Job interviews can provide insights into company culture, writes Amber Johnson, a leadership development consultant who recommends that candidates ask questions, observe interactions and check that the job aligns with their values. "A job interview isn't just about proving you're right for them -- it's about discovering if they're right for you," Johnson writes.

Resume gaps are increasingly common, with 62% of workers having taken a career break according to LinkedIn. Experts recommend addressing gaps confidently, framing them as periods of personal growth or skill development rather than deficits. "If you took time off to release the threads of a toxic work situation and travel around the world or -- like me -- to raise a colicky boy (honestly, cheaper than daycare), don't treat that like a dirty secret. Own it with pride," says Cara Heilmann of the International Association of Career Coaches.

Steve Jobs believed that the best managers are often those who never aspired to leadership roles. Instead, they step up because they recognize that no one else will do the job as effectively. Jobs viewed these reluctant leaders -- often standout individual contributors -- as more effective than those who pursue management for its own sake.

As AI reshapes workflows and teams shrink, owning one's career narrative has become essential for professionals, writes Kanika Watson, executive coach and branding strategist. Watson offers three strategies for career storytelling: defining one's unique story, translating activities into impactful results and maintaining visibility through personal branding.

Organizations are increasingly considering the chief productivity officer role as a way to bridge the gap between people and technology, with early adopters such as Moderna experimenting with the position. The CPO is seen as a response to the need for integrated management of human and digital work, aiming to drive measurable business outcomes by aligning HR, IT and business strategy.

From sister publication Kiplinger: Parents can support adult children who have been laid off by expressing empathy and validation rather than offering unsolicited advice, therapist Raffi Bilek says. Clinical psychologist Nicole Issa suggests giving children a break from the stress of job loss during holiday visits.

Pantone Color Institute has named "Cloud Dancer," aka white, its 2026 color of the year, describing it as a balance of warm and cool undertones that conveys serenity and beginnings. Leatrice Eiseman, the institute's executive director, says the color embodies a "calming influence in a frenetic society, rediscovering the value of measured consideration and quiet reflection."