Meet Michelle Enjoli, a Career Coach who knows how to land the Dream Job.
Where did you grow up?
New Jersey
Where do you reside currently?
Atlanta
What is your top personal value?
My top personal value is authenticity. It is my personal metric in life to determine whether or not I'm headed in the right direction with anything. Each time I've felt lost or directionless in the past, it has been a result of doing something that was inauthentic to me. About 4 years ago, I was feeling purposeless and realized it was because I wasn't doing something that was authentic to me. I decided to do some work and make some changes to realign with my values. That changed the game for me!
What do you do when you aren't working?
When I'm not working, I enjoy traveling, outdoor activities and spending time with friends and family preferably over a hot cup of coffee. Coffee has been a staple in my life since I was young as I watched my extended family share stories, laughs and problems over one. My love of coffee led me to meet so many great connections throughout my career that have led to some amazing opportunities. It's my preferred way to connect with others.
What makes you unique?
What is unique about me is that I have a special skill for connecting with others and as a result I landed my dream job while I was still a college student. Since then, many of my career opportunities have been awarded in the same manner. I've been able to pivot professionally and work for all types of companies which has given me invaluable experiences, exposure and amazing connections along the way.
Which industry do you work in
Job training
What is your professional role?
I am a career development coach and speaker who teaches strategies to grow professionally. I specialize in networking, personal branding and self-esteem.
What do you love about what you do and how do you help others?
I love this job because I get to help others uncover and communicate their value. I help people learn networking strategies, develop their personal brand and help them build their self-esteem. One of the most memorable stories I have is helping a young 27-year-old woman land her dream job. She was working in her field of choice and wanted to make a change when she saw a job posting for her dream job. She thought she would never be able to get it but we worked together and I gave her some strategies to use to effectively network. She followed the direction and landed her dream job. When I got the text, I jumped out of excitement. When someone else succeeds, it gives me so much joy. I feel like it's happening to me.
What is the number one goal you are trying to achieve in your professional life?
I want to help others uncover their magic and use it to find their purpose.
What is professionalism, can you define what the word means to you?
Professionalism is being able to authentically perform your duties well with high standards for the quality of your work and relationships.
What do you wish you knew about being a professional when you started your career?
Be authentic and use your natural skillset to set yourself apart from everyone else. We are all different and come with a unique set of skills that are valuable. Learn what they are and learn how to communicate that effectively.
Do you have a success story or an aha moment to share about when you became a professional and what changed?
Yes! My aha moment was very interesting. During a meeting with a senior leader about my annual review where I was given perfect scores for consecutive years in a row, the only feedback I was given for improvement was to be careful not to speak loudly in meetings. Yes, that was IT. It was then that I realized that I needed to take FULL ownership of my professional development.
What helps people be promoted?
A successful career is not defined by climbing the corporate career but by doing the work that defines success for you. This is achieved when you learn how to build meaningful relationships and provide value to others.
Personal Branding - Yes or No - Should someone build a brand story to help advance their career and get noticed?
Personal branding is an essential component to success today. Every person has a story and when shared authentically, it is a great way to build connections with others which can turn into new career opportunities.
Can someone be professional and emotional?
Yes, I believe someone can be professional and emotional. Appropriate emotions are based in excitement and empathy. Inappropriate emotions are based in anger.
Career Makers - Share stories of how you got to where you are in your career - how did you stand out?
I stood out in my career because I learned how to connect with others at a young age. I was raised in a very diverse family and environment where building relationships with people generationally and culturally different than you became second nature. I used this skill to land my dream job in college and many career opportunities since then.
Career Breakers - What things have you seen in the office that prevented people from moving up the corporate ladder?
A lack of leadership, problem solving and relationship building skills are what I've seen has prevented people from moving up the corporate ladder.
Where do you think the future of work will take professionals?
The future of work will be all about flexibility which is exciting to me. In today’s ever changing business environment, employees cannot do their best work within a one size fits all model. Every employee has a unique set of circumstances that may require flexibility in their schedules, locations etc. Companies that adopt a personalized approach to flexibility have a greater chance of success. Studies have shown that companies who practice this model increase their employee satisfaction, productivity, creativity and retention. This approach empowers leaders to position their employees for success.
From Michelle Enjoli's Website:
A connector, storyteller, and believer in the amazing power human connection can have on your life both personally and professionally.
"I studied journalism in a town outside of New York City and dreamed of becoming a national morning show producer one day. I was a first-generation college student and was crushed when I was told my goal would take many years to accomplish if at all. I distinctly remember being told it was like trying to be on the cover of Vogue. Nearly impossible. My curiosity for people, stories, and love of coffee led me to a series of conversations, connections, and opportunities that helped me land my dream job before I graduated college. Since then, I’ve had many questions, struggles, and career decisions to make. Like many of you today, life has redirected me a few times and my interests and goals have changed throughout the years. I’ve taken the unconventional path and pivoted three times in my career. As a result, I’ve been privileged to have worked for television networks, entrepreneurs, and global brands with a staff of 5 to an employee count of 80,000 plus. I understand the complexities of an unpredictable career and how to work through them. In 2016, I founded an employee resource group called, CONNECT, at Mercedes-Benz USA. The goal was to connect a multigenerational and multicultural workforce in order to facilitate professional growth and development. Since then, I’ve spoken on international stages and coached others on how to connect for new career opportunities, growth, and development. My journey is focused on empowering and teaching others to use the power of connection to meet their professional goals."
To learn more about how Michelle Enjoli can help you with your career planning or job search, reach out to her on her website.
MarketAPeel helps professionals and businesses define their brand stories and build out their digital footprint to grow their audiences. Our clients are thought leaders, business owners, and professionals who want to stand out from the crowd.
The Coffee pot you see me using on BrandAPeel: Branding Storytelling in the Digital Age. I knew I needed a coffee solution when the one cup brewing wonder I was using either created a tonne of plastic garbage or I got coffee grounds all over the place from the tiny reusable filter. Not to mention, I need more than one cup of coffee in the morning. I found this solution and love it. It keeps my coffee warmer longer and I don't have to leave my desk to get a second cup. Simple sleek design and easy to use - plus the coffee is pretty good too.
