Emily Wong, Author at Words of Distinction

Author: Emily Wong

Take the Ick Out of Networking

Posted on May 6, 2021November 23, 2021 by Emily Wong

Ok, so not everyone thinks networking is icky. Some people love the social element and the idea of (sometimes) free food.

But a lot of us would prefer not to have to mingle over coffee with people we don’t know. And now that it looks like we’re turning the corner with the pandemic, we’ll be have to mingle more as we move toward in-person events.

Here are a few ideas that might help you ease into the new back-to-normal:

1: Start With People You Know

If you’re feeling anxious about jumping into an event without knowing a soul, look for those where you already have a connection, or find a friend or colleague to go with you. One caveat: do not spend the event with that person. Sure, you can pop in and out of their conversations, but remember, they aren’t the reason you’re there.

Kickstart Your Job Search

Posted on February 10, 2021February 15, 2021 by Emily Wong

If you’re having trouble getting motivated to start your job search, you may need a mindset adjustment. Or, you may need to simplify your approach. Or maybe you need a combination of both. In my own case, when I’m feeling overwhelmed by a project I know is important, it helps if I give it structure and break it down into more manageable buckets.

Try organizing your job search that way. If you can structure your job search plan around what I call the three Rs—research, relationships, and readiness—I think you’ll find it easier to tackle the project.

My Gift to You: A Career Podcast Playlist

Posted on December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 by Emily Wong

In 2020, I finally admitted to myself that my days of running were over, and with my gym closing and my devoted canine companion Clover staring up at me with her beseeching brown eyes, I committed to walking every day. Mind you, although this was something I enjoyed doing periodically with friends, walking was never an activity I relished doing solo.

So, how was I going to get myself out on the trail? I’m a big fan of pairing fun activities with what seem to be mundane (albeit necessary) ones to make the latter a little easier. I’m one of those who like a little sugar to help the medicine go down.

The first step was to distract myself by listening to the Godmother of podcasters, Terry Gross. And lo and behold, I soon found that I could actually forget the task at hand. Since then, I’ve built a library that includes all kinds of topics, from the writing craft to meditation to comedy. I got so into podcasts over the past year that I even launched my own.

Thank You to My Community!

Posted on November 25, 2020November 25, 2020 by Emily Wong

Last week I had the opportunity to participate in a global career summit where my colleagues and I discussed what’s in the pipeline for our clients in terms of remote work and AI, and how we can help them navigate this very different kind of work world we live in.

I feel energized because after that week-long series I’m confident that I’m better equipped to help my clients bridge their current situation with their next career milestones.

But there was another benefit to attending the conference. After that week, I have to say I came away as grateful as I’ve ever been for being a part of this wonderful career-focused community, who, by their very nature, want to help others and are so generous with their ideas. I also came away beaming because, as I always do, I met some really cool people who challenged my ideas and helped me grow as a person and as a professional.

Community is so important, especially now. And I want to remind you that even though physical bonding may not be an option, there actually seem to be more opportunities to cultivate our existing community or build a new one. So many organizations are going virtual, and you’re likely to have access to more groups (and individuals!) than you had in the past because of that.

By the way, I don’t like the term “social distancing.” Can we just say “physical distancing”? I think it’s a much more accurate term, and certainly makes me feel less…well…anti-social, in spite of the circumstances.

Anyway, besides strengthening relationships with your all-important family and friends, the following are three ways you can build community:

Don’t Let the Quest for Perfection Hold You Back

Posted on October 20, 2020October 22, 2020 by Emily Wong

There’s a reason Nike has one of the most iconic and sustainable taglines. Their succinct “Just Do It” is something most of us can relate to as we’re tempted to put off even that which might help us grow. The reason? It could be that we’re fearful that the results won’t be perfect.

So last week, when I launched my podcast with a conversation on perfectionism with my colleague Pooja Dang, I hoped the topic would resonate with listeners.

One of Pooja’s mantras is to “Break up with perfect,” so I knew she’d have some opinions on the subject. And like me, she has personal experience overcoming the pursuit of perfection. In fact, the whole process around the podcast was a little scary for both of us, because, well…perfectionism. More on that later.

What I Learned from Auntie Em’s Story Time

Posted on July 10, 2020July 11, 2020 by Emily Wong

As the youngest of eight, I’ve been blessed with lots of nieces and nephews, many of whom now have small children of their own. Normally, I can count on connecting with most of these families at least once a year, since we’ve been going through a bit of a growth spurt with weddings and new babies.

As we hunkered down in March and came to grips with the possibility of not seeing our family “live” in 2020, I was also feeling special compassion for parents of younger children who were suddenly thrust into the roles of second-grade teacher and camp counselor while maintaining their “day” jobs and navigating new technology, to boot.

I knew that if my own boys were still in elementary school, I’d surely be pulling my hair out. So, with the idea of connecting with the little ones while (maybe) lightening the load of their parents, I reached out to see if they’d be interested in virtual story time.

What Will Our Story Be?

Posted on April 16, 2020July 12, 2020 by Emily Wong

I’ve been thinking a lot about how we’ll have evolved when this is all over.

Will more people decide that they’re actually just as productive if they work from home? Now that they’ve staked out their own workspace and have invested in new equipment, will they discover that it’s not so bad, after all?

Let’s Get Real!

Posted on January 14, 2020March 8, 2020 by Emily Wong

If I could tell my younger self one thing, it would be to loosen up and not be afraid to be myself — in interviews, in social situations, and in business meetings.

I encourage this with the job seekers and entrepreneurs I help, as well. I’m amazed by some of the stories that shake out during our conversations. I’ve worked with hundreds of clients, and one thing’s consistent: there’s always something sparkly and genuine and unique that bubbles up from their background. Yes…always. From there, it’s just a matter of them confidently flying that flag. Continue reading “Let’s Get Real!”

Reading for a More Intentional 2020

Posted on December 22, 2019March 8, 2020 by Emily Wong

My aim for 2020 is to be more intentional. Specifically, more intentional with my business and how I communicate.

This means I need to consciously make decisions on a daily basis to improve how I engage with the world around me. It also means a commitment to reading and following more authors and thinkers who can help guide me.

If you’re also pursuing this goal, the five books below are a great start. With topics that include building agility for a smooth career transition, plotting out a roadmap for a small business, and writing with clarity, they all inspired me to level up my writing, coaching, and productivity. Continue reading “Reading for a More Intentional 2020”

Book a Free Introductory Call!

Posted on November 30, 2019January 19, 2020 by Emily Wong