Issue 27 – Are You “Domesticating” Your Career?
Growing up, I learned how to do many things around the house.
Daily and weekly chores included washing pots and pans, setting the table, unloading the dishwasher, vacuuming, making my bed, laundry, mowing the lawn and shoveling snow.
I hated it at the time, but there were 2 benefits.
First is that I learned how to be independent.
Second is that my personal value skyrocketed. When #Boss and I were dating, and she found out I could cook, clean, and do household chores, my husband value tripled.
So why am I discussing this?
The same value strategy applies to your career.
Very few careers feel truly “safe” anymore. Your job will probably be threatened by the economy, technology or someone else who can do it cheaper or faster.
Sure it’s great to do one thing really well, but if you’re a “one trick pony”, you’re easily replaceable.
And you’re also in tough when competing for a job. All thing being equal, companies would rather hire someone who brings more value than someone who doesn’t.
Build Skills That Are Hard to Automate
AI excels at execution and pattern recognition, but it doesn’t make judgment calls.
Skills rooted in decision‑making, leadership, process design, and influence matter, and they always will. The broader and stronger your skill set, the more valuable you become.
If you’re early in your career, this takes time. Get involved in projects early so you’re exposed to these opportunities sooner rather than later.
Increase Your Value Through Cross-Functional Project Work
Take some incremental steps that make a difference over time.
I found cross-functional project work to be one of the best ways to expand knowledge such as:
- A function (pricing, supply chain)
- A business problem (business turnarounds)
- Context (regulatory, legal, operational constraints)
You absorb knowledge faster and, more importantly, you develop a better understanding of how decisions ripple across the business.
Support Good Decision Making
One skill that will never go out of style is sound decision‑making.
If you’re known as someone who brings thoughtful ideas forward and helps teams make better decisions, you move from being replaceable to being trusted.
Bottom line? You don’t future-proof your career by doing nothing – you do it by adding value.
Good luck!
In this issue:
- How to Avoid Costly Hiring Mistakes and Build a Stronger Team
- April 2026 Canada Job Market Snapshot
- Job Search Checklist
- No Bull streaming, podcast and book recommendations
- Can I help? Coaching service, expert consultation and more
Business Briefs
How to Avoid Costly Hiring Mistakes and Build a Stronger Team
For small & medium sized businesses (SMB), every hire matters. One great hire can accelerate growth, while one mishire can drain time, money, morale, and momentum. Yet many SMB owners often juggle hiring with running the business and fall into predictable traps.
What are the most common mistakes?
They fall into 3 categories:
- Process and strategy
- Interview and assessment
- Candidate experience and offer
I’ve created a guide highlighting the most common hiring mistakes and actionable steps to strengthen your hiring process without adding complexity or cost.
Get your free copy by clicking here.
Job market flat in March
Canada’s job market stalled in March. Employment was essentially flat, adding just 14,000 jobs, after losing more than 100,000 positions in January and February. The unemployment rate held at 6.7%, while the employment rate remained stuck at 60.6%, near recent lows.
Job gains showed up in personal and repair services and natural resources, but were offset by losses in finance, real estate, and leasing. Regionally, employment fell in British Columbia, while Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia saw increases.
Wages continued to rise, with average hourly pay up 4.7% year over year, signalling ongoing cost pressure for employers.
Bottom line? The labour market is losing momentum heading into spring.
Career Corner
Feeling stuck in your job search?
There are a lot of things to do in a job search. It can be overwhelming at first because you may not know where to start or even, what to do.
I’ve been through a job search myself, so know how challenging and frustrating it can be.
So I decided to create a job search checklist, to make your life easier (if you’re looking for work).
Click here to download it and feel free to share.
No Bull Content Recommendations
Watch: Mark Normand – None Too Pleased
I found this by accident, scrolling through Netflix and really enjoyed it. It’s great stand up comedy.
If you like Mark’s comedy, he’s doing a show at Casino Rama on Friday May 8.
You can buy tickets using this link.
Watch “None Too Pleased” on Netflix.
Listen: #19 – Pizza Boxes
Ever wonder how pizza boxes keep pizza hot and avoid having the pizza fall apart?
There’s more technology to the pizza box than meets the eye.
This podcast episode will explain the tech and the US pizza market.
I liked it. Maybe you will too.
Read: Mitch Albom – The 5 People You Meet in Heaven
I read this book a while ago and it’s on my list to re-read.
Interesting (and short) book that explores life’s meaning and interconnectedness.
It follows Eddie, an 83-year-old amusement park maintenance man who dies trying to save a girl.
In heaven, he meets five people who reveal his life’s purpose, impact on others, and teach him lessons about love and sacrifice.
Can I help?
Struggling to hire?
We help businesses recruit accounting, finance, sales and marketing talent, making it easy by providing an affordable premium recruiting solution that manages the process from start to finish.
We also offer extended HR support through our network.
Want to learn more? Let’s schedule a free consultation.
Know someone job searching?
Candidates can upload their resume directly to my candidate database.
Career Services
Did you know? I offer career services to help with job search, interview strategy, and navigating careers. I went through 3 career changes, many interviews and job searches over my career, so I get it.
I find people are often rusty and need job search or interview guidance if they haven’t been in the job market for a while. There is a strategy involved to land an interview, control the interview, and get an offer.
Learn how to compete better in the job market. Schedule time with me today.
If you need more robust executive coaching, I have an amazing network and happy to refer you. Please reach out to me at jason@noblesearchgroup.com.
Can you help?
Did you enjoy this newsletter? Please share it.
Have feedback? Send me a note: newsletter@noblesearchgroup.com
Know anyone who needs recruiting help? Referrals are appreciated.
Thanks for reading.