"The Wind Beneath My Wings" | Ilze's BossmakeHer Story

Speaker: Ilze Melngailis

Ilze Melngailis: BossmakeHer gave me confidence, resources, and a community, and all that amounts to wind beneath your wings in a job search, which is really invaluable. In my experience, it was especially valuable because the job search arena was brutal in the last couple of years, and all the tools and resources that I gained at BossmakeHer helped me navigate that that complex environment. You know, right at the outset, it helped me reframe a negative work experience I had had in the past, which rather than carrying it along with me, I was able to kind of put it aside and not let it hamper my, my path forward. On the path forward, the initial stages of the program where you craft your vision for yourself is an incredible exercise, and I wound up achieving the goals that I had set out for myself. And so, clearly having that North Star throughout my job search along with the support and the community that BossmakeHer provides is, was a huge element in my success. The community and the resources and the expertise are so valuable, and the way that the program is designed, I was able to resource whatever I needed any given week, any given day, any given hour, because of all the different platforms and the materials that are recorded. I found myself going back to them, as well as joining live sessions, as well as carrying that confidence that the programs gives you with me. I carried it through my job search, and I'd like to think I carry it with me in the new position that I have, which I love. So, anyone working toward a new role who wants better for themselves, would do well to join this program. And one of the things that that the team say is that the world needs more women like you. Which is such a beautiful thought and something that I carry with me. BossmakeHer changed my life and being the wind beneath my wings and my job search at a time that would have otherwise been incredibly challenging. It made me more efficient, more effective, more confident. And more fun. So I'm, I'm truly grateful Thank you.

Ilze Melngailis: The BossmakeHer program that made the biggest difference for me, I would have to say it's the visioning process, that you do, right at the outset in terms of setting your goals, understanding what your, what your boundaries are and what your stretch goals are for yourself, where you wanna land. That process was time consuming, but incredibly important because when you combine that with the rigorous analysis that comes along with it in terms of how you're going to position yourself, also when you rebrand yourself. That piece is also tremendously valuable, those two are, are just provide a really strong foundation for a job search and keep you on focus.

Ilze Melngailis: Three words that describe BossmakeHer would be community, expertise, and edge. If I can throw in another one, I would say fun. But the reasons why I say that is because, first of all, a job search is lonely and frightening, and so being in community with other professional women who are on a similar journey is tremendously inspiring and comforting. Expertise because there is a vast treasure trove of expertise. It is delivered daily, live through sessions with coaches. I found myself using the resources that had been recorded, incredibly valuable, and I still refer people to some of the experts that I was able to learn from at BossmakeHer. So that expertise was really invaluable. I think my job search was smarter than that of some of my peers who weren't in BossmakeHer just through the expertise that I gained, and all of that amounts to an edge. Job searching is hard, and BossmakeHer really helps you set an ambitious vision. And with the expertise and the community behind you, it really just helps give you a leg up in an otherwise really challenging situation. So those things together are what I would say really power the value that BossmakeHer delivers to women who are looking for the next great chapter of their career.

Ilze Melngailis: If I had friends who are job hunting, and I do have friends who are searching, I would say definitely get yourself support and resources. It's a very complex, challenging task ranging from psychologically to tactically and having the resources that something like BossmakeHer offers, you know, the full spectrum of support that ranges from really top level expertise through the emotional support and sense of community that's helpful is probably the best thing out there. It's the full kind of 360 degree package that you can surround yourself with, but I would tell anyone find yourself support because it's, challenging, probably particularly challenging for women. And I would add that the resources that you gain, you bring into your next role as well. It's not just about the job search. It's really about repositioning you for the next chapter of your career, and that's maybe the added value that I can see in hindsight.