take control of your career!
DESCRIPTION
Looking for a new job? Ready for a promotion? Critical strategies for differentiating yourself in the marketplace and nailing down the right position.TRANSCRIPT
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER!
Jean Erickson Walker, Ed.D., CMF503-816-5956
Looking for a new job?Ready for a promotion?
Critical strategies for differentiating yourself in the marketplace and nailing down the right position.
What do you do?
GET TO THE BOTTOM LINE
What is the result of what you do?Who benefits?
“I lead cutting edge technical teams to create innovative products.”
“I engage people at every level in commitment to quality and safety.”
“I energize the entire organization around bottom line results, focusing on what’s best for the company and best for the customer.”
“ I create the blueprint to take new products to market internationally.”
“Most people decide within 8 seconds whether someone is worth listening to in the first place.”The New Articulate Executive, Granville Toogood.
Break out of the job description trap. Don’t let rules get in the way of your career. Titles, functional areas and organizational structure are meant for ant colonies. Borrow shamelessly and make a compelling case to change your job to fit where you shine.
WHAT IS YOUR BRAND IMAGE?
Is your image distinctive, consistent and relevant?“Straight shooter” “Tough negotiator”“Creative” “Competitive”“Gets results” “Idea person”“Great with people” “Natural leader”“Kind, considerate, nice person” “Smart”“High integrity, ethics” “Technical expert”“Hard worker, dependable” “Loyal”
“You are always on display. When it comes to your brand,
there is no such thing as a transaction that doesn’t count.”David D’Alessandro, CEO of John Hancock
Know your story- What is unique about you?- Talents, skills, interests?- Leadership, management style?- How do you create success?
Tell your story- Examples, analogies, stories- Make it come alive!
WHO ARE YOU?
There is no template or pattern when you determine to be authentic.
Picture yourself on top of the mountain and shout it to the world.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU?U N I Q U E LY Y O U
Values/Beliefs Heritage/Culture Focus/Priorities Life changing events Personal style:
Communication Decision making Leadership
Management
O N E O F M A N Y
Titles Years of experience Functional area Industries Companies Degrees/certifications Skills Technical knowledge
“If we see the path ahead laid out for us, there is a good chance it is not our path; it is probably someone else’s we have substituted for our own.”
The Heart Aroused,”David Whyte
UNIQUE
“
"Hav
ing no eq
ual.”
“Unlik
ely to be m
atche
d.”
“Inco
mparab
le.”
“Extr
emely
rare.
”
DEFINE YOUR MARKET VALUEWhat is your specific product or service? What do you
provide of value?What are you willing to guarantee to deliver?
What is your market niche? Who is your ideal customer? Who benefits most from your contributions?What differentiates you from your competitors?
What is your optimum role? Where do you typically excel?
What are the relationships that bring out the best in you?Peers, Direct Reports, Senior Executives, Boards, Customers?
What are your natural talents and gifts? What comes easily, instinctively, to you? What skills and expertise have you built on these talents?
BE AN EXPERT AT SOMETHING…..
•Stand out from the crowd
•Become indispensable
•Learn something new no one else knows
•Be visible and available
•Take on a project no one else wants
•Establish alliances by trading expertise
•Focus on outcomes, not tasks
“Everybody needs somebody sometime, and although my dream was overdue, it was well worth waiting for someone like you.”
Dean Martin hit song
Click icon to add picture
EXPAND YOUR REPERTOIRE
“No one pays to see a one ball juggler.”
1. Improve your communication skills. People skills win out over technical skills every time.
2. Increase your knowledge of the global marketplace.
3. Volunteer for a leadership role in your professional association.
4. Focus on acquiring wisdom, rather than facts.
TAKE CONTROL OF THE SOLUTION THE RULE OF THREE
Major Point
Supporting point
Supporting point
Supporting point
1. Analyze the problem or opportunity
2. Create three potential solutions
3. Present your recommendation with supporting evidence
“Always do your thinking outside the door.”
Inside each of us is a geyser of optimism waiting to erupt. Don’t hold it back! Believe in yourself.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE MATTERSLook, sound and act like a leader
Walk like you know where you’re going and can hardly wait to get there!- long smooth strides; reach with your toes - head up, shoulders back, hips forward- smile, eyes open, alert look of anticipation- include everyone in your eye contact
Show the calm, self assurance that gains the confidence of others.- believe in yourself- do your homework and know the value you bring to the table- be optimistic and show it- be the host not the guest, focus on making everyone else comfortable
“
“When you walk into a room, own it!”
• Wear an outfit that will be remembered; keep it classy but distinctive. This is not the time to be anonymous.
• There is no age restriction on being cool; be memorable or be forgotten.
• Even undertakers wear a touch of red occasionally.
• Dare to risk.
• Meticulous grooming, don’t forget the shoes.
• What are you selling? Do you look the part? Do you inspire confidence?
• Is your hair style current? Age appropriate? Role appropriate?
“This is not the time to be anonymous.”
APPEAL TO THEIR EMOTIONS AND THEIR MINDS WILL FOLLOW• Everyone is asking themselves, “Why should I care?” The
lesson of the elephant and the rider is emotion controls logic every time. People instinctively follow the leader who appeals to their hearts.
• Listen thoughtfully: “To be interesting, you must be interested.” The most fascinating conversationalist is the person who asks you about yourself. Be fascinating to everyone you meet.
• There’s a reason for the adage, “Death by power point.” Forget technology and talk directly to your audience.
• “A picture is worth 1,000 words.” Create visual word pictures; data is only useful for shock value.
“The truth is three minutes in front of the right audience can be worth a year at your desk.“ The New Articulate Executive by Granville N.
Toogood
IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING WORTH SAYING, SAY IT WITH ENTHUSIASM!
SEVEN THINGS TO AVOID THE ROCKY SHOALS
1.Ego: Needing to be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you aren’t doing your job and you aren’t hiring the right people. Everyone who works for you should be smarter than you are at something.2.Losing your mojo: When you stop really caring, everyone around you stops performing at their best.3.Avoiding conflict. There is no such thing as an issue that will go away on its own. It will either erupt or go underground. Deal with it within 24 hours.4.Protecting your mistakes: Admit your mistakes, and get on with it.5.Micromanaging: If two people are doing the same job, one isn’t necessary. 6.Forgetting your customer: Internal or external, who benefits most from your work? 7.Neglecting to set clear expectations and ensuring consistent accountability: Don’t leave people floundering. Set a clear path and be sure the lights are on.
Be alert, ride the wave, anticipate the action, take control….soar.
You have the power.
10 THINGS TO DO ON A REGULAR BASIS1. Focus on the positive.2. Set priorities and boundaries for your life. 3. Take care of yourself; you are your own best asset.4. Don’t waste your gifts and talents.5. Learn something new every day. 6. Ask, “Why not?” more often than “Why?”7. Become an expert in recognizing communication styles and adapting your
own.8. Genuinely value and enjoy people. After all, they are all that really
matter to your success.9. Manage your time and resources based on priorities rather than whims or
expediency.10. Concentrate on the questions, not the answers.
“Be open and encouraging of people who dare to be different. They may well be the forerunners of the future.”
Watch for the We are all
faced with great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.
TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE AND SWIM TO SUCCESS
Know your story
Identify your target
Focus on the goal
“Luck is the residue of design.” Whether you are looking for a new position or a promotion, you can’t just wait for it to happen. Your career success is up to you and it begins with commitment and determination to make it happen.”
IMAGINE THE FUTURE
“Your customer isn’t interested in past successes; they’re buying hope and trust in the future…hope that you are the one who will make their future wonderful; trust that you will care as much about their future as they do.”
Jean Erickson Walker, Ed.D., CMF503-221-8747;