FTUIY #153: Emily Kapit

Every week, the Unicorn Wall of Fame honors outstanding leaders and innovators who embody the spirit of “Finding the Unicorn in You.” This week, we’re thrilled to feature Emily Kapit: three-time certified Master Resume Writer, industry-leading career strategist, founder of Refresh Your Step LLC, and a true champion of career resilience.

From Broadcast Journalism to Career Advisory Trailblazer

Emily’s career journey began in the fast-paced worlds of broadcast journalism and investment banking in New York City.

What she noticed during these early years was striking: people at all levels were unhappy in their careers and felt stuck, often unable to articulate how they landed in their roles or how to get out. This inspired Emily to become part of the solution rather than the problem.

After pursuing graduate school, Emily launched Refresh Your Step in 2008—right as the financial crisis hit and the firm she’d worked for, Lehman Brothers, filed for bankruptcy. Suddenly, people were reaching out for help, and Emily’s career as a career advisor and resume writer took off.

The Capitalized Process: A Holistic Approach to Career Success

Initially, Emily focused on career advisory for young and mid-level professionals—a group often overlooked by traditional career services. But as her work evolved, she realized that career advancement is deeply connected to professional assets: resumes, LinkedIn profiles, networking, interview skills, and more.

Emily developed the “Capitalized Process” (a clever play on her last name, Kapit) to help clients take a step back, assess their current career crisis, and strategically map out their next move. Her firm now works with clients worldwide, across every industry and level, helping them leverage their resilience and intentionally advance their careers.

The Power of a Record of Success

Emily’s number one career tip? Recognize and own your “record of success.” Whether you’re a recent graduate or a C-suite executive, you have a unique pattern of accomplishments and strengths. Identifying what you’ve done well—and what you never want to do again—empowers you to set healthy boundaries, clarify your job search, and present yourself with confidence.

This self-awareness not only shapes your resume and networking strategy but also helps you target roles and organizations that truly fit your values and aspirations. As Emily says, “Spend time identifying your record of success. Let it power your job search and everything will be much more powerful.”

Career Reflection and Emotional Intelligence

Emily and her team encourage clients to reflect on how they felt before and after achieving their successes. This helps break the cycle of imposter syndrome and negative self-talk, allowing clients to recognize emotional patterns and avoid repeating past mistakes. By tracking both achievements and feelings, clients build emotional intelligence and resilience—key ingredients for long-term career satisfaction.

The Job Search: More Than a Numbers Game

Job searches can be overwhelming, but Emily’s approach is refreshingly strategic and human-centered. She recommends treating the job search like a full-time job (if you’re not currently working), but with built-in breaks and self-care. Surround yourself with a support team—family, friends, and, when possible, professional coaches—to help keep you grounded and objective.

Networking is at the heart of Emily’s methodology. She encourages clients to track conversations, set follow-up dates, and focus on qualitative, intentional networking rather than mass-applying to jobs. Open-ended questions and authentic curiosity often lead to unexpected opportunities—even roles created just for you!

Career Resilience: No Doors Permanently Closed

Emily’s “unicorn lesson” is all about adaptability. When faced with a career setback or crisis, allow yourself to feel the disappointment, but then strategize your next move. “It’s not that the door is slammed shut forever,” Emily says. “You might just need to reroute—and sometimes that leads to a much better destination than you could have imagined.”

Upcoming Book: Making Career Resilience Accessible

To make her proven process even more accessible, Emily is releasing a book and workbook based on the Capitalized Process. This resource will help job seekers and career changers at every level navigate their journeys with clarity, strategy, and resilience.

Connect with Emily Kapit

Ready to take your career to the next level?

Visit refreshyourstep.com or connect with Emily and her team on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

• www.refreshyourstep.com 

• emily@refreshyourstep.com

• linkedin.com/in/emilykapit

• facebook.com/refreshyourstep 

• Instagram: @refreshyourstep

Whether you’re facing a career crisis or simply want to future-proof your professional path, Emily and her team are ready to help you capitalize on your unique strengths.

Final Thoughts

Emily Kapit’s story is a testament to the power of reflection, adaptability, and strategic action. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or uncertain about your next move, remember: your record of success is real, your resilience is powerful, and your next opportunity may be just around the corner.

For more inspiring stories, visit the Unicorn Wall of Fame and tune in to Finding the Unicorn in You—new episodes every Friday at 7am.