RSS Feed (xml)When writing my review, I typed up some of the amazing parts of the book that really stood out to me. I'd like to share those with you now. These are only a few, small parts, so again, I encourage you to buy the book for yourself.
You WILL Leave Your Job
"Consider this fact: The probability of you leaving any job is precisely 100%. Really. You are positively absolutely going to leave that job, whether you quit, are fired, retire, or die....You are in the driver's seat. Don't be like Working Girl—take control of your life!" (Page 26)
This excerpt reminds me of Careerealism's business-of-one mindset that has really stuck with me since I did a Twitter internship with the company back in 2009. If one idea has stuck with me since then, this is it.
Security is a Myth
"...there's only one thing you need to know about security, and that is that it doesn't exist. Security is the loosiest and goosiest of feelings. You can feel secure when you're not at all. You can feel insecure when you're really quite safe....Nothing, not hard work, not education, not seniority, not connections—nothing—guarantees your continued employment at a particular company." (Page 46)
Networking is Key; Seek out a Mentor
"Most jobs are not advertised. You find them through contacts....And here's a tip for younger working girls: Aim your calls toward senior executives. They are sometimes willing to help a young person and are at a place in their lives when they may want to mentor. Plus they won't be threatened by your assertiveness." (Pages 92-93)
Strive to Work for a Boss You Respect and Can Learn From
"Hiring Your Boss You can tell a lot about potential bosses at a first meeting. how do they talk and gesture, will they look you in the eye, what does their workspace look like, do they speak well of their employees? You want a boss who will look out for you, who will teach you new things, and who will help you get to where you ultimately want to go." (Popout box on Page 97)
Personality and Office Culture Affect Hiring A LOT
"Jobs don't go to the best candidates. Jobs go to the candidates employers like best. Therefore, your primary task at any interview is to make the employer like you." (Page 103)
Try, Try, and Try Again
"Persistence is the key to living an exceptional life." (Page 172)
Reaching Your Goals Will Be Hard, But Persistence Pays Off
"When people say, 'Be persistent,' what they're really saying is, 'Force yourself to keep trying even when your efforts are failing and—oh, by the way?—we don't care how hard it is.' You will have days, maybe lots of them, when you are ready to give up. Rejection and failure truly suck. There is only one cure. When you are feeling at your lowest, your most miserable, your most defeated, do a tiny little thing that moves you toward your goal. You will correspondingly, feel a tiny bit better. Next step: Do another tiny thing....That's the persistence loop. Action leads to success, which leads to more action. And more success." (Page 173)
Take the Leap, Even When You Don't Feel Ready (You Never Will)
"Imagine the worst possible thing that could happen if you took the risk. Make a plan for dealing with it (you will probably never have to use this plan). Teach yourself to welcome fear as a sign that you're stretching yourself. At one point you will need to stop preparing and start acting, whether you feel ready or not (you won't). Close your eyes and jump." (Page 178)
Know Yourself
"When it comes to jobs, you need to know who you are and what you have to offer." (Page 180)
