Here's the latest in my series of six figure interviews, discussions with everyday people who are making at least $100,000 a year. If you'd like to contribute to this series, drop me an email.
Today's interview is with one of my millionaire interviewees, a man who earned $320k last year from his career, and was actually done a few months ago (even before I announced the series). As such, this won't be as complete of an "interview" as what I hope the rest of the series will be, but it should get us off to a decent start.
For this one, I asked the interviewee to send me his thoughts/tips on how he's grown his career, and here's what he said:
It started very early, back in my college days. I did more than try to be a student getting a degree, I tried to take on meaningful jobs that could expand my skill base and make me more attractive to employers, while of course making money to pay for my schooling and life.
I went to a large public university. As soon as I was eligible, the summer after my first year, I became a Resident Assistant (RA). Strongly recommend this job. You have to deal with all sorts of diversity of folks. It helped me with my housing and some food. During one semester I did an internship at company to get real world experience, this really put me in high gear in school since I learned how easy we had it in school since it was just a few hours of class/studying a week. I started to get more focused on my career. I was an RA every semester I was in school until I was able to become a Hall Director (over an entire dormitory, not just a floor as with the RA role), this was a year before becoming a grad student which is the typical requirement. Again, the skills learned were very marketable. Having a staff and responsibility over 500+ students, etc... In parallel I got an assistantship at my university as part of my Master's degree. This helped give approx 14K annually and paid for 9 credits of grad school, a big deal for me back them. Lastly I took with a company that managed all the campus telephone company. This was hourly and I was the manager, so I was able to set flexible hours and my experience in the school helped make this possible.
Oh, I got two master's in parallel while doing all the above. This is not to brag, it is to make a point, by the time I got into the interview process with companies, I was a very serious candidate and had a lot to talk about, not just the "clubs", "Fraternity activities", etc. that I was a member of.
Once I finally got into my company, still same company over 12 years. I just committed myself. First in and last out. Not just to show my face though or be in the water cooler, I took every training opportunity they offered, I looked for exposure to new skills and learning. I really learned the basics from the ground up. It was a meaningful commitment to build a strong foundation in this company. The field and the company culture were my coursework for the next 18 months. This translated into multiple promotional opportunities.
I was given a few opportunities that made all the difference in the world. First they asked me to go to one country for a few years and live, which I did, then years later I got another opportunity to be an expat in another country. For the first opportunity, I was not the best qualified for it, but I was hungry and willing to do it. So many folks refused the opportunity, they stayed behind and many of them were demoted since times in the US were tough, especially in our field, while I was promoted many times, since I was able to get more exposure and opportunity in growing environment.
I always focus on (1) having the right boss. I would not take a job just for promotion or title, I focus on Boss. I have seen good guys get derailed by bad leadership and support. (2) Driving results, especially results in the eyes of the right boss. I believe my success has come from being able to understand the results required and being passionate about consistently delivering them regardless of the obstacles. Don't overcommit and under deliver. Properly commit and make it happen, beating when able...
Years later, I am still working very hard, but I believe the foundation I build during my early years set the basis for much of the core of knowledge I am using years later and the perception folks have of me... It was a great investment of time and energy.
By the way, I am not naive or big headed, I FULLY believe that LUCK played a big toll. Since my company happens to have done well over my career, had I ended up in another company I may have not had the opportunity to grow my career as well.
One final thing that jumps out that I should add, I was never shy. I would give results, but I would also share, when appropriate what results I was looking for when needed. I built good relationships with my bosses, since I invested time to be associated with the "right bosses", so over my career I have made it clear why I should be getting an incentive or promotion, even if they did not ask first, just to ensure they were not forgetting... I always did this linked to high performance/ result times. Good to link the two, here are great results, just got you bonus boss and helped company really kick butt here, don't forget me on bonus time or that next step we talked about before... something like that...
Luck is only a part of the 'deal'. hard work and dedication really make a difference most of the time. Being willing to go where others weren't thrilled to go, working more, going the extra mile. Excellent article and inspiration
Posted by: dojo | October 22, 2013 at 09:07 AM
I think this is an amazing and inspiring interview. The points he makes about what you can do in college are so brilliant. College students can do so much more to increase their appeal to employers, and while it's important to have fun, get good grades, and "discover yourself," you also shouldn't waste those opportunities. What an excellent suggestion.
I find these six figure interviews to be really informative and inspiring. Keep up the great work, FMF!
Posted by: KT | October 22, 2013 at 09:49 AM
How many hours a day do you work? How do you manage work-life balance?
Posted by: Joe | October 22, 2013 at 10:08 AM
I don't see where they say what career field they are in. Did I miss it?
Posted by: jim | October 22, 2013 at 01:27 PM