Making the Most of Your Career Gap

When experiencing a career gap, make the most of the “in-between.” That means going beyond looking for a new job.

CONTINUOUS LEARNING--

There are many affordable ways to engage in continuous learning. Many platforms offer certificates of completion or certifications, not just training. LinkedIn Learning has a wide range of free offerings for anyone with a premium profile. Continuous learning demonstrates your commitment to high performance and a desire to stay current on tools, systems, and skills relevant to your field.

VOLUNTEER WORK--

You don’t need a reason to serve others by volunteering—it’s just a great thing to do. However, when you’re between jobs, volunteering gets you into the community and provides valuable networking opportunities that could open the door to your next position. In most cases, volunteering also allows you to use and sharpen skills relevant to all jobs--communication, relationship building, collaboration, leadership, and more.

SIDE HUSTLE--

Having a W-2 job isn’t the only way to earn money. Many professionals use their in-between time to start a side hustle/take on freelance jobs, or do contract/temp work through an agency. Either way, you’re making money, meeting new people, and sharpening your skills.

You can choose one or all options to fill the open time between jobs. Don’t forget to include them on your resume and LinkedIn profile to help reduce the negativity around your career gap.

Keep Paddling!!

When you think about your career and the challenges you've faced, it's not common to think in the context of sports like rowing or white water rafting. In these sports, you only reach the finish line by being consistent, putting forth great effort, and never taking your oars out of the water.

Continuous effort is how you get to where you're going—and often how you stay alive. If you're a successful professional, you've clearly put time, effort, and persistence into your career. And now, maybe you've hit a bump. But that's okay; you already know what to do.

Conducting a job search requires the same dedication it took to achieve career success. So, let's look at it that way.

Approach your job search positively and motivated, with oars hitting the water with intention and force. Be ready for results to be slower than you'd like. You may lose enthusiasm and question whether you're doing things right. It's tempting to stop paddling and give up when things become too challenging, frustrating, or discouraging. You will sometimes forget that things in life worth having don't come easy.

Rafting and rowing are a lot like your job search. The urge to give up will hit you, and it will be STRONG. But you can't give up halfway through, and you can't put in less effort. What if rowers and rafters stopped padding? They would end up stranded…in the water….sitting idle…or worse. They could be headed toward a waterfall. Then what?

So, what do you do? Make sure you've got the right job search tools and that you're applying them correctly—all of them. It takes more than a great resume to land a job in today's job market.

·        Deal with your frustrations and anger, sense of loss, or feelings that have taken away your hope, positivity, and belief in yourself. Find professional help if you need it.

·        When you're ready, visualize the finish line. Better yet, make a Career Vision Board with a clearly charted path from where you are to where you want to be.

·        Target your efforts and refresh, realign, and enhance your professional brand.

·        Upgrade your job search tools (resume, LinkedIn profile, cover letters) and knowledge of the job market and resources.

·        Significantly increase your networking and communications and reconnect.

·        When you feel the need to vent on social media or jump on someone else's negativity bandwagon—JUST DON'T.

·        Consider enlisting a trained and certified career professional or resume writer-job search strategist. Having a cheerleader, accountability partner, knowledge resource, and support person can make all the difference.

·       And DON'T stop padding—paddle HARDER! 

In his book Pour Your Heart Into It, the Founder of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, says, "In the course of the year I spent trying to raise money, I spoke to 242 people, and 217 of them said no."

Imagine where your morning Latte or Espresso would be if he had stopped paddling. I can't bear the thought.

 #resume #LinkedIn #careercoach #jobsearch

It's Not One Big Great Thing, It's EVERYTHING!

A successful job search takes…

• A clear target.

• A strategy/plan/roadmap

• An updated, targeted resume that’s aligned with today’s standards (customized for different positions).

• A complete, updated, optimized LinkedIn profile.

• Cover letters, customized to show a connection between the applicant and the company/job.

• LinkedIn strategies to give your job search traction—including NETWORKING!

• Persistence and a positive attitude.

It’s the cumulative effort of using every tool available to navigate a successful job search.

Do you have to do these things? Of course not—I know this seems like a lot. But does this comprehensive approach work? ABSOLUTELY!

You don’t have to do this alone. That’s what I’m here for!

Using AI to Apply for Jobs? Think TWICE!

The appeal of shortcuts undeniable. Especially when dealing with a process as overwhelming as job searching. My best advice is to know WHY shortcuts are NOT always the shortest path to your destination.

Some perceived benefits of using AI to apply for jobs:

AI is faster and easier.

It knows a lot of the keywords for specific industries and can make content sound impressive.

The downside of using AI is much more treacherous:

Content could be inaccurate and often is.

Content could be and likely will be very similar if not exactly like many other resumes AI produces.

The same content could be repeated in multiple places making your resume redundant an unoriginal.

The longer AI exists and is used to create resumes and apply for jobs, the more savvy recruiters and hiring managers are becoming at recognizing this practice. And this does not bode well for you as an applicant.

Proceed at your own risk.

DON’T MAKE ME CRINGE!

It used to be that poorly written resumes and LinkedIn profiles warranted an eye-roll from recruiters and hiring managers. What I see in today’s job market has gone well beyond that.

As a career coach, I review hundreds, if not thousands, of resumes and LinkedIn profiles a year. Some are well done, some are not, and many are in between. The worst, though, are the ones that make me, and probably everyone else….CRINGE.

How does a person graduate from eye-roll to all-out cringe? Let me give you examples I’ve witnessed first-hand.

LINKEDIN PICTURES

EYE-ROLL – Pictures that were obviously taken at a wedding or other gathering with the person you’re standing next to cut out.

CRINGE! - LinkedIn pictures created using AI making you look like a robotic version of yourself (and, yes, we can tell).

RESUMES

EYE-ROLL - Using the same, overused words and phrases that everyone else in every field says about themselves—and by the way, these are things that pretty much everyone with any job experience is expected to have, so having them doesn’t make you special—team player, self-motivated, self-starter, organized, detail-oriented, people-person, fast learner, driven, and on and on.  

BIG CRINGE! - Overplaying your hand with so many superlatives, the reader wonders why, if you’re as great as you say, you don’t have employers lining up to hire you and pay you a bazillion dollars, but instead, you’re looking for a job. From ONE LinkedIn profile—unsurpassed, supreme, unmatched, unparalleled, best in class, preeminent expert (PS, this person was not a CEO). 

RESUMES

EYE-ROLL - Using job titles that are just words like Social Media, Process Improvement, Sales & Marketing, or even worse, Planning or Training. These are not job titles. Social Media Specialist is a job title. Social Media Manager is a job title. Which are you? 

TOTAL CRINGE! - Putting your actual job title, then enhancing it—a lot! Operations Manager (VP of Operations equivalent), Operations Manager (COO-Chief Operations Officer equivalent). Does your employer know you’ve given yourself a promotion?  

LINKEDIN BANNERS

EYE-ROLL - Using generic background banners or none at all.  

CRINGE, CRINGE, CRINGE! - Creating a background banner with your name (already in your profile), email, and phone number (or putting this info in your About section). Your profile which already lists place of employment and university, might as well say, “Welcome hackers to all of my personal information just waiting for you to steal my identity.”

Eye-roll, cringe, laugh, or cry, all of these things need to be fixed. They reflect poorly on your professional brand. Just like your personal appearance, your resume and LinkedIn profile speak loudly about who you are. Think about what you want them to say.

Grieving the Loss of a Job

It’s common to feel a sense of loss and grief when you lose a job. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been laid off due to lack of business, displaced because your job was outsourced, or let go because of a company merger, buy-out, or restructuring—the feelings can be crippling.

When this happens, you have two choices. Well, you actually have three, but wallowing in your sadness and righteous indignation doesn’t seem like much of a choice, so I will stick with having two choices.

Choice #1. Put on a brave face, search for a job, pretend you’re fine, and land a job as quickly as possible. Boom! Glad that’s over.

Choice #2. Give yourself a few days or weeks to grieve. Process the loss, what it means to you, and feel your feelings—all of them. Just be discerning in who (close family and friends only) and how (not on social media, please) you share your feelings.

The process might go something like this.

Stage 1, Shock: I can’t believe this is happening, OMG, what am I going to do, I’ll never find another job…

Stage 2, Anger: How can they do this to me, I’m one of their best employees, this company sucks, all they care about is money…

Stage 3, Blame: I should have seen this coming, if only I had worked harder, my leader should have warned me so I could have another job lined up, if the execs didn’t make so much money…

Stage 4, Depression: I’m overwhelmed, looking for a job is too hard, I have no idea where to start, I’m too old, there’s too much competition, I’ll have to sell my house…

Stage 5, Hope: Maybe this is an opportunity to find a better job, perhaps I’ll find an opportunity closer to home, what if this allows me to seek a new path, I didn’t like that position and my manager was toxic, this is just the push I needed…

Stage 6, Confidence: I’m a stellar employee, I have a proven skillset and track record, I have a robust network of professional contacts, I would be an excellent hire!

I recommend not rushing into a job search until you’ve worked through the first 4.5 stages. You might think you can hide how much you hate your former company, how bitter you are, and how you feel slighted. You might think you can put on a happy face and pretend you’re “fine.” Believe me, most of the time, you can’t pull it off.

Trust the process, work through the steps, and then tackle your job search. You will land in a much better place for your career and mental well-being.

ARE REMOTE JOBS OPEN TO EVERYONE?

You didn't get an interview for that remote job? It could be your resume or your LinkedIn profile, but it could also be your location. Remote jobs are not always open to everyone, it may depend on where you live.

According to an article on flexjobs, the majority of jobs listed as REMOTE "actually have geographic requirements, whether it’s a specific state, city, country, or even region of the country."

In addition to the obvious reasons, like meetings in the office and local clientele, the lesser known reasons include:

• Tax Considerations: Some companies only perform business in specific locations due to the taxes paid or collected on goods and services. Companies may only be registered as employers in certain states, limiting their ability to hire in those states.

• Business Registration and Licencing: A business that employs a worker out of state needs to be registered in that state. Because of paperwork and fees, the business might pass on hiring workers in a different state.

• Varying State Workplace Regulations: For companies to hire remote employees across different states, they’d have to comply with individual laws. Rather than deal with all that compliance, some employers won’t hire from a state with overly stringent workplace requirements, such as California.

Sometimes the job postings won’t give you enough information to know if you should apply. Doing a little research might help you uncover the information you need to know if the job is a viable option for you.

The Inverted Pyramid and What It Has To Do With Your Resume

The inverted pyramid is a method of writing that involves front-loading a story, so the reader gets the most critical information first.

In journalism, the inverted pyramid structure came into play because of the telegraph. When news outlets would telegraph information over the wires, using the inverted pyramid allowed reporters to communicate the most vital information first, so even if the connection was lost, enough facts were received to print the story. This structure also benefits editors, allowing them to cut an article from the bottom, knowing nothing essential would be lost.

Today's audience experiences massive media overload, so writers must find ways to grab the reader and get their message across quickly. For example, on websites, important information is placed "above the fold," a phrase that originated in the early days of publishing and referred to content that appeared on the top half of the front page of a newspaper. Today, it means content that is viewable on the screen before the reader scrolls.

With these factors in mind, let's consider how to apply them to your resume.

1.     The best place to start is with an attention-grabbing headline that makes the reader want to know more. I've read too many resumes that are the same from beginning to end. Nothing feels important; nothing stands out, and nothing makes me want to keep reading. And if I do stop reading partway down the first page, I don't know enough to drive further action.

2.     Next is a summary with carefully chosen keywords. Make EVERY word count. Your summary is like your pledge, your promise, your value to your potential employer based on what you’ve delivered in the past.

3.     The order of the sections that follow are based on variables—your field/position, whether you’re a new grad, whether you’re making a career transition, etc. Put the strongest, most relevant information first.

---Examples: If you’re more than a few of years out of school, your education goes at the end; If you’re in tech, you may have a tech skills list ahead of the experience section.

Using the inverted pyramid for your resume will bring it to life. You're placing the high-value information front and center. If the recruiter or hiring manager only gets through the first page, you've delivered your message—“I am worth your time!”

#resume

#jobsearchstrategies

#resumewriting

#resumeadvice

Did you know that there are job boards for most industries and many specialty fields? THERE ARE!!

If finding the right job postings is like looking for a needle in a haystack, get out of the barn and check out these niche job boards.

BEST NICHE & SPECIALTY JOB BOARDS

Joinhandshake.com: promoted as “the number one way college students get hired.”

Jobs.ieee.org/: best for engineering and tech jobs.

healthecareers.com/: top healthcare and medical jobs added every day.

higheredjobs.com/: nearly 100,000 jobs at over 2000 universities and colleges.

efinancialcareers.com/: niche board for financial and banking careers.

stackoverflow.com/jobs: best for programming jobs and information sharing between programmers.

Dice.com: leading site for tech job seekers.

Idealist.com: premier site for full-time, internship, and volunteer positions in the non-profit sector. 

AngelList: for jobs with start-ups.

recruitmilitary.com/: career opportunities for veterans and military spouses.

Construction Jobs for a variety of jobs in the construction field.

Energy Jobline: jobs in the energy industry.

workplacediversity.com/: jobs for diverse and minority candidates at all levels.

pink-jobs.com/: the world's largest equal opportunity-focused job board.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

You know what I read a lot on LinkedIn?

“I’ve sent out 100 resumes and have only has one interview?”

“I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes and hardly ever hear back.”

“I’ve been job searching for months and making no progress.”

Did you do the following every time? Or at least most of the time?

If not, it’s like throwing a dart at a target you can’t see.

• Take time to submit a complete and TARGETED resume. This means you’re applying for a job you’re mostly qualified for and carefully customized the resume to match the job posting.

• Do deep research on the company and write a memorable cover letter that shows your "how", "what", and "why". Why you want to work there, why the job appeals to you, what you offer that would add value.

• Find the right contacts for addressing your cover letter--then connect with them online by sending a customized message.

• Fill out the job application completely and correctly. Don’t leave any fields blank, don’t enter N/A or 0 for the salary question, and don’t enter “see resume”. Fill in everything and always follow the directions in the job posting.

• Follow up after a week or two with another brief, customized message.

Show the recruiter you took time to understand the company and the job.

Like with everything in life, higher-quality input delivers higher-quality results!

5 Reasons You Didn't Get the Job

• The company pulled the job because of budgets.

• The company pulled the job to rewrite the job description.

• The role was filled internally.

• The company already had their hire chosen but had to post it and interview to meet compliance requirements.

• Something when wrong with your process: you didn't present a current, achievements-based resume, compelling LinkedIn profile, and influential cover letter or you didn't interview well.

Many things are out of your control so don’t dwell on them. you CAN do something about the last one so spend your time on the things that will make you an attractive candidate.

Take Control of Your Job Search Now!

The Black Hole of Technology

We live in a rapidly changing world. Technology offers convenience, efficiency, productivity, and the ability to communicate across oceans in real time without leaving home. We can run thriving businesses or do corporate jobs without ever seeing anyone in person. Technology has opened up a whole new world, and the future promises more innovation. But there is a dark side to all this progress.

We’ve lost the ability to think, figure things out, solve problems, and actually talk to each other in complete sentences while making eye contact.

Ever been purchasing something at a store and given the cashier an extra penny, nickel, or quarter AFTER they’ve keyed in your $20? Then you see that blank look on their face. We’ve lost the ability to do basic math in our heads and make change. Sad.

Ever been a passenger in a rental car with no back-up camera and a driver accustomed to having a back-up camera on their own car? Scary!

Ever lost your phone and tried to remember ANYONE’S phone number? Infuriating!  

The skill taking the hardest hit is communication. In-person, live, make a connection type of communication. Awkward, unpolished, unprofessional communication can be witnessed everywhere—the workplace, the store, and sadly, even in schools. But there are few places where poor communication will hurt you more than in a job interview, whether face-to-face or over Zoom.

Sitting (or hiding) behind a keyboard gives people the luxury of time and the comfort of anonymity. Communication, in person, in the moment, does not. When you’re face to face with someone, there’s no place to hide and little time to think. And body language, well, that’s a whole different type of communication that you have to master in the face-to-face world.

When it comes to interviewing, hard skills will only take you so far. The ability to have a conversation, talk about yourself clearly and confidently, and relate to others will be a critical factor in your success, so don’t ignore opportunities to build your soft skills.

The only way to master something is to practice, practice, and practice more. That is, to just do it. If you have a job that allows you to work from home without having to make contact with anyone, find ways to get out. Network, join in, participate, and connect with real people in real-time.

No matter how much technology allows us to do “behind the curtain,” communication and connection will remain a critical part of life both at home and in the workplace.

JOB HOPPING…HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH?

Yesterday’s workplace where employees stay in one place for their entire career is a thing of the past. Today, changing jobs more frequently is the norm. However, there is a line between what’s acceptable and what’s considered a red flag. Knowing how to use a job change as a positive rather than a negative is a bit of a gray area but there are some guidelines.

Staying in a job for less than six months can be viewed negatively. One short-term job likely won’t hold you back. But more than one in a relatively short time period and you’ve got some explaining to do…that is, if you get a chance. Landing interviews may be harder.

From the recruiter side, I am often shocked at how many resumes I see with four, five, or six job changes in less than 10 years. And when the positions held are largely unrelated, I have to wonder if the candidate even knows what they want to do. Many job changes within the same industry begs the question of whether the candidate is hard to get along with, keeps getting fired, or just stops showing up and then finds a new job.

While you can explain that you’ve left jobs because of a horrible boss, toxic work environment, or no work/life balance, you might be thought of as too hard to please where no job will make you happy. You could be viewed as lacking commitment and perseverance and that if things get tough, you’re going to bail.

Bringing on a new hire is expensive for companies and the learning curve can be steep depending on the job and the industry. Companies want to hire someone who is going to stay at least long enough for them to get a return on their investment.

From the career coach side, I wholeheartedly support leaving a job that isn’t a good fit. But I also wholeheartedly support CHOOSING WISELY. Before you apply, or at the very least, before you go into an interview, do some deep research on the company. During all interviews, ask the tough questions about the culture, management style, work hours, expectations, how your success would be measured, etc.

To take one step further back, do some career assessments, personality tests, or create a vision board. Create some long-term personal and professional goals. Try to get your career and personal journey aligned as closely as possible. Make a list of your deal breakers and nice to haves so you can evaluate each job opportunity based on how it fits your needs.

The “job hopper sweet spot” appears to be 18 months to 3 years for employees moving on to better opportunities, higher level positions, positions that will expand and enhance their skillset, or larger companies with more room for advancement.

When you’re thinking about changing jobs, ask yourself, “am I moving up, or just moving on”, and how will this impact my appeal as a credible candidate.

The Monkey Bars of Life

Hanging on to what you have to avoid the discomfort of change and transition leaves no capacity to embrace and take a chance on something new. This concept is sometimes difficult for people to understand, so think of it like a trip across the monkey bars.

If you keep both hands on the first wrung, you’re permanently and solidly STUCK. The only way to move forward is to LET GO and take a chance on catching the next bar. When you do, you might solidly catch the next bar---or you might fail and fall to the ground. That’s okay! Falling, getting up, and trying again is part of life—a part of learning—a part of growth. The only real failure is in not trying at all.

This applies not only in life but in your career. Being stuck in a job where you feel undervalued, unappreciated, underutilized, or unchallenged just because you’re already there is a sure path to unhappiness, stress, and anxiety.

I can hear the objections. The uncertainty of changing jobs also brings a high level of stress, anxiety, and frustration. It’s true, but seeking a change also brings possibilities, hope, and the excitement of what’s next. Being stuck will never give you that.

My advice, get yourself unstuck by letting go and embracing the possibilities ahead of you. If you want to experience the exhilaration of flight, you most certainly have to leave the security of the ground.

 #jobsearch #careercoach #resume

Half a MILLION words!

There are half a million words in the English language—give or take. With so many choices, why, oh why, are job seekers using the same dozen over and over. And worse, yet, using them in the same way.

Goal oriented. Results oriented. Highly accomplished. High performing. Team player. Hard worker. Responsible for. Blah, blah, blah.

Seriously people. You’re putting the recruiters and hiring managers TO SLEEP. Maybe that’s your goal. Maybe you’re trying to be just like everyone else in the job market. Maybe you’re just an average Joe, showing up every day to collect a paycheck. If not, when it comes to the job search, you’re doing it WRONG!

I’ll bet you have a unique selling proposition. You’re a star among your peers. You rock it in the workplace. Managers praise you. Co-workers want to BE you.

So why aren’t you telling your unique story with some flair? Why aren’t you highlighting your accomplishments with stronger language? Why is your professional brand so blah?????

I know why. It’s HARD. Hard to brag about yourself. Hard to find time to give your resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile the attention it deserves. Hard to find the right words. But if you don’t get recruiters and hiring managers to notice you and say “wow’, instead of “yawn” you could end up stuck, underpaid, unchallenged, unemployed, and just plain miserable.

So, do something to help yourself and your future. When it comes to your professional brand and your job search—take the time to do it well or find a professional to help you. Either way, you’ll be very happy you did.

#jobsearch, #resume, #coverletter, #interviewprep, #career coach

The Power of "What If"

Two tiny but powerful words. What implies a question. If allows you to presume and suppose—moving you beyond what you're currently doing. What if allows you to change your way of thinking. It gets you to go beyond the status quo and find a new way to do things. What if shakes things up a bit.

What if is at the heart of innovation, dreams, change, imagination, and progress. What if dares to do things differently.

To be clear, what if challenges you to let go of the past. What's done is done, and looking back with regret serves no one. What if is about the future. It's about possibilities. It generates excitement and creative thinking. Like a good brainstorming session, what if allows you to put anything and everything on the table for consideration.

Kids harness the power of what if all the time. They think anything is possible. And if it's not possible in their everyday world, they create it. A little girl puts on her mother's shoes and make-up and imagines she's going to a party. A little boy picks up a broom and pretends he's a cowboy. This what if thought process in kids allows them to try something different—beyond where they are today. It makes them think about what they might want in the future. For kids, what if is never about the past. Kids are constantly looking ahead.

In today's chaotic and unsettled world, tapping into your what if lets you acknowledge that you have choices. It gives you back your power.

When you're stuck or in a rut and need inspiration, try playing what if. Don't limit yourself to what's practical. This exercise is more about being open and unfiltered. It's about not being afraid. It's about boldly moving forward.

Imagine if Thomas Edison, the Wright Brothers, George Lucas, Walt Disney, Elon Musk, or Steve Jobs hadn't said what if. The greatest minds in history lived in the world of possibility. What a great gift.

Think about your life and start asking the question, WHAT IF I………..

 If you've ever asked yourself this question and it's changed your life, I'd love to hear about it.

STOP "tweaking" and updating that tired old resume!!

I don't "tweak", "refresh", or "update" resumes. There's a reason for that. It's not a good idea. I create new resumes for my clients.

Resumes that meet today's stringent standards. Resumes that appeal to recruiters and hiring managers. Resumes that clearly describe how a company benefits by having you as an employee. Resumes that fly through ATS and score well. Resumes that communicate the best of YOU.

Writing about yourself is hard. Let a professional help you!

Does Your Outside Match Your Inside?

Some may view personal image or how we dress as superficial or shallow. Others feel it’s an unnecessary evil of society—having to “dress the part.” These perceptions are often voiced by people who don’t fully understand what personal image is about. It goes well beyond just clothes.

Personal image serves a similar purpose to a company’s brand—especially during a job search or when you’re working hard to gain respect and credibility at work. Personal image is an outward expression of what’s inside. It tells the world who you are, how to treat you, and where you’re going in life. More importantly, it tells the world how you feel about yourself.

People spend a great deal of time and money getting an education, certifications, paying their dues, and seeking personal growth. Yet their image says, “I’m insecure,” “I don’t matter,” “I don’t care.”  And for job seekers of a certain age, an outdated personal image says you’re not current, relevant, or up to date with what’s going on in the world.

Poor personal image is not just about clothes and hair. When you don’t feel you look your best, it’s reflected in your body language. You don’t easily make eye contact; you don’t hold your head up; you don’t walk with confidence or speak up. If YOU don’t have confidence in yourself and your ability, others won’t either.

Personal image can be a roadblock or an accelerator in every area of life.

Showing up every day like you mean it--as a confident and put-together version of yourself will help you gain the respect, credibility, and success you deserve. And the coolest part is, even when you don’t feel 100% confident on the inside, dressing like you are, actually changes your mindset. Everything is connected.

So ask yourself, what are you putting out into the world every day?

Dear New Grads......

I work with many grads who talk about "dream jobs" or a specific salary, which only sets them up for disappointment. It's great to dream, but knowing it's a process and not a one-and-done is the best advice I can give you.

I advise you to focus on a few things:

1. Culture fit--working in a place that supports who you are and what's important to you is worth more than money.

2. Find a position that will set you up for the next one. Create a career progression ladder and know that you have to start at the bottom.

3. Do more! Doing what's asked of you and "then some" will propel you ahead of others who don't.

4. Be willing to reevaluate and change paths. Just because your major is finance, doesn't mean to have to go in that direction. College is an exploration and if you've found your passion and interests are in a different direction--go for it. It serves no one to take a job doing something you dislike or one that doesn't bring you satisfaction.

5. Know that things won't go perfectly. Be resilient; give yourself grace and patience.

6. Don't pursue someone else's dream--not your parents, not your siblings, not your peers. You don't have to justify your career direction to anyone. Instead, be true to who you are and who you want to become.

7. Remember, your job is your job. It's not a social gathering or an entertainment venue. While your workplace should be enjoyable and comfortable, it will feel like work much of the time, and some days will be difficult. It's the nature of the beast. Remind yourself that you're getting paid, and your job makes the rest of your life possible.

So, new grads—go forth and conquer the world!