You're not everyone's cup of tea - and that's okay!

As a former marketer and now as a business owner – one of the mantras that guides me and my career is – the more yourself you are, the more you will attract the right people and repel the wrong people.

It’s not a new idea.

I think I first learned it back in my Marketing 101 class. Yet, it’s a lesson I continue to revisit every time I feel the gut punch of disappointment that later reveals itself to be another level of people pleasing healing unlocked.

Sometimes when I write a vulnerable piece about my imperfections or double down on what are clearly my politics – a handful of people unsubscribe.

And I get a chest pang.

Then – the reminder comes in the form of the beautiful people who take the time to write to me and share how much this story meant to them, or that they needed to hear this today – or even that they appreciate how I’m brave enough to say what I believe out loud.

They’re the right people…for me.

I’m reminded of an interview with actress and all around trailblazer, Tracee Ellis Ross, who was consoled by her friends after a people-pleasing episode, “You’re not everyone’s cup of tea.”

I say this to myself when some collaborations and partnerships flourish and some…just don’t.

I say it to my clients when they get a piece of feedback after an interview about coming off too strong or not strong enough.

And I’m saying it to you now to remind you that you don’t need to click with every colleague, match with every role or connect with every parent at your kids’ school.

If you’re being yourself, you will attract the right people and opportunities for you. And that’s more than enough.

Of course, this is easier said than done in a culture where much of this pleasing and desire to be liked – even loved – lives within our bodies.

Yet, just like another one of my favorite simple counter cultural hobbies – saying no – it’s a little addictive.

So – when the rejection comes, because it will come, you can pat yourself on the back and say, “Oh yeah. I’m not everyone’s cup of tea.” And that’s where you will leave it.

Returning to Work as a New Parent

I work with many women who are pregnant and on maternity leave – and often when they think about returning to their roles after leave, they feel...

Overwhelm
Grief
Guilt
Dread

And wonder…how will this even be possible?

“I know how I worked before, the level of intensity, the hours, the facetime, the focus. How will I be able to do it the same way?”

The answer is: You won’t. It will be different. You’ve changed.

Your priorities have shifted AND you can still do good work – on your terms.

You can both acknowledge all of these valid feelings AND be intentional about how you return.

I’m excited to share that I will be helping a group of new moms do just that in a supportive virtual session I’ve created with my friend, colleague and Executive Coach, Alex Huworth.

Here are the details if this sounds like you or someone you know and love:

Returning to Work as a New Mom: From Anxiety to Confidence
A virtual event for birth parents navigating their leave and transition back to professional life.

This is for you if you’re:

• Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of balancing work and family?

• Worried about reconnecting with your career after time away?

• Unsure how to advocate for your needs as a working parent?

Want to feel confident and prepared to return to work?

In this session you'll gain:

• Practical strategies for work-life integration

• A supportive community of peers facing similar challenges

• Insights on communicating effectively with your employer

• Tools to manage anxiety and boost confidence

Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2024
Time: 12pm ET
Length: 60 minutes
Cost: $47
Tickets can be purchased at rachelbgarrett.com/new-parent.

Please share with anyone in your life who needs this kind of support. Someone you want to remind, “You don’t need to be alone in this.”


In celebration of the moms!

3 Job Search Mistakes To Avoid

Sometimes the thing holding you back in your job search just isn’t on your radar. And you keep on keeping on with minimal results.

If you’re an excellent candidate – which I know you are – you’ll find you will get the momentum you’re looking for if you avoid these three common mistakes.

1. Resume longer than 2 pages:

Just no. I love someone who knows how to self-promote, but if you can’t be concise about it, the recruiters and hiring managers are already thinking – you’re not going to be clear and concise in emails, conversations and the multitude of documents you will produce on the job. Rule of thumb is: For under 10 years of experience, the resume should be one page and over it should be two. There are rare exceptions where I’ve allowed a third page for published works, a deal sheet or film/tv credits. But I would try to avoid it if you can.

2. Submitting applications between 12 AM and 6 AM:

I know you want to finish the application you’ve been working on all night. But I can tell you for sure – you’re going to make mistakes you will regret. You’re going to make typos you read the next day that can take you out of the running. Save your application. Re-read it after a good night's sleep in the morning with fresh eyes. Also – assume the application will take longer than you think it will, so try to start earlier in the evening, if possible, so you can finish earlier.

3. Assuming you need to meet every qualification to apply:

Job descriptions are wish lists. You do not need to be an exact match with every bullet point to be a good fit for the role. Many (women especially) take themselves out of the running for roles that would be excellent next steps for them. Please don’t do that! Especially if you have a contact at the organization! In your materials and your interview, you should talk about the skills you do have and where you can hit the ground running AND talk through the areas you’re looking to grow to explain that’s why you’re looking at roles like this. Reminder: if you have every single qualification for a role, you’re going to be bored in the first few months. Not ideal.

Feel free to share any of the mistakes you’ve learned to avoid along the way – and I’m sending you good job search momentum and mojo this fall!

Reminder, if you’re local to Brooklyn – join us for our next Career Walk and Talk on Thursday, September 26th at 5pm ET - register at rachelbgarrett.com/walk.

How to navigate the uncertainty of career change

Summer is officially over. There’s much grief that comes along with that statement – and that reality. For many, summer allows for a slower pace, more rest, travel and visiting family.

If you’re someone who has been feeling the nudge that career change is on the horizon, all the reasons to put it off a little longer may have disappeared and now you’re up against that moment you were avoiding.

You must do something about it.

Yet even the idea of it gives you the stomach swirl.

The uncertainty.

The uncertainty of what could be next and how to get there usually paralyzes people into inaction.

That’s why I created an unlikely secret weapon - structure.

I built a career shift framework to support you through each step of the process with tools and strategies.

You only need to focus on one step at a time which allows you to tolerate the discomfort of the uncertainty – bit by bit – instead of letting it pull you entirely out of the game.

Knowing you can accomplish each part of the process gives you the momentum and confidence you need to get through that last leg of the work with your networking, interviewing and negotiating an offer that’s on your terms.

I will be there with you, to guide you and to bear witness to all of your ideas and possibilities that actually live within that dreaded uncertain stew.

Good news, bad news – it’s where we find all of your creativity and the good stuff you’ve been pushing way down.

So if you’ve known September is your time, but the uncertainty has you tied in pumpkin spiced knots – let’s talk about how I can walk you through – one reflective exercise, one LinkedIn strategy at a time.

You can set up a free 30-min zoom call to discuss how you can tap into your career desires even if you don’t know what they are yet.