Career Cohort

✨ Note: This is the last episode of the season—and 2023. I look forward to reconnecting on March 4, 2024! ✨

Do you want to enhance your resume to increase your chances of getting hired? A field-tested tactic I use with my clients to achieve this goal is using job descriptions as a guide. By understanding the specific skills and experience that employers are looking for, you can tailor your resume to better match their needs and improve your chances of landing an interview. In this episode, I'll explain how you can: Tailor your resume to your target role by searching for 1-3 job descriptions and analyzing the skills and qualifications they're looking for. Identify key skills in job descriptions to highlight on your resume. Craft your resume in a way that aligns with the job descriptions to stand out, while avoiding simple word packing. Include specific examples of how you've demonstrated the skills and qualifications required in the job descriptions in your resume. By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠⁠. Please let me know if you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like me to cover. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠⁠.

Did you know that many of us used strategies early in our career that may stifle our rise to the C-Suite? Despite our best efforts to excel in our roles, a seat at the leadership table may seem beyond our reach, leaving us feeling undervalued and stuck in our current position. My guest, Ellen Connelly Taaffe—author of ⁠The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women in Place⁠—has figured out what's holding us back (hint: mostly, it's ourselves). She also has good news: we CAN push through those self-imposed barriers. Listen in to learn how we can pivot away from the following 5 early-career strategies and propel ourselves toward advancement within our organization: Preparing to perfection Eagerly pleasing Fitting the mold Pedal to the metal Performing patiently ABOUT ELLEN CONNELLY TAAFFE Ellen Connelly Taaffe is a Clinical Associate Professor at the Kellogg School of Management, where she teaches Personal Leadership Insights and is the Director of Women's Leadership Program. She spent 25 years with Fortune 500 companies holding the top brand management post at divisions of PepsiCo, Royal Caribbean, and Whirlpool Corporation. Ellen serves as an independent Board Director for two public and one private company, runs a leadership advisory consulting, speaking, and coaching business, and is a TEDx speaker. She shares her insights on leadership, careers, and advancing women and inclusion through her writing and speaking in media like Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Business Insider, and Kellogg Insight. RESOURCES Official site: ⁠ellentaaffe.com⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠linkedin.com/in/ellentaaffe⁠ Twitter: ⁠twitter.com/ellenctaaffe⁠ Book order: ⁠The Mirrored Door: Break Through the Hidden Barrier that Locks Successful Women in Place⁠ By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠⁠. Please let me know if you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like me to cover. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠⁠.

The first order of business in overcoming interview-related anxiety is

Anne Janzer is the author of 8 books on the craft of writing. The latest, The Writer's Voice, is perfect for those of us who want to level up our craft, even if our main content is business email. She's an expert at the art of developing a unique voice that resonates with readers and strengthens our connection with them. As a marketer, she's consulted with more than 100 tech companies, so believe me when I tell you she understands voice. With her extensive knowledge and future-focused approach, Anne continues to serve as a trusted guide for aspiring writers so we can quickly adapt our writing to the evolving landscape of technology and reader preferences. Through her engaging and relatable style, Anne demystifies the concept of voice, shedding light on its true essence and its impact on our writing. Listen in to our conversation about the importance of honing our writer's voice and the transformative power it can have in how we connect with others. In this episode: Discover the power of developing your unique writing voice, unlocking a world of creative expression, and captivating storytelling. Gain useful insights into the art of sentence structure to create writing that flows seamlessly. Craft clear and concise content that captivates readers and keeps them engaged. RESOURCES To continue getting guidance on writing, join Anne's writing list @ AnneJanzer.com. I guarantee she walks her talk about getting to the point quickly and adding value for her readers. Did I mention that she gives away a free book on writing once a month via a raffle? I know this is true because I've been a lucky recipient

Listen to this short episode for 10 quick ways to modernize your resume. If you know your way around your software, it should take you just 15 minutes. If you're visual, you can see how I put these tips into practice at www.wordsofdistinction.net/samples By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠. Please let me know if you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like me to cover. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠.

Discover the secrets to writing with confidence and strategy in the workplace. Join Erin Lebacqz as she uncovers the challenges of strategic writing and how to balance clarity and emotional intelligence. The truth about language choices may leave you questioning your own communication skills. And that's OK. We should constantly be evaluating and refining how we can communicate, so we can get better at it. Let's remember: Practice makes progress... Since the pandemic and resulting hybrid workplace, we're using writing to not only inform others—but to connect with them. By using some strategy and emotional intelligence, we can transform writing into a leadership tool. Leaders can impact team culture by writing to empower others, manage team dynamics, and create belonging. Now's the best time to think about how we can meet our readers where they are and customize our message to meet the needs of *specific* consumers of our content. ABOUT ERIN Erin Lebacqz helps you write with clarity, confidence, and strategy. Her book, YouTube channel, and High-Value Writing classroom curriculum present practical strategies in an engaged setting. Erin has been teaching writing for 25 years, in the business, academic, and public sectors. She has a MA in Professional Writing, a BA in International Relations, and various teaching certifications. RESOURCES Erin's High-Value Writing program and book can also help folks understand the power of both words and reader interpretation. Learn more about Erin and see what she can offer: Erin's YouTube channel: www.highvaluewriting.com/services www.youtube.com/channel Erin's book: High-Value Writing: Real Strategies for Real-World Writing Erin's website: highvaluewriting.com By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠. Please let me know if you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like me to cover. You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠.

If you're considering a side gig—either as insurance in an unpredictable job market or as a creative outlet for your passion project—video can be an easy entry point to set yourself up as an authority on your topic. Just remember: The journey toward entrepreneurship is not a one-time feat. It's a continuous process of learning, growing, and honing your skills. The idea is to embrace every opportunity—yep, that includes “mistakes”— as stepping stones for our growth. One of my favorite things about my guest, Tanya (sounds like “CAN-ya”) Smith, is that she prefers live streaming vs. recordings for the simple reason that she can let little “mistakes” slide, making her the perfect coach to tell you it's ok to not get hung up on what really doesn't matter. And by the way, those little hiccups make you HUMAN, which makes you more likely to connect with your audience. Tanya shares her own journey of how she evolved from a beginner in video marketing to an expert, with a continuous learning mindset. Her story is an inspiration for all of us who are testing new ways to show up in the world. A FEW NUGGETS FROM TANYA

If you worry about leaving money on the table when negotiating job offers, or you're feeling overwhelmed by all the different types of employer equity grants, or you aren't sure which are the best options for YOU, then you're not alone!  Many job seekers struggle to navigate the complexities of equity compensation, often realizing too late that they missed opportunities to maximize their earning potential.  Despite their best efforts, they find themselves settling for less than they deserve or failing to effectively communicate their worth to potential employers. In this episode, we'll explore common mistakes and offer strategies to help you avoid these pitfalls and secure the equity compensation you deserve. Listen in as Richard: Provides a quick primer on different types of equity compensation. Equips us with a strong foundation for negotiating equity compensation. Shares valuable tips on when to exercise stock options for maximum benefit, including tax considerations. Coaches us on how to manage the hurdles of sales restrictions and company stock trading blackout periods. Explains why negotiating exit packages and severance benefits on the front end is so important for senior leaders. Richard Archer is a financial planner who helps high-achieving professionals make smart, intentional, and strategic choices with their money. He believes you can make responsible financial decisions for tomorrow, without ignoring what your soul needs today. Save and invest wisely, while simultaneously planning for a trip across the globe. And practice mindful spending like mapping out a responsible plan to purchase your dream car or home. His #1 goal for you—and all the clients he works with—is to change your relationship with money from a place of fear to one of freedom. RESOURCES For more great advice and articles on equity compensation and negotiation, visit Richard's website: www.archerim.com Richard and his team also share a TON of helpful and actionable content on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/richarcher/ By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠. When you do connect, please let me know that you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like to cover.  You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠. Have a wonderful day!

Increase your chances of landing an interview with my 6 tips to cut the fluff. Write a concise and clear resume that wins over busy recruiters. In this episode, you'll: Learn how to replace and eliminate superfluous language to strengthen your resume. Grasp the importance of abbreviating and condensing language for a concise resume. Gain a better understanding of when and how to use acronyms on your resume. RESOURCES If you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠⁠. When you do connect, please let me know that you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like to cover.  You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠⁠. In this episode, I referenced The Difference Between Scope & Achievement on Your Resume (Season 7, Episode 2). I explained how to distinguish those details on your resume, which ties into today's topic. You can find the episode on your favorite podcast platform. Have a wonderful day!

Have you ever felt like those who work with you don't support you, even though you're trying to achieve amazing results? Do they tell you you're difficult to work with, or that you're too much? Do you feel like they just don't understand your intentions?  My guest today, Parissa Behnia, coaches C-Suite and Senior leaders who are—what she calls—high-will, high-skill badasses. These leaders offer tremendous value to their company, but their edges may start to erode their relationships because their colleagues feel overwhelmed.  Parissa says badasses are like well-meaning bulls in China shops. They don't mean to break as many dishes as they do, although let's be honest, a lot of those dishes were ugly anyway. Modern Badasses are often described as brilliant jerks (or worse). They're told that they're too brash, too much, or too colorful. Live examples of Modern Badasses are Steve Jobs, Gloria Steinem, Thomas Edison, and Malala Yousafzai. You don't have to like them personally to recognize the impact they've had on society. But Parissa is concerned about the ones we'll never know because they've been sidelined, or they didn't know how to get out of their own way. What technology or gifts to society do we not benefit from because we'll never meet them? How can we help Modern Badasses? What lenses have to be changed so they can be seen as important leaders instead of nuisances? In our conversation, Parissa shares great advice—not only for badasses themselves—but for the people who interact with them every day. People who may be put off by the badass's need for speed. Parissa knows that these badasses usually have a lot to offer, and if the rest of us can learn to harness that energy, we might find we're in for an exciting ride. Parissa is the author of "Modern Badass: Tales from the Leadership Front." RESOURCES You'll find the resources we discussed—including the assessment to find out if you have Modern Badass traits and the Sixense Empathy Model—on Parissa's website: www.sixensestrategy.com Don't forget to connect with and follow her: www.linkedin.com/in/behnia Parissa@SixenseStrategy.com By the way, if you'd like to get tips like this more frequently, I spend a lot of time on LinkedIn. Please do connect with me. You can find me at ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/emilysfwong⁠. When you do connect, please let me know that you heard me on this podcast, and let me know if there's a topic you'd like to cover.  You can also sign up for my monthly newsletter if you go to my website, ⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠. Have a wonderful day!

So you've landed a new role. CONGRATULATIONS!

Where are your feet right now? Seriously. Are both planted firmly on the floor or is one wrapped around the other to make yourself small? Grounding yourself is just one of the surprisingly simple tactics Catherine Johns shares for supporting a more assertive posture. In business, showing up means being seen, being heard, and making an impact. Catherine Johns reveals how to step into the spotlight with confidence and a strong presence, no matter the situation. In this episode, you'll learn how to: Project a confident physical presence, with only a few tweaks, whether the meeting is on stage, in a conference room, or online. Communicate and connect virtually through gesturing and eye contact. Cultivate an authentic, relationship-based approach to public speaking. Easily maneuver through unexpected audience feedback during public speaking sessions. Alter your tone without resorting to upspeak. Catherine is a communication ninja with a wealth of experience in radio, stage, and other public speaking environments. Her expertise lies in helping professionals enhance their personal presence and transform the way they communicate. I've been following Catherine for a while because I can always count on actionable tips, often wrapped in a humorous story from her own experience. Catherine is a true treasure when it comes to knowledge, and I just felt compelled to share her with you. For a deeper dive, you can find her book, Show Up and Shine: Simple steps to boost your confidence and charisma, on Amazon. Be sure to connect with Catherine on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/catherinejohns) and on her website, www.catherinejohns.com.

One of the challenges I see job seekers facing when they send me their resume is distinguishing between scope and achievements. But there is a difference. Scope is the context within which you do your job. Or, you might think of it as the setting for you to razzle dazzle your audience with your amazing achievements. Scope captures the breadth of your job and/or leadership. Examples might include the number of people on your team, the value of a portfolio you inherited, or the territory for which you're accountable. Scope is important to include in your resume because it demonstrates your ability to lead and manage initiatives. But it's those BIG, JUICY achievements that set you apart. Let's use territory management as an example. You're talking about scope if you say you managed markets that included North America, Europe, and Asia. BUT You're talking about an achievement if you say you expanded that market by 80% in under two years. How about team leadership? If you say you led a team of 150 high performers, you're still talking about scope. On the other hand, if you say you built a team of 150 high performers from scratch, that's an achievement. Here's one more example: Say you're communicating what you do in sales. If you simply say you managed a $60M portfolio, that's scope. However, if you say you grew your portfolio from $10M to $60M in one year…now that's quite an achievement! So, to clarify the difference… SCOPE speaks to your role, while ACHIEVEMENT speaks to your results. SCOPE communicates your experience, while an ACHIEVEMENT speaks to your record. SCOPE answers questions about your capacity, while ACHIEVEMENT answers questions about your impact. SCOPE communicates the extent of your abilities, while an ACHIEVEMENT communicates your ability to change the status quo. SCOPE sets expectations that you're capable, while an ACHIEVEMENT sets you apart. TIPS:

Gina Riley is an authority on career transition at the powerful convergence of career coaching, executive search, and interview skills training. She created the Career Velocity™ system to help leaders and executives effectively manage career transitions. An inspirational writer and speaker, Gina is a certified YouMap® coach and two-time Disrupt HR speaker, sought after for her thought leadership on career transition management, professional networking, branding, and leadership development. Although Gina and I typically work with executives, I asked her to join me on my show to chat about a different demographic after I watched her powerful DisruptHR presentation, Are We Ready for a Latchkey Workforce? Gina and I share a concern for Gen Z on a personal level, as we both have young adults who are now launching their careers in a post-covid world. After listening to this episode, Gina and I hope you will: Consider the impact of remote work on the socialization and communication skills of young professionals and interns. Be open to hybrid work arrangements and consider the benefits of onsite engagement for young professionals—especially the opportunity for socialization and learning from senior leaders. Prioritize mental health and consider how remote work affects the developing brains of young adults. For more information re: this topic, Gina recommends the book The Defining Decade—as well as a series of TED Talks—by Dr. Meg Jay. Encourage communication and connection through face-to-face interactions, rather than relying solely on text and group chats. Be intentional about mentorship, leadership development, and inclusion so Gen Zers can thrive and add value within their organizations. Connect with Gina Riley: You can find Gina on LinkedIn. Be sure to include a personal note when you reach out to her at ⁠www.linkedin.com/in/ginariley Gina also offers a free career transition guide on her website. Just click on the green button at the top of her homepage, at www.GinaRileyConsulting.com. Connect with Emily Wong: If you're looking for help articulating your career experience in a resume, LinkedIn, or interviews, connect with me at emily@wordsofdistinction.net and I'll send you a link to schedule a free discovery call to assess your needs. Or visit my website, ⁠www.wordsofdistinction.net⁠ ⭐Loved this episode? Please leave us a review and rating on your favorite podcast platform⭐

Anne Janzer is an author, nonfiction book coach and blogger who explores the science and mystery of writing as a means of communication. She is the author of "The Workplace Writer's Process" and "33 Ways Not to Screw Up Your Business Emails," among other excellent books on the art of writing. Anne conceived the term “Servant Authorship,” which is the idea of writing with the reader's needs in mind. She outlines the importance of this approach as the foundation of effective communication—to get out of our own heads and connect with our readers. She shares power tips to rewrite and tune our content with the reader in mind, prompting us to think from the perspective of the recipient. Anne also encourages us to use ChatGPT as a tool for brainstorming ideas—but NOT to rely on AI for our final written work. In this episode, we discuss the following: 1. How to write with a servant leadership approach to engage readers—especially those who are reading our resumes, cover letters, and LinkedIn profiles. 2. Tips to make emails more concise, effective, and respectful. 3. Advice re: how to use Chat GPT and other AI tools without sacrificing authenticity. Find Anne at AnneJanzer.com and sign up for her newsletter. You'll get consistently excellent tips to improve your writing. For resume writing services and career advice, visit my website, wordsofdistinction.net, and sign up for my newsletter.

"Be willing to put yourself out there and be willing to take some criticism. Take risks and make your own luck by being strategic, explicating your goals, asking questions, and pushing yourself beyond your scope of work." - Zach Wong When Zach Wong, a UCLA mechanical engineering student, confronted his fear of rejection and embraced opportunities to take calculated risks, he not only landed a rewarding internship—those experiences set him up for future success. Now graduated and applying his skills full-time at a leading space technology company, he shares his hard-won knowledge on how to prepare for college internships, the importance of developing relationships with professors and leaders within the organization, and how to demonstrate leadership and soft skills during interviews—even when your experience is limited. Zach is forthcoming about the challenges he faced—including those that were self-imposed—during his early internship preparation and experience. But with guidance from mentors and his determination to make his own luck, Zach learned what was necessary to not only land—but THRIVE in an internship. He stresses the importance of starting your research on career opportunities early, developing relationships with professors, and having stories ready to tell during interviews.

If you can get people to set aside their agenda to help you, you're pretty darned amazing—and you're a leader. In this episode, you'll learn: 1. How some of my clients demonstrated leadership and got promotions to leadership roles despite not having a formal title 2. How *you* can demonstrate leadership without a formal title 3. Strategies to rally people beyond your direct reports to help you achieve your goals BY THE WAY... 5 Steps to Get Moving and Land a Fabulous Job If you're struggling to get started or gain traction on your job search, I offer a free, downloadable guide that can help! The guide is for you if you're struggling to get started or gain traction on your job search, and I have to tell you, I've already gotten a great response from a number of job seekers. The guide is called: 5 steps to get moving and land a fabulous job, and it's definitely for you if you're struggling to actually get started on your job search and then manage your time around your search. When you download the guide, you'll also get 4-5 emails with follow-up tips, tricks, and challenges to help you move forward in your search. And you'll even get access to my resume samples. So if you need a little extra fuel to help you get moving toward that fabulous job, head on over to launchyourjobsearch.com and download the 5 steps. Connect with me: For more tips and advice for your job search, I post regularly on LinkedIn (emilysfwong), Instagram (@yourresumecoach), Facebook (@careersemily), and Twitter (@careersemily) You can also follow my blog, sign up for my monthly job search tips, and schedule a free discovery call at www.wordsofdistinction.net. Loved this episode? We'd so appreciate a review and/or a 5-star rating. We provide an ad-free experience, so your support helps us reach new listeners and attract rockstar career experts so you can stay current on the latest tips and trends. Thanks so much for listening!

It's time. You can break through the glass ceiling and reach the C-Suite. In Pooja Dang's decades of experience coaching women leaders, she's seen patterns of self-doubt, fear of failure, imposter syndrome, and the disease to please emerge over and over. Mindsets that get in the way of women reaching their full potential. She also saw a gap in practical, strategic advice specific to women and the challenges they face in the professional space. Her book, SHE Rises, was born from a need to fill that gap and share her proven strategies with a broader audience of women. In this episode, you will learn: How to move beyond perfection, grow as a leader, and become an invaluable asset in the workplace. How to uncover what your boss really means when they advise you to be more of a "strategic thinker." What behaviors demonstrate strategic thinking and how to put them into practice. Pooja is a women's executive and leadership coach working with ambitious women looking to break through the glass ceiling and into the C-suite—or move up a few rungs on the career ladder. She's the coaching powerhouse behind the rise of over 500 female leaders into more money, more recognition, and more influence at startups and companies such as IDEO, Meta, and GoPro. With proven scientific strategies, transformative behavior tools, and a no-BS approach, her mission is to see more women living confidently at the top of their game. To read more, connect with Pooja, and find more advice like this, visit www.wordsofdistinction.net

Get clear on who you are and what you have to offer so you can attract the right opportunities and maximize your career potential. Here's what I cover with Erin Thomas in this episode: 1. The importance of understanding and articulating your unique value proposition and professional brand. 2. The importance of being authentic and aspirational in your personal brand. 3. The importance of networking and building relationships with people who are aligned with your brand. Erin Thomas is a career and executive coach who helps high-achieving leaders land their ideal jobs and maximize their peak earning years. A former HR exec, Erin is a social justice advocate and ally who has been named a top career coach and a 50 under 50 change maker. To read more, connect with Erin, and find more advice like this, Visit my website, www.wordsofdistinction.net

The future of work has arrived, and it's powered by empathy. We need to orient ourselves differently to be successful, shifting from transactional to human-centric management, mindsets, and methods to deal with the faster pace of business developments, continuing uncertainties, more complex issues, and an increase in multidimensional projects. Sophie Wade's latest book Empathy Works provides essential insights and knowledge to adapt, thrive, and grow―no matter what the future holds―and is an invaluable resource for both established and rising leaders and professionals in any field. Sophie Wade is a work futurist, international keynote speaker, author of Empathy Works, and authority on Future-of-Work issues. She is the host of the widely popular Transforming Work podcast and over 450,000 learners have taken her four LinkedIn courses which cover empathy, Future-of-Work skills, and Gen Z. Sophie is the Founder and Workforce Innovation Specialist at Flexcel Network, a Future-of-Work consultancy. Sophie's executive advisory work and transformative workshops help companies adapt and update their work environments and attract, engage, and retain their multigenerational and distributed talent. She helps corporations maximize the benefits and minimize the disruption in their transition to talent-focused, digitalized work environments. You can learn more about Sophie and her new book, Empathy Works: The Key to Competitive Advantage in the New Era of Work, at www.sophiewade.com and connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter @ASophieWade.

My guest this week is Lynda McDonell. Lynda is a Certified Financial Coach and Life Coach, specializing in empowering female professionals and business owners. She helps clients take control of their money AND their thoughts to reduce their anxiety around finances by teaching them how to think abundantly, to plan, and to use money as a tool to level up not just wealth but all aspects of their lives. Lynda works one-on-one with her clients to truly understand where their money is going. She empowers clients to see what's possible by reducing debt, saving for the things that are important, and planning ahead in a personalized and sustainable way. Lynda works one-on-one with her clients to not only understand where their money is going, but also what's been holding them back. She empowers clients to see what's possible by reducing debt, affording and saving for the things that are important to them, and planning ahead in a personalized and sustainable way without ever losing focus on their “why” and their personal values. Connect with Lynda: Website: www.piqueprosperity.com IG & FB @piqueprosperity LinkedIn: lyndamcdonell For ideas from Consumer Reports on saving on streaming services: http://bit.ly/3tM6eI4

Terry Cralle is a registered nurse, Certified Clinical Sleep Educator, and Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality who specializes in sleep health and wellness. As Better Sleep Council's spokesperson, frequent speaker and guest lecturer on the topic of sleep for schools, universities, sleep clinics, U.S. corporations, and employee wellness companies, Terry educates audiences on the importance of sleep to physical and psychological health, growth and development, safety, optimum functioning, productivity, peak performance, and quality of life. How does sleep loss impact job performance? The American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that just an hour or two of sleep loss contributed to a 19% drop in productivity. Not to mention an inability to concentrate, memory loss, irritability, weight gain...YIKES! How can we establish good work-sleep balance? Terry shares evidence-based advice on how to improve your 'sleep hygiene' by adjusting light, noise, and temperature in the bedroom; shutting down electronics well before bedtime; and separating work and sleep environments. Feeling tired at work? Ditch the caffeine and take a power nap. The shift to remote or hybrid work has changed America's daytime sleep habits to include sleep breaks at work. Terry believes that midday power naps--when done right--are a quick and efficient way to recharge during the day. Terry also shares great tips for ending the vicious cycle of work anxiety, stress, and lost sleep. Connect with Terry and follow other sleep experts here: www.terrycrallern.com www.bettersleep.org www.instagram.com/bettersleeporg/ www.facebook.com/BetterSleepOrg/ The American Academy of Sleep Medicine: www.aasm.org/

I had such a great conversation with Carole Dupre. Her commitment to helping her clients find their way to careers where they can bring their whole, authentic selves is inspiring and this episode is a must-listen. The best guide for such a journey is someone who's been there, and Carole knows the struggles and the joys on the road to a meaningful career. Carole is a nationally awarded marketing director turned certified career coach. At the peak of her 20-year corporate career, Carole launched a self-named side hustle that evolved into a full-time career coaching business for women, called HerNature®. Today, as an ICF-certified coach and certified personal brand strategist, Carole partners with clients to create their unique value proposition for roles that offer greater work-life balance, increased pay, and opportunities to make a positive impact. Connect with Carole at: ItsHerNature.com LinkedIn Profile: CaroleDupre Access the resources Carole mentioned: CliftonStrengths Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® Via Character Survey

Hi there! After a season packed with amazing guests who shared their wisdom about everything from compensation, building connections, getting the compensation you deserve, boosting your confidence and energy, and finding the career that suits you, I'll be taking a short break and preparing for season 6. We've got another great line-up of guests coming beginning October 24th, that you won't want to miss. In the meantime, I encourage you to revisit my episodes from Season 5 and beyond. One more thing: If you need a boost to get you moving on your job search... Click here to grab your FREE Guide to Get Moving and Launch Your Job Search. Until then, I'll be cheering for you! Emily

Beth Benatti Kennedy brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as a leadership and executive coach, resiliency-training expert, and speaker. Her Benatti Resiliency Model® has helped thousands of people develop the resilience to adapt to changing career circumstances, take responsibility for their career and personal growth, and remain productive, engaged, and committed to their organizations' success. Companies hire Beth to coach high-potential individuals on how to fine-tune their leadership styles for maximum impact, positively influence the people they work with, build effective teams, and develop resilience skills to support peak performance. As a motivator and speaker at conferences, seminars, and symposiums, Beth has presented her Benatti Resiliency Model® across the globe. Her interactive style coupled with her infectious enthusiasm has engaged audiences and galvanized them to take steps to recharge their careers. She is the author of

Remember when everyone was talking about the great resignation, and how it was a seller's market (the seller being the job seeker)? Now the hot topic is layoffs. If your head's spinning, you're not alone. Join Mark Anthony Dyson and me as we:

Don't miss my conversation with author, speaker, and podcast host, Tammy Gooler Loeb, on how we can find the job we love by working from the inside out if we:

I usually invite my professional colleagues, but in this ✨bonus episode✨, you'll hear me chatting with my son, Alex, about the virtues of planning (some might say "control"

What a great conversation with author and speaker Kelli Thompson on how we can gain more confidence—whether we need it to stand out in meetings or to better connect with our audience as a presenter.

If you struggle getting started because you're waiting for inspiration, try reversing your logic. The #1 piece of advice for writers is to get our butts in the chair and start writing. That's the only way we're going to get inspired. We get inspired by doing. This applies to the project of job search, as well. Whether the task is to research companies, make appointments, or search job postings...it still applies: get your butt in the chair. Believe me--I know how hard it is to get going, so I'm sharing what's worked for me. I have this committed to memory: Start writing now matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.--Louis L'Amour

In the last episode, I talked about the 5 elements of a successful job search project. In this episode, I'm focusing on the importance of getting the start date on your calendar and following that with a weekly cadence. Tips: Block that start date and protect it against all temptations, like opening an "urgent" email. Create a schedule for the week (preferably on the Friday or Sunday before the week starts) so the time is blocked and protected from other activities. Schedule your blocks during the time of day when you have the most energy. (Are you a lark or an owl). Don't wait for inspiration! Inspiration comes by doing.

How many times have we been advised to manage our job search like a full-time job. If you consider that, though, it can be overwhelming. Think about it: 40+ hours added to the 40+ hours you're already committing to your "day" job. I recommend conducting your job search as a project, instead. Listen to my 5-step plan to help you launch your job search NOW. Onward!

In this episode I chat with Sonja Price, who is a Top Career Strategist, Salary Advisor, and Leadership Coach. Her mission is to support professionals to have greater meaning, better work-life balance, and significantly higher pay. She's the distinguished author of 2 books: The Pivot Point System: 5 Keys to Transform Your Career, Health, and Wealth The Infinite Leader: How to Increase Your Influence and Expand Your Impact Sonja has worked directly with Tony Robbins, trained with Al Gore to become a Climate Reality Leader, and won an Honorable Award from the Women's Economic Forum. She has helped countless clients land their dream job with prestigious organizations such as Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Starbucks, AT&T, Nordstrom, and many other large and small organizations. Sonja has some great tools to help you strategize for, negotiate for, and achieve the salary you deserve: www.DynamoIncome.com is a 14-minute free webinar that will set you on the right path to career clarity. www.DynamoCareers.com/Calculator is a tool that computes the extra income that you could be earning over the course of your career you you take a strategic approach to salary bumps. Connect with Sonja at www.linkedin.com/in/sonjaprice/ Learn more about Sonja at www.DynamoCareers.com.

We often get hung up on ATS when writing our career documents and communicating regarding our skills, but there are 3 key elements that are often overlooked: Target Tone Time Listen in to how you can streamline your communication by incorporating these elements.

In this episode I share best practices for getting your resume past ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) and into the hands of the hiring manager. Specifically, I talk about the 3 areas of your resume that have the greatest impact on the ATS filter: Skills Formatting Graphs and other graphics To view my resume samples and see how I incorporate these elements, visit www.wordsofdistinction.net/samples

It's so HARD for me to talk about myself! I get it. You don't feel the need to shout your achievements from the rooftops. You're a high achiever, and there's a reason you got where you are: you spend more time showing what you can do, so you haven't needed to talk about it. And to be clear, showing vs. telling is the first rule of creating a standout career profile. But you need to promote yourself, because it's the only way you're going to rise above the competition. Listen to my thoughts on finding the perfect pitch between self-promotion and humility.

If you want to be prepared for your next interview, you won't want to miss my conversation with Shelley Piedmont, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, a career coach and job search expert who has hired for roles that span entry-level hourly positions to senior leadership roles at Fortune 500s to small, private businesses. You'll learn: ✨The 3 things recruiters and hiring managers consider during an interview ✨Proven strategies for interview prep ✨Tips for handling salary discussions Shelley has been a Corporate Recruiter and HR Director, and holds two senior certifications in Human Resources. In 2018, Shelley launched her own company to help job seekers find work they can love. She helps job seekers find career clarity, develop a job search strategy, and market themselves through a targeted resume, engaging LinkedIn profile, and thorough preparation for interviews. Follow or connect with Shelley here: www.shelleypiedmont.com, https://www.linkedin.com/in/ShelleyPiedmont

I can get excited during football season, even if I don't know a first down from an offside. Why? Because I love the stories behind the stats. Recruiters and hiring managers do, to! Listen in to learn how you can draw on your stories to attract recruiters. Send me an email if you'd like help with your stories. emily@wordsofdistinction.net

Melissa Reeves, Recruiter and Career Coach, shares excellent tips for attracting recruiters and building relationships with them no matter where you are in your job search. Learn what you can do to take control of your process, get found, and stay connected--so when opportunities arise, you'll be top of mind! Here's how you can reach her: mreeves@fortuneavenueconsulting.com FortuneAvenueConsulting.com www.linkedin.com/in/melissanreeves

Happy New Year! Put Your Career Profile on a Fitness Program! Kickstart 2022 by applying 5 tips to creating a more toned career profile. Cut unnecessary words like so many empty calories. If you find these tips helpful, join my 2-Week Career Content Boot Camp, which will run January 10-21. Cheers!

I've created a list of the top 10 things we can do to avoid the speedbumps I see so often on resumes, LinkedIn, and cover letters If you search wordsofdistinction.net/sampleresumes, you'll see some of my actual resumes, which are examples of what I mean by the improvements. BTW, as you're preparing for your job search in 2022, I encourage you to go to my website and sign up for my free Career Content Bootcamp. Here's what you'll get, all for free: Daily exercises to get your career profile into shape, delivered straight to your inbox Jan 10 - 21 (weekdays only) QUICK, SIMPLE and PRACTICAL challenges SHORT instructions that will take you only minutes to apply (quicker than it would take you to set up that hot new fitness app!) Here's my promise if you follow those steps: At the end of those 2 weeks, you'll have a more POWERFUL career profile Just type in wordsofdistinction.net/careercontentbootcamp.

Hello, career cohort! If you're thinking about making a career transition, especially if you're considering a shift from the public to private sector, you're not going to want to miss my conversation with my special guest, Adam Corn. For the past 20 years, Adam has been designing, developing, and implementing innovative safety and security programs for government agencies and tech companies across the globe. After completing his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master's Degree in International Security at American University in Washington, DC, Adam was awarded the David L. Boren National Security Fellowship by the U.S. Department of Defense. After serving as an Intelligence Officer, Adam completed his federal service as a professor at National Defense University at Fort McNair, where he designed and taught Master Degree-level courses focused on counterinsurgency and critical infrastructure protection. In 2015, Adam transitioned to the private sector, where he has spent the past 6 years building cutting-edge global physical security programs for Google, Fitbit, and Facebook/Meta. Adam's personal interests include jungle exploration, surfing, and landscape oil painting. Besides that, he's a master connector who has helped others transition to new careers, primarily (but not limited to) government to high-tech. If you reach out to him for help, his only request is that you pay it forward. Connect with him at www.LinkedIn.com/in/adamcorn1.

There's no question that women face unique challenges in the tech industry - from entry-level employees to established executives. Gaining visibility in a male-dominated industry, establishing credibility, and maintaining brand integrity can be easily compromised without consistent reinforcement of the brand's image.  Jacqueline Peros, Founder of JMP Branding LLC, works with early career professionals in technology to enhance their personal brands so they can advance their professional endeavors. Through personalized programs that identify strengths and preferences, women can successfully convert challenges into opportunities and become leaders in technology.  One of the very few personal branding experts who specialize in communications for women in technology, Jacquie has designed her services to encompass all aspects of professional brand management — from planning to messaging to image. Jacquie is a Master Certified Personal Branding & Digital Strategist, Speaker, and Image Consultant. You can reach and/or follow Jacquie here: jmp@jmpbranding.com, www.jmpbranding.com, on Instagram @jmpbranding, and linkedin.com/in/jacquelineperos

Writing your resume and other elements of your career profile shouldn't be overwhelming. Listen to my 5 steps for getting unstuck and capturing your amazing achievements.

You'll find it a lot easier to transition to a new career if you follow these 6 steps. For more information about my services, please visit www.wordsofdistinction.net

If you're stuck and having trouble establishing a routine for your job search, try Implementing James Clear's 4 paths to good habits: Make it obvious Make it attractive Make it easy Make it satisfying #jobsearch #careeradvice #habits Following me at www.wordsofdistinction.net

Your career opportunities won't dry up just because you took a some time off. But there will be questions. So own your gaps. If you haven't taken a sabbatical yet, you're in the best position because you have time to think about how you will use that time. Will you travel, volunteer, take classes, provide eldercare? How will you frame that experience when the time comes to explain it? If you already have a gap in your career, think about the stories you can tell about how you grew during that period. If you prepare yourself with stories--as answers to the inevitable questions that will come from recruiters and hiring managers--you'll be in a better position to overcome potential bias or doubt in the mind of the interviewer. If you have any questions about Encore, Canva, or any other details or tools I discussed, feel free to connect with me at emily@wordsofdistinction.net. #career gaps #careeradvice

Use the CAR structure to tell compelling stories in documents and interviews. This will help recruiters and hiring managers imagine you in the role by: Illustrating challenges you know how to overcome. Providing insights into how you solve problems. Giving concrete evidence of the results you can deliver. Connect or following me: @CareersEmily emily@wordsofdistinction.net www.wordsofdistinction.net #careers #resumes #LinkedIn #career stories

Use job descriptions to get busy with your job search by: Getting focused on the role you want to target Identifying potential skills gaps that you can address through training Getting a peak into the company culture through the language they use Stay curious!