The Briefcase "Briefs" Job Search Newsletter - Issue #3

October 27, 2019

In this issue: The best path to CEO, How to win an argument without making enemies, How to gain credibility without experience, Job advantages over 50, The future of work in black America and more.....

Happy Fall! If you've been a newsletter subscriber for a while, you've probably observed that I am a big fan of the musical Hamilton. My husband and I are going (kid free) to New York in a few weekends to see the musical. I am beyond excited (and taking restaurant suggestions in the city).

Do you have any trips coming up? If not, you might want to consider planning one--even a quick getaway. According to Inc Magazine, a "Canadian study of nearly 900 lawyers found that taking vacations helps alleviate job stress. The effects last beyond the duration of the vacation, too: A small study from the University of Vienna found that after taking time off from work, vacationers had fewer stress-related physical complaints such as headaches, backaches, and heart irregularities, and they still felt better five weeks later."

If you are unemployed and watching your budget, even local hikes or day trips can boost your mood and recharge you. I've heard of some creative day trips from creating your own "coffee trail" (see this FourSquare List of best coffee spots in St. Louis for inspiration) to antique "hopping" local shops (see Yelp's best in Adamstown, PA)

Burn out is very common for job seekers. The rejection, the unknown future and external factors (like financial or family pressure) can lead to feeling drained. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself. When you are healthy and refreshed, you are more productive.

I hope that you enjoy this month's newsletter.

As always, I am rooting for you,

Sarah

Ps. As I was preparing for this newsletter, I found a stat that 42% of Americans did not take any vacation days in 2014. If you are reading this and you haven't taken any days off yet in 2019, you owe it to yourself to take a day off. Even if you don't travel, stay home in your pajamas, get some Jeni's ice cream and watch the Politician on Netflix.

Executive Briefs

What does it take to ascend to the CEO position at a F100 firm? A new study examines where they come from—the schools, the functions, the work experiences. This sixth and final article charts the early career functions that led F100 CEOs on the path to the top.

To convince people they're wrong, you must first explain why they're right.

Just starting out?

Hit the ground running in your first job.

When you’re new into the workforce or new to an industry, a mentor can be an incredibly valuable resource when it comes to your career advancement and...

Gender, race, and age in the workplace.

Bloomberg announced the launch of its 2019 Gender-Equality Index (GEI), which this year selected 230 companies committed to transparency in gender reporting and advancing women’s equality in the workplace. The index more than doubled in size from 2018 and includes firms from 10 sectors headquartered across 36 countries and regions. GEI companies disclose higher levels of female representation at the executive level, in addition to providing best-in-class policies and benefits to support gender equality.

When women don’t delegate, they have less time for big-picture work and mentoring.

Advantages of age, being over 50, when looking for a new job that will see you through your job search to a successful conclusion.

Automation trends may be widening the racial wealth gap. This article reveals possible interventions that may help African American workers and black America prepare for the future.

Getting the job and keeping it.

Hiring managers commonly ask job candidates about their strengths and weaknesses, so prepare an answer beforehand that puts you in the best possible light.

Research has shown that while some people seem to come by resilience naturally, these behaviors can also be learned.

“I am the one thing in life. I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original”

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