Registering with a recruitment agency? It's worth knowing exactly what you're asking it to do. This piece looks at how agencies actually work, the hidden positioning problem behind "no one's called me back," and why career strategy has to come from somewhere else first.

When a job search stalls, the instinct is to apply faster. But feeling stuck is rarely about opportunity, it's about positioning. This piece explains why clarity has to come before volume, using a real client example, practical exercises, and consultative advice on what to do before you touch your CV again.

One of the things mid-career professionals find hardest is talking about themselves without sounding like they are pitching. The key is to talk about contribution rather than credentials. Instead of leading with titles and tenure, try describing what you make possible. What do you help organisations do better? What do colleagues or clients tend to rely on you for? Where does your involvement change the outcome?