--- title: "How to Get Hired, Get Noticed, and Get Ahead: My Conversation on the No Woman Left Behind Podcast" description: Learn how to navigate your first job, build confidence, and set boundaries early in your career. In this conversation with Rosie Zilinskas, I share emotional intelligence insights and practical steps to thrive after graduation. image: https://theindependencelab.com/hubfs/No%20Woman%20Left%20Behind%20Image.webp --- [![image (58)](https://theindependencelab.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(58).png?width=195&height=70&name=image%20(58).png "image (58)")](https://theindependencelab.com/) - Offerings - [Interview Frameworks Mini Kit](https://theindependencelab.com/interviewminikit) - [Mock Interview](https://theindependencelab.com/mock-interview) - Free Resources - [Senior Year Job Search Timeline](https://theindependencelab.com/jobsearchtimeline) - [Life Resume Template](https://theindependencelab.com/liferesumetemplate) - [Networking Rubric](https://theindependencelab.com/networking) - [Interview Warm-Up Worksheet](https://theindependencelab.com/interviewwarmup) - [Interview Checklist](https://theindependencelab.com/master-your-first-job-interview-checklist) - [First Job Survival Kit](https://theindependencelab.com/first-job-toolkit) - [Post-Grad Glow Up](https://theindependencelab.com/post-grad-glow-up-guide) - [Emotional Wellness Cheat Sheet](https://theindependencelab.com/mental-wellness-cheat-sheet) - [401k Checklist](https://theindependencelab.com/401k) - [Books I Recommend + Notes](https://theindependencelab.com/22-books) - [Archive](https://theindependencelab.com/blog) - [About](https://theindependencelab.com/about) - [Press](https://theindependencelab.com/press) [Get the Weekly Drop](https://theindependencelab.com/subscribe) ![no woman left behind podcast cover](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/No%20Woman%20Left%20Behind%20Image.webp) [< Go back to blog](https://theindependencelab.com/blog) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) [Emotional Intelligence](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/emotional-intelligence) [Interview](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/interview) # How to Get Hired, Get Noticed, and Get Ahead: My Conversation on the No Woman Left Behind Podcast If you’ve ever felt like entering the workforce as a Gen Z professional is a game with constantly changing rules, you’re not wrong. Between a shaky economy, AI reshaping industries, and navigating offices filled with multiple generations, starting your ... More make up If you’ve ever felt like [entering the workforce as a Gen Z professional](https://theindependencelab.com/first-job-toolkit) is a game with constantly changing rules, you’re not wrong. Between a shaky economy, AI reshaping industries, and navigating offices filled with multiple generations, starting your career today can feel like trying to build a house in a storm. That’s exactly why [I joined Rosie Zilinskas on the No Woman Left Behind podcast](https://nowomanleftbehind.com/how-to-get-hired-get-noticed-and-get-ahead-as-a-gen-z-professional-with-brianne-rush) to break down how you can stand out, build real confidence, and thrive in your first job (and every one after that). In our conversation, we unpacked how emotional intelligence (EQ) is your superpower...the key to getting hired, getting noticed, and getting ahead. ## The Three Pillars of an Independent Career: Career, Cash, and Confidence At The Independence Lab, I teach what I call the “3Cs” — the pillars every young woman needs to build a solid foundation: Career: Learning how to land the right role, make an impact in your first 90 days, and grow into leadership. Cash: Building early financial literacy from budgeting to investing so you don’t just earn money, you keep and grow it. Confidence: Developing the mindset and routines that help you trust yourself, speak up, and stay grounded even when life feels uncertain. Each pillar feeds the others. When you feel confident, you show up stronger in interviews. When you earn more, you have the freedom to make career choices aligned with your values. It’s all connected, and you have the power to build each one. ## The EQ Advantage: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More Than Ever You’ve probably heard that “soft skills” are the secret to career success, but they’re not soft at all. They’re strategic. In the episode, I shared my EQ5 Success Method, a framework to help you master the five key areas of emotional intelligence: Self-Awareness: Know your triggers and strengths. Before an interview, ask yourself: What makes me nervous? Where do I shine? Self-Regulation: Learn to calm your nerves. In my very first interview, I didn’t know an answer and simply asked to revisit the question later. That pause landed me the internship and literally changed my life.  Empathy: Understand what the hiring manager needs. You’re not just answering questions; you’re showing how you solve their problems. Communication: Don’t rattle off buzzwords. Tell stories. Share moments that reveal who you are and what you’ve learned. Social Skills: Build relationships early. Ask questions. Follow up. Add value. When you focus on EQ, you stand out not just as a candidate, but as a teammate, a problem solver, and a leader in the making. ## The Truth About Gen Z’s Challenges (And Why You’re More Than Ready) You’ve likely heard the stereotypes: “Gen Z is entitled.” “They job-hop.” “They don’t want to work hard.” *But here’s the real story:* You’re entering the workforce during one of the most complex times in history. Wages haven’t kept up with costs, AI is reshaping roles, and traditional career paths are shifting. Asking for fair pay or seeking growth isn’t entitlement. It’s survival, and it’s smart strategy. You’re not behind. You’re building something new. And that requires courage, clarity, and the confidence to question outdated rules. ## How to Stand Out in Interviews If you’re job hunting right now, you’re competing with countless applicants using AI-optimized resumes. But the one thing AI can’t replicate is your story. Here’s how to stand out: - Reflect on experiences from all parts of your life — part-time jobs, clubs, volunteer work, or challenges you’ve overcome. - Identify what each moment taught you. - Practice telling those stories with emotion and insight. - When an interviewer remembers your story, they remember you. ## Thriving in Your First 90 Days Getting the job is step one. Thriving in it is where the magic happens. In those early months, focus on: - Curiosity: Ask smart questions. - Initiative: Plug the holes...when you see a problem, look for ways to help solve it. - Visibility: Share your progress with your manager. - Adaptability: Stay open to feedback and learn quickly. And remember,  your first role is a launchpad, not a finish line. ## Build a Foundation for Your Career, Cash and Confidence Your career isn’t about checking boxes or following a perfect path. It’s about growing into the woman you’re becoming one decision, one opportunity, one act of courage at a time. If you’re navigating this season, you don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I built The Independence Lab, to give you the tools, stories, and support you need to stand tall in your career, your finances, and your confidence. 🎧 [Listen to the full conversation on No Woman Left Behind](https://nowomanleftbehind.com/how-to-get-hired-get-noticed-and-get-ahead-as-a-gen-z-professional-with-brianne-rush) [![](https://nowomanleftbehind.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Graphics-EB-NWB-S2-E128-Brianne-Rush.png)](https://nowomanleftbehind.com/how-to-get-hired-get-noticed-and-get-ahead-as-a-gen-z-professional-with-brianne-rush) ###### PS: Get the free guide I offered to Rosie's listeners:  📩 *[Get Promoted Faster, Make Your Boss Like You and Negotiate Raises with Ease](https://theindependencelab.com/playbook)* ## Latest articles There is so much more to learn on your journey to your independent life. Check out all our articles here. [![woman worrying she does not have enough experience](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/woman%20worrying%20she%20does%20not%20have%20enough%20experience.png)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/dont-have-the-years-of-experience-required-do-these-5-things-to-get-ahead) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **Don't have the years of experience required? Do these 5 things to get ahead** Written by Brianne Rush, on Sep 10, 2026, 9:00:00 AM A client came to me recently feeling stuck. Read more [![](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/woman%20looking%20at%20Viral%20LinkedIn%20Post.png)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/my-viral-post-makes-interviewing-a-little-bit-easier) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **My viral post makes interviewing a little bit easier** Written by Brianne Rush, on Sep 3, 2026, 9:00:02 AM One of my LinkedIn posts recently went viral. It provided so much value people were sharing it like crazy. Read more [![my-first-interview](https://47169197.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/47169197/Financial%20Independence-1.webp)](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/bombed-my-first-job-interview-job-interview-tips) [Career Growth](https://theindependencelab.com/blog/tag/career-growth) ### **I Thought I Bombed My First Job Interview + 3 Job Interview Tips** Written by Brianne Rush, on Aug 27, 2026, 9:00:01 AM Ever had a moment where you felt your dream slipping away right before your eyes? That was me, sitting at my college ... 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