To prepare ourselves for these uncertain times, we must take charge of our own career. I will highlight seven key strategies that I focus on with both my leadership and career coaching clients. You can assess from a one to ten how your presently are doing on these strategies and then you will know where to focus your energy.
1. Be Proactive on LinkedIn. With 135 million members and two people joining per second LinkedIn is becoming an even more important networking tool. I have dozens of stories on how clients have landed great interviews and even job offers from managing their LinkedIn site professionally. The strategy I recommend is to either spend five minutes on LinkedIn a day or 30 minutes once a week to either make status updates or new connections. Great networking can also come from this site and you never know who someone may know!
2. Track Achievements. The second strategy I want you to focus on monthly is tracking your achievements! How often is it time for your performance review or time to update your resume and you are completely overwhelmed trying to remember your specific accomplishments. Once a month schedule 30 minutes where you record three achievements for the month. If you have three months in a row where you realize you do not have anything to record that is a clue that you need to get involved in more challenging projects or volunteer for a professional association. Schedule this time now on your calendar.
3. Keep on Learning. Professional development is the third strategy. When was the last time you took a training or teleseminar to develop a competency? We get so caught up in the craziness of our job that we forget how important it is to develop ourselves. Focusing on professional development is going to keep you up to date and recharged. There are lots of teleseminars that you can get involved in without leaving your office. Set a goal, at a minimum of one professional development activity a quarter. What will you be doing this quarter for development?
4. Find a Mentor. Strategy four is getting extra support from getting involved with a mentor or professional organization. The goal of having a mentor is that you have someone that is not your boss who you can trust to get career insights and feedback. Professional organizations in your career area are key to keeping up to date with the latest trends in your field.
5. Get Feedback! Strategy five is asking for feedback. Do not wait for your annual review. You want your employer to see how motivated you are and that you are open for both positive and negative feedback. Even if you are an entrepreneur, ask for feedback from your customers. How can we improve if we do not get feedback? LinkedIn is another great tool to use to get feedback. Be assertive and ask for an endorsement when you feel like you have made an impact on a particular project.
6. Identify Your Brand. Strategy six is to focus on your personal brand. What makes you different from your colleagues? What three strengths do you bring to your career? Being clear on what we bring to our work environment can enhance our success and energize us as well.
7. Focus on Resiliency. It does not matter what kind of career environment you work in. Workplaces are busier with fewer resources. You need to be able to function at 100% capacity and have the energy to do it! I often ask my coaching clients what they are doing to recharge themselves. We really need to think about our energy like a battery. How do we recharge? I want you to list two ways you recharge yourself during the week. Is it a great exercise class, yoga class, book club or a hobby?
These seven strategies can spark your career development and add to your success! Start using them today!
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Beth Benatti Kennedy is a leadership and career coach and the Principal at Benatti Training and Development (www.bethkennedy.com). Beth co-facilitates the Success at Work Professional Development Series in partnership with NEHRA. Beth is certified as a Talent Management/ Leadership Coach from Leadership Coach Academy and Linkage Inc. She is also a member of Career Directors International (www.careerdirectors.com).
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