I'm going to tell you something that might be hard to hear: if you're still relying on one job to define your career and secure your future, you're walking toward a cliff.
Over two decades ago, I walked away from corporate America because I didn't like who I was becoming—burned out, uninspired, and terrified my daughter would grow up thinking misery was just part of adulthood.
That decision launched my journey as a career coach and entrepreneur. Today, I have 2.5 million LinkedIn followers, over 580,000 newsletter subscribers, and 1.2 million TikTok followers. But I didn't get here by playing it safe. I escaped the one-job trap, and now I teach others how to do the same.
The Truth About Today's Job Market
We're at a pivotal moment in career history. At the time I'm writing this (June 2025), over 150 large U.S. companies have already announced major layoffs this month alone. We're facing what I believe will be the worst white-collar recession we've ever seen.
Why? One word: AI.
The founder of Anthropic, one of the world's biggest AI companies, recently stated that nearly 60% of entry-level white-collar jobs are being eliminated. These roles aren't coming back. We could see white-collar unemployment hit 20% within five years.
But here's what that number really means: it refers to traditional unemployment. People with just one job and one source of income. That's the outdated model we've been trained to follow, and it's collapsing right in front of us.
Why I Call It the "One-Job Scam"
Let's be honest: the "one-job" model benefits employers far more than it benefits you.
Companies want you to feel dependent on them—clinging to benefits, grateful for job security, less likely to question the long hours and stress. That way, you become what I call a "trad job" worker (traditional job)—one employer, one paycheck, one skill set, dead end.
But we're waking up. Professionals are starting to see there's a better way to work and live.
The Time-for-Money Cliff
Most people picture their career like a staircase: you start at the bottom with little experience and low pay, then steadily climb up earning more over time.
That's not how it actually works.
Your career looks more like a pyramid. You start at the bottom in entry-level roles, move into the mid-level "sweet spot" where things feel good, but then the top starts closing in. There are fewer roles available at your salary level.
That's what I call the time-for-money cliff.
Every year, new talent enters the pyramid. Companies want profit, so why pay you $120K when they can hire someone with 90% of your skillset for $70K? When you get pushed off that cliff, you land in what I call the "executive wasteland," filled with smart, experienced professionals who expected continued growth but were blindsided when companies cut them loose.
The Knowledge-for-Money Revolution
Here's what remote work taught us during the pandemic: when you cut out the commute and worked fewer hours, you still got the same paycheck. Why? Because you were finally being paid for your output, not just your time.
You got a glimpse of what freedom feels like.
This is the shift we need to make permanently. Instead of trading time for money, we need to trade knowledge for money.
Think about it this way: someone has a $10,000 problem. You know how to fix it in 10 minutes. You solve it, and they pay you. Do you feel guilty? Most people do because they're stuck in the mindset that time equals value. But the client isn't paying for your time. They're paying for your expertise, your knowledge, your ability to deliver results.
Your Four-Step Escape Plan
Step 1: Identify Your Unique Value Add (UVA)
Your UVA is what sets you apart in the market—how your skills, experience, and insight save money, make money, solve problems, or alleviate pain for employers.
You're no longer "just an employee." You are a business-of-one. And like any successful business, you need to understand your value proposition.
I've created a free UVA Discovery Tool that took over a year to develop. Go to workitdaily.com, create your free account, and access the tool—no credit card required. It includes proprietary quizzes designed to draw out your hidden strengths and help you articulate your UVA with clarity.
Step 2: Build Your Credibility on LinkedIn
Most professionals have unknowingly outsourced their reputation to their employers. When you apply for jobs, what do you lead with? A résumé listing their brands, not yours.
That's not enough anymore. LinkedIn is now the #1 platform for knowledge-based professionals. Recruiters and business owners use it daily to validate expertise and find problem-solvers.
Once you've identified your UVA, start creating searchable, benefit-driven content on LinkedIn. Think of it as marketing for your business-of-one. This is how opportunities come to you instead of you chasing them.
Step 3: Monetize Your Knowledge
The knowledge economy is projected to hit $480 billion by 2027. Here are ways my clients are already monetizing their expertise:
- Fractional work: Instead of 60 hours for one company, work with 2-3 companies part-time at premium rates
- Subscription models: Platforms like Subs let people pay monthly to access your professional advice
- Advisory roles: Get paid to share your expertise through professional networks
- Content creation: Earn money when people consume your knowledge-based content
The beauty is you can start while keeping your current job.
Step 4: Scale Multiple Income Streams
I work with former executives who now operate on fractional models. They work fewer hours, solve high-level problems, and earn more money. The companies win because they get specialized expertise without full-time costs. The professionals win because they have control, variety, and higher earnings.
This isn't just theory. It's happening right now.
Real Success: How Steve Fast-Tracked His Career
Let me share a recent example. Steve, a global IT sales director, wanted to become a VP faster than his company's usual timeline. He started making videos sharing his knowledge on LinkedIn.
One video caught a CEO's eye, leading to calls and interviews. Initially told he'd have to start at the director level, Steve stood firm. The CEO asked his team to watch Steve's videos. Impressed by his expertise and communication skills, they endorsed him for the VP role, which he got.
Now, Steve regularly receives paid consulting opportunities based on his content and reputation. That's the power of building your PRO VOICE.
Introducing PRO VOICE
After 20+ years in career coaching, I created PRO VOICE to help professionals transition from employees to expert brands. We train you to communicate and package your expertise effectively.
When I became one of LinkedIn's first official influencers, someone sarcastically called me "some woman who writes like she's talking to a fifth grader about career advice." I raised my hand and said, "That's me. And you're right."
But I was writing to serve people, using real language instead of buzzwords. I wasn't trying to sound smart. I was trying to help people get results. That's what resonated, and that's what we teach in PRO VOICE.
What You Get with PRO VOICE:
- Direct coaching and unlimited messaging with me
- Twice-weekly live group coaching sessions
- Access to a supportive community of creators
- Training on building your brand and monetizing your content
- Potential agency representation for brand partnerships
- Exposure through our 4+ million follower network
Take Action Now
The job market isn't going back to the way it was. Automation and AI aren't temporary disruptions; they're permanent shifts. The professionals who thrive will be those who get ahead of this wave, not those who wait for it to pass.
Start here:
- Watch my full "How To Escape The ONE-JOB Trap (In Just 30 Days)" training
- Grab my book PRO VOICE: Turn What You Know Into What You Earn on Amazon (currently top 10 in Career Advice)
- Complete the 30-Day G.L.O.W. Challenge included with the book
- Use the free UVA Discovery Tool at workitdaily.com
Your knowledge is your most valuable asset. There are your learning years and your earning years. The key is knowing when to pivot from learning to earning, and making sure you're not giving away your expertise at an hourly discount.
The future belongs to professionals who can solve problems with their knowledge, not just their time. The question isn't whether this transition will happen; it's whether you'll lead it or get left behind.
Ready to escape the one-job trap? Start building your PRO VOICE today.
