September can be a powerful time to get visible, activate your network, and pursue the next role—but smart career strategy is not just about landing a new job. It is also about protecting your options before year-end budget decisions and possible restructurings. In this solo episode, Mandi shares how to use the fall hiring window, make yourself easier to hire, and create a no-panic layoff-readiness plan for your career and your money.

 

In this episode, Mandi covers:

• How to get specific about the role and work you want next

• Why real conversations can be more useful than online salary data alone

• A simple outreach script to reconnect with your network

• How to refresh your résumé and LinkedIn without overthinking either one

• Why 2–5 strong-fit applications can beat dozens of random ones

• How to prepare for possible reorgs or layoffs without spiraling

• Why you cannot afford to be the best-kept secret in your industry

 

Get the free September Career Reset Toolkit

https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/september

 

Want every script and checklist from this episode in one place? Download Mandi’s free September Career Reset Toolkit, including the target-role Mad Lib, networking and reconnect-message templates, résumé and LinkedIn refresh checklist, job-search pipeline tracker, raise and promotion conversation prompts, and layoff-readiness plan.

 

>>> Start here: two scripts from today’s episode

 

Define your target role  

 

“I am targeting [role] opportunities in [industry or type of company] where I can use [two to three skills] to help solve [a specific business problem].”

 

Reconnect with someone in your network  

 

“Hey [Name], I hope you had a good summer. I’ve been thinking about the work I want to focus on next, and I’m exploring [target role or field]. I’ve always respected your perspective on [specific reason]. If you have 20 minutes this month, I’d love to catch up and hear what you’re seeing in the industry. No pressure at all if your calendar is packed.”

 

The 15-second LinkedIn test:  

If a hiring manager saw your LinkedIn profile for 15 seconds, could they tell what you do, who you help, and what results you create?

 

Stay connected

• Download Mandi’s Nail Your Negotiation Toolkit for 25+ scripts to help you negotiate compensation and advocate for yourself.: https://www.mandimoney.com/shop/p/nail-the-negotiation-17-word-for-word-scripts-to-help-you-negotiate-like-a-boss-without-ever-leaving-money-on-the-table-again

 

• Subscribe to the Brown Ambition newsletter.

• Watch full-length Brown Ambition video episodes on YouTube.

• Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast

• Follow Mandi on Instagram: 

September can be a powerful time to get visible, activate your network, and pursue the next role&mdash;but smart career strategy is not just about landing a new job. It is also about protecting your options before year-end budget decisions and possible restructurings. In this solo episode, Mandi shares how to use the fall hiring window, make yourself easier to hire, and create a no-panic layoff-readiness plan for your career and your money.
&nbsp;
In this episode, Mandi covers:
&bull; How to get specific about the role and work you want next
&bull; Why real conversations can be more useful than online salary data alone
&bull; A simple outreach script to reconnect with your network
&bull; How to refresh your r&eacute;sum&eacute; and LinkedIn without overthinking either one
&bull; Why 2&ndash;5 strong-fit applications can beat dozens of random ones
&bull; How to prepare for possible reorgs or layoffs without spiraling
&bull; Why you cannot afford to be the best-kept secret in your industry
&nbsp;
Get the free September Career Reset Toolkit
<a href="https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/september">https://mandimoney.myflodesk.com/september</a>
&nbsp;
Want every script and checklist from this episode in one place? Download Mandi&rsquo;s free September Career Reset Toolkit, including the target-role Mad Lib, networking and reconnect-message templates, r&eacute;sum&eacute; and LinkedIn refresh checklist, job-search pipeline tracker, raise and promotion conversation prompts, and layoff-readiness plan.
&nbsp;
&gt;&gt;&gt; Start here: two scripts from today&rsquo;s episode
&nbsp;
Define your target role &nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;I am targeting [role] opportunities in [industry or type of company] where I can use [two to three skills] to help solve [a specific business problem].&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Reconnect with someone in your network &nbsp;
&nbsp;
&ldquo;Hey [Name], I hope you had a good summer. I&rsquo;ve been thinking about the work I want to focus on next, and I&rsquo;m exploring [target role or field]. I&rsquo;ve always respected your perspective on [specific reason]. If you have 20 minutes this month, I&rsquo;d love to catch up and hear what you&rsquo;re seeing in the industry. No pressure at all if your calendar is packed.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
The 15-second LinkedIn test: &nbsp;
If a hiring manager saw your LinkedIn profile for 15 seconds, could they tell what you do, who you help, and what results you create?
&nbsp;
Stay connected
&bull; Download Mandi&rsquo;s Nail Your Negotiation Toolkit for 25+ scripts to help you negotiate compensation and advocate for yourself.: <a href="https://www.mandimoney.com/shop/p/nail-the-negotiation-17-word-for-word-scripts-to-help-you-negotiate-like-a-boss-without-ever-leaving-money-on-the-table-again">https://www.mandimoney.com/shop/p/nail-the-negotiation-17-word-for-word-scripts-to-help-you-negotiate-like-a-boss-without-ever-leaving-money-on-the-table-again</a>
&nbsp;
&bull; Subscribe to the Brown Ambition newsletter.
&bull; Watch full-length Brown Ambition video episodes on YouTube.
&bull; Follow Brown Ambition on Instagram: @brownambitionpodcast
&bull; Follow Mandi on Instagram:&nbsp;

The Brown Ambition Podcast helps you unapologetically build wealth by saving, investing and making smart career choices — on your own d@mn terms! New episodes Wednesdays and Fridays.

Money and career advice for women of color, by women of color

Brown Ambition

The September Hiring Bump Is Here—Here’s How to Use It.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8b2559ad-98f9-467c-b697-b4b900b279e6/transcript