TOP 5 CAREER TIPS TO KICK OFF YOUR 2019

Angela Solomon • December 31, 2018

It has taken me a while to start blogging again, but in the spirit of ushering in a new year I’m sharing my experiences as it applies to diversity recruiting and empowerment coaching. I hope you decide to take this graceful 2019 journey with me with a whole new mindset filled with goals, uninhibited possibilities, and a burning passion for unabashed success. This is our year for the taking. Yes, magic is in the air, but you must visualize what it looks like for you. So, are you ready? This year is all about taking on the challenges that you felt were too big for you. It’s about stretching beyond comfort and convenience to reach for unknown that can turn out to be earth shattering, life changing success in the end. You never know unless you try. And, everyone has their own definition of what constitutes success: it’s your choice. It may require some vulnerability and moments of standing in your truth to really get to know where you are and imagine where you want to be. 


Here are my top 5 career tips and suggestions for undertaking this fantastic new year just moments ahead: 

1) Focus: It is said that we spend much of our day in the land of distractions. Our devices can be the devil. Cell phones, laptops and TV’s have run amuck in our lives and in order to achieve our dreams in 2019 we must say no more. In order to get where you want to be at your job and in your career requires intense focus. Try this exercise: use a stopwatch or put your timer on your phone to productive use. While you are working start the timer and once you find yourself wandering through text, no work emails, internet surfing or fixated on tv when you are supposed to be working, stop the clock. Notice how long you work before you get distracted. Try timing your productive minutes per day for a week and do not allow any distractions during this time. This will in the end help you better time manage your work days better. 


2) Faith: This is my favorite. The power of stepping out on faith requires venturing into the unknown and knowing that whoever or whatever higher power you look to for guidance and support has got you. The feeling of turning your ideas/wishes into actual plans and results requires closing your eyes and being still. It is in the stillness that most of your answers are given. In this stillness you know that everything will be just fine moving forward. Having the faith and commitment to take the steps that further your career which sometimes requires being in unchartered territory. Have a little faith! 


3) FearCrush: This is the year to face your fears. We all have a few things that terrify us but can also hinder our overall career success. What’s stopping you from being where you want to be? Are you the quiet one in the office who never wants to ruffle any feathers? Or, the pushover that does everyone else’s work to include your own but doesn’t receive any recognition? Are you afraid of public speaking but realize that it in order to reach the next level it is a necessary step? Is networking not your strong suit but you need to meet clients to sell your business? If you answer yes to any or all these questions, it’s time to make this year about overcoming your fears. 


4) Intent: You know the saying “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.”? You can work with the best intentions but without a plan about how you see your professional goals shaping up you’ve got nothing. Move forward with a clear mind flow and strong determination. Write down, sketch or text how you see your career moving in the next 3, 6, 9, and 12 months then reassess and regroup as needed. It takes visualization and action to achieve your goals. 


5) Actor or Stunt Double: In your movie are you the lead actor or a stunt double. In other words, are you living your life or playing the stuntman in your own movie? This is something you must figure out immediately. It’s time to stop sitting on the sidelined of your life while it plays out. Take immediate action and switch gears if needed but be the main actor and take charge of your career. 


As the ball drops at midnight and you kiss, hug and celebrate with your loved ones with a glass of champagne remember to toast to reaching new heights at your job and in your career. I am hoping that the tools given will serve as a springboard to 2019’s success. Cheers! 


I’m a diversity staffing firm owner and career coach. Someone who sees incredible potential and opportunity where light doesn’t traditionally shine and in minority and female candidates, who have been and are still marginalized on Wall Street, in Technology and beyond. I believe in our interconnectedness as humanity and strive every day to use my gifts to place and empower great people. Diamond in the ruff candidates are my absolute favorites placements made to date. I rarely bet on certainty and always root for the underdog because after all, those are the best stories to tell. 


Original Post: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/top-5-career-tips-kick-off-your-2019-angela-solomon/

The Evolving Landscape of Corporate DEI: Key Insights from Recent Reports

By Angela Solomon • October 10, 2024
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From Stale Bread to Fresh Ideas: The DNA of Today's Thriving Professional

By Angela Solomon • September 26, 2024
As a career coach and self-proclaimed lifelong learner, I’m always telling my clients, “If you’re not growing, you’re going stale—and let’s face it, nobody likes stale bread.” In today’s fast-changing workforce, it’s not enough to just show up anymore. Success now means adapting, learning, and constantly evolving with the world around you. The DNA of today’s working professional is in constant motion, and if you’re still running on yesterday’s playbook, you might just miss out on what’s ahead. Today’s workforce looks nothing like it did a decade ago. Tech is transforming every industry, and there’s a bigger focus on values like flexibility, inclusivity, and personal growth. People want more from their careers—they want purpose, not just a paycheck. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, self-motivation, and being comfortable with change. So, let’s dive into how today’s professional DNA stacks up against the past: 1. Adaptability vs. Stability Today : Flexibility is everything. Whether it’s technology, business practices, or job roles, change is constant. Professionals need to be able to pivot and pick up new skills quickly. If you're not evolving, you're likely being left behind. Yesterday : Stability was the goal. You stayed in one job or industry, building deep expertise in a specific area. Specialization was the key to success, and change was something you tried to avoid. 2. Continuous Learning vs. Credential-Driven Success Today : Learning never stops. Whether it’s through online courses, certifications, or simply staying on top of industry trends, professionals are expected to keep their skills fresh. It's not just about what you learned in school—it's about what you keep learning. Yesterday : A degree, especially from a well-known school, was often enough to get you through your career. Once you had the right credentials, continuous learning wasn’t a huge focus. 3. Agility in Technology vs. Traditional Tools Today : Being tech-savvy isn’t optional. From automation to collaboration tools, technology is part of almost every job. You’ve got to be able to use these tools to stay relevant. Yesterday : Tools like spreadsheets and email were enough for most roles. Technology was there, but it wasn’t deeply integrated into non-tech jobs the way it is today. 4. Values-Driven Work vs. Hierarchical Loyalty Today : People want purpose, not just a paycheck. Employees are looking for work that aligns with their values, and companies that support things like work-life balance and mental health. It’s not just about loyalty anymore—it’s about feeling good about where you work. Yesterday : Loyalty to a company was a major factor. You worked hard, stayed loyal, and didn’t necessarily expect the company to care about your personal values. The focus was on putting in the time and doing the work. 5. Diversity & Inclusion as a Key Focus vs. Homogeneous Workplaces Today : Diversity and inclusion aren’t just nice to have—they’re essential. Today’s professionals expect their workplaces to reflect a wide range of perspectives, genders, and experiences. Everyone wants to feel seen and valued. Yesterday : Diversity wasn’t as much of a priority. Many workplaces were homogenous, and inclusion wasn’t discussed the way it is today. 6. Agile Leadership vs. Command-and-Control Management Today : Leadership is about collaboration and empathy. Today’s leaders are facilitators, mentors, and motivators. They encourage open communication and care about the people, not just the tasks. Yesterday : Leadership was more about control. It was top-down, with leaders making decisions and everyone else following orders. The focus was on managing tasks, not people. 7. Freelancing & Flexibility vs. Full-Time, Traditional Employment Today : Flexibility is the name of the game. Freelancing, contracting, and remote work are all becoming more popular as professionals look for control over their schedules and projects. Yesterday : Full-time employment with a single company was the norm. People worked their way up the corporate ladder and stuck around for the long haul. 8. Networking & Personal Branding vs. Quiet Expertise Today : Building a personal brand is important. It’s not enough to do great work—you need to make sure people know you’re doing great work. Networking on platforms like LinkedIn has become a key part of staying visible in your industry. Yesterday : You could quietly focus on your expertise. Long-term relationships and internal company networks were often enough to advance your career. 9. Emphasis on Soft Skills vs. Technical Mastery Alone Today : Emotional intelligence, communication, and collaboration are highly valued. You’ve got to be able to work well with others and adapt to different working styles. Yesterday : Technical skills were often enough to get by. Soft skills mattered, but they didn’t get the same level of attention as they do now. 10. Entrepreneurial Mindset vs. Following the Corporate Playbook Today : Whether or not you’re starting your own business, having an entrepreneurial mindset can make a difference. Professionals today take ownership of their work, innovate, and even pursue side projects. Yesterday : Following the established corporate path was expected. You worked your way up within existing structures, and entrepreneurship was considered a more niche career path. The DNA of today’s working professional is all about adaptability, purpose, and continuous growth. In contrast, yesterday’s professional valued stability, loyalty, and expertise in a more rigid structure. The modern professional thrives in a world that’s always changing, where technology and values shape careers as much as hard skills. Whether you’re freelancing, leading a team, or climbing the corporate ladder, the message is clear: if you’re not learning and evolving, you’re getting left behind. I empower the Invisible. I ignite Success. As a Black woman, small business owner, and advocate for inclusion, I’ve built my career around seeing potential where others may overlook. Through my staffing boutique and professional development/coaching service, I focus on creating real opportunities for marginalized communities, including women, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse, disabled, and veteran professionals. I root for the underdog because they have the best stories to tell—and the most untapped potential.  #CareerGrowth #AdaptabilityMatters #LifelongLearning #ProfessionalDNA #ThriveAtWork #FutureOfWork #EvolveOrFade #InclusiveWorkplace #LeadershipEvolution #TechSavvySkills