Can You Afford to Take an Entry-Level Salary?
But seriously, how low should you go?
Photo: Polina Zimmerman for Pexels
When it’s your first job offer, salary negotiation might not be the first thing on your mind—and you’re not alone. In fact, just 38% of recent college graduates negotiate with their employer upon receiving a job offer, despite the fact that three-quarters of employers saying they typically have room to increase their first salary offer by 5 to 10%, according to a study by the personal finance site NerdWallet.
Of course, when it comes to negotiating salary, there is no one right solution for everyone, and in this case, the answer depends on which of two major career groups you fall into—people starting out at the bottom and working their way up in their career and people starting at a higher level or specialized position and working up from there. Regardless of where you start, determining your entry-level salary requirements is a must!
Scroll on to find out if you can afford to take an entry-level salary and what that number should mean to you.
People Starting at the Bottom and Working Their Way Up in Their Careers
In many industries, you’ll find yourself starting at the very bottom working your way up the ladder of authority. Such industries include marketing, design, and some forms of IT (among many others). In these industries, people often start as an intern, assistant, or in admin which are known for lower pay grades.
If you are starting out with a low authority or unspecialized job, your first salary isn’t very important because you will most likely move on (and up) from there, however, you do need to see how low you can go to still be able to live within your means. Salary negotiation here means figuring out what you need to survive while you find your way.
Determining How Low of a Salary You Can Afford to Take at Your First Job
Map Out How Much Money You Spend: If you’re new at creating a budget, there are a lot of great apps such as Mint that let you input your information so you can see your total spending. This app will also give you tips and notifications to make sure you’re on top of your finances.
Determine How Much You Want to Save: Once you’ve determined how much you spend, you can then determine how much you want to save. Mint can help you do that, or you can always set up an appointment with a financial advisor at your bank. Consultations and advice are usually free of charge, so this is a great option if you want to speak with someone face to face when discussing your finances.
Determine What the Average Salary Is for Your Job and Region: It is important to be aware of the average salary for your position based on location in order to ensure you are not being underpaid or taken advantage of. A great tool for this is the Bureau of Labor Statistics where you can see average wage data based on job, state, and metropolitan area. While your first salary may not be very important in determining your salary throughout your career, it is important to make sure you are being fairly compensated for your time and effort.
Consider All of the Numbers: Once you’ve done the three steps above, you can now consider all of the numbers to determine the realistic lowest salary you can accept. While experience is important, the bottom line is that you need to be able to pay your bills. If you need to cut back here and there, (i.e. take public transportation instead of Uber, or start packing your lunches) so be it, but you must be able to afford necessities such as food, housing, and medical expenses with a little extra to spare in case of emergency.
The most important aspect of your first job is to gain necessary industry experience (and "get your foot in the door), but make sure you accept a salary that is realistic for you—one that you can survive on. Companies are often open to negotiation, so don’t feel pressure to take the first number offered to you. No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work prior to it, so no one will expect you to be the highest-paid person in the company when you’re first starting out.
“No one started out as a marketing exec or magazine editor without doing a lot of grunt work.”
People Starting Out With Specialized Skills and/or Training
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are a lot of people who go into a specialized career, or one that requires extra schooling, (i.e. the medical field, engineering, coding/programming, etc.). People with postgraduate degrees often start out with a relatively high level of authority, meaning that you couldn’t just jump into the position and learn as you go. You need to know what you’re doing and have specialized training or education in order to be in that role.
For these kinds of jobs, your first salary does matter. The reason behind this is that you are coming in at a higher level than other people, therefore you have less room to grow. Think of it this way: If you start out as an administrative assistant but work your way up to an executive or CEO, you’ve basically gone from zero to one hundred. However, if you start off as a doctor, engineer, or manager, you really can only become more experienced in your role and be given more authority, so instead of going from zero to one hundred in your career, you’re starting off at sixty-five or seventy and moving up to one hundred.
Because there is less growth in specialized careers, your first salary sets the tone for all the jobs to come. Companies often ask what your previous salary is so that they can give you a proportional salary increase, and sometimes save themselves a little bit of money. In a specialized career, your first salary does matter, but if you do find yourself underpaid and overachieving, there is a way to remedy the situation. It all comes down to knowledge and confidence.
How to Negotiate Salary If You’ve Been Underpaid
This actually goes for both specialized and unspecialized positions: let’s say you find yourself severely underpaid based on statistics and your accomplishments. When you go to interview for other positions, make sure you are armed with facts and evidence to support your desired pay increase.
A great way to explain your situation to an interviewer is as follows:
“I am aware that I am being underpaid at my current job, however, I have learned x, y, and z from this experience/job, and based on information posted by The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pay for this position in this area is x. Due to my accomplishments of a and b, I’m aiming for a salary of $x.”
If you give a statement like this, you will come off as knowledgeable, confident, and motivated. Having evidence of your achievements and statistics will also make you appear researched and show interviewers that you have put effort into getting fairly compensated.
The Salary Requirements Checklist
If you’re sitting there wondering, “How important is my first salary?,” think about the many different factors that go into it. Make a checklist and answer the following questions:
Is your position specialized/did you need special training to qualify for the position?
If you’re not in a specialized position, is there room for growth in your career?
How much money do you need to make to pay off your current expenses?
How much money do you want to be able to save each month/year?
How much money does the average person in your job/region make? (consult the Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Are you willing to take a lower salary (that’s still realistic) to take a job that you love or one that will provide you a lot of experience?
And, if so, are there areas that you can cut back on your spending in order to accommodate for this?
If you’re already past the point of a low first salary, do your research, itemize your accomplishments, and show people why you deserve the higher pay!
The original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa, written by Michele Lando.
This post was originally published on September 18, 2016, and has since been updated.
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3 Steps to Hone Your Professional Speaking Skills
Just as you wouldn’t talk to your grandmother exactly as you talk to your friends, the same goes for your professional life.
“Well, you see, ummm, I just think that if we were to…”
Do you ever sound like this? Unsure of yourself and hesitant when you try to communicate in a professional setting? When you begin your career it can be tough to find your voice as a young professional. Conversing confidently in our personal lives is an accomplishment in and of itself, never mind the added pressure of the boardroom!
As a young woman starting out in the workforce, I have made my fair share of mistakes when communicating and have identified areas to improve. However, I’ve also found methods that work to speak in a voice that is true to you. Keeping these suggestions in mind will help you to grow and develop your style so you can best present yourself throughout your career.
THINK ABOUT YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE
While communicating in a professional setting is certainly different than an everyday chat, this is where the root of your voice is found. Being a professional does not mean that you have to give up your signature sense of humor or your penchant for using words like “penchant”. In fact, when you tune into your natural tendencies you can better communicate your ideas and make connections because you are not preoccupied with what you think you should be saying.
KEEP YOUR AUDIENCE IN MIND
Just as you wouldn’t talk to your grandmother exactly as you talk to your friends, the same goes for your professional life. As young career women transitioning to the working world we have to get our bearings and understand the difference between a talk by the water cooler and a strategy session with management. Although it may seem obvious, we have to avoid being too familiar too quickly.
I learned this lesson when I first entered a new position and was going through training with my team. The extensive time we spent together allowed us to become comfortable and build a lighthearted rapport. When I interacted with my supervisor I was inclined to make jokes and behave as I had with my coworkers. After seeing his taken aback reaction, however, I realized that while it was perfectly acceptable to speak that way with my team, it was not an appropriate way to communicate with my supervisor. You have to look at the foundation you have laid with someone and should generally be more formal if you are unsure.
DON’T LET YOUR AGE DISSUADE YOU
As we are just starting out in our careers it can be difficult and downright nerve-wracking to voice our opinions and take a metaphorical and literal seat at the table. After all, we are new to the game, doing our best to build positive relationships, and don’t want to be the young person who said the “wrong” thing. What we must realize is that we were hired (or are making it as entrepreneurs for all of my self-starters out there!) for a reason: because we have experiences and skills that make us valuable and enable us to contribute productively to our organization. It is up to us to believe this and to act accordingly.
When you are struck with thoughts like, “I’m too young/inexperienced/new to the field for my comments to be valued,” it is essential to reframe your mindset. Appreciate that your fresh eyes and different life experience will bring up points that may not otherwise have been realized. Additionally, if you speak in a clear and concise manner I can promise you that the focus will be on your ideas, not your age.
When I was recently meeting with a manager in my organization (who I admire and aspire to be like) and her entire team, I was hesitant to make suggestions and speak up. I feared that if I said something that wasn’t well received in front of these senior leaders I would look bad and my qualifications would be questioned. However, I decided that the alternative of keeping quiet and missing an opportunity to add value would be far worse. When I shared my idea it was met with enthusiasm and I ended up taking a larger role on the project because of it. While every instance will not work out in this way (believe me, I’ve had my fair share of ideas that have been passed over), it is better to believe in yourself and speak up than to let your age be a deterrent.
If we want to be established and effective professionals, we must be true to ourselves, mindful of any situation we are in, and confident (never cocky!) in our abilities.
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How do you foster a mindset that allows you to professionally contribute? What tips do you have for other women they define their voice?
This piece originally appeared on Career Contessa.
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The 31-Day Career Detox Every Woman Can Accomplish
It's never too late to start off the year with a fresh new start.
THESE ARE REAL RESOLUTIONS. NOT THE KIND THAT YOU MAKE JANUARY 1 ONLY TO DROP THEM BY MID-FEBRUARY. THESE ARE THE ATTAINABLE, SMALL-SCALE, REALISTIC COMMITMENTS EVERY WOMAN CAN MAKE TO CLEAN UP HER CAREER.
You can use this list in one of several ways. You can commit to completing one goal every day, going in the order we've suggested. Or you can print it out and cross each one off in any random order that suits your schedule. You can even tackle a handful of these in one Saturday. It's really a buyer's market—pick the process that suits you.
By the way, this isn't like your typical green juice detox, where eating a rice cake constitutes falling off the wagon. You're not required to finish every one of the items on this list or to start over if you miss one. Because think about it: even if you only manage to complete five or six of these tasks, you've still made major strides toward an easier and more fulfilling career path. Ready?
31 DAYS, 1 ACTION ITEM PER DAY
1. Let's start easy: don't open Instagram today.
2. Go through your LinkedIn connections and remove anyone you don't recognize or no longer have a real and useful connection with.
3. Find your current resume and cover letter templates on your computer and organize them all into one folder on your desktop. Delete any outdated versions by searching "resume" in your files.
4. Send "touch base" emails to eight people in your network. Because everyone's pleased when you wish them a Happy New Year.
5. Unsubscribe from three newsletters you no longer open. But maybe also sign up for Career Contessa's emails to keep the useful career advice coming.
6. Set aside a full hour to take an online class. There are plenty of courses you can find for free on different topics—even watching a handful of YouTube videos on a work-related topic can't hurt—or you can go nuts and sign up for a Skillshare membership to enroll in as many courses as you like.
7. Turn off push notifications on your phone for 24 hours. Then consider keeping them off for a week.
8. Install those pesky yet recommended Macbook updates. And, hey, update your phone while you're at it.
9. Plan a girl date and don't talk about work.
10. Plan another girl date and don't talk smack about any other woman, even if she's your most obnoxious coworker.
11. Reread your LinkedIn summary. Is it still accurate for your 2017 goals? Is it too long? Just for the challenge, cut one full sentence from it. (For the overachiever, watch our LinkedIn Optimization webinar)
12. Good morning! Before you open Instagram or your work email, spend 15 minutes reading for fun.
13. Update your resume. Cut down any descriptions of older positions that aren't related to your current career goals.
14. Set an alarm clock instead of using your phone because tonight, you're leaving your phone in another room.
15. Delete any apps you haven't used in the last month.
16. Practice saying "No." It's much harder than you think. Start by watching our webinar.
17. Clean and organize your desk.
18. Call a strong woman in your life (moms are great, as are grandmothers, but so are retiree neighbors and/or formal mentors) and talk to them about how they found their path.
19. Really figure out your monthly budget.
20. Get outside.
21. Unfollow people on Facebook who post political rants or comments that upset you, especially after the year we've had. It's both an emotional drain and undermining your creative productivity.
22. Write a letter to yourself about your goals and plan to reread it next January.
Write a letter to yourself about your goals and plan to reread it next January.
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23. Clean out your closet. Give any old work clothes to Goodwill—especially the ones you never wear but keep because they were expensive.
24. Chances are you've got some time off saved up from last year so brainstorm your next vacation. It doesn't have to be far away or long. If you're feeling particularly daring, plan a vacation you take alone.
25. Organize your work and personal email folders.
26. Change up your commute.
27. Sign up for a class or watch a TED talk on a topic you've never explored before. Taking a basket weaving class counts.
28. Eat vegetarian today and/or pack a wholesome lunch.
29. Connect with an old coworker for lunch or a drink. Ask them if there's anything you can do to help them.
30. Reach out to someone about an informational interview.
31. Start a work journal.
What are some other tasks you'd like to complete this January?
This piece originally appeared on Career Contessa.
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The Three Steps To Overcoming Creative Burnout
It isn't so much about a lack of creative ideas as it is an overabundance of them.
Let's talk about the dreaded Writer's Block for a moment. Whether you're a freelance photographer, designer, or a writer (who falls into the traditional trap of the "Block" terminology), you're probably all too familiar with the notion of your idea bank running dry. How do you combat it? How do you tap back into the creative juices that got you started on this crazy, wild solo ride to begin with?
Often, it's a whole lot easier said than done, right? You expect more from yourself, and certainly the dozens of clients and brands knocking down your inbox's door expect your peak performance at a moment's notice (no matter how spread thin you are)—so why does it often feel like we're grasping at straws to make those daily creative moments feel truly alive?
In this modern day and age, creative entrepreneurs are feeling burn out harder, faster, and more frequently than comparable counterparts from ten years back. Blogs were only just taking shape back then, plus news and general information was attained at a speed that we could all follow along with. But now, with the advent and exponential growth of social media, it's alarmingly easy to give up on voicing creative ideas altogether because of how quickly it disappears into the masses (raise your hand if you've all but given up on Twitter because of the lightning fast, unceremonious burial of a thought!)
In this modern day and age, creative entrepreneurs are feeling burn out harder, faster.
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Writer's Block, then, isn't so much about a lack of creative ideas as it is an overabundance of them. I can't even begin to list all of the lightbulb moments and ideas I've had this month that were quickly dashed because so-and-so had already done it, or because the trend or motif was already old news. While we were in school, this idea trumping might have cost us a letter grade, but now it costs us a paycheck.
Contemporary creatives are being asked to not only leap ahead of the times and trends, but to be one step ahead of their cohorts, too. To quote myself from my last article: I'm exhausted just thinking about it.
The good news is that, like all things, you can adapt to these changes and you can triumph over your Writer's Block, however it manifests itself in your daily routine as a freelancer. But you have to think—get this—creatively.
Sure, I could spout off a list of ways to jump start this ideation, but it's just not going to be enough. Frankly, chasing the trends in the hopes that you'll miraculously be able to outwit one of your peers with an idea first (said with the utmost respect for my brilliant fellow bloggers, by the way) will only set you up for disaster. Instead, you have to think outside the box—like miles and miles outside of the box.
Writer's Block isn't so much about a lack of creative ideas as it is an overabundance of them.
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MAKE NEW FREELANCE FRIENDS
Start by limiting your check-ins with your peers—at least your professional check-ins. Make social calls and continue to personally build one another up, but the competitive instinct inevitably weasels its way in if you start talking about business ideas.
Instead, consider making friends outside of your industry and add their links to your daily blog roll. If you're a writer, follow along with a successful graphic designer, or if you're a photographer, get your creative inspiration from a writer who puts the same type of life moments into words rather than .JPEGs. Getting a truly fresh perspective from someone who's not even in your box is the first step toward killing Writer's Block.
Consider making friends outside of your industry and add their links to your daily blog roll.
CREATE THE NEXT TREND
Secondly, don't fixate on how you can cash in on the trends. Instead, brainstorm ways to create the next trend. Again, easier said than done, but it is possible. Intentionally ignore Pinterest for a week and travel, talk to new people, shop at a store you don't usually stop into. Slowly but surely, those trend-formulated blinders will slide off and you'll spot something new to build on.
Don't fixate on how you can cash in on the trends.
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TRY, TRY AGAIN
Finally—and this may be the hardest of all—dump those old ideas and run. I sidle right up to Writer's Block for a long, hard cuddle every time one of my ideas falls flat. I fixate and dredge in the disappointment for days and, inevitably, that negative place is where all of my good ideas go to die. The effect is cyclical, repetitive, and heartbreaking. Instead, I'm working to combat the process of going from idea-to-disappointment-to-fixation-to-rebuild to idea-to-discard-to-idea-to-success.
I'm working to combat the process of going from idea-to-disappointment-to-fixation-to-rebuild to idea-to-discard-to-idea-to-success.
As a freelancer and the hub of your entire business, disappointment is inevitable, but wallowing in it doesn't have to be. You've definitely heard this before, but it bears repeating: oftentimes, the very best ideas are born out of failure and the ability to promptly pick yourself back up again.
The best ideas are born out of failure and the ability to promptly pick yourself back up again.
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Ultimately, the Writer's Block plight has a new face in 2015, and it will have a new one come 2016 (if it's even able to wait that long). But we're freelancers for a reason, and that is because our creativity and our bright ideas are worth tapping into and sharing. Don't give up and don't give in—we'll all make it to the other side with brilliant, original, worthy-of-celebration ideas to show for it.
An original version of this article appeared on Career Contessa. Written by Carrie Waller.
Founder of Career Contessa on the Non-Reality of Dream Jobs
And why the combo of "introvert" and "competitive as hell," make for a killer girl boss.
While on the hunt for her "dream" job, Lauren McGoodwin became a career junkie, obsessed with finding her place in the working world. She tried on the idea of numerous careers, from event producer to teacher, before realizing that she didn't believe in a dream career.
With this clarity, and loads of experience behind her, she left her job at Hulu to work on her brainchild, Career Contessa. Launched in 2013, it is an online platform dedicated to career and business advice for women, sharing inspiration, information, and direction-- the likes of which she's sharing with us.
You can never have too many honest conversations about the real work,
Did you have a dream career when you were young?
When I was a kid, I had many dream careers— I wanted to be everything from an interior designer to a dermatologist. In college, I decided to pursue a degree in education with the idea that I wanted to become a teacher. Somewhere around my junior year, I suddenly realized becoming a teacher wasn’t my dream. Instead I wanted to pursue a more “business-focused career.” I laugh looking back on that now because I really had no idea what that meant— or how to get started—I think mostly I just knew deep down a traditional 9-to-5 job wasn’t for me.
Was there a point when you realized just because it’s a dream doesn’t mean it’s always fun? And how did you handle that disconnect?
After stepping away from the teacher track, I asked myself what my “dream job” would be if I could pick anything. For me, event marketing sounded dynamic and exciting. I remember thinking: “How could it not be amazing?”
I worked very hard to find a summer internship—in fact, that was my first real introduction to job-hunting, networking, etc. Ultimately it worked, and I wound up at an event stadium in Portland, Oregon. Initially, I felt on top of the world. I got cool bragging rights with my friends because I spent all summer at concerts, and I could hook them up with free tickets. But behind the scenes, I was shocked to find I was bored.
"Behind the scenes, I was shocked to find I was bored."
During the internship, I had this moment where I realized that everything I’d tried so far, I’d hated. That was terrifying. I handled the disconnect by going back to school on a mission to participate in everything and anything the Career Center hosted, whatever it took to find my way. I was like a career junkie. I went to workshops, information sessions, career fairs, etc. to figure out what career I should pursue— and how to land it.
It was a period of experimentation, but letting go of the idea that there was one “right answer” ultimately saved me from myself. Actually, it was around this time that I realized I didn’t believe in the idea of a “dream job,” and I still don’t. Careers are so fluid these days, if you don’t leave yourself open to evolving, you’ll wind up unhappy—even if you’re sitting in the most gorgeous corner office or traveling the world and eating delicious meals on your per diem.
Same goes for moments of fear. What’s your advice for taking risk?
The majority of my life I’ve been very risk-averse, honestly. But running a start-up, suddenly fear and the unknown becomes just part of the day job.
For me, the secret is preparation. That might be writing something out, talking to a friend, or just giving myself plenty of time to think before I jump. I planned for over a year before I left my full-time job at Hulu to launch Career Contessa. I talked to other entrepreneurs, created a business plan, mapped out my expenses, etc. It was still scary to leave my stable career, but I felt more excited than anything because I’d spent the time to let the idea noodle. At some point, you’ve prepared so much, it just feels like you can’t turn back.
"I want to prove my fear wrong. Let your fear inspire you."
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For the times when you can’t really prepare, I say “fake it till you make it.” I’m an introvert so public speaking makes my nerves go crazy. But I’m also competitive as hell so when I host a workshop or panel, I let the fear push me forward. It’s like competing with myself—I want to prove my fear wrong. Let your fear inspire you.
Can you take us through the evolution of Career Contessa? Where is started and where it is today?
Career Contessa actually started as the project for my master’s thesis. After college I’d found myself struggling in yet another job, I was shocked by that because I’d been so proactive throughout college. After all those hours in the Career Center, I still felt poorly equipped. Even after I went back for my masters, I couldn’t let go of that frustration —so I decided to use it.
We’re so lucky that there are so many different types of jobs and companies out there, but all those options can feel paralyzing. It’s no longer simple to answer “What do you want to do when you grow up?” you know?
Career Contessa was my alternative approach to answering that question. In 2013, I started the site—although it was more like a blog really at that point. Back then, we only had our Contessa profiles, which are these great interviews with successful, professional women. I’d hoped that by reading about the career paths of successful women, our audience would find inspiration and direction for their own careers.
Almost immediately, those profiles sparked endless dialogues and debates. Our readers sent us questions about informational interviews, networking, personal branding, etc. They needed so much more help than those profiles could provide. That’s when I started to realize that Career Contessa had the potential to be much more than a passion project or a weekly interview series.
In 2014, I left Hulu to focus on building Career Contessa into a full-fledged site.
I’ve always believed in trusting your audience—ultimately, they’ll make the right decisions for you. In 2015, we sent out a series of surveys, asking our readers what they wanted from us, what they loved about Career Contessa, what they hated. We realized they wanted two things: sophisticated advice and a direct connection to women like them who’d successfully advanced their careers. That’s what guided us to where we are now.
Everything from there went really quickly. We hired a Managing Editor to shape our content and shift it towards the kind of smart advice our readers wanted. Then we launched our first paid service, Hire An Expert, which lets readers work 1:1 with a trusted career “mentor” of sorts, without the commitment of pricy coaching packages.
As we evolve, we always try to stay close to our audience, and we know that a one-size-fits-all approach won’t work for them. Our goal is to continue the conversation as we go.
What parts of your professional history and personality did you leverage when starting Career Contessa?
All of it! I was a Recruiter at Hulu so I was very familiar with how the hiring process worked on both sides. I also leveraged many of my professional relationships to help me recruit career experts, launch a College Tour with corporate sponsors, and hire our first employees at Career Contessa.
My personality is also a big part of Career Contessa. I’m very ambitious, which helped me get out of a dead-end job and into my gig at Hulu. It also helped me leave there to start my own company. And although I’m an introvert, I love meeting new people and hearing their stories. This makes me a natural networker, which is really key to growing a company.
Was there a woman you looked up to that helped shape your career?
There have been many! From mentors to sponsors to colleagues, I’m constantly shaped by the hard-working women around me! The women that I’m particularly shaped by are women leaders. I’m trying to build a company and lead a team at the same time. Of course I want to be “good” at both so I look up to women that are successfully doing this like Alexa Von Tobel of LearnVest, Sheryl Sandberg of Facebook, and many of our own Contessas.
The culture of women in the workplace is shifting. It not every woman for herself, but rather, you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. Why do you think this shift toward empowerment is vital?
One of my favorites quotes is, “When women support each other, amazing things happen.” This is 110% true and I think women are catching on that supporting each other and rooting for another woman’s success won’t dampen your chances of succeeding. I also think this shift is vital because empowered women help empower others and they serve as role models for everyone coming after them.
"Rooting for another woman’s success won’t dampen your chances of succeeding."
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What does it mean to be a Career Contessa?
It means realizing that your job can and should be an integral part of your life. It’s part of what makes you feel fulfilled and, ultimately, happy and sane. A Career Contessa knows that thinking proactively about her professional growth is both necessary and empowering. She’s daring and she takes constant risks. She also makes mistakes—sometimes huge ones—but she knows how to evolve from them and she has a sense of humor about it. Honestly, she’s the sort of woman who’s way too smart for cheesy, traditional career advice or gross life coach retreats. but she’ll read all day about careers and professional growth when the information is clever and valuable. That’s who we’re trying to reach.
What about those WTF career moments? Where you think, I have no idea what I’m doing. How do you work through those?
Easy. I find other women to talk to. I’m not the first woman to launch and build a business and I wont be the last. Yes, we have Google to help but nothing replaces a great conversation with another women. The energy, momentum, and direction I get from a career conversation with another women is really vital to moving me out of me WTF freak out moment.
"The energy, momentum, and direction I get from a career conversation with another women is really vital to moving me out of me WTF freak out moment."
What’s next for you in 2016?
2016 is going to be a big year for growth for Career Contessa and me. At Career Contessa we are focused on building our brand awareness and Hire An Expert service. We’re also focused on more engagement opportunities like our monthly webinars, college tour, and other workshops. Navigating your career is tough— and pretty much never ending—but we’re doing our best to make it fun and personal.