3 Questions with...Ava Lala

Ava Lala is a Career Coach, business owner, an advocate for women, and a believer that business can be a source for social good.

Passion & Purpose: I’m on a mission to ensure more women have a career they love and get as much money as they can.

Ava, one of the things I admire most about you is your dedication to empowering job seekers and careerists. How do you consistently bring the right topics forward on LinkedIn and craft such engaging conversations for your LinkedIn followers?

The second part of my question is, what is the most critical insight you can bring to those searching for a career change or opportunity?

Most of my content is inspired by conversations with clients and prospects and my journey.?

Early in my career, I?struggled with a career pivot that took over two years.? I made ALL the mistakes and it was a blow to my confidence. I remember tearing up to my friend Amy as we walked to our work cafeteria, asking “Why is this so hard for me?” So, I can empathize with how frustrating and demoralizing the job search process can feel.?

It’s important to remember that the job search is inherently a marketing exercise. You’ve got to get clear on your value proposition (as the product), and what makes you different, and effectively communicate that message to your ideal buyer (the hiring team).?

Today, it’s a very crowded and noisy marketplace, so you’ve got to bypass traditional job applications and networks to get in front of people. As an introvert, that took me years to realize but now it’s second nature to me and a process that’s actually enjoyable.?

A career pivot and job search require different skills that we either haven’t mastered because of infrequent use or that don’t come naturally to us. Interviewing is a great example -- it’s a specific skill that we don’t use that often. So rather than trying to figure it out alone, there are benefits to getting expert help.

There is a lot of talk about ‘good failure’ these days. What is an example of a recent work/life ‘failure’ and what did you learn from it?

I’ve had a lot of scenarios where I failed. One that sticks out was in my last corporate role, I got a sub-par performance review. As a lifelong “A student” and high-performer in every other role, that was really crushing.?

But with age and a few gray hairs, I’ve realized that I’ve learned more from my challenges and setbacks than when things were going smoothly. I’ve learned that I’m resourceful, that I can figure things out, and that I can dust myself off and come back stronger.?

My setbacks and “failures” have actually given me more empathy and a richer life experience. I know I certainly wouldn’t be doing the work I’m doing now if I hadn’t had my career struggles.?

Now, instead of thinking of failure as something bad, I accept that it’s an opportunity for me to learn and grow. Either I’m winning and doing well, or I’m learning and growing. Either way, I’m benefitting.

I also love the thought “How is this happening FOR me versus TO me?” Sometimes it’s taken years, but inevitably, I realize that a particular challenge was good for me.

What’s a piece of wisdom you receive that you practice and/or pass along regularly and why?

The most mind-blowing realization for me was that the worst that can happen is a feeling.?

Either I’m dead (in which case I’m not around), or otherwise, it’s a feeling I have to deal with grief, embarrassment, disappointment, anger, frustration, fear, etc.?

Our brain wants to protect us and doesn’t want us to experience failure, embarrassment, or rejection. Very few of us want to feel these emotions, so we avoid scenarios where we might experience them. This is why we don’t go after a big promotion. Or speak up in the big meeting. Or launch a dream business.

But if you recognize that you are capable of feeling and processing unpleasant emotions – and that the worst that can happen is you have to accept it and work through it – that opens up a lot more possibilities to take bigger risks and go after bigger goals.

?? Professional Links

Skip the soul-sucking job applications. Download my networking guide: https://www.avalalacoaching.com/networkingguide?

Get more money using these compensation scripts:?https://www.avalalacoaching.com/salarynegotiation

Learn more about how I can help support your job search: www.avalalacoaching.com

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?? Be sure to check out the previous edition of 3 Questions With..., spotlight on Brian Torres , a Partner at Herspiegel , a leading global Life Science commercialization firm.

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