Tuesday, November 26, 2019

How to Write a Letter of Interest [Samples + Format]

How to Write a Letter of Interest Samples + Format How to Write a Letter of Interest Samples + Format How to Write a Letter of Interest Samples + FormatMany companies dont advertise all of their flecks externally.It can be worthwhile to submit an application to a company that isnt in the midst of hiring. Theres a chance they may need your expertise, and you may even be the perfect fit.If you decide to go this route, youll need to submit a letter of interest to the desired company (along with your fine-tuned resume). Read on for a concise definition and find out how to write a letter of interest for a job. Weve also included some successful letter of interest samples.1. What is a Letter of Interest?A letter of interest states that youd like to work at a company even if it isnt advertising a job opening. You might also hear it called a letter of intent for a jobor statement of interest.Letter of Interest vs. titelbild LetterNote that a letter of interest is different from a cover lette r. A cover letter is targeted toward a specific role thats been advertised. By contrast, a letter of intent is sent to a company on your own initiative. It should impress the hiring manager so that theyll call you in for an interview.Letters of interest can be sent by anyone at any level of experience. For example, a seasoned employee might have insider knowledge and skills that an employer would appreciate. Or a college grad passionate about a cause might send a letter of intent to an NGO or politician they admire.2. How to Write a Letter of Intent - First StepsTake the time to write a good letter of intent.Before you write your letter of interest, research your target company and find out about its aims and track record.If youre happy with what you discover, check whether you have any insider connections that can work to your advantage.For example, you might have a friend (or even a friend of a friend) working at the company youre considering. They can put in a good word for you with the hiring department. Or they might give you some insider tips, like whether the company is currently facing any challenges (maybe ones you could help with).Spread the word on your social media accounts (like your LinkedIn profile) that youre looking for anyone working at your target company. You never know who may help you plus, they have an incentive since they may receive a referral bonus if youre hired.How to Address Your LetterStarting a letter of interest with To whom it may concern or Dear sir/madam is ineffective. Thats because it shows you havent bothered to research the companys key players.Its crucial to find out the anthroponym of the hiring manager, recruiter, or whoever youre addressing your application to, and use their proper name. The companys website should list this information if not, check on LinkedIn (or Google).Alternatively, you can try phoning the company and asking for the name of the hiring manager. Let whoever picks up know that youd like to properl y address your letter of interest, and you appreciate them taking the time to help you.3. How to Write a Letter of Interest - FormatSince you dont apply for a specific role in a letter of interest, its not as easy to clarify how youd be the perfect fit. Instead, you can paint in broad strokes, stating how your overall skill set would help the company excel. Lets breakdown the format of a letter of interest by paragraph.Paragraph 1 Introduce YourselfIn the first paragraph of your letter of intent, introduce yourself and spell out what youre seeking. For instance, if you think youd suit a role in the accounts department, state that here.Clarify why youre passionate about working for their company, and what hurdles or problems youve identified that you think you can overcome.Introduce yourself and spell out what youre seeking.Make it clear why youre writing to them. State that you know theyre not currently advertising, but that you have resume skills that they dont want to miss out on .Paragraph 2 Impress The ReaderThe next paragraph needs to leave a positive impression on the recruiter. Inserting quantifiable data is one way of doing just that.Deploy statistics that show how youve made a positive impact for the companies or projects youve worked on in the past. For example, maybe you increased profits by 47% in your last sales role. Or maybe you signed up 1,740 new clients.You can also detail major projects youve seen through to the end. Essentially, walk them through your methods of success. Additionally, touch upon your major hard skills and soft skills.If youre a recent graduate, you can talk up your volunteer experience or extracurricular achievements instead.Paragraph 3 Use an Effective Call to ActionThe final paragraph of your letter of interest is referred to as the call to action. Thats because youre calling on the reader to act. In this case, you want them to call you in for an interview.So make things easy for them. Provide them with your contact detai ls. Your email and phone number should be repeated here even though theyll already be listed on your resume.Also, state that youre available to come in for an interview at any time. And dont just limit your availability to a formal interview - a quick chat over coffee with a hiring manager can lead to real results too.Sign Off the Old-Fashioned WayIf youre sending your letter through by mail, dont get too fancy with your sign off - the traditional Sincerely, will suffice.If youre sending your letter of interest by email instead of by snail mail, then Best wishes or Best regards does the trick.4. Letter of Interest Examples (for Jobs Internships)Here are three sample letters of interest that have been successfully used to land interviews. You can adapt them to suit your own situation - just copy and paste them.Sample Letter of Interest for a JobIf youve read something impressive about a company, you might want to send a letter of interest. Check out this letter of intent sampleTo days DateHiring Managers Title NameCompany AddressCompany City, State, Zip CodeCompanys Telephone No.Hiring Managers EmailDear Mr./Ms./Mrs. Hiring Managers Name,I recently read a newspaper article about your companys reputation as being an excellent workplace for tech professionals - specifically about how Target Company allots time for its employees to work on personal projects of interest they believe could become viable products. This type of autonomy isnt common in tech, so I wanted to reach out about applying for a development position within your company.I have extensive experience (+10 years) developing new products, and have worked on diverse product types. I have successfully overseen the launch of 17 different products, five of which were innovated by me. On average, total revenue increased by an average of 17% during my tenure.I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with a member of your team about what I can bring to your organization in the future. I am available to meet at your convenience, and can be reached at Your Email Address or Your Phone Number.I look forward to hearing from you.Sincerely,Your SignatureYour NameLetter of Interest (Teacher)As an educator, you might have been inspired by another schools example. You can enquire whether they have a position with a letter of interest.Todays DatePrincipal Principals NameSchool AddressSchool City, State, Zip CodeSchools Telephone No.Schools EmailDear Principal Principals Last Name,As a compassionate and experienced educator who recently read about your many successes in the pages of the Springfield Herald, I wanted to personally write to you and submit myself for consideration as a teacher at your school.I currently work for Current School Name. I have 10+ years of experience teaching second-grade classes of 25 to 30 students. I am an effective, competent teacher of English, Math, Science, and all other second-grade subjects, and am adept at using positive-reinforcement techniques to ensur e good behavior. Additionally, I pioneered a 7309 a.m. open-door meeting policy for parents and students, and launched a weekly after-school art class that has inspired my students to dream big. However, my wife will be relocating to City Name, and I have decided to join her.I am excited about the opportunity to help the students of Winfield Elementary School pursue their dreams. I would be grateful for the chance to speak with you about how I could improve your students futures. Id be happy to call you at your geschftszimmer if you have time during the week. I can be reached at Your Email Address or Your Phone Number.I look forward to speaking to you.Sincerely,Your SignatureYour NameLetter of Interest for an InternshipLetters of interest are as equally viable for internships and volunteering opportunities as they are for full-time roles. Our internship statement of interest sample might help you write your ownTodays DateThe Hon. Congresspersons NameOffice No.Washington, DC 20515Con gresspersons Telephone NumberCongresspersons EmailDear Congressperson Congresspersons Name,I am writing to express my interest in volunteering for a role in your reelection campaign. As a constituent, I have followed your legislative activities closely, and believe your positions on Three Key Positions will make the Second District a better place to live.I am an experienced activist, who has worked on several campaigns. For example, I worked on Petition Name, personally gaining the signatures of 4,700 voters, 17% mora than anyone else on the same campaign. I also organized a rally on Issue Name, and succeeded in attracting 7,400 local residents to come and support our featured speakers, leading to a 7-minute spot on the biggest TV news channel in our district.I am available to meet with you or one of your campaign managers to discuss how I can most effectively contribute to your reelection effort. I can be contacted at Your Phone Number or Your Email Number. Together, I believe we c an defeat Opponents Name and retain the Second District for the Party Name.Yours sincerely,Your SignatureYour Name5. Whats Next?Now that you know how to write a letter of intent, you should know how to go about writing your own. Feel free to use our examples to get started.Dont forget to send in your resume with your letter of interest - you can browse our gallery of resume templates and find your perfect match. If youre pressed for time, our free-to-use resume builder can generate a resume for you in mere minutes.Let us know if you have any questions or comments below.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Mike Bloomberg tells Harvard gradsuates money isnt important

Mike Bloomberg tells Harvard gradsuates money isnt importantMike Bloomberg tells Harvard gradsuates money isnt importantFormer New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg wants graduates to forget about the salary when thinking about yur first job.The billionaire geschftsleben mogul served as the Class Day Speaker at Harvard Business School Class Day on Wednesday, where he told graduates to pursue happiness over money when they land their first job out of school.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moraBut seriously, when you weigh a job offer my message to you is, even later in life when youre considering a career change, leave salary out of the equation, Bloomberg said. Make decisions based on the quality of the opportunity, and where youll have the fruchtwein fun and the most room for growth.Whats important for your career is leid your starting salary. Its your development and happiness. Th e cash will come later on.The 77-year-old reflected on life lessons he learned at his first job with Salomon Brothers, where he stressed the importance of ethics. As a 24-year-old at his first job, Bloomberg said it welches where he welches able to binnensee the ethics he grew up with put to use in the workplace.He offered five bullets for graduates to help lead the way which included being honest with each other, find a job that aligns itself with philanthropy, gives back, and dont undervalue your employees if you ever find yourself in a leadership position.Gordon Gekko welches wrong Greed aint good, Bloomberg joked.His final piece of advice welches to never self-deal stressing the importance of your reputation.After following all of these principles, insist on no less from the people who ask for the most precious commodity you will ever own your vote, he said. Elect people who understand that its their obligation to make capitalism work for everyone, and not be so naive to think o ther systems will be better.Below is the full transcript of his speechWell good afternoon. Thank you, Dan for the introduction and you really dont have to call me Mayor Bloomberg. Mr. Bloomberg would be just fine, thank you.Let me also thank Nitin for the honor of addressing you. I didnt have much choice when he called he didnt ask me to come, he told me I was coming.Let me begin with the most important words I can say today congratulations to the distinguished graduates of the great class of 2019.It was only 53 years ago that I was in your shoes, so I know youve had an amazing experience here. You have mastered the case method during your time on campus and the art of asking tough questions, like why dont the printers ever work here? Why on earth do they use the case method to teach accounting? Who thought of that?And the toughest question of all how many people does it take to finish a Scorpion Bowl at Hong Kong? For the record, the correct answer there is more than one.HBS rea lly does have a special place in my heart. Not only did I graduate from here, but so did my daughter, Emma.My foundation teamed up with the B-School and K-School to create a mayoral leadership program zustrom by Professor Abdelal.And my father who died a year before I was accepted to HBS has his name on the building that stands behind Baker, an honor that would have thrilled him.He and my mother raised my sister and me just five miles from here in Medford, Massachusetts. That was convenient, because I never would have made it through the B-School without my mother nearby she typed all my papers. Five decades later I leise cant type or spell. But I do have the good sense to have someone proof my tweets.As you can imagine, I also had the good sense to keep my Boston connections to myself when I was Mayor of New York City, especially when the Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins or Patriots came to town. I will just musiknote that during my time in City Hall, the Giants beat the Patriots in tw o Super Bowls. I did my job.We moved to Medford from Brookline a few miles from here when I was four-years-old. And I can still remember my first day in our new home. A boy from up the street clunked me over the head with a rock and I went in bleeding to my mother, which is to say I learned about Boston hospitality at a young age. I guess I had a hard head even back then.Even though I grew up just a trolley car ride away, when I first arrived on campus I felt like Id entered a whole new world. Suddenly, I was in classes with friends whose families had built major companies and had famous last names. That was a pretty radical change from my childhood. My mother once told me we never knew anybody whose name was in the newspaper, unless it was in the crime or the obit section.I cant say I spent a lot of time across this lawn in Baker Library. My transcript is evidence of that. I was always one of those who made the top half of the class possible. I was more likely to be over the bridge at what is now the Russell House Tavern. Back then, it was a German beer hall called The Wursthaus. Its where I first learned that its better not to watch sausage being made.Now, Im sure many of you have already lined up a job. But for those who havent, dont worry. I was a month away from graduating from the B-School and I still had no idea what I wanted to do. I asked a classmate for advice. He said, Go to Wall Street. I said, I dont know anything about finance. He said, Just apply for jobs at Salomon Brothers Hutzler, and a firm named Goldman Sachs. And I said, Who are they? What do they do?Yes, I was a B-School kid who had never heard of Goldman Sachs. A lot has changed since then.Goldman, I remember, flew me down to New York and offered me a job starting at $14,000 a year not bad pay for 1966. Salomon Brothers sent me a train ticket and offered me a job for only $9,000. After the interviews, I thought I would fit much better into Salomon. But I told the senior partner, John G utfreund, I couldnt afford to pay the rent on that salary. Rent in New York was really expensive back then 120 bucks a month, as I remember.He said, how much do you need? I didnt want to be piggy about it, so I said on the spur of the moment $11,500. He said, OK, $9,000 in salary and a $2,500 loan. And he walked out of the room. This is a true story, I didnt know what to do.So I showed up two months later and I just started working. So much for my negotiating skills.For the record, my first year bonus was $500 loan forgiveness, and my second year bonus was forgiveness for the other two grand. Just remember that when you think you are getting stiffed on a bonus negotiation.But seriously, when you weigh a job offer my message to you is, even later in life when youre considering a career change, leave salary out of the equation. Make decisions based on the quality of the opportunity, and where youll have the most fun and the most room for growth.Whats important for your career is not your starting salary. Its your development and happiness. The cash will come later on.I learned a lot about finance at Salomon, but the most valuable lesson I learned had nothing to do with stocks and bonds. They were lessons on how to apply what I had learned not only here at HBS, but also from my parents, and from my time as an Eagle Scout.The head of Salomon Brothers, Billy Salomon, never went to college, no less business school. He never took a class in corporate responsibility and he didnt need to. Being ethical does not require a Masters degree. It requires having a conscience and following it. It requires being honest and truthful, and never lying or cheating.Let me give you a quick example there was a rule at Salomon against giving gifts to clients to win more business. When Billy caught someone sending a case of wine to a major client, he fired him on the spot. Period, end of story. It didnt matter that he was perhaps the most productive salesman in the company.You can s ay Billy over-reacted but I dont think so. The rules he asked us to follow he followed himself no exceptions. And when it came to ethics, there was no compromising.Billy treated everyone the same from senior partners to the custodial staff. No one was better than anyone else. And Billy believed if you were lucky enough to make some money, you had an obligation to give a percentage of it away to help others. In fact, he didnt ask you what the percentage should be, he told you and you did it.Ive been very lucky in my career. But my luckiest break wasnt getting fired although that was pretty lucky it turned out. My luckiest break was taking a job where I got to see the ethics I learned growing up put into practice in the workplace. And Id like to think the principles that I learned at Salomon have guided my life ever since.But when we look at todays world, its not clear that everyone with a degree in business has those principles. And thats one reason, I believe, that this great co untry of ours is suffering from an ethical crisis that is corroding our society.Today, Americans are questioning whether those in the private sector and in Washington can provide the moral leadership our country needs, both economically and politically. They see the rewards of the economy increasingly concentrated at the top. They see wealthy parents scamming the college admissions process. They see families unable to afford health care and housing in the worlds richest country. They see decades of discrimination based on race and ethnicity trapping another generation into poverty. And they wonder is our economic system breaking down?At the same time, if they are not blinded by partisanship when they look at Washington, D.C., they see truth and science being trampled with reckless abandon. They see the rule of law being attacked and undermined. They see a chorus of enablers who defend every lie and abuse of power. And they wonder is our political system breaking down, too?Now, as you may know, Ive never been much for anlass politics. Ive supported Democrats, Republicans, and independents. Hell, Ive actually been a Democrat, Republican, and independent.No party has a monopoly on good ideas or good people. But I believe all of us have an obligation to reject those who traffic in dishonesty and deceit. That is not a partisan position. That is a patriotic position.For full disclosure, back in 2016 at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia when the Republican nominee was promising to run our country like he ran his business, I said, God help us. And not just because he went to Wharton. Actually I wish I hadnt been right.But unfortunately, when we elect people to public office who have no interest in ethics, that depravity trickles down and it seeps into our culture.Thirty years ago, New York Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan a Harvard professor I should note described societys growing tolerance for illicit behavior as defining deviancy down.Today, we face the same problem only the bad behavior is not on city streets but in the halls of power in Washington. And as our political culture degenerates, so does our ability to address all the big challenges that we face.Now, the good news is there is a solution. In fact, I believe that the solution to our political problems is also the solution to our economic problems. And I can sum it up in one word integrity.In Econ 101, you were probably taught that markets are based on supply and demand. But for capitalism to really function, people need to have faith that they will be entering into generally fair exchanges that one side wont cheat on the other.Of course, not every person can be trusted to act with integrity, so we do have laws and regulations that are intended to guarantee it. Those legal controls dont always work and periodically, we do need to update them.For example, a century ago, Teddy Roosevelt took on the largest corporations that were destroying competition. Twenty fiv e years later, Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal provided relief from a Great Depression that some thought would lead to the downfall of capitalism.For their leadership, T.R. and F.D.R. were reviled by many in the business world and considered traitors to their class. But their actions preserved the integrity of markets by restoring peoples faith in them.Now, Im as much of a capitalist as you will ever find, but anyone who believes that unfettered capitalism works hasnt read history.Today, we hear echoes of the challenges the Roosevelts faced. Industry consolidation has reached record levels, and is suppressing competition and choice. And more and more Americans especially in your generation are questioning whether capitalism is capable of creating a just society. Their faith in America and all that we represent is being shaken.If we do not act to restore it, the turmoil in our politics today will be only a prelude of whats to come, and that could shake the very foundations of o ur society.Graduates, we cannot allow those issues to fester. We must address them now. We must find new ways to build a capitalist society that is more dynamic and more secure, more affluent and more equal.So think of this as your next case study. And its the ultimate case study for our country, because its based on the ultimate question how do we restore faith in the promise of America and the future of the American dream?There are no silver bullets, but I believe all of you have a critical role to play. So let me offer you a few ideas on how you can help lead the way.First, start with yourself. Wherever your career leads you, be honest with your colleagues, clients and contractors. Dont ever try to take advantage of them. Dont hesitate to speak up when someone else does.Public faith in private markets rests on individual actions. Billy Salomon understood that. And I hope you will seek out organizations that are led by people who understand it, as well.Second, when applying for a job, align yourself with companies that are engaged in philanthropy. I tell job applicants all the time, if you want the fruits of your labor the companys profits spent on education, public health, the arts, government innovation, and the environment, come to work at Bloomberg. If thats not what you want, youre not the right person for us.Philanthropy gives us a competitive advantage, we think, in recruiting and retaining talent. And I can tell you from personal experience it is also good for the bottom line, as good a thing a company can do.Third, give back on your own and dont wait. Ill never forget watching my father write a check for 50 bucks to the NAACP which was a lot of money for us when I was a kid. I asked him, Daddy, why? And he said, Because discrimination against anyone is a threat to everyone.And I can just tell you after 50-plus years in business and government, people have a hell of a lot more respect for those who make a difference in society than they do for peo ple who just make money. And the networks that you will make through philanthropy will open up lots of new opportunities for your career.Gordon Gekko was wrong greed aint good.All of you have spent two years studying how to run and manage organizations. There are so many groups that could benefit from your expertise. So volunteer, serve, go into government. Just remember the difference between business and government business is a dog-eat-dog world. And government is exactly the reverse. So you can do it.Fourth, if and when you end up in an executive position, dont make one of the fundamental mistakes that I see businesses and boards make all the time under-valuing their labor force, and over-compensating their CEOs.Management often treats workers like widgets which theyre not. And boards treat CEOs like irreplaceable geniuses, which they rarely are.At Bloomberg, we pay employees very well, we invest in their training and education, and we offer industry-leading benefits. In return , our employees pay us back ten-fold with their dedication and loyalty.Doing right by your employees pays. It really does. And there is no better way to strengthen capitalism than to give people a greater stake in its success.Fifth and finally, never self-deal. Ever. And avoid even the slightest perception of a conflict of interest.After I was elected mayor, I decided to refuse a $15 million city tax break that Bloomberg had already qualified for. And I waived the fees for the Bloomberg Terminals that the city agencies had under contract. And I certainly never charged taxpayers $300,000 in golf cart fees for my security team. I wouldve thought Wharton would teach its students not to do that, but who knew?But really, your reputation is everything. Dont sell it or trade it for anything.Finally, after following all of these principles, insist on no less from the people who ask for the most precious commodity you will ever own, and that is your vote.Elect people who understand that its their obligation to make capitalism work for everyone, and not be so naive to think other systems will be better. That means picking up where Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt left off, and modernizing capitalism for our time.America must always be a place where its possible to get rich through perspiration and innovation. But it must never be a place where the middle class steadily loses ground and where many of those feel trapped at the bottom.Unfortunately, that is the path we are on. And the further we go down that path, the more likely that the most extreme voices on both the left and right will attract large followings, win power, and do real harm to our country.Now, Im an optimist, and we will change direction I think, partly because of how business leaders are already taking on one of the biggest challenges that we face climate change.Today, Im glad to announce that HBS will hold an alumni conference next year, on investing in the age of climate change with Bloomberg Philanthropies support. Its another example of where doing right and doing good are aligned.Investors are demanding that businesses disclose the climate risks they face because it affects their bottom line. Ive helped spearhead a push for more transparency, through the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. And next year here at HBS, we will bring government and business leaders together to discuss how we can harness the power of the market to protect the environment.Market forces are among the most powerful tools in the world. But whether its climate change, or income inequality, or gun violence, or any other issue, those forces must be guided by ethical leaders, or else the markets invisible hand can turn into a clenched fist.And when societys most defenseless take it on the chin, I can promise you they will fight back with unpredictable consequences and demand a better deal, as they should.Graduates, restoring the faith that Americans have been losing in our econo mic and political systems is a big job. If you wont lead it, who will?Youve been fortunate to spend two years on this pristine campus where even the squirrels seem to have come from the spa. But as you know, the real world can be dirty, unfair, and unjust, unless you insist otherwise. And capitalism can run amok, unless you steer it back on course.As graduates of the Harvard Business School you have the ability to help our nation do all of that and much more and I sincerely hope that you will.So tonight, have one last Scorpion Bowl, and tomorrow start helping to restore and renew our national sense of integrity.Our country needs you, and you can do it.Congratulations and best of luck.You might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

6 quirky holiday gifts that inspire greatness in the new year

6 quirky holiday gifts that inspire greatness in the new year6 quirky holiday gifts that inspire greatness in the new yearAs the Santas in your life begin to request your wish list for the season, you may come up blank on the items you need, versus the ones you want. Hey, its great that youre lucky enough to have most of the material goods you need to lead a happy, successful, and fulfilling life.But guess what? Its also okay to crave some gifts under the tree, in your stocking, or next to the dreidel that have the sole purpose of inspiring you.Even for professionals who are generally ga-ga over getting up and going to work every single day, career funks are bound to happen. Thats why small, seemingly insignificant paperweights, notebooks, sweatshirts, and other kitschy gifts can actually make a difference when you need a pick-me-up.Here, seven gifts to motivate you to greatness, no afternoon Starbucks requiredFor trailblazing new pathsInstead of looking at a missed deadline, a meeti ng gone awry, or a failed business transaction as a failure, consider the setback as an opportunity to push and work harder, no matter how many times you have overcome a limitation. For the nasty female who sometimes needs a reminder of her end glass-ceiling smashing goal, this paperweight will do the trick.Shattered Glass Ceiling Paperweight, $48For looking ahead - not backwardHad the best year ever? Congrats. Feast your eyes the next lap around the sun as an even brighter ride. Though a physical monthly planner might seem circa-2000 to you, many studies have found the vast impact writing has on making commitments stick. As you pencil in appointments, interviews, meetings and ideas, dont skip over the inspirational quotes that are meant to motivate you to reach a new level of creativity and productivity.Rifle Paper Co. 2018 Lively Floral 17-Month Planner, $34For when you need four alarms to get out of bedAs much as youd like to be a morning person, any sort of alertness at dawn is long gone from your genes. Though you might totentotenstill need at least a few cups of coffee to make it to a 7 a.m. sales call (we feel you), this robe will at the very least, have you smiling from the time you put your feet on the ground. Plush and cozy, this unisex white wonder says it all you certainly didnt wake up to be mediocre, so go get em.Didnt Wake Up to Be Mediocre, $95For managers who always get interruptedWhen was the last time you were able to sit through an entire hour at your desk, without someone pinging you for just a sec. Managers especially are susceptible to interludes, when an employee needs to mull over something, ask you a question or not-so-subtly seek your praise. Luckily you dont have to sigh and struggle through cold coffee anymore with this ceramic mug thats the first of its kind. Much like those special plates for steak, this mug utilizes heating technology to keep your Joe at the temperature of your choice for hours.Ember Ceramic Mug, $80For wanderl usting when you need itAs anyone who has traveled knows, there are certain moments when you wander off the guidebooks and the top-10 lists and discover a patch of land and a community of people who take your breath away. Because being outside of your normal routine inspires more sunset and sunrise watching, and exploring, those Instagram from your travels can bring you back to a time when you truly felt inspired. Use this service to turn those treasured snaps into canvas for your office, making for both fodder and the chance to tell some of your favorite stories over and over again.CanvasPop, starting at $29For ridding of schwimmbad energiesMuch like any other facet of your life, professional growth has (totally normal) ebbs and flows. If the past year felt like crashing-and-burning on repeat, you want to go into the next 12 months with a refreshed attitude. Sustainably cultivated wood from South America is often referred to as Palo Alto and this set allows you to set fire to the ba d energy of the past. Since Palo Alto means holy wood - its smoke is considered powerful enough to ward off bad energy, calm and clean your body and mind, and of course, bring good fortune to those who light it.Skeem Design Palo Santo, $20For trying to do it allIf you recently became a new mom, you might be struggling to balance board meetings, breastfeeding, and ahem, breathing? As both a special and stressful period in your career and life, a reminder that you can - and are - doing just fine is always welcomed. This t-shirt is great when paired with jeans and some heels, or worn on its own at home with a message thats clear Sure youre a mom now, but hey, youre still a boss, too.Wife, Mom, Boss Tee, $28