The Voice of Job Seekers

Mark Anthony Dyson ★ Career Writer ★ Speaker ★ Thinker ★ Award-winning Blog & Podcast! ★ "The Job Scam Report" on Substack! ★ I hack and reimagine the modern job search!

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3 Unforgettable Career Lessons from Hidden Figures The Movie

3 Unforgettable Career Lessons from Hidden Figures The Movie
Besides Hidden Figures being a great movie, there were useful career lessons. It’s rare a Hollywood movie features character and positive personal attributes. The film depicted three African-American women breaking gender and color barriers at NASA. The three main women characters showed how skill and character add value to employers. These attributes energize meaningful careers, and the movie reminded us why.
Oh, did I say this is a real story? It’s historic. Yes, men, we can learn from them too! But like the evergreen tree, these lessons are planted in water, and eternal.
Each woman has an extraordinary story and talents: a mathematician, computer technologist, and engineer. Bias impeded their breakthrough: Color and gender. They had to prove their value first breaking through extraordinary barriers. Even when they shattered expectations, it wasn’t enough.
These women challenged the status quo, race relation barriers, and gender bias. Consider these attributes and similar obstacles during your job search:

1. Strategy without patience and resilience is useless

Janelle Monae’s character Mary Jackson exercised great patience but also understood her value. She had to go to court to attend a class traditionally held by men but prohibited African-Americans. Mary was willing to go through the barriers, and still confront the challenges awaiting her.
Lesson learned: Job search takes time, and waiting until you’re jobless is excruciating.

Start networking for your future even if you don’t know the final destination.

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Networking adds to the intelligence you’ll need to navigate obstacles.

2. Sometimes you’re the last to know the significance of your contribution

Octavia Spencer’s showed how Dorothy Vaughn managed rejection for a promotion for years. She learned a computer language enabled her to functionalize the mainframe computers. Dorothy mastered it before the men assigned to set the computers did. Once she understood the new computer language, she taught her staff. This action resulted in the ultimate prize: A promotion to supervisor.
Lesson learned: Job trends shift incessantly in most industries. Find out how technology will play a part. Robots and computers will be the tools and the catalyst.

Focus on understanding what it takes to be competitive in your industry.

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3. Opportunities are created and boldly requested
Taraji Henson’s character Katherine Johnson was steadfast getting to the big meeting. Women were not allowed in this session! When she finally attended, she didn’t hesitate to show her abilities. Later, those skills shaped the space program forever and saved John Glenn’s life.
Lesson learned: Be persistent when it comes to meeting key people. Look to ask the key holders and not depend on the gatekeepers.

Your breakthrough requires doing the unexpected and more than what is expected.

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The tools and techniques we read about are necessary. What employers respond to is character and personality. Those are attributes employers cannot train employees to own. The modern job seekers cannot afford to be passive. Today, to achieve results, your action must have actionable steps. You be intentional and follow-up, and at times, ask more than once. It’s not easy but will yield results in time.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Advice for the Young Career Woman

Advice for the Young Career Woman

 

Photo by: Pixabay.com

Editor’s note: Today’s post is authored by Gloria Martinez. Her bio is at the end of the article. 

Today’s job search requires you to keep both hands on the wheel. Any passive approach to finding opportunities fails. It doesn’t work. You must remain engaged throughout your career or face significant challenges shifting gears.

Advice for the Young Career Woman—

Dear strong, intelligent, and independent twenty-something:

You have what it takes to make it to the top. This world, that company, and those business leaders have been waiting for you to walk through the front doors and change everything. You are a woman with all the skill and personality necessary to change the face of business and will conquer all that you set out to accomplish. It will take a little determination and elbow grease, but you will get there because you have the heart and passion for making it happen. There are just a couple of things to keep in mind as you move your mountains: count your gender as a strength, don’t be afraid to take strategic risks, and continuously press forward.

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

We live in a time in which women are gaining more attention than ever before, not just in the workplace but the world. Don’t let the stereotypes discourage you; your gender is one of your greatest assets. The fact that you are a woman is a strength for problem solving and business strategizing. It is no surprise that according to a reputable forecast for 2017, there will be a record number of female CEOs leading businesses listed as Fortune 500 companies. Who is to say that you won’t be the next leader on that list? American businesses owned by women who hold at least 51% of the company, actually get unique opportunities and special advantages. So count your gender as a strength, and start that climb to the top of the ladder.

“And the trouble is, if you don’t risk anything, you risk more.” – Erica Jong

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What is your dream worth to you? Is it worth long hours, lost sleep, or shed tears? If it is, then it is certainly worth all of the strategic risks, as well. It might be as simple as asking your boss for more responsibility to show them you are willing to handle it. Perhaps you decide to risk it all by giving your two weeks notice at your current office to change careers to the one you’ve always wanted. History is full of women who took a leap of faith and landed at the top of their career. Scarier than the thought of failing, would never be allowing yourself the opportunity to try it at all, and if you happen to fail, you will gain the insight for how to do things differently in the future.

 

“A common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” – Alice Walker

Do not let anyone look down on you because of your gender, your age, your height, or any other quality that speaks loud and clear to who you are. Press forward, and prove your ability by your work ethic. Surprise your boss by your bold, intentional dedication to the company. Set the standard high and become the representation of a model employee. This way, you will eventually earn your seat as a leader in both position and reputation.

When things get challenging, write your favorite motivational quote on a sticky note to leave on your desk. Play an inspirational song on the way to work. Find a way to encourage yourself all the way up that mountain, expecting to make it to the very top. Your career doesn’t have to be limited to the dimness of the lingering so-called “glass ceiling. “Shatter it all together, and make your future as bright as you are.

 

Ms. Gloria Martinez believes that while women have made many advancements toward “shattering the glass ceiling,” there is still much to be done. It is her aim to help increase the number of women-led businesses by educating others about the topic at womenled.org.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.

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Are You Over Educated? Why Does it Matter to Your Career?

Are You Over Educated? Why Does it Matter to Your Career?

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Are you looking to get another degree to help your career? Did the first one help your career at all? Once again, Janine Truitt of talentthinkinnovations.com and Chris Fields of ResumeCrusade.com joins me for a roundtable discussion. We banter about a trend where many are getting more degrees than what’s valued by employers.

Call and leave a voicemail at 708-365-9822, or text your comments to the same number
Go to TheVoiceofJobSeekers.com, press “Send Voicemail” button on the right side of your screen.
Send email feedback to mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com

Here are a few of the highlights of our discussion:

  • Many job seekers and career changers using education to increase his/her career marketability
  • We discuss how the return of investment is not what it used to be
  • Cited this study showing how JD and MBA‘s are not getting jobs immediately
  • Finding the balance between traditional education and skills to scale your career
  • We talk about how creativeness is essential to a job search
  • How and when do you showcase your accomplishments in the era of personal branding
  • Each of us shares the importance of personal branding on and offline
  • Using association and professional affiliations as a springboard for your career

Let me know if you like the format where Janine, Chris, and I banter about the job search. Is there a topic you like to hear more about? Let me know. I would love to hear about what you think.

Need help with your career goals, directions, or efforts?

Do you need coaching or instruction? I am here for it! If you’re in Chicago, join us at our “Unconscious Bias” event on February 12. If you want to join me, send me a note at mark@thevoiceofjobseekers.com or call 708-365-9822 for more information.

About Mark Anthony Dyson

I am the "The Voice of Job Seekers!" I offer compassionate career and job search advice as I hack and re-imagine the job search process. You need to be "the prescription to an employer's job description." You must be solution-oriented and work in positions in companies where you are the remedy. Your job search must be a lifestyle, and your career must be in front of you constantly. You can no longer shed your aspirations at the change seasons. There are strengths you have that need constant use and development. Be sure you sign up to download my E-Book, "421 Modern Job Search Tips 2021!" You can find my career advice and work in media outlets such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, Harvard Business Review, Glassdoor, and many other outlets.