Career Lessons from Desert Trip Rock Legends Sessions

Career Lessons from Desert Trip Rock Legends SessionsCareer Lessons from Desert Trip Rock Legends SessionsThats whyI spent part of my Sunday afternoon listening to music and getting inspired by YouTube recordings ofPaul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, and Neil Young rocking out at Old-Chella, erDesert Triprather.Desert Trip, as you might have heard, is a series of concerts that took place over the weekendwith a second setof shows scheduled for October 14 to 16 in Indio, California. The event features some of the most respected names in the music biz. And not trying to make anyone feel old here, but there aresix acts (the three previously mentioned, as well as Bob Dylan, The Who, and Roger Waters) that quite possibly were a hit before your mother was bornif youre amillennial or gen Z.Even though Paul McCartney cant quite hit those notes like he once did while crooning withthe Beatles and Wings, it was still awesome to see him jam with Neil Young onA Day in the Life.Speaking of a day in the life of a worker, there are so many career and job-seeking lessons from Desert Trip sessionsthat peoplecan learnfrom lyrics and popsong titles to get them inspired abouttheir own careers.Since I wasnt able to attend the concerts in person, Idecided to lookover the set lists from the first weekend of Desert Trip and come up with tie-ins to career advice from the rock n roll masters.No cowbell required.Here are the career lessons from the Desert Trip sessionsBob Dylans Dont Think Twice Its All RightWhile Dylan,the Nobel Prize winner,is singing about a breakup here, the songs title is also good advice for how to share yourideas with your manager or team- no matter how unrealistic those thoughtsmight seem. While your mindsblueprint for the idea might never see the light of day, it is possible that the idea could inspiresomething else that benefits the company, which, in turn, couldbenefit your career as well.So, unless your manager has made it clear for reasons beyond ourcomprehens ion that new ideas are bad ideas, dont think twice its all right to share your ideas. You never know what mightcome of it.The Rolling Stones You Cant Always Get What You WantThis classic Stones recording certainly isnttalking about the workforce ofthe 1960s let alone the 2010s, but its title is a good reminder of how the workforce is evolving. Even a decade ago, employers were less likely to offer flex options, which made many a worker think about how you cant always get what you want.Fast-forward to 2016, and maybe you can.There are so many things companies can do to help workershave it allfrom remote work opportunities to flexible schedules. In fact, sometimes companies will surprise you on how flexible they can be- so it probably couldnthurt toask. You might be able to get what you want after all.Neil Youngs Words (Between the Lines of Age)Ill admit it Im not aya what Neils singing about here, but I have a lot of respect for Neil Young, so who cares? The song title does make one think about the importance of words on your resume and cover letter. And whether youre a seasoned veteran in your field or a newbie fresh out of college, its important to pay attention to detail in any correspondence you have with employers.The resume and cover letter are oftenthe first things that employers look at when evaluating candidates, so ensure they aregrammar- and spelling-error free and offer the appropriate amount of information about yourself for the position youre trying to get. The words matter for all ages.Paul McCartneys (The Beatles) A Hard Days NightYep, the Beatles had those kind of days, too,working till all hours of the night playing tunes at the Cavern Club in Liverpool, England,before they became famous. But its important to remember a hard day or a hard days night is temporary. (If its not, it might be time to start looking for a new job.)Keeping positive thoughts during stressful times at work or especiallyduring thejob hunt can be difficult, butsometimes i t helps to visualize that everything is OK and that theres a light at the end of the tunnel. Youmight be having a hard days night, but youcan work it out, cant you?The Whos Wont Get Fooled AgainThis ones pretty straightforward. When youre looking for a job, its easy to become cynical about the process. You apply and apply and apply anddont hear back or perhaps get an automated response saying the company is considering your qualifications. But is itreally? The sounds of silence can be deafening. Thats why filling out a job application or shooting off a resume to a recruiter isnt enough.Following up is so importantBe persistent but not annoying. And network find a common connection to get yourfoot in the door. Youll need the other foot to keep the beat.Roger Waters (Pink Floyds) FearlessYou say the hills too steep to climb? You might be right if thats your train of thought. You dont have to be fearless to get the job you want, but you do have to have courage.Interviewing for jobs can be scary.Its OK to be nervous, but in order to succeed, you need to be prepared by being on time, researching the company, havingquestions written down to ask the recruiter or hiring manager, and dressing appropriately.Dont give up. Just like Sonny and Cher sang, and the beat goes on. La de da de de la de da de da.Photo Credit for Paul McCartney and Neil Young