How to Stand Out Professionally

Acting like the next level got me noticed, but it also got me exploited. When I was working toward my next promotion, I thought the fastest way up was to prove I was already operating at the next level. That’s true BUT only if you’re strategic about it. Some high performers get exploited because they’re visible, reliable, and ambitious. Leaders see it. They know the work will get done. So instead of having hard conversations with underperformers... They pile more on your plate. Here’s why you should act one level above but not five: ● Acting ahead shows readiness ● It builds a strong promotion case ● It helps you practice influence But without a smart goal tied to your timeline? You’ll end up overdelivering for 3–4 years with nothing to show for it. Most companies plan in 12-month cycles. So act one level up for one year, not five. Anything beyond that is often manipulation dressed up as development. Before you take on more, ask yourself: Does this grow the skills aligned with the role I want? Will this be visible to decision-makers? Does this work move me forward or just keep the lights on? Being Executive Material does not mean you need to prove your worth forever. You need to make your growth measurable, visible (to the right people), and strategic. Inspiration: David Neal 'Promotion Punishment" post on X Share this with someone who is on the path to a promotion.

I can't tell you the last time I looked at a resume in over 12 years of hiring, and I've hired many people. It's not even a nonstarter. I don't even think about it. I know others will disagree with me, but I don't find any value in the PDF version of your LinkedIn page. I'll just go to LinkedIn. But don't despair; there are many ways to garner attention, be introduced, or stand out. 1. Follow-up notes - it's incredible how often I do not receive a follow-up message after a conversation. It's so easy to do. Here's my opinion on the best follow-up message setup: (1) Thank the person for their time. (2) Bullet point a couple of things you learned from the conversation (3) Ask a question to re-engage. Send the follow-up within an hour of the interview. Send a note to each participant if it's a group meeting or panel. IMPORTANT: If you don't get a response after your first note, could you send a couple more? People are busy, and the inbox is even busier. 2. Use video - I always appreciate it when an applicant uses Loom or another video provider to send an introduction or thank you video. It's a rare occurrence that surprises me due to its ease of use. 3. Please research the role and be sure you are a fit. Are you framing your qualifications to match what the hiring managers are looking for? Ensure you fully understand what you are applying for. 4. Research the team and understand the company. Who are your hiring manager's peers? Who else would you want to meet? If you are interviewing with the CMO, contact the CRO or VP of Sales and try to schedule a meeting. It doesn't hurt to ask. There is no excuse not to research with tools like LinkedIn available to you. 5. Get an introduction before applying - Once you research and meet a couple of people from the company, ask for an introduction. I can count on both hands how often I've received an introduction from a team member for a role I am hiring for. Even better, if you are a referral from a trusted peer, you go to the top of the list, no matter what. 6. Prepare with questions—Spend an inordinate amount of time listing out questions you want to ask the interviewer. Discuss the role expectations, but don't forget to ask questions specifically about them, such as "Why did you choose to work here?" etc. Hiring great people isn’t about resumes but connections, preparation, and effort. Don’t rely on the same old playbook if you want to stand out. Get creative, do the work, and show why you’re the best fit for the role. The good news? Most people won’t do these things. That’s your edge.

Look beyond someone’s resume. Stop getting caught up in years of experience, fancy degrees, and big company names. The most valuable people I've worked with had something far more important: 💡 They knew how to get things done. Experience matters, but the right mindset is transformative. I've coached over 300 professionals.  Here's what actually separates the top 1% from everyone else: ↳ Initiative is rare and valuable. The people who dive in without being asked are worth their weight in gold. ↳ Adaptability beats expertise when conditions change (and they always do). Those who can pivot quickly keep projects moving forward. ↳ Critical thinking can't be taught from a textbook. People who question assumptions and offer solutions rather than just problems are essential. ↳ Team-first attitudes create environments where everyone wins. Those who elevate others around them multiply your organization's capabilities. ↳ Ownership of mistakes shows maturity and integrity. The fastest learners are those who can admit when they're wrong. ↳ Positive energy is contagious. One person with the right attitude can transform an entire team's culture. When you find people with these qualities, your team doesn't just perform better - it inspires everyone to level up. What qualities would you add to this list? What are the traits that stand out most in your best teammates? —— Share ♻️ if this resonates. And follow me for more posts like this.

College students and recent grads: here’s your inside scoop from a CEO who just reviewed 500+ resumes. At REACH, we’re hiring for Q1 2025, and as the CEO, I personally skim through hundreds of resumes to spot top talent. Let me be honest: in a competitive recruitment season, you have seconds to stand out. If you want to rise to the top of the pile, here’s my advice: 4 𝐂𝐄𝐎-𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: 📌 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬. Familiarity catches attention. Highlight the companies, schools, or programs that carry weight at the very top of your resume. As a CEO, I skip the header and dive right into the body paragraphs. Don’t make me dig to find what sets you apart. 📌 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬. Big metrics grab my eye and slow me down. Whether it’s "$6𝘔+ 𝘪𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥" or "𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘺 150%", numbers scream 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒖𝒍𝒕𝒔. Use them to frame your accomplishments and ensure your skills shine. 📌 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞. If you’re applying for a role in influencer marketing (like at REACH), don’t include irrelevant experience in UI/UX design. Show me you understand the position and can bring value to the specific role. Relevance is everything. 📌 𝐁𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫. Traditional resumes are safe, but a unique design—done right—can make you unforgettable. Think creatively, but prioritize clarity. If your resume is thoughtful, well-structured, and reflects your personality, it’ll stand out and stick with me. 💡 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦: The resumes I remember are clear, focused, and demonstrate impact. Take the time to refine yours—you’re competing against hundreds of others, so make every detail count.

70 interviews. 0 offers. Next 10 interviews. 7 offers. Here's what I changed... Same person. Different approach. Here’s what changed: - I stopped searching for that “right” answer - I realized every hiring manager wants something different - I focused on building real conversation, not rehearsed responses The truth is: - No one is perfect - No answer is perfect - Most people interview well enough to get in the room But what makes you stand out? It’s connection. Hiring managers remember who understands their pain Who listens Who asks the right questions Who shows they care about the work Here’s how I flipped the script: → I listened first → I spoke honestly about my experience (no buzzwords) → I asked what frustrated them most about the role → I shared how I could help solve those headaches Winning interviews are not about being the “ideal” candidate. They’re about being real. Being relatable. Showing you want to solve real problems. If you want more job offers—work on building trust, not perfect answers. How do you approach tough interviews? Has connection helped you stand out? Comment "Trust" below if you want to learn how to build relationships that get results.

Next time you're feeling stuck in your job search with zero interviews, try THIS resume strategy. Ask yourself these deep-dive questions: 1. What do you do better than anyone else? 2. What are you known for no matter where you work? 3. What do others come to you for? Finding these themes across your career reveals your signature strengths—the exact qualities hiring managers are searching for. This strategy transformed my client Kathryn's job search. As a global communications executive who worked 18-hour days and built departments from scratch, she thought her experience would speak for itself. But after four weeks using a template resume, she had zero interviews. When we dug deeper using these questions, we discovered her unique strengths and competitive advantages that weren't coming through on her resume. We restructured her resume to highlight these differentiators and showcase her accomplishments using the C.A.R. format (Challenge, Action, Result). The result? Five interviews with top Silicon Valley companies, including Amazon and Facebook. She accepted a VP role at Amazon within 30 days and was promoted again just eight months later. Your experience alone isn't enough—you need to communicate what makes you uniquely valuable. What patterns do you see across your career? What are your signature strengths? Those are your differentiators! If you're nodding along because you know you bring more to the table than your resume shows, I'd love to help you 1:1. Message me to discuss your executive resume. #LinkedInTopVoices #Resumes #Careers #PersonalBranding

Your first job out of college can feel overwhelming. I still remember joining IBM as a fresh grad, unsure of what to expect but eager to prove myself. While I had worked hard to earn that opportunity, I quickly realized that succeeding in your first job takes more than just technical skill. Here’s my biggest piece of advice to new grads stepping into their first role: 𝗗𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼. Be proactive, not reactive. That one shift in mindset changes everything. Instead of just doing what was assigned to me, I started thinking about: → How can I make my manager's job easier? → What’s slowing the team down? → Is there a process that can be improved? → Can I learn from teams outside my own? 💡 I wasn’t confined by my job description- I explored! I reached out to people beyond my immediate team, set up 1:1s to learn what they were working on, and asked where I could contribute. That helped me meet incredible people like Armand Ruiz, Dr. Seth Dobrin, Priya Krishnan, Shadi Copty, and so many more! That habit of thinking beyond your role, and then sharing your thought process and actionable ideas, is what builds credibility early on. It also helps you get noticed. 🌱 Having a growth mindset was key. I didn’t wait for opportunities, I created them by showing initiative and being vocal about how I could help. 🤝 Networking inside your company is as important as networking outside. Many of the best career moves I’ve made happened because I nurtured relationships beyond my team. Don’t underestimate the power of a coffee chat with someone in a different org. If you’re just starting your career, remember: → Speak up even if you’re the most junior person in the room → Share ideas that benefit your broader org → Learn fast, ask smart questions, and stay curious → Build relationships early and intentionally → You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start showing up like someone who’s ready to grow. 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝘁. 💼 #Classof2025

We've all experienced that moment: walking into a room where nobody knows our true capabilities or achievements. It's frustrating when others underestimate us or fail to recognize our expertise. But these situations present an opportunity to strategically shape perceptions and build lasting professional relationships. Here are three powerful ways to ensure you're valued for who you really are: 👉 Set the Stage Thoughtfully Before any important meeting, send a brief email with relevant background information "to ensure the meeting is productive." This subtle approach helps others understand your expertise without appearing boastful. 👉 Master the Art of Strategic Storytelling Prepare compelling anecdotes that naturally demonstrate your capabilities. Having these stories ready allows you to showcase your expertise organically when opportunities arise in conversation. 👉 Play the Long Game If someone initially underestimates you, resist the urge to correct them immediately. Instead, consistently share your achievements and progress over time, allowing them to naturally discover your true potential. Building professional recognition isn't about demanding immediate acknowledgment but about strategically and authentically revealing your value over time. By mastering these approaches, you're positioning yourself for others to see and appreciate your full capabilities.

3 Most Underrated Job Interview Tips From a Data Executive: Each of the job openings I posted at companies like PayPal would have 1,000+ applicants. Here’s how you can stand out: 1. Become a LinkedIn Detective: Go beyond the standard research by following your future hiring managers (and everyone on the interview panel!) on LinkedIn. Gain insight into their personal and professional passions, and use that knowledge to tailor your answers and connect on a deeper level. Trust me, they'll be impressed you went the extra mile (in a non-creepy way, of course). 2. Ditch the Generic "I Love Your Product" Talk: Craft a compelling answer to the inevitable "why this job, why now?" by highlighting specific company initiatives, values, or challenges that resonate with YOU. Show them you're genuinely excited to contribute to their mission. Mentioning something from their LinkedIn posts is a surefire way to stand out. Pro tip: “Your company recruiter reached out to me so I’m now exploring” = terrible answer. It tells them you might be wasting their time. 3. Well-Written Thank You Notes Make You Memorable: A personalized note thanking EACH interviewer for their time demonstrates genuine interest and professionalism. Bonus points for mentioning something specific you discussed or learned from them. It's a simple gesture that shows you're invested and leaves a lasting positive impression. In a sea of generic emails, yours will shine. Not every company will give you the email address of the interviewers. You can always ask politely. Remember: It's the little things that set you apart. Good luck on your next interview! Follow me for more tips!

I often hear from introverts that they struggle to make an impact at work without seeming pushy or inauthentic. The good news: you don't need to become an extrovert to earn respect. Did you know that 82% of our workplace impressions are based on warmth and competence? That means, how you present yourself - your body language, tone, and word choice - matters more than how much you talk. After coaching countless introverted professionals, I've identified 3 tactical approaches that transform how they're perceived: 1. Make a good impressions through physical presence Stand or sit with shoulders back and chest slightly open. This "postural expansion" not only signals confidence to others but actually makes you feel more confident internally. Make strong eye contact, smile warmly, and use a firm handshake or clear greeting: "Hi [Name], great to see you!" This combination of warmth and competence creates immediate respect. 2. Contribute early in group settings Aim to say something within the first 5-10 minutes of any meeting. It doesn't need to be groundbreaking—a thoughtful question or brief comment works: "I appreciate [Name]'s point about X. I think it connects to Y." When you do speak, use downward inflection at the end of your sentences. Instead of "I think this approach might work?" say "I think this approach might work." The difference is subtle but powerful. 3. Leverage the spotlight effect Most people are too focused on themselves to scrutinize you (this is the spotlight effect). Use this knowledge to redirect attention by asking about others: "What's been the most exciting part of your project lately?" This takes pressure off you while making colleagues feel valued - building connection and respect simultaneously. ____ The truth is, getting respect doesn’t mean being the loudest in the room. It's about being intentional with your presence and creating moments of genuine interaction. These small adjustments have massive impact. Which one will you try first?