Jasmine Anouna

When I was recruiting earlier in 2024, what stood out to me from hundreds of short-listed candidates was NOT the ones who had the “perfect CV” with impressive social impact experiences; it was actually the way candidates were able to showcase how their skills translated to the role and growth of my company - and here, diversity of experiences was what really stood out. Candidates with more curious and diverse (squiggly💞) trajectories stood out more, particularly the ones who showed well how those squiggly experiences made them more unique. So standing out was this formula: storytelling + values + diversity. 🙌🏽

My spicy take 🌶️If your skills /experience aren’t translating to higher salary in social impact - stop putting pressure on the role being 110% impact (at an impact org and/or the role itself is an impact-related title) and move towards a role you’re curious about that does have a salary that aligns with your goals, but maybe isn’t in social impact per se. If salary is a key factor in your decision and something you need but you still want to focus on social impact, then put less pressure on that 110% alignment and go for a role that aligns with salary expectations first. I know many people who are working in a non-social impact company, but they are working on many incredible projects outside work. Take care of your financial wellbeing 💙

Social impact at its best is about values-first approach to work in service towards system change - challenging the way things are so they can be better for people and the planet. So if you’re wanting to show in an interview your commitment I would argue to go beyond previous work experience (this is great for early career) and not even mention them at first because.. it’s about *values* and showing the overarching way you have lived by your values towards change, beyond one single past role. Show that your dedication is so strong, it goes beyond any single role you’ve had; it’s been your life story.

A huge force of stress on my career as an entrepreneur thus far is how much I thought I had to “obsess” over what I’m building and prioritizing it 110%. I think there’s this myth and toxic underlying understanding that if you don’t give your startup your all all the time, that it will fail. When I let go of this idea that my company was the highest priority, I started engaging in activities that fill my light outside work. And honestly my business has never been better and stress levels😂😇 I see this as infusing a more “entrepreneurial spirit of life” and experimenting as much outside work as you are in the business

One of the key ways I refined my writing style over time: select a small group of trusted friends whose first language is NOT English to review my writing! I write for a global audience, which means over time I abandoned context-specific writing style like “English expressions” because it could make my writing inaccessible.