What steps have you taken in the last month to move your career forward? Anything at all?
Pop Quiz: How many can you answer, "Yes" to: (Timeframe: within the last 30 days)
Y/N I attended at least two face-to-face networking events.
Y/N If I attended a networking event, I followed up with the key people I met.
Y/N Either online or face-to-face, I met at least 3 new professionals who can possibly help me.
Y/N I had a conversation with my manager solely dedicated to my career, following my agenda.
Y/N I volunteered for a "stretch assignment" at work to learn and get more visibility.
Y/N I met with co-workers or leaders and asked them how they got promoted.
Y/N I wrote down my next career move goal, either within my company or outside.
Y/N I wrote down my plan to reach my next career move goal with clear steps I will take.
If you said "Yes" to 0-2, then you need to get moving! 3-5, you are doing well, but there is a lot more you can do! 6+, bravo!
I'm now a LinkedIn Blogger and one particular article I published really resonated with people: 3 Things You Should Do While You Still Have a Job. With over 221,000 views and 460 comments, there is clearly passion around having a Plan B while you are employed!
Some additional opinions gleaned from the article's comments are:
- "Great advice. Even if you're not planning a move, updating your résumé requires you to look at your current wins and challenges and can help you improve the now. That along with networking creates the opportunities for what's next." - MG
- "Maybe this has already been said, but I would think the number one - the numero uno thing you should do when you still have a job is... your job." - RG
- "To this I will add: avail yourself of the professional development resources available at your current job, and do your research on the jobs you would like to have and, in your current position, find ways to work on developing the skills you don't have yet. Most companies are hardly going to complain if you show interest in taking on additional work! There are always tasks and projects lying around waiting for someone to get to them. Bonus: it can help freshen up a job you might be getting bored with, too." - JA
So much of what I get to do with my private clients is to help them get their Plan B defined and in motion. I learn so much about what is blocking them from first taking full accountability, then mobilizing to take control and do something!
And, oh, have I said "Cut the Crap™" lately? Stop the excuses as to why your career is stagnant.
Have you (or a friend) used any of these recently?
- I work hard and they don't recognize my effort.
- I have no work-life balance, thanks to this company (and my boss).
- Other people are getting promoted and I'm always passed up.
- I don't have any time to work on my career because I'm working so hard in the office.
- If I network and look at other opportunities, my boss will think I'm disloyal.
- I should be promoted since I've been around a long time.
- My company is not giving me challenging opportunities to grow.
- My company has me pigeon-holed in one type of job and I'll never get out.
- Management is a bunch of yahoos - they don't know what they're doing.
- I don't believe in (or understand) the strategic direction of the company.
And let's not forget my favorite: My boss is evil!
If you need any extra help with your current career (getting promoted, moving internally, planning a move out of your company confidentially), contact me right away. In addition, if you are considering investing in YOU (for a change) to accelerate your job search process, contact me - all job search expenses are tax deductible, too.
I'm in Hyderabad, India, right now, and just delivered a keynote address to close to 1,000 professional women at the Microsoft India Women's Conference. I shared my career history while imparting the top lessons I learned along the way. Plus I delivered a break-out session on Networking for Success.
Please ask questions at any time and take advantage of all the free information on my website:
I'm here to help! You can control your career! Others around you are, but so many aren't. Be one of those who takes control and does something!
Can you answer, "What type of job are you looking for?" in two sentences? Hint - this is NOT the right answer: "A position in which my unique combination of business-building skills plugs in directly and supports those of a large company."
I'll be frank, nobody should be "doing nothing" between career positions. Either volunteer or get an internship. Volunteering is easier - after all, you're working for free - and it can give you transferable skills that will look good on your résumé
Like most job seekers, Michael did not have all his notes, documents, and research in one place...anywhere. Not in a binder, in a shoebox, or on a computer. He started to tell me about this company and that one and, "Gee, I thought I was going to get this one."
