4 Tips for Overcoming Career Fears and Unlocking Your Potential
By: Tianna Soto
It’s all about being yourself.
PSA: Spring Office Hours at Generation Hired are officially in session! This afternoon, Her Campus Media co-founder Windsor Western teamed up with special guest Donnette Noel, digital marketing consultant and the Managing Director of KnowWell Creative, for an inspiring conversation about how to overcome your career fears and unlock your unique potential. Windsor and Donnette dropped *so* much wisdom this afternoon, and in case you missed it, you can check out the replay here!
In the meantime, here are four inspiring takeaways we loved from today’s Office Hours:
1. Preparation is key.
Whether you’re writing a cover letter or crafting a resume for your dream role, preparation is key! “Know your overall goal or objective,” says Donnette. “Have a clean, simple, direct cover letter that shows your passion and skill.” Windsor also recommends researching the company, communicating respectfully, and showing your passion and drive during the interview stage! Showing that you’re well-prepared and enthusiastic could be the difference between you and other qualified candidates.
2. Know your boundaries.
Establishing boundaries can be tough, especially early on in your career. “Sometimes you’re afraid that if you say no, there will never be another opportunity,” says Donnette. “Letting go [of responsibilities] can be terrifying! But if you’re just a hamster in a wheel, you’re not learning or finding ways to grow.” Setting boundaries might mean saying ‘no’ to working on the weekends, drawing the line at certain tasks, or, as Windsor remembers doing early in her career, leaving a position if it doesn’t feel like the right fit for you.
3. Network and find mentors.
To really unlock your career potential, having a good mentor is essential! “Networking is not something to be afraid of!” says Donnette, who has helped transform beauty brands like BUXOM Cosmetics, The Lip Bar, Le Pain Quotidien, and more. She also makes a great point about looking for the right mentor: “Know that your boss is not always going to be your mentor! Not everyone is a leader in that way. Find someone who will go to bat for you.”
4. Just be yourself.
“The world throws so many things at you about who you ought to be,” says Donnette, who recalls feeling like she had to look and act a certain way to impress potential employers. She also points out that women of color can feel extra pressure to be strong and successful in the workplace, and it’s time to flip that narrative. “Just be yourself!” she says. “Be who you are and speak your truth. Show your personality. Show your character. Show your skills. Not everyone is you, and not everyone can be you.”
These are just some of the many nuggets of wisdom we learned during today’s Office Hours. We have *amazing* special guests lined up for you in the next few weeks, and can’t wait for you to join us and hear some valuable career advice! If you haven’t already, create a free profile on Generation Hired to get access to new job postings, exclusive career tips, and more. Stay tuned for our next Office Hours, and follow Generation Hired on Instagram for all of the updates and career inspo!
