

Job Search, Promotion, and Career Clarity: The Mid-Career GPS Podcast
John Neral
Get Clarity. Get Promoted. Get Hired.Are you feeling stuck, undervalued, or underutilized in your current role?Wondering how to position yourself for a promotion, raise, or leadership opportunity?Are you trying to figure out what’s next for your career, but not sure where to start?You're not alone, and you're in the right place.Hosted by executive and career transition coach John Neral, The Mid-Career GPS Podcast is your go-to resource to help you confidently navigate your job search, career advancement, and workplace challenges. Whether you want to find a new job, get promoted, or simply feel more fulfilled at work, this show will help you build the clarity and strategy you need to take your next step.Each episode features actionable advice, insightful interviews, and real-world strategies to help mid-career professionals, typically managers to senior directors, design a career they love or love the career they have.You’ve built a solid career. Now it’s time to build Your Mid-Career GPS to figure out what's next and how to get there.New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe today and let's start figuring out whatever is next for you and your career, together.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 29, 2024 • 36min
268: Estate Planning Essentials for Mid-Career Professionals with Andrea Bryk
Send us a textWhat happens if you are no longer here or unable to care for yourself? How protected are your loved ones? We all need to have this conversation, but many mid-career professionals avoid it because they don’t feel they need to or have to.In this episode, you'll meet Andrea Bryk, who believes everyone, not just the wealthy, deserves peace of mind regarding estate planning. Andrea's goal is to make estate planning not horrible. Andrea shares why everyone must have an estate plan, how to talk to your gain parents about their healthcare and estate planning, the differences between a will and a trust, and why everyone needs to do a technology inventory starting right now. Connect with Andrea BrykLinkedIn | WebsiteSupport the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Oct 22, 2024 • 13min
267: CRUSH Your Next Job Interview: Transform Your Nerves into Confidence
Send us a textUnlock the secrets to mastering your job interviews and transforming anxiety into confidence. Imagine walking into your next interview not overwhelmed by nerves or fixated on the outcome, but fully present and prepared to showcase your unique value. This episode promises to equip you with essential mindset shifts to revolutionize your approach to interviews. Say goodbye to the common pitfalls that hinder your storytelling, and learn to engage with interviewers effectively by focusing on their needs and demonstrating how you can solve their problems.You'll discover how to treat interviews like a strategic sales call, where you highlight the extraordinary results only you can deliver. Let's move beyond the generic traits and step into a space where your true strengths shine. Plus, you'll get a sneak peek into my new interview preparation course, a comprehensive guide designed to enhance your skills, boost your confidence, and navigate job offers with grace. Packed with practical insights and actionable strategies, this episode is your ticket to standing out as the top candidate and securing the job you've always wanted.To learn more about my interview preparation course, visit https://www.johnneral.com/courses.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Oct 15, 2024 • 33min
266: Unlocking Admin-Executive Strategy with Monique Helstrom
Send us a textYou are not “just” your title. You are far more than that. Many mid-career professionals sometimes downplay the importance or significance of the value they provide to their teams, leaders, and organizations.Today, you will meet Monique Helstrom. She is a recruiter of talented assistants for busy executives. She is also a coach and speaker. You’ll be curious to hear about her former job, which she held for over ten years. She was known as the Chief of Simon Sinek. And you’ll listen to that story and how executives and their assistants can partner to work better and more cohesively, ultimately driving results like never before. Monique shares personal anecdotes from her thrilling tenure with Simon Sinek, where the fast-paced environment was a playground for learning and growth. Her insights into the executive-assistant partnership, supported by her two decades of experience in human development and organizational growth, reveal how this dynamic can drive outstanding results. Monique offers practical advice for executives and admins to flourish together, ensuring that their collaborative efforts lead to sustained success.Connect with Monique HelstromWebsite | LinkedInSupport the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Oct 8, 2024 • 35min
265: Strategies for Handling Office Politics with Niven Postma
Send us a textWhat’s your opinion on office politics? Perhaps you try to avoid them. Maybe you feel confident navigating them, or better yet, you say you can handle them when you have to but would prefer to avoid them altogether. In this episode, I’m joined by Niven Postma, an advisor to global executive teams, lecturer, keynote speaker, and author. She’s joining me today to help you reframe your thoughts, opinions, and actions about office politics, why you should pay more attention to office politics, and how you can use them to benefit your teams and your professional advancement. From her eye-opening experience of being fired from an executive role, Niven illustrates why political savvy is non-negotiable in today's workplace. Her book, "If You Don't Do Politics, Politics Will Do You," serves as a guide to navigating these often tricky waters with integrity and effectiveness.This is a conversation you don’t want to miss!Connect with Niven PostmaWebsite | LinkedIn | Email Niven - change@nivenpostma.com Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Oct 1, 2024 • 33min
264: Mastering Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills with Karin Hurt
Send us a textUnlock the secrets to mastering communication in the post-pandemic workplace with our special guest, Karin Hurt, founder and CEO of Let's Grow Leaders. Karin opens up about a career-defining moment when a team member exposed her lack of vulnerability, leading her to pivot towards authentic leadership. We explore how remote work has fundamentally changed communication dynamics and discuss strategic approaches to bringing employees together, ensuring thoughtful and effective communication during these transitions.Conflict at work can disrupt harmony, but it doesn't have to. Learn how to distinguish between minor annoyances and significant issues to reduce stress and foster a peaceful environment. We present practical advice and real-life examples on tackling workplace conflicts head-on, demonstrating the benefits of open communication and mutual understanding.Transitioning relationships in the workplace, whether from colleagues to business partners or even romantic partners, brings its own set of challenges. Karin shares personal anecdotes and key strategies to maintain effective communication and manage conflicts in high-stakes environments. From choosing the right medium for emotionally charged messages to balancing confidence with humility, this episode provides valuable insights. Plus, discover how to build a mid-career GPS for professional growth, with resources and workshops available to guide you on your journey. Don't miss these tips for becoming the leader you've always wanted to be.Connect with Karin HurtWebsite | LinkedIn Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Sep 24, 2024 • 17min
263: Amazon's Return to Office Policy and What It Means for You
Send us a textAmazon CEO Andy Jassy released a statement last week notifying all Amazon employees that they will need to be in the office five days per week beginning in January 2025. How many companies will follow Amazon's lead and require their employees to be in the office five days per week? What does this mean for you? You can read Andy Jassy's statement here. In this episode, I'll unpack the benefits of increased in-office collaboration while addressing this policy's challenges to work-life balance and overall employee satisfaction. If you're accustomed to a hybrid work environment, this episode is crucial for you. You’ll also gain valuable strategies to navigate job interviews and career moves in light of such sweeping policy changes.You must know how you work best and your best working situation. Yes, companies are still hiring fully remote employees, but Amazon's move will change things, and you should be prepared. Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Sep 17, 2024 • 14min
262: Interview Tip: Stop Telling These Stories About Yourself
Send us a textTypically, there are two big seasons in anyone’s career development. The time from September to November when people are looking for a new job and want to make sure they reach their career goals before the year ends. The next time is from January to March when people are wrapped up in the excitement of the new year and want to start the year off with a great new job and a new beginning. But here is what’s holding you back. When interviewing for a new job or having internal conversations about a possible promotion, some of you are telling a horrible story about why you are the best person for the job!In this episode, I’ll share my #1 pet peeve about how you tell your story and give you an immediate action tip to correct it and shift the energy in the room to get more hiring managers interested in who you are and what you do. Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Sep 10, 2024 • 37min
261: Building Your LinkedIn Network with Jemima Attanasio
Send us a textJemima Atanasio is Senior Director of Development at Fordham College at Rose Hill. Jemima takes us through her transformative journey from the hustle of special events fundraising to the more balanced realm of major gifts work. Discover how pivotal moments in 2016, amidst significant political changes, led her to reassess her career and the value she brings to her role. She shares the importance of cross-collaboration, her love for Pink's music, and the powerful community she has cultivated on LinkedIn.Learn how Jemima has harnessed the power of LinkedIn to create a vibrant, supportive community, especially in the context of philanthropy and large-donor fundraising. By blending personal interests like music and photography with professional insights, she has engaged her network in authentic, meaningful ways. Jemima emphasizes the crucial role of authenticity and clear intentions in building the know, like, and trust factor that strengthens professional relationships. Discover practical strategies to incorporate more of your authentic self into your career and online presence to build a successful and engaged network on LinkedIn. Jemima shares actionable tips on how to show up genuinely in your professional life and community-building efforts. Find out how consistent, genuine participation on social media can craft a compelling narrative over time. Connect with Jemima on LinkedIn.Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Sep 3, 2024 • 18min
260: Performance Improvement Plans: What You Need to Know
Send us a textHave you ever been on a PIP? Have you ever had to manage a PIP?If you don’t know what a PIP is, that could be considered a good thing. A performance improvement plan (PIP) is a formal document that helps employees struggling to meet job performance expectations. It outlines areas of performance that are falling short, identifies skills or training gaps, and sets specific goals for improvement. PIPs are not disciplinary actions, but they can feel like that. They are intended to help employers and managers help employees succeed rather than a punitive measure. But they don’t feel like that, and often, it seems that more people are either terminated or leave their position rather than succeed and stay within the organization. Drawing from my personal experiences, I'll share actionable strategies to tackle a PIP head-on, emphasizing the importance of clarity, support networks, and ownership. We'll explore the dual outcomes of a PIP and how to steer towards a positive resolution. Learn how to dissect the details of your plan, ensure regular check-ins with your manager, and utilize every resource at your disposal. This episode isn't just about surviving a PIP; it's about converting it into an opportunity for growth and demonstrating your value within the organization. Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.

Aug 27, 2024 • 17min
259: When You Are Too Valuable to Be Promoted
Send us a textFeeling like you're stuck in your career despite being a high performer? Discover the secrets to breaking free from the "value trap" and achieving the promotions you deserve. This episode of the Mid-Career GPS Podcast offers five actionable strategies to help you recognize and navigate this common professional challenge. Learn how to proactively communicate your career goals, set clear timelines, and delegate responsibilities effectively to prepare for your next role. It's time to take control of your career trajectory and ensure your growth isn't hindered by your current success.We'll also guide you on how to build your mid-career GPS with practical tips for showing up powerfully in both personal and professional settings. From making meaningful connections on LinkedIn to leveraging social media, you'll find valuable insights to advance your career. Don't miss our discussion on the benefits of participating in workshops and public speaking events to elevate your professional journey. For more resources, visit johnnarrell.com, and remember—how we show up matters!Support the showReady to give your career the jumpstart it needs to whatever is next? Schedule a $197 Career/Leadership Strategy Session. Click here to learn more about how this transformative strategy session will help you. Visit https://johnneral.com/resources to: Subscribe to my free leadership and career newsletter Get The Mid-Career Promotion Blueprint to help you figure out whatever is next for you and your career Join The Mid-Career GPS Membership Community. Please leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts here. Connect with John on LinkedIn here.Get John's New Mid-Career Journal on Amazon here. Follow John on Instagram @johnneralcoaching. Subscribe to John's YouTube Channel here.


