Career strategy · The Career Desk

The Career Desk.

Career strategy for Black professional women navigating job searches, layoffs, promotions, pay and workplace politics. Start with what you need today.
Start here: job search · laid off · promotion · bad manager · remote work
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Latest episode

Ep. 01 — "Hard Work Isn’t Enough."

39:50 ·

The Essay · 12 min

Being good at your job is not enough — and pretending otherwise is expensive.

A field report on the moment high performers realize the ladder was never the point.

"You were told the work would speak for you. It doesn't. It never has. What speaks for you is a set of decisions your peers were making while you were staying late — who to be seen with, what rooms to be in, what to say when your name comes up and you aren't there to defend it."

By Nkechi · Editor-in-Chief · Reported over six months across three cities

What do you need right now?

I’m job searching

Hiring Board + search strategy

I was laid off

First-week plan + scripts

I want a promotion

Visibility, influence + sponsorship

Workplace politics

Power, managers + hard conversations

On the desk this week

Updated Mondays

Corporate Clock-Out

Why High Performers Don’t Get Promoted

The Informal Org Chart: How Workplace Influence Works

How to Deal With a Bad Manager

Yes, I’m the Doctor, Not the Intern: What to Say

Drinking at Work Events: A Professional Guide

Laid Off? Free Career Training May Be Available Through WIOA

Ask the desk · Answered Mondays

Your question. A real answer.

Ask yours anonymously →

The Unemployment Playbook

Eight moves. One page.

Tap any move for the exact script.

01

Negotiate a severance package
Ask for 7 days to review. Never sign the day of.

"Before I sign, I'm asking for [X] additional weeks, extended COBRA through [date], and RSU vesting acceleration."

02

File for unemployment
File the same week. Median benefit: $387/week for 26 weeks.

"Laid off from [Company] on [date] in a reduction in force. Actively seeking full-time work."

23

COBRA vs. Marketplace
60 days from your last day of coverage. Do not lapse.

"Compare: (1) spouse's plan, (2) Marketplace subsidy, (3) COBRA — usually the most expensive."

04

Explain the layoff in an interview
Three sentences. Land the impact. Pivot forward in twelve seconds.

"My role was eliminated in a RIF that impacted [X]% of the team. I'm proud of [one line]. Next I'm looking for [role attribute]."

05

Write an 'open to work' post
Post Tuesday or Wednesday, 8–10 AM. Reply to every comment.

"After [X] years at [Company], my role was eliminated. I led [win]. Looking for [Role] at [industry]. Comment 'here' for a DM."

06

Ask a former manager for a reference
Send Tuesday morning. Ask two managers, not one.

"As I start interviewing, may I list you as a reference? I'll send my resume and a one-page brag sheet."

07

How long will my savings last
Use your savings runway, benefits, household income, health-insurance needs and minimum acceptable pay to decide how much urgency to build into your search.

"Runway = (Savings + Severance + 26 × state weekly benefit) ÷ (Monthly expenses × 1.15)."

08

Should I take contract work
Yes if it pays at or above your unemployment breakeven.

"Open to a [3–6 month] contract at $[rate], with freedom to interview during business hours."

Reviewed by a Black women employment attorney. Reach us at outreach@thecorporatecurly.com.

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Clock Out · On video

The desk, but on tape.

Three-to-five-minute Clock Out talks on the corporate parts nobody wrote a handbook for.

4:12 · Ep. 06

Monday Clock In

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Career strategy · The Career Desk

Career strategy · The Career Desk

The Career Desk.

Ep. 01 — "Hard Work Isn’t Enough."

39:50 ·

The Essay · 12 min

Being good at your job is not enough — and pretending otherwise is expensive.

"You were told the work would speak for you. It doesn't. It never has. What speaks for you is a set of decisions your peers were making while you were staying late — who to be seen with, what rooms to be in, what to say when your name comes up and you aren't there to defend it."

What do you need right now?

On the desk this week

Updated Mondays

The Unemployment Playbook

Eight moves. One page.

01

"Before I sign, I'm asking for [X] additional weeks, extended COBRA through [date], and RSU vesting acceleration."

02

"Laid off from [Company] on [date] in a reduction in force. Actively seeking full-time work."

23

"Compare: (1) spouse's plan, (2) Marketplace subsidy, (3) COBRA — usually the most expensive."

04

"My role was eliminated in a RIF that impacted [X]% of the team. I'm proud of [one line]. Next I'm looking for [role attribute]."

05

"After [X] years at [Company], my role was eliminated. I led [win]. Looking for [Role] at [industry]. Comment 'here' for a DM."

06

"As I start interviewing, may I list you as a reference? I'll send my resume and a one-page brag sheet."

07

"Runway = (Savings + Severance + 26 × state weekly benefit) ÷ (Monthly expenses × 1.15)."

08

"Open to a [3–6 month] contract at $[rate], with freedom to interview during business hours."

Career

Clock Out · On video

The desk, but on tape.

4:12 · Ep. 06

Monday Clock In

Start Monday ahead.

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