Vicki Salemi

“And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.”

09460000005_220x220_a Pssst! Over here. I have a little secret. Ok, more like a confession. I am wearing cobalt blue nailpolish on my toes and I completely rock out to it! The color before that? Green. And the one before that? Silver. And before that? Color me purple!

You see, I don’t think it’s so much about the color on my toes but the point that I don’t have to stick to a ”normal” color (insert pinks/reds/corals here). I am not forced into coloring within the lines and more importantly, I can totally wear open toe shoes if I want (ok, maybe not during frigid winter days but still…). The point is this: I have a choice. My toes are no longer confined and consequently, no longer am I.

On February 23rd I’ll celebrate one year of getting the pink slip, a.k.a. the CANniversary. The boot. The ax. Shown the door at a company where open-toed shoes were a faux pas in the firm’s dress code.

….ok, I must say that I condensed this original post to make it a shorter and quicker read…working on deadline at the moment so want to focus my blogs on my articles and press events but couldn’t dismiss all of the exciting things I have manifested since I was laid off liberated!

…It’s taken a full year to morph into this mode, but now I tend to pause and call myself out when I find that I’m not thinking big enough! It’s not just about my articles right now as they have taken on a life of their own. It’s about the bigger picture. Book series. Screenwriting. Can anybody say columnist? Good, I knew you could.

So yeah, I tend to dance these days. I no longer censor my thoughts, feel the need to get “approval” like now when I’m asked to speak on a panel or appear on tv. It’s super refreshing to not think twice, not have to get my boss’s approval, and realize how much power I wield to help people on the job front.

These days thinking outside the cubicle and connecting with movers and shakers is the only way to function. It’s the warm fuzzy of seeing a source I interviewed a week ago appear on Oprah or have a colleague be interviewed by CNN. It’s nice having colleagues who get my energy, get my vibe. And now that I metaphorically dress for myself instead of fitting into a dress code, I’m thinking differently, too. More colorful. Vibrant. And in stereo sound. I’m also incredibly grateful the pink slip forced me out of the kushy comfort zone, one that I had wanted to leave for quite some time but didn’t quite have the guts.

As I look back on the past year, my book deal, syndication deal, three speaking gigs, three international tv apearances, radio and blog talk radio, not to mention freedom to have breakfast and lunch meetings when they fit into my schedule, I’m squeezing more juice into the day more than ever before. I feel energized. Invigorated. Alive. And most of all, happy, blue nailpolish and all.

Giving Birth to a Book: An Author’s Journey

cover Only three more months til my book, BIG CAREER IN THE BIG CITY is launched into the universe…let the third trimester commence!

Fellow authors would agree: Writing a book is like giving birth. Although I’ve never physically given birth, metaphorically speaking when it is finally published, your labor of love becomes your little bundle of joy. You carry it where ever you go, it’s the first thing people ask you about, and you tend to gush about it incessantly.

So, imagine my delight when the book cover became finalized this week! In a way it’s like seeing the book develop in the womb — I can certainly feel the heartbeat now! In three short months it will take a life on its own. Trust me, it’ll be robust and vibrant!

Technically conception occurs when the contract is signed. As the pregnancy begins, officially it’s on your mind 24/7, you’re nurturing your craft, and fitting it into your life as a priority. Researching facts, lining up and interviewing sources, writing and ensuring everything is cohesive/flows/makes sense within a grander scheme of the book, reviewing the edits, reviewing the galleys, tweaking the cover…each step feels like a milestone getting closer to its release due date. Even getting blurbs a few weeks ago and crafting a savvy PR plan add more elements to its pulse. The fun thing is that I’ve never worked this hard on a project in my life nor had this many creative juices flowing! To see the finished book, not just the galleys but the finished book will be a sight for sore eyes. Bestill my heart.

The process itself was bliss as I shut out the entire world for 2 1/2 weeks eating nothing but frozen food while combatting a pesky mouse which decided to make a grand entrance during my lock-down! In a way, although my book’s intention is to empower NYC-destined job seekers and bolster them with gotta get ‘em straight up strategies, it’s evolved into something bigger. The process was more about the core, the passion, the holistic approach to a job search and ultimately, me. Just like when I’m in the front row at Yankee Stadium (in the upper deck mind you but still…), without any vendors or rif raf, the game and I, well we’re one. During this process, I was able to wrench my advice into the light, orchestrate anecdotes from very cool sources, and become one with Microsoft Word. Just me and the keyboard and Taylor Swift’s Fearless (I sometimes altered to Alanis Morisette’s Jagged Little Pill).

So, in mid-May I’ll be a mama again with baby #2 as it will share its nursery (and by that I mean the bookcase in my bedroom) by moving Baby #1 from the center to stage left…until then it’s certainly not “bedrest” for this writer — so many fun assignments, so little time!

ps. Despite the analogy made in this blog, the good thing is I am ready for conception at any time and look forward to carrying fraternal twins next time! Careers and fiction – two separate books, two contracts, more sleep deprivation, creativity, and Taylor’s tunes. Stay tuned…

Undercover Boss

Ever feel like your boss just doesn’t understand? Like they simply have no clue and here you are working tirelessly day in, day out? CBS’ new show, Undercover Boss gives big wigs the opportunity to see what it’s like at the bottom rung. It’s a REALLY good premise and the pilot rocks!

It will air after the Superbowl on Sunday night. I dished to the COO last week about the experience and changes he’s made as a result of the show. Check out my interview published by The New York Post!