I got FIRED because of Excel

Hey John,

I got FIRED from my first real job… simply because I couldn't use Excel.

True story!

The year was 2007 and I just got hired as an assistant actuary at a Dublin-based investment firm.

The sad thing was, I barely knew my way around an Excel spreadsheet even though I had said I was advanced during the interview.

Tbh, I thought I was advanced! But you don't know what you don't know!

It turns out, I wasn't a total beginner. I could input some basic data and formulas, but anything more advanced was beyond me.

As I started to take on more responsibilities in the company, this became a real problem. My inexperience was becoming very clear to my superiors.

I'd spend days trying to analyze data and create reports, tasks that should have taken a few minutes.

And whenever it was time to turn in my work, I'd be sweating thinking about what mistakes they'd find.

And just the thought of having to go to work used to give me panic attacks.

After a few months, my manager decided I just didn't have the technical skills needed for the job.

So, at 27 years old, I was fired from my first real job out of university.

Getting fired was the wake-up call I desperately needed. I realized if I wanted a career in finance, I needed to become an Excel expert.

I decided then and there to become an Excel power user.

I threw myself into online courses, tutorials, and Excel help forums. I learned everything from VLOOKUPs to Pivot Tables.

Within a year, I became the go-to Excel guru at my next company. I could analyze data and create reports faster than anyone. More importantly, I was making waayyyy less mistakes!

I even taught my colleagues about Excel regularly.

Today, I run the How to Excel blog and YouTube channel that is helping millions of people learn Excel all over the world.

It's funny how things work out sometimes 😆

The point is, learning Excel is a journey that can improve your career in big ways.

That's why I keep encouraging anyone I come across to start learning more advanced techniques in Excel.

If you're in the same boat that I was, just know, it will get better if you put in the effort.

Anyways, this email is getting a bit long...

So in the next few emails I'll tell you the #1 secret to how I became an Excel pro, and also what Excel features you need to focus on in the next email.

Kind regards,

From John MacDougall at How to Excel

PS. It really does mean the world that you're on our list and I'd love to know, what Excel challenges are you facing right now? Hit reply and let me know!

Also, when you're ready, there are a few ways I can help you Excel!

1. Dashboard template exercise packBuild stunning, interactive, professional dashboards that will impress your boss!

2. Advanced formula course Unlock the power of advanced Excel functions such as LET and LAMBDA.

3. Pivot table course Discover the power of pivot tables for data analysis with our comprehensive masterclass.

🤓 For the Excel nerds, check out my Excel merch. All orignal and designed by me.

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