During the first fourteen years of professional life, young people are expected to learn the ropes of the working world and figure out how to be happy within it. Once they near thirty-five they won't be easily forgiven for business mistakes -- or power struggles with the boss, cluelessness about marketing themselves, or the negative attitude that comes from feeling "stuck" in an ill-fitting career. For fourteen critical years, though, there's room to grow and learn. It's a time when mentoring is crucial-but where are the ...
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During the first fourteen years of professional life, young people are expected to learn the ropes of the working world and figure out how to be happy within it. Once they near thirty-five they won't be easily forgiven for business mistakes -- or power struggles with the boss, cluelessness about marketing themselves, or the negative attitude that comes from feeling "stuck" in an ill-fitting career. For fourteen critical years, though, there's room to grow and learn. It's a time when mentoring is crucial-but where are the mentors? In the past, older generations took younger workers in hand, but times have changed. The volatile economy, anxious Baby Boomers, and the realities of mean and lean have made it difficult for young people to find guidance. In The Critical Fourteen Years of Your Professional Life Robert Dilenschneider, a no-nonsense Manhattan executive and international business consultant, offers himself as that necessary mentor. Dilenschneider shows today's "Generation X-ers" how coming of age without the false expectations that burdened the Boomers ideally positions them for success in the Twenty-first century-and how success and happiness don't have to be mutually exclusive. He guides them on how to use the critical fourteen years to achieve that success-within their current job, into the next one, or in their own business. Clearly and patiently, with empathy and humor, the author explains how the work world really operates and how best to negotiate it in any situation -- from dealing with rumors to creating a bulletproof image to understanding the difference between networking and a sales call. Based on personal experience, interviews with experts, and research, TheCritical Fourteen Years of Your Professional Life empowers readers to make tough decisions, know what questions to ask, avoid the traditional pitfalls -- and be happy. Any young person -- whether a Wall Street wannabe, aspiring systems analyst, or retail clerk-who doesn't devour this book will be at a competitive disadvantage. A well-thumbed copy should be in everyone's library.
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