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A client told me this week:
"I've been trying to transition for 19 months. My confidence is shot. I’m burned out. Honestly, for my next job, I just want someone to tell me what to do. Also, I want to earn more money."
She’s about the hundredth person I've heard this from this week.
This comes up all the time.
That feeling of:
“Just put me somewhere quiet, give me a checklist, and let me not screw it up.”
I. Get. It.
Seriously.
You’re tired.
You’re constantly wondering if the next role will finally feel better.
But here’s what I need you to know...
Companies don’t pay top dollar for people who wait for directions.
They hire people who bring clarity when everything’s a mess.
People who show they’ll figure things out, not just follow a script.
Even in the interview.
So if you’re saying:
“Just tell me what to do and I'll do it well…”
Flip it.
Ask instead:
What does this company need? And how would I help fix it?
This is how you go from "we'll get back to you" to "when can you start?!"
Here’s how YOU can start TODAY:
-
Spot the gaps they'll need addressed:
Pull up the company’s website. Find their product, mission, or services.
Read the job description again. Ask: What’s not being said?
Google or GPT “[Company] + challenges” or check Glassdoor for what employees say they’re struggling with.
Think: Where have I solved something similar before, even in a totally different setting?
When you find overlap between what they need and what you’ve done—even if it was called something else, THAT'S your talking point.
- Ask better questions:
Skip “What does a typical day look like?”
Try:
-
“What are the biggest challenges facing this team right now?”
-
“What is the top strength you need to round out your team?"
-
“What needs to happen immediately after I’m hired?”
These tell them you’re already thinking like a problem-solver, not a pencil pusher.
YOUR ACTION STEP:
Before you apply to your next job, take 15 minutes to do this:
-
Pull up the job description.
Ask: If I were already in this role, what would I tackle in my first 30, 60, and 90 days?
(If you don't know the answer, RESEARCH. Use the internet to find common problems AND common solutions so you can talk about it like you've known the answer all along.) -
Now open your resume.
Swap out vague teaching bullets for 2–3 that match the role’s focus. -
Draw the connection.
Even if you’ve never had the job title, your experience overlaps.
Make that obvious.
Task-takers talk about responsibilities.
High-earners talk about results.
Since you're reading this, you're the latter.
Hope this advice empowers you.
See you next week.
Steph Yesil
Find me on LinkedIn, Get My Career Change Kit, Book a 1:1 Call
