The Empowered Job Search
Build a New Mindset and Get a Great Job in an Unpredictable World
"Full of powerful and practical exercises on each page, every professional should read this book. Like seeing a therapist for your career."
- Adam Smiley Poswolsky, author of The Quarter-Life Breakthrough and Friendship in the Age of Loneliness
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Empowered Job Search is not your typical job search book. Our starting point isn’t with cover letters or resumes, but YOU. Because the process can feel so disempowering, we help you develop the psychological tools to manage your emotions and build an empowered mindset to have true agency in your search.
You’ll discover powerful tools to navigate every step of your job search, from setting up your daily schedule and clarifying your ideal work, to creating a one-of-a-kind resume and cover letter. The book also includes interview tips, how to negotiate your offer, a framework for making difficult decisions, and how to start your new job from a place of power. Our approach is based in both theory and practice: we draw on positive psychology, Buddhist principles, and Nonviolent Communication, as well as our leadership and career coaching work with thousands of clients.
At its core, The Empowered Job Search is a call to action to humanize the job search and create a better work world. We hope that you not only get a great new job, but also feel inspired to create a more compassionate, creative, and equitable workplace.
The job search can be one of the most transformational learning experiences of your life. You get to dream big and imagine what’s possible.
THE NEW WORK PARADIGM
This book calls for a new work paradigm in which we each take responsibility for our feelings and needs, while creating the space for others to do the same. We believe strongly that when more individuals and organizations embrace the new paradigm, we can build a more compassionate, creative and equitable job search experience and ultimately, workplace.
When you step back and identify your feelings and needs clearly at the outset, it’s easier to identify a job that feels like a good fit and ultimately, save time and energy.
WHAT’S INSIDE
The Empowered Job Search walks you through every step of the job search process, culminating with how to prepare for and be successful in your new job.
Chapter 1:
Emotionally Prepare for Your Job Search
We introduce you to common feelings, needs and beliefs that you’ll likely encounter in your job search.
Chapter 2:
The Emotional Breakthrough Process
You’ll learn our process for amplifying your positive emotions and dealing with difficult emotions as you navigate the job search.
Chapter 3:
Set Up Your Search for Success
You’ll map out daily routines and structures to help you stay organized and motivated in your search.
Chapter 4:
Own Your Unique Value
You’ll reflect on what makes you you—your unique value—and use it as a foundation to strengthen your application materials and interview preparation.
Chapter 5:
Determine the Work You Want
You’ll clarify what you’re looking for in your next job, including your must-haves and deal breakers.
Chapter 6:
Community Building: More Than Networking
You’ll map your network and craft talking points to connect authentically with your community.
Chapter 7:
Apply!
You’ll dive into the application process, from refining your résumé to writing cover letters, while discovering ways to manage your emotions.
Chapter 8:
Get Ready for the Interview Process
You’ll prepare for interviews by getting into a positive and productive mindset, anticipating common interview questions, and following up.
Chapter 9:
It’s Go Time: Make a Decision and Negotiate Your Offer
You’ll tap into your inner wisdom to make a thoughtful decision about whether to accept an offer, based on your must-haves and deal breakers.
Chapter 10:
Live the New Work Paradigm in Your Job
You’ll take an empowered approach in your new job, and in the process create a more compassionate, creative, and equitable workplace.
We hope that this book empowers you to get a great job, encourages you to build a better work world and inspires you to lead a happier and more fulfilled life.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Cathy Wasserman
Cathy is a leadership coach, organization development consultant, licensed master social worker, and ‘social experimentrice’ dedicated to re-imagining what’s possible for individuals, organizations and society. For more than 20 years, she has helped hundreds of people develop their leadership and manifest their ideas — from CEO’s to activists, artists to non-profit professionals, and social entrepreneurs. She also advises nonprofits, start-ups, and fellowships including The Roddenberry Foundation, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation and The Wexner Foundation. Additionally, she facilitates staff retreats, game-changing conversations, workshops and conflict mediation.
Cathy brings a deep background in community organizing, youth programming and management consulting. Her writing is included in Frontline Feminism, Sh’ma: A Journal of Jewish Responsibility and she wrote the ‘Ask Cathy’ column for Idealist.org. She has also been featured as an expert in The Washington Post, Working Mother magazine, Super Girls Speak Out and in the Idealist Guide to Nonprofit Careers.
Cathy has an MSW from Smith College and a BA in Psychology from Wesleyan University. She trained in mediation with the New York Peace Institute and in Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication. A committed meditator for over 20 years, Cathy has lived on an ashram, an experience, which taught her a great deal about self-empowerment. She has taken regular sabbaticals to travel the world, visiting more than 40 countries. She is also an artist who writes poetry and creates what she calls ‘social installations,’ integrating writing, visual art, community building and social change. Her first book, On Rendering Heartbreak Obsolete, was published in 2004. More about her work can be found at cathywasserman.com.
Lauren Weinstein
Lauren leads career discovery and enablement for Microsoft's global sales organization. Previously, she was the Director of Leadership Development at Degreed and has worked in executive search at Marcum, as an in-house career coach at Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies, and as a management consultant at Accenture.
Lauren received a BA in Communication from the University of Pennsylvania, where she is currently doing an executive master’s and doctoral program in organizational leadership and learning. A former competitive swimmer, Lauren has a certification in leadership coaching from Georgetown University and is an Associate Certified Coach (ACC) through the International Coach Federation.
In 2014, Lauren wrote Coaching is Calling: A Guide to Coach Training Programs and Professional Career Paths. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband and adorable toddler. You can find out more at laurenbweinstein.com.