Go to job fairs because employers usually flock to these job fairs. In the same manner, job applicants also flock to these job fairs so make sure you come well prepared with several copies of your resumes and cover letter.
Job fairs are usually held in universities especially when graduation time is near. These fairs are also held in malls or other public areas that are accessible to a greater number of people. Look out for announcements of job fairs on the radio, televisions and even posters in the park.
Keep in touch with family, friends, past classmates and ex-colleagues. Let them know that you are looking for work, and regularly remind them to call you up when a job opportunity is present.
Read the newspapers because vacancies are usually advertised there. Make it a habit to check the papers everyday because there are plenty of job opportunities not just in the advertisements but also in the news reports.
Write up your resume in creative ways, even if you don’t have much qualification and experience. New graduates, for example, can mention their participation in campus projects and industry attachments. Describe what you did and how your contribution helped make it successful.
Finally, you received the phone call or e-mail asking you to turn up for an interview.
Do your research into the company and the prospective, before you enter their office for the interview. Find information about the company’s main line of business, and the kind of duties expected in the new job. During the interview, you can discuss what you know with the interviewers, thus impressing them.
Send a Thank You note after the interview. Even if you have been rejected, you should still send the note. Again, this creates a good impression. Who knows, when it has another similar opening, the interviewers may even offer it to you.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
The 6 Career Secrets No One Ever Told You
Recently I read a comic book by Daniel H. Pink. The book name is called The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need.
Johnny Bunko is an ordinary person. He did what everybody (parents, teachers, counselors) told him to do. But now, stuck at a dead-end job, he begun to suspect that where he thought he knew is just plain wrong.
One bizarre night, Johnny meets Diana, the unlikeliest career adviser he ever seen. She reveals to Johnny the six essential lessons for thriving in the world of work.
Here are the six most important lessons of a satisfying, successful career.
1. There is no plan
Many people believe they can map out every step ahead of time and end up where they want. But that is a fantasy. The world always changes. Ten years from now, your job might be in other countries. Your industry might not even exist. You will change and you might discover a hidden talent.
You need to make smart choices. You can make career decisions for two different types of reasons. You can do instrumental reasons, because you think it is going to lead to something else, regardless of whether you enjoy it or it is worthwhile or you can do something for fundamental reasons, because you think it is inherently valuable, regardless of what it may or may not lead to.
The dirty little secret is that instrumental reasons usually don't work. Things can become too complicated, too unpredictable. You will never know what is going to happen and you end up stuck. Most of time, successful people make decisions for fundamental reasons. They take a job or join a company because it will let them do interesting work in a cool place, even if they don't know exactly where it will lead.
2. Think strengths, not weaknesses
Research has found that the key to success is to steer around your weaknesses and focus on your strengths. Successful people don't try too hard to improve what they are weak at. They capitalize on what they good at.
Start asking yourself questions like:
What are my strengths?
What do I do consistently well?
What gives me energy rather than drains it?
What sorts of activities create 'flow' for me? ( Flow is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. )
3. It is not about you
It is about your customers. It is about your clients. Successful people improve their own lives by improving others' lives. They help their customers solve their problems. The most valuable people in any job bring out the best in others. They make their boss look good. They help their teammates succeed.
4. Persistence trumps talent
The people who achieve the most are often the ones who stick with it when others don't. They show up, they practice and practice and practice some more. That is why they do so well in whatever career they choose.
A little bit improves performance, which encourages greater persistence, which improves performance even more. Lack of persistence works the same way but only in the opposite direction.
The world is littered with talented people who did not persist, who did not put in the hours, who gave up too early, who thought they could ride on talent alone. Meanwhile, people who might have less talent pass them by.
Intrinsic motivation is important, doing things not to get an external rewards like money or promotion, but because you simply like doing it. The more intrinsic motivation you have, the more likely you are to persist. The more you persist, the more likely you are to succeed.
5. Make excellent mistakes
Too many people spend their time avoiding mistakes. They are so concerned about being wrong, about messing up, that they never try anything. Their focus is avoiding failure and that is actually is crummy way to achieve success.
The most successful people make spectacular mistakes. Each time they make a mistake, they get a little better and move a little closer to excellence.
6. Leave an imprint
As you get older and look back at your life, you will start asking yourself a whole bunch of questions like:
Did I contribute something?
Did I make a difference?
Did my being here matter?
Many people get towards the end of their lives and don't like their answer. By then it is almost too late and so start asking yourself those questions today.
Johnny Bunko is an ordinary person. He did what everybody (parents, teachers, counselors) told him to do. But now, stuck at a dead-end job, he begun to suspect that where he thought he knew is just plain wrong.
One bizarre night, Johnny meets Diana, the unlikeliest career adviser he ever seen. She reveals to Johnny the six essential lessons for thriving in the world of work.
Here are the six most important lessons of a satisfying, successful career.
1. There is no plan
Many people believe they can map out every step ahead of time and end up where they want. But that is a fantasy. The world always changes. Ten years from now, your job might be in other countries. Your industry might not even exist. You will change and you might discover a hidden talent.
You need to make smart choices. You can make career decisions for two different types of reasons. You can do instrumental reasons, because you think it is going to lead to something else, regardless of whether you enjoy it or it is worthwhile or you can do something for fundamental reasons, because you think it is inherently valuable, regardless of what it may or may not lead to.
The dirty little secret is that instrumental reasons usually don't work. Things can become too complicated, too unpredictable. You will never know what is going to happen and you end up stuck. Most of time, successful people make decisions for fundamental reasons. They take a job or join a company because it will let them do interesting work in a cool place, even if they don't know exactly where it will lead.
2. Think strengths, not weaknesses
Research has found that the key to success is to steer around your weaknesses and focus on your strengths. Successful people don't try too hard to improve what they are weak at. They capitalize on what they good at.
Start asking yourself questions like:
What are my strengths?
What do I do consistently well?
What gives me energy rather than drains it?
What sorts of activities create 'flow' for me? ( Flow is the mental state of operation in which the person is fully immersed in what he or she is doing, characterized by a feeling of energized focus, full involvement, and success in the process of the activity. )
3. It is not about you
It is about your customers. It is about your clients. Successful people improve their own lives by improving others' lives. They help their customers solve their problems. The most valuable people in any job bring out the best in others. They make their boss look good. They help their teammates succeed.
4. Persistence trumps talent
The people who achieve the most are often the ones who stick with it when others don't. They show up, they practice and practice and practice some more. That is why they do so well in whatever career they choose.
A little bit improves performance, which encourages greater persistence, which improves performance even more. Lack of persistence works the same way but only in the opposite direction.
The world is littered with talented people who did not persist, who did not put in the hours, who gave up too early, who thought they could ride on talent alone. Meanwhile, people who might have less talent pass them by.
Intrinsic motivation is important, doing things not to get an external rewards like money or promotion, but because you simply like doing it. The more intrinsic motivation you have, the more likely you are to persist. The more you persist, the more likely you are to succeed.
5. Make excellent mistakes
Too many people spend their time avoiding mistakes. They are so concerned about being wrong, about messing up, that they never try anything. Their focus is avoiding failure and that is actually is crummy way to achieve success.
The most successful people make spectacular mistakes. Each time they make a mistake, they get a little better and move a little closer to excellence.
6. Leave an imprint
As you get older and look back at your life, you will start asking yourself a whole bunch of questions like:
Did I contribute something?
Did I make a difference?
Did my being here matter?
Many people get towards the end of their lives and don't like their answer. By then it is almost too late and so start asking yourself those questions today.
Friday, January 23, 2009
When Things Fall Apart by Aarti Dhingra
WE ALL experience times in our lives when it seems that things are just not going the way we want. Maybe your job is giving you problems, perhaps you have financial challenges, or you are experiencing a difficult time in your marriage or other relationships.
Tough times can bring you to your knees, but they can also raise you to new heights. The important thing is to focus on making sure you get through to the other side. As Winston Churchill said: "If you're going through hell, keep going."
So here are some tips to help you navigate difficult times of transition with wisdom.
Nurture yourself
You are not feeling right emotionally or mentally. Whether you have lost a friend or a job, or are at a loose end, you will go through stages of grief and stress. Start acknowledging your stress and be kind to yourself.
Take comfort in what nourishes you - inspirational reading, music, a visit to a place of spiritual significance or a quiet cafe to have a cup of tea or coffee and just watch the world go by. Talk to close friends and seek positive people who can lift your spirits. Make this fuelling process a priority every day.
Be patient
Just remember the mantra: "This too shall pass." Something will happen to change your current state of mind. It could be as simple as a smile from a stranger or as momentous as a good job offer.
Accept support
Do not deprive your friends and family of the opportunity to help you when you need it. Just remember, shared burdens foster enhanced closeness. Join a support group - this might be a prayer circle, a job-seekers meeting, or a group of people with an issue similar to yours. Knowing that you are not alone will make you feel more positive.
Stay focused on the present
Take life one day, one moment at a time. Tough times are more manageable when you pay attention to making decisions and taking actions on only the next couple of steps. Worrying about the future can sometimes dampen your confidence, leading to more stress. Concentrate your precious energy on only what is critically important right now.
Trust in your resilience
Chances are you have been through tough times before. Try to focus on the natural inner resources that helped you ride the waves the last time. It is said that a crisis brings out the worst and the best in a person. Using positive self-talk and the various coping strategies will help you weather the storm and emerge stronger and wiser.
Tough times can bring you to your knees, but they can also raise you to new heights. The important thing is to focus on making sure you get through to the other side. As Winston Churchill said: "If you're going through hell, keep going."
So here are some tips to help you navigate difficult times of transition with wisdom.
Nurture yourself
You are not feeling right emotionally or mentally. Whether you have lost a friend or a job, or are at a loose end, you will go through stages of grief and stress. Start acknowledging your stress and be kind to yourself.
Take comfort in what nourishes you - inspirational reading, music, a visit to a place of spiritual significance or a quiet cafe to have a cup of tea or coffee and just watch the world go by. Talk to close friends and seek positive people who can lift your spirits. Make this fuelling process a priority every day.
Be patient
Just remember the mantra: "This too shall pass." Something will happen to change your current state of mind. It could be as simple as a smile from a stranger or as momentous as a good job offer.
Accept support
Do not deprive your friends and family of the opportunity to help you when you need it. Just remember, shared burdens foster enhanced closeness. Join a support group - this might be a prayer circle, a job-seekers meeting, or a group of people with an issue similar to yours. Knowing that you are not alone will make you feel more positive.
Stay focused on the present
Take life one day, one moment at a time. Tough times are more manageable when you pay attention to making decisions and taking actions on only the next couple of steps. Worrying about the future can sometimes dampen your confidence, leading to more stress. Concentrate your precious energy on only what is critically important right now.
Trust in your resilience
Chances are you have been through tough times before. Try to focus on the natural inner resources that helped you ride the waves the last time. It is said that a crisis brings out the worst and the best in a person. Using positive self-talk and the various coping strategies will help you weather the storm and emerge stronger and wiser.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tips On Advancing One's Career by Linda Lee
1. Being serious and focused at work can help to reinforce your professional image. Aiming to be meticulous and mindful can help to minimise distraction, and bring about efficiency and consistency.
2. Be hardworking, humble; and unafraid to ask questions (and make a fool of yourself). There's no shortcut to success and the only way to prove yourself is to put in effort and be willing to learn from mistakes. Yes, you may learn how to work smart, but a good boss will know better to reward a deserving employee than credit an empty vessel who has no real results to show.
3. Strive to position yourself as a valuable asset and market your unique selling point consistently so that you appear to have a competitive advantage over your peers. If you know you're weak in certain areas, compensate by trying to amplify your strong points while working on the former. You could also demonstrate initiative to show that you're dependable and willing to go an extra mile to complete a job.
4. Everyone loves a nice guy so look at ways to bring up your EQ (emotional quotient) and refrain from letting the grouch in you surface at work. Always be polite and learn to manage your anger instead of allowing your emotions to run wild. A pleasant worker demonstrates professional decorum and this will definitely make him more outstanding that another who doesn't.
5. Be responsible, keen and pro-active at work. Be dedicated to and take ownership of your given task, and strive to complete it well, even if it's not the most interesting thing in the world to do. Take pride in what you do and let your enthusiasm shine through. Infecting others, including your supervisor, with your positive vibes is one sure way of leaving a good impression. Just remember not to overdo it.
6. Be reliable. Show your boss you can be trusted and is a sure-footed, independent-yet-dependable employee. This will help to raise your profile at work.
7. Being organised lends an appearance of someone who's steady and capable of keeping things under control. This is an important trait as it implies you have thought through certain processes and are therefore apt at handling arising matters in times of change or crisis; so work on this aspect if you want to give your career a boost.
8. Lastly, be observant and keep an open and flexible mind so that you can adapt to changes easily.
2. Be hardworking, humble; and unafraid to ask questions (and make a fool of yourself). There's no shortcut to success and the only way to prove yourself is to put in effort and be willing to learn from mistakes. Yes, you may learn how to work smart, but a good boss will know better to reward a deserving employee than credit an empty vessel who has no real results to show.
3. Strive to position yourself as a valuable asset and market your unique selling point consistently so that you appear to have a competitive advantage over your peers. If you know you're weak in certain areas, compensate by trying to amplify your strong points while working on the former. You could also demonstrate initiative to show that you're dependable and willing to go an extra mile to complete a job.
4. Everyone loves a nice guy so look at ways to bring up your EQ (emotional quotient) and refrain from letting the grouch in you surface at work. Always be polite and learn to manage your anger instead of allowing your emotions to run wild. A pleasant worker demonstrates professional decorum and this will definitely make him more outstanding that another who doesn't.
5. Be responsible, keen and pro-active at work. Be dedicated to and take ownership of your given task, and strive to complete it well, even if it's not the most interesting thing in the world to do. Take pride in what you do and let your enthusiasm shine through. Infecting others, including your supervisor, with your positive vibes is one sure way of leaving a good impression. Just remember not to overdo it.
6. Be reliable. Show your boss you can be trusted and is a sure-footed, independent-yet-dependable employee. This will help to raise your profile at work.
7. Being organised lends an appearance of someone who's steady and capable of keeping things under control. This is an important trait as it implies you have thought through certain processes and are therefore apt at handling arising matters in times of change or crisis; so work on this aspect if you want to give your career a boost.
8. Lastly, be observant and keep an open and flexible mind so that you can adapt to changes easily.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Welcome to My Blog!
Hi readers,
This is Gongyi and I welcome you to the Personal Development Blog.
I have an article for you.
How to Recession Proof Your Job: Ten Job Secrets for Career Success! by: Ed Sykes
Economic times constantly change and organizations adapt to these changes. For you to find career success, you must be pro-active about your job. What are the career secrets of those who soar to the top in their careers no matter what the economic environment is in the world?
The following are ten career secrets you can use to “recession proof” yourself and find career success no matter what the economic situation is:
1. Find Out What Your Organization Needs for Career Success
Invest the time to investigate and understand your organization’s mission, goals, and values. Your organization may be facing challenges and the person who can tune into what the organization needs to be successful and provide the solution can write his/her own career success ticket.
Remember, to get what you want in your career, you must help your organization, your department, your manager succeed. Focus on what is important to your manager and provide the solution. If customer service is important, speak with your manager in terms of creating customer solutions. If your manager is a numbers person, quantify all your results, etc.
2. Be a Change Agent for Career Success
Organizational change will change the way you do your job. There is no escaping the changes that are happening around us all the time. Learn to embrace these changes so that you can learn how to take advantage of the career opportunities available from being a change agent.
How do you do this? Be pro-active and ask questions about the change. How does it affect the organization? What challenges will there be implementing the changes? How will these changes affect the way you do your job? And the most important question, “What can you do to help implement the changes?”
Once you receive the answers to these questions, and are able to act on the answers, you are way ahead of the “change curve” and will be looked at as someone who can “make things happen” within the organization. This will lead to countless career opportunities
3. Be the Master of Your Job for Career Success
Invest the time to learn as much as there is to know about your job. Many times, employees will become complacent and master only the few tasks that they do 80% of the time. Then when a career opportunity comes up, this employee does not have the skill set to take advantage of a promotion or raise.
Take the time to read trade journals, go on the Internet to job related sites, and ask questions to master the understanding of your job. With the wealth of information there is in the 21st century, there is no excuse for “not knowing.”
4. Volunteer to Make a Difference for Career Success
Volunteer for assignments that expose your skills. Look for especially challenging projects that other people have declined.
Also volunteer to mentor others within your organization. This will show and develop your leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. Keep management posted on your challenges and how you are working with the person you are mentoring to overcome these challenges.
Volunteer to write a department or organizational newsletter. This is another way to benefit a large group, while showcasing your skills and ideas.
5. Be a Solution Creator and Not a Problem Maker for Career Success
Anybody can find problems within organizations. My experience is that you don’t need to find them…they will find you. Some people have a special skill for finding problems and reporting them.
Develop the skill of looking at these problems as “opportunities for advancement,” step back and analyze the opportunity, and develop ideas for overcoming the problem. Make sure you communicate these solutions during meetings, e-mails, memos, and conversations with management. You will soon be looked upon by management as someone who can overcome obstacles and make things happen within the organization.
6. Handle the Next Level at This Level for Career Success
If you are a manager and want to become a vice president, then start working like a vice president. Find a vice president that is open to mentoring you for the next level. Remember, that vice president will not be promoted to the next level unless the organization sees that the vice president has developed someone to take his/her spot. It might as well be you. Plus, you can lighten the vice president’s work load.
Explain to the vice president what you want to accomplish so that everyone has a clear understanding and that this is a win-win situation for all involved.
I hear, “I’m too busy already to do this.” Well, let me ask you, “How badly do you want the promotion?” We are all busy. It’s up to you to enhance your time management and delegation skills so that you can take on these tasks that will prepare you for the next job level.
Note: Dress as if you are already at the next career level. When you dress for the next level, this makes it easier for the decision makers because they can already envision you at the next career level.
7. Announce That You Want It!
Many times employees miss out on promotions because the decision makers and career influencers do not know they are interested in being promoted.
Announce that you want to go to the next career level!
Take time to sit down with your supervisor, manager, director, etc., and let them know you are interested in going to the next level. Ask them for their honest assessment of your skills. Then ask what you need to do to be ready when the next career opportunity appears.
Also announce your career aspirations to influencers in the Human Resources Department. Remember the more people they can hire from the inside, the less work they need to do. Make it easy for them to hire you.
Announce it to any one who can influence the decision for your promotion.
8. Network and Join Groups to Accelerate Career Success
Join and be active in committees within your organization for career success. This shows management that you care enough to make a difference. It also allows a larger assortment of managers to experience your skill set outside of your normal duties.
Also join professional groups and associations for career success. Professional groups and associations are a perfect way to let influencers outside your organization become aware of your skills. Remember, these influencers most likely work for other organizations and may be in positions to hire new employees. Don’t just join, participant in the association’s activities to show your creativity, teamwork, and other skills.
Join and let your organization know you have joined these groups. This will show your organization that you are an employee who is taking action to stay ahead of the “career success curve” and can contribute to the organization.
9. Tell Your Job Story for Career Success
Let as many people within your organization and outside your organization know what you do and how well you do it. Make sure you tell your job story at meetings, company conferences, and retreats and to customers. Make sure you tell them with passion!
Many people are shy about telling their career story in a group setting. Because of this fear, you may miss out on the one opportunity to let other people know what you know. One of the most important groups that you could ever join to overcome this fear is Toastmasters. This is a worldwide organization with over 175,000 members dedicated to helping members improve their public speaking, evaluation, think-on-your-feet, and leadership skills. The main reasons you should join Toastmasters are the following:
* Toastmasters can give you the confidence to approach any opportunity with confidence.
* Toastmasters can give you the speaking skills to stand up in front of a group and present your point in a persuasive manner, while others may shy away from this opportunity.
* You develop your leadership skills by learning how to do effective, positive, and encouraging feedback and evaluations, while learning how to empower the receiver to do better.
* You have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills by volunteering for positions at the club, area, state, regional, and international level. I always say if you can’t get the skills at your organization, you can get it at Toastmasters.
10. Build a Nest Egg for Career Success
One of the biggest barriers to creating career success is not building a financial nest egg. When you are at a financial disadvantage, you are less likely to pursue job opportunities, invest in educational opportunities to increase your skills; and, most importantly, you may develop an overwhelming fear of losing your job while in your present position.
Eliminate your debts so that you can freely pursue any career opportunities that present themselves. It’s no fun knowing that you wanted a certain job but could not pursue it because of financial obligations.
I challenge you to apply these ten career techniques today! You will see immediate job results and go to the next career level no matter what the economic environment may be.
This is Gongyi and I welcome you to the Personal Development Blog.
I have an article for you.
How to Recession Proof Your Job: Ten Job Secrets for Career Success! by: Ed Sykes
Economic times constantly change and organizations adapt to these changes. For you to find career success, you must be pro-active about your job. What are the career secrets of those who soar to the top in their careers no matter what the economic environment is in the world?
The following are ten career secrets you can use to “recession proof” yourself and find career success no matter what the economic situation is:
1. Find Out What Your Organization Needs for Career Success
Invest the time to investigate and understand your organization’s mission, goals, and values. Your organization may be facing challenges and the person who can tune into what the organization needs to be successful and provide the solution can write his/her own career success ticket.
Remember, to get what you want in your career, you must help your organization, your department, your manager succeed. Focus on what is important to your manager and provide the solution. If customer service is important, speak with your manager in terms of creating customer solutions. If your manager is a numbers person, quantify all your results, etc.
2. Be a Change Agent for Career Success
Organizational change will change the way you do your job. There is no escaping the changes that are happening around us all the time. Learn to embrace these changes so that you can learn how to take advantage of the career opportunities available from being a change agent.
How do you do this? Be pro-active and ask questions about the change. How does it affect the organization? What challenges will there be implementing the changes? How will these changes affect the way you do your job? And the most important question, “What can you do to help implement the changes?”
Once you receive the answers to these questions, and are able to act on the answers, you are way ahead of the “change curve” and will be looked at as someone who can “make things happen” within the organization. This will lead to countless career opportunities
3. Be the Master of Your Job for Career Success
Invest the time to learn as much as there is to know about your job. Many times, employees will become complacent and master only the few tasks that they do 80% of the time. Then when a career opportunity comes up, this employee does not have the skill set to take advantage of a promotion or raise.
Take the time to read trade journals, go on the Internet to job related sites, and ask questions to master the understanding of your job. With the wealth of information there is in the 21st century, there is no excuse for “not knowing.”
4. Volunteer to Make a Difference for Career Success
Volunteer for assignments that expose your skills. Look for especially challenging projects that other people have declined.
Also volunteer to mentor others within your organization. This will show and develop your leadership, management, and interpersonal skills. Keep management posted on your challenges and how you are working with the person you are mentoring to overcome these challenges.
Volunteer to write a department or organizational newsletter. This is another way to benefit a large group, while showcasing your skills and ideas.
5. Be a Solution Creator and Not a Problem Maker for Career Success
Anybody can find problems within organizations. My experience is that you don’t need to find them…they will find you. Some people have a special skill for finding problems and reporting them.
Develop the skill of looking at these problems as “opportunities for advancement,” step back and analyze the opportunity, and develop ideas for overcoming the problem. Make sure you communicate these solutions during meetings, e-mails, memos, and conversations with management. You will soon be looked upon by management as someone who can overcome obstacles and make things happen within the organization.
6. Handle the Next Level at This Level for Career Success
If you are a manager and want to become a vice president, then start working like a vice president. Find a vice president that is open to mentoring you for the next level. Remember, that vice president will not be promoted to the next level unless the organization sees that the vice president has developed someone to take his/her spot. It might as well be you. Plus, you can lighten the vice president’s work load.
Explain to the vice president what you want to accomplish so that everyone has a clear understanding and that this is a win-win situation for all involved.
I hear, “I’m too busy already to do this.” Well, let me ask you, “How badly do you want the promotion?” We are all busy. It’s up to you to enhance your time management and delegation skills so that you can take on these tasks that will prepare you for the next job level.
Note: Dress as if you are already at the next career level. When you dress for the next level, this makes it easier for the decision makers because they can already envision you at the next career level.
7. Announce That You Want It!
Many times employees miss out on promotions because the decision makers and career influencers do not know they are interested in being promoted.
Announce that you want to go to the next career level!
Take time to sit down with your supervisor, manager, director, etc., and let them know you are interested in going to the next level. Ask them for their honest assessment of your skills. Then ask what you need to do to be ready when the next career opportunity appears.
Also announce your career aspirations to influencers in the Human Resources Department. Remember the more people they can hire from the inside, the less work they need to do. Make it easy for them to hire you.
Announce it to any one who can influence the decision for your promotion.
8. Network and Join Groups to Accelerate Career Success
Join and be active in committees within your organization for career success. This shows management that you care enough to make a difference. It also allows a larger assortment of managers to experience your skill set outside of your normal duties.
Also join professional groups and associations for career success. Professional groups and associations are a perfect way to let influencers outside your organization become aware of your skills. Remember, these influencers most likely work for other organizations and may be in positions to hire new employees. Don’t just join, participant in the association’s activities to show your creativity, teamwork, and other skills.
Join and let your organization know you have joined these groups. This will show your organization that you are an employee who is taking action to stay ahead of the “career success curve” and can contribute to the organization.
9. Tell Your Job Story for Career Success
Let as many people within your organization and outside your organization know what you do and how well you do it. Make sure you tell your job story at meetings, company conferences, and retreats and to customers. Make sure you tell them with passion!
Many people are shy about telling their career story in a group setting. Because of this fear, you may miss out on the one opportunity to let other people know what you know. One of the most important groups that you could ever join to overcome this fear is Toastmasters. This is a worldwide organization with over 175,000 members dedicated to helping members improve their public speaking, evaluation, think-on-your-feet, and leadership skills. The main reasons you should join Toastmasters are the following:
* Toastmasters can give you the confidence to approach any opportunity with confidence.
* Toastmasters can give you the speaking skills to stand up in front of a group and present your point in a persuasive manner, while others may shy away from this opportunity.
* You develop your leadership skills by learning how to do effective, positive, and encouraging feedback and evaluations, while learning how to empower the receiver to do better.
* You have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills by volunteering for positions at the club, area, state, regional, and international level. I always say if you can’t get the skills at your organization, you can get it at Toastmasters.
10. Build a Nest Egg for Career Success
One of the biggest barriers to creating career success is not building a financial nest egg. When you are at a financial disadvantage, you are less likely to pursue job opportunities, invest in educational opportunities to increase your skills; and, most importantly, you may develop an overwhelming fear of losing your job while in your present position.
Eliminate your debts so that you can freely pursue any career opportunities that present themselves. It’s no fun knowing that you wanted a certain job but could not pursue it because of financial obligations.
I challenge you to apply these ten career techniques today! You will see immediate job results and go to the next career level no matter what the economic environment may be.
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