If your job search feels scattered or exhausting, a Target Company List can help. This curated list of organizations that align with your goals can transform vague networking into focused action. Learn why it works, how to build one, and how it sets the stage for an effective job search. Questions? Contact Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

Chasing the “dream job” can leave you feeling stuck—but what if the dream isn’t one perfect role, but an evolving path? In this post, I share why there’s no one-size-fits-all dream job and how the Bullseye Analogy helps you navigate career change with more clarity and grace. Questions? Contact Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

As a career coach, I’m often asked whether a LinkedIn photo “looks professional enough.” It’s a fair question—your profile picture is often the first impression you make. In this post, I share practical tips for choosing a strong photo—and why it’s important to weigh social feedback with a healthy dose of self-awareness. Questions? Contact Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

Not a fan of social media? You’re not alone. But if you’re job searching, LinkedIn is too powerful to ignore. With just a few quick updates, your profile can quietly work behind the scenes—helping recruiters find you while you focus on other things. Here’s how to make LinkedIn your passive job search partner. Questions? Contact Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

“I wish I had known about this website years ago.” That’s what I often hear from clients once they discover O*NET—a powerful, free tool packed with detailed occupational info. In this post, I walk you through what it is, how to use it, and why it’s one of the best resources for career clarity. Questions? Contact Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

People often have a wealth of transferable skills that can be applied to their next role—it’s just a matter of recognizing them, articulating them effectively, and positioning them in a strategic way on your professional materials (resume, cover letter, LinkedIn). Need help with this? Continue reading expert guidance from Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

One of the most important steps in any career transition is getting clear on why you want to make a change. The last thing you want is to make a change in your career only to realize you changed the wrong thing. How can you avoid this? Continue reading guidance from Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

I often hear clients say, "Every time I try to update my resume, I stare at the screen and feel completely stuck." If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone! Learn more from Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

I’ve been reflecting lately on the balance between what we can control in our careers and what we can’t. If you’ve been wondering about this too, read more and reflect with Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

In times of uncertainty and upheaval, it’s natural to wonder: Does my work really matter? If you’ve been asking this question too, read more and reflect with Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

If you’ve been impacted by the recent federal layoffs, review valuable tips and guidance from Katy Allen, Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

Enhance job opportunities with a professionally crafted resume. Contact Katy Allen, Certified Resume Writer and Career Coach in Orange County, CA.

Lately, I’ve noticed more people posting their full resume on LinkedIn—either on their profile or as a post to share with their network. I completely understand the instinct behind this. When you’re job searching, you want to make it as easy as possible for recruiters and hiring managers to see your experience and qualifications. I get it! However, I don’t typically recommend this approach, and here are a few reasons why.

I work with many clients who are very eager to find their next job. And yet… these same clients often find anything else to do rather than sit down to update their resume, research companies, or network on LinkedIn. This is really common, and really… normal.

Have you ever noticed that what we learn about ourselves in our personal lives often carries over into our professional lives?

Many clients have recently expressed concerns about hiring slowing down during the holidays. Here’s some perspective to challenge these myths.

Last week, I shared how religious messages taught me not to trust myself and to give more authority to external sources of authority. In Laura Anderson’s book “When Religion Hurts You,” she states that in high control religions, “...suffering is valued over pleasure, and praise is given to those who experience hardship.” Yep. Heard that one too.

As a career coach, I often wonder if religious messages have impacted a client’s career choices. This has certainly been the case for me. I grew up in a conservative religious environment and was taught a problematic message: I couldn't trust myself. 

I’d like to share a wonderful story about a client I worked with earlier this year. I had the pleasure of supporting a 75-year-old professional who had recently been laid off.

Ageism is real. Whether conscious or unconscious, recruiters and hiring managers are humans with unique biases and stereotypes, just like everyone else. As a career coach, I help clients develop strategies to mitigate the risk of ageism during their job search.