Building Successful Careers

Posts

5 Reasons to Interview for Growth Opportunity - Even You are very Happy with Your Current Job

By Elizabeth Xu - March 11, 2021

"I am pretty happy with my current job. However, Head Hunters approached me with an opportunity at a higher level. Shall I go for an interview?" A few of my students asked me during our weekly Q&A sessions. I felt this might be a good topic to share with my blog readers. The industry best practice is to explore new opportunities each year, it is called Interview for growth opportunities not for a job replacement. There are many folds of benefits: You will keep your resume refreshed and keep a holistic view of your skills, experiences, and significant value-added to your company. You will build good relationships with recruiters, when you do need another job, you can contact them to accelerate your job hunting process Your mindset will be elevated to a higher level. When you prepare for the interview (for growth), you will be more motivated to research the industry trends, new company’s business model, product offerings, even if you don’t get that job, this information wi

WITI 2017 Hall of Fame Award Acceptance Speech

By Elizabeth Xu - June 26, 2017

Joseph and Pat were introducing Dr Elizabeth Xu I was given the 2017 Hall of Fame Award by WITI, it was a great honor, 70 friends, colleagues, mentors and family members celebrated the event with me. My son Joseph and my mentor and mother Pat Zimmerman introduced me. It was a tearing moment. I like to share my acceptance speech and appreciation with you: Dr. Elizabeth Xu accepting WITI HOF Award Good evening ladies and gentlemen. It’s my greatest honor to receive the prestigious 2017 Hall of Fame Award. Thanks WITI ! Behind every successful man, there is a women. It is much harder for a woman to be successful. For me, it took a global village. I dedicate this award to my supportive global village, to all of you who have loved, mentored and supported me throughout my life. I was born and raised in China. My father was an English professor. He was handsome, artistic and sporty; he was my hero. My father encouraged me to do what boys

Skills and Habbits

By Elizabeth Xu - June 25, 2017

Good habits are like a well-maintained engine. They will keep you going subconsciously without any additional effort. Turn best practices into habits. This will simplify your life and make you a more predictable and easy to follow the leader. Good parents help their children cultivate good habits at a young age, good habits such as exercising regularly, eating a good diet, keeping promises and treating other people nicely and with integrity. Once a practice becomes your habit, it is part of your muscle memory, you automatically do it without thinking. It is hard to forget and ignore, just like it is hard to unlearn how to ride a bike. Skills are your tools. Our ever-changing world calls for new tools and you have to prepare for it. Investing money and time to learn these new skills and keeping you up-to-date with changing trends are as important as eating food every day. Skills at different levels are different. Learning next level skills in advance will help you un

Lost 15 pounds in 60 days

By Elizabeth Xu - June 25, 2017

Since I joined BMC in 2014, I have been traveling more than 50% throughout the year, visiting customers, giving talks at conferences and working with my global teams. Most of the dinners were formal, several courses with glasses of wine. The food was delicious and different each day, I enjoyed traveling and enlighting interactions with our customers and teams. Well, I gained more than 15 pounds, and I was no longer as nimble and fit. Sadly, one of my classmate at PKU graduate school passed away unexpectedly, and a partner at Zen Water Capital died in the same month earlier this year. “The day which we fear as our last is but the birthday of eternity.” – Seneca I made my decision to change the way I worked and lived. Late February, I decided to leave my job at BMC, and my final day at BMC was April 28, 2017. I wanted to devote my time to write the V2 of myths of the promotion, as well as draft the AI book, working on the two pressing and meaningful projects before I take

Elizabeth Xu's Stanford Class Registration Information

By Elizabeth Xu - January 05, 2014

Elizabeth’s Stanford Class Registration starting on 12/2/2013 Go to Stanford continue education site: https://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/courses/course.php?cid=20132_WSP+229 Class time: Saturdays: 2/22/14 and 3/1/2014, 10am – 4 PM Class name: 10 Steps to a Successful career, WSP 229 Textbook: Myths of the promotion, 10 steps to asuccessful Career, available at Amazon

New Year Resolution

By Elizabeth Xu - January 05, 2013

The world didn’t end last Dec 21. Now we have to face another new year:) Many of us are busy writing New Year resolutions at home and business goals at work. What’s the best way to write a simple and feasible new year resolution? Pat suggested to write simple goals in several categories: 1) Health 2) Family relationship 3) Professional career 4) Personal interests (books to read and hobbies) 5) House improvement or re-decoration New Year resolution is an action plan for you, not a goal to change the world and your personal life completely. The key is to make it simple and easy. For example, if you never exercise regularly, committing yourself to 5 times 45 minutes of intensive aerobic most likely will set you up for failure, if you only commit yourself for 5 times of 20 minutes walking, you most likely will set yourself up for success. Make it easy, follow up and take action, you will make your New Year resolution a big success.

Search This Blog