Navigating Careers
What We Do, Not Who We Are
Careers are what we do, not who we are. They are made up of actions we take every day, not an identity we’re stuck with forever. This means that we can change our career paths at any time. But keep in mind that the deeper we go into a specific path, the harder it may be to change direction—like a giant ship trying to turn around in the ocean.
The world of work is evolving rapidly. The only way to truly prepare for an unpredictable future is to take control of our own learning. The workplace is always changing, and only by continuously learning can we stay ahead of the curve and be ready for new challenges.
When choosing our work, it's crucial to find a place where we can grow. We shouldn't be the least experienced people in the room, but we also don't want to be the smartest. We should look for a space where we can thrive and still have room to improve. This is the best way to boost both our performance and well-being.
The Expert Economy: The Power of Learning
Today, we live in an “expert economy,” where brainpower is more valuable than physical strength.
“Your ability to think, solve problems, make the right decisions, create, innovate, and imagine is how we add value.”
Jim Kwik (Limitless)
In this new age, our greatest asset is what’s between our ears. The faster we can learn, the faster we can earn.
Reading is one of the best ways to upgrade our thinking and skills. Reading is like installing new software into your brain, making us smarter and more adaptable.
Future Opportunities Are Hard to Imagine
One of the biggest lessons I learned while applying for a dream job was that the future holds many unseen opportunities. Podcast writer/producer wasn’t an ordinary job a few years ago, but now, it’s a sought-after role. Who knows what new jobs will exist in the next few years?
That’s why it’s essential to focus on developing skills that interest us. If we love learning something new, chances are a future job will reward that unique combination of skills. Tomorrow's opportunities can be hard to imagine today, but by honing our passions, we’ll be ready for when they appear.
Growing in Different Modes
While working on my resume and portfolio, I hit a wall. I felt frustrated and burned out. To overcome this, I switched my focus from experimenting to presenting. Instead of trying new things, I shifted gears to make everything look polished and professional.
This change in approach gave me a fresh burst of energy. I realized that sometimes, burnout isn’t about doing too much but needing a different perspective. Switching modes, from learning to presenting or experimenting to improving, can unlock new growth and productivity.
Relationships Matter
Building strong relationships is key in any career. Being kind, sticking to our word, and maintaining our integrity go a long way. In my experience, 70% (and sometimes 95%) of success in any field is knowing how to work with people.
When we start a new job, our relationships are fresh and untested. It’s essential to maintain integrity and take steps to repair any cracks early. People appreciate when we go out of our way to fix problems, and often, they’ll return the favor by supporting us when we need help. If a relationship at work is strained, address it by mentioning what went wrong, offering a solution, and committing to making things right. This level of interpersonal care can surprise people and strengthen your professional network.
Career Phases: Learning and Earning
As we navigate our careers, we’ll go through two main stages:
Learning Stage: Early in our career, saying yes to everything is essential. This is the time to explore, figure out what excites us, and develop various skills. Try different jobs, take on side projects, and learn as much as possible. This phase is about staying small and flexible until we find what works for us. If we are early in our careers, taking on more than one job at a time could be beneficial. This could give us double the experience. As we progress, it’s more helpful to prioritize projects that align with our larger vision.
Earning Stage: Once we know what works, it’s time to double down. Focus on refining the skills that bring us the most success and maximize our earning potential. This stage is about specializing and becoming an expert in our fields.
Career Paths After High School
There are several options available after high school:
College: Pursue traditional education, which may lead to graduate or professional school.
Military: A structured career path that provides skills, discipline, and benefits.
Jobs: Enter the workforce to gain experience and begin earning right away.
Trade/Technical Schools: Learn hands-on skills for specific careers.
Combination: Sometimes, mixing work and education is the best way to explore your interests. However, I only recommend combining different paths during the learning phase of your career because of the cost of splitting focus.
Reverse-Engineering A Career
One of the best ways to plan our careers is to reverse-engineer them. We figure out what we want, then work backward to map out the steps needed to get there. For example, if we want to become medical doctors, we should look at the education, certifications, and experience required and start working on those early. We can build a solid plan to reach our goals by thinking ahead.
Most careers can be reverse-engineered. When we start at the endpoint and work backward, we see a clear path more easily.
Letters of Recommendation and Building Relationships
Letters of recommendation (LOR) are essential when applying for jobs or schools. They help prove what we say on our applications, like our skills and experience. Anyone can claim something, but a good letter shows it's true.
What Makes a Good Letter of Recommendation?
A strong LOR should discuss our character and the value we bring. It helps to know what the organization or program is looking for. The letter should match the job or profession. Letters from people in higher positions carry more weight.
Standing Out
Everyone has a letter of recommendation, but ours needs to stand out. It should show what makes us unique. We need to think about our special qualities and make sure the letter talks about those. The letter should show why we’re the perfect fit, not just tell.
Who Should Write the Letter?
It’s best if the letter comes from a professional we’ve worked with, not a family member. This makes it more credible. We should build strong relationships with people who could be our recommenders, like teachers, bosses, or mentors.
Making It Easy for the Recommender
Sometimes, it’s been a while since we worked with the recommender. We should make it easy for them by giving them plenty of time to write the letter. It helps to provide them with all the necessary information, like details about the job or school we’re applying to.
Writing Our Own Letter
Sometimes, we might be asked to write the letter ourselves and have someone sign it. This is more common than we think. Using templates can make this process easier.
Why This Matters
In competitive fields, having a great letter of recommendation can make us stand out. It’s an extra effort, but it’s worth it to make sure our letters help our application, not hurt it.
By putting care into our letters of recommendation and choosing the right people to write them, we can increase our chances of success in competitive spaces.
With the advent of AI, I suspect many letters of recommendation will not be as influential in decision-making, but these tips can also work for references. Letters and references are designed to prove what is already on our applications or resumes. Unfortunately, many people lie on their applications or resumes, but a letter or reference could bolster the experiences.
How to Get a Raise
Asking for a raise can feel like a big challenge, but we can improve our chances of success with the right plan. One important thing to remember is that getting a raise is like going to battle. We need to be prepared with a clear strategy.
First, make sure we’re doing a good job. Are we documenting our achievements? Are we sharing those achievements with our boss? We also need to update our resume or CV, just in case. It’s helpful to keep an eye on other job opportunities and know if there’s room for growth where we currently work.
Next, we should set salary goals and discuss them with our boss regularly. We can’t just hope for a raise—we must ask for it. One promising approach is to present 15 reasons why a raise or promotion will help the company and mention a couple of challenges that could arise if it doesn’t happen. Appealing to their self-interest or the company's interests is the best strategy here. Having a plan and being willing to speak up for ourselves is critical.
How to Negotiate
Negotiation expert Chris Voss suggests using specific strategies to get the best outcome when negotiating. Here are some tips:
Be kind, but firm: As the saying goes, "You catch more flies with honey." If the other person seems critical, stay calm and patient. Getting aggressive can backfire.
Ask “what” or “how” questions, not “why”: Instead of asking "Why" questions, which can make people defensive, we can ask "What" or "How" questions. For example, instead of saying, “Why would you choose me for this job?” we can say, “What makes me a good fit for this role?” This encourages the other person to give helpful information without feeling defensive.
Let the other person speak first: It’s helpful to let the other person share their expectations before we make our case. This gives us more information to work with and helps guide the conversation.
Use emotional anchoring: We can use humor or soften our requests to make them more appealing. For example, at a hotel, we might say, "I’m going to make your day tough—I’m asking for an upgrade," then follow it up with, "Just kidding, I’m hoping for an upgrade." This makes the request feel less demanding.
Summarize what they say: Before we respond, it’s smart to mirror what the other person says. This lowers their guard and shows we’re listening.
When negotiating big decisions, it’s important to make the other person feel heard. Even in tough situations, like hostage negotiations, Chris Voss says people want to feel understood. By showing empathy, we can sometimes help people meet us halfway without conflict.
Salary Negotiation Strategy
Negotiating our salary requires careful planning. Start by asking, "What can I do to be more valuable around here?" This question opens a conversation about our role and what we bring to the company. It’s crucial to find out how well we’re doing, what the company can afford, and how we can add more value.
If we need to negotiate a raise, Chris Voss suggests using the key phrase, "How am I supposed to do that?" This gives the other person a chance to explain their side and can help guide the discussion.
When negotiating, we can also focus on building a long-term relationship with the company. Aim for a "win-win" situation; it’s better to consider how both sides can benefit now and in the future.
Using these tips and strategies can make us more confident when asking for a raise or negotiating in any situation. Being prepared, patient, and strategic is the key to success.
-20 Common Interview Questions and How to Nail Them-
Interviews can be tough, but with the right preparation, we can stand out and make a great impression. Here are 20 common interview questions, what they really mean, and how we can answer them.
“Why this company?”
This question checks if we’ve done our homework. We shouldn’t give a generic answer. Instead, we should mention 2-3 specific things we like about the company. This shows we're serious about working there.
“Tell me about yourself.”
This isn’t a time to repeat our resume. We should keep it short and give a thoughtful overview of our past, present, and future. Sharing key insights that show who we are is important.
“Why should we hire you?”
This question tests our selling skills. We need to be confident and clear. We should talk about our skills and experience, and explain how we can help the company.
“How did you hear about this role?”
This can seem like a simple question, but it’s a chance for us to stand out. If we heard about the job through our network or research, we should mention that! It’s good to explain why the job caught our attention.
“What are your strengths?”
They want to know if we’ve done our research. We should share 1-2 strengths that make us perfect for the job. Using stories to bring our answer to life can really help!
“What are your weaknesses?”
We shouldn’t try to turn a strength into a weakness. Instead, we should be honest about a real weakness, but also explain how we’re working to improve it.
“Tell me about a time you failed.”
This question shows if we’ve learned from our mistakes. We should share 1-2 clear examples and explain what we learned from those failures.
“Why are you leaving your job?”
We need to stay positive! We shouldn’t say anything bad about our old job or boss. Instead, we should focus on why this new role is a better fit for our future.
“What would your prior boss say about you?”
This is a chance to talk about qualities we haven’t mentioned yet, like being dependable or a good team player. We need to be honest, but use it to highlight something positive.
“Where do you see yourself in 10 years?”
This question checks our ambition. We should think about how our goals align with the company’s growth. It’s okay if we don’t have a perfect answer, as long as we show that we’ve thought about our future.
“How do you handle stress?”
Everyone gets stressed, and that’s okay! We should share 1-2 ways we manage stress and give an example of how we’ve handled it successfully.
“Are you planning on having a family or children?”
Although this question is often illegal, it is still asked. We can politely decline to answer or say we’re uncomfortable with it. This is true for any other question that is too personal.
“What is your leadership style?”
Leadership comes in many forms. We don’t need a fancy title to be leaders. We can share a specific story about how we led a team, motivated others, and helped them succeed. If we’ve played sports, we could give a sports-related example.
“What are you motivated by?”
This is a broad question designed to see how we think on our feet. It’s best to keep our answer clear and simple. We can either talk about a big goal, like taking care of our family, or we can tailor our answer to the specific role.
“What would you do in the first 100 days on the job?”
This question tests how prepared we are. We should have a clear plan for how we’d start in the role. It’s important to mention that we’d spend time learning and understanding the company before making big changes.
“How do you manage conflict at work?”
This question is about honesty and responsibility. We should share a specific example of a time we handled conflict, how we worked through it, and what we learned from the experience.
“What other hobbies or interests do you have?”
They want to know more about us outside of work. Instead of being generic, like saying we love hiking (which a lot of people say), we should share something that makes us unique.
“How many golf balls are used in the US every year?”
This is a tricky question, but it’s not about getting the right answer. It’s about showing how we think through a problem. We should explain our process for coming up with a solution step by step. This is true for any other question that seems unrelated to the job.
“Is there anything else we should know about you?”
This is a standard closing question. We should resist the urge to say, “Nope!” Instead, we should quickly summarize why we’re excited about the role and what we bring to the table.
“What questions do you have for me?”
This is our chance to show we’ve prepared for the interview. Instead of asking generic questions, we should ask something unique. A great example is, “What are you most excited about that you’re currently working on?”
By practicing our answers to these questions, we can feel more confident and prepared for any interview. When we know what’s coming, it’s easier to shine and show why we’re the right person for the job.
Practical Career Tips to Help Us Succeed
Navigating our careers can feel like a big job, but with some helpful tips and focus, we can stand out and make real progress.
Build a Strong, Tailored Resume
Customize the resume: We need to tweak our resume for each job. We can use job titles and keywords from the job description. This helps us pass through systems that scan resumes.
Highlight achievements: Instead of just listing what we’ve done, we should focus on results. Use action words like "led," "managed," or "created" to show our accomplishments. Numbers help us stand out here too.
Keep it simple: Our resume should be straightforward and easy to read. Avoid adding too much old or irrelevant information; keep it to two pages or less.
Optimize The Cover Letter
Personalize the greeting: If possible, we should address our cover letter to the hiring manager by name. If we can’t find their name, "Dear Hiring Manager" works just fine.
Avoid repeating the resume: The cover letter should add something new. Instead of just repeating what’s on our resume, we can highlight other key accomplishments that fit the job.
Leverage Networking and Target Companies
Create a list of target companies: It helps to have a list of companies that align with our values, career goals, and the industry we want to work in. We can research these companies on the company website or other job posting sites like LinkedIn or Glassdoor.
Attend events: Networking is essential. Going to industry-specific events like meetups helps us connect with people who might help with referrals or advice.
Stand Out in Interviews
Know the company: Before an interview, we need to do deep research on the company. Learn about its products, customers, and culture so we can show that we are genuinely interested.
Craft a strong pitch: We should be ready with a short, compelling explanation of why the company should hire us. This should include 2-3 reasons, backed up by examples of what we’ve done in the past.
Build rapport: During the interview, it helps us be authentic and connect with the interviewer on shared interests. A thank-you email after the interview is a nice touch.
Use Action Words
Start bullet points with strong verbs: Action words like "created," "led," or "improved" grab attention and show what we can do. We should avoid repeating the same verbs too much.
Use keywords wisely: We can use the job description's language to highlight how our skills match the role without being repetitive. Focus on unique accomplishments that show we’re a good fit.
Keep Our Resume Focused
Tailor each resume: Each time we send one, it should be focused on the specific job we’re applying for and clearly show that we meet or exceed the job requirements. Yes, this is extra work, but it makes a huge difference.
Use industry keywords: We need to include important terms relevant to the job or industry we’re targeting. This helps our resume stand out to hiring managers and resume scanning systems.
Stand Out in a Crowded Market
Target companies proactively: Instead of sending out a ton of generic applications, we can focus on meeting people and building connections in companies we admire.
Focus on key locations: It helps to concentrate our job search on places that fit our lifestyle and career goals rather than applying everywhere.
Check Grammar and Spelling
Pay attention to details: Proper grammar and spelling are essential for showing that we are professional and care about clear communication. They help us come across as credible and competent.
Develop Long-Term Career Goals
Write down career goals: Identifying what kind of company, culture, and industry matter most to us is helpful. This helps us stay focused and make intelligent decisions.
Update skills regularly: It is helpful to always learn and remove old, outdated information from our resumes. Staying current with skills keeps us competitive.
Success comes from being prepared, staying organized, and making sure we stand out from the crowd.
Navigating our careers is about more than just finding a job—it’s about continuously learning, building strong relationships, and strategically positioning ourselves for success. Careers are what we do, not who we are, and they can change and grow as we do. By focusing on developing skills, making connections, and keeping our goals in sight, we can be ready for whatever the future holds.
The workplace is constantly evolving, and so should we. Whether learning new skills, preparing for a raise, or navigating an interview, the key to success is being adaptable, patient, and persistent. We take control of our professional paths by understanding how to reverse-engineer our careers, stand out with tailored resumes and strong interview strategies, and negotiate confidently.
Success isn’t just about getting ahead—it’s about doing meaningful work that aligns with our values and goals. These strategies allow us to thrive in an ever-changing world and create a fulfilling, rewarding career journey.