Roman was passed over for a job in the final stages of salary negotiation when the company realized he didn’t finish his college degree. He wants to know how to navigate future job opportunities.

What is the best approach to landing senior roles without a degree?

 Tessa gives tips on job hunting and interviewing without a degree.

Interviewing:  

• Do not lie.
• Change the conversation from what you’re lacking to the practical experience you have that makes up for the missing courses.
• Double down on your value proposition.

Entering the job search:

• Update your LinkedIn profile.
• Get clear on your value proposition. What is the problem you solve and why should someone hire you? Get specific.
• Include your value proposition and professional highlights at the top of your LinkedIn profile and your resume.
• Use AI to help your resume hit key words from the job description of your desired role.  

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As a young mom in the early stages of her career, Sarah often feels like she is not taken as seriously as her colleagues. She wants to know how to best handle these situations and be treated like an equal part of the team.

When you are not given proper respect by colleagues, what can you do? 

What are strategies for standing up for yourself without burning bridges?

How can you keep colleagues and/or leadership engaged during presentations?

Tessa explains the importance of having difficult conversations.  She shares the following tips for asserting yourself in a professional way.

First, make sure to address the issue. If you are not comfortable doing it in the moment, you can pull the person aside after the meeting. Avoid becoming a ghost by saying nothing.

Utilize the GAP Model for conflict resolution. Make sure to always assume good intent.

• What I expected…
• What I observed…
• Is that what you intended, or do you see it differently?
• What can I do to prevent this from happening in the future?

If someone is talking over you, try, “Stop. I have something to say.”

Keep presentations short and to the point. Avoid giving too much data.

Check for engagement during presentations by asking what information will be most useful and going straight there.

 You can learn more about the GAP Model for Conflict Resolution in chapter 7 of Tessa’s book, “Getting Comfortable with Conflict.”

You can find the story about Cubicle Guy in chapter 6, “Lies About the Corner Office.” 

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Elyse, a newly appointed employee, faces the common challenge of lacking a clear job description months into her role. This episode explores proven strategies for navigating undefined roles and achieving success despite the ambiguity.

Key Takeaways:

• Taking Initiative: Tessa advises proactively engaging with other leaders and participating in relevant activities to gain insights into the role's expectations.
• Crafting Your Own Narrative: Create a draft job description based on your current understanding. This can be used as a starting point for discussions with your manager.
• Crucial Conversations: Learn how to utilize the GAP Model for Conflict Resolution to effectively communicate your concerns and expectations to your manager.
• Regular Check-Ins: Establish frequent check-ins with your manager to ensure alignment and address any emerging issues.
• Strategic Focus: Prioritize strategic thinking and long-term goals over tactical tasks to maximize your impact in the role.

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Is your career feeling stagnant? Brittany, a senior project manager, shares her concerns about limited growth opportunities at her company. In this episode, Tessa discusses strategies for creating your own upward mobility. Learn how to:

• Leverage lateral moves to gain a deeper understanding of your company's inner workings.
• Expand your network to uncover hidden opportunities and gain valuable allies.
• "Play in the gap" by identifying and addressing unsolved problems within your organization.
• Master the "yes, and, what if" model to navigate project management challenges and foster collaboration.

Episode Highlights:

• Brittany's experience with limited upward mobility and her dilemma of staying vs. seeking a new job.
• Tessa's actionable advice for creating a new role for yourself or finding growth opportunities elsewhere.
• Tips for effectively saying "no" to colleagues' ideas while maintaining a positive working relationship.
• Real-world examples of how to implement the "yes, and, what if" model in your project management approach.

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Tessa speaks with her daughter, Hannah, about her pivot from a corporate career to one as an entrepreneur with several sources of income. After a traumatic event within her family, Hannah decided a traditional job wasn’t the right fit. She created a work situation that better suits her personality and provides an optimal work-life balance. Hannah and Tessa discuss what to expect when transitioning from traditional employment to self-employment. Topics include changes in self-esteem, work-life balance, maintaining motivation, changes in income, and asking for help. 

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Jamie is a small business owner that is struggling to keep her gen-z staff engaged.  She wants to know how to best communicate with her staff and how to avoid burnout for both herself and her employees.

 What are ways to keep younger employees motivated?

Tessa shares helpful strategies for managing a younger generation:

1. Ask employees about their personal goals and what skills they may want to develop. Help them to work towards those goals.

2. Use your cost envelope to motivate desired behaviors. Consider bonuses or variable pay.  

3. Provide options whenever possible (e.g., benefits, shift scheduling). This generation thrives on customization.

How can you help employees to better meet performance expectations without micromanaging?

• Increase communication and set clear expectations.
• Increase feedback. Share what type of feedback the staff can expect and how they should interpret that feedback.
• Point out and reward desired behaviors.
• Share tips about your management style.  
• Ask your staff for feedback.

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Zac recently suffered a serious injury and is now reentering the workforce with a disability. He wants to know what to expect when applying and interviewing for jobs.

Are some industries more likely to hire people with disabilities?

At which point during the application process should you disclose that you need accommodations?

What is the best way to navigate depression and/or anxiety in the workplace?

In this episode, Tessa covers a variety of topics including 

• Utilizing available programs such as the ADA and FMLA
• Humane leadership
• Communicating with your manager

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Anne recently lost a promotion to an outside applicant. She has the experience that should have made the decision an easy yes for her employers and wants to know why she was overlooked.
 
How do you uncover why you weren’t promoted and what you need to change to be promoted in the future?
 Tessa shares her model for having difficult conversations. You can find The GAP Model for Conflict Resolution in Tessa’s book, The Unspoken Truths for Career Success.  These key statements can be used to gather valuable information.

• What I expected…
• What I observed…
• Then, identify the consequences.

Other Topics include:
Halfway Conversations
Practicing strong statements
Creating a path for career growth

The Feedback 4-pack : Three times a year ask the following questions to 4 people ( a manager, a cross functional team member, a superfan, and a neutral person):

1. How do you think others perceive me?
2. What is the perception of what I do? 
3. What have you found that works to build influence and become a more promotable person?

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Dorothy Mashburn hosts Tessa on her podcast, Pay Negotiations Made Simple.

They discuss a variety of topics related to promotion and pay negotiation.

• Making the jump from mid-level positions to a director or VP role.
• Navigating conflict in a way that benefits your career.
• Encouraging your manager to see you as ready for a promotion.
• Knowing when to leave a company and when to have difficult conversations to improve your situation.
• Using a job offer as leverage.
• Navigating the current job market.

Get Tessa’s book here: BUY NOW

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Carrie is a practicing CPA who just received a doctorate in business administration. Despite her new job in operations, she keeps being asked to fill in as a CPA and wants to know how to segue into her new role.

How do you define an undefined role and make yourself indispensable to your company?

 In this episode, Tessa explains how to create a strategic role that aligns with the needs of your company.

Creating a Strategic Role:

• Define the problems that need to be solved. Ask decision makers what projects would make the biggest difference in 3-6 months and why they hired you.
• Find a way to quantify your contributions and progress to send regular updates via email. Showing progress will help you gain momentum in the role.
• Utilize a dashboard. 
• Storytelling. Use face to face time with executives to focus on forward initiatives.  Aim for 80% strategic and 20% tactical. 

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Order Tessa's Book "The Unspoken Truths for Career Success: Navigating Pay, Promotions, and Power at Work"