The Career Move That Changed Everything

You're waiting for permission.

Permission to apply for that job.
Permission to ask for the promotion.
Permission to reach out to that person on LinkedIn. Permission to put yourself out there.

Wake up.

Permission isn't coming. You have to just ask.

We talked to three women whose entire careers changed because they stopped waiting and started asking. They weren't more qualified or braver than you. They didn't have a long list of referrals.

They just asked.

Let's break down exactly how they did it, and how you can too.

"I Was Just Scrappy and Eager and Not Afraid to Put My Big Dreams Out There"

Ali Feller started as a web editor at Dance Spirit Magazine making $31,500 a year in New York City.

But it wasn't long before she was Editor in Chief. And now she is the host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast and a race announcer for the NYC Marathon, Boston Marathon, Chicago Marathon, and more.

How did she get from there to here?

"I was just scrappy and eager and excited and not afraid to put my big dreams out there."

She weaseled her way into every meeting. Every department. Every conversation.

"I learned from putting it out there and telling them, 'Hey, this is what I wanna do.'"

She didn't think, "I hope someone notices me." She certainly didn't say, "I'll wait until I have more experience."

"This is what I wanna do."

She made it impossible to ignore her. Now don't mistake this for being annoying. She was genuinely enthusiastic and clear about what she wanted.

The people who could help her knew exactly how to help her because she told them.

What you can learn from Ali:

Stop keeping your dreams to yourself. Stop hoping someone will magically figure out what you want and hand it to you.

Say it out loud. "This is what I want to do." Then let people help you.

"Always Say Yes to That First Meeting"

Michelle Glass is now a Certified Financial Planner helping women build financial security.

But her career at Pfizer (a pharmaceutical giant) started with a phone call she almost didn't make.

Her friend's dad worked there. Michelle called him "out of respect for her friend."

"I had no idea where the phone call would go, but I called... Next thing I knew, I was on a flight to Chicago for an interview."

One phone call. That's it.

She wasn't sure it would lead anywhere. She wasn't even sure it was worth the time. She just said yes to the conversation.

Michelle's advice? "Always say yes to that first meeting because you just don't know where it's gonna lead."

The coffee chat that seems pointless. The informational interview with someone tangentially related to your field. The phone call with a friend of a friend.

You have no idea which one will change your career.

So say yes to all of them.

What you can learn from Michelle:

Stop trying to predict which connections will be valuable. You can't know until you have the conversation.

Someone replies to your LinkedIn message? Say yes to the meeting. Someone offers to introduce you? Say yes. Someone suggests a coffee chat? Say yes.

The opportunity you're looking for might be one conversation away.

"Some Club Members Recommended Me"

Pilar Khawaja landed an investment banking analyst role at Cain Brothers in New York City right out of Ohio State.

Wall Street. Right out of college. Competitive as hell.

How'd she do it?

"Some club members recommended me to join Key Bank's Women in Investment Banking Program. Through there I networked and found a group at Cain Brothers."

She joined the club, showed up and made herself known. People recommended her.

Notice what she didn't do: Apply cold on LinkedIn and hope for the best.

She used the resources in front of her (her college club), built relationships, and asked people to recommend her.

Your network is your net worth. Use it.

What you can learn from Pilar:

You have resources right now that you're not using:

• Your college alumni network
• Professional organizations in your field
• Clubs and groups (even virtual ones)
• Friends of friends who work in your target industry

Stop applying into the void. Start using the networks that already exist.

And when someone offers to recommend you or make an introduction?

Let them.

How to Actually Do This Without Feeling Gross

Okay, so you need to just ask. But how do you do that without feeling like a pest or being annoying?

Here's the framework:

1. Be Clear About What You Want

Don't say: "Hey, can we chat sometime?"

Do say: "I'm really interested in marketing roles at tech companies. Would you be open to a 15-minute call to share your experience and any advice?"

Specificity makes it easier for people to help you.

2. Make It Easy for Them

Don't say: "When are you free?"

Do say: "I know you're busy. Here are three times that work for me this week: Tuesday at 2pm, Wednesday at 10am, Thursday at 4pm. Do any of those work for you?"

Give options. Make it one click to say yes.

3. Show You've Done Your Homework

Don't say: "Can you tell me about your company?"

Do say: "I saw you worked on the X campaign. I'm curious how you approached [specific thing]. Would love to hear your perspective."

Show you're not just spamming everyone. You specifically want to talk to them.

4. Follow Up Respectfully

People are busy. If you don't hear back, it doesn't mean they hate you.

Wait a week. Send one follow-up: "Hey [Name], just wanted to bump this in case it got lost. No pressure if the timing doesn't work. Thanks!"

One follow-up is professional. Seven is stalking. It's important to know the difference.

5. Actually Ask for What You Want

This is where most people fail. They have the conversation, get advice, say thanks, and disappear.

Don't do that.

If you want an introduction, ask: "This has been so helpful. I'm particularly interested in [specific role/company]. Do you know anyone in that space you'd be comfortable introducing me to?"

If you want to apply, ask: "Would you be open to me using your name when I apply? Or is there someone in your company I should connect with directly?"

Don't make people guess how to help you. Tell them.

What You Can Do This Week

Pick ONE:

1. Reach out to someone on LinkedIn with a specific ask (15-minute call to learn about their career path).

2. Ask a current connection for an introduction to someone in your target field.

3. Tell your manager, mentor, or advisor: "This is what I want to do next. Do you have any suggestions for how to get there?"

4. Join one professional organization or alumni group and show up to the next event.

5. Follow up on that email you sent two weeks ago (respectfully, one time).

The worst thing that happens? They say no. And you're exactly where you are now.

The best thing that happens? Your entire career changes.

And most of all, trust yourself.

💜 Brianne

P.S. If this resonated, send it to the new grad in your life. She needs to hear it before she starts her first job.

P.P.S. Not sure WHO to ask? Consider the network you already have and the people who WANT to help you. The Post-Grad Networking Rubric helps you identify 60+ categories of people you already know and rank them in order of who to reach out to first. Get it here.