BEYOND BARRIERS

Do you know what it takes to land a job at the biggest and best organizations in the world? Do you have the skills, the competencies and drive, but you find the whole job search and interview process intimidating and difficult to catch a break? Well, in this episode, we welcome Gisselle Ruiz, a key leader within the Global Talent Acquisition Teams at ByteDance and TikTok, who shares with us her journey as a proud first generation bilingual Afro-Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican roots and how taking risks and changing lanes helped her build her career as an expert recruiter, what her successes and failures have taught her and how she empowers all of her recruits by telling them, “They are lucky to have you!”. Gisselle has led talent acquisition and DEI initiatives at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently TikTok. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities, especially Latinx and Black/Brown women.   Highlights: [03:08] Gisselle’s journey [06:10] Transition from academia to corporate [11:29] Gaining clarity on your strengths [14:53] Learning to leverage your network [20:19] Sponsors and mentors that don’t look like you [25:25] How to prepare for an interview [32:00] What can make or break an interview [38:32] Overcoming imposter syndrome   Quotes: “Uncomfortable conversations are necessary and critical for growth and are part of our learning journey.” – Gisselle Ruiz   “When going in to an interview, be prepared to talk about some of your key highlights, accomplishments, achievements, failures, disappointments, challenges and barriers that you've had to overcome.” - Gisselle Ruiz   “Imposter syndrome keeps us away from opportunities and keeps us from shining at our highest level of vibration, it holds us back from being successful.” – Gisselle Ruiz “Companies are not doing you a favor by giving you an interview or a role, they are lucky to have you.” - Gisselle Ruiz  “Go in to an interview truly knowing your worth and what you are bringing to that organization, which is far greater than what they are bringing to you.” – Gisselle Ruiz    About Gisselle Ruiz: Gisselle Ruiz Ed.M is a human capital strategist, change agent, global talent acquisition executive, diversity, equity & inclusion leader who specializes in identifying, coaching, and developing best in class talent while creating access and opportunity through inclusive recruitment practices and strategies. She specializes in building and scaling inclusive and diverse workforces, workplaces, marketplaces, and transforming organizational culture. Gisselle has 18 years of experience with both national and global organizations in both the public and private sector including:K-12 & Higher Education, Non Profit, Technology, and a decade in the Entertainment & Media industry. Throughout her career she has developed and executed engagement, outreach, recruitment and selection strategies of top talent across various functions and positions ranging from internships & apprenticeships, professional development programs, middle management, and senior level executive leadership positions. She has led talent acquisition and DEI at top companies and organizations including The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems, NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently joined TikTok. Gisselle is passionate and committed to transforming, disrupting and awakening organizations and leaders to how they can combat systemic inequities, create economic empowerment, challenge legacy systems, disrupt bias, catalyze equity, and shift culture. Her mantra is that representation matters and inclusion enables and ignites the best innovation. Gisselle holds a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Urban Development and Social Change and a masters degree in Policy, Planning, & Administration in Education from Boston University. She is a proud 1st generation transnational bilingual Afro Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican heritage. She is incredibly committed to the empowerment and elevation of those from disenfranchised, marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities especially Latinx and Black/Brown women. She is deeply rooted in social justice reform, dismantling systemic racism and oppression, and anti recidivism. She coaches individuals and teams on owning their power, story, and journey to amplify and unlock their potential to achieve personal and professional growth.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisselleruiz/ Twitter: GRuiz1003

What happens to you when you make a mistake that gets called out? Do you get so upset with yourself that you get angry or become paralyzed and begin to doubt your worth? Or worse, you vow to never try that again or opt out of taking the lead? In this episode, we are going to discuss the dangers of this self-defeating pattern and how you can overcome the negative self-talk and develop the confidence to move forward with an action plan.   Highlights: [01:15] Don’t let a mistake define you [03:27] Break the pattern of negative self-talk [08:13] The emotional toll of negative self-talk [11:03] How to overcome negative self-talk   Quotes: “When you make a mistake and make it about who you are versus what you can learn, you don't see the opportunity for growth.” – Nikki Barua “Letting go of negative self-talk allows you to take a very optimistic view of challenges and obstacles.” – Nikki Barua “The best ways to get past making mistakes is to practice self-acceptance.” – Monica Marquez “View mistakes as teachable moments and develop an action plan on how you'll handle the situation the next time it occurs.” – Monica Marquez “Move past a mistake quickly by reflecting, gaining insight, and then developing an action plan.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez    

Imagine this scenario… You take on a role and you are knocking it out of the park. Getting positive feedback from managers and leaders. So, you decide to ask for and create a new role that plays to your strengths and would elevate your team. Your idea is well received BUT instead of you for the role, your told they’d prefer someone else! What would you do? In this episode, you’ll hear how our guest, Gail Fierstein, Chief People Officer at CaaStle, decided to advocate for herself early in her career, garner support from other leaders, and ultimately get the role she proposed. Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail. Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education. And had a successful 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, where she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM). Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities.   Highlights: [03:28] Gail’s 1 st career lesson [06:10] 2 nd career lesson [07:36] 3 rd career lesson [10:13] 4 th career lesson [15:12] Gaining the confidence to ask for what you deserve [20:03] Overcoming limiting beliefs [23:33] Building relationships [29:30] Developing trust [34:51] Preparing for success [38:54] Accelerating success in the digital age   Quotes: “Stay true and authentic and advocate for yourself.” - Gail Fierstein “Sometimes others see something in you that you may not see in yourself. And you need to be open to that.” - Gail Fierstein  “Confidence gives you energy.” – Gail Fierstein  “How women process information and build relationships is the key ingredient, the secret sauce, in this digital age of accelerating success.” – Gail Fierstein “Seek out mentors and sponsors from your day to day because they see and work with you and will have the best insight.” - Gail Fierstein    About Gail Fierstein: Gail is a seasoned senior HR and Tech executive with extensive international experience transforming organizations in large scale public companies and cutting edge startups in finance, education and retail. Collaborates and advises senior leaders on setting strategic direction for their people strategies and developing best in class HR capability to create an engaged workplace in ever-changing business environments. Gail is currently the Chief People Officer at CaaStle, CaaStle is creating a new economy for apparel with its technology and services platform for retailers and fashion brands offering rental clothing subscriptions to their consumers. Gail spent several years as the SVP, Product and Technology HR Business Partner at Pearson Education. She led Pearson’s digital product transformation by defining the organization design, culture change and aggressively building out agile teams needed to create word class digital educational products. During Gail’s 25-year career at Goldman Sachs, she was a Managing Director in Technology and Human Capital Management (HCM). In her role as the HCM head for Business Partner teams, she developed senior executives across many areas of the firm and was an active voice for women and in particular women in Tech. Gail developed the firm’s workforce re-entry programs, The ReturnshipTM– an internship designed for people rejoining the workforce after an extended personal time off. Gail is a Board member, Secretary and Nominating Committee Chair at NPower, whose mission is to bring the tech community together for social good by creating pathways to economic prosperity by launching digital careers for veterans and young adults from underserved communities. Gail received a BS from Rutgers University and lives in New York City with her husband and son.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gailfierstein/ Twitter: @GailFierstein

Have you ever wondered what it takes to rise up to senior leadership roles in global corporations? Research indicates that women leaders who’ve taken the unconventional path gain unexpected opportunities of success. So, are you willing to take on tough challenges to gain valuable experience? Would you risk failure when making decisions and follow through with conviction? And are you committed to always going above and beyond? In this episode, you’ll meet Alyssa Altman who shares why building great teams, delivering massive value to clients, adapting to change, and continuous learning are absolutely essential. She also reveals the choices she made in her career and the values she lives by that have led to her success. Alyssa has been recognized by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement. She is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient and leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. Throughout her career at leading organizations, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, you can gain valuable insights to create innovative solutions to any business problem. Alyssa plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa is also an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network shaping the next generation of women leaders.   Highlights: [03:37] Alyssa’s journey [09:03] Mastering managing at scale [11:19] Alyssa’s WHY [14:01] Doing great work AND managing your career [17:00] Being the only woman [19:44] Gaining the courage to have a difficult conversation [21:58] How to move your ideas forward [25:08] Evolution of effective business development [28:47] Approach to decision making [31:36] Learning from failure [39:24] Designing teams [41:18] Top trait for success [42:17] Common attributes of great leaders [46:26] What Alyssa wishes she had learned earlier in her career [47:48] Biggest trends that will impact business [53:17] The greatest joy of Alyssa’s career   Quotes: “Leaders should not try to be everything to everyone, but instead build a team of people that feel empowered to take ownership and to tell you when they need you.” – Alyssa Altman “Our responsibility as leaders is to help people grow in an organization.” – Alyssa Altman  “You always need to be in the work, because it gives you the perspective, it gives you the connection.” – Alyssa Altman “Don’t think of it as a sale, think of it as a partnership that you are helping to bring someone something they are going to see value in.” – Alyssa Altman “As a leader you need to find ways for people to feel like they are winning, even if you have a failure.” – Alyssa Altman “Acknowledge your successes and learn how to market them.” – Alyssa Altman “Leaders are not afraid to make bold moves and make mistakes and then recover from those mistakes.” – Alyssa Altman   About Alyssa Altman: Alyssa Altman is a Senior Vice President at Publicis Sapient. She leads the Automotive and Consumer Products industries in North America. In her role, Alyssa helps her clients find their digital future through the delivery of omnichannel strategies and robust technology solutions.  Throughout her 20+ years at Publicis Sapient, it has been her passion to shape and lead diverse teams who realize goals through inclusive collaboration. She believes that with the right people in the room actively engaging with each other, we gain valuable insights that create innovative solutions to any business problem we may face.  When not working directly with clients, she plays an active role in shaping and executing Publicis Sapient’s MBA-like leadership program called the Fellowship in Transformation Leadership. Alyssa also has a keen interest in shaping the next generation of women leaders as an Advisory board member of Publicis Sapient Women’s Leadership Network (WLN). Externally, she is an Advisory board member of Debbie’s Treasure Chest and sponsors a community service initiative that teaches high-risk teens the skills necessary to enter the workforce. Alyssa was honored by Consulting Magazine as a “Global Leader in Consulting” for Excellence in Engagement. Prior to her tenure at Publicis Sapient, she worked for Ernst & Young in the Strategic Advisory Services Group. Alyssa has an MBA in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in English from the University of Michigan.   Links: Website: https://www.publicissapient.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssaaltmanpublicissapient/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyssa.altman/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlyssaAltman Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altmanalyssa/  

If you are someone who is torn between making a living and making a difference, this episode is for you. We are living in very challenging times. It seems like there are new obstacles every day everywhere. But in the midst of all the crisis, we are also going through a global transformation. Every time there is seismic shift in the world, it leads to something new, and something more profound emerges. And that creates the space and the need for change makers and leaders. That's the opportunity we'll be talking about on this episode. And how you can be that change maker and leader - and grow your impact, income and influence.   Highlights: [00:46] Innovation in times of disruption [02:15] Your role in this time of innovation [03:53] Challenges that women face in rising up [04:46] Raising your hand for opportunities [06:33] Asking for support and sponsorship [10:28] The importance of having clarity [13:59] The impact of mentors and sponsors [14:50] Managing your career [16:44] How coaching accelerates your success [23:35] Democratizing access to executive coaching   Quotes: “The greatest problems we face as a human population today will be solved by technology and the power of the human mind coming together.”– Nikki Barua “If nobody at the top knows you, has heard your name, or knows your impact, then it's going to be tough to get the sponsorship and support when you're not in the room.” – Nikki Barua “Research shows only 15% of women who responded said that they had clarity about their career in the next five years.” – Monica Marquez “You have to have absolute clarity about your north star because if you don't know where you're headed, how are you going to get there?”– Nikki Barua “You can work really hard and be great at doing your job and not be managing your career. And what gets you ahead is managing your career intentionally.” – Nikki Barua “You don't have just one job that you have to do really well. You have two jobs, you have your day job, and you have to manage your career.” – Monica Marquez “If you want to help other people rise up as leaders that make a difference, then you have to help yourself first.” – Monica Marquez “Coaching paired with leadership training can act as an equalizer between men and women.” – Monica Marquez “When you are a star athlete, coaching and training makes you an Olympian.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming about the day you quit your job and follow your lifelong passion, and then snap back to reality, let out a big sigh and then tuck that dream away and get back to work? In this episode, you'll hear from our guest, Claudia Rojas how she finally took a courageous leap from daydreaming to doing what she loves and how she leveraged the power of community to get there. Claudia Rojas, a Latina from Columbia, is the Founder and CEO of Books Made Easy. She shares her personal journey of shedding other people's expectations and following her own path. In 2018, Claudia decided to take a leap and follow her heart by creating a solution to the leadership and professional gap she's so often witnessed in corporate America. She decided to put her love for books to work by developing concise, structured based training sessions to help others become the best leaders they can be. Claudia has over 20 years of experience specializing in leadership and diversity in multicultural markets. She attributes her success to resilience, drive, obsession with professional development, and ability to develop relationships and her community.   Highlights: [02:31] Claudia’s journey [04:48] Take action, take opportunities [06:52] Mission of Books Made Easy [08:31] The decision to become an entrepreneur [10:08] Preparing to follow your dreams [14:07] How to plan and execute [16:41] Gaining clarity on your strengths [22:03] Overcoming failures and setbacks [26:12] Asking for feedback [29:00] Seeking out mentors and sponsors [31:50] Gaining access to influential leaders [35:38] How to accelerate your success [39:22] Overcoming limiting beliefs   Quotes: “Growth is in the difficult situations we encounter. Your choice is to either get stuck in the fact that something is difficult or look at it as a growth opportunity.” – Claudia Rojas “You can spend a lifetime preparing for something, or preparing for a position or preparing for your next step. But the preparation alone, without action, will not move you forward.” – Claudia Rojas “Break your big goal down into easier, smaller tasks that are more manageable. Completion of these tasks will give you satisfaction AND move you closer to your goal.” – Claudia Rojas “Let people know that you are seeking their feedback as an opportunity to grow and they will be more open to giving it.” – Claudia Rojas “When you have mentors that have a completely different background than you, you will get a different perspective, which may be a blind spot for you .” – Claudia Rojas “Always look for opportunities for growth, whether it’s learning a new skill or honing a current skill. That is how you're going to continue to grow and evolve.” – Claudia Rojas   About Claudia Rojas: Claudia is a Latina born in Medellin, Colombia. She has over 20 years of experience, specializing in Leadership and diversity in multicultural markets. She attributes her success to her resilience, drive, obsession with professional development, and her ability to develop relationships in her community. In 2018 Claudia decided to take a leap and follow her heart by creating a solution to the Leadership and professional gap she so often witnessed in Corporate America. She decided to put her love for books to work to help others become the best leaders and individuals they can be, by developing concise structured book-based training sessions. Claudia is extremely passionate about empowering others to maximize their potential and giving back to the community. Education, diversity, children and animals are the causes that inspire most of her philanthropic work.   Links: Website: https://booksmadeeasynow.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rojasclaudia/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/booksmadeeasynow Instagram: www.instagram.com/booksmadeeasynow  

Everyone faces unique pressures, obstacles, and challenges—but it’s how you show up and overcome them that defines your life. Whether you’re a full-time career professional, a business owner, a mom, or simply a woman who wants to enjoy life at a deeper level—it all starts with granting yourself permission. Our guest today is Patty Aubery, #1 NY Times Best-selling Author, Co-Founder & President of The Canfield Training Group who built the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®. Patty is an internationally recognized leader in personal development and peak performance. As the business strategist behind the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, she has worked side by side with Jack Canfield helping millions of individuals maximize their potential. For more than 30 years, Patty has been training and coaching entrepreneurs, educators, corporate leaders, and people from across 108 countries, how to create the life and results they desire. Patty’s most recent book, Permission Granted, which has already soared to the top of multiple best seller lists, presents empowering stories of how life changes when you give yourself permission to show up. In this episode, Patty shares her perspective on how women need to and deserve to show up, stand up, and speak up.   Highlights: [03:40] Patty’s journey [07:10] Advice for getting unstuck and moving forward [08:53] Overcoming setbacks [09:21] Stop focusing on what you don’t want [13:32] What Patty wishes she had known sooner [16:43] Give yourself permission to ask for what you want [20:55] The emergence of “Permission Granted” [23:49] Overcoming limiting beliefs [27:31] Standing up and standing out in a partnership [33:49] The importance of authenticity [36:30] Having the right mindset for feedback [38:40] Going from dreaming to doing [45:59] Gaining proximity to influential leaders [49:46] Writing “Permission Granted” [52:50] Patty’s vision [57:45] Final words of wisdom   Quotes: “Not making a decision is probably the biggest wrong decision you could ever make. The only failure is by not taking some sort of action.” – Patty Aubery “Women need to give themselves permission to live their passion, their purpose, their vision, and be in alignment with their truth.” – Patty Aubery “When we don't honor our passion, our truth, that's when the universe makes it hard.” – Patty Aubery “Don’t talk yourself out of the equation before the game starts. Go in with clarity and confidence that you truly belong there.” – Patty Aubery “If you aren’t scaring yourself enough then you aren’t growing.” – Patty Aubery “By sharing your vision and your goals, you are creating accountability.” – Patty Aubery “When you have clarity, you have confidence.” - Patty Aubery “Give yourself permission to be high maintenance. And then your view of what high maintenance looks like might just be equality.” - Patty Aubery “Learning transformation, self-help, and personal growth is not a one-time exercise. Practice it daily.” – Patty Aubery “When you identify someone you want to connect with, ask yourself ‘how can I be part of their agenda and be of service to them’.” – Patty Aubery “The universe rewards the people that take risks.” – Patty Aubery    About Patty Aubery: As President of The Canfield Training Group, Patty Aubery has not only overseen the growth of the publishing industry’s first billion-dollar brand, Chicken Soup for the Soul®, but she’s also created a multimillion dollar training company around the success principles of author Jack Canfield. Patty has expanded these live training and coaching programs to 108 countries and prepared thousands of emerging success trainers for professional careers in the transformational field. She is a #1 NY Times bestseller. She is the CVO for Goalfriends, and she is now dedicated to bringing her experience to women entrepreneurs, sales professionals, and corporate employees through live events, retreats, women’s summits and speaking engagements that teach audiences and small groups the Success Principles and strategic career planning. All of Patty’s offerings are geared toward women who are ready to invest in their future and take their life and business to a new level. Links: Website: https://www.pattyaubery.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patty-aubery-a19869b/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PattyAuberyFan/?ref=br_rs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pattyaubery/  

Let discuss a scenario we’ve all experienced–that moment when your inner voice is telling you (sometimes maybe screaming at you) that you need to have a difficult conversation with someone. A conversation that would improve life at work for ourselves and for everyone else around. But fear drowns out that inner voice—and we put the conversation off. Meanwhile, the other individual continues to engage in interpersonal conflicts and exhibit toxic behavior, or remains completely clueless about what’s on your mind.  In this episode, we’ll share with you the strategies and insights you need to know to be able to speak up and diffuse any difficult conversation.   Highlights: [01:26] Why diffusing difficult conversations matter [05:19] What does the research show on these conversations [08:22] Having difficult conversations is a skill [10:03] 5-step framework to having difficult conversations   Quotes: “Reframe having difficult conversations as a skill. Do you have the skill or do you not have the skill and if you don't have the skill, then like any skill, it can be learned.” – Nikki Barua “Step 1 of the framework is to not avoid having difficult conversations. You will never develop the skill if you do not practice it.” – Nikki Barua “Be clear on the outcome. If you're not clear about what you want, you're not going to be able to manage your physiology and your language and you're going to lose control.” – Nikki Barua “Listen to learn. Listen from a place of curiosity and humility, where you want to learn, as opposed to listening to respond.” – Nikki Barua “Brainstorm from a place of inquiry and creativity to figure out a solution together, creating collaboration and safety so you can engage in a more meaningful conversation.” – Nikki Barua   About Nikki Barua: Nikki Barua is a digital innovator, serial entrepreneur, author & speaker. Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenikkibarua/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenikkibarua/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thenikkibarua/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiBarua   About Monica Marquez: Monica Marquez is an ex-Googler, diversity expert and senior corporate leader. Website: https://themonicamarquez.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMonicaMarquez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themonicamarquez/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themonicamarquez/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/themmarquez  

Have you ever heard the saying, “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”? It’s such a powerful statement in that it provides both candid advice and inspiration in one sentence. On the one hand, it reminds you to never underestimate hard work even if your super talented and on the other hand, that even with ordinary talent, you can achieve extraordinary results with focus and hard work. But the bottom line, there is no substitute for hard work. In this episode, you’ll meet Gizelle George-Joseph, managing director and global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research Division at Goldman Sachs, who attributes her successes and achievements to living by this mantra.   Highlights: [02:25] Gizelle’s journey [06:01] Gizelle’s daily success habits [08:53] Overcoming setbacks [12:45] Building lasting work relationships [14:59] Gaining access to influential leaders [16:48] Overcoming limiting beliefs [18:46] Raising your hand for new opportunities [23:15] Seeking out feedback [26:58] Balancing professional and personal priorities [29:50] How to continue to accelerate your success   Quotes: “What are the skills that you need to raise your game on a day to day, week to week basis. Get all of those into your toolbox because that's what ultimately moves your career.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “It is important to have a good network of people around you, who can support you, because in moments when you feel like your cup is empty, they will be there to lean on.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “Think of building relationships in terms of what are you bringing to the table that will benefit the other person and the community.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “Always be prepared to talk about the things that you are working on and how it is moving the organization forward.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “Surround yourself with people who are going to tell you the truth about your weaknesses and strengths. And not tell you what to do, but instead feed into your decision making process.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “You can't be every woman every day.” – Gizelle George-Joseph “The only way to continue to be relevant is to be constantly changing and evolving and not going back to the comfort zone.” - Gizelle George-Joseph   About Gizelle George-Joseph: Gizelle is global chief operating officer of the Global Investment Research (GIR) Division. In this role, she works closely with divisional leadership on the management of GIR, as well as the development and execution of key strategic initiatives. Prior to assuming her current role, Gizelle was chief administrative officer for Global Macro Research and GIR infrastructure. Previously, she was the global talent advisor for the Human Capital Management (HCM) Division. Earlier in her career, Gizelle led Learning and Engagement for GIR and was a talent advisor on the GIR HCM team. She joined Goldman Sachs on the Americas Equity Research Management team in 2005 and was named managing director in 2017. Gizelle is a founder of the Salisbury Development Organization, a nonprofit focused on hurricane relief and economic development efforts on the island of Dominica. She also serves on the Human Resources and Talen Committee for the DreamYard Project.  Gizelle earned a BS in Business Management from South Carolina State University and an MS in Clinical Psychology from Georgia Southern University.   Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gizelle-george-joseph-9a127319/  

Thank you for listening to this podcast. We are truly grateful for your comments, feedback and advocacy. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to subscribe and rate the show. We love 5 stars! In this episode, we'll discuss why applying for jobs without a clear strategy and effective tactics is a total waste of time. Don’t click the APPLY button on job postings simply to get rejected and demoralized. Instead, learn how to ignite your career with a dream job that is aligned with your strengths and passions. If you’re someone who is actively looking for a new role, then you’ll get actionable advice on how to stand out in a job market that’s already saturated with millions of people looking for opportunities.  Our guest, Kris Holmes is an executive recruiter with more than twenty-five years of experience. Kris provides you with the same insight that has helped thousands of her clients find fulfilling careers. You’ll learn how to develop career goals that align with your strengths, proven strategies for optimizing your resume, to practical advice on networking, finding the right company culture, prepping for interviews, and negotiating offers. You’ll even learn how to resign gracefully and how to set yourself up for success in your new role.   Highlights: [01:00] Kris’s story [04:26] Doing what you love every day [05:57] What compelled Kris to write “Ignite Your Career!” [08:29] Core principals of “Ignite Your Career!” [12:15] Three phases of a career [19:39] Hallmarks of success [21:24] Advice for those nervous about the job market [26:02] Tips on preparing your profile [32:23] Increasing your chance with recruiters [34:41] Preparing for the interview [37:00] How to negotiate compensation [41:31] Resigning gracefully [43:26] Guidance on transition to new roles and companies [46:13] Services offered by the O’Connell Group   Quotes: “Figuring out your strengths and where you might leverage those is critical to set yourself up for future success.” – Kris Holmes “When you find the right career that leverages your strengths, it’s fun, it's easy, and it's rewarding.” – Kris Holmes “There are three phases of a career, there's the learn phase, there's the do phase and there's the leverage phase.” – Kris Holmes “At the start of your career, it's much more important to go to a top tier company where you can learn best practices. And that allows you down the road to align your passions with your experience.” – Kris Holmes “The real superstars are the people who focus on both building the business and the team.”– Kris Holmes “With interview prep, you've got to understand yourself and be able to articulate your strengths and your kills so that they're believable and memorable.” - Kris Holmes “Tell a story where your strengths have allowed you to achieve a goal. This paints a vivid picture to the interviewer and elicits a chemical reaction that helps them remember it and believe it.” – Kris Holmes “In the first 30-60 days at a new company, it is critically important to your success to build relationships and build your knowledge base.” - Kris Holmes   About Kris Holmes: Kris Holmes is an executive recruiter and partner at O’Connell Group, a leading executive search firm in consumer marketing and market research. With more than twenty-five years of experience, she is also a member of the Pinnacle Society, the premier consortium of industry-leading recruiters in North America.  Kris has counseled tens of thousands of candidates in setting goals and leveraging their strengths. Before shifting to recruiting, Kris worked for a decade in consumer marketing with major corporations like Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, and Ralston Purina. She’s a graduate of Tufts University and has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern. Kris and her husband are the proud parents of three wonderful children and two happy yellow labs.   Links: Website: https://www.igniteyourcareerbook.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kris-holmes-966548/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kris.holmes.9216