Executive Career Insights

Holiday Cheer: 12 Days of Career Success Advice

It's the most wonderful time of the year - I would sing to you, but alas, it is one gift I was not blessed with:) I am beyond excitement this week as I prepare for my travel to Georgia this weekend - there is nothing in the world like spending time with family and loved ones around the holidays.

I recognize this time of year can be very difficult for many people, so I never take for granted what or who I have in my life, not only around the holidays, but all year round.

In the spirit of the holiday season, I am going to do my share for spreading cheer and giving hope to those who are unemployed, underemployed or simply dissatisfied with their careers. Maximize this time of year to take in all the advice and tips you need to get motivated, recharged and focused for 2012. So here I go...

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

Conduct an honest self-assessment

Whenever I talk to clients who have reached a crossroads in their careers, I always hear "I don't know what I want to do. Can you give me an test to figure it out?"

Well....there are career assessment tools that help provide clarity about your values, interests, personality and skills, but there is no magic wand available. However, you can take the first step and make a commitment to really uncover those things deep inside your heart.

Take a look at your current job and evaluate your career progress in the past five years and ask yourself these questions:

-- What do you value in work - achievements, recognition, status, autonomy or making a difference? Is is present in your current job?

-- What skills are you good at and really enjoy using - writing, teaching, leading others, building, analyzing?

-- Does your current job fully maximize your talents, strengths and favorite skills?

-- Are you passionate about what you do and genuinely interested in your company's products, services and clients?

-- Does your paycheck make elated, happy or disgusted - bottom-line are your financial needs being adequately met?

-- Are your job tasks and required responsibilities at a reasonable level or do you feel excess pressure and demands?

-- Are you stuck in first gear or does your job give opportunities for growth and personal development?

Are you moving forward, are you stuck, are you right on track? Well, don't sit there staring at the questions, nodding and shaking your head - go ahead, take notes and decide how you feel about your current career.

 

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

Day 4: Take credit for your life and career achievements

Day 5: Identify and promote your personal brand

Day 6: Create a standout resume

Day 7: Beef up your online presence and get your "voice" heard

Day 8: Invest in your professional development

Day 9: Build relationships and expand your network

Day 10: Identify and get a good mentor

Day 11: Stay focused and committed to your career goal

 

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...click here to schedule a resume consultation.

 

What's Your Career Calling?

As I sat in the hair salon last week, I saw a recent copy of the Oprah magazine and quickly dived into its content after seeing a topic close to my heart.

Finding our true calling - isn't that what we are all striving for? At the end of the day, no matter how we define success or how many zeroes are at the end of our salary, there are always nagging questions - "Am I following my calling? Is this really my life's purpose?

Well, the article in Oprah magazine showed a unique way to deeply explore your true interests, passions and talents. It asked readers to complete the following statements...to introduce the concept to you, I thought it was only fair that I do the exercise and show you my results...the bolded part of the statements are my thoughts.

When I was a kid, I dreamed of being an accountant like my father - I was fascinated with his adding machine and large, leather bound ledgers.

I can't pass up a book or movie about a true depiction of someone's life - especially if that person overcame significant odds in his/her life.

If I played hooky from work for a week, I'd spend the time in a beach or spa retreat enjoying healthy food, a great book and much relaxation.

Most people don't know this about me, but I really enjoy cooking and anything food related - gourmet food supermarkets, cookbooks, cooking shows, cooking classes...you get it:)

I am the go-to person when friends need help with making critical decisions about their career and certain life issues - having a listening ear is welcomed in any situation.

If I could star in my own how-to-TV show, it would be about encouraging people to move beyond their fears, embrace their true talents, and finally experience career happiness.

If I were to make a homemade gift, it would involving creating a meal for someone - no surprise there!

I've tried it only once or twice, but I really enjoy --I got stuck on this one because if I really enjoy something I tend to keep trying it more.

The close I come to a runner's high is when I'm doing public presentations, either online or in-person to an energetic, engaged audience.

If I won the first prize for a talent show, it would be for doing pretty good imitations of people I know - a great sense of humor never hurts (smile)

Hmmm....so this is what it looks like when you are done. The next step would be to see if there are any patterns, consistent themes or eye-openers. While I am very comfortable with my current choice as an executive career expert, I am off to analyze my results.

I look forward to hearing the patterns you find when you go through the exercise.

Are you seeing any patterns that I might be missing?

 

Related posts:

Career lights should never go out

Dive into your career dreams again

What's In Your Career Wallet?

While I am not a huge TV addict, I have a few shows I enjoy, but most of all, I absolutely love some commercials...the Capital One commercials are among my favorites.

Of course, we know live in a society where we are encouraged and expected to always have credit cards in our wallets. So the last time I chuckled at a Capital One commercial, I thought about how that message and concept can apply to executive careers.

-- As the new year is getting closer, do you have all the right tools and marketing materials (executive resume, executive cover letter, executive bio, executive brand statement, social medial profile) to quickly respond if needed?

-- How many of you today are really, really prepared for the next opportunity?

Well, here is quick lesson on what you do over the next couple of weeks to get started your "career" wallet adequately filled with the right career marketing tools:

1) Start With LinkedIn: It has become almost standard for anyone who wants to stay visible and current in his/her industry to have a branded, SEO LinkedIn profile. Even if your executive resume is not updated right now, make sure that you have an online presence - LinkedIn allows you to do so easily.

You don't need to add the kitchen sink to your LinkedIn profile, but enough information to whet employers/recruiters/professional contacts' appetite to reach out to you. If you are concerned that sudden changes to your LinkedIn profile will raise flags to your existing contacts (especially if they are co-workers), adjust your settings so that every change you make does not get broadcasted.

Dont', don't simply re-hash your executive resume and paste it into your LinkedIn profile - remember it's about branding, so make sure your LinkedIn profile reflects your energy, personality and unique flavor.

2) Develop An Executive Career Biography: When a two-page resume may be cumbersome to quickly share information about your background, a one-page narrative can do the trick. Just cover the key highlights about each leadership role in your executive career, share your career journey and inject a few peeks into your personal life and character.

In many cases, executive recruiters will focus on the executive career biography before delving into the executive resume, wouldn't it be great to have it handy?

3) Career Success Stories: Picture this, you can an unsolicited call from an executive recruiter who wants an example of how you spearheaded a major turnaround initiative. You have done this many times and can point to several examples, but the words are not flowing and you end up telling a long-winded story.

Transform a few of your top career achievements into Challenge-Action-Result business case studies - going through the process makes it easy for you to tell the story effectively and it also gives you an excellent, one-page document you can email to executive recruiters - now how's that for a great first impression?

4) Networking Profile: Think of this document as a blend of your executive career biography, LinkedIn profile and top career achievements. This innovative, one-page profile allows you to give readers a quick summary of where you have worked, your key areas of expertise, memorable career contibutions and even a few testimonials from other business leaders.

An executive networking profile is great tool to use in structured professional networking environments; a valuable document to extract your personal branding statement; and can serve as foundation for your elevator pitch.

Of course, you don't stop there...let your "career" wallet serve as a springboard and source of motivation for getting the rest of your executive portfolio together. So, I ask you today, what's in your "career" wallet?

Related posts:

Executive career guide for ultimate career growth

 

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...click here to schedule a resume consultation.

 

 

 

 

 

Spring Cleaning For Your Career

Spring is coming, spring is coming, well - we hope spring is coming! Here is Washington DC, we are still feeling the bite of winter frost:(  What is it like in your neck of the woods? More importantly, is it a cold, long winter in your career?

I have so many professionals contact me who are unhappy in their careers, but due to the economic climate, they are unsure and fearful of making any new changes. After listening to them vent their frustration and experiencing their sense of hopelessness, the big question is always posed to me - "So Abby, what do you think I should do?"

Sometimes, I wish it was that easy and that I really had all of the answers. At the end of the day, I am practical and I am realist - focus your efforts on what you can change, make the best of your situation and don't lose sight of your dreams.

You cannot change the economy, but you can change how you respond to it. The chance to move into your dream career may not materialize until six months from now, but don't wait until then to get adequately prepared. I also urge that you take advantage of every opportunity to increase your knowledge and expand your expertise.

You know I ALWAYS practice what I preach, I recently became a Certified Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) administrator and I am working on another certification that will be revealed at a later point - stay tuned.

Review these previous blog posts to get your juices flowing again:

Isn't It Time To Turn Your Career Lights Back On?

What's In Your Field of Dreams?

Don't Let Career Mistakes Hold You Back?

Are You Underestimating Your Career Worth?

Isn't It Time To Turn Your Career Lights Back On?

We are all familiar with electrical blackouts, well, recently, I experienced what you may call a "technology" blackout. For nine long, consecutive days, I was trapped in a time warp with no home-based telephone service and no Internet service. Pretty scary these days, right?

I did my best to stay level-headed as I ran from local libraries to Wifi locations just download my emails and stay connected to the outside world. I swear that the angels were singing and the birds were chirping when the technician showed up and with the click of a mouse, I was connected to the outside world again. Whew! I never want to experience that nightmare again.

No experience is without a great lesson, so my technology blackout got me thinking about how many talented executives are walking around in your own "career blackouts". Due to fear, disappointment or lack of motivation, you have decided to stay in the same place and afraid to move on because you cannot see what is down the road.

Furthermore, you have completely lost touch with old co-workers, you avoid interacting with your peers and 2011 has found you isolated, dissatisfied with your career and completely out of touch.

Well, if any of this sounds like your situation, the new year is always a great opportunity to step out of darkness and have the courage to turn the lights back on. Don't get bogged down with determining the right resume format or creating a profile on every website you can find - instead, start with some deep self-analysis, tap into old, forgotten career dreams and build your bridge to career success, one step at a time.

I can help you get started with five new career management strategies that would benefit you for years to come:

1) Get 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) Get visible, get found, get active with your personal brand

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) Get insightful and 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) Get in the mix and get back to networking

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) Get a forward-thinking attitude and stay ahead of the curve

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.

Are You Underestimating Your Career Worth?

I recently had the pleasure of working with a very talented marketing professional who wanted to explore opportunities outside of her company. She was on the executive track within her company, but wanted to make sure that she was making the best decisions for her career.

After working with her on her resume and other career marketing tools, I was happy to learn that she received an "on-the-spot" job offer at a networking event with the first unveiling of her resume. (Wow!)

Now, you have to recognize that it was about being in the right place and being prepared with a strong marketing document (targeted, branded resume) that landed her the job offer. She is still in conversations with her present company for internal executive opportunities, but what a great position to be in - it's always wonderful to have options.

Her situation reminded me of another client who was able to successfully negotiate a 30% increase in her salary based on her revised resume that effectively documented her career achievements.

What do these stories have in common? Preparation + hard work + persistence + branded career tools = job offers, salary increases and/or access to new opportunities.

In both scenarios that I described, the women acknowledged that they were more motivated and confident about their skills, experience and qualifications after working with me to enhance their career documents. I have met too many professional women and men who want more for their careers, but are literally "sitting" on top-notch talents and unique capabilities that are undervalued and underestimated.

Have you been in your current position for a long time?

Are you allowing the recession to distort your true career value?

When was the last time that you advocated for a promotion, raise or new job opportunity?

You might be very surprised at your own results. Even if you are going to be conservative and hold off on any new career moves until the economy improves, here are a few things to keep in mind:

-- Don't wait for annual performance reviews to determine what your skills are worth. Make it a practice to peruse new job opportunities outside your company and compare your career background and experience against what other employers in your industry are actively seeking.

-- Take the time and extra step to quantify your efforts, impact and contributions. If you cut down the turnaround time for developing a report from seven days to two days, calculate the time savings. There is a big difference between saying "improved monthly report turnaround time" and "increased report turnaround processing time by 70%"

-- Get objective opinions and hire a career professional if necessary. When you are the primary person staring at your resume, so much tends to get overlooked and forgotten. Remove yourself temporarily from the resume development and career evaluation process and pay close attention to what others are saying about your career background.

-- Evaluate and compare your technology expertise. Are you only an expert at internal, customized company tools and software programs? Don't become so specialized at what your company needs that you are no value to other employers. Stay current on technology trends and take evening or online course to improve your proficiency.

-- Address any expertise gaps. You may discover that your skills are outdated and that you are in jeopardy of being inefficient in your industry or marketplace. Take advantage of every learning opportunity so that even if the dynamics of your existing position changes, you are still a valuable employee to your company and other employers.

Related posts:

Improve your career skills & increase your competitive advantage

Finding achievements in your own treasure chest

Has This Economy Strengthened Your Career Planning Muscles?

I like to believe that when life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade - however, that is easier said than done when you are miserable in your job, unhappy about your career choice and disillusioned with a elongated job search.

Overall, we can agree that this downturn economy has challenged each of us (college graduates, working professionals, senior executives and everyone else in between) to move beyond our comfort zone and not take any job, career, position or consulting project for granted.

What are some key lessons that we can point to?

Keep looking ahead

-- Change your attitude and change your efforts - rather than focusing on what is wrong and building frustration around what you don't have, keep a positive, forward-thinking mentality on the possibilities that lie ahead.

-- Proactively build your career and market yourself - whether you are in a great job situation or looking to transition into a new role, keep your eyes fixed on your long-term and short-term career goals and keep making adjustments.

-- Always be prepared - technology, globalization, outsourcing and many other factors impact our industries and our jobs, keep positioning yourself for career growth and change through ongoing education and training.

Take extra steps to stay engaged

-- Don't rely on your work ethic, merits and qualifications to succeed in today's work world, understand and promote your personal brand and unique value proposition.

-- Accept short-term contracting or consulting assignments that give you an opportunity to hone your skills and place you in direct contact with decision makers.

-- Stay ahead of industry trends and changes by attending informational events, reading industry-related books, magazines and publications and frequently talking to respected leaders in your field.

Move from ordinary to extraordinary

-- You cannot keep doing the same things, using the same strategies, tapping on the same doors and expect to get different results.

-- Use social media tools to contact recruiters or decision makers directly, implement a targeted, multifaceted job search and personal marketing strategy, and establish contacts in new and emerging industries.

-- Focus your efforts on CREATING job opportunities rather than competing against the masses by chasing job listings on internet career sites.

-- Take a greater level of responsibility for chronicling your career achievements and keeping track of your big wins because you will need them as supporting evidence later on.

What valuable lessons have you learned in the economy and how has it changed how you approach your career? I would love to hear from you.

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.

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.