Many people are asking how they can move into 2026 with a positive plan, perhaps get a new job or expand in the one they are in to move forward with their lives and have meaningful experiences. 

“All I want for Christmas is a job,” a client who’d been out of work for quite some time remarked recently. “How do I make that happen?” 

What do you do when the job you were sure was your “dream job” suddenly ends? That’s the spot Ashley Jablow found herself in, and she joins Chris Sandland on this episode of Career Can Do to talk about how that moment knocked the wind out of her and also ended up opening an entirely new path. Today, she runs Wayfinders Collective, but the journey there definitely wasn’t a straight line.

For nearly 45 years, I've worked as a national recruiter and consultant, helping people not only advance in their careers but align with their purpose and live their best lives. Over the years, I've seen how much the world has changed and how many of us are striving to overcome challenges and move forward. So when a candidate who owned a restaurant recently asked me about changing his career path to move into the corporate arena, I thought of lessons that have shaped me — and that I believe can help all of us during these changing times.

I recently had an opportunity to hold a “Lunch and Learn” training at Walsh College in Troy, Michigan. It was great to go back to a city near my hometown of Detroit to meet the wonderful folks at the Career Services Division of this college and be a part of their student training. I was truly impressed by how this school goes above and beyond to assist its students with career opportunities in the New Work World. It was also terrific to be able to visit with my family and friends and drive around so many places that have contributed to making my life so special.

What happens when the world changes faster than the people leading it? In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth talks with Dr. Donald McNeeley - CEO, professor, and longtime voice in the steel industry - about what great leadership really looks like when everything around you is shifting. With his trademark mix of humor and hard-earned wisdom, Dr. McNeeley breaks down why every leader needs a “North Star,” how to navigate major transitions without losing your footing, and why small mistakes can sometimes teach the biggest lessons.

Recently, I had a visit from my granddaughter dressed up like a ballerina after her ballet class. She’s an amazing child, and in a metaphorical way, she reminded me of the different dances we all have had to do the past several years. With it being the last quarter of the year at this writing, I, like many of us, am thinking about how to plan our steps forward in the New Year. My recent book, "Revolutionary Results," contains a chapter titled “Finding Your North Star.” I’ve outlined it below as a helpful guide during these changing times. 

Recently I was driving to Mass, and the sign in front of the church really grabbed me:

“TRY SOME OF THESE 4-LETTER WORDS: LOVE, HELP, GIVE, CARE.”

I smiled, thinking how so many things these days — overall but especially in the recruiting sector in what I call the New Work World — perhaps bring different four-letter words to mind. But then I got to thinking that if we implemented the mindset that the words on the sign mentioned, perhaps better days could be in our future. And then I thought about trees and how they bend!

Have you ever had something that you felt was a symbol of meaningful change for you? For me that symbol has always been a dragonfly. It seems whenever I am pondering the outcome of a situation or unsure about moving forward in a particular area, a dragonfly appears. And because this symbol always seems to produce some kind of important change or outcome for me, I have done some study of them.

What does it really take to shine in a job interview? According to Ramon Santillan, it’s not about memorizing canned answers or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about learning how to tell your story in a way that makes sense to the person on the other side of the table. Ramon is the founder of Persuasive Interview, and in this episode of Career Can Do he talks with host Chris Sandland about the unique challenges and strengths of neurodiverse candidates.