The Career Strategists

Adrian & Yen answer their Viewers's Questions1. Help me, my Boss won't promote me2. The Interviewer wants my Boss to be the Referee3. Will my Boss know I'm looking out?

A recent survey suggested that 1 in 5 Singaporeans are UNDEREMPLOYED... Adrian disagrees - here's why!!

Sent in 50 Applications but still no callbacks? It might not be your CV.In this episode, we break down the real reasons your job applications are getting ignored. From applying too late to chasing roles that were never truly open, most candidates are playing a game they don’t understand. The harsh truth. The market is filtering you out long before your CV even gets read.We unpack the five silent killers of your job search and show you what actually works instead. Less guesswork, more strategy. Less applying, more positioning.If you’re tired of sending applications into a black hole, this is the reset you need.

It's a Dog-eat-Dog world, and jobs are being eliminated. Is yours next? Here are 3 signals to watch out for.

32% of workers feel they’re underpaid – are you one of them?This episode tackles the uncomfortable question most professionals avoid. Are you actually beingunderpaid, or just under-positioned?We share 3 signals you're underpaid, and more importantly, what you can do to close that gap and start earning what you are truly worth.

Many Executives fail because they’re being crushed by their own expectations. This episode unpacks why that mindset is not only unrealistic but destructive and reframes success as an infinite game, where growth matters more than perfection and builda career that is both sustainable and human.

Need to make that important Presentation to Senior Leaders? In this episode, Chris Henson breaks down how executives lose credibility in the first 30 seconds, what makes a senior leader sound junior, and the one communication skill that can fast-track your promotion. We cut through the fluff on stage anxiety, slides, executive presence, and handling tough questions under pressure.If you had to present to the Board, you have to watch this!

You’ve spent decades building experience. Yet in interviews, it still feels like it doesn’t count.Many mid-career executives discover a harsh truth. Not all experience has equal value in the job market. In this episode, we break down the three types that truly matter - the ones that get you hired!

Here’s a little Secret from Successful People – We’re all LAZY… but not ‘Dumb-Lazy’…‘Smart-Lazy’!! Tune in to find out how you can free up more time for yourself without decreasing the quality of your output!

So, you don't wanna leave your job/boss/company because you're loyal. But do you know it's actually hurting your career in a BIG Way?? Don't be suckered into paying the "Loyalty Penalty".

You think being nice makes you professional. Likeable. Safe.In reality, it makes you invisible and weak.In this episode, we unpack why so many capable professionals fall into the “Mr Popular Syndrome” trap, softening opinions, avoiding conflict, saying yes to everything, and quietly absorbing extra work just to stay liked. The problem? The workplace doesn’t reward nice. Tune in to find out more!

Retrenchments, Cost-cutting, Evil Colleagues - Everyone's out to get you. How do you defend yourself? By building Career Moats! Here are 3 powerful ideas for you to implement this week!

Don’t Be a Professional Victim.If your default response is “they won’t let me,” “I can’t,” or “it’s unfair,” this episode is for you.We unpack why capable professionals lose agency, fall into learned helplessness, and outsource responsibility to circumstances. Then we cut through the noise with practical ways to take back control.You’ll learn how to shift your mindset, set real boundaries, say NO without guilt, and stop letting other people define your career.No fluff. Just straight talk.Because hope isn’t a strategy. Action is.

Are you appearing 'too perfect' for the Interview? Hiring Managers can smell BS a mile away!Adrian and Yen share how 'Battle Scars' are valuable and make us stronger!

It's Jan 2026 - People are setting SMART GOALS as their New Year Resolution - and some have already failed! Try our Practical recipe that is focused on INPUTS and OUTCOMES instead!

Your career isn’t driven by your job description. It’s driven by the people who influence your success. Most professionals only manage one or two groups. The smart ones manage all five.There are the stakeholders shaping your career more than you realise. If you want true career velocity, you must manage all five. Ignore even one, and your career ceiling lowers without you noticing.🎧 Tune in. This episode might rewire how you think about influence forever.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth. Talk to people in their 50s and 60s and they’ll tell you, almost in a whisper, the same painful confession. “I kinda wasted my 40s.”What do they regret most?💥 Not taking risks when they actually had energy and options😴 Cruising when they should’ve been levelling up💼 Working too hard and missing their family’s best years📉 Not upskilling until the market punished them🪦 Staying stuck in roles or industries that were already dyingThis episode isn’t polite. It’s a slap, a spark, and a second chance.If you’re in your 40s, this might be the most important podcast you listen to all year.🎧 Tune in. Get uncomfortable. Then get moving.

Most people chase success the hard way - grinding longer, stressing more, and hoping something finally clicks. This episode flips that script.I break down three deceptively simple lessons that every ambitious professional thinks they understand… but almost nobody actually applies:✨ Celebrate progress - the quiet engine behind motivation, resilience, and long-term career momentum.⚡ Manage your energy - not just your time, because burnout doesn’t care about your Google Calendar.🎯 Know your real stakeholders - the people who actually influence your career trajectory (hint: it’s not always who you think).If you’re feeling stuck, tired, or overwhelmed, this conversation will give you the clarity and firepower to move forward ... sustainably and strategically.Perfect for mid-career professionals who want to level up without losing themselves.Ready to get ahead the smart way?

We’ve all been SOLD a LIE - It's TIME to Get Real! In this brutally honest episode, we tear down the myth of the purpose-driven career. You’ll hear why 76% of executives admit they’ve felt their careers had no purpose, what that really means, and why chasing purpose might actually make you miserable. We will unpack: - Why we crave purpose - The biggest misconceptions that make “purpose” the new corporate religion.- How to discover your own purpose — not from a TED Talk, but from real-world experience, curiosity, and grit. It’s raw, it’s real, and it might just change how you look at your career forever.

Be careful what you wish for - because in your career, getting what you think you want might be the very thing that holds you back.In this brutally honest and thought-provoking episode, Adrian Choo unpacks the five most common career wishes that sound good on paper but secretly sabotage your growth:1️⃣ “I wish I had my dream job.”2️⃣ “I wish my job were easier.”3️⃣ “I wish my boss would leave me alone.”4️⃣ “I wish I knew my end goal right now.”5️⃣ “I wish I could just take a long vacation.”With wit, wisdom, and real-world insight, Adrian flips each wish on its head ... revealing why the pursuit of comfort, clarity, and control often keeps professionals stuck.Tune in to learn how to replace these limiting wishes with powerful career strategies that drive agility, resilience, and long-term success.🎧 If you’ve ever caught yourself saying any of these five things, this episode might just change the way you see your career - forever.

You’ve climbed the ladder, delivered results, and paid your dues — yet the higher you go, the heavier it gets.In this episode, we unpack the five silent frustrations that mid-career executives rarely talk about — but every one of them feels:1️⃣ The constant pressure to deliver results (with less support).2️⃣ The fear of being replaced — by AI, a younger hire, or a cheaper alternative.3️⃣ The dread of being priced out of the market you helped build.4️⃣ The lack of professional development, as training dollars go to “emerging talent.”5️⃣ And the dreaded glass ceiling — or worse, the career cliff no one warns you about.If you’ve ever thought, “Is this as far as I go?”, this episode is for you.We’ll talk about what’s really behind these frustrations — and more importantly, what you can do about them.🎧 Tune in — it’s time to reclaim your career power before the system sidelines you.

You’re hustling hard - inbox exploding, meetings stacked, deadlines closing in. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: being busy isn’t the same as being valuable.In this thought-provoking episode, we pull back the curtain on one of the biggest traps in mid-career life ... working hard on the wrong problems. Adrian breaks down the five invisible forces that keep smart professionals spinning their wheels instead of moving forward:1️⃣ The Trap - Mistaking Activity for Progress: Why motion without direction is career quicksand.2️⃣ The Urgent vs Important Test: A wake-up call straight from the Eisenhower Matrix - where does your time really go?3️⃣ The Interesting vs Necessary Filter: How to stop chasing shiny distractions and start doing the work that truly moves the needle.4️⃣ The Operational vs Strategic Divide: Are you the firefighter... or the architect?5️⃣ Picking Your Battles Wisely: The difference between being indispensable and being promotable.🎯 If you’ve ever ended a week wondering, “Why do I feel exhausted but not accomplished?” — this one’s for you.🔥 Listen now to learn how to realign your focus, elevate your impact, and finally start working on the right problems.

Retrenchments are never easy.But here’s the kicker: many companies unknowingly behave poorly during the process - and end up making themselves look bad in the eyes of employees, customers, and even future talent. 😬In this episode, I reveal the common mistakes companies make during retrenchments - from tone-deaf communication to bad timing - and how leaders can avoid turning a tough moment into a reputational disaster.✅ If you’re in leadership or HR, this is your playbook for handling retrenchments with dignity, fairness, and responsibility.

The headlines scream doom, but the truth is more nuanced. The market isn’t collapsing — it’s punishing the unprepared. Outdated skills and “wait-and-see” career management? That’s what’s getting people stuck. This episode cuts through the panic to reveal the reality: Are your skills mismatched? Are you accessing the hidden markets? Is there Silent hiring, and why clarity and strategy beat fear every time.If you’ve been asking, “Is the job market really that bad?” — the answer might surprise you.

Do We Really Need Friends in the Office?Is quitting a job because you feel lonely a valid reason… or just an excuse? In this episode, we unpack the “no friends at work” dilemma — from the risks of mistaking colleagues for confidants, to the reality that your so-called “office buddy” might actually be gunning for the same promotion as you. We’ll talk trust, competition, and whether the workplace is for building friendships… or building your career.

Adrian present 3 quick #TrueCareer Stories about people who faced Retrenchment situations - and how it could happen to you!

"What if I don't get the Promotion?""What if I DO get the Promotion?"How many sleepless nights have you wasted stressing over things that might happen – the job you applied for, the boss who might not like you, or that AI will steal your job? (The last one probably true) In this episode, Adrian and Yen cut through the noise and show you how to stop playing out worst‑case scenarios in your head, reclaim your mental bandwidth, and focus on what actually matters.If you’re tired of second‑guessing every career move and sabotaging your own confidence with “what ifs,” this is your wake‑up call. No fluff. No platitudes. Just straight‑talk strategies to ditch the imaginary problems and take real control of your career.

Thinking of leaving the hustle for a simpler, saner work life?Sounds tempting… but hold up.Before you trade your title for tranquility, this episode unpacks 5 must-consider factors that could make or break your downshifting decision. From money and identity to future career risks, we cover the stuff no one talks about.Because escaping the rat race is smart — but doing it blindly? Not so much.Hit play before you slow down the wrong way.

The news is full of Negative Stories. Deadlines are looming. Your phone won’t stop buzzing.And somehow… you’re supposed to keep it all together?In this energizing episode, we unpack simple, science-backed strategies to stay grounded, clear-headed, and calm—even when the world feels like it’s spinning off its axis.Whether it’s toxic workplaces, never-ending to-do lists, or just life being life, this one’s your mental reset.🧠 Breathe in. Hit play. Sanity starts here.

Think your C-suite title guarantees a smooth interview? Think again.In this no-fluff episode, we expose the surprisingly common mistakes even seasoned leaders make during interviews—like over-relying on their resume, dodging tough questions, or coming off… well, a little too polished.Whether you're gunning for your next big role or just dusting off the blazer, this episode will help you avoid the traps that silently kill your chances.Because at the executive level, it's not just what you say—it's how you say it.👔 Press play before you step into that boardroom.

Jobhunting sucks when you're in your 40s - a 45 yr old client told me that the headhunter said he was "TOO OLD"! But what are you doing wrong? What can you do better? - Are you over-relying on your CV? - Are you too shy to network for leads? - Or are you really too old in your ways to learn new job-hunting techniques? Watch this episode and find out how you can get hired quicker!

Shopee sued an ex-Employee last January for a Non-compete when he joined their rival, TikTok. They lost. If you're about to sign an offer letter with a non-competition clause, are you at risk of a lawsuit? What are the red flags to watch out for... and what should you do? Adrian The Career Strategist shares these secrets with you

Have you wondered how much a Board Member is paid? Or how much (or little) work they're required to do?Or whether they can actually end up in Prison if things go wrong?In this insightful episode, we talk to Carmen Wee, veteran HR Leader and Board Member of several major companies, on these questions and more!

Many have tried to do a mid-career switch - and failed. What are some of the common reasons why it didn't work out?What could be done better?Adrian & Yen share these nightmare stories with you... and how you can do it better!

Trump's Terrifying Tariffs have the world in a Dizzy Spin! Is he a Madman.... or a brilliant Genius? What are the implications for the Singapore Job Market?How can you ride this out? Let Adrian share his thoughts, Frank and Uncensored.

You'd be surprised how many clients we meet, who are clueless as to what their NEXT ROLE is going to be. Our Advice? Get Off Your A$$!! Start making a plan! Get some CareerClarity! Here are some great ideas for you!

Why does your HeadHunter Ghost you? What do they expect from you? And most importantly, how can you make the relationship work?Listen to Adrian's fun episode for an Insider's Peek!

"Sorry, you're too Senior/Experienced/Expensive"Haven't you heard this one before? But there's a way around it - by unbundling your skills, services, time and format, there are ways to get your hiring manager to make you that job offer!

This week, in Frank & Unfiltered with Adrian, he shares his thoughts about what's REALLY going on behind DBS's pending Elimination of 4000 jobs due to AI. He also talks about Undergrads not landing jobs, and of course, Elon's latest Email Edict - Respond or be Fired! He also answers questions on:1. The Biggest Resume Red Flag2. Should I get an MBA3. What Advice to give a Young Executive

In this FUN and experimental LiveStream format, Adrian shares his thoughts on the week's top stories: 1. The Budget 2025 - Upskilling Bribes?2. Where Have All The Good Jobs Gone?3. WFH or RTO? WTF? 4. Questions From The Audience

Are you in a TOXIC Workplace? Are your bosses up to no good? How much of it do you put up with before you call it quits?Adrian & Yen share their own experiences, and some strategies you can use to escape this horrible scenario!!!

Can Introverts succeed in an Extroverted world? Why is Shyness often mistaken for Introversion? How can Introverts shine at the workplace? Today, we speak to our special guest, Serena Low The Quiet Warrior to find out how!!

"Sorry, You're Too Experienced for this Role". Have you heard that one before? What do they mean when they say that? How did the Experience you thought was an Asset...become a Liability? Listen to these stories and more...

Here's a TEST for you - Asnwer this Question in 5 seconds. "What's Your SuperPower?" Tough, isn't it? And if you can't articulate what your SuperPowers/Skills are, then you don't have #SkillsClarity. Watch Adrian & Yen share about: 1. Why having Skills Clarity is critical for Career Longevity 2. What the 3 Different Types of Skills are 3. Skills Improvement - by Osmosis? 4. Skills Gaps vs Skills Chasms 5. FutureSkilling Secrets Watch now!!

As the New Year rolls in, we're focusing on your Career Health - why it's important, how it affects your Career Longevity, and how to measure it. We also introduce our new Career Health Assessment Tool, CoachCAROL.ai which you can use to measure and track how your Career is coming along.

You want to try something different but you're somehow stuck with your current company - chained by a GOLDEN HANDCUFF! But are all Golden Handcuffs good? And is it good to be stuck with one? Adrian & Yen explore this Syndrome with you: 1. What are Golden Handcuffs? 2. What are the 3 types of Handcuffs? 3. What are the Career Risks, and How To Avoid It 4. Escaping Those Handcuffs Forever! Watch now!!

Yes, Senior Candidates do get discriminatory questions at Job Interviews.. - "Can you fit into our much younger team?" - "You're too senior/expensive" - "Why are you taking this more junior role?" Don't let these toughies get you down - watch and learn about: 1. Is There Really Age-Discrimination at Jon Interviews? 2. Uncovering the Question behind the Question. 3. Some Tough Curveballs - and how to answer them 4. Effective Job Search Strategies - for those above 40 5. Some Great Advice Get ready for your next Interview! Watch this now

Some people call their 40s their 'Crushing Zone' but yet others, their 'Cruising Zone' - so, ifyou're 'cruisin' in your Comfort Zone - What does that spell for your Career Longevity? Adrian & Yen talk about: - Signs you're in your Comfort Zone - Is it OK to Cruise in your 40s? - The 3 Pitfalls of 'Taking it easy' - How to 'Cruise' Correctly - When should you step out of your Comfort Zone? Watch and enjoy!!

As we age, we face different Career Challenges. Adaptability, Cost, Relevance... and even subtle Age Discrimination! What are the root causes, and how can we fix it? Listen to Adrian & Yen as they share some powerful tips with you!

It is true that those over 40 find it increasingly difficult to land good jobs. Is it 'Secret Discrimination'? A 'Pricing Issue'? or even, 'Too Old and Too Slow'? The reasons are many... but let the Career Experts share how you can overcome them and land a great job faster!