I had the opportunity to read an advance copy of renowned career blogger Penelope Trunk’s first book, Brazen Careerist, this week.  The book, which is due out from Warner Books next month, is a gem of a compilation of career tips and provides an intriguing blended perspective based on Penelope’s experiences as a farm hand, celebrity photograph signer, Fortune 500 executive, self-made entrepreneur, and writer. 

Those who are familiar with Penelope’s blog of the same name will not be disappointed in the supremely useful content, or the no nonsense, “tell it like it is” style.  I’d be lying if I said that I agree with everything the book advocates (for instance, the effectiveness of cold calling and saying no “constantly,” and some of the assumptions about Corporate America and its negative attitude toward twenty-somethings), but that’s the thing about Penelope.  She knows herself, she stands by her beliefs, and she can always be counted on for a unique and often provocative opinion. As she mentions her own leadership achievements and her worst social faux pas in the same paragraph, Penelope’s tone and examples balance confidence and assertiveness with authenticity and a little healthy self-deprecation.  

Some of my favorite points in Brazen Careerist include:

-Pay attention to what you like learning about because this is probably what you like to do.  Early in your career, you’ll gravitate toward certain lessons.  Learn about yourself by watching how you learn from others. 

-If you have an excellent reference, like a CEO of a Fortune 500 company who is friends with your parents, have the reference call right after you send a contact your resume.

-When you walk out of an interview, close the deal.  This means saying “I would really like this job, do you have any reservations about hiring me?”  It’s better to confront any issues right then and there.

-As soon as you arrive at a new job, go on a listening tour, having lunch with a variety of people to find out what matters to them.

-Don’t talk too fast.  A good leader is confident with long pauses, which allow your audience to absorb and interpret your meaning, and you to make a connection.

-If you screw up, own up to it, but not in e-mail.  You should not leave a written record of your mistake or alert people who might not have known about it otherwise. 

-Observe the skills your boss has picked up over the years, and write down the ones you’d like to accumulate as well.  Bring the list to your boss and see how she can help you.

-Take control of your schedule by not accepting meetings or deadlines that cut into your personal time.  You don’t need to tell people “my policy is not to do meetings at X time,” just say you’re already booked and suggest another time.

-Achieve professional growth by asking to get on a team that will teach you how to do something you think is important, and asking to sit in on meetings you wouldn’t normally get to see.

-Be visible in the organization by finding an unresolved problem that needs a leader.  Bring the issue to the person who’s in charge of it and offer to help.

For more advice from Penelope, pre-purchase Brazen Careerist.  It’s a fabulous resource for anyone who’s searching for fulfillment in a career or in life!