Career Candour

Career Candour

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Certified to Nowhere: Why Most Professional Certificates Don’t Matter (And What Still Does)
Most certifications don’t improve pay or hiring odds. Learn which ones actually matter and which are just digital décor for your résumé.
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Leigh McKiernon
Indonesia’s Salary Market Finally Sobered Up and the Hangover’s Here to Stay
Jakarta’s salary boom is over. Explore what caused the inflation, why the reset is happening now, and how it impacts hiring across industries.
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Leigh McKiernon
How Danantara’s Flagship Agri Arm Ran Dry Before It Got Started
The CEO of Indonesia’s flagship agri SOE just quit over zero funding. What does this mean for Danantara and the future of food estates?
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Leigh McKiernon
Indonesia Returns to the Fortune Global 500, But Is That Really the Win We Think It Is?
PLN and Pertamina are on the Fortune Global 500. But what does their presence (and others’ absence) really tell us about Indonesia’s economy?
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Leigh McKiernon
When Experience Gets Expensive: The Mid-Career Equation No One Wants to Talk About
Over 40 and not in leadership? See why cost vs. benefit matters more than ever and what steps you can take now.
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Leigh McKiernon
LinkedIn: The Career Network That Profits When You're Uncomfortable
LinkedIn’s algorithm is designed to keep you chasing reach. Find out why valuable content often gets buried unless you pay for visibility.
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Leigh McKiernon
Why Protein Powder Is the Next Big Grift in Southeast Asia
Are protein supplements the next big scam in Southeast Asia? We unpack the hype, the grift, and the growing influencer-led supplement economy.
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Leigh McKiernon
The Great Escape: How Indonesia’s “New Guard” Learned All the Old Tricks
They promised a break from the past. What we got was the past, but in better packaging. Inside Indonesia’s accountability crisis.
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Leigh McKiernon
Indonesia’s FDI Drop: Don’t Panic (But Also Maybe Panic)
After a record‑breaking 2024 with $55.33 billion flowing in, up 21% year on year, and a healthy first quarter in 2025, Indonesia's FDI numbers seemed to…
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Leigh McKiernon

July 2025

Indonesia’s Startup Scene Didn’t Fail. It Was Designed This Way.
Inside the unraveling of Indonesia’s startup ecosystem. Who built the bubble, who cashed out, and why silence protects the same players every time.
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Leigh McKiernon
Are Indonesians REALLY Built for Overseas Success?
Indonesia loves the dream of luar negeri, but are we built for it? Discover the truth about what it really takes to work and thrive overseas.
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Leigh McKiernon
Access for Me but Not for Thee: The Double Standard in Executive Hiring
Leaders want direct access when job-seeking, but route you to HR when hiring. This article explores the leadership double standard in executive search.
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Leigh McKiernon
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