How To Get Any Job
Episode 121R
Episode Guide
Episode Summary:
Episode Timestamps
ChooseFI Podcast Show Notes
Episode Summary:
In this episode, hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett discuss actionable takeaways centered on the importance of sleep hygiene, energy efficiency in home lighting, and effective job application strategies. They share personal experiences, insights from experts like Chris Hutchins from Grove, and practical tips to enhance well-being and career prospects.
Episode Highlights:
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Podcast Intro
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Introduction and Sleep Hygiene
- Importance of quality sleep for personal well-being.
- Brad shares a personal struggle with sleep due to his son's potty training.
- Discussing the concept of sleep hygiene and its impact on health.
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Key Takeaway:
- Prioritize sleep hygiene for better health.
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Energy Efficiency in Home Lighting
- Advantages of switching from incandescent and CFL bulbs to LED bulbs.
- Long-term savings on electricity bills and environmental impact.
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Key Takeaway:
- Invest in LED bulbs; they're worth it in the long run.
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Job Application Strategies with Chris Hutchins
- Chris discusses how traditional applications may not be the best approach for securing jobs.
- He emphasizes the importance of networking and showcasing passion for potential employers.
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Key Takeaway:
- Go personal to get hired, not just postal.
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Frugal Wins of the Week
- Listeners share their successful frugal strategies.
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Conclusion and Book Giveaway
- Introduction of the book giveaway and closing remarks.
Key Quotes:
- Brad: "Sleep was my superpower until parenthood hit."
- Chris: "Employ passionate people who care!"
- Brad: "Switch to LED for savings in the long run!"
- Brad: "Stress doesn’t improve sleep; why bother?"
- Chris: "Quality over quantity in job applications matters!"
Actionable Takeaways:
- Prioritize quality sleep hygiene to improve health and well-being.
- Consider replacing incandescent bulbs with LEDs to save money in the long run.
- Use personal connections instead of applying through standard job application methods.
Related Resources:
- Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson: Amazon Link
- Thrive Global by Arianna Huffington: Thrive Global
- Grove Financial Planning: Grove Financial
Discussion Questions:
- How does sleep affect your everyday life and decisions?
- What changes can you make to improve energy efficiency in your home?
- What strategies have you used in your own job search?
- What are some frugal wins you've achieved recently?
- How can you better manage your personal finances?
Podcast Details:
- Hosts: Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett
- Episode: Tips on sleep hygiene, energy efficiency, and job applications.
Keep in touch with us and join the journey to financial independence!
Unlocking Financial Independence: Key Takeaways from ChooseFI
Achieving financial independence is not merely a dream; it is a structured journey that involves a series of actionable steps. In this article, we will explore the insights shared by hosts Jonathan Mendonsa and Brad Barrett in a recent episode of the ChooseFI podcast. We will delve into essential themes like sleep hygiene, energy efficiency, and innovative career strategies, providing you with the tools you need to enhance your personal finance journey.
Prioritize Sleep Hygiene for Better Health
A foundational element of your success in achieving financial independence is maintaining optimal health, which begins with quality sleep. The hosts highlight several important practices to improve sleep hygiene. Here are key strategies to implement:
Create a Calming Sleep Environment
- Consistent Bedtime: Establish a regular sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- Reduce Screen Time: Minimize exposure to screens and blue light at least 30-60 minutes before bed. This can help prepare your mind for a restful night's sleep.
Stress Management
- Relaxation Techniques: Incorporate calming practices such as meditation or gentle stretching before bedtime to reduce anxiety and stress, which can disrupt your quality of sleep.
Implementing these practices can profoundly affect your well-being, enabling you to make better financial decisions and increase productivity in other areas of your life. After all, as Brad noted, "Stress doesn’t improve sleep; why bother?" .
Upgrade Your Home with Energy-Efficient Lighting
Making your home more energy-efficient can significantly reduce your electricity bills over time. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Switch to LED Lighting
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Long-Term Savings: Replace incandescent bulbs with LED lights. Unlike incandescent bulbs, which cost an estimated $211 over 20 years, LED bulbs cost only around $34. This translates into considerable savings. .
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Environmental Impact: LED bulbs are not only energy-efficient, but they also have a lower environmental impact, lasting much longer than traditional bulbs.
Take the initiative to replace old bulbs as they burn out. This simple switch can lead to significant savings on your energy bills and contribute to a more eco-friendly home environment.
Master Your Job Application Strategy
Many people fall into the trap of submitting countless resumes without prioritizing quality. Instead of applying through generic online platforms, consider these innovative strategies shared by guest Chris Hutchins from Grove:
Network Effectively
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Passion Over Applications: Seek out connections within the companies you want to work for. Chris emphasizes that filling out an online application is often the least effective approach to demonstrate your interest. Instead, find ways to show genuine passion for the company and its mission.
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Personal Connections: Use LinkedIn or mutual friends to get introductions to relevant contacts within companies of interest. This can provide you with a significant edge over traditional applicants.
Stand Out with Unique Proposals
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Present Your Value: Create a tailored presentation or proposal that outlines how your skills align with the company's needs. As Chris illustrated through his efforts, doing an in-depth analysis of a company and presenting it can dramatically increase your chances of being hired.
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Consistency in Follow-Up: If someone reaches out to you, respond genuinely to express your appreciation for their time and efforts. A follow-up can show persistence, which is often valued by employers.
Taking these actionable steps can open new avenues in your career and align you closer to your desired job role.
Making Financial Independence Attainable
As you strive for financial independence, remember the importance of adopting a multifaceted approach that incorporates personal health, eco-friendliness, and strategic career moves.
Regular Self-Assessment
- Reflect on your current habits and how they align with your goals for financial independence. Are there areas where dietary improvements, better sleep, or smarter financial decisions could enhance your life?
Engage with Community
- Join groups or networks dedicated to financial independence, like the ChooseFI community. Sharing experiences and strategies can enhance accountability and motivation on your journey.
Finally, as you take steps toward financial freedom, consider the words of the hosts: "You're not just building wealth; you're liberating yourself for a better life." By prioritizing your sleep, improving your home's efficiency, and innovatively approaching your career, you can set a robust foundation for your pursuit of financial independence.
Conclusion
Incorporating these insights from the ChooseFI podcast into your daily habits can empower you to take control of your personal finances. Start by improving your sleep hygiene, upgrade your home with energy-efficient solutions, and rethink your job hunting strategies. With persistence and dedication, your journey toward financial independence is well within reach.
Consider joining the ChooseFI community to share experiences, learn from others, and celebrate your milestones on this exciting journey of wealth-building and personal growth.
Brad and Jonathan talk about sleep habits, energy efficiency, and the best ways to land a job with Chris Hutchins from Grove.
[elementor-template id="143609"]Sleep Habits To Improve Your Life
In this week's episode, Angela briefly mentioned the benefits of a full night's sleep. Although many people struggle with sleep, it is not commonly talked about. To function at full capacity during the day, it is important to recharge with enough sleep each night.
Here are a few ways to improve your sleep hygiene for a better night of sleep.
- Ensure that your phone and other electronics are not emitting any small lights.
- If possible, try to wake up naturally without an alarm.
- Avoid any screen time before bed.
- Avoid all-nighters.
- Remove TVs and computers from the bedroom.
- Invest in some blackout curtains.
- Create a bedtime routine that allows you to wind down before bed.
- Work to actively reduce stress in your life.
- Relax more often.
Try out different tactics to find what works best for you. Some good resources to learn more about better sleep habits include Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson and Arianna Huffington's sleep resources.
Related: How Getting More Sleep Will Improve Your Finances
Create A More Energy Efficient Home
Angela had some great tips on how to make your home more energy efficient with simple upgrades. Although her number one tip was to replace your toilets with more energy efficient models, LED light bulbs were also mentioned as a way to save on utility bills.
Listen to her full episode here.
If you are not quite sure what the difference is between an LED and traditional CFL light bulb, then you aren't alone! CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lights) have some mercury in the bulb and cost around $2 each. LEDs have no mercury, cost around $4 each, use 1/25 of the energy and can last 3x as long as a CFL.
When you look at the total cost over 20 years, the LEDs are more cost-effective. To get a closer look at the price comparison, check out this chart. The obvious drawback is the upfront cost. However, if you look at the long-term savings then the upgrade to better bulbs is worth the investment.
Related: Are Solar Panels Worth The Investment
Within your own energy usage, you can determine whether or not you are saving money on total energy costs by comparing your monthly expenditures to a previous year.
Consider taking advantage of these long-term savings by either replacing the CFLs as they burn out or biting the bullet to replace all the light bulbs at the same time.
Related: How To Lower Your Electric Bill
Women Of The FIRE Movement
Angela talked about the amazing presence of FIRE women in the community. In her post, "Meet The Women Of The Financial Independence Movement" she highlights women from around the world that are pursuing FIRE. It is the most comprehensive list of women in the FIRE movement, definitely worth checking out!
How To Get Any Job
Chris Hutchins, the founder of Grove, is back from episode 71 with advice on how to pursue your dream job. Hint! It does not start with an application on the company's website. If your strategy during a job hunt is to simply apply for every job available, then you may experience lots of disappointment.
Chris got his first job in the tech industry after deciding that an employer could not possibly get a full picture of him in just a resume. He took the time to find a company with a mission he believed in, pitched a 20-minute presentation to the founder about why they should hire him, and it worked!
I made a short list of companies that I was like 'These are the companies that I really want to work with'... and I just went all in on one company first... I was really excited about their mission. I was really excited about what they did. I had a lot of respect for the founders... I made a presentation that was like a 20-minute powerpoint about why I thought I would be a huge value add to the company. I found someone I knew who was one of their investors and I got them to convince the founders to let me give them a presentation. So I pitched them... on why they should hire me. And they did!
Here are his top tips for landing the job:
- Decide what you care about and what you want in a job.
- Find a company with a mission you are passionate about.
- Think about the challenges of that company and ways to help.
- Do the research about the company to find out everything you need to know.
- Identify your path to the founder or hiring manager.
- Follow up and show your passion to the founder or hiring manager.
Even if your path to the founder is an email address you found on the internet, take that chance! If you can't find an email of someone, then you are doing it wrong and you likely are not going to get that job.
When you are trying to build a professional connection with someone, do not be afraid to reach out multiple times. At some point, it might be annoying to the receiver. However, but that line in the sand is likely farther away than you think. If you write with sincerity, then you will likely get a response eventually.
I can say there is probably a point at which it's annoying if you're not getting any feedback, you're not changing anything, you're not being genuine. But I think most people's belief of where that line is... it's further away than they think.
Of course, as you should still apply to the jobs that pop up at that company via the website. It makes it easier when you are already in their system, but by finding a way to stand out you really give yourself a leg up.
There is so much opportunity for those that are willing to stand out.
Make the effort to show a potential employer that you care. You might be surprised at the response to your effort.
Feedback From The Community
Bethany's Frugal Win Of The Week
"The hubby bought some home improvement supplies we needed LAST week at Menards. THIS week, Menards has an 11% off everything sale (rebates, not discounts). I called and asked if they would "price match" and found out they have a "rebate adjustment" form at the customer service desk that will get us the 11% off last week's purchase!"
Felix's Frugal Win Of The Week
Replaced the dead battery of my 2010 Kindle 3G for $16. Hope to get another decade out of it.
Jennie Shares About Frugal Fashion
An interesting article about sustainable fashion sparked a conversation about the consumer mentality. When something is on sale for 40% off, it is really 60% on. Finding ways to be more creative about how you spend your free time can help you avoid buying something you never really needed.
Check out the conversation about this in the ChooseFI Facebook group.
Shout Out To Kelly!
Kelly was able to save $1,500 by switching all of her insurances.
Challenge To The Community
Take one achievable thing each week to focus on. As you continue to work through manageable tasks, you will make tangible progress towards optimizing your life on your journey to FI.
Related Episodes:
- Silicon Valley FI With Chris Hutchins
- Why Investment Fees Are Evil And How To Avoid Them
- Creating Your Dream Job
New to FI? Be sure to check out Episode 100: Welcome To The FI Community!