role... with a promotion of course, right?? RIGHT?!

I mean, the leadership is terrible, the ability to grow professionally is nonexistent, and fear of layoffs are a constant thought. But the people are awesome, I love the culture of inclusivity, and I like browsing the Slack channels. This is my favorite company I’ve worked for in terms of colleagues.

I’ve still got one foot out the door but the people here have always been awesome. Just wanting to bring some positive vibes.