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How to Be
Your Own Best Advocate
Kimberly Guilfoyle
Harper
May 26, 2016/ ISBN 9780062343970
Self Help / Business / Life Skills / Inspirational
Reviewed
by Elise Cooper
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Making the Case
by Kimberly Guilfoyle is a “how
to” book, centered on being an advocate for yourself.
She navigates between her role as a mother and as a co-host
of the popular Fox television show, The Five. She provides a
glimpse of her personal life and how those she most admired
influenced her. Both mothers and their children should read
this to understand what is necessary to succeed in today’s
world.
She emphasizes in the first chapter in order to succeed: be
clear about your objective, prepare a brief story about your
subject that reflects character, ensure all the facts are at
your fingertips, consider the perspective of the other side,
know the moderator, consult experts, and never ask a question
for which you don't know the answer. She directly noted to blackfive.net,
“The key lesson for me: Don’t make this life about
you, it’s about other people. I’ve tried to live
my life in a way that respects the beliefs of my mother and
father. They sacrificed a tremendous amount for me to be able
to do what I do today.”
One of the most interesting chapters is her exploration of how
wages for women lag behind their male counterparts. She cites
the statistic that only 35% of women have asked for a raise.
Guilfoyle believes “Many women fear that contesting their
salary will cost them their jobs. No matter what the prevailing
conditions are, getting what we deserve rests on how convincing
a case we make for ourselves. We need to do our research about
how the position and hours line up for men and women. Presenting
your case should be done in a positive and constructive way.
But also listen to your employer’s explanation and see
if they have valid reasons: Did you come in with different guidelines?
Were you there for a shorter period of time? What are your job
responsibilities compared to others?”
She agrees that entering the job market provides challenges.
The work force is not as stable as it used to be because employees
are looking for growth and fulfillment. Guilfoyle feels “Graduating
from college is a pivotal point in a young person’s life.
Many college graduates receive advice from their other friends
who are also encountering this change. But maybe they should
consult and talk with people who have had life experiences.”
She went on to say, “Today’s times are a lot more
impersonal due to an outgrowth of technology. Everything is
automated. When you apply it feels like going to an ATM machine.
When trying to apply for a job, attempt to meet with the person
or at least talk with them on the phone so they feel your presence,
even though it may be difficult. This interpersonal connection
should not be a forgotten connection. Remember it is difficult
to establish any connection with email. College grads need to
be encouraged by letting them know G-d helps those who help
themselves. They have blessings, gifts, passion, and drive.”
When successfully obtaining an interview she emphasizes that
one should develop a "One minute spoken memoir. This is
the story you'll share about yourself during your interview.
It should sum up who you are. In other words, you need to be
prepared to succinctly explain to a prospective employer what
you're trying to accomplish or why applying to their firm.”
Making the Case encourages people not to be afraid to make career
decisions. Guilfoyle uses her story in the hopes that she can
inspire others to have courage, to be an advocate by making
their own case, and to learn how to state their case effectively.
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