2010 is
a unique year - it is the not only the start of a brand, new year, it is
also the beginning of a new decade. Why not make a real commitment to your
career success beyond the generic promise of "getting a better job"?
I can help you get
started with five new career management strategies that would benefit you for
years to come:
1) Have a SMART
career plan
True professional
success and career mastery don't just happen or fall into place because of good
luck - it takes careful planning, diligence and commitment to become a well
respected, trusted authority in your industry and profession.
-- Determine where
you want to be in the next 12 - 36 months
-- Conduct a gap
analysis to identify what you need in terms of education, experience and
advanced training/education that will take you to the next level -- Seek out
mentors, key industry players and other successful professionals you
admire and start connecting with them and building solid relationships.
-- Write down your
career aspirations on paper to make them real and personal to you; partner with
a career coach to help keep you motivated and on track.
2) Build a
strong personal brand and get visible
Your career success
is directly tied to your ability to stand out from your peers and colleagues.
There are several things that you do better than anyone else and you have to be
able to communicate that to employers and recruiters.
Your career/personal
brand should clearly reflect and promote your areas of expertise and your
unique promise of value.
-- Develop a plan for
own personal brand identity system that includes both online and offline
strategies.
-- Create and keep an
updated LinkedIn profile and make sure it includes recommendations from
previous employers and colleagues.
-- Get creative and
bring your personal brand and career reputation to life with a VisualCV.
-- Compile a brief
Google profile so that you are easily found when interested employers and
recruiters want to learn more about you.
-- Join and actively
participate in company blogs, industry forum and professional online discussion
- it is an excellent way to promote your knowledge and establish yourself as a
thought leader.
3) Know your value in
a nutshell
Your perceived value
ROI to companies is directly related the type of salary you can command in your
industry and the leverage you have in terms of raises, promotions and bonuses.
However, if you don't
know and understand your true value, you cannot wait for someone else to figure
it out for you.
-- Be proactive in
chronicling your career achievements every six to twelve months.
-- Consider your
direct impact and contributions to your company in terms of revenue growth,
cost savings, image reputation, customer attraction, market expansion,
technology integration and much more.
-- Focus on
quantifying your achievements as dollars, cents and percentages really create a
compelling story.
-- Keep your resume
updated and don't wait until there is a crisis to have a portfolio of career
marketing documents handy.
4) Build a network
and get in the mix
No matter how good
you are, success in today's corporate and work environment is a lot easier when
you have a vibrant, active and growing professional and personal network.
-- Volunteer for
internal and external company events and take advantage of opportunities to
represent the company at conferences, forums and trade shows.
-- Join two or three
professional and industry organizations that you can participate in on a
regular basis.
-- Think outside the
box and seek out new relationships and partnerships with clients, vendors and
strategic partners.
5) Commit to being a
lifelong learner
I distinctly remember
working with a client several years ago who was laid off from an industry that
got through a complete transformation due to technology innovation. She was at
a loss when determining her next career move because she had not done anything
in 20 years to stay competitive, marketable or employable in her field.
--
Pay attention to evolving trends in your industry and identify the major skills
and/or new technologies that are important.
-- Use annual
association conferences and local business events as opportunities for informal
education.
-- Research and
register for appropriate e-courses, training programs and professional
certification classes that would directly benefit your career.
For more information, check out:
It's December 23rd - Do you know where your network is?
Revisiting resume best practices
Build and promote your online presence
