CATEGORY:PERSONAL GROWTH

Your First Job

Two weeks ago, I published, “How To Ensure Your Dream Job”. In the days that followed, I received close to 200 comments and private messages. The bulk of the messages said, “I am a fresher. Can you tell me how I can land my first job?”

It is more than 35 years since I was a fresher out of college, and the world was different then. Rather than excavate the past, I decided to speak to those of my mentees who had clinched their first jobs in the last 3-5 years. What, I asked them, is the most important step you took to lock in your first job?

Their responses amazed me. And when I compiled them, they came together beautifully, forming a winning approach that freshers will find easy to understand and execute.

7 Simple Steps

1. Vijay (Senior Sales Executive in an Industrial Products Group) :

“The most important step I took was to be clear about my career goal. It was not easy, but I took the time to think about the various options I had, and what resonated with me, and what I really wanted to do and become. Once I was able to narrow this down, I knew what companies I wanted to work in and what jobs I needed to apply for.”

“Unlike many of my friends, I applied to only 4 companies, which seemed the right fit for what I wanted to do. I received two interview calls and amazingly, both companies offered me a job.”

2. Monica (Customer Service Manager in an FMCG Company) :

“The smartest thing I did was to have the right internships. Over my four years at college, I did three summer internships and two winter internships. In total, I was part of eight projects – in marketing, operations, sales and customer service. Also, I received four letters of appreciation. I benefited in two ways – one, I learnt that I really enjoyed customer service and after-sales jobs (and decided that that is where I wanted to be); and two, the companies I applied to placed a lot of value on these internships and my learnings during them.”

“During placement, two of my target companies offered me jobs. And, in both cases, I was hired at one level above other freshers because of my ‘experience’!”

3. Emily (Operations Manager in an Engineering Services Company) :

“I believe what led me to success is my research on the companies I applied to. In almost every interview I attended, one of the first questions was, ‘Why do you want to join our company? What do you know about us?” In each case, I was able to immediately talk about the company, their products and services, their culture and vision, and why I thought I was a good fit.”

“I could see that the interviewers were impressed, and the discussions that followed became so much more friendly and warm. In one case, the Vice President on the interview panel shook my hand as I was preparing to leave and said, ’The job is yours, come over to the office on Monday, and we’ll start the paperwork.’”

4. Chetan (Marketing Executive in a Consumer Goods Group) :

“I made sure that I had a customized resume. Many of my batchmates were just submitting the exact same copy of their resume which was based on a standard internet template. I knew I had to stand apart. So, I made sure that each resume and cover letter I submitted was designed for that particular company and the job role, so that it matched what the recruiter was looking for.”

“I owe this to my advisor. He advised me that my resume was the window between the recruiter and me, and that I had to ensure that the recruiter has the best possible view of me. I am still very chuffed that, while my grades were not the best, I got more interviews than any of my batchmates!”

5. Ethan (Data Analytics Engineer in a Fintech Company) :

“I attribute my first job to the two recommendation letters I received. The first one was from my data science professor who guided me on my final project. The other was from my mentor at the company I did an unpaid internship with in my junior year. Both the letters were very detailed and described what they thought of me, my strengths and capabilities, my character and my knowledge and skills. The interviewers spent a lot of time discussing these letters and seemed very impressed with them.”

“Actually, when I first received these recommendation letters, I just filed them away – I didn’t think they would be of any use. How wrong I was!”

6. Dana (Cost Accountant in a Payroll Services Company) :

“I used my network. One of my father’s close friends worked at an payroll accounting firm. I asked for a meeting with him in my junior year, and asked him if he could recommend me for an internship. He graciously agreed to do so, and I spent my summer working in his team. When I was in the closing stages of my final year, we met at a party. He asked me whether I enjoyed working with his company, and I said yes, of course. He then asked whether I would like to work full time with them. I was thrilled!”

“The very next day, he connected me to HR and within 3 weeks I had my first job offer. I did not need to apply anywhere else!”

7. George (Digital Marketing Executive in a Pharma Group) :

“I owe my success to social media. I was always fond of digital platforms and had over the years, built a substantive presence on quite a few of them – LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Medium, and so on. In all the interviews I had, the panels seemed to have looked me up on socal media and were impressed with my profiles. One interviewer actually asked me to help her in marketing her e-book!”

“I realized early on that I would be one of hundreds of freshers seeking jobs. So, I had to find a way to differentiate myself. I chose social media because it is fun, I am quite good at it, and I heard that more and more companies look at candidates’ online presence.”

Easy!

As I compiled these 7 responses, and as I pondered over them, two things crossed my mind.

The first : “I wish I had been this smart when I was completing college!”

The second was an old adage : “There are no limits to what you can accomplish, except the limits you place on yourself!”

Epilogue

And so, collating these amazing inputs lays out the 7 simple steps to your first job :

1. Have a clear and focused career goal (you may want to refer to my article on goal setting).
2. Seek relevant internships. Build knowledge, experience and recognition.
3. Identify the companies where you want to see yourself grow; research everything about them before the interview.
4. Create a custom resume for each company. Give the prospective employer the best possible view of yourself.
5. Get written recommendations from senior people who can vouch for your capabilities.
6. Approach prospective employers through the right channels and networks (you may want to read my article on networking)
7. Create an impressive online profile and build a personal brand.

What do you think? What worked for you? Can you add to the 7 steps? If so, please share your approach in the comments; it will add value to young freshers starting their careers.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this installment of CEO Chronicles. If “your desire for success is greater than your fear of failure”, send me a message or write to me.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 17 December 2019)

Post Script :

1. For other interesting CEO Chronicles click here.
2. Follow me so that you don’t miss the next issue of CEO Chronicles.

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #mentoring #jobsearchadvice #careeradvice #success #purpose #fulfilment #careers #jobseekers #hiring

Blowing in the wind

I looked down at the envelope in my hand. It seemed too thin to be good news. I did not want to open it. If it was what I thought it was, this would be the 7^th such rejection.

Nevertheless, I girded myself and opened it, hoping that I was wrong.

Sadly, this was one of the few times in my life I was right.

“…we regret to inform you that your candidature was not successful. We wish you all the best…”

I crumpled the letter. This was a company I really liked – it would have been a dream job.

What the hell was I doing wrong?

I was doing everything the experts told me to do.

“Do your research,” they said.

“Create an amazing cv and cover letter,” they advised.

“Prove that you are versatile,” they recommended.

“Prepare for your interview diligently,” they instructed.

“Ensure that you follow-up,” they prescribed.

I followed all these ‘best practices’ even though I realized that 8 million other eager professionals were also doing exactly the same. The fact is that we were reading from the same playbook, and listening to the same ‘experts’. I was just another leaf in the Amazon rainforest.

How would I be seen? And noticed? And thought worthy of being offered a job?

What made me special? Why should a company choose me over someone equal in most if not all respects?

Lost and clueless, I did what I always did best – went to my mentor to ask for his advice.

Is it me you’re looking for?

“Okay, Shesh,” he said, after he had listened patiently to me pouring my woes. “Let me ask a hypothetical question.”

“Let us say that you were the captain of a basket ball team. One of your players leaves. You have to replace him. How would you do this most efficiently?”

“Well…” I racked my brains. “Well, yes, I would either look at good players from other teams that we have played, or I would ask my team players or the coach to recommend candidates they feel would be a good fit.”

“Very good,” he said, “and if you were the president of a prestigious social club, and wanted to add new members, would it be more efficient to put out an ad or ask your current members to recommend friends?”

“Of course I would ask the current members!” I said, without hesitation.

“Why did you respond the way you did?” he asked.

“Well, a player whose capability is known is a much better option than an unknown one. And a friend of an existing club member is more likely to fit in to the club much better. Isn’t this obvious?” I said, puzzled that he even had to ask this question.

“Very true,” he said. “Then why do you believe that organisations think any differently?”

“What?”

“Organisations are just like teams or clubs,” he said, smiling a little at my gawkish response. “They want the best fit, the best candidate, the employee who can add most value. However robust or structured their hiring process may be, wouldn’t they be more comfortable with a known quantity rather than have to test an unknown one?”

It’s not what you know; it’s who knows you

“You mean…” I started hesitantly, “You mean companies hire only through referrals and recommendations?”

“I am saying that if they have a choice, they will surely do so,” he said. “Wouldn’t you?”

I looked at him, my mind racing. Various instances ran through my head. My tennis partners; our quiz group; the intern we had just hired.

“Wow!” I exclaimed, “You are absolutely right. Almost every social and sports group I am part of is a result of recommendations and networks!”

“Our whole life is a result of networks,” he said calmly, “your parents’ choice of your school; the college you decided on; the friends you have; the woman you married; the day-care centre your son goes to. Almost every decision we take, we take after consulting people we trust, finding recommendations from forums we find credible.”

“However,” he added, “it is puzzling that when it comes to our careers, we believe we can find our dream job by shooting off applications by the dozen, and attending cold-call interviews. Companies are run by people, you know, and people behave the same outside them and in them.”

“So, finding your dream job is less about research or cvs or cover letters or interviews. Oh, all these play a part. But, it is more about you, your achievements, how well you are known, who knows you, and their perception of you. Does this make sense?”

Network = Net Worth?

It made sense. It made a whole lot of sense. Just because a company is run with policies and processes, that does not mean that people change the way they were conditioned to behave.

“So, what you are saying is that,” I said tentatively, “without a strong network, I have no hope of finding the job I want?”

“No,” he said, a little impatiently, “I am saying that with a wide network, with a reputation that precedes you, you can ensure that you get the dream job you want.”

“If you are a good basketball player, but no one knows of you, why will anyone choose you for their team?” he continued, “If you are a successful and likeable person, but are unknown to the social club, why will they believe you are a suitable member?”

“Remember,” he said,

“A network is like a stage. Without one, you are part of the passive audience in the dark, unknown and unseen. With one, you are in the spotlight, and you are visible to the world.”

As I walked home, I replayed the conversation in my mind. It seemed so obvious now. The 4 takeaways I left with were not just for me, but valid for anyone seeking their dream job..

1. People prefer to hire and work with those they know and trust.
2. A wide network helps us become known and builds a positive perception.
3. This will make it easier for people to find us and hire us.
4. We still have to go through the hiring process, but we will start with an solid advantage.

What’s Your Story?

Do you recall Robert Kiyosaki’s advice from CEO Chronicles # 14?

“The most successful people in the world look for networks; everyone else looks for work.”

What did you do to ensure your dream job? How did you differentiate yourself? Please share your inspiring story in the comments, it will surely serve as a guide to all those seeking their own!!

I hope you have enjoyed reading this installment of CEO Chronicles. If you want to ‘build your own stage, and shine in the spotlight’, send me a message or write to me.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 03 December 2019)

Post Script :

1. For other interesting CEO Chronicles click here.
2. Follow me so that you don’t miss the next issue of CEO Chronicles.

#ceochronicles #mentoringmatters #jobsearchadvice #radicaladvice #mentoring #success #purpose #fulfilment

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH FAILURE?

Hi, Shesh, you must have encountered failure in your career? How did you cope with it?

THIS, TOO, SHALL PASS

When I was about 35, I was passed over for promotion. I had worked hard for it, was promised it, and then my supervisor told me that she was promoting one of my colleagues to this position.

My world collapsed. There seemed to be no point in all my hard work and dedication. I wanted to resign. More than anything else, I wanted to crawl into bed and never get.

I dragged myself back home and reluctantly spoke to my wife. I cried.

She held me and comforted me. And she said the four magic words – this, too, shall pass.

She was right.

Things did not get better overnight. But in the days and weeks that followed, I learnt –

Failure is transient.

It is a dip, not a downfall.

Failure can be reversed.

And it is a great teacher.

In time, I accepted this failure, and added my learnings to my toolkit. I worked harder and smarter. Within eight months, I was promoted to an even more challenging position.

That night, my wife and I hit the best restaurant in town, and painted it red.

****

Could you share how you would respond to failure? Or success?

#radicaladvice #ceochronicles #businessadvisory #careeradvice #mentoring #purpose #success #fulfilment #satisfaction #freedom

WHAT DO I CHOOSE?

Hi, Shesh, the article, “Victim to CEO” was truly inspiring. I am at a career crossroad, and there are pros and cons to which ever path I take. How do I choose?

CONVICTION OR COMPROMISE

Hi, Selwyn!

You (and all of us) always have two choices.

One, you can abide by your conviction. Or, two, you can make a compromise.

Conviction is the more difficult option. Usually this means that there is immediate or short-term risk or pain. We may have to step on some toes. Also, the future is difficult to predict, so how can we be sure that taking this path will necessarily be right?

Compromise is the easier option. By compromising, we are minimising present risk in some form. We are probably making someone else happy. Here again, the future is far away, and can be put out of one’s mind.

Both choices have consequences.

Conviction, in the long run takes you where you want to go.

Compromise, in the long run, tends to lead to further compromises, till your path is as twisted as a bundle of yarn.

I know that I have always leaned towards conviction. I have always believed in myself, walked my own path. It has been rewarding and meaningful.

****

What would you choose? Conviction or Compromise? Please share your choice in the comments.

If this post resonates with you, please click 👍🏻 below and let me know!

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The article, “Four Monkeys & An Elephant” narrated two fables about how we often shackle ourselves with past practices and negative self-belief. Subsequently, “How To Escape From Prison” described how a company broke away from its shackles to find a new and better future. Finally, this story, “Victim to CEO” is about how an individual finds his way to success breaking the shackles that threatened to imprison him.

Part 1 – The Victim Years

Episode 1 : 1968

The boy stood at the edge of the playground.

His classmates were kicking the football, running and laughing.

Two of his classmates ran past him. One looked in his direction.

“See, there’s Black Sambo! Hey Black Sambo!”

The other looked back.

“Hey, Blackie! What are you doing here? Go wash yourself!”

The boy turned to go. Just then, two seniors walked by. As they looked at him, one said something to the other, and both laughed.

“…what the hell does he eat? How did he get so fat…” their words trailed as they went past.

The boy dipped his head and walked to the classroom. He pulled out a book from his bag and started to read, even though his eyes were too moist to make out the words.

Episode 2 : 1970

The boy looked around at the vast wedding hall. Boy, was it huge! And so many people…

“Hello, boy!” It was an older couple dressed to their nines. “And who are you?”

The boy mumbled his parents’ names.

“Ah!” the man said and began moving away.

“…his brothers seem to be smart and handsome young men. But this one, no one knows where he came from. I hear they wanted a girl, you know. What a shock it must have been to get a fat darkie instead…”

The boy walked to the side doors of the hall, and sat on the steps, and pulled out a book.

Episode 3 : 1972

The boy stood in front of the teacher’s desk.

She looked at him sternly. “If this is your standard of work, you are never going to amount to anything! How can you make so many mistakes? Why can’t you check your work?”

The boy lowered his head and said nothing. He heard his classmates tittering behind him.

“Useless. Absolutely useless!” the teacher said. “Go back to your seat!”

Episode 4 : 1974

The boy walked past his parents’ bedroom.

“He wants to attend singing classes,” he heard his mother say.

“But he can’t sing. He can’t hold a tune!” his father replied.

“Yes, but I don’t want to hurt him. So, I told him that the teacher accepts only girls.”

Their voices faded as he moved on.

Part 2 – Breaking Free!

Preparing to launch : 1980

The young man sat on the college dormitory terrace, back against the wall. Four others lounged around him. In the centre were two bottles of cheap rum and a pile of potato wafers.

“So, what’s your story?” asked one of his friends, “What made you so good in academics? You’ve been topping every subject, every term! Were you always like this?”

The young man looked up and laughed shortly. “Absolutely not! Things were terrible when I was younger.”

“When I was a boy, no one believed in me. Not my family, not my teachers, and definitely not my classmates. So, I had no choice. I had learn how to ignore everyone else’s opinion and believe in myself.”

“Then, I realized that I did not have many talents. I wasn’t too intelligent. But I wanted to be someone. I wanted to be worthy of my belief. I learned that even if I am not clever, I can still work hard and start early. So, from the first day of the semester, I read the subjects again and again, until I understand them completely. I solve every question, twice or thrice, if necessary. I revise continuously. Basically, I make up for my shortfalls by planning, preparing and working.”

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint’, then immediately start painting, and the voice will be silenced.”

Another friend spoke. “Isn’t it painful? Is this really what you want to do, or like doing?”

“Well”, said the young man, “I read somewhere that if you can’t be with the one you love, then you should love the one you’re with. To me this means – be happy in whatever I do, rather than just try and do what makes me happy. Does this make sense?”

The friend laughed. “I am not sure. So, let’s see – you believe in yourself, push yourself to your limits and try to find happiness in whatever you do. Most people would find that much effort and commitment too difficult to sustain!”

The young man nodded. “Nothing worthwhile is ever easy,” he said, as he sipped his drink.

Reaching orbital velocity : 1995

The man adjourned the meeting. His team and he were exhausted. It had been a grueling few weeks.

“One last word from me,” he said. “Thank you. Thank you to each and every one of you for the amazing efforts and commitment you have shown over the past two months. We have done everything we can. Now, win or lose, you are all my heroes!”

Smiles and applause broke out across the room.

“Also, for those of you are not going straight to bed, drinks are on me!”

His words were greeted by a cheer.

Later that evening, at the bar, he looked around at his team with affection.

“Sir?”

The man turned. “Yes?”

“I’m not sure if this is the right time to ask,” said the young executive, “but I heard that you have been promoted more times than anyone else. How did you manage this?”

“Well,” the man said, “I have often asked myself this, and this is what I have come to believe.

• One, I think it’s because I know and believe in my purpose. I know who I am, what I want and where I want to go.
• Two, I am focused – I plan and prepare and persist until I get what I want.
• Three, I have you guys – without you, I can achieve nothing. A manager is only as good as his team and you have always made me proud!”

“I really hope to be like you someday!” said the young man.

The man smiled. “That’s a nice thing to say. But take my advice – be who you are, and not what others are or expect you to be…”

Reaching the moon : 2009

The man looked out of the window. Well, the view from the CEO’s office is not very different from the other offices, he thought to himself.

He turned and walked to his desk. Behind it hung the poster he had had with him for more than two decades. He read it aloud as he had done a thousand times before :

“A flower does not care about what people think of it. It just blooms.”

He sat down in his chair.

That was a long and amazing journey, he mused. So much luck, so many good friends. So many wonderful teachers and mentors. Such superb colleagues and teams. Fantastic opportunities and amazing outcomes…

Well, I have reached my destination. Time to deliver expectations…

He leaned forward and opened his laptop.

Afterword

So, here are the five take-aways from this story – so that you, too, can achieve whatever you want :

1. Believe in yourself
2. Know your purpose. Know who you are, what you want and where you want to go.
3. Be focused – plan and prepare and persist till you get what you want.
4. Find happiness in whatever you do.
5. Be who you are, and not what others are or expect you to be.

Could you let me know, in the comments, which of the five is your favorite? Do you have a take-away that I may have missed? If so, please share it in the comments, someone struggling out there might badly need it.

I hope you have enjoyed reading this installment of CEO Chronicles. If you want to ‘be who you are, and bloom in your career’, send me a message or write to me.

Cheers,

Shesh.

(Singapore / 12 November 2019)

Post Script :

1. For other interesting CEO Chronicles click here.
2. Follow me so that you don’t miss the next issue of CEO Chronicles.

Victim To CEO / Victim To CEO / Victim To CEO / Victim To CEO / Victim To CEO