In this inspiring conversation, you will hear from Career and LinkedIn Mentor Laurie MacPherson, who joined me to discuss how to build confidence, find clarity in your next career move, and make LinkedIn work for you.
Laurie introduces her B.O.L.D. framework (Build, Own, Land, Distinguish) while offering her trademark blend of tough love and compassion. Whether you’re searching for your dream job, considering a career change, or wanting to stand out on LinkedIn, this interview is packed with insights to help you take your next step with courage, confidence, and clarity.
Note for English Learners:
Laurie uses a mix of advanced vocabulary and some popular slang expressions during this conversation. If you are an intermediate learner or below, we recommend reviewing the key vocabulary before watching the video – these words are in the order they appear in the video.
Vocabulary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| folk(s) | people |
| to feel the ick | to feel uncomfortable |
| to want out of something | to want to leave or quit something |
| visual merchandising | displaying products in a store to attract customers |
| to be in the wilderness | to be lost or lacking direction |
| reticence | the state of being unsure or reserved about something |
| to cobble together | to create something using whatever materials are available |
| serendipity | a situation or event that happens by chance in a happy or beneficial way |
| to come out of someone’s shell | to become less shy and more talkative, friendly, and comfortable in social situations |
| trajectory | a path or a trend |
| non-negotiable | something that cannot be discussed or changed: a deal breaker |
| flare post | a specific type of post on social media to improve engagement |
| flex (flexible working conditions) | having flexible start and finish times, or working from home |
| a delicate balance | a situation which needs careful management to avoid instability |
| fulfilled / fulfilling job | a job which makes somebody to feel satisfied and useful |
| CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) | a company’s commitment to operate ethically and take accountability for its impact on society and the environment |
| parameters | the limits of the way something can be done |
| a saturated market | the supply of a product, service (or in this case, job opportunities) in a market reaches its maximum capacity. Competition is very high |
| evidence of experience | data to prove you have the experience that’s on your CV |
| voice / messaging (marketing) | your unique style of communication that people recognise as ‘you’ |
| to get less/fewer eyes on something | Fewer people see that type of post, so it receives less engagement |
| corporate automatron | the robotic way that AI writing can appear; a business-like way of writing that lacks personality |
| to sack someone | to fire someone or make them redundant |
| ‘Strictly’ | shortened form of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’; a popular TV show in the UK |
| algorithm | a set of rules that a computer follows to decide what you see on social media sites |
| hiatus | a break or pause in activity |
| hunners | Scotts word for ‘hundreds’; meaning ‘a lot’. |
| M dash | the punctuation symbol [ — ] which shows a break in a sentence. A common sign of using AI to write a text |
| Hold my jacket | Scottish slang expression that people say when they’re about to jump into something bold, risky, or confrontational. |
| to get the forks out | to describe people who are getting ready to attack or criticise someone |
| wishy-washy | used to describe ideas, opinions, or actions that lack confidence, strength, or usefulness |
| to sign on the dotted line | sign an agreement or close a deal |
| to hold someone’s hand | to guide someone through a new or difficult process |
| integral | very important |
| to call someone out | to ask someone to explain their actions and be accountable |
| common parlance | a common or popular word or phrase |
| radical responsibility | taking 100% ownership of your actions, thoughts, feelings, and the circumstances in your life, not as a burden, but as a form of empowerment |
| comfy | short form of ‘comfortable’ |
| consistency | the quality of always behaving in the same way; the state of being predictable |
| resilience | the ability of people or things to recover quickly after something unpleasant |
| to make a pal | to make a friend |
| give me five | please wait a few moments (can also be a sign of celebration) |
Watch the video
Now, watch the interview and make a note of any new words and phrases you have learned.
Final thoughts
- Laurie shared her B.O.L.D. framework (Build, Own, Land, Distinguish). Which of these four steps do you think would help you the most in your career right now, and why?
- In the interview, Laurie and Lorraine both agreed that “clear is kind.” What does this mean to you in the context of career advice?
- Laurie mentioned that some people see job searching as a matter of “luck.” How should we think of it, according to Laurie’s advice? Do you agree with her perspective?
- Posting on LinkedIn can feel uncomfortable, especially when you’re just starting out. What advice did Laurie give to overcome that fear?
- Both Laurie and Lorraine emphasised the importance of resilience and consistency. Can you think of a time when persistence helped you achieve a goal?
What’s next?
Book a session to discuss your learning and career goals, and how we can empower you to achieve them. Book your £1 trial lesson today and start your journey towards achieving your goals with Intrepid English.