The 6 Biggest Career Challenges We Saw in 2024

2024 was a year that tested the professional grit of many. The career landscape was unpredictable, competitive, and, for some, downright brutal. From navigating layoffs to figuring out how to make LinkedIn work for them, professionals faced challenges that weren’t just career roadblocks—they were gut-check moments.

At Get Her Hired, we worked with 154 incredible clients this year (42% of whom were thems and cool men), and we saw it all. The overwhelm. The second-guessing. The frustration. Yet, beneath it all, we saw a common thread: highly capable, creative individuals who felt vulnerable and simply needed someone they could trust to help them navigate their path forward.

Our clients faced six recurring challenges: navigating career transitions, modernizing outdated materials, networking without clear strategies, considering leaving corporate jobs, balancing familiarity with exploration, and overcoming emotional and mental blocks. These weren’t just professional hurdles—they were deeply personal experiences that required clarity, resilience, and support to overcome.

Sometimes, our clients faced experiences that made them second-guess their worth and value. Some endured true bias and horrendous “-isms” that stripped away their dignity and left them questioning their next moves. Others had promotions promised to them, only to be skipped over. Many realized it was time to move on because the culture or future direction of their organizations no longer aligned with their values or aspirations.

Despite these challenges, one thing was clear: with the right strategies and support, these struggles could transform into opportunities for growth and reinvention. These are the six biggest challenges that stopped people in their tracks—and how you can break through them in 2025.

1. Career Transitions in Uncertain Times (10%)

Getting laid off or feeling forced to pivot is more than just a career hiccup—it’s a full-on identity crisis. For many, 2024 was the year they asked themselves, “What now?” and got stuck in the endless loop of overthinking every next step.

The Problem:

• Lost Confidence: Layoffs or career pivots left many feeling unmoored and questioning their worth.

• Paralysis: Fear of making the “wrong move” meant not making any moves at all.

• Outdated Market Realities: What worked 10 years ago? Yeah, that doesn’t cut it anymore.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Rewrite Your Narrative: Stop seeing this as a failure. This is your chance to get aligned with what you actually want.

• Discover Your Edge: Write down the three things you’re best at that every employer needs. Yes, every.

• Get Curious: Book informational interviews or coffee chats to dig into industries or roles that intrigue you.

• Get Moving: Apply for the roles that make you nervous in the best way possible. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones.

Helpful Tools:

• Indeeds Layoff Resources

• Layoff Survival Guide: 12 Career Transition Strategies For Executives

If you’re spinning your wheels, we’ve got you. Let’s build a strategy that makes your next move feel like a power play. Sign up for a free consultation.

2. Professional Development (50%)

If your resume still starts with “Responsible for…” or your LinkedIn is basically a graveyard of outdated job titles, here’s the truth: You’re being ghosted by recruiters, and it’s not their fault.

The Problem:

• Outdated Content: Your materials aren’t showing off how brilliant you are.

• Missed Connections: Poorly written profiles and resumes are like bad dating profiles—no one’s swiping right.

• No Strategy: Talking about your job responsibilities is boring. Highlighting your impact? That’s how you win.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Flip the Script: Lead with your impact. Think numbers, results, and transformations you’ve delivered.

• Future-Focus: Your materials should reflect where you’re going, not just where you’ve been.

• Speak the Recruiter’s Language: Use the keywords that match the roles you’re targeting.

• Invest in the Glow-Up: Work with pros who know how to make your resume and LinkedIn a magnet for the right opportunities.

Helpful Tools:

• 10 Online Job Sites You Should Know About

• Your Next Big Opportunity Might Be Just a Profile Update Away

If you’re tired of feeling invisible, we’re here to help. Your resume and LinkedIn don’t just need updating—they need to make recruiters say, “Wow.” Sign up for a free consultation.

3. Networking and Goal Setting (15%)

Networking isn’t just about who you know—it’s about who knows you. Yet so many professionals spent 2024 treating networking like a chore instead of the game-changer it is.

The Problem:

• Fuzzy Goals: “I just want a job” isn’t a plan; it’s a panic button.

• Aimless Networking: Sending a generic LinkedIn request isn’t networking. Sorry, not sorry.

• No Follow-Through: Great conversations are wasted without strategic follow-ups.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Set Real Goals: Replace “get a job” with “land three interviews for senior marketing roles by March.”

• Make It Personal: Treat networking as relationship-building, not transactional. People remember the authentic connections.

• Be Proactive: Comment on posts, share insights, and show up. You want to be visible, not forgettable.

• Close the Loop: Send thoughtful follow-ups. A simple thank-you email can turn a conversation into an opportunity.

Helpful Tools:

• Personal Brand Workbook, by PWC

• Networking Foundations, by LinkedIn Learning 

• Join a Group like TeamWomen

If your networking feels like a dead end, we’ll show you the way out. Together, we’ll turn casual conversations into career-changing opportunities. Sign up for a free consultation.

4. Should I Leave Corporate for Consulting? (5%)

The idea of leaving the corporate world for consulting can be exciting: more freedom, flexibility, and the chance to be your own boss. But deciding whether to make the leap is no small decision, and in 2024, many professionals wrestled with whether consulting was the right move—and if so, how to make it work.

The Problem:

• Uncertainty About the Decision: Is consulting the right path, or should you stay in the stability of corporate life?

• No Transition Plan: Professionals often didn’t know how to approach the shift strategically.

• Lack of Clarity: Many struggled to define their niche or figure out if their skills translated to consulting work.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Evaluate Your Why: Ask yourself why you’re considering consulting. Is it for freedom? To pursue work that aligns better with your values? Or to fill a gap you see in the market? Clarity on your motivations will guide your decision.

• Assess Your Skills: Map out your strengths, experiences, and expertise. Are these things businesses are willing to pay for? If you’re unsure, start with informational interviews to gauge interest.

• Start Small: Before committing fully, take on a freelance project or side hustle. This will help you test the waters and build confidence.

• Plan the Transition: Create a roadmap that includes financial preparation (savings buffer, pricing strategy) and building a professional brand (website, LinkedIn optimization).

• Get Support: Talk to mentors, peers, or a coach who can offer guidance and help you make an informed choice.

Helpful Tools:

• A New Approach to Building your Personal Brand, by HBR

• Is Consulting the Right Career For You

• Join a Group like RSP for support

If you’re ready to take control, we’re here to help. Let’s make your consulting business as strong as your ambition. Sign up for a free consultation.

5. Balancing Familiarity and Exploration (10%)

Here’s the deal: Staying in your comfort zone feels safe, but it’s also where dreams go to die. 2024 was full of professionals craving something new but too scared to take the leap.

The Problem:

• Fear of the Unknown: Exploring new industries or roles felt overwhelming and risky.

• Comfort Zone Cling: Sticking with what you know kept people stuck and unfulfilled.

• Risk Aversion: The fear of failure outweighed the potential for success.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Ask Yourself the Hard Questions: Are you staying because it’s right—or because it’s easy?

• Test the Waters: Freelance, volunteer, or take a course in an area that excites you.

• Transfer Your Skills: Identify how your existing expertise can work in new contexts.

• Take the Leap: Growth doesn’t happen without risk. You’re more ready than you think.

Helpful Tools:

• Try Catch-A-Fire: Volunteer and Discover New Areas of Expertise

• 12 Questions To Help Professionals Who Feel Stuck In Their Careers

If you’re ready to make bold moves, we’re here to guide you. Let’s help you explore new horizons with confidence. Sign up for a free consultation.

6. Emotional and Mental Blocks (2.5%)

Sometimes, the biggest obstacle isn’t the job market—it’s the voice in your head telling you you’re not enough.

The Problem:

• Imposter Syndrome: Feeling like you’re not qualified keeps you from even trying.

• Fear of Rejection: The possibility of hearing “no” stops you before you start.

• Burnout: Emotional exhaustion from endless job searches or toxic work environments saps your motivation.

What You Can Do If You Find Yourself in This Situation in 2025:

• Name It: Call out the fear or block holding you back. Naming it is the first step to overcoming it.

• Reframe Your Narrative: Shift your focus to what could go right instead of what might go wrong.

• Take Micro-Risks: Start with one small action that feels slightly outside your comfort zone.

• Seek Support: Don’t go it alone. A coach, mentor, or trusted confidant can help you move forward.

Helpful Tools:

• Impostor Syndrome and Perfectionism

• Managing Burnout

If you’re battling self-doubt, we’ve got your back. Together, we’ll help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Sign up for a free consultation.

Final Thoughts

2024 was a year of challenges—but also resilience. We worked with capable, creative individuals facing layoffs, bias, missed promotions, and misaligned cultures. Despite these struggles, one thing became clear: you are not alone, and you are not stuck.

With the right focus, strategy, and support, 2025 can be the year you take control and thrive. Let’s make this the year your career story becomes unforgettable.