Executive Career Insights

Career Planning - The Bridge Between You and Career Success

I have always taken to heart this saying "when you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail". No matter how hard we try with any other approach, true personal and professional success only follows careful planning and hard work.

How many of you are guilty of working hard in a career that just happened?

Imagine for a second how much more rewarding your professional life could be if you took the time to plan your career and orchestrate the steps needed to get to your dream job.

A successful plan will challenge you to look into the future, define your career objectives, identify competency gaps and research the resources you need to move forward.

So here are five simple strategies to help you pull together an effective career plan:

A) Where do you want to be in five years?

When you picture yourself five years from now, what does your career look like? Try to be as detailed as possible - carefully describe your position, your annual salary, really experience your daily tasks and zero in on what parts of the job you love and what value are you bringing to your employer.

You have to walk into the future space and work on bringing it back into reality

B) Where are you now and are you in the right place ?

Now that you have an idea of the great future career that is waiting on you, closely examine where you are now. Are you on track for steady career progression? Will your current job adequately prepare and equip you for long-term career success and career happiness?

If your ultimate goal is to become the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of a private firm then limiting your career experiences to a database administrator for 10+ years is not a good strategy

C) What new skills/strengths do you need for success?

Knowing where you are heading, now do an honest assessment of the key leadership skills, core competencies and job-related strengths needed for your "dream" job. Will you need to complete a new degree, do you need to expand your professional certifications, what skills/qualifications will be most important and relevant?

Don't wait until you are ready to make a move and then find out that you are not fully qualified, start preparing for your dream career today.

D) What is your personal brand and professional reputation?

By now, you should know that your internal and external perceptions play a critical role in your career advancement. What are you most frequently known for among your colleagues? What adjectives and personality traits are usually associated with you? Why do others want you on their team?

Knowing your personal brand and differentiating traits will be very instrumental in your career marketing strategies - remember, you want to build a strong reputation and attract a following now.

E) What resources or contacts do you need to build your career bridge?

No matter how hard working and dedicated you are, career success does not and will not happen in a vacuum. You will need the support of mentors, professional contacts, personal referrals, networking groups, industry associations and much more.

Recognize that reaching your career goal will take time, commitment, money, information, technology and other people - learn what you need to effectively succeed.

Related posts:

New millenium career resolutions

Career planning for recession-proof success

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:)

Improve Your Career Skills & Increase Your Competitive Advantage Through Continuous Learning

I don't know about you, but I enjoy learning. I have a full library of books, resources and CDs that offer me new insight and equip me with new tools that I can use in my resume writing and coaching practice.

In addition, I continue to invest in ongoing continuing education on an annual basis by attending conferences and participating in webinars/teleseminars and attending local events.

Why? Because I want to make sure that as the economy changes, as new technology and social media tools take over our world and the work life as we know it evolves, that I am not literally left in the dark.

How about you? What kind of "insurance" or emergency plans have you put in place when it comes to your career?

Rather than living in fear of sudden unemployment or unforeseen changes in the workplace, what measures can you put in place to keep yourself marketable, competitive and more importantly, RELEVANT to your field or industry.

A) Take advantage of every learning opportunity

Your company may not be able to sponsor all your advanced education courses, however, this should not be an excuse for not staying abreast of industry trends. Identify local industry and professional organizations that often host free or low-cost events for its members and guests.

Check out www.jobhunt.org for a comprehensive list of professional associations, alumni clubs and networking groups.

B) Look internally for skill-enhancement projects or initiatives

Don't ignore viable opportunities within your current department or division to expand your areas of expertise or strengths. If your workload has slowed down, ask to be placed on other projects or given a chance to shadow your colleagues on a brand, new initiative. 

Explore lateral job openings in other parts of the company if it will widen your knowledge and arm you with a new level of qualifications that can serve you later on in your career.

C) Visit your local library or bookstore

Books are still in fashion. Any new topic, area of expertise, advanced technology, or industry-based resources can be found in major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble and Borders. At a fraction of the price that you would pay for a training course, you may be able to learn the same information through several books.

If you are tech addict, invest in Kindle to keep a volume of books available at the touch of a button - I am not there yet:)

Don't forget about public libraries - if you don't want to spend the $$, simply borrow the books to get the information you need for career growth.

D) Go online to uncover golden nuggets of information

I absolutely love the Internet - quietly despise the addictions it can create at times:) - but love it nevertheless. There is so much available to us at the click of a mouse. Any topic that directly affects your job or information about impending trends that will change your industry can be found online.

Use the Internet to find free teleseminars, webinars, e-books, blogs, and forums. Check out low-cost, online classes and programs or follow key industry leaders on Twitter. We live in the information age and there is absolutely no excuse for you to be left in the dark.

I challenge you this week - which one of these four things can you start this week to make sure that you stay on track and relevant in your career.

7 Reasons Every Professional Woman Needs A Mentor

Who do you turn to in times of personal turmoil? Who is that person with the voice of reason and trust in your life? Who ALWAYS has your back through the best and the worst of times?

We all have someone whether it is a sister, best friend, or trusted colleague that we share our life changes with - someone we express our concerns to and from whom we gladly accept unbiased advice and direction.

Who do you call when your career is in trouble? If you are simply turning to close friends and family when you are stuck in your career progress, you are missing out on a vital resource that can benefit you for years to come - a mentor. 

Every professional woman should have a mentor. A mentor is ideally someone who is a supportive ally, who can offer you exposure to major assignments, help position you for promotions and serve as your personal cheerleader as your advance in your career.

Still not sure that a mentor will your career a much needed boost? Here are seven reasons:

1) Direct introduction or referrals to top players in your organization especially if you work in a very large, multi-layered organization.

2) Personal guidance on building strong relationships and getting access to key individuals who can help you excel in your career.

3) Access to the inside scoop on corporate culture and tips for navigating company politics or learning to "play the game."

4) Recommendations for high-profile projects and company initiatives and even strong support for new internal job opportunities.

5) Advice on your business strategy, your personal communication skills and honest feedback on your professional reputation.

6) Information on what is going on at the top of the company and long-term issues that would impact your career growth.

7) Good direction on how to balance work and life demands without sacrificing your career goals.

So, what makes an ideal mentor? It really depends on where you are in your career and what your immediate priorities are, however, a good rule of thumb to follow is:

-- someone who is very successful in his/her career, a respected leader, an excellent communicator and who genuinely encourages and supports others in the same profession or field.

-- someone who is direct, honest and can give valuable, constructive criticism and advice.

-- someone who is well-connected, active in volunteer/community activities and very politically astute.

Over at CareerWomen.com, a quick poll revealed that 62% of women have mentors. Can you identify someone today who will serve as a great mentor?

2010 Career Resolutions That Really Work

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

Going Public With Your Executive Job Search

With approximately 1.9 million layoffs that occurred in 2008 and the expectation that more will follow in the upcoming year, conducting an effective job search and career marketing campaign will mean going beyond job boards and Internet career sites.

Even as an entrepreneur, I have had to embrace social media and the impact that it has on our entire lives - how we live, how we work, how we play, and more importantly, how we communicate.

Chris Bogan, a social media marketing expert has created a free e-book called Using Social Media To Find Work. It is a 19-page guide on getting started on various social media networks and how to maximize them for career success.

Whether it's LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Namz, Diggs or using a blog, I want you to get comfortable with the idea of marketing yourself online through these social networks.

Here is a strong argument for Twitter from one of my colleagues, Deb Dib posted at Job Hunt's blog.

Wishing you the very best that 2009 can offer as I remain committed to your career success in the upcoming year.

Are You Job Searching On A Budget?

Just about everyone I interact with these days are talking about ways to cut back expenses.

How about when it comes to your job search and career marketing goals?

Thanks to Jessica Hupp at Bootstrapper for providing a comprehensive list of 50+ online tools and resources you can use to assist you in changing careers. Best of all there are either free or low cost.

Always keep in mind that you need a structured plan, program or process to follow when launching a job search - preferably in this order:

1. Self-assessment and evaluations

2. Career exploration and/or defining ideal positions

3. Identifying and compiling list of target companies down to size, geographic location, and industry preference

4. Creating multifacted career marketing plan with strategies for both online and offline activities

5. Interview preparation and practice

6. Salary and offer negotiation - including extended benefits, perks, etc.

PS: Want to accelerate your executive job search, get more interviews, and land a new job faster? Check out our brand, new FastTrack Career Transition Mastermind program. Now accepting applications.