Aliza Licht, a successful fashion PR executive and social media go-getter, shares her experiences and advice to launch your career in her book, “Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media.” Here are two of my favorite quotes from Part I!
Part I: Landing Your Dream Job
“Every person you meet gives you the ability to expand your network.”
This is an essential realization for some. Kindness and respect to strangers goes a long way because you never know who you’re interacting with. Who knows; the small talk with the person next to you on an airplane could be your in to an internship or a future opportunity. They could have worthy advice or connections that could help you develop your network. If you’re likeable and polite to people, they are more likely to want to help you out in any way they can. When you strike up conversations in everyday settings, you are able to show your personality better than the information a formal interview would offer about you. Licht reminds us that the way you carry yourself, behave, and interact is always being judged so respect the people you are dealing with and look the part. When you look good, you feel good and will be prepared for random opportunity encounters. No pajamas in public!
Ask people questions to drive conversation. Usually people love talking about themselves and their accomplishments which is a blessing in disguise. It’s free to ask and learn from people who have experienced different things than you. It broadens your horizons and prevents tunnel vision. If conversations go well, exchange contact information or business cards for future reference.
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“Too many students think college is a vacation, but the smart ones know they can’t just waste time playing.”
The number one reason people give up is because they see how much they have to go rather than how far they’ve gotten. College is a fun time in your life, but it is also a time to put in serious effort to maximize your success. Timing really is everything. Once you graduate, life doesn’t pause so you can make up lost time you spent partying and socializing to work on your career.
Let’s be honest- no one has ever given their best and regretted it. So kick fear to the curb and allow yourself the opportunity to fall in love with the you that you want to become now, rather than later. If you don’t put yourself out there and try there is zero chance of making things happen; so, it’s always worth the shot.
