Your GPS to Employment Success

Your GPS to Employment Success

How to Find and Succeed
in the Right Job

Beverly A. Williams
Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job

Copyright © Business Expert Press, LLC, 2021.

Cover design by Charlene Kronstedt

Illustrations by Aaron Wms; Cartoon Artwork by Lyman Dally

Interior design by Exeter Premedia Services Private Ltd., Chennai, India

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other
except for brief quotations, not to exceed 400 words, without the prior
permission of the publisher.

First published in 2021 by

Business Expert Press, LLC
222 East 46th Street, New York, NY 10017
www.businessexpertpress.com

ISBN-13: 978-1-95334-996-5 (paperback)

ISBN-13: 978-1-95334-997-2 (e-book)

Business Expert Press Business Career Development Collection

Collection ISSN: 2642-2123 (print)

Collection ISSN: 2642-2131 (electronic)

First edition: 2021

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
 Dedication
To anyone who has been told or made to feel they are not enough or
cannot be successful or otherwise feel marginalized:

Believe you can and you’re halfway there.

Theodore Roosevelt,
26th president of the United States
 Description

Economies had barely recovered from the Great Recession of 2008

when the COVID-19 pandemic moved swiftly around the world
threatening to devastate global economies and their populations yet
again. Inevitably, unemployment followed. Anyone looking for em-
ployment or a promotion in a mercurial economic environment can
find useful tips and information in Your GPS to Employment Success:
How to Find and Succeed in the Right Job.
This book is a career resource that contains a treasure trove of straight-
forward, pithy job search and career advice, 125 tips, and stories from an
employment expert. It is a career advancement and networking guide that
also identifies inconvenient truths that are not commonly known but are
helpful to have in your career toolkit.
Your GPS to Employment Success also addresses

• Th
 e importance of preparing mentally, physically, and emotionally
for a r­ oller-coaster job search.
• How to adopt NBA star forward LeBron James’s career strategy for
personal career goals.
• How to develop a career plan and strategy, and the need to execute
a career ­strategy.
• How to look for employment in a virtual world.
• How a former NFL athlete asked a stranger for help and changed
the trajectory of his life.

The author also provides a career toolkit that contains informative,

time-saving ­material.

Keywords
internship; intern; career resources; career guide; career advice; career
planning; career advancement; career counseling; career change; career
coaching; job search; your employment; employment; networking
 Contents
Testimonials������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������xi
Foreword���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������xiii
Acknowledgments���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� xv
General Information��������������������������������������������������������������������������� xvii
Introduction���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� xix

Chapter 1 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere������������������������������������1
Chapter 2 Inconvenient Truths�������������������������������������������������������21
Chapter 3 Networking Is the GPS to Employment Success�������������31
Chapter 4 Who Are You?����������������������������������������������������������������55
Chapter 5 What Do You Bring to the Table? What Is Your
Destination?�������������������������������������������������������������������81
Chapter 6 You’re Looking for a Job ....They Don’t Call It Work
for Nothing!�������������������������������������������������������������������93
Chapter 7 On the Job…Don’t Get Shot by a
Bullet Labeled “To Whom It May Concern”�����������������117
Chapter 8 Lights, Cameras, Action!�����������������������������������������������149

Toolkit�����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������167
Career Plan����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������173
About the Author��������������������������������������������������������������������������������179
Index�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������181
 Testimonials
“Your GPS to Employment Success takes readers through the various scenarios
they are likely to encounter in their job search and career advancement. By
using well-placed examples and bullet points for additional focus, this book
has a feeling that readers are being mentored.” —Michelle Lopez, Former
SVP, Chief Employment Counsel, MTV Networks/Viacom CBS

“Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right
Job, is a comprehensive guide that provides practical, realistic and current
advice on how to find a job, navigate the internet, network, interview
and be successful in today’s business world. Beverly Williams provides tools
and templates to aid the job seeker and delivers the material in an easy to read
instructional format.” —Thomas Duym, Former Vice President—Risk
Management, Automatic Data Processing - ADP
 Foreword
Beverly Williams is the ultimate no-nonsense adviser. She doesn’t bother
telling you what would be comforting to hear—in a highly competitive
job market, you don’t need that. Beverly tells you what you need to know.
Your GPS to Employment Success contains 125 specific tips to help
you navigate today’s ever more challenging employment environment.
Along the way, it includes inspirational quotations, success stories, and
cautionary tales. On topics ranging from making a good impression on a
prospective employer to averting social media pitfalls, the book provides
guidance that is insightful and easy to absorb.
It has never been more important for job seekers and job holders to
maximize opportunities and avoid costly errors. Your GPS to Employment
­Success is your guide to mastering today’s work-related challenges.
Brad R. Roth
Professor of Political Science & Law
Wayne State University
Detroit, MI
 Acknowledgments
Valeria Jacobs Andrews
Mary Flamer
Katie Gooler
Wade J. Henderson
Jessica Ken Kwofie
Ellen Nelson
Illene Ocampo
Dansby White
Thank you for your time, suggestions, and support.
 General Information
This book is provided as a practical guide and resource for general
­information on employment-related issues. While the author, editor, and
publisher have made efforts to assure the accuracy of the material in this
book as of August 1, 2020, it should not be treated as a basis for for-
mulating business and legal decisions without individualized legal and
professional advice. In legal matters, no publication can take the place of
professional advice given with full knowledge of the specific c­ ircumstances
of each matter and the actual practices of the employer.
This book contains links to third-party websites (“External Sites”).
These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and not as an
endorsement by us of the content on such External Sites. The content
of such External Sites is developed and provided by others. You should
contact the site administrator or webmaster for those External Sites if you
have any concerns regarding such links or any content located on such
External Sites.
We are not responsible for the content of any linked External Sites
and do not make any representations regarding the content or accuracy
of materials on such External Sites. You should take precautions when
downloading files from all websites to protect your computer from viruses
and other destructive programs. If you decide to access linked External
Sites, you do so at your own risk.
The author, editor, and publisher make no representation or warranty,
express or implied, as to the completeness, correctness, or utility of the
information contained in this book and assume no liability of any kind
whatsoever resulting from the use or reliance upon its contents. The ref-
erences and advice are provided based on professional experiences and
observations, and should be considered along with the reader’s individual
circumstances.
 Introduction
Your GPS to Employment Success: How to Find and Succeed in the Right
Job provides career advice as dos and don’ts, tips, stories, and cautionary
tales. The material and content provided in this book are not a substitute
for existing career counseling programs, materials, and human capital.
Instead, it is intended to supplement what is currently in place, and in
the future.
There is a wealth of free information on the Internet. Unfortunately,
most people do not know what to look for and how to use it optimally.
Your GPS to Employment Success is a resource that strives to enhance job
seekers’ employment journey.
Be mindful, however, that there simply is no substitute for, among
other things, persistence, old-school and new-school networking, atten-
tion to detail, a positive attitude, reasonable expectations, and hard work.
Set career goals; develop a career plan; and execute the plan.

For success, attitude is equally as important as ability.

—Walter Scott, Scottish novelist
 CHAPTER 1

Prepare…Plan…Persist...
Persevere
Many employees realize they will need to switch careers at some
stage in their life. Not only has the job-for-life disappeared, but the
­career-for-life is going the same way.
—Mike Webster, Kelly Services Executive
Vice President and General Manager

Reflections
How you approach your employment journey is crucial. Each day, ­prepare
yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. Develop a strategic plan
and execute it. Persist with your efforts in furtherance of your goals and
objectives. Persevere through negative responses, if any, and the absence
of responses.

Prepare

TIP 1-1 View and prepare for your job search through a lens that
­presumes the worst job market ever regardless of the state of the
­economy and your prospects.
Solely for the purpose of gauging the effort required to achieve the goal of
your job search, ignore the ebb and flow of global and national economies
and their effect on job availability. Prepare to compete for employment
opportunities in the worst possible job market.
If you approach your journey through that lens, you will be prepared
to compete for employment regardless of the state of the economy and
the job market.
2 Your GPS to Employment Success

TIP 1-2 List what you want to accomplish each day.

The evening before you begin your job search, make a list of tasks to be
completed the following day. Set the clock, rise at the same time each
day, work out, and eat breakfast. These daily tasks can be checked off
as completed at the end of each day. Decide how you will journal your
experience, either on the computer, in a notebook, or whatever facilitates
your thinking.
Your list should include reading the morning news and job boards,
conducting research about businesses and people associated with those
businesses, drafting resumes and cover letters, and networking via e-mail
and social media. In addition, prepare a list of personal consultants who
can contribute to your job search with informed guidance. Including
these people on your daily schedule for coffee, for example, can provide
a healthy sounding board for your progress and keep you focused. Such
personal consultants should be well-informed friends, family members,
and spiritual and political leaders.
Preparation may increase your ability to cope with the trials and
­tribulations that accompany the negative and positive aspects of employ-
ment pursuits. Establishing a routine and committing your daily schedule
to writing will help you remain focused. If necessary, conspicuously post
the list of tasks and your schedule so it is easy to follow. Nothing must fall
through the cracks.

TIP 1-3 Use music to motivate and inspire you and change your
mood.
Listening to music may not only be good for your health,1 it may ease
your transition through the ups and downs of your job search. C ­ reate
playlists that include upbeat music with or without lyrics or both versions.

1
  Heid, M. 2018. “You Asked: Is Listening to Music Good For Your Health?”
TIME, April 26, 2018, https://time.com/5254381/listening-to-musichealth-
benefits/; Edwards Van, V. 2019. “The Benefits of Music: How the Science
of Music Can Help You.” Science of People, https://scienceofpeople. com/
benefits-music/ FnH “Can Listening to Music Bring Actual Health Benefits?”
June 26, 2019, https://foodnhealth.org/can-listening-to-musicbring-actual-
health-benefits/
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 3

Get started with the Gonna Fly Now (Theme from Rocky)2 and Roar 3 by
Katy Perry.
The Climb4 by Miley Cyrus is calmer, and perhaps may ease you
into the conclusion of your day. Add personal favorites and play them
­randomly to add an element of surprise to your musical experience.

TIP 1-4 Train like an olympian. (Consult a physician before you

begin any fitness program.)
Achieving an Olympic medal undeniably requires single-minded focus
and unwavering commitment. Visualize Olympic medalists who train
relentlessly. To be successful, they train to condition themselves to
­compete in rigorous Olympic events.
Although there is no guarantee that their hard work will yield
Olympic medals, they nonetheless put in the time and effort. Even the
possibility that they will win a medal is worth the sacrifices they make.
You are developing rigor for your job search.
You may find that you have more energy at the end of the day if you
begin it with physical activity. Outdoor activities, such as cycling, walk-
ing, jogging, or swimming are free. If you can afford a gym you can have
not only the benefit of physical activity but networking opportunities as
well. Listening to upbeat music while you exercise may also leave you in
an upbeat mood when you finish.
Never let inclement weather sidetrack your fitness efforts. Search the
Internet and social media platforms for free streaming and online, in-home
exercise videos. Join a neighborhood community center, check out ­videos
from the library, utilize exercise videos on cable or purchase them.
In addition to exercise, balanced meals and healthy eating also keep
minds sharp and bodies healthy. Given the limited time and energy
­available in a 24-hour day, focus and staying on task are necessary.

2
  Conti, B. 1976. “Composer; Capitol Records.” https://soundtrack.net/album/
rocky-capitol/
3
  Perry, K., J.M. Martin, Dr. M.M. Luke, and S.T. Hudson. 2013. “Capitol
Records.” Released August 10, 2013, https://lyrics.com/lyric/30485320/
Katy+Perry/Roar
4
  Alexander, J., and J. Mabe. 2009. Writers, from Hannah Montana: The Movie.
Walt Disney, https://songfacts.com/facts/miley-cyrus/the-climb
4 Your GPS to Employment Success

You will likely get from your employment search and efforts to gain
a promotion what you put into them. Consistent effort, follow-up, net-
working, job-board searches, and résumé revisions are a few of the tasks
critical for employment success.
Olympian Brendon Rodney agrees that people who are looking for
employment should establish a daily routine by:

1. Getting plenty of rest

2. Eating healthy
3. Exercising
4. Planning and organizing daily tasks
5. Remaining focused on completing those tasks and achieving your goals
6. Taking a break periodically to enjoy yourself, and then beginning again

According to Brendon, rest and periodic breaks are important. Brace

yourself for the drain on your energy.5

TIP 1-5 Stay in shape or get into shape for your health and to enhance
your personal appearance.
Weight is a sensitive subject but one that should be addressed. Personal
struggles aside, you do not have to be a lean, mean employment-seeking
machine. You should know, however, that being overweight may affect
your employment success.
It is no secret that being overweight contributes to medical issues.
It is also common knowledge that health care premiums (a portion of
which may be paid by employers) are expensive. There is no sign that
premium costs are going to get cheaper.
If you do not have health issues and you are satisfied with how you
look, do not change unless you want to do so. There is more acceptance
of diversity in body type, ethnicity, and hairstyles now than in the past.
Be mindful, however, that physical appearance is more important in
some industries than in others. Fashion and retail, client-facing sales, and
on-air media roles are just a few industries and positions where appearance
is client, customer, and viewer driven.

  Telephone Interview with Olympic Medalist, Brendon Rodney in August 2020.

5
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 5

If you decide to trim down, find a workout partner to join you in your
fitness routine. It is easier to maintain a program if there is someone to
keep you company while you exercise.
Make sure your partner is reliable and committed to achieving results.
You could also create a networking opportunity through the people you
meet on the track or at the gym.

TIP 1-6 Manage your mindset.

Managing the stressors of life, including the stress that accompanies
­seeking employment, is not easy. Whatever your employment situation,
your mental and physical well-being are critical to your success in finding
a job and as an employee. Daily meditation can relieve stress and anxiety
by clearing your head and placing you in a state of mind that permits you
to concentrate on your job search or efforts to earn a promotion.
Take advantage of online resources, group chats, and networking
opportunities.6 Explore available online meditation tools and recordings
to find one suitable for you. Mindfulness, “the basic human ability to
be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not
overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us,”7 may
benefit you.
Focus on self-care.8 Find videos that offer yoga or guided meditation.
You can start with a 10-minute video and increase the time gradually.
The goal is to be healthy and ready when opportunity knocks.
Do not be embarrassed if you become overwhelmed or feel blue.
Acknowledge how you feel by telling someone such as your medical
­practitioner or clergy.
Do not struggle alone. Tell someone who will help you get either
professional or family support.

6
  Tabone, Maria, B.A., M.A., and M.S. 2020. “Your Employment Matters
with Beverly Williams Podcast.” Stress Management During a Pandemic, https://
youremploymentmatters.com/
7
  The Mindful Staff. 2014. “Mindful Blog.” What is Mindfulness? October 6,
2014, https://mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/
8
 Tabone, Stress Management During a Pandemic.
6 Your GPS to Employment Success

TIP 1-7 Manage your expectations.

TIP 1-8 Make sure your expectations are reasonable and realistic.
The pursuit of employment and on-the-job success, especially in c­ ompetitive
job markets, requires managing mental, physical, and emotional health.
Thus, it is important to manage expectations. Do not expect all resumes to be
acknowledged or to receive responses to all e-mails, texts, and telephone calls.
Depending on your personal circumstances, financial problems may
worsen. How you manage these challenges is wholly within your control.
Your job search should be directed toward a job that you are qualified
for. You should be able to articulate persuasively the value you bring,
and why you should be hired. If you do not overreach for a position the
emotional ups and downs of your employment journey should be more
manageable.
If, however, you apply for jobs that you are not qualified for and you
approach your job search cavalierly, save your time. You probably will not
be hired unless you have a connection to someone to whom a huge favor
is owed.
Generally, returning a favor is not an adequate incentive to hire an
unqualified candidate. Depending on the caliber of qualified applicants,
a favorable result for you may be simply moving to the next level of
­interviews. This will give you another opportunity. Make the best of it.

TIP 1-9 Begin from a position of gratitude.

Recognize that no one is obligated to help you get a job. Accordingly,
be  grateful for any assistance you receive. It may be a contact, an
­introductory meeting, or advice.
Whether you follow the advice or reach out to the contact or try to
schedule the meeting, be grateful and gracious to the person who makes
the offer. Acknowledge the generosity and express your gratitude to
­everyone including the custodian, doorman, administrative assistant, and
anyone else, as appropriate.

Plan

One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail
to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 7

has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent
who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very
survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas,
to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.
—Martin Luther King, Jr., minister, social activist,
and civil rights leader

TIP 1-10 Embrace the new employment reality.

The mutual loyalty and trust that employers and their employees shared
are no longer commonplace. As far too many employees have learned,
loyalty and trust, while important, are not always reciprocal.
Jobs have been eliminated or moved elsewhere because of business
decisions that favored outsourcing, restructuring, and maximizing prof-
itability. Employment opportunities also have disappeared because of the
impact of COVID-19.
More employees are working from home. Economist Susan Athey
posits of telecommuting that, “[p]eople will change their habits, and
some of these habits will stick. There’s a lot of things where people are just
slowly shifting, and this will accelerate that.” 9
The shrinking workplace physical footprint is indicative of a permanent
shift toward telecommuting. Skills needed in this environment include
(1) being organized, (2) technical prowess, (3) collaboration, (4) communi-
cation, and (5) self-motivation.10
For example, in order to maintain an air of professionalism, on-air
media personalities and entertainers who do not have their support
­system have to learn how to apply makeup and manage their hair for a
camera-ready appearance. Remote meetings with bosses should be han-
dled as they would in the office. Not only should you be prepared but you
should deliver your contribution clearly and succinctly.

9
  Guyot., K., and I.V. Sawhill. 2020. “Brookings’ Blog.” Telecommuting will Likely
Continue Long After the Pandemic, April 6, 2020, https://brookings.edu/blog/up-
front/2020/04/06/telecommuting-will-likely-continue-long-after-thepandemic/
10
  Vozza, S. 2020. “Fast Company’ Blog.” 5 Skills You Need to Demonstrate to
Land a Remote Job, April 17, 2020, https://fastcompany.com/90490491/5-skill-
syou-need-to-demonstrate-to-land-a-remote-job
8 Your GPS to Employment Success

Working remotely does not appeal to everyone.11 Be mindful, ­however,

that technological developments drive business changes. They also affect
the type of jobs and workers needed to perform those jobs.
There is no need to panic; the situation is not as bad as it may
sound. Remember the Industrial Revolution? Gradually, but successfully,
the world transitioned from an agrarian to an industrial society to an
­information technology juggernaut.
In stark contrast, a dozen years after the Great Recession of 2008, as the
need to transition arose again, people seem to have failed to reconsider how
to handle their employment matters. Rather than keeping abreast of indus-
try developments, aggressively managing their careers, and proactively cre-
ating multiple income streams, it appears that the preexisting work r­ outine
resumed, albeit perhaps with different jobs and different employers.
Begin to think about your vision for your employment journey by
considering whether you have a career strategy and a personal brand. It is
never too early to visualize what you want to achieve. Realize that what
you envision may change because of factors beyond your control.

A Career Strategy Model

Thanks to LeBron James, the New Employment Reality arrived at the
National Basketball Association (NBA) and is exemplified by his ­departure
from the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat in July 2010. Further-
more, this example represents a template for how to manage a career.
Here are the steps in the template that LeBron James’s move represents:
LeBron

1. Set realistic goals

2. Performed at the highest level
3. Allowed a reasonable time within which to achieve his goals
4. Objectively evaluated his talents and marketability
5. Relocated to another state to pursue and achieve his career goals

11
  Saunders, E.G. 2020. “Fast Company’ Blog.” Panicked About Working
from Home? Here’s How to do it Right, March 17, 2020, https://fastcompany.
com/90477913/panicked-about-working-from-home-heres-how-to-do-it-right
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 9

LeBron James made a fortune playing with the Cleveland Cavaliers,

but he had realistic, achievable career goals. He not only wanted to be on
a championship team but also wanted to win NBA championships for
multiple years.
After seven seasons with Cleveland, without bringing Cleveland an
NBA championship, LeBron James decided to play for Miami for less
money. LeBron felt that moving to Miami would give him the best
opportunity to achieve his career goals. He was right.
With back-to-back successes, the Miami Heat was the NBA’s 2012
and 2013 Championship Team. Career goals one and two ... ✓ and ✓ !
LeBron James left Miami and returned to Cleveland in 2014.
In 2016, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James won his third
NBA Championship. In 2018, he bid farewell to Cleveland again. This
time he joined the Los Angeles Lakers.
Two years later in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic,
LeBron James won a fourth NBA Championship against the Miami Heat,
one of his former teams. Unquestionably, an admirable achievement that
took, among other things, tremendous talent, focus, commitment, and
teamwork.
Do not get it twisted: Make no mistake, LeBron James’s approach
will not work for everyone. We all know that he was, and amazingly still
is, extremely talented and marketable.
Do not delude yourself, however, about your talents and market­
ability. An objective assessment of your skills and talents and on-the-job
­performance is critical.

TIP 1-11 Do not overestimate your value on the open market.

The average person is not as talented as LeBron James, not as market-
able, and probably employed or looking for employment in a workplace
more mundane than the NBA. LeBron James nonetheless can be used
to illustrate what it means to set career goals, manage a career, and
create multiple income streams as he has in endorsements and enter-
tainment projects.
Ask yourself objectively and honestly, am I in the position to create a
New Employment Reality for myself? Remember, you must eat, pay rent,
perhaps pay student loans, and fulfill other responsibilities.
10 Your GPS to Employment Success

Compare LeBron James’s approach to his career with how Eve, an

experienced, mature HR professional, handled her job search.
Several years ago, Eve resigned as Director of Human Resources of a prominent
teaching hospital. After two years, Eve decided that she missed the interaction with
people, and wanted to return to work.
It was no surprise that Eve was called in for interviews by most of the com-
panies that she applied to because her resume was impressive, and she had the
desired pedigree. Her educational background included undergraduate and
graduate degrees, and she had extensive industry work experience.
When Eve arrived for a series of interviews at a large health care organization,
based on her polished appearance and professional demeanor, the staffing coordi-
nator concluded that Eve could be the total package. The staffing coordinator was
correct. Eve was an intelligent, articulate, and knowledgeable HR professional.
After her last interview, the hiring manager told Eve they were close to a
decision among the top three applicants, one of whom was Eve. Inexplicably,
Eve felt compelled to inform him quite candidly and unequivocally that she
only wanted to work four days a week, and that she wanted Fridays off. In her
opinion, any job could be performed in four days.
The hiring manager told Eve that she would hear from the staffing coordina-
tor. Guess what? Eve is still waiting for the telephone call that will never come.
Unlike LeBron James, Eve overestimated her value on the open mar-
ket. Another difference between them is that LeBron was in the position
to create a New Employment Reality for himself while Eve could only
react to the New Employment Reality that had already been created.
Eve should have known that, given her profession and experience,
there are many talented, unemployed professionals looking for jobs, and
that no one (especially an HR professional) is irreplaceable.
Admittedly, people of all ages overplay their hands. Please do not be
one of them.

TIP 1-12 Identify or create your personal brand and protect it.
Personal branding is a concept that more and more people recognize as
an essential element in marketing themselves and managing their careers.
Your personal brand is how people think of you and describe you. In some
ways, it is outside your control, but you obviously have some influence
over it.
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 11

Typically, employers look for hard skills or competencies and soft skills
such as personal interactions. Examples of personal brand traits include
verbal and written communication skills, personal appearance, technical
proficiency, social media usage, and digital footprint.

TIP 1-13 Dress, speak, and conduct yourself as you choose, but be
prepared to accept the consequences.
Your personal appearance and behavior on and off the job can impact
whether you get hired and whether your career has an upward trajectory
after you are hired. The way you think things should be, may not be the
way things are. Often, the only reason for the difference is the business
culture or a supervisor’s idiosyncrasy.
For example, suppose the company you work for allows facial hair
on men and open-toe12 shoes for women, but your manager is an “old-
school,” 40-year-old who makes it clear that she thinks beards, mous-
taches, and peep-toe pumps are inconsistent with the conservative
business image your employer wants to project.
As a job applicant or a new employee, you might have to make deci-
sions about whether to exercise your right to assert your individuality.
Are you willing to wear less flamboyant clothing and not have unusual
hair colors and hairstyles? Are you willing to keep your opinions about
politics, religion, and other potentially controversial subjects to yourself?
Seriously, there are conservative, less progressive companies that favor
a more restrained style and their managers support the company’s point
of view. What do you do? Do you exercise your right, wear what you
want, and possibly annoy your boss when you do, or do you conform?
­Fortunately, you have a choice, but you also have a decision to make.

TIP 1-14 Think globally and nationally.

Consider whether you are willing to relocate to another state or country
to find employment. Your research may indicate that there is a dearth of
jobs where you live or in nearby locations within commuting distance,
and that is not likely to change in the future.

  Killinger. S. 2020. QVC Host. “Some Employers do not Want to See Your
12

Toes No Matter How Pretty They Are.” QVC, June 30, 2020.
12 Your GPS to Employment Success

Relocating to another state or country is an option. To make this

option more palatable to you and your loved ones, focus on locations
where family members or friends live.

TIP 1-15 If you have a disability,13 decide when or whether to

­disclose it.
Employment applications seek information about whether applicants
have disabilities and whether they need a reasonable accommodation that
will enable them to perform their jobs. If you are a person with a disabil-
ity, who meets the qualifications of the position for which you applied,
you will need to decide when or whether to disclose your disability to a
prospective employer. The dilemma is whether to disclose a disability that
is not discernible during an interview before you are offered a job.
The dilemma exists for several reasons. For example, a disabled ­person
may not need a reasonable accommodation (as the law allows) every day
because his or her disability (such as a medical condition) may be in remis-
sion. Many times, when people feel better, they believe their ­condition is
no longer active. Unfortunately, they may be wrong.

Persist

TIP 1-16 Motivate yourself.

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire,

you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.
—George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright and cofounder
of the London School of Economics

If a specific job is what your dreams are made of, or you see it as a means
to acquire the things you want to do or purchase, find a picture that
captures your vision of your ideal job. Take a picture of a vacation resort
you want to visit; the motorcycle, car, or home you want to buy; or some
other item that you dream of owning one day.

  Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. Public Law 101-336. 108th Congress,
13

2nd session (July 26, 1990). https://dol.gov/general/topic/disability/ada

 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 13

Next, place the picture in a beautiful frame pleasing to your eye, and
tape unframed copies on your mirrors and on your refrigerator. If you
are employed, place the framed picture on your desk at work; if you are
unemployed, place it next to your bed so it is the last image you see before
you go to sleep. Every time you get upset about your job or discouraged
because you have been unable to find work, look at the picture and try
harder…be persistent!
Tell yourself, “I can achieve anything that I put my mind and my
best efforts toward achieving.” After you tell yourself that you can do
anything, and you set out to achieve your goal, do not let anyone tell you
that you cannot or should not.
Keep in mind that success means different things to different people.
Define career success on your terms according to your definition. If you
have graduated from college and now you want to be a plumber, learn
from experienced plumbers to be the best plumber you can be. If you
want to be an executive, research what other successful executives have
done to acquire that position.
If, after you are hired, you reasonably believe that your contributions
are substantial and of value to your employer, do not let anyone margin-
alize you and your efforts. Executives who have been labeled A, B, and C
14 Your GPS to Employment Success

players in one company have gone on to achieve huge success as A players

in much more successful, respected, and highly regarded companies.
As an employee, if your supervisor has not told you how you are
performing, ask him or her. You need to know in order to plan your
employment strategy and future. Ask for suggestions for improvement.
This shows that you really want to succeed.
Family and friends are a different matter. Depending on the quality of
your personal and professional support network, you may need to mar-
shal the strength to repel and distance yourself from detractors. If they are
“friends,” find new ones. If they are family members, interact with them
less frequently.
Do not be swayed by what others think and believe is important
unless you respect their opinions. Even then, gather more data. Contact
others whose opinions you respect, such as a former teacher, coach, pro-
fessor, supervisor, or anyone who has demonstrated sound judgment. Ask
them what they think about your goals, given what they know about you.
The person whose opinion you seek should either have specific or
generic experience in the business or profession of interest to you or be
someone who can obtain feedback for you from someone who does.
You will likely get from your employment search what you put into
it in terms of, among other things, time, effort, follow-up, networking,
job-board searches, and résumé preparation. Persistence and tenacity are
essential to achieving positive results; without them, you will not likely
be successful.
If the data gathered support the conclusion that you are average or
not likely to be successful in the role you envision for yourself, consider
whether to redirect your efforts. If you feel strongly and passionately
about your career selection, do not give up your dreams and goals because
of naysayers. After a reasonable period, reevaluate your decision.

TIP 1-17 Find inspiration from other people’s journeys and successes.
Athletes, entertainers, and chefs have stories of overcoming poverty,
abandonment, physical and substance abuse, and other challenges. Their
recital of how far they have come and how their sport and craft saved
them evokes awe, respect, and inspiration. These stories of struggle,
redemption, self-reflection, and vindication are worth your time.
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 15

Watch ESPN programming for heartrending stories of athletes’

­survival in the face of overwhelmingly dire circumstances. Similarly, the
Food Network’s Chopped often includes short interviews in which chefs
share the obstacles that they climbed over to reach their spot on the show.
You do not have to like sports or cooking shows to benefit from the
experience of watching the programming. It can be a sobering experi-
ence, but one which may invigorate and propel you forward with new
­momentum. If those athletes, entertainers, and chefs can do it, so can you.
For inspiration, either read Liz Murray’s biography online or watch
the Lifetime movie, Homeless to Harvard: The Liz Murray Story. Amanda
Kloot’s decision to take charge of her life and career after the rejections
and unexpected unemployment associated with being an actor is also
instructive. 14 Regardless of your gender or gender expression, these ­stories
should inspire you.

TIP 1-18 Consider all feedback a gift.

14
  Kloots, A. 2018. “How I Overcame Losing My Job and Marriage—With a
Jump Rope.” TIME, May 3, 2018, https://time.com/5262866/overcoming­
divorce-job-loss/
16 Your GPS to Employment Success

TIP 1-19 Accept negative feedback without becoming defensive.

Constructive feedback almost always includes both positive and negative
information, some of which you may agree with and some you may not.
If you elicit feedback, be sure to accept it graciously, even if you do not
agree with it.
Accept it as you would accept an ugly gift from a loved one. Consider
it a gift, one that makes you smile, because it will help you improve.
At the very least, feedback may give you information about the per-
son who gives it. If you thought the person was a supporter, the feedback
provided may change your mind.
If you do not receive negative feedback well, you need to practice.
How well you handle feedback may be a factor when recruiters debrief
you after an interview and/or when your supervisor gives you your annual
performance review.
A few words of caution are appropriate. People considered supporters
may not show it in their feedback. Others might be more generous with
positive feedback than expected.
Before concluding that people who only give negative feedback are
not supportive, consider whether they have experience giving feedback.
Do they know that constructive feedback is generally delivered by giving
positive comments first followed by less favorable, more temperate com-
ments? You may want to confirm that they know this before judging them
too harshly, especially if they are friends.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be prudent to ask s­everal
potential feedback providers to give you constructive feedback.
­
This information may contribute to your personal and professional
development.

TIP 1-20 Do not shoot the messenger.

Like feedback, information received during a job search or at work may
be positive or negative. It may be conveyed by someone who may or
may not know you well or like you. Human resources (“HR”) employ-
ees and a former supervisor, coach, or professor are examples of possible
sources.
Regardless, do not react negatively toward the person who delivers the
message or information. It is simply bad form. Furthermore, that person
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 17

may be someone you will meet again, and he or she may recall—to your
detriment—how you handled yourself.

TIP 1-21 Maintain a positive attitude.

Simply put, no one wants to help a person with a bad attitude.
Nicole did not graduate from college and did not get good grades in high
school, but she acquired additional training after high school. Somehow Nicole
always finds a job. She has changed jobs several times for personal reasons and
each time she needed to find another job, someone hired her.
Why? Nicole’s references are effusive in their praise of her interpersonal
relationship skills, work ethic, and reliability. People consistently describe her
as having “a nice way about her.” She always has a smile, never has a negative
attitude, works hard, does her job well, and is always on time for work. Nicole
is someone to emulate.

TIP 1-22 Follow sound advice unless you have a good reason to do
otherwise.
You will probably receive advice from many different people some who
know what they are talking about and others not so much. Do not forget
to exercise due diligence to determine whether the advice given by others
works for you and your situation. That is, before you decide, objectively
check the reliability and suitability of your source.
Questions you might ask yourself include the following: What do you
know about the person? Is he successful by your standards? Does she have
the background—that is, education and work experience—that makes
her knowledgeable?
If you do not know the person offering advice, check out his or her
bona fides or credentials to confirm that the advice offered at least has
some credible basis to justify your consideration. Beware of those who
claim to have all the answers. If possible, look for breadth and depth of
experience and increasing levels of responsibility possessed by individuals
who offer advice.

TIP 1-23 Seek information, not affirmation.

Unbiased information is powerful. If nothing else, it enables you to make
informed decisions. Regardless of the type of job you seek, you need
18 Your GPS to Employment Success

objective feedback about who people think you are and the value you can
bring to an employer. Family and friends are not objective about you and
your talents. Input from an eclectic group of people you can rely on to
give you constructive feedback is not only important, it is essential.
If you can, find people of various ages, ethnicities, religions, and
sexual expressions, along with professionals employed in a multitude of
functions. The individuals you select should know you well enough to be
helpful as you plan your career.
At work, vary your lunch and break friends to include people in other
departments and offices within the company to obtain a broader view.
You may have to introduce yourself to individuals you do not know,
but the possible advantages may enhance your employment experience.
At the very least, you will expand your network of contacts.
If you cannot amass such a group, do the best you can with the people
you know. Going forward, your efforts to expand your network base and
make it as varied as possible will benefit you.

TIP 1-24 Develop and maintain relationships thoughtfully and wisely.

In Chapter 5, you are going to be asked to think about who will accom-
pany you on your employment journey. Go ahead and begin a mental
list of loved ones, friends, family members, coaches, instructors, and the
other people you know whom you might include on your list, and why.
Ideally, this list will be the start of a network that will grow and serve you
well in the future.

Persevere

TIP 1-25 Do not give up or give in.

When the world says, “Give up,” Hope whispers, “Try it one more
time.”
—Author unknown

If your lack of success finding a job or receiving a promotion makes

you feel underappreciated by prospective employers or ignored by your
supervisor despite your marketable skills, conduct a reality check.
 Prepare…Plan…Persist...Persevere 19

Ask yourself: Have I

• Exhausted all possible avenues that could lead me to success?

• Been more flexible than I have ever been?
• Stepped outside of my comfort zone?
• Engaged in introspective reflection to identify areas that may
need improvement?

Even if you are satisfied that the answers to all these questions are
“yes,” and you believe that you are close to success, you are likely to realize
that this journey you are now on can be humbling.
Do not let anyone tell you that you cannot or should not achieve
your goals. Do not give up or give in to your emotional ups and downs.
Stay the course ... press on. Failure (at least on a permanent basis) is not
an option.

Resources
Mindset
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is a national grassroots mental
illness organization that provides education, advocacy and other support to
individuals affected by mental illness. https://nami.org/Home
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
https://samhsa.gov/
• Thrive Global, https://thriveglobal.com/categories/community/
• The Holistic Root to Managing Anxiety by Maria Tabone https://amazon.
com/Holistic-Root-Managing-Anxiety/dp/0615356222
• The Resiliency Advantage: Master Change, Thrive Under Pressure, and
Bounce
• Back from Setbacks by Al Siebert https://amazon.com/Resiliency-Advantage-
Master-Pressure-Setbacks/dp/1576753298
• 10 Signs of an Ailing Mind, Colette Bouchez, June 28, 2007. https://
samigroup.blogspot.com/2007/06/10-signs-of-ailing-mind.html
• How to cope with feeling stressed and overwhelmed, Rachael Roberts,
February 27, 2019. https://life-resourceful.com/2019/02/27/dealing-with-
stress-and-overwhelm/
• Warning Signs of Mental Illness, Physician Review, Ranna Parekh, M.D.,
M.P.H., July 2018. https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/warning-signs-
ofmental-illness
20 Your GPS to Employment Success

• How to Cope When You Constantly Feel Overwhelmed, by Maureen

Campaiola, August 2. 2020. https://adebtfreestressfreelife.com/feel-overwhelmed/
• What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed, Sara Young Wang July 19, 2018.
https://forbes.com/sites/sarayoungwang/2018/07/19/what-to-do-when-
youfeel-overwhelmed/#74bfcbd56c6a
• 7 Ways to Cope When You Feel Overwhelmed, by Toria Sheffield, November
6, 2015, https://bustle.com/articles/122091-7-ways-to-cope-when-you-feel-
overwhelmed

Meditation

• 6 Great Online Tools to Help You Meditate, https://inc.com/

john-boitnott/6-online-tools-to-help-entrepreneurs-meditate.
html
• 7 Powerful Meditation Tools to Help You Train Your Mind,
https://scottjeffrey.com/best-meditation-tools/
• The 10 Best Meditation Tools: Unlocking The Sacred Wis-
dom https://yourbodythetemple.com/best-meditation-tools/

Exercise
• A selection of exercise videos, Bing https://bing.com/search?q=exercise+videos
• How to Train Like an Olympic Athlete and Get Results, Paige Waehner,
https://verywellfit.com/train-like-an-olympic-athlete-1231196
 Index
Adventurous personality, 74 personal appearance and behavior,
Agency shop, 145 11
Analytical skills, 52 personal branding, 10–11
Annual salary, 115 positive attitude, 17
Apprenticeship programs, 83 seeking advice from others, 17
Appropriateness, 65–66 self-motivation, 12–14
Athey, Susan, 7 Cell phone and texting etiquette,
77–79
Background-check problems Childish person, 74
background checks, 112–113 Closed shop, 145
convictions vs. arrests, 113–114 Comfort zone, 19, 26, 44, 49, 119
drug tests, 114 Communication skills, 75–76
Before-you-leave-for-the-interview Company-sponsored events, 72
checklist, 172, 174–175 Computer skills, 52
Brand loyalty, 172 Constructive feedback, 16, 18, 129,
Bonus plan, 24 131–132
Business events, 72
Daily meditation, 5
Capable person, 74 Daily task list, 2
Career-limiting/inappropriate Deferred-compensation plan, 148
behavior, 29–30, 38 360-degree feedback, 168
Career plan, 173–174 Directory of Associations, 95
careful attention to details, 92 Directory of Executive & Professional
developmental goals and timetables, Recruiters, 95
88–89 Dishonest person, 74
inventory, 85–88 Drug tests, 114
proposal, 91–92
sample, 89–91 E-mail, 76
self-assessment, 82–85 Employee assistance programs (EAPs),
success and prosperity, 92 146–148
Career strategy model, 8 Employee relations, 144
advice seeking, 17 Employee stock purchase plans, 148
disabilities, 12 Employer’s benefits
employment search locations, deferred-compensation 401k plans,
11–12 148
information seeking, 17–18 employee assistance programs,
LeBron James’s approach, 8–9 146–148
message/information receiving, employee stock option plans, 148
16–17 employee stock purchase
negative feedback accepting, 16 plans, 148
New Employment Reality, 9–10 tuition assistance, 145–146
other people’s journeys and success, Employer’s party, 28
14–15 Employers’ rights, 143
182 Index

Employment-related success Interviews

comfort zone, 119 avoiding personal questions,
employment records maintainance, 110–111
120 considerations, 108–109
ethics program, 120–121 dress for, 106–108
positive attitude, 119 preparation checklist, 175–177
workplace civility. (see Workplace telephone interview, 105–106
civility) thank you letter, 111
Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC), 113 Job market, 1
Ethics and integrity, 97–98 Job quiting, 138–140
Exercise, 3–5, 20 Job-search efforts
compensation package, 115
Family members, 27–28 cover letter, 104
Feedback, 15–18, 30, 154 daily task list, 2
accepting feedback, 61 ethics and integrity, 97–98
Film production expectations, 6
charitable donations, 151 financial situation, 98–99
cheerleader, 153 gratitude, 6–7
employment experience, 149–151 job locations, 22
goals, 153 mindset, 5
Lou Alexander’s interview, 160–166 music, 2–3
multi-employment reality, 154–155 new employment reality, 7–8
SOAR, 155–158 physical appearance, 4–5
acquiring information and preparation, 2
knowledge, 157 recruiter notification, 115
assuming responsibility, 157 required time and effort, 100–101
respect others rights, 157–158 research
seeking information, 156 directories to review, 95
skills and knowledge sharing, 156 good fit, 94
successful people, 152 networking, 94
work responsibilities and home life resume, 102–104
balancing, 151 revenue-generating venture, 102
Freedom of speech, 28–29, 32 telephone interview, 105–106
Friendly person, 74 temporary position, 99–100
training and physical activity, 3–4
Gentle Manners, 47 video interview, 105–106
Glassdoor, 33 worst job market, 1
Greeting guidelines, 78–79 Job security, 25

Hard skills, 11, 52 Labor-management issues, 145

Helpful person, 74 Labor relations specialists, 144–145
Hidden Figures film, 159 LeBron James’s approach, 8–9
Honest person, 74 LinkedIn, 33, 51, 169
Human resources, 21, 22, 141–142
Management bullies, 130
Impatient person, 74 Marketing pitches, 44–46, 168–170
Informative marketing pitch, 45 sample, 170–171
Insecure person, 74 Marketing skills, 52
Internships, 23–24 Meditation, 5, 20
 Index 183

Mindfulness, 5 definition, 57
Mindset, 19–20 individual style and preferences, 58
Ms. Dorothy Vaughn's proactive negative perceptions, 55–56
approach, 159 story example and conclusions,
Multi-employment reality, 154–155 58–59
Multiple revenue streams, 22, 91, Personal hygiene, 174
102, 156 Personality, 74
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, 123 Personal marketing plan, 171–172
Positive attitude, 17
National Alliance on Mental Illness Positive feedback, 131–132
(NAMI), 19 Public speaking exercises, 75
Network contacts, 50
Networking, 34–35 References, 96
material posting, 36–37 Remote meetings, 7
old-school and new-school, 39–44 Reputation
pictures, 37 appreciating others, 61
preparation multigenerational environment, 62
good impression, 47 prejudice and biases, 62
marketing pitch, 44–46 working environment, 63
network contacts, 50 workplace interactions, 63
social graces, 46 perceptions and opinions, 59–60
virtual networking, 51–54 public and private behavior, 59
“win-win” situation, 49 question anticipation, 63–64
privacy, 38–39 self-awareness, 60
technology, 37–38 thanking, 61
Twitter, 38 Resume, 102–104
New Employment Reality, 7–10, 23
New-school networking, 41, 169 Sample content, 170–171
Self-assessment
Occupational Information Network articles, 82
(O*NET), 83 building-industry groups, 84
Old-school networking, 169 feedback review, 82
Open shop, 144 goals and values, 85
Outdoor activities, 3 Occupational Information
Network, 83
Periodic self-assessments, 137 review questions, 84
Personal appearance service-related occupations, 83
appropriateness, 65–66 vocational careers, 83
dressing style, 66 Self-care, 5
females, 69–70 Self-respect, 25–26
greeting guidelines, 78–79 Selfish person, 74
interpersonal exchanges, 73 Self-motivation, 12–14
males, 70–72 Service-related occupations, 83
message conveying, 68 Social media, 32–34, 169
relationships and contacts, 73–74 LinkedIn, 33, 51, 169
social graces networking, 34–35
business events, 72 possible long-term consequences, 36
table (dining) etiquette, 72–73 prospective employee screening,
Personal branding, 10–11, 57–59 32–33
attributes, 57 Social networking, 34–35
184 Index

Soft skills, 52 Workplace civility, 119, 121

Stretch assignment, 168 feedback, 128–130
Supervisor’s approach, 125–127 knowledgeable mentor, 132
loyalty and trust, 137–138
Technical skills, 52 management bullies, 130
Technology, 37–38 connect with new people, 131
Telephone interview, 105–106, 176 overcommitment and
Tenacity, 155 underdelivery, 127–128
Toastmasters, 75 performance reviews, 128
Tuition assistance, 92, 141, 145–146 periodic self-assessments, 137
Twitter, 38 personal information, 133–134
positive feedback, 131–132
Unbiased information, 17–18 self-esteem, 121–122
Unethical workplace behavior, 120–121 self-promotion, 122–123
shortcuts and shorthands, 123
Ms. Dorothy Vaughn's proactive supervisor, 125–127
approach, 159 untrustworthy people, 124
Video and telephone interviews, work-related social activities, 135
105–106 Workplace interactions, 63
Virtual networking, 51–54 Workplace words and phrases,
Vocational programs, 83 167–168