Ladies Get Paid

Coaching session with Rae, a product manager laid off 6+ months ago who can't get excited about applying to jobs. We cover how to figure out what you want when nothing sounds appealing, career paths you might not have considered, using AI to explore your options, and how to stop feeling like a cog in the wheel. Full recap and action steps on my Substack:

You've done the informational interviews. You've had the coffee chats. You've made the lists. And somehow, you're more confused than when you started.This episode is for anyone drowning in career options and unable to choose.I'm coaching Amelia, a legal ops professional who'd been exploring a pivot for years—and kept getting more stuck with every conversation. The problem wasn't that she needed more information. She needed a filter.We cover:The 3-question filter to evaluate any opportunityAn exercise to get out of your head and feel your way forwardWhy the opportunity you need might already be in front of youWhat progress actually looks like (spoiler: not certainty)📝 READ THE FULL WRITE-UP Includes the Pain/Budget/Proximity filter breakdown and key frameworks from this session. Find it here: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/p/overwhelmed-by-information-which💬 BOOK A COACHING SESSION: Get personalized support for your career transition. Start with a 30-minute session: https://calendly.com/claire-wasserman/breakthrough-sessions

Do you keep exploring a career change... only to take the safe job every time?In this coaching session, I work with "Amelia"—a senior legal operations professional with 12+ years of experience who wants to pivot into helping creative entrepreneurs. The problem? Every time she gets close to making the leap, she defaults to the familiar. Three steps forward, one step back.We cover why your to-do list feels exhausting when your North Star is fuzzy, how the language you use might be blocking you, the difference between a "safety net" and "North Star" job search, what it really means when you hit a threshold—and the superpower she almost dismissed entirely.If you're stuck in a career you've outgrown or caught in the cycle of exploring but never committing, this one's for you.Get Amelia's full Pivot Pathfinder (free) and the 7-day Progress Plan here: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/p/i-keep-taking-the-safe-job?r=1b87meBook a private coaching session here: https://calendly.com/claire-wasserman/breakthrough-sessions

Erin has been job searching for over a year. She's made it to final rounds, gotten painfully close, and walked away with rejection after rejection. The hardest part? She knows she's qualified. On paper, she has everything they're looking for. But the moment she gets on an interview call, something takes over—her chest tightens, her heart races, and a voice kicks in: You're not enough.In this coaching session, we dig into what's really going on. We map the physical sensations that show up under stress and design somatic practices to counter them. We unpack the stories she tells herself and find real evidence to challenge them. And we uncover a core truth: the thing she values most—connection—is exactly what's making rejection feel so devastating.This one's for anyone who's ever thought: I know I can do this, so why do I freeze up when it matters?In this episode:How to identify your body's stress response and create personalized antidotesThe difference between performing and connecting in interviewsWhy your inner critic needs evidence, not affirmationsUsing the "downward arrow" technique to find your core fearBuilding daily rituals that make confidence feel embodied, not forced🔗 Get the full breakdown + 7-day action plan at clairewasserman.substack.com

Ever feel like you should be further along? Like you've been "stuck" for months or years and can't figure out why?This coaching session might change how you see that.Tracy is a corporate executive who spent 5 years in what she called "procrastination." I call it incubation. In this episode, we get into:Why procrastination isn't always resistance—sometimes it's wisdomThe difference between discipline and rigidityWhat "consistency" actually looks like for fast-moving brainsThe practice of self-witnessing (catching yourself in a shame spiral and pausing)Micro-sprints: productivity for people who hate big blocks of timeHow to figure out what season you're really in and honor itIf you've been beating yourself up for not being more disciplined, this one's for you.

Self-doubt isn't the enemy—it's misdirected energy. In this coaching session, we uncover why high-performers who are good at reading the room often struggle the most with confidence, and I teach a 10-second nervous system reset you can do under a conference table.We cover:✅ The trap of building confidence on what you think others are thinking✅ Why people pleasers thrive in client-facing roles but burn out faster✅ The Four S's: A somatic technique to regulate your nervous system in real-time✅ How to transform self-criticism into purposeful momentum✅ The difference between eliminating self-doubt and dialoguing with it differentlyIf you've ever left a meeting replaying everything you said, this one's for you.🎯 For key insights and exercises, check out: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/p/why-eliminating-self-doubt-is-the

Have you ever pulled back after criticism, made yourself smaller to feel safe, or found yourself stuck in the same bad situation over and over again?In this coaching session, I work with Michelle—a mom and grad student in Australia working toward becoming a psychologist. She came in thinking she had a job problem: toxic environments, difficult bosses, and a resume full of short stints she couldn't explain.But what we uncovered was a deeper pattern. Years ago, Michelle took down all her books from Amazon after one negative comment. Within 24 hours. Everything gone. That same cycle—something feels unsafe, retreat, make yourself smaller—was showing up everywhere in her life.This session is about how to break that cycle. How to build safety inside yourself instead of waiting for the world to feel safe. How to stop hiding and start building.We cover:→ Why hiding feels safe but keeps you stuck→ How to create a cooling-off period before reactive decisions→ Building a somatic sense of compassion and courage→ Identifying your north stars (not job titles—what you actually do)→ Using a difficult season to invest in your future→ Why connection is the antidote to almost everythingIf you've ever wondered how to trust yourself when you keep getting it wrong, this episode is for you.📝 Get the full post with key insights and action steps: clairewasserman.substack.com

Estelle knows what she wants: to be an environmental storyteller. She's already doing the work—some paid, some unpaid. But when someone asks "What do you do?" she freezes.In this coaching session, we workshop her introduction over and over again until she lands on language that feels true, invites connection, and positions her for the opportunities she actually wants.You'll learn:How to lead with WHY instead of your job titleHow to reframe unpaid work without apologizingWhy "less is more" creates curiosity and better conversationsHow to connect to ownership in your body, not just your headThe exact formula for crafting context-specific introductionsThe identity you're stepping into? You're already living it. Now it's just about owning it.Get the full 7-day action plan at clairewasserman.substack.comHosted by Claire Wasserman, career coach, author, and founder of Ladies Get Paid.

In this coaching session, I work with Bea who's facing a challenge I hear all the time: "I feel a disconnect between what I want and how to get there, but I don't know how to bridge the gap."Bea experienced professional whiplash—her federal portfolio was decimated overnight, she landed a new job, and 5 months in, her senior director is leaving. Now she has the opportunity to step into leadership, but she feels completely unequipped and overwhelmed.In this episode, we uncover:Why confidence isn't a destination you arrive at (and what to do instead)How to stop trying to "achieve your way" to informationThe morning practice that helps you work WITH your inner criticHow to build allies through a strategic listening tourWhat to do when you ask for a raise and get "we'll take it under consideration"Why viewing colleagues as enemies keeps you stuckIf you've ever felt like you're in a holding pattern in your career, waiting to feel "ready" before taking the next step, or navigating a transition you weren't prepared for—this episode will give you a completely different framework.📧 Check out the accompanying Substack with key insights and action steps from this session: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/

Cecilia has been trying to restart her career for 5 years—children's books, freelancing, illustrations, volunteer work, workshops. She's doing all the right things, but nothing is landing.Sound familiar?In this coaching session, we discover that her problem isn't lack of ideas or talent (her design work is stunning). The problem is simpler and harder: she's spreading herself so thin that nothing has time to work.In this episode, you'll learn:Why "trying everything" is actually trying nothingHow to turn your "failed" projects into proof of expertiseThe exact framework for building a portfolio that gets you hired (even before anyone pays you)How to create work that builds community and belonging, not just portfolio piecesThe 70% Focus Rule: how to commit without abandoning everything else you care aboutI also walk Cecilia through a specific project idea she can use to break into her dream industry—combining design, environmental work, and community impact.If you're a designer, writer, consultant, or anyone building a "portfolio career," this episode will help you stop scattering your energy and start building real momentum.📥 Get the full breakdown, frameworks, and 7-Day Momentum Plan at clairewasserman.substack.comEach day is just 5-20 minutes, and by the end of the week, you'll have:✅ Clarity on your actual focus✅ A project brief you can start working on✅ Real connections with people in your target space✅ A way to measure progress beyond "getting hired"Stop trying everything. Start committing to something.→ clairewasserman.substack.com

Meg thought she had a purpose problem. Turns out, she had a permission problem.After losing a campaign and launching her own consulting firm, she spent a year doing work she was proud of—but couldn't make a website, update LinkedIn, or tell anyone what she'd built. This session reveals the moment everything shifted, plus the 5 tools we used to move from "lemonade stand" to legitimate business.Listen, then get the full breakdown with templates and a 7-day implementation plan at clairewasserman.substack.com

Stuck in your career? Feeling behind? Wondering if the thing you love could actually be your next step?Today’s session is with Ali, a 28-year-old content writer who’s spent six years in the same lane and feels ready for a new adventure—but unsure how to find it. What we uncover together is powerful: her competitive edge has been hiding in her side hustle this whole time.Ali runs a food Substack, wrote a cookbook with her dad, and is completely lit up by culinary storytelling—but she never saw it as part of her “real career.” Until now.In this episode, we explore:• How to pivot careers in 2025 without traditional experience• Why applying to random jobs isn’t working—and what to do instead• How to pitch yourself to the brands and industries you genuinely care about• How to identify (and monetize) your competitive edge• Why nervousness is often a sign you're on the right path• How to combine content, storytelling, and community into a meaningful careerIf you’re in your late 20s or early 30s wondering what’s “next,” this episode will help you see your path differently.Want the full written breakdown + a 7-day Progress Plan?I created an in-depth analysis of Ali’s session with daily exercises (5–20 minutes each) to help you apply these insights in your own life.→ clairewasserman.substack.com

Getting interviews but not offers? This real coaching session reveals the strategic mindset shifts that separate candidates who get hired from those who get forgotten.Career coach Claire Wasserman coaches someone who was laid off 4 months ago and is now navigating interviews in a tough job market. You'll learn: ✅ How to analyze the job description ✅ How to position transferable skills✅ What to do when you're missing required experience✅ How to leave a lasting impression.Key takeaway 👉 "I'd rather you be memorable and not get the job because you weren't the right fit, than be forgettable and not get the job because they can't remember why they should hire you."

Stuck between a soul-sucking 9-to-5 and creative dreams you keep dropping? This coaching session reveals how to:✅ Monetize what you're already doing✅ Build sustainable creative consistency✅ Manage your energy at draining jobs✅ Overcome impostor syndrome through self-pride✅ Separate success from external validationPerfect for creatives in corporate jobs struggling with consistency and wondering how to bridge the gap between paying bills and feeding your soul.SUBSCRIBE TO OUR SUBSTACK FOR KEY INSIGHTS + ACTION STEPS: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/subscribe?utm_source=subscribe_content_block&next=https%3A%2F%2Fclairewasserman.substack.com%2F#CareerAdvice #CreativeCareer #ImpostorSyndrome #SideHustle

How do you walk into an interview and explain a 3-year employment gap without it becoming a therapy session?In this real coaching session, I work with someone navigating exactly that challenge—and we transform her story from something she's apologizing for into her greatest competitive advantage.YOU'LL LEARN:✅ The exact 30-second framework for explaining any career gap✅ Why "I gained resilience" isn't enough—and what to say instead✅ How to translate personal challenges into professional skills✅ The confidence work you need to do BEFORE landing the job✅ How to make a career transition when you don't check all the boxes✅ Strategies for managing overthinking and self-judgmentEven if your gap is shorter or your circumstances are different, the strategies we cover apply to anyone who's ever felt like they're starting over, worried about resume complications, or wondered "who's going to want to hire me after all this?"Content note: This episode includes discussion of health issues and loss.FOR MORE RESOURCES:Claire Wasserman: www.coachmeclaire.comLadies Get Paid: https://pages.ladiesgetpaid.com/subscribe#CareerAdvice #JobSearch #InterviewTips #CareerGap #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerCoaching #CareerChange #ReturningToWork #JobInterview #CareerTransition

Should you make a major career pivot after a life-changing experience? In this episode, I sit down with a marketing professional and new mother who nearly lost her life during childbirth. The experience left her questioning everything about her career path—should she stay in marketing, transition into nursing, or find something in between?We explore:✨ How trauma can be a catalyst for career reevaluation✨ The difference between what looks good on paper vs. day-to-day reality✨ Why "connection with others" became her non-negotiable value✨ Strategic ways to explore a new industry without starting over✨ How to bring more meaning into your current role while figuring out your next move✨ Why marketing in healthcare might be the perfect middle groundThis conversation is for anyone feeling stuck between staying safe and taking a leap—and how to start exploring new paths without blowing up your life.For insights and action steps related to this session, check out https://clairewasserman.substack.com/#CareerChange #CareerTransition #Marketing #Healthcare #WorkingMom #Motherhood #CareerAdvice #ProfessionalDevelopment #CareerPivot #FindingPurpose

What if the diagnoses you've been hiding in job interviews are actually your greatest professional assets?This coaching session features a 52-year-old woman diagnosed at 48 with autism, ADHD, dyscalculia, anxiety, depression, and PTSD—currently living in a women's shelter and navigating final-round job interviews. Instead of teaching her to mask better, we identify the concrete superpowers embedded in each diagnosis: pattern recognition, emotional intelligence, advanced systems thinking, and the ability to manage up because she's had to manage herself her entire life.We discuss using AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to translate neurodivergent traits into employer benefits without forced disclosure, why a "pride check-in" matters more than interview prep, how to mine current hardships (homelessness, job loss, health struggles) for creative purpose, and why detaching from desperate outcomes is the only way to show up powerfully in interviews.

Publishing professional "Amy" has spent 17 years being everyone's cheerleader while her own creative dreams died. Sound familiar?In this raw coaching session, we tackle:Why success can still feel like failureThe real reason you're exhausted (hint: it's not time)How to reclaim creative dreams you thought were "too late"Energy protection for professional empathsBreaking free from the "too valuable to promote" trapWhether you're in publishing, tech, teaching, or any field where you pour yourself out—this conversation will shift everything.Key moment: "I thought I'd be a writer." After 17 years in publishing, she forgot she could still become one.📝 Full transcript & 7-Day Progress Plan available on Substack: https://clairewasserman.substack.com/Perfect for: Career changers, creative professionals, anyone who feels behind, women over 40 questioning everything#Career #Coaching #Burnout #CreativeRecovery #WomensCareer #MidlifeChange #PersonalDevelopment

From cancer survivor to career transformer: Shea shares her raw journey through 4 years of job searching, workplace trauma, and discovering how generational patterns sabotage our careers.In this breakthrough session, career coach Claire Wasserman introduces revolutionary techniques combining somatic healing with practical job search strategies. Learn why traditional career advice fails when you're dealing with executive dysfunction, ADHD, or workplace PTSD.Discover:The "mind trash to gold" transformation techniqueWhy you keep attracting the same toxic bossesHow to protect 3 hours daily for your job searchBreaking the "I'm not good enough" patternSomatic exercises for career confidenceThe Well Ancestor technique for generational healingPerfect for job seekers dealing with overwhelm, career changers processing workplace trauma, or anyone whose mental health is blocking their career progress.

Are you struggling to be taken seriously at work? In this career coaching session, we tackle the common challenge of being perceived as "too young" in professional settings.Learn powerful strategies to command respect regardless of your age, including:Reframing interactions as strategic opportunities rather than challengesConverting apparent disadvantages into unique advantagesBalancing authenticity with adaptation in different professional contextsThis session features insights from a 25-year-old executive recruiter navigating relationships with senior professionals, but the lessons apply to anyone facing workplace bias or struggling to be seen as a respected colleague.#CareerAdvice #WorkplaceStrategies #ProfessionalDevelopment #YoungProfessionals #CareerCoaching #WorkplaceTips #CommandRespect