🌟 Want a Higher Salary? Here’s Your Permission Slip!

🤩This week’s “Girl, thanks for telling me!” Topic: Oh Helz Yes - It’s 100% okay to want more money and better benefits!

I was asking a Director of Design & Innovation about her career goals - what was important to her?  She shared how others have asked her what she’s passionate about, encouraging her to find an organization she loves.  And while that is good advice for many, for this person, it’s not.  She’s “tired of working on what she’s passionate about” and she wants a dang good paycheck and awesome benefits for herself and her daughter. To this I say:

RIGHT EFFIN’ ON, SISTER!

Queens - do not apologize or feel ashamed for wanting money. I believe many people are taught that asking about money, talking about money, asking for a higher salary is greedy, that it makes someone a bad person. 

Here’s the thing. It’s not greedy to want your family to  thrive, to ask for what you are worth. What IS greedy is privileged people taking advantage of others. Acting on selfish motives.

So if you find yourself worried that saying aloud what you want makes you a bad person - check your motive.  Tell me - are you a bad person? Or do you want what you have earned?  

🔥This Week’s Sizzling Job Search Strategy: A potential red flag IS a red flag.

A past client reached out to me today to hire Get Her Hired for mock interview services. The resume we wrote 2-years ago landed her a Senior R&D role in an extremely competitive field, but she’s ready for what’s next.

I asked her why she specifically wanted interview support. She shared that she’s not sure how to answer some of the interview questions she’s being asked at some of the start ups she’s talking to. I asked her for an example. This is what she shared:

“I am getting questions like “How is my current company’s funding? Is that why I am looking? I have been asked how much more of a runway does the company have. Why am I looking NOW? I have been asked about the product portfolio, R&D programs, and why do I want to leave?”

In her gut she knows she shouldn’t be sharing some of this information, but she is interested in the roles, so she does her best. She answers the questions honestly - and then never hears back.

Now, there can always be more to these things, but after multiple interviews of this type, there is a pattern. Questions like these are phishing for competitive intelligence. I advised her not to give up on the interviewing and gave her a strategy on how to answer questions like that in the future - essentially saying that this is proprietary information that she is not at liberty to disclose.

Be aware that sometimes people are $hitty. Trust your gut. While we can’t always weed out phishing interviews for fake jobs, we can keep our own integrity in place.

👑This Week’s “She’s the queen of…” Skill to Build: Industry Knowledge

Is your networking strategy a bit like Sleeping Beauty's? Waiting for a kiss? Well here's your wake up call ⏰: join Industry Associations.

Industry associations are like clubs for companies and professionals who work in the same field. These organizations are all about supporting their members, providing killer resources, setting the bar high for industry standards, and - you guessed it - creating amazing opportunities to network!
So, why should you care about industry associations? Here are a few reasons why they're so damn useful:

You get to rub elbows with your peers! Associations throw events, conferences, and workshops that give you the chance to meet and mingle with others in your industry. It's the perfect opportunity to swap ideas, share war stories, and build relationships that can take your career to the next level.

You can get up close and personal with the big shots! Many associations bring in influential players and thought leaders to drop some serious knowledge at events or sit on advisory boards. By engaging with these heavy hitters, you can gain invaluable insights and expand your boss network.

You'll boost your street cred! Being an active member of an industry association shows that you're committed to crushing it in your field. It can make you more visible within your industry and add some serious weight to your business or personal brand.

You can tap into knowledge! Associations are all about sharing the latest and greatest through publications, webinars, and online forums. This keeps you in the loop on industry trends and allows you to learn from the successes (and mistakes) of others.

You might just land your next big gig! Networking through industry associations can open doors to new business opportunities, like partnerships, collaborations, or client referrals. It's all about who you know, right?

You can find a mentor or be one! Some associations have mentorship programs that pair seasoned pros with up-and-comers. These relationships can be a total game-changer for your personal and professional growth.
You might just score your dream job! Many associations have job boards or career resources that can help you find your next big break or level up in your industry.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start getting involved with industry associations that matter to you! Trust me, the networking opportunities alone are worth their weight in gold. It's time to take control of your career and make some serious moves!

Here are three ways to deepen your industry knowledge:

1. Sign up for Industry Google Alerts

2. Join professional industry associations

3. Find a mentor in the field, maybe at another company