Applystead guides
Career advice: choose a direction, change careers or move on
Big career decisions go better in small, tested steps: learn what you want, check it against real occupations, try it cheaply, then move deliberately. These guides cover choosing a direction, planning a change and leaving a job well.
If a move was not your choice, start with the layoff guide: it covers the first week, benefits to check and a job search plan you can start right away.
Start here
How to choose a career: assess, research, test and decide
How to choose a career in five steps: assess interests and values, research occupations with free government tools, talk to workers, test cheaply, decide.
Career goals examples: 20 short- and long-term goals you can adapt
Career goals examples for students, career changers and experienced workers, with SMART rewrites and scripts for interviews and performance reviews.
How to make a career change: a step-by-step plan with examples
Plan a career change at 30, 40 or 50: define the move, research the target, map transferable skills, test before you commit, with ideas and a 90-day plan.
All 9 guides on career advice
How to choose a career: assess, research, test and decide
How to choose a career in five steps: assess interests and values, research occupations with free government tools, talk to workers, test cheaply, decide.
Career goals examples: 20 short- and long-term goals you can adapt
Career goals examples for students, career changers and experienced workers, with SMART rewrites and scripts for interviews and performance reviews.
How to make a career change: a step-by-step plan with examples
Plan a career change at 30, 40 or 50: define the move, research the target, map transferable skills, test before you commit, with ideas and a 90-day plan.
How to quit a job professionally: prepare, tell your manager, leave well
How to quit a job professionally: check pay and benefits first, tell your manager with a script, give notice, hand off work, and handle counteroffers.
Resignation letter templates: two weeks’ notice, short notice and email
Resignation letter templates you can copy: standard two weeks’ notice, short notice, immediate resignation, retirement and email, plus what to include.
What to do after being laid off: first-week checklist and job search plan
What to do after being laid off: severance, unemployment, COBRA or a Marketplace plan, your 401(k) and a job search plan, with a first-week checklist.
Microsoft voluntary exit offer: what it includes and how to decide by December
Microsoft's 2026 voluntary exit offer explained: who is eligible, what the package includes, how to estimate it, the December deadline and unemployment.
Two weeks’ notice letter: count your last day, copy a template, know what’s next
Write a two weeks’ notice letter: check whether notice is required, count your last day correctly, copy a template for your job, and plan the notice period.
How to explain a layoff in interviews, applications and on your resume
What to say about a layoff in an interview, on an application and on your resume, what to leave out, and word-for-word answers you can adapt.
Research
Research
Ghost job statistics 2026: how long job listings stay open
How long job listings stay open: the share of open listings on major applicant tracking systems live for more than 30, 60 and 90 days, with data downloads.
Research
Job market report 2026: open jobs by platform, work location and role
How many jobs are open, how many are remote, which applicant tracking systems host them and US openings by role family, from the Applystead job catalog.
More guides by topic
Job search
Step-by-step job search guides: where to find openings, how to apply online, how long to hear back, how to message recruiters and when to follow up.
Resumes and cover letters
Step-by-step resume and cover letter guides with examples: pick a format, write a summary, list skills and action verbs, pass ATS scans and tailor to a job.
Interviews
Interview guides with sample answers: tell me about yourself, strengths and weaknesses, behavioral questions, STAR, phone and video interviews and follow-up.
Salary and job offers
Guides to salary expectations, negotiating pay, evaluating a job offer, accepting or declining it by email and asking for a raise, with scripts and templates.