From The Muse’s CEO: Turning Uncertainty Into Possibility

The last few years have been nothing if not full of change. And with change comes uncertainty.

Uncertainty is often uncomfortable, but I like to think it can also be a harbinger of possibility. As former FLOTUS Michelle Obama writes in her new book, The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times: “The unknown is where possibility glitters. If you don’t take the risk, if you don’t ride out a few jolts, you are taking away your opportunities to transform.”

Tumultuous times can reveal a lot about the organizations that make up our workforce. Just a couple months after the pandemic hit, I wrote on LinkedIn that “job seekers are highly aware of how companies are reacting to COVID-19 and what that says about their cultures and priorities.” Then, as now, “candidates are paying extra attention to how companies treat their employees in the face of uncertainty.” If you listen, companies are telling you a lot about their values through their actions, for better or for worse. How do they treat their employees, even in times of change or crisis? Do leaders navigate uncertainty, make decisions, and take action with empathy and care for the well-being of their employees?

We’ve all learned so much about our values, needs, and priorities these last few years. We’ve discovered more about what we want in a role, team, and work environment. We’ve realized there are some things we’re simply no longer willing to put up with. And so many of us have been emboldened to say goodbye to the jobs that no longer suit us and search for those that do—whether that means moving on to a new company or changing careers entirely.

From the start, one of my goals at The Muse has been to help job seekers find roles and organizations that align with their values, needs, and priorities. Another goal has been to help employers share their values, culture, and stories with candidates—with the ultimate goal of making matches that last between people and companies.

It’s why we’ve doubled down on sharing a behind-the-scenes look at company cultures—whether on-site, remote, or hybrid—as well as stories and insights directly from real employees. Take Sarah, a senior Android engineer, for example. What surprised her the most about working at the retail tech company Upside was “the respect and the trust that I felt as a female engineer as well as someone who is relatively young and early in their career”—from the minute she joined. Or Fredrique, an IT support specialist at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, who’s drawn to the mission to include everyone in the community and says: “You can be IT anywhere, but I want to be IT somewhere that’s impactful.”

It’s why we’ve rolled out an increasing number of search filters—like adoption leave, four-day work week, and woman-founded/led—that allow job seekers to conduct an intentional job search based on the attributes that are most important to them.

Moments of uncertainty are also when we need to lean on one another the most. We need family, friends, and community. It’s one of the things that drew me to Fairygodboss, the largest online career community for women, which The Muse acquired in the fall. Everyone needs support as they navigate their career. Both brands have long offered that support in the form of trusted advice. Fairygodboss has also brought women together in a forum to ask questions, share experiences, and, yes, sometimes commiserate. And I’m excited to lean into all the ways The Muse and Fairygodboss can help us support one another through community discussions, events, and more.

One thing is certain: We have a lot of exciting plans in the works for you in 2023. Stay in the loop by reading our newsletters, and following us on social.

From The Muse’s CEO: Turning Uncertainty Into Possibility

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Kick off 2023 with this advice: