75. Why Rejection is the SECRET to Career Success with Emily L. Foley

REJECTION —  SECRETS OF THE CAREER GAME — EPISODE 75

Emily L. Foley knows what it’s like to hear ‘no’—but she never let it stop her. Before she became a TV personality, freelance writer and an expert in beauty and fashion journalism, Emily sent out cold pitches, built relationships, and faced rejection head-on.

In this episode, Kendall Berg sits down with Emily to discuss how she went from zero connections to a thriving career in media. She reveals the power of persistence, why rejection is critical for success, and how to use cold pitching and networking to open doors in competitive industries. If you’re struggling to break into journalism, content creation, or personal branding, this episode is packed with insider career advice to help you move forward.

In this episode, we discuss:

🔹 How can you break into media without connections? (cold pitching, freelance writing, journalism career)
🔹 What’s the best way to handle rejection when applying for jobs? (turning rejection into success, career pivot)
🔹 How did Emily Foley get published in Vogue with no prior experience? (how to get published, media industry)
🔹 Why is relationship-building essential in competitive industries? (networking, career advancement strategies)
🔹 What’s the secret to staying ahead in beauty and fashion journalism? (content creation for journalists, trending careers in media)

Watch on YouTube

Key Takeaways

Emily Foley’s Career Journey (00:00 – 11:01)

• Emily graduated high school early and chose political science as her major
• Pursued public and political communication, with a minor in public relations
• Initially wanted to be a speechwriter but realized she disliked politics
• Started as a nanny while building her freelance writing career
• Cold-pitched to various publications, including Vogue
• Worked as an editor at a modern luxury publication

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Overcoming Rejection and Building Success (11:01 – 19:52)

• They emphasized the importance of hard work and saying yes to opportunities
• Discussed the value of cold pitching and learning from rejections
• Shared her experience transitioning from writing to TV appearances
• Highlighted the importance of helping others and maintaining a supportive network

Social Media and Journalism (19:52 – 30:36)

• Discussed the integral role of social media in modern journalism
• Emphasized the need for journalists to have a social media presence
• Shared her experience covering red carpet events on social media
• Highlighted the shift towards expert voices in beauty and fashion content

Staying Ahead of Trends (30:36 – 37:36)

• Emily discussed her background as a beauty editor and its benefits
• Emphasized the importance of having a foundation of expert knowledge
• Shared her approach to staying unique and ahead of trends
• Advised aspiring creatives to take action and start creating content

That Career Coach

Want to know more about Kendal Berg, that career coach?

Follow her on Instagram: @thatcareercoach_

Check out her courses on the website: https://thatcareercoach.net/

Build out the tools you need to navigate the corporate game: — Self Driven Mastermind

Emily L. Foley is a multi-platform journalist, TV personality, trend expert and social media correspondent. A former magazine editor, her writing has appeared in publications such as Allure, Marie Claire, Glamour, US Weekly and Instyle.com, and she specializes in beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment topics.

Foley breaks down the latest beauty and fashion trends as a trend expert on television shows nationwide and is a brand representative on QVC. 

Foley also covers red carpets and entertainment events and serves as the Social Media Correspondent for Cosmoprof North America, the largest B2B beauty event in the Americas.

Website: https://emilylfoley.com/

Instagram: @EMILYLFOLEY