If you find yourself at the edge of a career transition...
Here's the career advice that took me 10 years to learn:
Here's the career advice that took me 10 years to learn:
1/ When people believe in you — believe them.
Was a friend eager to refer you for that job?
Did a colleague compliment you on a project you led?
Did someone reply to your newsletter to say they love your writing?
Keep a swipe file of these kindnesses. Let them fuel you.
Was a friend eager to refer you for that job?
Did a colleague compliment you on a project you led?
Did someone reply to your newsletter to say they love your writing?
Keep a swipe file of these kindnesses. Let them fuel you.
2/ Always bet on yourself.
Go for that title one level up.
Research market rate salaries... then ask for $10k-15k more.
If you won't advocate for yourself, no one else will.
Go for that title one level up.
Research market rate salaries... then ask for $10k-15k more.
If you won't advocate for yourself, no one else will.
3/ Write a compelling bio.
For cover letters, cold emails, introduction requests for friends to forward.
It should be an easily skimmable ~50 words including:
• Your goals
• How you're unique
• Why you're great (use metrics & social proof)
For cover letters, cold emails, introduction requests for friends to forward.
It should be an easily skimmable ~50 words including:
• Your goals
• How you're unique
• Why you're great (use metrics & social proof)
4/ Help your network help you.
When you start a job search, BCC your network to tell them what roles you're looking for.
When you ask for intros, write an email with your bio & purpose so your friend can forward it to the new connection.
Make it easy for people to help you.
When you start a job search, BCC your network to tell them what roles you're looking for.
When you ask for intros, write an email with your bio & purpose so your friend can forward it to the new connection.
Make it easy for people to help you.
5/ Look for hot companies or sectors.
Ideally, they're fast-growing and you're interested in them.
Make a spreadsheet and chip away at the applications. Remember it's a numbers game.
Here's a start: check out Wealthfront's Career-Launching Companies List.
Ideally, they're fast-growing and you're interested in them.
Make a spreadsheet and chip away at the applications. Remember it's a numbers game.
Here's a start: check out Wealthfront's Career-Launching Companies List.
6/ Don't settle.
Keep looking, keep challenging yourself, and keep trying new things.
In fact, try as many things as possible and see what sticks.
I've been a journalist, test kitchen cook, freelance writer, and marketer.
I stuck with the marketing thing and it worked out.
Keep looking, keep challenging yourself, and keep trying new things.
In fact, try as many things as possible and see what sticks.
I've been a journalist, test kitchen cook, freelance writer, and marketer.
I stuck with the marketing thing and it worked out.
7/ Keep looking — even when you *are* happy.
You might find an even better opportunity...
Or you'll find renewed interest & conviction in your current role.
It's win-win.
You might find an even better opportunity...
Or you'll find renewed interest & conviction in your current role.
It's win-win.
8/ Build relationships in unlikely places.
Anytime someone says "let's stay in touch!" follow through.
I got rejected by a hiring manager who added me on LinkedIn...
...and she referred me to another job: pre-IPO Fitbit.
Anytime someone says "let's stay in touch!" follow through.
I got rejected by a hiring manager who added me on LinkedIn...
...and she referred me to another job: pre-IPO Fitbit.
9/ Always have a backup plan.
Just in case life throws you a curve ball.
If you can, save 3 months living expenses in case of emergency.
Keep your resume & bio up to date.
Have a couple references in mind.
So you can spring into action if you have to suddenly job hunt.
Just in case life throws you a curve ball.
If you can, save 3 months living expenses in case of emergency.
Keep your resume & bio up to date.
Have a couple references in mind.
So you can spring into action if you have to suddenly job hunt.
10/ Read industry-related books.
These helped me:
Startup of You by @reidhoffman → helped me create a roadmap for my career
Cracking the PM Interview by @gayle → frameworks for job interviews
Lost & Founder by @randfish → dose of reality about startup life
These helped me:
Startup of You by @reidhoffman → helped me create a roadmap for my career
Cracking the PM Interview by @gayle → frameworks for job interviews
Lost & Founder by @randfish → dose of reality about startup life
@reidhoffman @gayle @randfish I got to share my career journey on @davidfano's Nonlinear podcast.
We talked about:
• Navigating career pivots
• Going for your dreams
• Experiencing a layoff
...and never giving up.
This conversation meant a lot to me. Maybe you'll enjoy it too.
We talked about:
• Navigating career pivots
• Going for your dreams
• Experiencing a layoff
...and never giving up.
This conversation meant a lot to me. Maybe you'll enjoy it too.
I usually write about marketing. For more on that…
Follow me: @amandanat
And for more career advice, check out this post:
Follow me: @amandanat
And for more career advice, check out this post:
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