Chief of staff Quote by Sheryl Sandberg
““He (John Steiner, former chief of staff in Treasury Department) told me to figure out what I wanted to do before I went to see the people who had the ability to hire me. That way I would not waste my one shot seeking general guidance, but would be able to discuss specific opportunities that they could offer. (p.69)””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Sheryl Sandberg, 2015, on career planning
Prepare a clear personal goal before seeking mentors to make the most of limited opportunities.
In simple terms: Know what you want before asking for help.
Key Takeaway
Define goals before networking.
Themes
career
mentorship
goal‑setting
strategy
Mood
determined
pragmatic
Type
advice
professional
When to use this quote
- job interview
- career change
- networking event
Key Concepts
self‑awareness
preparation
Questions to Reflect On
- What is your one‑shot career goal?
- How can you clarify it?
A Different Perspective
If goals are vague, guidance may remain generic.
![“[Eric Schmidt] explained that only one criterion that mattered when picking a job- fat growth. When companies grow quickly, there are more things to do than there are people to do them. When companies grow more slowly or stop growing, there is less to do and too many people to not be doing them…” quote by Sheryl Sandberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/23b/sheryl-sandberg-439_feminism_eric-schmidt-explained-that-only-one-cri_16526.jpg)
