The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job Done

Today, I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing fellow career blogger and published author Zena Thomas, about her first book, “The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job.” I had the pleasure to collaborate with Zena on earlier “Ask HR” posts on the Corporate Sister, and am so happy to feature her once more on the blog.

In this interview, Zena tells us about her amazing book, and provides us with valuable career advice. The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job is a great go-to for anyone searching for a job, or even looking to refresh their job-hunting skills. Here’s Zena:

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and what prompted you to write this book?

There are so many things that I could say to describe myself or answer the “tell me about yourself” question but in short, I’m passionate about helping others succeed at work. I found my “calling” and I’m truly working in my purpose. At the moment I live in two worlds.  I’m a HR professional at a tech company in the DC area where I support 200 employees. But more excitingly, I’m the founder of Her Savvy Career, a company dedicated to helping women navigate the world of work.

I started Her Savvy Career in 2014 out of my desire to reach more women and provide them with the tools and resources they need to be successful at work.  Not long after I started blogging I knew that I wanted to write a book.  I wrote The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job so women would have a go-to guide to walk them step-by-step through the job search process.  The thing that makes this book unique is the real talk advice from a Recruiter and Hiring Manager perspective.

In your book, you give valuable tips about “getting the job”. Which one is the most important to you?

The book is about “getting the job” but it’s really deeper than that. There is no magical formula to landing a job.  There are tons of little steps you need to take everyday and start to commit to habit in order to create a situation where you are in a position to land the “right” job for you.  Almost all of the tactics and advice I give in the book can fall under one category, preparation.  If you are intentional and deliberate about your desire to find the “right” job, then you will put in the prep work to make it happen.

‎Would you say your book is more targeted to millenials in particular?

That’s an interesting question.  When I think about my ideal reader, she is 25, college-educated, on her second job, and trying to discover her passion.  However, I’ve found the advice I give in the book is applicable to readers of all ages.  Some of the topics I discuss you’ve heard many times but not from an HR perspective. On the other hand, there are tips you may be hearing for the very first time.  While this book is not specifically targeted to millennials, the sooner you read it, the easier your job search process will be for the rest of your career.

Would your advice apply to both professional men and women, or would you make some distinctions?

Most of the advice in The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job is applicable to both males and females. The process of landing the “right” job is challenging for everyone.

What change do you hope your book will have on professionals‎?

I want this book to be read, reread, and shared.  I wrote The Savvy Girl’s Guide to Getting the Job because there is so much information about landing the “right” job that candidates never know.  They don’t know how to land the job of their dreams because the people with the information never told them. I want to make it easier on job-seekers to find the opportunities that will provide them with successful and rewarding careers.  Specifically, I want women to have all the tools and resources they need to be in the driver’s seat of their career choices and achieve career-happiness.

Last but not least, when is your next book coming out?

Great question! I have not started writing my next book but I promise The Corporate Sister community will be the first to get the inside scoop.

Zena Thomas is an author, blogger, entrepreneur, and Human Resources professional. With an education in Marketing and Human Resources Management, she has worked for small start up companies and Fortune 500 organizations. Zena is passionate about helping women achieve career success and provides tools and resources through her blog, Her Savvy Career. Additionally, she is a contributor to several blogs and websites on the topics of work and careers. Beyond the web, she is considered an expert in developing professionals into leaders.