Executive Career Insights

12 Days of Career Success Advice: Day 4

There is no place like home for the holidays - I arrived safely in sunny, but surprisingly chilly GA, visited my aunt and had breakfast with my parents all before noon.

So I feel like my day is just getting started...but before I get distracted with my holiday activities, I wanted to stop by and give you a fresh dose of career success advice.

If you are just joining us, we are on a 12-day journey through feasible, easy-to-implement career success advice that will give you a jump start for the new year. Go ahead and gain some foothold on the competition, let them be merry while you diligently tarry.

On the fourth day of the holidays, my executive coach said to me:

Take credit for your life and career achievements

"Oh, it was not a big deal"

"That feels so natural for me, I didn't have to think about it"

"I can do that with my eyes closed and one hand behind my back"

Do any of the above phrases and comments sound familiar to you? More importantly, do YOU find yourself frequently using them? I cannot tell you the amount of times I have worked with clients and when we get to the "dig-deep" strategy session, even they are amazed by the number of achievements we uncover in one hour.

These life and career achievements you are sitting on are catalysts for where you want to go next -  they are a great source of motivation and serve as excellent reminders on what you are capable of  accomplishing in any situation or circumstance.

Besides the obvious achievements that are "earth shattering" for your industry or field, here are some other sources you can use to jog your memory about past achievements.

-- Company's annual performance reviews, assessments or evaluations

-- Company-sponsored awards or special recognition tokens (there is usually a reason, you earned that award)

-- Letters of recommendations or commendations from previous employers, vendors, clients or colleagues

-- Thank you letters or emails for happy, satisfied company clients (they are generally specific in nature regarding how you helped them)

-- High-profile company projects or special assignments (focus on the complexities, your role and then the results)

-- Academic / graduate school course projects (pick the toughest assignments)

What are you top five achievements for 2011?

 

Related posts:

Day 1: Conduct an honest self-assessment

Day 2: Say goodbye to career mistakes and disappointments

Day 3: Jump start your long lost career dreams

 

About Abby, Executive Career Architect, Job Search Expert, Master Resume Writer

Ask yourself these questions:

-- Does your executive resume accurately describe your management style and leadership capabilities?

-- Is your executive resume rich with compelling Challenge-Action-Results success stories that indicate your value contribution?

-- Does your executive resume convey enthusiasm or energy motivating employers to contact you?

-- Has your executive resume been generating a stream of employer responses for the right jobs?

If you have answered no to any of these questions, you should be talking to Abby Locke. She is an executive resume writer helps senior-level executives to achieve career success through cutting-edge, brand-focused career documents and proactive career management strategies.

Her distinctive executive resume samples have been published in 13 national career publications. Have you seen our holiday specials?

Red Cars, The Secret To Your Career Success?

I remember when I was shopping for my first car...my heart was set on a silver VW beetle with a sunroof, automatic and fully loaded. As I spent several weeks, car shopping, it seemed like everywhere I looked, there were silver VW beetles on the road...it was like they were following me. If you have ever shopped for a new car, especially a red car or anything major ticket item you really wanted, you can relate to what I am talking about.

So what does buying a new car have to do with your executive career? Well, pay close attention to the pattern I was pointing out, when my mind was really focused on buying a new car, more importantly, when I was crystal clear about the goal/end result/desired product, it seemed to manifest everywhere I looked. Of course, the number of silver VW beetles did not multiply overnight, nor do red cars magically take over the roads because you are looking to buy one - however, because your mind is focused on red cars (your goals), you are more intuned with them and open to the potential possibilities...consequently, the opportunities come in your focus more directly.

Alright - enough talk about cars. So I challenge you today - what are you focused on in your career right now?

-- have you given up on ever having a successful career?

-- are you still focused on your long-term career goals despite the economic downturn?

-- are you taking advantage of ALL options to enhance learning opportunities to enhance your career growth?

-- are you comitted to being a valuable contributor despite what appears to be a lack of internal opportunities?

Are you seeing "red-cars" success or are you simply re-playing visions of career failure over and over again? Remember that more often than not, what you "see" is what you will get.

Time to think outside of the box - break up the routine in your career, by accepting a lateral move to be in a different environment, taking on new responsibilities (provided you are not already stretched thin) to diversify your skills, offer to mentor a younger employee to improve your leadership/people development skills...you get my point right?

 Related posts:

 Keeping your eyes on your career prize

Don't function below your career potential

Are You Slowly Becoming Obsolete In Your Career?

I was recently thinking about how much my business marketing efforts have changed and evolved over the years.

I remember back in 1997 when having an advertisement in the Yellow Pages directory really opened doors for me and had my phone ringing off the hook.

A few years after that, I worked diligently to launch a monthly newsletter and my first website that I proudly promoted on business cards and mentioned in speaking engagements.

Fast forward to today, I have become an expert on balancing all my social media tools (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, VisualCV) to stay in contact with my target audience and it still seems like it's not enough.

What does all this technology mean for you and your job?

• What technological advances have directly impacted your industry and your job?
• What new programs and certifications have gained popularity in your profession?
• What new tools and resources seem to be penetrating your daily work responsibilities?
• What online social media tools have changed how you source employeers or contractors?

 Bottom line is that you don't want to be obsolete while the rest of the world around you is changing. 

* Don't fall behind on your professional development - whether it means a new certificate or taking a class every year, stay on top of technology changes.

* Overcome fear and jump right into it - I remember creating a Twitter account and then avoiding it for months because it was too new and felt too complicated. There are plenty of resources, blogs and helpful tips that can take you from novice to pro on any technology tool today.

*  Subscribe to online newsletters, take advantage of free teleseminars and webinars, and follow the Tweeets or blogs of technology trend setters.

* Don't think you have to become a technology guru overnight - your goal is to stay abreast and stay current, they are technology tools or software applications that I don't use everyday. The point is that I know they exist, I am familiar with them and if my job ever depended on them, I would figure it out. 

 Other helpful posts that can increase your comfort level with new technology:

How do you rank digitally?

Blogging to save your career

Maximizing social media

Going public with your job search

PS: Let's not even talk about cell phones, PDAs, portable computers and Blackberries - I am still trying to catch up in that area:)

Are You Marketing A Sleepy, Imposter Resume?

I was recently contacted by a former client who wants to update his existing resume. I smiled as I remembered his email updates to me on his previous job search progress; he jokingly said I had done such a great job on his resume that potential employers expected to see an "S" on his chest when he walked into employment interviews.

Well, if you have been following me for awhile, you know I don't embellish resume content, so it means that his original resume was simply not doing him justice until I came along:)

It also got me to thinking about jobseekers and potential clients who want to simply copy and paste one of my resume samples to market themselves. Believe it or not, you and your professional resume have to be a match and have to line up in a credible manner or you will keep running into roadblocks. 

1) Does your professional resume have a powerful handshake?

The top-third of your professional resume is like an appetizer to a six-course feast; it has to draw the readers in – start off your resume with a clear definition of who you are, outline you have to offer, and indicate the environments in which you perform best. For example:

SENIOR OPERATIONS EXECUTIVE

Start-Up, Emerging & High-Growth Companies

The Profit Builder: Systematically improving internal systems, strengthening operational processes and mobilizing vital resources that propel companies into stable, profitable entities.

2) Does your professional resume have an interesting career storyline?

Remember, to get to the top of the pile that is filled with other resumes and hungry job seekers, you have to make your career story an interesting and exciting one. Don’t bore and weigh down readers with heavy details about minute daily tasks; hit them with big picture, top-view, position responsibilities and “wow” them with your bottom-line, career-defining achievements.

3) Does your professional resume effectively showcase your bright personality?

Take a quick peruse of your resume and make sure that it is packed with vibrant action words, verbs and adjectives that will engage the reader and transform your "sleepy" resume into a career marketing tool. If you are an energetic, bold person then don’t be afraid to use words that bring out your personal flavor - eliminate phrases like "Responsible for" and avoid the overuse of the same verbs.

4) Does your professional resume pass the 30-second scan?

Don’t save the best for last - organize your resume content so that your key qualifying factors (for your target position) is apparent on the first page of the document. Don't be shy about confidently sharing your qualifications, expertise, and overall career theme with hiring managers and recruiters.

5) Does your professional resume have relevant, updated career information?

Don’t let time-sensitive promotions or job opportunities escape you because your resume has not kept pace with your career growth and achievements. A great habit to embrace is updating your resume every three to six months, so that you have a document that is current and living just like you!

Finding Achievements In Your Own Treasure Chest

I have been working with a few executives lately and they often feel challenged when it comes to identifying top career achievements. If you really are at a loss for pulling out big wins or have simply forgotten some of your greatest hits, start unpacking your treasure chest.

Now, where is this famous treasure chest? Well, it is right under your nose if you have access to any of the following:

-- Company's annual performance reviews, assessments or evaluations

-- Company-sponsored awards or special recognition tokens (there is usually a reason, you earned that award)

-- Letters of recommendations or commendations from previous employers, vendors, clients or colleagues

-- Thank you letters or emails for happy, satisfied company clients (they are generally specific in nature regarding how you helped them)

-- High-profile company projects or special assignments (focus on the complexities, your role and then the results)

-- Academic / graduate school course projects (pick the toughest assignments)

Still running dry on ideas? Revisit my previous posts on career achievements:

4 Ways To Keep Track of Annual Achievements

Transform Your Wins Into WOW Achievement Statements

5 Key Points To Pitch During An Informal Networking Meeting

Congratulations! Your networking efforts have paid off and you have landed an informational interview with a well-connected individual.

So how do you maximize this unique opportunity to market yourself, make a strong first impression and walk away with tons of information and maybe new personal referrals?

First of all, respect the person's time and willingness to meet with you - if you asked for a 20-minute meeting, make sure that you keep the discussion and conversation to 20 minutes.

Second, have a clear communication plan. Determine what information, insights, and tips you want to gain ahead of time and go to the interview armed with key questions.

Third, pay close attention to the individual's body language and level of interest in your conversation; if he/she seems distracted or has to rush through the interview, make a suggestion to reschedule for a more convenient time.

Here is a five-step approach to "selling" yourself within the first three minutes of the meeting:

Tactic #1: Establish and build rapport

Avoid making your contact feel pressured to help you find a job or job leads; instead emphasize that you are interested in getting advice and personal insights.

-- Explain what has prompted the meeting - either you are exploring new opportunities, thinking about changing careers, etc.

-- Don't forget to offer a helping hand to your new contact - it has to be give and take relationship.

Tactic #2: Give a brief synopsis of your background and career history

Don't bore your new contact with a step-by-step recap of your entire work history; zero in on key high-profile positions and projects you have been involved with.

-- Mention your college/university if new contact is an fellow alum and discuss any recent events that have influenced your impending job search or career change.

-- Express quick thoughts on the type of positions and/or careers that have caught your interest.

Tactic #3: Discuss your top strengths and personal attributes

-- Draw out aspects of your biggest strengths and related skills - give examples of how you are perceived by your boss and fellow colleagues.

-- Remember to use the same adjectives and phrases that others used to describe you all the time.

Tactic #4: Share the big wins

You want your new contact to walk away from the meeting with an impressive story to share with his/her friends and colleagues. Without heavy bragging, go over the top three achievements that make you proud.

-- Condense your career achievements in a storytelling, Challenge-Action-Results format.

-- Consider developing a Critical Leadership Initiatives document and offer it to your contact at the end of the meeting.

Tactic #5: Ask for plenty of advice

Take full advantage of the opportunity to get advice, direction and guidance from someone who is very experienced, knowledgeable in your target field.

-- Avoid basic, generic questions that only generate personal feelings rather than solid facts.

-- Be willing to listen to your contact's own stories about his/her career progression and achievements as this often leads into advice-giving mode.

-- Don't be afraid to ask for personal referrals and recommendations on local networking events, associations and groups.

Like any other interview, follow up with a thank-you note and/or email and make sure to keep your new contact in the loop as you make progress in your job search or career transition.

4 Ways To Keep Track Of Your Annual Achievements

I cannot count the number of times that I have collaborated with executive men and women on their career marketing strategies only to find out that they have not done a good job keeping track of their career achievements.

How would you like to actually look forward to the annual review process instead of feeling like it is a tug-and-war game?

You cannot confidently walk into a meeting with senior management and negotiate a raise or a promotion without solid evidence to support your cause.

Here are five easy steps you can follow to make sure that your career accomplishments and personal contributions to the company don't get overlooked:

1) Project or Case Study Summaries

At the end of every major project, summarize the details and work involved in the project - like number of people you manage, size of budget, time constraints, and any other critical information.

-- Think of the project/case like a puzzle in terms of Challenge-Actions- Results (see previous post on this topic)

-- Make sure that the final results are quantified as much as possible, don't simply say that productivity improvement, describe the turnaround - for example, new technology solutions allowed users to complete analysis process in 48 hours instead of two weeks.

2) Kudos / High Fives

We have all received a "great-job-done" email or note from a very happy boss, customer or vendor. In addition to thanking the sender, keep the notes/emails in an online folder or print out hard copies and store in a file.

-- Write brief notes about the related project or task that prompted the testimonial, so you can use it in conversations with you boss or make references to it in your self-appraisal write ups.

3) Thought Leadership / New Knowledge

If you have been selected to participate in an executive leadership or development program, keep track of important statistics like the number of applicants, qualifications or characteristics of participants, or whether it is an accelerated program.

-- Keep a list of any new classes that have expanded your knowledge or expertise in a vital area of the company's business should be emphasized in your notes.

-- More importantly, be able to explain how your new level of expertise can directly contribute to the company's success. 

4) Board / Speaker Participation

A great indication of your leadership expertise can come through your participation in external company boards, internal committees, representation on behalf of company at conferences and trade shows or simply being the spokesperson for your project team.

-- Monitor your monthly events and your participation in high-profile activities with key industry leaders and top company employees.

The next time you schedule an informal meeting with your boss (as suggested in this post) or have to discuss next steps in your career development, come prepared with a diversified list of accomplishments that can "wow" your boss and management team.