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Weekly Newsletter Vol. 102 - August 13, 2025

Generating your Lead Story…

The 5 Hard Truths About Your Career Nobody Wants to Say Out Loud

I’ve recruited for some of the biggest companies in the world.

From billion-dollar corporations to scrappy startups, I’ve seen how careers are built… and how they’re broken.

And here’s what I’ve learned: the corporate world is full of misconceptions. Things we were told early in our careers that sound nice on paper, but don’t actually match how things work in the real world.

I’ve also learned something else: the people who understand the real rules, the ones that never get written in the handbook are the people who move ahead faster, earn more, and build careers they actually enjoy.

So today, I want to share 5 hard truths about your career. Some of them might be uncomfortable. But I promise you, they’re worth knowing.

1. Performance doesn’t get you promoted — soft skills and visibility do. We’ve all been told: “Work hard, and the results will speak for themselves.”

In reality? Your results might whisper unless you give them a megaphone.

Yes, you need to be good at your job. That’s the baseline. But promotions often go to the people who:

• Build strong relationships across departments

• Communicate their wins clearly (and often)

• Make their manager’s life easier

• Are seen as someone others want to work with

I’ve seen brilliant employees get passed over because they assumed someone was paying attention. The truth is, everyone is busy with their own priorities. If you don’t actively manage how you’re perceived, you risk becoming invisible.

2. Your job is replaceable — you are not. I’ve had to tell more people than I’d like that their position is being eliminated. It’s never fun. But here’s the truth: Roles come and go. Restructures happen. Titles disappear.

What can’t be taken from you is your personal brand — your network, your reputation, and the skills that make you valuable in any environment.

• This is why I always tell people: don’t just build your resume; build your name.

• Share your knowledge publicly (LinkedIn, industry events, networking groups)

• Stay connected with former colleagues and managers

• Learn skills that apply beyond your current company

If your job disappeared tomorrow, would your phone start ringing with opportunities? That’s the test.

3. Loyalty only pays the bills if you evolve with the business. There’s nothing wrong with loyalty. I respect people who stick with a company through thick and thin.

But here’s where loyalty goes wrong: When you stay the same while the business changes around you.

I’ve seen great employees get left behind because they were doing the same things they were five years ago — even if they were doing them well. Businesses evolve. Markets shift. New technologies emerge.

The people who thrive are the ones who grow with the company — learning new tools, taking on new challenges, and making themselves valuable to the company as it is today, not just as it was when they started.

4. Office politics decide more outcomes than you think. A lot of people hate the idea of office politics. They think it’s about sucking up or playing fake.

But here’s the reality: politics is just another word for human relationships in a professional setting.

Decisions about promotions, projects, and raises are made by people. And those people are influenced by who they trust, who they like, and who they see as an ally.

• I’m not telling you to become someone you’re not. But I am telling you to:

• Build alliances in every department

• Pay attention to who has influence (and how they use it)

• Never underestimate the value of a casual coffee chat

Remember: skills get you in the door. Relationships get you the seat you want.

5. Your manager is not your mentor. This one surprises people.

Yes, your manager should support you. Yes, they should help you grow. But they are also focused on their own career — and sometimes, their goals don’t perfectly align with yours.

If you want real mentorship, look for someone who’s a step or two ahead of where you want to be.

• They can give you perspective your manager can’t

• They can challenge your thinking without worrying about performance reviews

• They often have networks and insights you can tap into

• Your manager is part of your team. Your mentor is part of your future.

The corporate game has rules — some obvious, some hidden.

If you want to win, you can’t just work harder. You have to work smarter. That means understanding the dynamics, relationships, and perceptions that shape careers as much as skills and results do.

At Recruitment Made Easy, we don’t just help people find jobs. We help people build careers — the kind that survive restructures, promotions, and changing markets.

So here’s my challenge to you this week: Pick one of these truths and take one action to move yourself forward.

• Schedule a coffee with someone influential in your company.

• Post a short LinkedIn update about a recent win.

• Reach out to a mentor (or find one).

Small moves, made consistently, are how you get ahead — in any company, in any market.

You can’t make this stuff up

_{(*Disclaimer: these are real experiences provided by RME's community of job seekers and hiring managers)}

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