You are always a free agent

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up here

You’re always a free agent.  I’m not looking but I’m listening - this is what I always said to recruiters that called me.

It’s like professional sports. You need to test the market. See what other teams are paying for your position. Unlike sports, you’re really a free agent. Of course, some people have a non-compete, but in many cases, those are hard to enforce.

How do you go from being fresh out of college making $50k per year to one day potentially making $5m per year? It’s a lot of hard work, hustle, networking, and some luck. But you realistically are going to have to switch jobs. More than once! It’s rare to work in one place and make the compensation you deserve. 

Being a free agent means you are always in a prove-it year. Like sports, the last year of a contract, you’re looking to make a name for yourself. Put up numbers. Being a free agent or in a free agent year at all times means every day is an opportunity to put your name up on the big board. Crush numbers, and make people remember you and your accomplishments. 

It’s why I love sports analogies and sports documentaries. It gives you the stories of the struggle to make it pro and to go from being in the league to succeeding at the highest level. Like the workforce, once you make it to the top whether that is a C-level title or just being at a senior level, getting there is just the beginning. It’s about what you accomplish at that level. How long you last. How you’re remembered. 

One of our portfolio companies, Ribbon.ai is building an agent for everyone. No longer are agents just for professional sports or people in Hollywood. Backed by your career experience and your data, their agent, leveraging the latest AI models, can guide you through finding a job, building a resume, building a bio, and eventually thinking about:

• Should I take a new job at XYZ company? How much should I ask for in compensation?

• How do I move up within my firm? What do people senior to me have in terms of skills? How much do my peers and seniors at work make on average?

• Should I go back to get another degree? Is this the key for me to take the next steps in the career I want?

• I want to pivot my career, what do I need on my resume to make that happen?

• My AI agent found me a perfect job, but it’s in a new city. Should I take it?

Life, sports, and careers all have so many similar lessons. Get an agent & good luck in free agency!