On this episode of Career Diaries, I welcome Asha Aravindakshan, author of “Skills: The Common Denominator.” Asha shares her insights into navigating the complexities of career pivoting, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and leveraging transferable skills.

Key Takeaways:

(02:20) Asha’s background, education and early career.

(02:45) The unexpected career start of an internship and the decision to pursue stability.

(06:27) The concept of hindsight in career decisions and the value of reflecting on past choices and skill acquisition.

(09:16) The importance of hard work in your 20s and its long-term benefits.

(15:07) Asha’s strategic approach to identifying the right industry and role.

(19:36) Building a personal brand and the role of authenticity in career progression.

(24:12) Networking strategies that go beyond traditional methods.

(29:04) Storytelling is a crucial skill in today’s job market.

(31:33) Advice on the effectiveness of cold applying for jobs with a targeted approach.

Resources Mentioned:

Asha Aravindakshan -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashaa12/

“The Startup of You” by Reid Hoffman -

https://www.startupofyou.com/

OTTA -

https://otta.com/

Thanks for listening to the Career Diaries podcast with Briana Okyere. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review to help get the word out about the show. Email [email protected] to get your burning career questions answered on the podcast, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss another conversation.

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