Adam Hayman
Catherine Belanger works with people who are at a career crossroads. Whether you’re a new grad struggling to get your foot in the door or a 30-year industry vet, if you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or unsure what comes next, she can help. What she sees again and again isn’t a lack of ability, but a lack of clarity around purpose, values, and what actually makes work feel sustainable.
Her perspective is especially useful if you’re thinking about a change and wondering whether you need a new role, a clearer story, or simply more intention behind your next move.
Let’s get into the interview.
Beneath the uncertainty is often a loss of connection to purpose. Most people I work with know how to work hard and succeed. What they’ve lost isn’t capability, it’s clarity around why they’re doing the work they’re doing.
For example, I worked with a director-level client who kept saying she was burned out. Once we slowed down, it became clear she wasn’t tired of working. She was tired of leading teams in a culture that didn’t value collaboration or trust. The turning point came when she named what she actually wanted again.
They rush to action without reflection. Applying broadly can feel productive, but it often leads people straight into another role that feels just as misaligned as the last one.
I saw this with a client who came to me after accepting a new role only six months after leaving his previous job. On paper, it looked like an upgrade: higher title, better pay. But the culture and leadership style were nearly identical to what he had just left. The issue wasn’t the move itself. It was skipping the reflection step before making it.
A resume problem is almost always a storytelling problem. People rarely struggle to get hired because they lack skills. More often, they struggle because they can’t clearly articulate their value, both on paper and in interviews.
I worked with a biotech professional who had been rejected after multiple final-round interviews. Her resume was technically strong, but her story wasn’t clear. Once we clarified what she’s known for, how she adds value, and where she thrives, interviews turned into offers without changing her experience at all.
Figure out your why before your what. Without that clarity, even the right move can land wrong.
One client, a clinical operations leader, thought she was burned out on healthcare altogether. After unpacking her “why,” it became clear she wasn’t done with the work. She was done with constant firefighting and lack of support. She stayed in healthcare, but moved into a smaller, better-resourced organization and finally found something sustainable.
Career transitions get easier when you stop asking, “What job should I get?” and start asking, “What kind of work and environment brings out my best?”
I worked with an engineering client who initially focused on landing a specific title. By the end of our work together, he chose a role with a different title but a healthier manager, clearer expectations, and more autonomy. He later told me it was the first job where he didn’t dread Mondays.
