The new rules for building a career — and protecting it

Tech Insider : Business
Karena Plepel (left), Nicholas Jenkins (center), and Maahir Sharma (right)
Karena Plepel (left), Nicholas Jenkins (center), and Maahir Sharma (right) each invested time outside work to build and protect their careers.

Karena Plepel (left), Nicholas Jenkins (center), and Maahir Sharma (right)

I lost my job while my wife was pregnant. It turned out to be exactly what my family needed.

Tech Insider : Business
Sebastian Robison and his son
After a layoff and job search, Sebastian Robison and his wife decided he should stay home with their sons.

Courtesy of Sebastian Robison

I applied to over 6,000 jobs and relied on a food pantry after being laid off. Here's what finally got me hired.

Tech Insider : Business
John Huân Vũ
John Huân Vũ applied to more than 6,000 jobs over 16 months after being laid off in July 2024.

John Huân Vũ

I'm 52 and can't find a full-time job. I wasn't prepared for the shame of no longer being seen as a viable candidate.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology, Travel
Jodi Lynn Karpes
Jodi Lynn Karpes

Martina Tuaty for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jodi Lynn Karpes, a 52-year-old public relations professional who lives in West Palm Beach, Florida. It's been edited for length and clarity.

I'm 52, and I've been working in public relations for the last 25 years.

I couldn't find a job for 9 months, so I decided to learn new skills. I'm now assembling electronics with no experience.

Tech Insider : Business
a man welding and soldering electronics
The author has taken a new job building electronics after months of unemployment.

Javier Zayaz/Getty Images

I've interviewed more than 100 job seekers. These are the stories I can't stop thinking about.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment, Technology
Michael Permana (left), Jesse Jashinsky (center), and Robin Peppers Daniel (right)
Michael Permana (left), Jesse Jashinsky (center), and Robin Peppers Daniel (right) faced different challenges while searching for work.

Michael Permana (left), Jesse Jashinsky (center), and Robin Peppers Daniel (right)

I was laid off at 56 and took a 60% pay cut to land my next role — the biggest thing I feel is anger

Tech Insider : Business
Christina Jones headshot
Christina Jones says many older job-seekers want an opportunity to continue doing what they love.

Christina Jones

I'm 56 and got tired of being ghosted after job interviews. Here's the strategy that kept me moving forward.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
Michael Shmarak
Michael Shmarak

Taylor Glascock for BI

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Michael Shmarak, a 56-year-old communications and PR professional from Northbrook, Illinois. It's been edited for length and clarity.

After losing my job, I realized I needed an escape from unemployment. A new hobby helped me find it.

Tech Insider : Business, Sports
The writer posing next to her ice skating coach on an indoor ice rink.
Learning to ice skate was the one hobby that helped my mental health while being unemployed.

Brittany Johnson

I moved to Canada and couldn't find a job after months of applying. A unique idea helped me start my own business abroad.

Tech Insider : Travel, Travel, Business
Jemma Chapman holding up her stamp illustrations next to her gum machine
Jemma Chapman came up with a unique business idea, using her illustrations.

Courtesy of Jemma Chapman

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