"Jobless Claims Lowest in Three Years" — and I couldn't help but chuckle.
Because here's the truth: you know who doesn't file for unemployment?
You.
You're not standing in some government line. You've got severance, dignity, and a wealth of experience.
And let's be honest — unemployment maxes out at about $500 a week. That's an insult. So you don't file.
Which means... you don't exist.
Not in the data. Not in the headlines. Not in policy meetings.
Invisible by Design
You spent 25 years building divisions, leading teams, delivering results.
Now you're invisible — because you don't fit their spreadsheet.
They celebrate a "strong labor market" while you're sending out hundreds of applications that go nowhere.
Here's the real deal. The unemployment number measures hourly workers filing claims. It doesn't include:
- The 52-year-old CMO burning through savings while recruiters ghost her
- The CFO who "left to pursue other opportunities" and hasn't had a real conversation in months
You're not unemployed. You're "in transition."
Convenient, right?
"You're not broken. The measurement is."
Follow the Money
The folks creating these reports don't care about you.
The recruiters? They're chasing 35-year-olds with lower salary expectations.
The outplacement firm your company paid for? They get paid whether you land a new gig or not.
Everyone profits — except you.
Build Something They Can't Ignore
That's why I built this. Not for the system's chosen few. For the ones it forgets.
Your experience isn't a statistic. It's a story worth telling — and a practice worth building.
"Let's build something they can't ignore."
If you're ready to rewrite the narrative, start here: theretern.com/newsletter
The work is serious. The life doesn't have to be.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have a tee time to keep.
Kirk Coburn is the founder of The ReTern and category creator of the fractional executive movement. He introduced the term "Fractional CMO" to the market in 2009 when he co-founded Chief Outsiders, which has since served 2,000+ clients. When he's not helping corporate refugees build fractional practices, he's usually on the golf course by 2 PM.
