Experience is often valued because of the lessons prior jobs have theoretically provided us with. While hearing about those lessons isn’t a replacement for actually experiencing it, we thought it would be very helpful to create a space where sharp and generous members of the community can come together to share stories and lessons learned at prior jobs for the benefit of others.

Rachelle Mapes

During my time in retail and customer service, I learned invaluable lessons that have significantly contributed to my success as a business owner. One crucial lesson was the importance of prioritizing customer satisfaction. In the retail industry, I discovered that a satisfied customer is not only likely to return but also to become a loyal advocate for your business. Read more>>

Jennifer Berry

An important lesson I’ve learned from working in multiple industries, is that no matter how big a city seems, it’s an incredibly small world! Every encounter you have has the potential to change your life. Treat everyone with dignity and respect no matter where they are in life because you don’t know when you might see them again. I’ve somehow blended all my worlds together, dance, nonprofit and music and they are now a part of the same network. Your network is what will keep you going in tough times and take your career to the next level, so prioritize your people! Read more>>

Zachary Rippy

Before audio, I was a general laborer for multiple construction companies and served tables. If there is anything that has motivated me or taught me to continue and persevere its the threat of going back to that. I didn’t like having a boss and not being in charge of my own time. I used to get up at 3:45am to be on the job working by 5:00. For a time, that job included following a asphalt layer with a shovel and filling in any holes of gaps before the roller gets there. Asphalt is laid around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and in the 120 degree AZ sun, that’s enough to make people do a lot more than get a different job. All day on your feet in AZ the sun, playing asphalt catch-up. I’m constantly reminded I’m only a few lazy decisions from being back there. Read more>>

Kristi Kennebrew

The most important lesson that I learned in a job was to always have a back up plan! In May 2023 I faced an unfortunate layoff from my company. At first I was devastated, hurt and confused, but I came to an important realization. I had the amazing opportunity to gain so much knowledge, network, and make meaningful connections which lead to me building my personal brand. Thankfully I had Get Me Hired Kristi as a platform where I can continue to do great work and support myself. At the end of the day, it’s important to have something that you can call your own. Something that no one can take away from you, regardless of what is going on around you! Read more>>

Kisos

When I moved to NYC to pursue music I had no experience in the industry. I studied international relations and languages in college, never expecting to be pursue a creative path. So when I decided to make the cross country leap, I was set on finding a music job. No Plan B. Read more>>

Brittnee Brooks

I have always been eager to talk about a lot of important lessons that I have learned in my life but always felt nervous or embarrassed to tell them but there is something about this space with Canvas that makes me feel so comfortable to just be myself and to use this platform to be vulnerable and talk about those lessons. If I had one lesson that I could put my finger on, a big lesson that at the time felt like it derailed my whole life would have to be when I got let go| fired from a position at a radio station that completely blind sided me. It sounds so cliché to talk about “getting let go | fired from a job” but it truly was something that I have never ever wanted to face. Radio had been my whole life at that time ever since I graduated high school. I have also always believed that I am an incredibly hardworking person, I wear my heart on my sleeve, I always work hard to do what’s right, and I would hate for anyone to think that I was someone who deserved to be let go or fired, but here I am- with that story. What I can say though, is it probably taught me one of the bigger lessons of my whole entire life, the universe is always gonna be in charge. It’s always going to take you out of situations that don’t serve you even when it doesn’t make the most sense. This scenario was exactly that and now that it has taken me a good amount of time to heal from, I can truly say that if it didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Read more>>

 Jacky Costello

In the world of business, lessons often emerge from unexpected corners. For me, the most profound lessons in my professional journey stemmed from owning a cleaning business for over a decade. A decade ago, I ventured into the cleaning industry with a determination to establish a successful business. Little did I know the invaluable lessons that lay ahead. The initial challenges were aplenty – from managing operations to ensuring client satisfaction, everything felt like an uphill climb. Read more>>

 Leigh Brooklyn

I’ve worked as a teacher and that has definitely gotten me over any fear of public speaking. After yelling in a classroom trying to get everyone’s attention you lose the stage fright very quickly. It made it much easier for me when doing artist talks and presentations. Another thing that really helped me to get over my fear of approaching anyone and being able to talk to them was street photography. I used to do street photography in downtown Los Angeles and I would go up to random people and ask if I could take their picture for my art. About half would say no in which case I’d move onto the next person. That got me really used to rejection and getting over it. That skill became very useful when approaching galleries. If one says no, I just go onto the next one. I also like to think of my “no’s” as a “not right now” and I’ll re-approach them later if I have new work that I think could be a good fit. And the same if I don’t get into a juried show, I just reapply later. I spent a lot of time around salespeople and I realize part of it is a numbers game so I apply to a lot of things and approach a lot of people. It only takes meeting the one right person or getting that one opportunity to really change everything. Read more>>

Kristen Theisen

The most important lesson I learned in a job was when I worked for Feld Entertainment, the company that produces live shows like Disney on Ice, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, and Monster Jam. Part of the onboarding for my role as a Field Marketing & Sales Manager included media training. It was there that I first heard the key phrase: “I don’t have that answer right now, but I’ll find out and get back to you.” Read more>>

Natasha Vega

When I received my certificate for massage I knew I needed to get out in the field. I’ve always wanted my own space but I needed experience. I emailed the manager of the first massage chain in my area three times before she even called to offer me an interview. After working there for a bit, I took a break from massage. I ended up going back to it because I love helping people get back to themselves. All my previous jobs helped me gain the knowledge to have a successful business. The lessons you learn as an employee is beneficial when you become the owner. Read more>>

Trevor Olesiak

Aside from my coaching practice, I have been on staff at a church for 13 years. As an organization, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs, including a really challenging leadership transition a couple of years ago of the senior leader. I can’t go into all of the specifics, but suffice it to say that it was not an enjoyable place to work over the few years leading up to the transition and the two years during. There were many times I wanted to quit (and once where I almost did but was talked out of it by a friend on staff). Read more>>

Nathalie Delaine

I used to work in the Corporate world of NYC. I liked it although it was stressful and tiring. I often worked for several C-suite Executives at a time, who all believed their tasks were the highest priority. Stressful and annoying to be honest because we all equally have important and high-priority tasks. I learned early on however that when I remained calm amongst the chaos, it helped me. Then I started noticing that it not only helped me, it helped those around me. It helped me find solutions quicker and it helped things from potentially escalating. It’s not that I no longer felt stressed, more so I was able to handle stress better. After years of honing this skill, I realized that remaining Calm in high-stress situations is a SUPER POWER. One that I still use today in and outside of my Business. Read more>>

Brian M. Wixson

The most important lesson I learned from a prior job is how to be a team player and putting the project ahead of my own self-interest. I passionately throw myself into a project making sure it’s the best it possibly can be. Because if the project doesn’t succeed, no one succeeds. It doesn’t matter whether I’m excellent in it or not if no one sees it or if it ends up being horrible. So, being a team player is important for everyone’s benefit. Read more>>

Kaneeka Moore

The most important lesson I’ve learned while working for other companies, is that as an employee I am EXPENDABLE‼️ I learned this over the years of working for different companies. That no matter how hard you work. No matter how long you’ve been at a job. No matter the value you’ve added to someone else’s company, none of that really even matters‼️ You can be replaced “at a drop of a dime.” Read more>>

Ben Nichols

The most important thing I learned was to treat everybody the same Read more>>

Martia Hernandez

To be the best employee in order to be the best boss. I used to look at past employers as just a job. Once i realised my leadership and work ethic at the job would mold me into the type of entrepreneur that would be successful, i started taking the jobs and experiences at the job more seriously. Read more>>

Laurel Aylesworth

I was a graphic designer for a long time before I became an illustrator. It helped me gain confidence in my artistic eye and design skills, and it gave me guidance on how to interact with clients. It’s that experience I draw from each day. Read more>>