Recently, I had the rare opportunity to meet with the CEO of a large ad agency. Not knowing what to expect, I went in with an open mind and came out with some valuable tips, one of which I want to share here due to the fact that it directly applies to the millennial “entitlement” attitude that may or may not exist among young professionals. I’ve always thought of myself as fairly down to earth, but today’s conversation blew that notion out of the water.
I arrived without a hitch, waited a few minutes for my host, then, with stars in my eyes and a brief tremble in my otherwise confident demeanor, I greeted Mr. Ad Exec and was escorted to a large corner office, complete with indoor putting green and pics with the President.
Water in hand, I sat down with my new acquaintance on a gray couch near the window.
First question: “So, why do you want to work in advertising?”
I know why, so answering the question wasn’t a problem, but, had this been a job interview, the style of my answer may have been.
What did I talk about? Myself.
What should I have talked about? Myself, but also what I can bring to an agency.
Fail.
The lesson this wise executive proceeded to teach me can be summed up in one quote I’ll always remember:
“Employers aren’t here to fulfill your life.”
He had met with others my age in this sort of setting; he said we all do the same thing. I spoke at length about the things I’m working toward and what I intend to achieve in life without touching on what I plan to give.
Bear that quote in mind next time you’re preparing for an interview and don’t forget that sky-high ambitions are meaningless. It’s what you can bring to the table that counts.
I love reading business books. So many of the ideas that have shaped who I am today came from non-fiction books, many of which were business related. They’re an incredibly valuable tool.
My entry into the world of business reading began close to two years ago when I was faced with a long (for me) commute to my new job. Having recently resolved to be unceasingly productive, I wanted to make my time spent driving worthwhile. Audiobooks were the answer. I went to the local library, found the business section of their audiobook selection and had soon listened to almost every program. Eventually, I was reading one business book while listening to another in the car – the rest is history.
The five books below are my favorites. Why five? Because it’s easier to digest than ten. They’re not all bestsellers and might seem like strange choices, but these books provided the most useful information for my particular station in life, maybe they can for you too.
Click on each book’s picture for more information.
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi
Keith Ferrazzi is a networking master. His ideas might seem a little over-the-top, but there’s still much to be gained from his insight. Reading this book opened my eyes to a new level of networking prowess that I hadn’t previously considered.
Do you know the feeling you get when you come to realize you’ve been performing way below the bar after comparing your efforts to someone else’s? That’s how I felt after reading Never Eat Alone. It’s an amazing overview of what networking can be.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
This is another book about relationships that you’ve probably heard of. Read it and reread it!
Published in 1936, this book is a business classic. It has even been expanded into full courses on creating and maintaining relationships. In essence, the behaviors outlined in this book are exactly how we’d all act if society hadn’t conditioned us to be self-centered jerks.
Be kind, love your fellow man. If you can’t figure out how then read Carnegie’s book.
Automatic Wealth for Grads/Automatic Wealth by Michael Masterson
Ok, I cheated - two books here. The subject matter overlaps quite a bit but I couldn’t pick just one. Read either book, or both, you’ll get the same information either way.
Masterson’s books give a great general overview of entrepreneurship and money management. They’re a fantastic starting point from which to dive into other business topics and guided my curiosity to a number of investing and real estate related ideas. The success principals outlined here are more realistic than some other business books (*cough* Four Hour Work Week *cough*) and can help one create some genuinely achievable goals.
Although these gems were never bestsellers, they stand out in my mind as two of the best book choices I’ve made in a long time.
Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely
If you’re a marketer, read this book. The studies on human behavior outlined here provide some amazing insight into the way people think about money and purchases. This is one I plan to reread because the concepts are useful in a number of business situations; they’re worth committing to memory.
Ahead of the Curve: Two Years at Harvard Business School by Philip Delves Broughton
I may appreciate this book more than some because I can relate to the author’s situation. Still, it’s an amazing first-hand look at one person’s experience as a student in one of the country’s top business schools. If you aspire to one day walk among the future leaders of Big Business, this is a great book that may reveal some eye-opening truths.
In creating my next post I came across the video below. It’s from Keith Ferazzi, author of one of my favorite business books, Never Eat Alone.
One of his comments caught my attention - the one about coming to networking events with something to say. If you weren’t blessed with the gift of the gab, a little preparation can go a long way. It’s something I’ve done personally, and have found that it makes a big difference.
So, you have a phone interview? Are you ready for it?
No? Well, you better get ready.
If you can perform, a phone interview is your ticket to the valuable in-office, in-person, face-to-face meeting with your potential employer, the place where you can truly show your stuff (duh. Why did I even write that?).
At this point, you’ve all probably had a phone interview at one time or another and it was likely an OK experience - you got to wear your slippers, pet your dog and stand on the porch with an exhilarating wind blowing through your hair as you verbally caressed the interviewer with stories of your corporate exploits.
But did they call you back?
Maybe you thought you did an amazing job but never heard form Company X again, leaving you with the deafening stillness of phone and e-mail that is job hunting. After hours of rehearsing your strengths and weaknesses and explaining why, if you could be any animal, you’d be a turtle, they didn’t call you.
Sure, talking about yourself is important, but what communicates your interest, intelligence and intrigue (well, not really intrigue but I wanted a third ‘I’ word) is not only what you tell the interviewer, but also the questions you ask.
Usually, the end of the phone interview is the appropriate time for questions. You know the part, the one where they say, “Do you have any questions?”
This, my friends, is your time to shine.
Any and all candidates for an open position must have intelligent questions about the nature of the work. It shows interest and that you actually give a damn about the company and yourself. You wouldn’t buy a house without asking the realtor/owner about the pipes, right?
So ask about the pipes! Figuratively.
Write down your questions before the interview and have a notebook handy during your conversation to note any additional questions you might have. The interviewer will allow you to ask questions until you’re both satisfied, so keep asking. There’s usually a set time period for phone interviews, let the interviewer cut you off and end the conversation.
As long as the interviewer continues to ask, “Do you have any more questions?” take advantage of it. Fill that time wisely and it’s likely you’ll make it to the next step.
I can’t speak for everyone, but if you’re a young, educated, hardworking, go-getter that genuinely engages with the outside world then get over it!
Well, don’t get completely over it, you still need a job, but you’re fine!
Not to be optimistic in this incredibly pessimistic age but I saw a sign today that said, “Good news! Employment is at 90%.” It made me happy. And guess what? If you’re college educated that number is even higher - 96 percent. What this means is that if you consider yourself a better candidate than the bottom four percent of the US population that has a college degree, you’re in!
Yes, my attitude here has oversimplified the matter. Losing your job is hard and finding a new, equally or more satisfying job can be difficult - and there are a number of other factors that I’ve completely ignored - but, if you don’t think you’re it then you’re not and nobody is going to hire you. So, repeat after me:
“I, (fill in your name), am an intelligent self starter that can……,” ok just kidding – I’m not Zig Ziglar (‘Who’s that?’ you ask. Look it up).
Positive self talk is great and all, but this is neither the time nor the place. What you need is a plan and some focus. Go!
1. You still have a job. Your job is to find a job. When, as a productive, employed member of society did you wake up in the morning? Keep doing it! Did you play video games and watch TV at 1:27 p.m. when you were employed? Then stop! Wake up, go to your favorite coffee shop/desk/library/junta and do work, son!
2. Knowing what you want to do and in what city you want to be doing it is incredibly important, so figure it out. Without this info in mind your search is going to be less effective and you’re likely to end up with opportunities you don’t really want. Do the research and don’t worry about the fact that you’re not yet looking at specific jobs. Take a broader sweep and figure out which companies to target, which sectors and which cities. The best way to put this information together is with a list – create it then try not to stray too far from it.
Tip: Wikipedia has lists of major corporations headquartered in certain cities.
3. Uh oh, another list. What’s this list about? Networking. I guarantee you don’t even know who you know until you take the time to brainstorm another amazing list. Write down anyone and everyone that comes to mind, some will be duds but a few will become great contacts. Don’t forget to ask your friends and family members who they know as well. Once, I found out my uncle was friends with the CEO of a company I wanted to work for!
4. The all important resume and cover letter are, above all other things, going to be what makes or breaks you in your current situation. There’s tons of info on these two pillars of job hunting out in the ether so no need to go into it here, but let me say just one thing: Ask the most intelligent, business minded higher-ups you can get in touch with to critique your resume and don’t stop until somebody rips it apart. I can’t tell you how many contacts have told me my resume looked “great” only to find that it sucked and needed a major revamp to be competitive. Keep asking, keep revising.
A million tips for the laid off are available on the Internet but these are my top four. One more: The best information you’ll get will be from other, real people, not Web sites or books. Talk to people and don’t stop until a new job is yours.
I keep this article in my padfolio/folio/leather zip thingy and make an effort to reread it when a free moment arises - http://nlpco.com/news/2008/12/11/toms-twelve-laws-of-life/. Rule one, especially, is an outstanding concept that I think young people fail to grasp at times, instead blaming the circumstances of their personal relationships on outside influences.
Read the article. Tell me what you think. Do you agree?
Sometimes it’s impossible to focus. Not on work or school or your friend’s riveting tale of a night out gone bad; it’s hard to focus on the future.
In your early twenties, an infinite number of paths unfold in front you.
Which one do you take?
It’s common to try to be the pro surfer, Wall Street trader, marketing blogger, party animal intellectual, or some other combination of conversation generating attributes, but it can’t happen. There’s only so much time in the day - or in your life for that matter - so eventually you’re going to have to focus on a chosen career path.
Starting out, there’s plenty of leeway and changing course isn’t going to set you back, but the sooner you determine where you want to go the better. Your choice may not be the perfect, glamorous job of your seemingly lucky friend, but no career path is perfect. I guarantee Mr./Ms. “I have the best job ever!” does not, in fact, have the best job “ever.” Be glad for those that have found their calling, then pick something and make it your calling. If you constantly waiver between multiple ideas of the ideal route to success, you’ll go nowhere.
It’s called stretching yourself too thin and it’s a surefire way to make zero progress. Give something 100 percent of your effort and it will give you 100 percent satisfaction. That’s my 100% Cash4Gold satisfaction guarantee!
I don’t mesh with my boss. It’s not my fault, or her’s. We’re just different people. She’s a focused, detail oriented woman from the Left Coast, and I’m a laissez-faire, speed-before-accuracy man from the Midwest.
Should I quit? No.
Clicking with everyone you encounter in the world of business is impossible and working well with people is an important – if not the most important – part of business and career progress. Managing others, both your superiors and subordinates, is going to be one of the things that make or break you in every job.
I can’t claim to be an expert on managing upward, that is, managing your superiors, but my experience working through this problem has given me a little insight on the subject.
So, what have I done to smooth the flow of new and completed projects between the two of us?
(To keep this post within my 250ish word target, I’ll go with the general overview)
Most importantly, clearly defined needs/wants went a long way making us a more effective team. I conveyed some of the problems I was having, then she explained her side of the issue and we worked out a solution. It’s simple, and, now I’ve established protocol for fixing new issues that might come up.
The hardest part of the process is working up the nerve to say something. Here’s the ammo you need to get yourself to do it:
Nothing is going to change if you don’t take action and it’s in both party’s best interest to create a productive and positive working environment. If you’re not well received, maybe you are in the wrong job.
“People don’t leave bad jobs, they leave bad managers.” – not sure who said that, but it’s true
It’s 2009. What are you doing to make yourself attractive to new employers?
Yes, many of us were involved in numerous extracurricular activities in college, sprinkling enough gold stars on the resume to land that first position, but what if you don’t like your first job or are facing the possibility of being laid off? If you haven’t involved yourself in anything outside of work since college, it’s time to pony up.
The time constraints of the real world can make staying involved tough, and let’s face it, work is tiring, but when you’re light on professional experience, prospective employers need to see something that allows them to get to know you better – and being lazy is just a waste!
In my opinion, a good start to community involvement that doesn’t consume every non working hour of your life consists of (at least) the following four activities:
1. Hold a leadership position. Employers look for leaders. Holding a leadership position in an organization forces you to become more involved in that organization and allows you to hone your leadership skills. Pick a non-profit or professional organization you truly care about because this activity will be the most time consuming.
2. Volunteer. Spend time volunteering. It’s important and I promise you’ll have fun.
3. Join a professional organization. Be a part of one or more professional organizations relating to your chosen occupation. Go to the meetings. Learn. Network. (hey, free lunch!)
4. Pursue a hobby. No, not stamp collecting. This has to be an activity that forces you out of the house. Golf, YMCA basketball, wine tasting – anything that requires interacting with others – ideally, business associates.
Out of the blue, the president of my company invited me to a long lunch last week. My first thought: “Uh oh, she hired me, and now she wants to let me down easy.” Why would an incredibly busy woman that spends more time at corporate in NYC than in the office want to go to lunch with a young, incredibly good looking new employee?
As one of the newest members of the team, the idea of losing my job isn’t far fetched, and, I know for a fact there are going to be layoffs in Q1 ’09. Bad news or good, my expectation was a two hour conversation about every business related current event and my personal analysis of the current economic climate.
My mind shifted into job interview prep mode. I tried to memorize every outdated business magazine laying around my apartment and, embarrassingly, practiced talking in my car (hey! I’m not used to this stuff).
Know what happened when the fateful Outlook event reminder – “lunch” - popped up on my computer screen?
Nothing. Well…everything, but not what I thought was going to happen.
It wasn’t at all what I expected. She complained about corporate for the entire trip to the restaurant, then gave me a little history of the company and the lineage of the C-level execs. Then, we talked about everyday stuff.
No economy. No company strategy. No business but show business (she likes movies).
Strange as it may seem, I decided to pretend I was on a date. It worked!..even received a personal email the next day in my Gmail inbox instead of company email. The lunch was a relatively comfortable, enjoyable lunch for both parties.
The moral: They may not look at you, or say “hello” as you return from the water cooler, but your higher ups are people that were once in your position. Be yourself (almost).
otherwise confident demeanor, I greeted Mr. Ad Exec and was escorted to a large corner office, complete with indoor putting green and pics with the President.
I may appreciate this book more than some because I can relate to the author’s situation. Still, it’s an amazing first-hand look at one person’s experience as a student in one of the country’s top business schools. If you aspire to one day walk among the future leaders of Big Business, this is a great book that may reveal some eye-opening truths.
