Help Wanted

Today's caller wants to apply for a particular job, but he doesn't have all of the qualifications required. Should he even bother applying? Jason's answer: absolutely! Jason hands over the cheat code for making the argument that you're right for a job— even if, on paper, you're not.

Today, Nicole rings the helpline to get Jason's advice: she's struggling with overwhelming stress around making sales calls for the very podcast you're listening to right now. Even though you won't find "sales" in Nicole's job title, it's still a part of her work. This is true for all of us; even if your job doesn't involve convincing someone to buy something, no matter your role, you will need to convince others to buy into your ideas. Jason shares how a "soft sales" approach and a particular mental framework can help Nicole, and you, with the next sales pitch.

Running a business with friends can be a whole lot of fun.... until it's not. Today's caller wants to know: how can you protect against business hurting a friendship? To learn more about Word on the Block, check 'em out: https://www.wordontheblock.biz/

Nicole gives you three steps to take your woodworking/travel blog/macrame empire from part-time to big-time.

Can you live “happily ever after” if you and your partner have completely different definitions of work-life balance? That’s the listener question Jason tackles head-on in today’s episode. If you’re feeling like you have to choose between being a good romantic partner and a good business partner, Jason has some tips for you.

No one likes to think about getting laid off, but the worst-case scenario is that you get laid off and it takes you completely by surprise. A better scenario (although still a sucky one), is to get laid off, but be prepared to chase your next opportunity. Today, Nicole shares six signs that your company might be announcing layoffs.

Today’s guest sent Jason a cold DM over LinkedIn pitching himself for a writing gig. There was just one little problem with his initial message. Jason takes the guest through a masterclass in cold outreach and gives you hacks you can use to write emails that people actually respond to.

What if all of your money vanished overnight? That's the reality for founders who banked with Silicon Valley Bank, a popular institution for startups, that crashed late last week. Today, Nicole talks to a founder who is in the trenches trying to get her money back from SVB. This conversation is a masterclass in how to deal with a crisis at work, rally help from unlikely sources, and communicate the hard sh*t. To hear the full backstory of SVB's rise and fall, click here: https://link.chtbl.com/LGNLVGjv To read more about obé Fitness, click here: https://obefitness.com/

Thousands of employees have been laid off so far in 2023. If you're one of them, Jason has actionable steps you can take to keep moving your career ahead. Plus, Jason sits down with Jonathan Salant (on his last day of work!), after being recently laid off from his post as the sole journalist in Washington reporting on New Jersey politics. Jason and Jonathan describe the bigger picture of what's at stake during the most recent wave of layoffs— and how you can be impacted by layoffs even if you're happily employed.

Today’s caller gets overwhelmed by guilt and anxiety whenever clients ask for her project rate… so she often lowballs herself. That ends today! Nicole talks her through a strategy that you can use when negotiating for the pay you deserve.

Turns out, you can build relationships with industry leaders by sliding into their DMs. Today, a special guest deconstructs how he successfully used social media to build his network. Plus, you'll learn exactly what to say when trying this at home.

From The Beatles, to Mark Zuckerberg and Eduardo Saverin, to any high school group project: there are endless examples of partnerships gone wrong. Today, Jason and Nicole share a foolproof blueprint for a productive relationship, whether you’re working with a business partner, or a romantic partner.

Have you ever dreamed of creating a product? What if you launch it... and nobody cares? That's the problem facing today's listener, who asks Jason for advice. Then they discover a shocker: Her problem isn't at all what she thought!

Jason and Nicole discover a shared secret: neither of them feel like they've "made it." As it turns out, this is super normal. We all have moments of insecurity around our work; but today, Jason and Nicole give you the antidote.

Do you feel like you "have a book in you?" If so, you should: 1) Probably get that checked out and 2) Listen here for Jason's five tips on writing a successful book— and maybe even getting your book cover on a billboard in Times Square.

Believe it or not, it is possible to oversell yourself when networking. Jason calls it "story inflation"— and you don't want to do it. But at the same time, you don't want to deflate yourself either. You want to represent yourself Goldilocks style: in a way that's juuuuust right. Nicole and Jason share their do's and don'ts that will help you nail your next intro.

There aren't enough hours in the day... unless you make some more. Jason shows you how to pull this off with four savvy strategies.

Jason and Nicole give their do's and don'ts of taking feedback gracefully. And, they walk their producer through crafting an email reply to some feedback that is a little close to home. Per my last email, you won't want to miss this!

Research shows that most people experience anxiety around public speaking... but Jason has your back! He gives you four strategies that will help you ace your next presentation.

Jason and Nicole respond to an email from a reporter who wants to pursue higher-paid opportunities outside of his local gig. But, he is worried that people will think he's selling out. Jason and Nicole's take? This reporter is thinking about his situation all wrong. Jason and Nicole give their advice, and teach you how to sell out for the greater good.

Have you ever had high hopes for your work, only to have those hopes... crushed? It's the worst feeling. But, it truly happens to the best of us— and Jason will prove it. He shares surprising examples of successful folks that trudged through flops, and gives two strategies you can use to feel better when faced with disappointment. To read more about Chelsea Banning, the author referenced in today's episode, click here: https://www.chelseabanning.com/

Want to know how to leverage a new opportunity and make more money? Listen and learn! Jason and Nicole call up a listener who needs help rehearsing an imminent life-changing conversation. Then, Jason and Nicole reveal a job perk you may have never considered. You're leaving a big opportunity on the table if you don't ask for this! Do you need help? Email your work question to: [email protected] for the chance to have your question answered on the show.

Jason shares the true stories that teach us when the "fake it till you make it" culture works and when it fails. Then, he shares a rule of thumb you can use when deciding if lying is fair game.

Jason and Nicole have quit jobs and have had jobs quit them. In today's episode, they tell you those colorful and semi-embarrassing stories, and give you the framework that will help you decide if it's time to move on. Plus, they teach you how to quit your job... without actually leaving your company.

To test whether AI bots can replace writers, Jason tasks an AI bot with writing today's episode... about AI bots replacing writers. And, spoiler alert: the robot does a pretty good job! But Jason isn't worried about his job security, because he knows the secret to becoming irreplaceable. Today, he shares that secret with you.

Boundaries are good! They keep us from burning out and protect positive relationships within teams. But here's the hard truth: the wrong approach to boundaries can keep employees from getting promoted and employers from getting their needs met. Today, Jason and Nicole give you the right approach. To test their strategy, they pull their producer into the conversation to get straight feedback on the example they've set.

If you’ve ever wished there was a hack to help when the fear of trying something new hits, you’re in luck! Jason shares how, through an awkward first date and some advice from Ryan Reynolds, he discovered a magic phrase that will help you get through the first-time jitters.

Sooner or later, you're going to need to ask for a favor that will advance your career. We all do… but we don't all do it well. Jason and Nicole show you what works and what doesn't with real-life examples, including a pitch that led them to hire someone, and a whackadoodle pitch that definitely DIDN'T earn someone a job, and how Jason scored a favor from the one and only Michelle Pfeiffer

Jason Feifer (Entrepreneur editor in chief) and Nicole Lapin (money expert and New York Times Bestselling author) are back with a new podcast all about solving your work problems. And it all started with a drunk text. Here’s how it went down, and what's coming next. Find new episodes of Help Wanted every Tuesday and Thursday, starting January 3rd, 2023.

You can still build your career, even if your job or internship disappeared. Nicole and Jason give tips on who's hiring, how to make yourself desirable to employers, and what else you can do to sharpen your skills. This is our last episode of the season—thanks for listening, and see you soon!

Self promotion makes people uncomfortable, but you better get used to it — because it's the best tool you have. Jason and Nicole explain how to be promotional during a pandemic (hint: it's all about the approach), how to get comfortable putting yourself out there, and why you should rethink your social media strategy. Have a question for us? We're here to answer—and we might even include you on the show! To ask, just record yourself using the voice memo app on your phone. Introduce yourself, tell us your problem, and please keep it to a minute.

Say you have an extra $50. Should it become part of your emergency fund or help knock down your credit card bill? Nicole walks us through three possible solutions and breaks down a lot of wonky debt issues, and Jason becomes obsessed with the most valuable piece of junk in the world.

Yes, you really can make money during a crisis. You can also set yourself up for great success later. In this episode, Jason and Nicole talk about how to get side-hustling, how to promote yourself, and why now could be the biggest opportunity you'll ever have.

Maybe you have a retirement account, a savings account, or just some cash socked away. Should you spend (or invest) any of that now? Nicole and Jason discuss the best ways to save your savings... and why it's still okay to treat yourself, if you can.

How much should you work during lockdown? Should you push yourself towards burnout, or just step back and chill out? Nicole and Jason share their strategies for staying focused, saving time, saying no to unnecessary work, and most importantly, defining what success looks like right now.

Budgets are tight, so how can you bring down your costs? Negotiate! Almost everything is negotiable—including your rent, car payments, cable fee, and even your credit card interest rate. In this episode, Nicole shows off her serious negotiation skills, and she and Jason walk through an actual script you can use to drive down your bills.

If your paycheck has disappeared during the COVID-19 pandemic, there's plenty you can do. Nicole and Jason offer a ton of resources—including a breakdown of what the government's offering, tips of how to start your own side hustle, and a list of free services you can use right now.

Though filing taxes may not be the most exciting thing to do, it’s actually a great way to get back the money you deserve. In this special bonus episode, Jason and Nicole hear from a man who created a strategy that allows him to never pay taxes again, then they debate and break down the best ways to file taxes. Plus, investor and entrepreneur James Altucher joins the show to discuss the best and worst ways to save money while claiming deductions.

When you share a life, should you also share your bank account? Nicole and Jason hear from a woman who almost made a horrible mistake, debate if a couple should have one or two (or three!) accounts, and then talk to Megababe founder Katie Sturino about what marriage and divorce has taught her.

Are luxury goods worth the cost—or, let’s be honest, are you just showing off? Nicole and Jason hear from a man who figured out how to buy high-end cars on the cheap, debate the real value of top-dollar merch, and then learn about the spending habits (and budgets!) of cosmetics legend Bobbi Brown.

Nobody can agree on the rules for tipping—so should we get rid of it? Nicole and Jason debate the best way to tip, hear from a Starbucks barista who’d be happy to get a penny, and then learn the tipping habits of one of the world’s most well-traveled men, The Points Guy founder and CEO Brian Kelly.

If you don’t like giving gifts, can you just not buy any? Nicole and Jason debate the importance of gift-giving, hear from a woman who hates everything her husband buys her, and then talks to Bizarre Foods’ Andrew Zimmern, who can’t stop buying his friends dinner.

Pre-nups are on the rise among millennials. Is that a good or bad thing? Jason and Nicole debate the deeper meaning of a prenuptial agreement, Jason reveals if he has one, and then Dr. Oz and his wife Lisa explain their own newlywed decision.

You want to see your friends, but they can’t afford dinner. What do you do? Jason says it’s time for some tough love, Nicole explains why she’ll gladly pay for others, and then comedian Jared Fried rips into them both.

Many people have bank accounts they hide from their significant other. Is that a good thing? Jason talks to a woman who’s hidden all her savings, Nicole argues that secret stashes are financial empowerment, and Bar Rescue’s Jon Taffer argues for radical transparency.

Would you date someone with debt? If you got married, would you help them pay it off? Jason and Nicole debate what debt says about a person, hear how a woman told her boyfriend about her $110,000 student loans, and then turn to The Good Doctor actor (and Experian Boost Ambassador) Hill Harper, who was once in a lot of debt himself.

We work hard… so how do we get more money? Nicole has a detailed plan to get the raise you want, Jason urges people to quit their jobs, and then cupcake queen Melissa Ben-Ishay reveals what it takes to get a raise out of her. (Hint: It’s a long process.)

It feels good to help out a friend… but what happens if they don’t pay you back? Jason and Nicole learn about a friendship ruined over $49, debate whether to keep a spreadsheet of every dollar you hand out, and talk to Murr of the Impractical Jokers about all the times he’s been burned.

We aren’t living in traditional times. So what are the new dating rules? Nicole and Jason hear some dating horror stories and talk about the deeper meaning of who picks up the check. Then sexpert Emily Morse joins the show to explain what women really want.

Is it okay if your parents pay your rent? What if they pay for dinner? And are millennials really as entitled and coddled as everyone says? Jason reveals to Nicole something his parents still pay for, they debate if generous parents create lazy children, and get advice from the founders of The Betches, a hot media company for millennial women.