“Stop asking ‘what’s my passion?’ and start solving problems.”
The job market feels different right now, doesn’t it? You’re not imagining it. We’re in what I call a “recalibration” — not the post-pandemic hiring frenzy, but definitely not a recession either.
Here’s what’s actually happening: unemployment sits at 4.1% (still very low), there are 7.8 million job openings (more than one per job seeker), but employers are being way more selective. Translation? Your job search might take longer, but the opportunities are absolutely still there.
So where are they hiding?
Healthcare is booming (aging population + worker shortage = goldmine). Tech is still hiring if you’ve got skills in cybersecurity, AI, or data science — just think beyond the Googles and Metas. And thanks to government investment, infrastructure and green energy are creating stable, long-term growth opportunities.
But here’s the real shift I want to talk about: stop waiting for passion to strike like lightning.
The most common question I get? “Claire, I know I need to make a career change, but I have no idea what I actually want to do.”
If you’re drowning in “follow your passion” advice but can’t figure out what that even means anymore, you’re asking the wrong question entirely.
Instead of “What’s my passion?” ask “What problems do I actually like solving?”
Because here’s the reality: when you get hired, you’re being paid to solve problems. So which ones energize you instead of drain you?
Think about times you were completely absorbed in figuring something out — planning a friend’s wedding, organizing a community event, helping someone navigate a difficult situation. What were you actually doing? How did you feel? That feeling is your North Star.
👉 Your homework: Stop thinking about career moves as permanent life sentences. Think of them as experiments in becoming who you want to be.
Now go get paid.
x Claire
PS Something special hitting your inbox this Sunday 👀 🎁
In this month’s Hire Ground episode, I break down the job market numbers, tackle the passion myth, and sit down with AI “learn-it-alls”, for real talk about which roles are being eliminated vs. enhanced — and how to position yourself among the 78 million new AI-created opportunities.
In this segment, I flip the script on the “follow your passion” myth and give you a practical framework to discover what you’re really meant to do next. Whether you’re burned out, mid-pivot, or just questioning everything, this step-by-step breakdown will help you reconnect with your energy, your purpose, and your next best move.
In this segment, learn from two women on the AI frontier, Jenny Kay Pollock and Lori Adams-Brown, on the skills that are irreplaceable by machines, which roles are being eliminated, enhanced, and created, and how you can position yourself for an ever-evolving future, without getting overwhelmed.
🎯 The Bottom Line: 2025’s job market isn’t as wild as the Great Resignation, but it’s not a recession either. It’s a recalibration. The opportunities are there — in healthcare, tech-adjacent roles, and green infrastructure. Your search might take longer, but that’s the market, not you. And about AI? It’s not coming for your job. It’s already here, transforming how we work. The question isn’t whether to engage with it, but how quickly you can start.