Bossed Up

Writing cover letters is stressful. If I surveyed a thousand job seekers about their least favorite parts of the job search, I bet most of them would put this task near the top of their list. But as awful as they can be, they’re still important and can help set you apart. A good cover letter lets you highlight the most important details of your application right away. Here’s my straightforward, bullet point-based cover letter strategy that will help you curb the overwhelm and get right to the point. Keeping the reader engaged through the first page of your application goes a long way to getting your foot in the interview room door. Discover my go-to template for creating an impactful cover letter every time:Why white space and brevity will land your cover letter on the top of the stack;How to harness the awesome power of the rule of three;Step-by-step instructions for creating your own low-stress, speedy cover letter writing strategy.Related Links:Hired: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethiredEpisode 365, How To Write A Meaningful Cover Letter For Today’s Competitive Job Market - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode365Episode 415, How To Use AI To Write Cover Letters Faster - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode415Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Resiliency is an important trait for any leader, but the systemic barriers that underrepresented professionals face, on top of persisting gender and racial gaps, make this skill even more vital. My guest, Jacqueline Twillie, quite literally wrote the book on resiliency for these leaders, drawing on her experience working to reduce worldwide inequity. In this episode, we discuss her book and her approach to strategic sustainability for leaders facing these challenging dynamics. From the cyclical process of refilling your resilience well to a fresh take on failure, Jacqueline’s approach to empowering women from underrepresented backgrounds who are navigating the pitfalls and potentials of leadership offers real-world advice for all leaders seeking a stronger foothold in their futures.Reset your mindset with Jacqueline’s expert insights into:The ways risk, resilience, rest, and reward work together to foster growth;How cultivating resilience is like navigating a traffic jam;What neurotransmitters and nutrition have to do with resilient leadership.Related Links:Jacqueline’s website - https://www.zerogap.co/Connect with Jacqueline on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinetwillie/Connect with Jacqueline on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jacquelinetwillie/?hl=enConnect with Jacqueline on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Jvtwillie/The Resilient Leaders Program - https://www.zerogap.co/resileintleadersprogramJacqueline’s book, Dear Resilient Leader: A Guide for Underrepresented Leaders - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNRFYVZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_15FXH2FQXNWCNHPEZJKS?linkCode=ml1&tag=thepowbre-20The Seven Spirtual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-seven-spiritual-laws-of-success-a-pocketbook-guide-to-fulfilling-your-dreams-one-hour-of-wisdom-deepak-chopra/11605345?ean=9781878424716Mindet by Carol Dwek - https://bookshop.org/p/books/mindset-the-new-psychology-of-success-carol-s-dweck/7841782?ean=9780345472328Episode 386, How To Boost Your Energy With The Power Of Nutrition - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode386Level Up: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

How does your LinkedIn Skills section look these days? Whether or not you’re currently on the hunt for new employment opportunities, this is your friendly reminder to get your Skills section in order. LinkedIn places a huge focus on this section of your profile when it comes to recruiters looking for candidates.In this episode, I walk you through how to amp up your Skills section. With everything we have to do, wouldn’t it be nice to let LinkedIn take some of the hard work of job searching (even if you’re just low-key looking right now) off your plate?Listen along as we walk through this essential process and discover:Why fine-tuning your Skills section is so important to your job search;How to narrow the long list of skills you possess so it serves you best;How to navigate the finicky nuances of the skills list LinkedIn provides.Related Links:Hired: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethiredBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Whether an organization’s teams are centered in a single city or dispersed across the world, cultural differences inevitably emerge. For leaders accustomed to knowing the answers and acting on their singular understanding of situations, it can be difficult to recognize these differences, much less level up the listening skills needed to address them for the good of their organization.For more than 10 years, Hawa Kombian has worked within and alongside companies in Canada, Ghana, and more, using her expertise in cross-cultural competency and communication to help her clients achieve operational sustainability and social vibrancy through customized results-driven cultures of connection. In this episode, Hawa and I delve into the compassionate approach she teaches to guide leaders and their teams in this important work. Explore the essential impact of cross-cultural competency on the future of work with:Why listening is the key to positive change in any organization;How to lead with cross-cultural compassion in today’s remote workplaces;The need for humility in leaders championing long-term change;How we can redefine the legacy of leadership.Related Links:Hawa’s Linktree - https://linktr.ee/hawakocoLearn more about Hawa - https://hawakombianconsulting.com/Hawa’s LinkedIn article, Hey Founder... How To Collaborate With Your Team  - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/hey-founder-how-collaborate-your-team-b-hawa-kombianEpisode 2 of Hawa’s Compass Audiocast, Choose Friends With Care - https://youtu.be/LU-mWQSu8Z4Join Hawa’s Journey Alignment Mastermind - https://testhk.my.canva.site/hkc-mediaHidden Brain Podcast Episode, US 2.0: What We Have In Common - https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/us-2-0-what-we-have-in-common/Level Up: a Leadership Accelerator for Women on the Rise - https://www.bossedup.org/levelupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

How many meeting invites do you get each week? If your company is like many American organizations, it’s probably too many. Recent research shows that 70% of all company meetings are keeping teams from completing their tasks. On top of that, a Harvard Business Review article reports that “Ineffective meetings that waste our time can negatively impact psychological, physical, and mental well-being.” Yikes! In this episode, I share three steps that can help reduce meeting overwhelm. There’s no doubt that declining a meeting is easier said than done. Company culture and concern for professional relationships can make it anxiety-inducing to even consider clicking anything but that little “yes” box on a meeting invitation. But taking the plunge and beginning to question—and even turn down—unnecessary meetings can make a huge difference in your company as a whole.Navigate the meeting acceptance minefield professionally by learning:What the research says about our inefficient attachment to meetings;Why it’s okay to ask for more information;How and when to decline delicately;How to put meeting reduction into practice with your team.Related Links:Harvard Business Review article, “Dear Manager, You’re Holding Too Many Meetings” - https://hbr.org/2022/03/dear-manager-youre-holding-too-many-meetingsThe Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-art-of-gathering-how-we-meet-and-why-it-matters-priya-parker/588739?ean=9781594634932My LinkedIn course, “Asserting Yourself: An Empowered Choice - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/asserting-yourself-an-empowered-choice/why-being-assertive-mattersBossed Up Accelerator - Level Up - https://www.bossedup.org/levelup  Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Pay transparency is one of our policy priorities at Bossed Up, and in this episode, I speak with a scholar who studies the subject: Zoë Cullen. An assistant professor of entrepreneurial management at Harvard Business School, Zoë has spent the last decade studying gender gaps within the workforce, and most recently has focused on the effects of pay transparency laws. Her research reveals a lot of interesting information about what pay transparency means for individual workers, career motivation, and hiring practices. Zoë’s practical explanations of the data help put this groundbreaking policy into perspective. Find out what the numbers say about how pay transparency is playing out in the real world:Which information frictions and taboos stand in the way;The surprising effect of learning what your boss makes;How pay transparency affects powerhouse negotiators in the workplace;And even the potential downsides to pay transparency for worker’s wages.Related Links:Connect with Zoë - https://zcullen.github.io/Read Zoë’s article, “Is Pay Transparency Good?” - https://zcullen.github.io/assets/docs/JEP%20Is%20Pay%20Transparency%20Good.pdfRead Zoë’s article, “Equilibrium Effects Of Pay Transparency” - https://www.nber.org/system/files/working_papers/w28903/w28903.pdfEqual Pay for Equal Work Act - https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-085Episode 319, “How To Talk Money With Your Friends and Family and Why It’s Critically Important That You Do” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode319Episode 146 “Step-By-Step Negotiation Prep” https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode146Salary Insights Guide - https://www.bossedup.org/negotiation#salaryinsightsBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

When you need a reference, what’s the first thing you do? Almost everyone looking for a new job will need a reference or two, and a former employer is the most common choice. However customary this exchange might be, though, no one appreciates having a reference call sprung on them without warning.I recently received just such an out-of-the-blue reference check. The uncomfortable experience prompted me to pull together four tips for putting your best foot forward when you come to this point in your job search. Spoiler alert: it all starts with giving your reference a heads-up. In today’s episode, I unpack some steps to make the most of your ask:Why a friendly reconnection is keyWhich job search details you’ll want to includeHow to check the temperature of your contactA bonus query for the bravest among usRelated Links:My LinkedIn Learning course, How To Leverage References, Recommendations, and Referrals to Advance Your Career - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/how-to-leverage-references-recommendations-and-referrals-to-advance-your-career/advance-your-careerBossed Up’s Job Search Resource Hub - https://www.bossedup.org/free-resources/job-searchBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Most of us have or will experience the classic post-promotion “freakout.” This crushing crisis of confidence leaves us wondering how we got here and whether we can handle our new responsibilities. Jodi Flynn, a leadership development expert with more than a decade of experience helping organizations with attracting, developing, and successfully promoting more women into senior levels of leadership, often helps clients through this transitional time and remembers well the feeling of navigating it herself.In this episode, we sit down to explore the reasons behind this inevitable anxiety. We lay out a host of tips to help you navigate and manage these feelings, so you can embrace the boss you’re meant to be.Feel empowered with Jodi’s practical and insightful ideas for navigating this new terrain:How to deal with the tedious intersection of gratitude and anxiety;How to shift your perspective by cultivating an inner boss identity;Why you owe it to your team and yourself to delegate;Why keeping up on self-care as a leader is more than just a nice-to-have.Related Links:Follow Jodi on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodiflynn/Jodi’s podcast Women Taking the Lead - https://womentakingthelead.com/podcast/Jodi’s organization - https://womentakingthelead.com/Jodi’s book Accomplished: How to Go from Dreaming to Doing - https://bookshop.org/p/books/accomplished-how-to-go-from-dreaming-to-doing-jodi-flynn/11327872?ean=9780692806975Jodi’s Leadership Operating System Inventory - https://womentakingthelead.com/leadership-abilities-inventory/Maine’s Women’s Conference - https://www.themainewomensconference.org/Massachusetts Conference of Women - https://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear - https://bookshop.org/p/books/atomic-habits-an-easy-proven-way-to-build-good-habits-break-bad-ones-james-clear/12117739?ean=9780735211292McKinsey’s Women in the Workplace Study - https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/featured%20insights/diversity%20and%20inclusion/women%20in%20the%20workplace%202022/women-in-the-workplace-2022.pdfAcademy of Management Journal Article - https://journals.aom.org/doi/abs/10.5465/amj.2016.0662Bossed Up Episode 426, Women of Color in Leadership and Trauma at Work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode426Bossed Up Episode 437, The Succession Gap and the Growing Value of Your Leadership Aspirations - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode437Bossed Up Episode 407, How to Delegate Without Feeling so Bad About It - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode407My LinkedIn Learning Course, Coping With Your Impostor Syndrome To Build Your Career Confidence - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/coping-with-impostor-syndrome-to-build-career-confidence/feeling-like-a-fraudLevel Up Leadership Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/levelupBossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/

Recently, a member of my HIRED Job Search Accelerator community asked a very important and relevant question: how do I get back into the job search after years away?If you or someone you know is preparing to take the plunge back into the working world, the four tips in this episode will familiarize you with how the job hunt landscape has changed and leave you feeling more confident in the career skills you still possess. Prepare for this big transition by understanding:The importance of starting to send out resumes right nowThe key step for that very first cover letterWhy reaching out to everyone in your network is a supportive strategyHow to address that “gap in your resume”Related Links:LinkedIn Learning course “Career Strategies for Women Re-Entering the Workforce” - https://www.linkedin.com/learning/career-strategies-for-women-re-entering-the-workforce/resilience-for-the-road-aheadRandstad Survey - https://swnsdigital.com/us/2018/10/it-takes-5-months-of-searching-to-land-a-job-study-finds/Prepare to Launch U - https://www.preparetolaunchu.com/Listen to the episode “Dealing With Low-Ball Job Offers” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode439Listen to the episode “Grow Your Professional Network in the New Year” -  https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode435Listen to the episode “Marketing Yourself in the Job Search After a Career Break” - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode202HIRED: my Job Search Accelerator - https://www.bossedup.org/gethired

What’s the last self-help book you read? These days, whatever life change you’re hoping for, there’s a self-help guru and their associated memoir eager to explain how they did it and you can too. The problem is that most of these books are written by the people for whom our capitalist society was built.In this episode, I speak with Sharon Podobnik, a seasoned executive leadership coach and former self-help fiend whose questioning of the industry led her to write her new book, It’s Not (All) Your Fault: Self-Help and the Individualization of Oppression. Sharon is a font of knowledge on all things self-help and the perfect person to delve deep into this problematic field and begin envisioning a healthier, more equitable alternative.Get insight into all the misleading and ineffective ways we try to help ourselves, including:The disconnect between who writes self-help and who reads it;The difference between oppressive and liberatory self-help;And how we start building a version of self-help that actually works.Related Links:Find Sharon online - https://www.sharonpodobnikpeterson.com/ Order Sharon’s new book - https://itsnotallyourfault.com/The Center for Conscious Leadership - https://www.thecenterforconsciousleadership.com/Bossed Up Episode 422 on gender equality at work - https://www.bossedup.org/podcast/episode422Bossed Up Courage Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/927776673968737/Bossed Up LinkedIn Group - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/7071888/