Thread
💰 How to pivot your career & make $150k+
I've been to the top of the corporate ladder—the fabled executive suite with 7-figure salaries & 6-figure expense accounts.
🤫 Here's a secret:
Most high-paid executives are no smarter than you.
So how did they get there? 👇🧵
I've been to the top of the corporate ladder—the fabled executive suite with 7-figure salaries & 6-figure expense accounts.
🤫 Here's a secret:
Most high-paid executives are no smarter than you.
So how did they get there? 👇🧵
The answer is simple:
They do things that others don't.
Here are 3 of those things—it's a simple (but not easy) plan that works because most people won’t do it.
If you're the exception—if you do the work & step outside of your comfort zone—you'll get paid.
Let’s go 👇
They do things that others don't.
Here are 3 of those things—it's a simple (but not easy) plan that works because most people won’t do it.
If you're the exception—if you do the work & step outside of your comfort zone—you'll get paid.
Let’s go 👇
1️⃣ Earners are learners.
How many people do you know who truly dedicate themselves to learning new skills or becoming a bona-fide expert in something?
📢 The most successful people are life-long learners, always trying new things, constantly reinventing themselves.
How many people do you know who truly dedicate themselves to learning new skills or becoming a bona-fide expert in something?
📢 The most successful people are life-long learners, always trying new things, constantly reinventing themselves.
There's never been more (free!) resources available to learn something new & pivot to a new career.
Here's just one example of a career that pays well, is interesting, and can be learned quickly (and you don’t have to be a 🚀 scientist):
💥 Digital marketing
Here's just one example of a career that pays well, is interesting, and can be learned quickly (and you don’t have to be a 🚀 scientist):
💥 Digital marketing
Why digital marketing?
Almost every business—big or small—wants more customers. Learn how to get customers and you’ll get paid.
It's a job-of-the-future and there's a labor shortage. There are many specialties within digital marketing including:
Almost every business—big or small—wants more customers. Learn how to get customers and you’ll get paid.
It's a job-of-the-future and there's a labor shortage. There are many specialties within digital marketing including:
✅Social media management
✅Digital campaign management
✅SEM/SEO
✅Content marketing
✅Web site / landing page development
✅Email/SMS management
✅UX design
✅Digital campaign management
✅SEM/SEO
✅Content marketing
✅Web site / landing page development
✅Email/SMS management
✅UX design
Google these topics, find one that seems interesting, and dive in—there's no downside! Worst case, you learn a lot. More likely it will lead to something great.
There's a massive amount of learning resources out there (both free and paid) but the best way to learn is by doing.
There's a massive amount of learning resources out there (both free and paid) but the best way to learn is by doing.
Build a simple website, run a small digital ad campaign, play around with the tools. There's no substitute for real-world practice.
And join communities! Twitter is an incredible resource for learning from the best & connecting with communities. It will change your life!
And join communities! Twitter is an incredible resource for learning from the best & connecting with communities. It will change your life!
Quick Case Study:
One of my climbing friends has a degree in art and was struggling to live on $35k. She took a $5k online course in UX design and now works for a bank making $85k with a fast path to 6 figures.
Best of all, she works 100% remote & travels constantly to climb!
One of my climbing friends has a degree in art and was struggling to live on $35k. She took a $5k online course in UX design and now works for a bank making $85k with a fast path to 6 figures.
Best of all, she works 100% remote & travels constantly to climb!
2️⃣ Coffee is for closers.
The best jobs go to those who know their ABCs:
A-Always
B-Be
C-Closing
You're competing with 1000's of people for desirable jobs so you have to sell yourself. It's not as hard as you might think to stand out from the crowd—here's why:
The best jobs go to those who know their ABCs:
A-Always
B-Be
C-Closing
You're competing with 1000's of people for desirable jobs so you have to sell yourself. It's not as hard as you might think to stand out from the crowd—here's why:
Most candidates are are lazy (& you're the only one who read this thread 🤘).
Only 1 in 100 will do all of these things in an interview:
☑️ Research the company & interviewer (an easy way to impress & build rapport):
"I saw that you went to Texas A&M—how's the football team?"
Only 1 in 100 will do all of these things in an interview:
☑️ Research the company & interviewer (an easy way to impress & build rapport):
"I saw that you went to Texas A&M—how's the football team?"
☑️Show enthusiasm: As simple as smiling & saying "I've been looking forward to this interview..."
☑️ Prepare thoughts & questions:
"I took a look at your website and have a couple observations..."
☑️ Prepare thoughts & questions:
"I took a look at your website and have a couple observations..."
☑️ Explain why you would be a great hire:
"I've got the skills you're looking for and am really hungry to prove myself in this industry."
☑️ Make a personal appeal for the job:
"I really want this position—it would be a big win for my family."
"I've got the skills you're looking for and am really hungry to prove myself in this industry."
☑️ Make a personal appeal for the job:
"I really want this position—it would be a big win for my family."
☑️Follow up in writing:
"Thank you for your time—here are 3 follow-up thoughts..."
👉Interviewers are looking for *signals* — and you're going to feed them all the positive signals.
"Thank you for your time—here are 3 follow-up thoughts..."
👉Interviewers are looking for *signals* — and you're going to feed them all the positive signals.
Of course you have to be qualified & competent (those are table stakes) but don't underestimate the power of enthusiasm, hunger, & likability.
3️⃣ Master the fundamentals (but use cheat codes)
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi famously said that, "fundamentals win championships" and the same is true of careers.
Once you get a job with a solid career path, it's time to advance steadily (and earn more).
Legendary football coach Vince Lombardi famously said that, "fundamentals win championships" and the same is true of careers.
Once you get a job with a solid career path, it's time to advance steadily (and earn more).
You can't control how much natural talent you have and you can't control other people who influence your career but you CAN master the fundamentals:
1) Show up on time every time
2) Have a positive attitude
3) Be first to volunteer
4) Keep your promises
5) Work hard
6) Learn
1) Show up on time every time
2) Have a positive attitude
3) Be first to volunteer
4) Keep your promises
5) Work hard
6) Learn
Don't underestimate how far these simple things will get you.
Here's a great example of someone still working on fundamentals late in an already successful career:
Here's a great example of someone still working on fundamentals late in an already successful career:
But don't stop there. Here's a CHEAT CODE to accelerate things...
When you start your new job, go to the Big Boss (the leader a few levels above you who runs your division) and ask them if you can get just 5 minutes of their time. Use a clever gift if it helps.
When you start your new job, go to the Big Boss (the leader a few levels above you who runs your division) and ask them if you can get just 5 minutes of their time. Use a clever gift if it helps.
Before your meeting with Big Boss learn as much about them as possible—career, personal life, hobbies, etc.
Then, when you get your 5 minutes with Big Boss, start the meeting by visibly setting a 5 minute timer to demonstrate that you value their time and you keep your word.
Then, when you get your 5 minutes with Big Boss, start the meeting by visibly setting a 5 minute timer to demonstrate that you value their time and you keep your word.
I know it sounds hokey, but do it. The drama is intentional—Big Boss will remember you forever.
Have your talking points scripted out:
1) I just started working here doing _____.
2) [One interesting thing about you.]
3) I want you to know who I am because I have big plans!
Have your talking points scripted out:
1) I just started working here doing _____.
2) [One interesting thing about you.]
3) I want you to know who I am because I have big plans!
4) I only have one question for you:
What can I do to be successful here?
Be your most likable self. Remember, Big Boss is just a regular person like you.
When your 5 minutes are up thank Big Boss for their time and send a follow-up note doing the same.
What can I do to be successful here?
Be your most likable self. Remember, Big Boss is just a regular person like you.
When your 5 minutes are up thank Big Boss for their time and send a follow-up note doing the same.
There is no way Big Boss leaves that brief meeting unimpressed.
This is just one example of a cheat code to make you stand out from the crowd.
Senior leaders keep their eye on "high potential" employees more than you know. When opportunities arise you want to be top of mind.
This is just one example of a cheat code to make you stand out from the crowd.
Senior leaders keep their eye on "high potential" employees more than you know. When opportunities arise you want to be top of mind.
In my 25 year career I've seen dozens of people rocket up the ranks using similar tactics. And they're usually not the smartest or most talented people—the just put an extra 5% into everything 👇
In summary:
1) Be a life-long learner.
2) Always be closing.
3) Master the fundamentals (but use cheat codes).
That's it, that's the plan. Simple but not easy.
Now go get paid!
🤙
(If you found this 🧵 valuable I'd appreciate a RT of the first tweet ⬆️)
1) Be a life-long learner.
2) Always be closing.
3) Master the fundamentals (but use cheat codes).
That's it, that's the plan. Simple but not easy.
Now go get paid!
🤙
(If you found this 🧵 valuable I'd appreciate a RT of the first tweet ⬆️)
