Ctrl + Alt + Survive: a no-BS guide to the Corporate Jungle

Welcome to CtrlAltCareers.com — where we don’t “circle back,” we call it like it is.

If you’ve ever:

• Sent a “per my last email” and meant F U

• Googled “how to sound professional but still spicy”

• Wondered why nothing seems to impress your Baby Boomer boss...

  
  

This blog is for you. We are corporate millennials here to share what has worked and what hasn't in our 15 years of corporate life. Let's give you a taste of what you can expect here.

Level 1: Interviews Are Just Vibe Checks (But With Suits)

Honestly — interviews can be awkward. But here’s the secret: They’re evaluating your skills, how you applied them to make big wins, and whether they want to spend 40 hours a week with you. Our interview teams have "cultural fit" people on the panel. That's right, they are assessing your vibes.

🔥 Quick Wins in the interview process:

• Don’t regurgitate your résumé — translate your wins into stories. 3-5 sexy sentences on your scoring big.

• Ask real questions: “What’s something people love and hate about working here?” "To be considered for an opportunity here, what feedback do you have for me as an interview candidate?"

• Read the room. And by room, we mean the recruiter’s LinkedIn posts and the hiring manger's preferences. Don't know them? Ask explicitly.

Level 2: Corporate Ain’t Dead, But It’s Giving ‘Mid’

Your first job might feel like “just vibes” — or it might be drowning in meetings that should’ve been emails.

🔥Here’s the skinny on how to stay sane:

CTRL: Control what you can

• Your boundaries: what are you willing and not willing to do. “Hey, I don’t answer emails on the weekends.”

• Your brand: be known for something, even if it’s being the (appropriate) meme dropper in team chat (we see you funny guy). Just don't be a wallflower who sits in the background. we will get into "engagement" in another post.

  
  

ALT: Alternate perspectives

• Not all feedback is a personal attack; in order to grow, you need to know where you stand today. Assume positive intent and courage was needed for your manager to give you feedback. Sit with the feedback, breathe through it, and then respond. Your not responsible for your first thought, but you are responsible for the first action you take.

• Not all boomers, gen x or millennials are out to get you (many are chill, we promise). We want the next generations to do well and win. You never know who you are going to work with or work for; keep building those relationships and your network. More on that in another post.

  
  

CAREERS: Choose your own adventure

• You’re not stuck. Skills are currency. Stack them, story tell successes, and get after it.

TL;DR:

• Vibe check the company as much as they check you

• Set boundaries

• Define your brand

• Feedback is necessary

• Skill stack and master your story