Job Search, Promotion, and Career Clarity: The Mid-Career GPS Podcast 329: Mid-Career in 2026: How to Rebuild Stability, Visibility, and Confidence
Dec 30, 2025
The job market for mid-career professionals has drastically changed, leaving many feeling uncertain. Discover how to create personal stability amidst ongoing layoffs and shifting job titles. Learn the importance of clear results over formal titles and how visibility is key to advancement. AI's impact on careers is explored, highlighting the need for human judgment. John Neral emphasizes intentional networking and effective communication to reclaim confidence and direction in your career. Get ready to redefine your professional identity and strategy for success!
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Daily Wake-Up Call That Saved A Career
- John Neral shares how his friend Linda called him every morning to wake him during a severe bout of insomnia.
- That daily support lasted the school year and became a lifeline that kept his career intact.
Layoffs Became Continuous Business Activity
- John explains layoffs in 2025 became a rolling business activity rather than episodic events.
- He concludes individual career stability is now a personal responsibility, not an organizational promise.
Titles Lost Their Signaling Power
- Job titles lost signaling power as scope blurred and boundaries dissolved across roles.
- Results and the ability to clearly articulate value became the primary currency for advancement.