Shane Hughes’ Post

NEVER SQUANDER AN OPPORTUNITY YOU DON'T KNOW HAVE... Back in my teenage years and very early on in my professional career, I was told something I'm always reminded of. Picture it... Let's say your not happy in life. You don't like your job, you have things going on at home. You're stocking grocery shelves, checking out customers at a register. You're early on in your working life and you're building up basic, but VERY IMPORTANT skills you'll utilize later on you may not realize. You aren't nice to people. You complain about your job. WORSE OFF, you do it right out on the "floor" while you're working. A customer walks up to you. They ask for basic assistance. You grunt and groan- begrudgingly assisting them. Many years pass by, you gain skills, and you apply for a new job. You go to the interview and you get a flashback and recognize this person. They recognize you, but don't say anything. Your adam's apple drops into your stomach and you realize at that moment it's the president of the company. He holds the key to the new employment you seek. YOU NEVER know who you're talking to or working with at first meeting. Moments like this can set the tone for your professional future. Treat someone poorly or represent yourself poorly, it's a mistake you won't immediately realize. Represent yourself as an OWNER and the company you work for AS IF YOU OWN IT! At all times! Don't squander any opportunities. Even if they don't appear to be immediately present. #opportunity #opportunityknocks #customerservice

Hi LinkedIn community! I need your help. I have two teen boys that will be 15 and 14 this summer and they are asking questions that I can’t answer. As many of you know, I grew up in Brazil and came to the U.S. for college. My boys are very interested in summer jobs and I have no idea how to help them. So, here are a few questions that might help us: What was your first job as a teenager? How did you find or get that job? Did you enjoy your first job, and why or why not? How did your first job shape your work ethic? (from dad) What skills did you learn that have been valuable in your later career? (This one is from dad too 😉) What advice would you give to teenagers looking their first job in the Nashville area?

Are you older and looking for a new role? Be encouraged. “The reason for my message is to share a personal career journey and if I can ever be a resource for any of your older clients as I admire and respect you and your approach to helping those find their career job. High Level: I spent 27+ years with one company and 10 years with a second. At the age of 59 I was impacted by a restructuring and after a 6 month search and 3 months before my 60th birthday I found an exciting opportunity. This most recent job lasted just over 2 years. After about a year, I began feeling that this was not a great fit for me so I started putting out feelers. Within 6 weeks and 8 weeks shy of my 62nd birthday, I am going to be starting a new career in two weeks. Yes, ageism is alive, but there are definitely opportunities that exist. In my opinion it does require a bit of a different approach that leverages one’s professional experiences, leadership competencies business and personal achievements, solid resume, and network. I don’t have a surefire secret formula but if I can help one person in a similar situation, through yourself, that would be great. Either way, I will continue to root and cheer for you and your clients.” He's not my client. But has become a business friend I admire. And what I admire most is the person he is! This is what's right about LinkedIn. People like this. Don't let things out of your control weigh you down. You got this!

"In an ever-evolving job market, the concept of a lifelong career trajectory has become increasingly obsolete. For Generation X, born between the mid-1960s and the early 1980s, the desire to pivot to a different career path is not uncommon. Whether driven by a quest for fulfillment, a need for new challenges, or changes in the industry landscape, many Gen Xers are seeking to reinvent themselves professionally. Let’s look at exploring the importance of building a personal brand as a vital component of navigating a successful career pivot as a Gen Xer." Written by Treva Graves, M.A. CCC-SLP, CEO & Founder – Bloom Personal Branding

5 years ago, I decided to leave my 9-5 job, and many asked why... One of the biggest factors in that decision was my first child. While he wasn’t on the radar at the time, I knew that when we had a child, I wanted to be present during my child’s early days and give him the best childhood. I feel so lucky to have been able to live that out with our first son, Emmanuel. Thanks to #LinkedIn which helped me to focus on my career whilst being available for my son, from the time he was born. To be there for his first words, his first day at his preschool, his first steps, art, and letters. To help him explore the things he’s passionate about. To show him that you can get up and try again when you fail. I want to teach him that being a “man” is about enjoying what you love to do and not what the ‘crowd’ says is the best thing to do! It’s about finding your passion and to grow one-day-at-time in such a way to fulfill your goals. I want to support him in whatever he’s passionate about, whether it’s sports, art, business (or anything in between). And I want him to know that life isn’t all about $$, promotions, or the number of hours you work. It’s about spending time with people you love and making an impact on others. ------------------------------------------- P.S. ♻️ Repost this to help someone struggling in their careers to start using #Linkedin and fulfill their purpose. ________________ Want more like this? → See all my content on 1 page: follow #LinkedInBySonia ⤴ Visit my profile page @Sonia Chinnaiyah Thayakaran 🌏 and hit [Follow] + my 🔔 #PersonalBranding #Networking #JobSearch #Careers #worklifebalance

Who out there has been laid off recently?? Yeah it’s been going around, I know things have been tough for a bit for a lot of folks. Right there with you. Third time’s a charm, right ? But I’ll tell you what. If you’re one who has always tied their value to the job they’re doing, the company they’re working for, or some sort of title they’ve earned, it’s an even more difficult time. Here’s a little #funemployment tip for you. Find your own value in something else during this time. Yes, apply, research, hunt, connect, etc…for that next opportunity. But don’t let that search determine your own perceived value. Do something that you find some joy in and you feel like brings out some of that value you’re seeking. Me? I do home projects. I go to the gym. I spend time with people that I haven’t been able to while being busy with work. Hell, I just painted a roughly 1400 sq ft basement and you know what? Damn I feel valuable. You have value, and it’s not tied to your job or career choice. It’s tough to see that when things aren’t going your way, but you’ve got this. #valuable #youvegotthis #opentowork #openforwork #jobhunt #findyourvalue #jobhunting #jobsearch #marketing #leadership

I was a finalist for a position, and I didn't get it. 😭 I was so disappointed when I found out on Tuesday. It felt like I was so close to something special (especially in this market). It was a gut punch. I felt like a failure. If you're experiencing the same thing, maybe you can benefit from my own little pep talk & journey: That night, I couldn't sleep thinking about all that I could have done different, done more of, or said another way. That feeling of hopelessness started to creep in. I started doubting myself hardcore and questioning my career choices. I felt despondent that my experience wasn't specialized enough. I worried that my current situation would reflect poorly on my job performance and lead prospective employers to doubt my abilities. I lay there, panicked about what was next and how I was putting my family's financial stability in jeopardy. Wednesday morning, I reluctantly went to the gym and pushed myself harder than I had in a long time. That physical release and all those endorphins (plus the wonderful encouragement of my friends and husband) helped me realize what a damn unicorn I am. I got home from the gym motivated to own my career story and shine a light on what an incredible asset that makes me for any organization. My experience is not a detriment. It's what makes me unique. My work ethic sets me apart. My empathy helps me lead teams to reach some pretty damn big goals. It's time to make sure my personal brand reflects that. Thanks to the guidance of Colleen Paulson's toolkit, I'm leveraging my ADHD superpower to hyper-focus and am completely reworking my resume. #workinprogress #opentowork #marketing

- Career path - I’m at the point in my journey where I’m questioning and thinking about what it is that I truly want to do with my life, and how I can get there. So far everything seems to be running smoothly.. and all the pieces seem to be falling into place, but I’m still unclear regarding a few pieces for example: Where is my life headed? What am I doing with my passion, talent and the urge to learn something new so that I can utilize my skills and contribute in this industry. The answers in front of me. A person who inspires me in many ways and he told me: "Whatever you want to do in life, find something that you don't mind doing, find something that you like and even it seems impossible but it will turn possible. Don't waste your talent, use it to fulfill your potential in the industry." I'm proud seeing him building his career without any help. He inspires his siblings to believe in ourselves. He starts from nobody to somebody. It's not about making yourself well known, it's about hard work, keep pushing in pursuing your passion, talent. Put your skills to work. Sometimes skills, talent and desire towards something that bring you to places. #comms