Say It Skillfully® is a show that helps you to benefit from Molly Tschang’s expert guidance on the best possible ways to speak your mind at work in a positive and productive manner. In Episode 137, Molly talks with early-in-career professionals about their job searches! Molly’s first caller, a recent college graduate, is having a tough time getting her foot in the door in children's educational media. Aviva shares how she expected to face rejection, but sees “success in failure”. She realizes finding people to connect with at the companies she’s applying to is basically a full-time job itself. They discuss how taking a position that isn’t necessarily your “dream job” can be vital for learning skills, showing your value and getting to know yourself. Next, Michael returns to the show after calling in to share his inspiring recent few years in China and Taiwan, where he developed his ability to teach English to 5-year olds! Now back in the states, Michael is exploring different avenues for the next chapter. He shares his strengths that he discovered while overseas, as a leader and in solving problems with people who think very differently than he. Molly helps Michael with potential interview questions, including an example of how he would explain his strengths to make sure that it lands in the best way possible, and the importance of knowing how your strengths connect with the tasks and needs of the job at hand (14:10). Then Alex calls in to share her post-college career journey, working for a tech consulting company for 9 years where she mastered their proprietary software, as well as the struggles of switching to a job in which that software mastery didn’t quite translate. Along the way, she was diagnosed with ADHD! Alex explains how, due to her ADHD, she worked extremely well under pressure and dealing with big problems, but struggled to stay productive when things were calm. She goes into depth about her job transitioning process, and opens up about how tough it was working 10-11 hour days then taking online courses after work to beef up her resume and build up her skills. Alex then talks about what she learned about herself during this very worthwhile process. (31:55) Molly’s last caller, recent college grad Emma, is working two jobs while searching for a full time role. She calls in a day before an interview to discuss the best ways to present herself as a confident candidate. Emma and Molly role play some interview questions, including articulating her strengths, with examples of situations in which these strengths have come up at work. Molly then helps Emma with the best way to phrase her answer to the dreaded “What is your biggest weakness?” question (42:50). Don’t miss these conversations and learn how to navigate work while being invaluable and true to yourself. Molly’s thought for the week: ”When everything seems to be going against you, remember—the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” —Henry Ford.
