Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

The # 1 mistake keeping high-achievers stuck in their careers?

They wait for someone else to recognize their leadership potential.

As an individual contributor, you may not feel much pressure to speak up.
👉🏾 You can work behind the scenes.
👉🏾 You can avoid networking.
👉🏾 You can rely on your manager.

But as you step into leadership, you’re realizing something: you can no longer rely on others to speak for you.

This is where my client found herself:
👉🏾 Debating whether she could become a leader
👉🏾 Considering another degree to prove her worth.
👉🏾 Hesitating to share her ideas, fearing she wasn’t "ready."

The reality is she already had everything she needed to step into leadership... her self-doubt was the only thing standing in her way.

Instead doing what was "hard", she stayed where it felt safe:
👉🏾 Sticking to familiar tasks instead of seeking growth opportunities.
👉🏾 Saying no to a company wide presentation that would have helped her increase her visibility.
👉🏾 Constantly staying in the background rather than owning her voice.

Through our 1:1 coaching sessions, we uncovered what was truly holding her back:

👉🏾 Fear of being wrong.
👉🏾 Fear of being seen.
👉🏾 Fear of making a mistake.

One day, she sat in a meeting, listening to others say the EXACT same thing she was thinking but stayed silent about. That’s when she knew something had to change.

Once she addressed those fears, she stopped avoiding the hard things and started leading with confidence.

After 6 months of working together 1:1, she’s no longer questioning whether she belongs in leadership, she’s thriving as a manager.

Leadership isn’t about becoming someone else.

It’s about learning how to own your voice and step into your power.

If you’re ready to step into leadership without losing yourself in the process, click here to book a discovery call with me >>> weapply.ca/book-a-consultation/


#LeadingQuietly
#IntrovertAtWork

5 months ago | [YT] | 4

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

You've been applying for positions, sending out your resume, hoping for a response… but nothing.

You're not alone.

Many talented professionals struggle to translate their worth onto paper in a way that lands interviews.

So, how do you write a resume that truly showcases your value?

Here’s how to shift your focus:

▪️Quantify your achievements:

Instead of just listing responsibilities, think about your impact. Did you increase efficiency by 15%? Did you manage a team that exceeded targets? Use numbers to tell your story.

▪️Highlight key skills with context:

Don't just list skills; demonstrate them within your experience. Show how you used your problem-solving abilities to overcome a challenge or how your communication skills led to a successful project.

▪️ Tailor to the Role:

Generic resumes get lost. Customize your resume for each application, highlighting the skills and experiences that directly align with the job description.

This does not mean you need a brand new resume for every role. It means that you should narrow your search down by the industry, employer and role.
Once you focus your search → create a master resume → you will only need to make minimal tweaks when sending your resume.

▪️Focus on results, not just tasks:

What was the outcome of your work? Did you save the company money? Did you improve customer satisfaction?

Read every bullet on your resume and ask yourself "so what?". If you can't answer that question, the result is missing!

Don't get caught up with resume rules like the 1 page resume like my client.

Focusing on being concise → demonstrating value → aligning with the employers need → speaking to results.

If you’re tired of sending out resumes that don’t land interviews and you're ready to develop a resume that truly speaks to your value, let’s work together.

Book a discovery call to explore how we can craft a resume that gets you noticed and lands interviews >>> weapply.ca/book-a-consultation/

#LeadingQuietly
#Resume

5 months ago | [YT] | 3

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

I feel like I have nothing to show for my work.

Have you ever said that? You've poured your energy into your career, but when you sit down to update your resume or LinkedIn, you draw a blank. You struggle to articulate your value.

Impact isn't only big, dramatic accomplishments.

Your real value often lies in the consistent, everyday contributions you take for granted.

It's how you:
▪️Keep things running efficiently, ensuring stability.
▪️Improve processes, making things smoother.
▪️Solve problems, preventing bigger issues.
▪️Mentor colleagues, helping them grow.

That's your impact.
And it's significant.

Maybe you're thinking:

I don't have metrics to quantify it.
↓
Consider the qualitative impact: how you've influenced people, increased efficiency, or changed how things are done.

I don't know how to talk about what I do.
↓
It's not a skills gap, it's a communication gap. Focus on how to articulate your skills and impact, rather than questioning whether you have them.

"I don't feel like an 'expert.'"
↓
Your experience is valid and valuable. You don't need a fancy title to own your expertise.

If you're struggling to articulate your skills and strengths to create a resume or LinkedIn profile that truly reflects your worth, let's change that.

Tap here to book a call, and let's craft a narrative that showcases your true impact >>>weapply.ca/book-a-consultation/

5 months ago | [YT] | 5

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

Wait your turn to speak.

In school, we're taught to wait to be called upon.

Speak up and be visible.
Own your voice, no one can do it for you.

But in the workplace, that passive approach can leave you invisible.

Here are 3 ways to help you get noticed at work:

▪️ Own your accomplishments.

Stop downplaying your contributions.

Self-promotion doesn’t make you self-centered.

It shows that you’re ready to rise because you believe you can do the job.

▪️ Don't expect other to notice your contributions.

Rather than waiting for others to notice you, be proactive!

Companies don’t create products assuming people will buy them, they market them.

So you also need to market yourself to get noticed.

▪️ Leverage your professional relationships.

People like to work with those they know, like and trust,

Don’t be afraid to expand your circle of influence and realize that you have value to provide.

What's the biggest challenge you face in making your voice heard at work?

#LeadingQuietly
#IntrovertAtWork

5 months ago | [YT] | 6

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

How to answer the interview question "Tell us about a time you made a mistake.":

▪️ Choose a minor mistake.

Something that is not directly related to the role you are interviewing for.

▪️Don't spend too much time dwelling on the mistake.

Get to the resolution and learning quickly.

▪️Talk about what you did to rectify the mistake.

This shows ownership and problem-solving.

▪️Talk about the lessons learned from the situation.

This demonstrates self-awareness and growth.

The CARL is a great way to answer these kinds of interview questions:

▪️ Context:
Briefly set the scene. What was the situation? What were you working on?

▪️Action:
What specific action did you take that led to the mistake?

▪️ Result:
What was the outcome of your mistake? Be factual and avoid excessive negativity.

▪️Learning:
This is where you want to spend more of your time. What did you learn from this experience? How did it change your approach moving forward?

Anything else you'd add in answering this interview question?

#Career
#LeadingQuietly

5 months ago | [YT] | 5

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

Here are 3 outdated resume writing practices you should cut out of your resume TODAY!

❌ References available upon request →

The employer knows this. They will ask you for your references when needed.

Instead, use that valuable space to showcase your skills and achievements.

❌ Your full address →

Not necessary and there are privacy risks when applying online.

Instead, just list your city and state/province.

❌ An objective statement →

This focuses on what you want.

Instead, provide a professional summary that immediately highlights your key skills, experience, and what you can offer the employer.

Any other outdated resume writing practices you would add?

In this week's, YouTube video I am sharing 26 other strategies to help you craft a resume that stands out an gets you interviews. Tap here to watch >>> https://youtu.be/hn3CJ5z7Xzg

5 months ago | [YT] | 6

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

Any person who has told you:

You are a loner.
You are anti-social.
You are too quiet.
You are a stand-offish / snob.

Simply does not know the power introverts hold!

Do you and keep shining in your own way 💥

Agree?

____

P.S. Are you an introvert who is trying to understand the strengths you bring to the workplace? Take the Introvert At Work Quiz >>>weapply.ca/introvert-at-work-quiz

5 months ago | [YT] | 6

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

“I’m booking informal interviews, but I’m struggling to turn those conversations into real opportunities.”

Sound familiar?

You’re putting yourself out there, networking, having coffee chats… but those connections aren’t translating into job offers.

Here’s how to shift those informal chats into tangible opportunities:

▪️Start your networking with people you know

Professionals often make the mistake of reaching out to complete strangers first when job searching.

Start with your network, they are more likely to want to help you because they already know you!

▪️Don't have these informational interviews only when you really need a job

Make expanding your network and these conversations part of your routine as professional.

That way people get to know you so when you do need something they will want to help you.

This keeps you top-of-mind and demonstrates proactivity.

▪️ Be clear about your intent:

Don't think you will send someone a message saying you want to learn about their career and the call will end with a job offer...

Did you even tell them you were looking into new opportunities?

It doesn't have to be a hard sell but you do need to make your intentions clear.

▪️ Ask strategic questions:

Go beyond surface-level conversation.

Inquire about the team's challenges, upcoming projects, or the skills they value most.

This not only shows genuine interest but also helps you identify potential alignment with your expertise.

▪️ Follow up with value:

Listen intentionally. Is there a way you can support them?

A connection, a resource? Make it a win-win for all involved.

❓ “What if they don’t have any openings right now?”

Even if there isn't an immediate fit, building a genuine connection can lead to future opportunities or referrals.

Also, ask if they know of anyone else who might be a good connection for you.

❓ “How do I bring up my job search without sounding desperate?”

There's nothing desperate about needing and wanting to work.

You can frame it as you're exploring opportunities to contribute your skills and experience in a new and impactful way.

Your focus should be on mutual benefit and alignment.

At the end of the day, if you are really the person that can solve a problem that their company currently has then it's a win for both parties!

If you’re ready to turn those promising coffee chats into concrete career opportunities, let’s strategize. Book a call with me to develop a job search action plan that lands job not just coffee chats >>>weapply.ca/book-a-consultation/

5 months ago | [YT] | 1

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

“I don’t want to spend the next 10 years counting down to retirement in a job that doesn’t inspire me.”

That’s what my client told me.

After decades in the same industry, the thought of starting over felt overwhelming.

But here’s the truth: It’s never too late to pivot into work that excites you IF you have a plan.

Here’s how to make the shift:
✅ Assess where you are – Identify your key strengths, skills, and accomplishments.
✅ Define your next move – Get clear on your ideal industry, potential employers, job title, and work environment.
✅ Bridge the gaps – Pinpoint what's missing to help you get from where you are to where you want to be (skills, knowledge, connections etc.) and start filling the gap.
✅ Update your career tools – Tailor your resume and LinkedIn to fit your new path.
✅ Leverage your network – Connect with professionals in your desired field.
✅ Stay consistent – Career transitions can take time, but strategic action leads to results.

So what’s holding you back?

🚧 “I’ve been in the same industry for decades—I don’t know where to start.”
🚧 “I don’t have the right experience for a new role.”
🚧 “I keep applying, but I’m not getting interviews.”

The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone.

Inside 1:1 coaching, we’ll map out a clear transition strategy, highlight your transferable skills, and position you for opportunities that align with your goals.

The next 10 years of your career should be fulfilling, not just a countdown. Let’s make your next move happen.

Book a discovery call today >>> weapply.ca/book-a-consultation

5 months ago | [YT] | 5

Lissa Appiah | Career Strategist

Can introverts increase their visibility without changing who they are?

I partnered with Labcorp's Women Empowerment Network to deliver a workshop on "Increasing Your Visibility as an Introvert".

Many professionals, especially introverts, struggle with:

▪️ believing hard work alone will lead to recognition.
▪️ feeling uncomfortable with self-promotion.
▪️ hesitating to speak up in meetings or advocate for their achievements.

Participants walked away with actionable strategies to help them increase their visibility in a way that feels natural and effective:

▪️Building a strong personal brand that attracts opportunities so you don't have to chase them.
▪️Leveraging 1:1 connections to network in a way that feels authentic.
▪️Showcasing achievements by sharing them in writing without feeling like you’re bragging.

I’m currently booking career development and personal branding workshops for the second half of 2025.

Click here to book a discovery call to discuss how I can support your next conference, retreat, or corporate event as a facilitator.>>> weapply.ca/workshop-and-training/


#WinAtWork
#PersonalBranding
#WorkshopFacilitator

5 months ago | [YT] | 2