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Leave Your Mark
Aliza Licht is a social media superstar. A global fashion communications executive, she is the voice behind the wildly popular @DKNY PR GIRL twitter feed that now boasts over half a million followers. Known for her chatty and intimate tone, she has also become beloved for her top-notch career advice and her enthusiasm for mentoring. Thousands of online conversations have led to many a coffee, mentoring strangers. But who can have coffee with everyone who asks? LEAVE YOUR MARK is her way of grabbing that coffee.
Now, in her first book, Aliza is here to tell her story, complete with The Devil Wears Prada-esque moments and insider secrets. Drawing invaluable lessons from her experience as a top fashion publicist, Licht shares advice, inspiration, and a healthy dose of real talk in LEAVE YOUR MARK. She delivers personal and professional guidance for people just starting their careers (“ ‘To Whom It May Concern’ never concerns anyone”) and for people who are well on their way (“Don’t just learn your job, learn everyone else’s”). With a particular emphasis on communicating and building your personal brand, something she knows a thing or two about, Aliza is your sassy, knowledgeable guide to the contemporary working world, where personal and professional lines are blurred and the most important thing you can have is a strong sense of self.
PRAISE FOR LEAVE YOUR MARK AND ALIZA LICHT AKA @DKNY PR GIRL:
"I can't think of a better mentor to help get you going at work and in life. Read it, be inspired- then go out and own your passion."
– From the foreword by Donna Karan
"Aliza was one of the first people in the fashion industry to embrace the potential of social media and the importance of engaging with followers and, in so doing, changed what it means to work in public relations. Any professional who wants to be powerful, yet accessible, with a voice that is authentic, unique and engaging, should follow her lead.”
- Nina Garcia, Creative Director of Marie Claire and Project Runway Judge
"With this book, Aliza teaches you to smoke the competition with grace and honesty, excel in your career with wit and hard work, and be an overall kinder and more thoughtful human. If you want the job of your dreams, read this book."
-Stacy London, TV Personality & Style Expert
“Aliza Licht is a pioneering PR maven, a powerhouse of perfection, a commander of communication, a fierce fashion woman and now an awesome author …LEAVE YOUR MARK will help you do more than that - it is an indispensable guide to success and celebration of the self. Learn the rules then go ahead and break them!!"
- Kelly Cutrone, New York Times Best Selling Author of IF YOU HAVE TO CRY GO OUTSIDE
"Smart, savvy and sophisticated, LEAVE YOUR MARK is the new professional must-have. No matter what industry you work in, Aliza's insider tips from career to personal branding, will help you make your mark and then leave it!"
-Joe Zee, Editor in Chief of Yahoo Style
“Sassy, classy, and smart, LEAVE YOUR MARK is more than just a juicy look behind the laptop of DKNY's PR genius, Aliza Licht; it's also a best friend in book form, the kind who'll tell you what you need to hear rather than just what you want to hear.
–Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, creators of GoFugYourself.com and the authors of THE ROYAL WE
Now, in her first book, Aliza is here to tell her story, complete with The Devil Wears Prada-esque moments and insider secrets. Drawing invaluable lessons from her experience as a top fashion publicist, Licht shares advice, inspiration, and a healthy dose of real talk in LEAVE YOUR MARK. She delivers personal and professional guidance for people just starting their careers (“ ‘To Whom It May Concern’ never concerns anyone”) and for people who are well on their way (“Don’t just learn your job, learn everyone else’s”). With a particular emphasis on communicating and building your personal brand, something she knows a thing or two about, Aliza is your sassy, knowledgeable guide to the contemporary working world, where personal and professional lines are blurred and the most important thing you can have is a strong sense of self.
PRAISE FOR LEAVE YOUR MARK AND ALIZA LICHT AKA @DKNY PR GIRL:
"I can't think of a better mentor to help get you going at work and in life. Read it, be inspired- then go out and own your passion."
– From the foreword by Donna Karan
"Aliza was one of the first people in the fashion industry to embrace the potential of social media and the importance of engaging with followers and, in so doing, changed what it means to work in public relations. Any professional who wants to be powerful, yet accessible, with a voice that is authentic, unique and engaging, should follow her lead.”
- Nina Garcia, Creative Director of Marie Claire and Project Runway Judge
"With this book, Aliza teaches you to smoke the competition with grace and honesty, excel in your career with wit and hard work, and be an overall kinder and more thoughtful human. If you want the job of your dreams, read this book."
-Stacy London, TV Personality & Style Expert
“Aliza Licht is a pioneering PR maven, a powerhouse of perfection, a commander of communication, a fierce fashion woman and now an awesome author …LEAVE YOUR MARK will help you do more than that - it is an indispensable guide to success and celebration of the self. Learn the rules then go ahead and break them!!"
- Kelly Cutrone, New York Times Best Selling Author of IF YOU HAVE TO CRY GO OUTSIDE
"Smart, savvy and sophisticated, LEAVE YOUR MARK is the new professional must-have. No matter what industry you work in, Aliza's insider tips from career to personal branding, will help you make your mark and then leave it!"
-Joe Zee, Editor in Chief of Yahoo Style
“Sassy, classy, and smart, LEAVE YOUR MARK is more than just a juicy look behind the laptop of DKNY's PR genius, Aliza Licht; it's also a best friend in book form, the kind who'll tell you what you need to hear rather than just what you want to hear.
–Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan, creators of GoFugYourself.com and the authors of THE ROYAL WE
259 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2015
218 people are currently reading
7835 people want to read
About the author
Aliza Licht
5 books102 followersALIZA LICHT is an award-winning marketer, bestselling author, podcaster, personal branding expert, and the founder of LEAVE YOUR MARK, a multimedia brand and consultancy. She advises businesses and mentors individuals on brand building and career development. Licht leverages over two decades of expertise in marketing, communications, and digital strategy in the fashion industry. She was formerly known as the anonymous social media phenomenon DKNY PR GIRL, an award-winning personality and pioneer fashion influencer with over 1.5M fans worldwide. Her reveal generated over 230M media impressions.
Licht’s first book, Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. has been described as “a mentorship in 288 pages.” It has ranked on Book Authority’s “100 Best Career Development Books of All Time” every year, has been translated into multiple languages, and is required reading for many communications majors in U.S. universities.
Her weekly podcast, LEAVE YOUR MARK, delivers essential advice and inspiration. Named one of “America’s Next Top Mentors” by The New York Times, Licht is a sought-after consultant for brand clients as well as a members-only career coach, mentoring people on how to shape and amplify their personal brands to drive success.
Licht has been featured in global media, including the Wall Street Journal, as one of TIME’s “Six Women Who Rule the Fashion World” and New York Daily News’s “Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York.” Licht also sits on several industry boards, including the American Influencer Council.
Business Insider named Licht one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Career Coaches,” and she offers motivational keynotes about the importance of building your personal brand in a world where personal and professional lines are blurred and how you position yourself can determine the opportunities presented to you or handed to someone else.
In demand for events with groups like LinkedIn, TEDx, SXSW, Salesforce, Facebook, and more, Licht shares her empowering message: the most important thing you can have is a strong sense of self. Her upcoming book, ON BRAND: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception will be published on April 18, 2023, by Union Square & Co.
Licht’s first book, Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media. has been described as “a mentorship in 288 pages.” It has ranked on Book Authority’s “100 Best Career Development Books of All Time” every year, has been translated into multiple languages, and is required reading for many communications majors in U.S. universities.
Her weekly podcast, LEAVE YOUR MARK, delivers essential advice and inspiration. Named one of “America’s Next Top Mentors” by The New York Times, Licht is a sought-after consultant for brand clients as well as a members-only career coach, mentoring people on how to shape and amplify their personal brands to drive success.
Licht has been featured in global media, including the Wall Street Journal, as one of TIME’s “Six Women Who Rule the Fashion World” and New York Daily News’s “Top 50 Most Powerful Women in New York.” Licht also sits on several industry boards, including the American Influencer Council.
Business Insider named Licht one of the “Top 20 Most Innovative Career Coaches,” and she offers motivational keynotes about the importance of building your personal brand in a world where personal and professional lines are blurred and how you position yourself can determine the opportunities presented to you or handed to someone else.
In demand for events with groups like LinkedIn, TEDx, SXSW, Salesforce, Facebook, and more, Licht shares her empowering message: the most important thing you can have is a strong sense of self. Her upcoming book, ON BRAND: Shape Your Narrative. Share Your Vision. Shift Their Perception will be published on April 18, 2023, by Union Square & Co.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
May 9, 2019
Lots of valuable insight, but most I just couldn't relate to being that I don't work in a corporate office. Due to this, I found myself trying to zip through pages just to get to more tangible pieces of the book.
Author had a great voice and was the perfect balance of upfront and humorous.
Author had a great voice and was the perfect balance of upfront and humorous.
June 10, 2015
Before reading this book, I thought it would:
1. Be suitable only for female readers.
2. Be applicable only in fashion industry, and
3. Be full of it's-all-about-me stories.
And, here are what I found.
1. This book is apparently suitable for both male and female readers, despite its girly cover. Aliza's sassy writing style is very likable, making this a hard-to-put-down book. I thought she would talk a lot about women just like other recent bestselling business books written by females; but until the last chapter, I evaluate that her advices are practicable to anybody regardless of gender.
2. Though Aliza works in fashion companies and the stories she shares in this book are of her experience as a fashion figure, the advices (she calls it 'INSIDER TIPS') can actually work in any type of business field. She talks a lot about personal branding, public relations, and social media management, and surprisingly, these are the skills one needs to have when he/she lands a job.
3. Yes, Aliza talks quite a lot about herself, but there's something that makes her different with other self-absorbed and overly-proud authors. She gives explicit lessons for every personal story she tells, and even though some lessons are common sense, at least it shows her consistency in helping to mentor people through her book.
4. Aliza seems to have a likable personality. She is intelligent, witty, friendly, and she writes incredibly well. I recently watched her TEDx video and she's proven that she's such an excellent PR most fashion companies wish to hire. I also tweeted to her telling I was currently reading this book, and (ta-dah!) she favorited it and replied with a humble tweet.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and yes, this book just left its mark!
1. Be suitable only for female readers.
2. Be applicable only in fashion industry, and
3. Be full of it's-all-about-me stories.
And, here are what I found.
1. This book is apparently suitable for both male and female readers, despite its girly cover. Aliza's sassy writing style is very likable, making this a hard-to-put-down book. I thought she would talk a lot about women just like other recent bestselling business books written by females; but until the last chapter, I evaluate that her advices are practicable to anybody regardless of gender.
2. Though Aliza works in fashion companies and the stories she shares in this book are of her experience as a fashion figure, the advices (she calls it 'INSIDER TIPS') can actually work in any type of business field. She talks a lot about personal branding, public relations, and social media management, and surprisingly, these are the skills one needs to have when he/she lands a job.
3. Yes, Aliza talks quite a lot about herself, but there's something that makes her different with other self-absorbed and overly-proud authors. She gives explicit lessons for every personal story she tells, and even though some lessons are common sense, at least it shows her consistency in helping to mentor people through her book.
4. Aliza seems to have a likable personality. She is intelligent, witty, friendly, and she writes incredibly well. I recently watched her TEDx video and she's proven that she's such an excellent PR most fashion companies wish to hire. I also tweeted to her telling I was currently reading this book, and (ta-dah!) she favorited it and replied with a humble tweet.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and yes, this book just left its mark!
March 27, 2015
Exactly what I needed to read right now.
Just what the doctor ordered.
For everyone.
But most importantly, for everyone who wants to make it in their career. Everyone who needs a bit of inspiration and motivation, who needs a change, doesn't know where to go next, gets lost in the every day routine of work-run errands-solve problems-eat-sleep-repeat etc. Life should be more than that. And there's nothing like the power of example!
Just keep pushing the limits of what you think you can handle or what you think is possible and learn something new ALL. THE. TIME. Remember that change shouldn’t be comfortable, and if it is, it’s not change
(...)
Your career growth may not always move at the speed of your social media timeline and you may even get passed over for that promotion. But patience is a virtue and nothing is more important than dedication and perseverance. You can’t quit when the going gets tough and you can’t whine when the tough drags on. You are the star of your own show, but don’t expect the red carpet treatment. You have to do the time and you have to pay the dues. It will all be worth it. I promise.
Just what the doctor ordered.
For everyone.
But most importantly, for everyone who wants to make it in their career. Everyone who needs a bit of inspiration and motivation, who needs a change, doesn't know where to go next, gets lost in the every day routine of work-run errands-solve problems-eat-sleep-repeat etc. Life should be more than that. And there's nothing like the power of example!
Just keep pushing the limits of what you think you can handle or what you think is possible and learn something new ALL. THE. TIME. Remember that change shouldn’t be comfortable, and if it is, it’s not change
(...)
Your career growth may not always move at the speed of your social media timeline and you may even get passed over for that promotion. But patience is a virtue and nothing is more important than dedication and perseverance. You can’t quit when the going gets tough and you can’t whine when the tough drags on. You are the star of your own show, but don’t expect the red carpet treatment. You have to do the time and you have to pay the dues. It will all be worth it. I promise.
February 17, 2016
meh if someone needs to tell you to not use 'textspeak' in an advice book you probably need more help than an advice book
December 21, 2015
Okay. This book is like a go-to read for anyone who works in, well, any line of work except indie writer lol. You get really clear and easy-to-follow advice on how to land internships/jobs/ raises/ etc. I mean if you ever need to write a resume or respond to a professional email- this is your book.
That being said, I picked it up because of the "rock social media" aspect, wanting to expand my reach. This, though, was the weakest part of the book in my opinion. Yes, Aliza Licht is a social media phenom (and one of the first of her kind)... but she doesn't have too much to offer in advice on HOW to make that happen for the rest of us.
Still- definitely a book I would recommend.
That being said, I picked it up because of the "rock social media" aspect, wanting to expand my reach. This, though, was the weakest part of the book in my opinion. Yes, Aliza Licht is a social media phenom (and one of the first of her kind)... but she doesn't have too much to offer in advice on HOW to make that happen for the rest of us.
Still- definitely a book I would recommend.
March 19, 2016
Todo iba bien hasta el cierre... súper chafa y apresurado en el sentido de todos los secretos revelados para hacer de tu persona tu propia marca, es imposible no sentirte inspirado por las palabras y la experiencia de la autora.
Pero cerrar/concluir con el ejemplo de Malala, que aclaro no tengo nada en contra de ella, me decepcionó, esperaba más profundidad, algo que me dijera ¡LEVÁNTATE Y HAZLO REALIDAD!
No sé, me quedo sólo con las primeras 260 páginas del libro...
Pero cerrar/concluir con el ejemplo de Malala, que aclaro no tengo nada en contra de ella, me decepcionó, esperaba más profundidad, algo que me dijera ¡LEVÁNTATE Y HAZLO REALIDAD!
No sé, me quedo sólo con las primeras 260 páginas del libro...
August 3, 2016
My review of this book has more to do with where I'm currently at at the time of reading it than the actual book itself. I remember being starry eyed about the world of fashion journalism and PR in my youth and really admire everything that Aliza Licht has done in her career. That being said, her voice is a bit harsh and cold at times and there's nothing in the book that isn't said in the classroom (I think we all know not to spell the name of the person we are pitching wrong.) It's always so hard for me to give a 2 star review but I had a really hard time getting through this one and connecting with anything along the way. It made me feel more confident in my current path of self-employment.
May 16, 2024
Hannah recommended I read this 😀 This was actually chalk full of good info. I own it, so I intend to revisit. No matter where you are in your career, I believe you could benefit from Licht’s advice. Licht works in PR/Fashion but I still found her antidotes applicable to my job in medical.
July 3, 2017
This was pretty informative but even though it's only 2 years old I feel like the social media aspect of it is outdated already. This was more about how to social climb in an office setting than using social media to build an independent brand. A little bummed but I really enjoyed Aliza's writing style and the format of this book!
May 7, 2015
Ever since I heard that Aliza Licht (DKNY PR Girl) was writing a book I’ve been patiently waiting for it's release and the wait was so worth it! This has been one of the best books about career advice, branding, social media, PR & communications & professional etiquette all rolled into one. I’ve never read a book like this. I was absolutely amazed at how much a senior VP of a multi-million dollar brand like Donna Karan was willing to spill about how she landed her career and all the hard work it took to get there. Some of her stories seemed like they were taken from deleted footage from “The Devil Wears Prada” .. the fashion word is insane! But Aliza had no fear when it came to her career goals. She was confident, smart, and always careful.
This book is for anyone wanting more out of their career. This book had some of the best "insider tips" that really made me think about doing things differently and better not only in my career but in social media as well. I also liked how Aliza didn't just talk about her long list of accomplishments, she talked about her mistakes and fears. I would have never guessed that she suffered from a speech impediment when she was younger considering her TEDTalk from 2013 was flawless. She also talked about the times she felt like a complete failure which I guess we all do at some point in our careers. I really appreciated her honesty in this book, it made me and I'm sure hundreds of others relate her. She seems like she genuinely cares to help others become successful and you don't get that feeling with other career books, it was very inspirational. She wrote this book in a way that made me feel like I was hearing from someone that I've known for years who wanted to actually cares to mentor me.
Thank you Aliza for writing this! And congrats on all of your success and success to come!
This book is for anyone wanting more out of their career. This book had some of the best "insider tips" that really made me think about doing things differently and better not only in my career but in social media as well. I also liked how Aliza didn't just talk about her long list of accomplishments, she talked about her mistakes and fears. I would have never guessed that she suffered from a speech impediment when she was younger considering her TEDTalk from 2013 was flawless. She also talked about the times she felt like a complete failure which I guess we all do at some point in our careers. I really appreciated her honesty in this book, it made me and I'm sure hundreds of others relate her. She seems like she genuinely cares to help others become successful and you don't get that feeling with other career books, it was very inspirational. She wrote this book in a way that made me feel like I was hearing from someone that I've known for years who wanted to actually cares to mentor me.
Thank you Aliza for writing this! And congrats on all of your success and success to come!
August 31, 2020
Oh man. Where to start. This book was published in 2015, which surprised me because that feels relatively recent, and yet the ideas in this book are ancient and out of date. Itt sounded like it was written by a Gen X or Baby Boomer talking to their assumption of who Millenials are. Which I suppose is exactly what this book is.
I read once that Gen Z hate Millenials, because we didn't make enough waves. And I would point the Gen Z-ers to this book - not because it's good advice, but because it's a perfect example of the type of bullshit we were fed growing up. "Bust your ass, work 24 hours a day, be available all the time, but don't expect to make any money, just be happy you're there! Do all the work so everyone loves you, but know your place. Stop feeling so entitled. It's going to be a slog. It'll be worth it, but don't expect promotions or anything actually helpful to your career. Kill yourself for the job. Take the pittance you're given, fall in line, and be happy with it." Woof. No, thank you.
Perhaps the fashion industry and working in New York felt very much like this book describes - back-stabbing, cut-throat, and full of judgment. And maybe this book is still good advice if you are living and working in New York - I'll never know. Thankfully my career has not happened the way the author describes; if it did, I might have left corporate America long ago. The author's advice for how to "kill it in your career" would also kill me, and therefore I will have to pass.
I have reamed this book so far, so if you're still with me, here's one positive note: There are a few (very few) nuggets of wisdom in here that I found helpful. But it was not worth having to swim through all the bullshit to get to them. There are plenty of business books out there - choose something more worth your time.
I read once that Gen Z hate Millenials, because we didn't make enough waves. And I would point the Gen Z-ers to this book - not because it's good advice, but because it's a perfect example of the type of bullshit we were fed growing up. "Bust your ass, work 24 hours a day, be available all the time, but don't expect to make any money, just be happy you're there! Do all the work so everyone loves you, but know your place. Stop feeling so entitled. It's going to be a slog. It'll be worth it, but don't expect promotions or anything actually helpful to your career. Kill yourself for the job. Take the pittance you're given, fall in line, and be happy with it." Woof. No, thank you.
Perhaps the fashion industry and working in New York felt very much like this book describes - back-stabbing, cut-throat, and full of judgment. And maybe this book is still good advice if you are living and working in New York - I'll never know. Thankfully my career has not happened the way the author describes; if it did, I might have left corporate America long ago. The author's advice for how to "kill it in your career" would also kill me, and therefore I will have to pass.
I have reamed this book so far, so if you're still with me, here's one positive note: There are a few (very few) nuggets of wisdom in here that I found helpful. But it was not worth having to swim through all the bullshit to get to them. There are plenty of business books out there - choose something more worth your time.
January 17, 2025
i still don't know how exactly i've come to this book but i'm glad i did.
this self-biography narrates on Aliza Lichts's beginnings at fashion industry (her dream path) and how she made it with no experience, coming from studying the wrong career for her and realising years later.
eventhough i'm not into fashion, and it's not my road, i still found this book completely interesting and inspiring.
Aliza basically teach us the do's and dont's of industry, how to talk in business, how to find your path and rock it, and so much more.
Again, i found her whole experience super inspiring and was also very entertained by it (she is hilarious).
i totally recommend you to read it if you follow her online persona or is just looking for some career advice and maybe even orientation.
beware: this book will leave you feeling super empowered.
this self-biography narrates on Aliza Lichts's beginnings at fashion industry (her dream path) and how she made it with no experience, coming from studying the wrong career for her and realising years later.
eventhough i'm not into fashion, and it's not my road, i still found this book completely interesting and inspiring.
Aliza basically teach us the do's and dont's of industry, how to talk in business, how to find your path and rock it, and so much more.
Again, i found her whole experience super inspiring and was also very entertained by it (she is hilarious).
i totally recommend you to read it if you follow her online persona or is just looking for some career advice and maybe even orientation.
beware: this book will leave you feeling super empowered.
October 9, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. Some of it was news to me (I've been out of the traditional work force way too long). Working or not her advice applies to all communications whether paid or volunteer. Social media rules apply to us all. I am setting this aside for the kids who will need it soon enough.
Read
June 12, 2020کتاب ساده و خوبیه از تجربیات خود آلیزا لیخت در مقام مدیر روابط عمومی برند دی کی اند وای.
با این که چنان سازمان ها و چنین انعطاف سازمانی ای تو ایران وجود نداره اما پیشنهاد های خوبی داشت در مورد مصاحبه های استخدامی و پیشرفت کاری.
فایل انگلیسی کتاب رایگان برای دانلود در دسترسه.
با این که چنان سازمان ها و چنین انعطاف سازمانی ای تو ایران وجود نداره اما پیشنهاد های خوبی داشت در مورد مصاحبه های استخدامی و پیشرفت کاری.
فایل انگلیسی کتاب رایگان برای دانلود در دسترسه.
June 1, 2015
I don't typically enjoy myself when reading a business book, but Aliza Licht's Leave Your Mark was so much fun that I read the whole thing in the space of an afternoon. There were times that Aliza's writing had me laughing out loud and times when I was cringing in sympathy, all while taking in invaluable career advice.
The whole tone of Leave Your Mark is what makes it so relatable and easy to read. You feel like you're sitting down with Aliza for a coffee and some conversation. Leave Your Mark is like having a mentor in a book, one that is fully capable of speaking to you across many career paths and positions.
Leave Your Mark is the best career book that I've read in a long time, and definitely one that I'll be reading again! Aliza has put so much wisdom, advice, and practical tips into Leave Your Mark that there's no way to absorb all that she offers in your first reading. You'll enjoy this career book even if you never browse the business section.
The whole tone of Leave Your Mark is what makes it so relatable and easy to read. You feel like you're sitting down with Aliza for a coffee and some conversation. Leave Your Mark is like having a mentor in a book, one that is fully capable of speaking to you across many career paths and positions.
Leave Your Mark is the best career book that I've read in a long time, and definitely one that I'll be reading again! Aliza has put so much wisdom, advice, and practical tips into Leave Your Mark that there's no way to absorb all that she offers in your first reading. You'll enjoy this career book even if you never browse the business section.
September 6, 2015
I remember being not so crazy about this book because I thought it was a career book written by a 20 something. It's like someone in their 20s or 30s writing a memoir: it seems premature. Happy to report that I was wrong. The social media manager of DKNY is actually a PR Executive!!! Really great "Insider Tips" featured through the book. An excellent read with a younger person (I saw some of my early career mistakes that could have been avoided), but great ideas are in the book if you plan to start a blog, build a personal brand, manage and use social media for promotion. Highly recommended for people in PR/Communications roles but it's a good book for anybody trying to make their way in their desired field. Book is in four parts: Landing Your Dream Job, Killing It in Your Career, Rocking Social Media and Creating the Brand of You (My fave).
August 14, 2015
I honestly have to admit that I did not know about the famous DKNY PR GIRL twitter account before I found out about this book nor am I the biggest fashion geek. However I found myself throughly enjoying this book.
In a witty, sarcastic & incredibly sassy way Aliza does not only tell her inspiring story - she also shares various business tipps from how to write the perfect business mail to how to be socially savvy. Her story is incredibly inspiring and exactly what I needed to read right now.
Would recommend to
- every female aspiring to be a #careergirl
- everyone interested in social media
- everyone in need of some motivation
- lazy people that don't give a damn and need to see how it can be done :'D
In a witty, sarcastic & incredibly sassy way Aliza does not only tell her inspiring story - she also shares various business tipps from how to write the perfect business mail to how to be socially savvy. Her story is incredibly inspiring and exactly what I needed to read right now.
Would recommend to
- every female aspiring to be a #careergirl
- everyone interested in social media
- everyone in need of some motivation
- lazy people that don't give a damn and need to see how it can be done :'D
April 3, 2015
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC!*
A great guide to the contemporary working world. No matter which career you have, this book is for you! Even though some advices might seem a little obvious, a lot of people still make these mistakes. Sometimes we don't even notice them. It's always good to see the perspective of someone who knows both sides of the process. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Aliza!
A great guide to the contemporary working world. No matter which career you have, this book is for you! Even though some advices might seem a little obvious, a lot of people still make these mistakes. Sometimes we don't even notice them. It's always good to see the perspective of someone who knows both sides of the process. Thanks for sharing your experiences, Aliza!
January 24, 2016
I found the writing "voice" a little jarring and I think that this is probably aimed at people a bit younger than me, but I still found it really interesting. I was much more interested in reading anecdotes from her careers than the tips, but I still think it was a pretty cool book and other people might find it more useful than I did - maybe people wanting to get into fashion or a similar role, who are still studying or something.
April 5, 2016
¿Por qué no está el mundo entero leyendo este libro?
June 8, 2021
When was the last time you put off finishing a book because you weren't ready to say goodbye to your first reading of it? Yes, I said first reading. I've already priced out this book in hardcover because I want to go back through to highlight, tab, and annotate freely. I found Leave Your Mark completely accidentally (hallelujah for librarians who know who to tag items!) at the end of the academic school year. I don't know how many times I've discussed it already with different students and friends. The ensuing conversations have been wonderfully encouraging and useful for all of us.
Licht writes in what's described as a loud way; in someways, it sounds like she's still writing for Twitter snippets. But once I found my stride (around page 15), I found the writing style super helpful as it forced me to take the book in sections and savour it, allowing for reflection and meditation on everything discussed. And there is so much covered! I saw several comments on Amazon calling the book unprofessional, but I believe this book captures a more accurate glimpse of what people--even those of us in the workforce--need to know and remember about the world we're living in and how the idea of professionalism is completely different from even ten years ago. Social media savviness is critical in some way or fashion for everyone's job, even if it's your personal, private account.
The most impactful chapter for me came towards the end of the book. Licht asks how you the reader treat yourself; specifically, are you treating yourself like the high quality brand that you are? And I LOVED this spin on the "are you treating yourself with value" question! Because what is "value"? (no, honestly, my counseller sent that question home with me a couple weeks ago, and I still need answer). Comparing yourself to a luxury brand is a tangible standard which anyone can understand. And if the question makes you uncomfortable, good; it should.
Really quickly: A lot of people complain in reviews about the "career advice" sections being common sense/over taught already in school, but a friend complained last week about someone not being bothered to correctly spell her non-WASP name for a business-based job application. Everything that Licht touches on which seems obvious is touched on because she has seen it, most likely multiple times, and figures one more reminder isn't going to hurt. If anything, irritating people is going to help that much more.
Licht writes in what's described as a loud way; in someways, it sounds like she's still writing for Twitter snippets. But once I found my stride (around page 15), I found the writing style super helpful as it forced me to take the book in sections and savour it, allowing for reflection and meditation on everything discussed. And there is so much covered! I saw several comments on Amazon calling the book unprofessional, but I believe this book captures a more accurate glimpse of what people--even those of us in the workforce--need to know and remember about the world we're living in and how the idea of professionalism is completely different from even ten years ago. Social media savviness is critical in some way or fashion for everyone's job, even if it's your personal, private account.
The most impactful chapter for me came towards the end of the book. Licht asks how you the reader treat yourself; specifically, are you treating yourself like the high quality brand that you are? And I LOVED this spin on the "are you treating yourself with value" question! Because what is "value"? (no, honestly, my counseller sent that question home with me a couple weeks ago, and I still need answer). Comparing yourself to a luxury brand is a tangible standard which anyone can understand. And if the question makes you uncomfortable, good; it should.
Really quickly: A lot of people complain in reviews about the "career advice" sections being common sense/over taught already in school, but a friend complained last week about someone not being bothered to correctly spell her non-WASP name for a business-based job application. Everything that Licht touches on which seems obvious is touched on because she has seen it, most likely multiple times, and figures one more reminder isn't going to hurt. If anything, irritating people is going to help that much more.
November 4, 2019
Aliza Licht calls herself "your supportive career fairy with a pinch of sass" and I think that's the best way to sum up this book!
This career guide handled a lot of what I already knew, but expanded in detail things I hadn't thought about. "Leave Your Mark" is probably aimed more for high schoolers and first-year college students - there isn't a ton of nuance for those already in the biz of their first career move. I likely would have rated this 5 stars a few years ago, but I've gleaned a lot of similar information from other sources by now. That said, this book could be invaluable for those age groups in your life trying to figure out the next step. While centered around Aliza's path in fashion public relations, you definitely don't need to be on that career path to enjoy and learn from this book.
I will also say, this book probably has more hook if you knew DKNY PR GIRL in her social media heyday - for me, those "behind the scenes" chapters didn't do much.
A couple gems I've found to be true and essential:
• Do as much legwork on your own as you can before asking for help. It makes the help more effective and valuable, and 9 times out of 10, you'll get the answer on your own without having to bother your boss every time. You appear efficient and a self-starter.
• Make yourself irreplaceable. It's easier than you think, and SO worth the effort (reference letters and job recommendations for DAYZ!)
• Network - before you need it
• People will go out of their way to do business with people they like.
"The organic process of letting choices become clear as they are meant to seemed like a much better idea."
• This quote reminds me of a saying my mom always says: "walk through the doors that open for you." This is so helpful to remind one to be observant and resourceful in their career, and not force control over every aspect of your trajectory. If you are hardworking, genuine, and watchful, opportunities will come your way!
This career guide handled a lot of what I already knew, but expanded in detail things I hadn't thought about. "Leave Your Mark" is probably aimed more for high schoolers and first-year college students - there isn't a ton of nuance for those already in the biz of their first career move. I likely would have rated this 5 stars a few years ago, but I've gleaned a lot of similar information from other sources by now. That said, this book could be invaluable for those age groups in your life trying to figure out the next step. While centered around Aliza's path in fashion public relations, you definitely don't need to be on that career path to enjoy and learn from this book.
I will also say, this book probably has more hook if you knew DKNY PR GIRL in her social media heyday - for me, those "behind the scenes" chapters didn't do much.
A couple gems I've found to be true and essential:
• Do as much legwork on your own as you can before asking for help. It makes the help more effective and valuable, and 9 times out of 10, you'll get the answer on your own without having to bother your boss every time. You appear efficient and a self-starter.
• Make yourself irreplaceable. It's easier than you think, and SO worth the effort (reference letters and job recommendations for DAYZ!)
• Network - before you need it
• People will go out of their way to do business with people they like.
"The organic process of letting choices become clear as they are meant to seemed like a much better idea."
• This quote reminds me of a saying my mom always says: "walk through the doors that open for you." This is so helpful to remind one to be observant and resourceful in their career, and not force control over every aspect of your trajectory. If you are hardworking, genuine, and watchful, opportunities will come your way!
March 12, 2019
I don't know how this book got into my queue, and I really don't know why I followed through on getting it from the library and actually reading most of it, when the title made it clear it was not for me! Aliza Licht has a great style of communicating, offering advice for the modern young person starting out in the professional world, and illustrating her advice with semi-entertaining stories from her experience in the fashion industry. The only problem is that I am not a young person looking for career advice, and I'm not all that interested in the fashion industry, and it just wasn't for me!
January 22, 2022
In the beginning of the book I was a bit hesitant since I couldn’t relate to the fashion/college internship life but when it fast forwarded a bit I was able to relate to the career aspect. Overall lots of great tips and insight. I love the authors writing style, it was very blog esq. Would recommend to young people starting their careers.
May 29, 2025
A must read! I bought for my daughter who is a marketing and adverting major! Lots of great information in here and well written!
July 2, 2019
Aliza Licht gives great career advice and tells her story in such a captivating way! The books is filled with lots of “Insider Tips” on how to advance in your career and essentially, “Leave Your Mark”! Although she focuses on fashion, her advice can be blanketed to all sorts of different jobs. She’s a smart and powerful woman who is not afraid of letting her voice be heard and her confidence be known! A must read if you’re looking for some motivation!
September 5, 2019
The social media information is dated. There are some good tips on public speaking and networking, but there’s so much dead space in between. This really did not help me in my career advancement, maybe it’s more applicable to a fashion based career path.
July 20, 2015
I love these girl-power women-in-business motivational tip books, so when I saw that one had been written by the powerhouse behind the @dkny twitter handle, I had to read it. The cover was gorgeous, Aliza is friendly and focused and her career advice would no doubt be invaluable.
However, I was slightly disappointed after reading this book. I did enjoy it, don't get me wrong. It gave me a sneaky insider look into the fashion industry - one I'm so far away from and know hardly anything about, I found it interesting and it almost made me feel like it was The Devil Wears Prada in book-form (one of my favourite films, FYI.) The sections included writing resume's, going to interviews and of course, social media. As I'm already in my career and pretty much work for myself, I wasn't too interested in the beginning chapters, but I still read them. For somebody who was perhaps starting out on their career ladder and doesn't know much about the world of work, there are probably a lot of aspects of this book that are perfect. But for me, the social media chapter was the one I was most looking forward to and didn't particularly find it helpful. I didn't feel like I'd learnt anything and whilst I know there's so much out there I don't know, this book didn't really cover any of that. It was the very basics, which again would be great for beginners and younger people wanting to start their careers, but for somebody already on their journey who lives online and on social media, a little bit of an expert opinion on areas not covered on Google and/or common sense may have been more beneficial to me personally.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading this book. Some books just motivate you by having them in your presence and I admire Aliza and her achievements, so this book inspires me to go after my goals. I will definitely be keeping it on my shelf with the hopes of passing it on to somebody it may help more, in the future.
However, I was slightly disappointed after reading this book. I did enjoy it, don't get me wrong. It gave me a sneaky insider look into the fashion industry - one I'm so far away from and know hardly anything about, I found it interesting and it almost made me feel like it was The Devil Wears Prada in book-form (one of my favourite films, FYI.) The sections included writing resume's, going to interviews and of course, social media. As I'm already in my career and pretty much work for myself, I wasn't too interested in the beginning chapters, but I still read them. For somebody who was perhaps starting out on their career ladder and doesn't know much about the world of work, there are probably a lot of aspects of this book that are perfect. But for me, the social media chapter was the one I was most looking forward to and didn't particularly find it helpful. I didn't feel like I'd learnt anything and whilst I know there's so much out there I don't know, this book didn't really cover any of that. It was the very basics, which again would be great for beginners and younger people wanting to start their careers, but for somebody already on their journey who lives online and on social media, a little bit of an expert opinion on areas not covered on Google and/or common sense may have been more beneficial to me personally.
Overall, I did really enjoy reading this book. Some books just motivate you by having them in your presence and I admire Aliza and her achievements, so this book inspires me to go after my goals. I will definitely be keeping it on my shelf with the hopes of passing it on to somebody it may help more, in the future.
September 14, 2015
Aliza Licht, SVP of Communications for Donna Karan writes this book in a friendly, witty style and it has a fair amount of useful information. I liked her "insider tip" recommendations and her chapter summaries. She, under the secret guise of twitter handle @DKNYPRGIRL, was one of the first fashion brands to leverage twitter to drive awareness and ultimately revenue for her brand. She also created a following of over 500,000 from scratch before the "how to build your twitter brand" books existed. Which is rather impressive.
This worth reading if you enjoy either a glimpse of behind the scenes fashion information, or need to brush up on your career "soft skills" of networking and managing your personal brand, with a healthy dose of navigating office politics.
Her advice regarding strategic networking at cocktail parties (business or personal) and other functions was a particularly good refresher course. The biggest networking take away was a to reminder to google images of the key players at any event so you know who you are seeking out in the room and have something short and relevant prepared to say to them. Be it a senior level business contact, or the chair of a social event.
Another great reminder was to follow up with both senior people, peers, and those just starting out. Never forget many people helped you along the way, and the gracious thing to do is help others out when they are trying to break into the industry of their dreams (providing they are smart enough to realize you are willing to help them)!
This a quick read and worth the time. If you have read other career/leadership books there will not be any shockingly new ideas here, but she presents all the basics in an engaging way. If you have not read any career/leadership books this is well worth the time investment and will leave you filled with confidence and new ideas.
This worth reading if you enjoy either a glimpse of behind the scenes fashion information, or need to brush up on your career "soft skills" of networking and managing your personal brand, with a healthy dose of navigating office politics.
Her advice regarding strategic networking at cocktail parties (business or personal) and other functions was a particularly good refresher course. The biggest networking take away was a to reminder to google images of the key players at any event so you know who you are seeking out in the room and have something short and relevant prepared to say to them. Be it a senior level business contact, or the chair of a social event.
Another great reminder was to follow up with both senior people, peers, and those just starting out. Never forget many people helped you along the way, and the gracious thing to do is help others out when they are trying to break into the industry of their dreams (providing they are smart enough to realize you are willing to help them)!
This a quick read and worth the time. If you have read other career/leadership books there will not be any shockingly new ideas here, but she presents all the basics in an engaging way. If you have not read any career/leadership books this is well worth the time investment and will leave you filled with confidence and new ideas.
March 26, 2016
I have been looking to transition my career in mortgage from the operations side of mortgage, to actual origination. I decided to prepare for my interview and for some general good life advice, I would pick up some books. I started with Leave Your Mark: Land Your Dream Job. Kill It in Your Career. Rock Social Media by Aliza Licht.
Likes:
Even though I have nothing to do with the fashion industry, Aliza’s advice worked for all careers.
I loved the personal stories and experiences that were mixed in with advice and lists of do’s and don’ts. It made the read a lot more enjoyable and entertaining.
Aliza had a great amount to say and could back it up with her personal experience. Sometimes you don’t know if the person really can “walk the walk” but Aliza really made a name for herself.
Gripes:
Not a whole lot of gripes. Honestly, it was mostly stuff I know from working for the last 10 years in my chosen profession. BUT, that being said, the book would be great for newbies just coming on the field. This would be an awesome college graduation gift!
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
Likes:
Even though I have nothing to do with the fashion industry, Aliza’s advice worked for all careers.
I loved the personal stories and experiences that were mixed in with advice and lists of do’s and don’ts. It made the read a lot more enjoyable and entertaining.
Aliza had a great amount to say and could back it up with her personal experience. Sometimes you don’t know if the person really can “walk the walk” but Aliza really made a name for herself.
Gripes:
Not a whole lot of gripes. Honestly, it was mostly stuff I know from working for the last 10 years in my chosen profession. BUT, that being said, the book would be great for newbies just coming on the field. This would be an awesome college graduation gift!
For more reviews visit
A Flurry of Ponderings
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