Hey Reader,

Welcome to issue #007 of The Next Chapter, a career planning newsletter for LGBTQ+ professionals.

This week, I'm covering:

• A free webinar I’m co-hosting to demystify hiring practices
• Updating your resume while you're still employed
• The first thing to do if you lose your job
• Building a values-aligned network

Let's dive in.

A recruiter and a career coach walk into a webinar...

If you want some insider knowledge on how hiring practices work, you’re in luck.

I’m co-hosting a webinar with April Starlight, CEO & Recruiter at Tangerine Search, to have a conversation about what really happens behind the scenes in a typical hiring process.

Here’s what we’re covering:

• The full hiring journey from intake meetings to offer letters, and how recruiters spend their time and energy each day
• Common ATS myths you see on social media, including the "white font keyword trick" and the “ATS-compliant resume”
• What information recruiters have access to and how to make your application stand out for the right reasons

Join us on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 10:00am PT / 1:00pm ET by registering through the link below:

Thanks to everyone who helped us choose our topic.

Update your resume while you’re employed

Whether you're happily employed or thinking about what's next, keep your resume up to date with the impact you've made.

Many people (myself included) have lost a job unexpectedly, only to find themselves scrambling because they no longer have access to the data and documentation they need to quantify their impact.

Don't wait until you're in the middle of a job search to remember what you accomplished.

Here’s how you can take a proactive approach:

• Set a reminder to review and update your resume regularly (quarterly works well). Capture any new accomplishments, update key stats, and document projects while they're fresh in your mind.
• Performance reviews can be a good source of information because they often include specific metrics, feedback, and examples of your contributions. Keep copies of your reviews so you have them for reference.
• Capture accomplishments from project retrospectives, team wins emails, kudos from colleagues, presentations you've given, and any recognition or awards you've received.

Your future self will thank you.

The first thing to do if you lose your job

Job loss is hard, no matter the circumstances.

Whether you saw it coming or it caught you off guard, the first thing to do is the same: care for your well-being.

You don't need to post on LinkedIn immediately.

You don't need to update your resume immediately.

You don't need to start searching for jobs immediately.

Even if your job search is time-sensitive, the most important thing you can do in the first few days is to take care of yourself.

If you're in the U.S. and eligible for unemployment benefits, file for those right away.

Then give yourself permission to feel whatever you're feeling. Reach out to people who support you. Rest if you need to. Process what happened.

The job search logistics will still be there when you're ready. But if you skip over taking care of yourself, you'll carry that weight into every application, interview, and decision you make next.

You deserve space to recover before you move forward.

Build a values-aligned network

It's no secret that I believe networking (aka building community) is critical for career growth.

Here's what makes it even more powerful: when your network shares your values, you're building a community that gets you, supports you, and shows up for the things that matter to you.

So how do you find those people?

Start by taking note of the causes and communities that you care about. Then look for spaces where those values are already in action.

Some queer-friendly approaches to consider:

• Look for LGBTQ-focused nonprofits you can support or volunteer with
• Check out local LGBTQ+ professional organizations or social groups
• Attend events where you can connect with other LGBTQ+ folks, like fundraisers, panel discussions, or community meetups

Try out different settings and crowds to see what you vibe with. Then keep showing up.

With relationships, consistency matters more than trying to do everything. The people who become part of your network are the ones you see and support again and again.

Tell me what’s on your mind

I want this newsletter to be community-driven. It’s meant for you, so it should be valuable to you.

Future issues will look different and cover different topics. I’ll be experimenting and collecting feedback along the way, so don’t be shy about hitting the ‘Reply’ button.

Tell me what you’d love to see—it might just end up in the next issue.

See you next week.