What’s been on your mind and heart lately? For me, it's this simple reminder: "Stay the course." It's easy to get caught up in worrying about what others think or stressing over how everything will unfold, sinking into self-doubt. But I’m here to remind you — and myself — and maybe even my daughter if she reads this one day — to stay the course. Continue to do what you’re doing, and eventually, it will add up to something. Whether you sometimes fear you’re just mediocre or believe you’re the hottest thing since sliced bread, it doesn't matter. Consistency will prevail.
This mindset feels even more important lately, especially after recently losing my job. I've been doing a lot of reflecting on my career so far, my own experiences as an employee, the experiences of my colleagues, and the role we, as HR professionals, play in making sure people feel cared for, happy, engaged, and motivated at work.
Now, as I sift through job descriptions and lean into the opportunities of this unexpected (but not entirely surprising) chapter, I keep thinking about what truly makes an exceptional employee experience. Coming from where I’m coming from, my expectations are definitely on the higher side not gonna lie 🫣.
Strong Onboarding and Welcoming Culture. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible people who were welcoming and gave me the space I needed to learn, grow, and build relationships. No one could ever convince me that hitting the ground running is a good thing. It doesn’t make someone smarter or more ambitious than their colleagues — it often just means they weren’t set up for success. Hiring managers and teams should allow new hires the time to absorb information, observe, and understand the environment before diving in to solve problems.
Competitive Pay. Employees deserve transparency. Providing a clear salary range is a sign of respect and trust. We’re all adults with goals and responsibilities, and knowing where we fall within a pay range — and what opportunities for growth exist — is essential. While New York businesses with over four employees are legally required to share salary ranges, many other states are slacking on this mandate. Regardless of location, companies that practice pay transparency foster a more equitable workplace.
Work-life Balance. Achieving a true work-life balance often feels elusive. What does it even look like? For me, working remotely for the past five years has significantly improved my quality of life. (Granted, I do miss all of the walking I used to do!) While there’s undeniable value in commuting and connecting with people in person, there’s also immense value in reclaiming those 2-3 hours for things like walking the dog, spending time with family, or simply decompressing. Flexibility empowers employees to bring their best selves to work — and to life, which is why I’m exploring hybrid positions now as well.
Supportive Leadership and Management. Trust in leadership is foundational to a positive employee experience. Knowing that your manager has your back, values your feedback, and recognizes your strengths makes all the difference. Great leaders create growth opportunities, offer constructive feedback, and advocate for their teams. That kind of support not only strengthens individual careers but also elevates the organization as a whole.
Continuous Feedback and Communication: One of the most valuable lessons I learned in my last role was the power of regular check-ins and open conversations. In the past, I often tried to problem-solve on my own, thinking that was the best way to show initiative. While independence is important, real-time feedback and collaborative discussions can accelerate growth and lead to better outcomes. Having a manager who encourages these conversations is a game changer.
A Culture That Isn’t Performative: Too many companies display a set of values on their website but fail to uphold them within their physical or virtual walls. Where is the equity in pay, promotions, and opportunities? Where is the mental health support in the form of encouraging time off?
Opportunities for Growth and Development: Feeling stagnant in a role can be disheartening. One thing I’ve been reminded of recently is the importance of pushing beyond the comfort of what’s familiar. Growth doesn’t always come from waiting for others to recognize your potential — sometimes, it comes from advocating for yourself and seeking out new challenges. Growth and development should be a shared responsibility between employees and employers.
401K Investments/Pensions: While 401(k)s offer a solid way to save for retirement, the older I get, the more I find myself wishing my job offered a pension. Unlike a 401(k), which is subject to the ups and downs of the stock market, a pension provides a predictable, guaranteed income for life. It’s unsettling to think that a market crash could significantly reduce the savings I’ve worked so hard for. With rising living costs and increasing longevity, having the security of a pension feels like a missed opportunity for long-term financial stability.
As I navigate this next chapter, I’ve been reflecting on my experiences, the lessons learned, and my aspirations for the future. Ultimately, it all comes down to wanting to work with normal people who truly enjoy what they do. Not every company will be perfect, so it’s always a give-and-take. (But it’s nice to dream!) In the meantime, while Glassdoor is now the baby of Reddit and your favorite dating app, this 2025 work-life trends article piqued my interest and speaks to some of the above bullet points, and it seems to align with what I’ve been seeing as I step into the job market.
I’m curious: What’s the #1 thing keeping you at (or pushing you away from) your job? If you’re too shy to post something like this on a public platform, DM me! Or share a past experience :)
So, Who Seems to Be Doing it Right?
Not all of these benefits and perks are practical for every business, nor are they the sole deciding factors when choosing where to work. Still, I can’t help but wish we placed more value on employees as whole people rather than just workhorses. Here are a few nice-to-haves I’d love to see more often:
Netflix has unlimited maternity and paternity leave for the first year after a child’s birth or adoption. However, I recently learned that the average time a parent takes at Netflix is six months due to the lack of clarity of their policy and the behavior and attitudes of leaders and colleagues.
Salesforce offers a 6-week paid sabbatical after 5 years of employment as one of only 6% of employers that offer paid sabbaticals. Employees are encouraged to take the time to rejuvenate, pursue personal interests, or volunteer. I’d be curious to know what percentage of employees take full advantage of this and if there’s a workplace sentiment similar to that at Netflix. Other companies that offer sabbaticals include Microsoft, LinkedIn, Adobe, Google, and Nike.
Companies like CVS offer tuition reimbursement.
Whole Foods offers a 20% discount on store purchases, which honestly sounds amazing right now.
You want to show that you appreciate me? Help me pay for my groceries.
Let AI Lend a Hand: Practical Uses for ChatGPT
Here are a few resources I've used so far to get back on the market:
Speaking of ChatGPT, what are all the ways that you use this platform? Have you tried Deepseek? 👀
See below for ways that I use ChatGPT!
🍴 Food & Lifestyle
Recipes for quick, delicious, and healthy meals
Easily double or half recipes
Food pairings (i.e. if we’re making cajun salmon, I ask what sides complement this.) This is great for anyone tired of cooking foods the same way and need new flavors in their life!
Measurement conversions
Ideas for swapping ingredients
🧡 Parenting & Family Life
Creating toddler activity plans and learning games
Finding kid-friendly recipes and meal ideas
Managing developmental milestones
Preparing for family trips and toddler-friendly outings
Book suggestions to support and build on her reading skills
Practical ways to encourage clear speech
📚 Learning & Personal Growth
Study guide for the SHRM-CP exam
Learning design tools like Adobe Express
Exploring social media strategy and analytics
Staying updated on HR industry trends
😱 Ask ChatGPT what it learned about you after answering all of your inquiries to date
🛍 Etsy & Business Growth
Writing product descriptions and Etsy SEO optimization
Coming up with slogans and design ideas
Planning (future) product launches or marketing campaigns
Generating mockups and pricing suggestions
Inexpensive ideas to promote my business better
How to better promote my affiliate link for Sienna Naturals to new audiences
🌿 Health & Wellness (I want to do more of this.)
Developing a realistic fitness or wellness plan
Creating hormone-balancing meal plans
Understanding how vitamins and supplements work together in benefit of my health. For example, did you know that Magnesium helps activate vitamin D in the body?
💼 Career & Job Search
Resume and cover letter writing or improvements
Brainstorming career pivots or remote opportunities
Interview prep
Learn what are all my transferrable skills
Other ChatGPT resources:
Thank you for taking the time to read this week’s post! Take care :)
