Creating a viable path to career success starts by knowing what you want and learning to effectively convey your goals.

 

There’s never been more companies and government agencies seeking talented individuals with all types of abilities to fill myriad positions in all types of industries. And with so many resources, organizations and technologies available to individuals with disabilities who are either starting out after graduating from college or seeking the next challenge that boosts their careers to the next level, now is the time to focus on what you really want to do.

Having the ability to focus your energy on figuring out what piques your interest and making and executing a clear occupational plan is crucial to career success.

With that in mind, this year’s Annual Career-Planning Guide focuses on how to get your moving in the right direction by creating and seizing the right opportunities to land the job you want, The tips that follow will help you raise your profile within a company, grow professionally, expand your network and create a solid online and offline personal brand.

 

 

Identifying & Taking the Right Opportunities

 

There’s more to a successful career than simply showing up - a lot more. For starters, high-value employees make a habit of taking the right opportunities.

There are two fundamental questions to consider when considering any opportunity:

• What’s to be gained by taking a chance and putting forth effort?

• What could you lose if you don’t take a chance?

Opportunities and risks can look an awful lot alike. So when considering which opportunities to leap at and which to take a pass on, it’s crucial to weigh the benefits, as well as the costs, looking at the pros and cons of what could happen if you do go after an opportunity - and what could happen if you don’t.

Define Your Own Opportunities. Sometimes we get lucky, and Goldilocks opportunities fall into our laps. But let’s be real: that doesn’t actually happen as often as most of us would like. That means you have to define your own opportunities. The best way to do this is by volunteering for high-profile projects that get you in front of the powers that be.

But let’s be clear here: When it comes to volunteering for projects, I’m not talking about organizing the company picnic, leading the company’s softball team or taking the minutes at every team meeting.

I’m talking about working on an important project that makes a direct contribution to the bottom line. I’m talking about volunteering for visible projects that showcase your strengths, allow you to grow, and expose you to new aspects of your organization.

Make a Big Move. Getting exposure to other departments, different colleagues, a variety of managers and the powers that be sometimes means you have to relocate, whether to a regional office or to corporate headquarters.

Some people see a big move like this as a risk rather than an opportunity. But don’t let fear keep you from jumping at a chance like this, especially if you really like the organization you work for and if opportunities for advancement are there. Moving to corporate headquarters gives you the kind of exposure that can be challenging to get for those working in smaller outposts. Working at corporate headquarters puts you face to face with C Suite executives and other stakeholders who are in a position to tap those employees they believe have the most potential.

If you’re not at corporate headquarters, then chances are you’re not being seen by key decision-makers. Relocating can get you some quality face time, and it can provide new networking opportunities that will help you build a larger sphere of influence.

Relocating can be intimidating, but it also can be one of those opportunities that yields countless benefits. I know this firsthand. I once moved my family to the Southwest so I could accept a new position at corporate headquarters, only to make my family miserable. Even our dogs hated it. They hated the new grass in our new lawn at our new house and refused to go outside and do what they were supposed to do. I literally faced a pile of waste on the driveway every day on my way in and out the door.

Even so, the move was still worth it. Not only did the dogs eventually figure things out, but within six months I moved into an expanded role in which I was able to broaden my experience and gain new skills. Furthermore, I was seen as a driven, loyal employee who was willing to do what it took to get ahead.

Plant a Seed. The drive to get ahead matters, but how to go about it varies from one company to the next. Some organizations love it when employees volunteer for special assignments and then jump right in. Some prefer to ask for volunteers. Sometimes you get volunteered by someone else. Other times, though, taking the right opportunities is a matter of planting seeds.

For instance, one company I worked for was going for the coveted Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Pursuing this award was many years in the making, and I felt strongly that we weren’t on the right track to win it. So I told my CEO, “If you ever need me to take a more active role in Baldrige, then I’d be happy to do that.”

I planted the seed. If I had said, “Let me be the person to lead Baldrige,” my CEO would have turned me down flat. That’s just not the way this organization or this CEO worked. But soon enough he realized that he could count on me to deliver. And I did: We won the award.

Taking the right opportunities sometimes means you have to lean in; sometimes it means you have to lean back. The key is to know what plays in your organization.

Deliver Results. No matter what opportunities you choose, you must make sure they help you build your reputation - your good reputation. This means you have to take on projects that you know you can complete. You can’t kind of join a task force: Don’t be that person who volunteers and then doesn’t carry her own weight. You have to deliver. Don’t twist an opportunity into a risk by turning in a subpar performance.

You’ll be challenged throughout your career. Sometimes you’ll succeed. Sometimes you’ll fail. If taking an opportunity helps you grow, then it was the right thing to do. When you deliver results - just like you said you would - you’ll know you can tackle other challenges, as well.

– Jena E. Abernathy

About the Author: Jena E. Abernathy is managing partner/chair of board services with a leading executive search firm. She’s the author of The Inequality Equalizer - Want It, Claim It, Own It - and Maximize Your Career Success.

 

 

Five Steps to Landing & Keeping a New Job

 

 

Competition is fierce when it comes to getting that job. How can you stand out from the crowd? And how can you successfully stand out once you land it?

If you follow these steps, then you just might be on your way to a new and exciting career.

1. Preparing for the Interview. Before you walk into that office and start answering interviewer’s questions, you have to answer some of your own. For example:

• What does this company do specifically?

• What recent successes have they had?

• What recent failures have they had?

You’d be amazed how many people fail to do this, even when conducting the research is often right at their fingertips. Employers expect prospective employees to know about the company. There’s no excuse not to, but take it a step further.

Tip: When asked why you want to work for the company, recite a list of their recent successes and their future expansion plans, if appropriate.

2. The Interview. Once you’ve scheduled the interview, make sure you do the following:

• Arrive on time. It doesn't matter if there was a traffic jam on the interstate, or that you had to drop your child off at day care. Plan for these possibilities and leave early.

• Be polite and courteous and thank everyone for his or her time, including the receptionist who greeted you. Imagine acing the interview only to have the receptionist say you were rude. You never know who wields power, so be nice to everyone.

• Dress nicely. Even if everyone in the company wears jeans, you don’t work there yet, so put in the effort.

• When you’re asked a question, answer it completely. If you don’t fully understand, then ask clarifying questions. Remember, how you answer the question can be more important than the answer itself.

• When asked if you have questions, be confident and take the opportunity. Remember, what you ask and how you ask it will be evaluated.

Tip: Remember, you’re making a life-altering decision here. To the company you’re just another hire, but to you, this is your life. Ask enough questions to be sure you really want the job.

3. Follow-Up after the Interview. When the interview is over, be sure to do the following:

• Thank the person or persons who interviewed you.

• Ask what will happen next and when you can expect to hear back.

• Make sure you collect business cards or email addresses from each person you speak with throughout the day.

• Find out if you have any tasks. If you do, then complete them right away.

• The second you get home send individual emails to everyone you talked to. Thank them again for their time, reiterate why you want to work for the company and why you'd be a great fit.

Tip: Consider actually writing a physical note and putting it in the mail. You're seeking a way to stand out. This will accomplish that.

4. Overcoming Objections. If the company makes you an offer, then that’s terrific. You may or may not be able to negotiate the terms. However:

• Be sure and ask.

If you end up not getting an offer, then you’ll most likely be informed via a form letter:

• Don’t let that be the end of it.

• See if you can speak to the recruiter or hiring manager on the phone. Thank him or her again for their time and consideration, but convey you’d also like the opportunity to learn the reasons for their rejection.

When you hear the objection, do the following:

• Listen carefully to what’s being said.

• Ask clarifying questions. He or she may say one thing, but really mean another.

• Respond respectfully and thank him or her for his or her time.

• Learn from what he or she said.

Tip: Remember, a rejection doesn’t mean no; It's simply a request for more information.

5. Now that you have the job. The real work begins. Your first priority is determining what it takes to be successful in that job and doing those things. Where do you start?

First, show up ready to go. Find out what’s required of you that first day and get there on time and ready to start.

Then understand your role. Before you accepted the job offer, you had some understanding of what the position required of you. Now that you’ve arrived to work, you have to completely understand what you’re supposed to be doing. Be sure and discover the following:

• Is there a job description you can refer to?

• Are there other people doing the same job?

• Have you been assigned a mentor?

• Have you met your supervisor and set up one-on-one meetings?

Tip: Read and understand that job description. Talk to the other people doing the same or similar jobs. Ask questions of your mentor and your supervisor. Basically, take the time to truly understand your role and its associated deliverables.

Once you’re there, make sure you’re spending your time doing the right things every day by knowing the following:

• Learn what your boss and the company values and rewards.

• Ask clarifying questions about what successful people at the company are doing and do the same sorts of things.

• Exceed expectations.

Be sure to understand what it takes to be successful at your current job. You need to know what results are considered “just doing your job,” and what results would be considered exceptional enough to possibly garner a raise, bonus or promotion. Check in throughout the year with your boss about your work to see if you are meeting and exceeding expectations and demonstrate your willingness and ability to do the work it takes to get to the next level at your company.

Tip: Whether you're trying to get the job, or you're requesting feedback on how to do better, standing your ground and advocating for yourself can be pretty uncomfortable. You may feel out of line, unprofessional or arrogant.

But, remember, as long as you frame your requests in terms of a genuine desire to learn more - about what you can do differently and better - you stand a better shot at getting what you want.

– George A. Santino

About the Author: George A. Santino is the author of Get Back Up: From the Streets to Microsoft Suites.

 

 

 

Moving in the Right Direction

 

 

Getting your career moving in the right direction will require a little more inner dialogue. Start by asking yourself what you love about your work. Your answer to this question can point you in the right direction and help you get your career on the desired track.

Start an Inner Dialogue. Whether you’re seeking for that big promotion, deciding to leave for a new position or wanting to start your own company, starting with what you love to do is always the right step. Your passion for your work will naturally shine through and others will notice.

But first you have to know who you are, and must be clear about where you want to go. Once you have the end in sight, begin working backward to create a strategic map to help you achieve your dream job. Don’t lose sight of your map in your day-to-day work. Ensure each week you’re doing something to move a little closer to your next step. It could be as simple as attending a networking event or as complex as a college course.

The point is to not lose momentum and to never stop moving in the right direction.

Create Your Own Personal Brand. Ensure each project, each meeting and each sales call you take on has your signature all over it. Focus on the answer to the questions above, do what you love and do it exceedingly well.

Your supervisor, coworkers and clients should be able to recognize your work in an instant. Your personal brand should be reflected in everything you do, say and, most importantly, post not just in the office, but also outside of it.

If you want your boss to see you as loyal, strategic and willing to go the extra mile, then your behavior, attitude and actions must reflect those key words and stay true to your personal brand.

Expand Your Skills. Now is the absolute best time to seize the opportunity a little extra work provides. Think of those extra hours as an investment in your future. Take on projects that relate to and expand on the work you love. Each new skill you learn is building your resume for the next step.

Moving your career ahead may also mean it’s time to take some calculated risks. A project that’s a little out of your comfort zone can be the time for you and your personal brand to shine.

Connect with Peers and Mentors. Successful people are never too busy to listen. Use your networking skills, ask your human resources department or use social media to find a person you admire, a mentor or someone who’s reached that next step and beyond. Don’t be afraid to ask for a little advice or guidance.

A few cups of coffee with an effective mentor may teach you more than hours sitting in a classroom. Most people are happy to share their success stories and help others learn from their mistakes. They’re just waiting to be asked.

When you’re truly ready to start moving your career forward, take charge and make it happen because you’re the only one who can.

Source: SWE Career Center

 

 

Ways to Network for Job Opportunities & Career Growth

 

Job seekers must fully understand the power of networking if they want to secure meaningful employment. Unfortunately, too many job seekers limit themselves when it comes to networking.

Not only can networking help you get hired by a reputable company, but career advancement and growth also occurs over time. Consider the following tips to turn networking to your advantage.

Network via a Professional Association. Professional associations provide prime networking opportunities for job seekers avidly seeking work in every industry. Networking with like-minded professionals in your industry through an association is an excellent way to find a job or advance your career.

Members of a professional association to which you belong may become future employers and business partners. Joining an association and networking can help you get in the door of a top-notch company. In addition, a professional association can provide you with the latest information and trends in your industry.

Most professional associations provide additional tools, valuable resources and training opportunities to help its members find employment and thrive.

Join an Influential Organization. Joining a social organization that promotes positive causes within the local community and other parts of the world are great ways to form and explore international contacts. Many employers are impressed with professionals who share similar values and genuine concern for other people and the environment.

Your fraternity or sorority contacts may provide ways for you to bond with employers and persons of influence who can help you obtain work or advance on your career path. Women who need employment assistance can join a professional women’s organization and network with its members to gain support and visibility in their field.

Tap into Connections via Your Mentor. By enlisting the aid of a mentor, you can build valuable networking connections almost overnight.

The business contacts of your mentor may become a part of your networking circle, so don’t hesitate to ask your mentor if he or she knows someone who can help you establish your career and shorten your job search. You may be surprised to find that your mentor’s close contacts are willing to offer you a hand.

Learn to Navigate Social Platforms. Job seekers who find employment online understand how social networking can help them, and they invest the time and effort to create effective social media profiles and cultivate a professional, marketable online image.

In fact, according to CareerBuilder's annual social media recruitment survey, 60 percent of employers use social networking sites to research job candidates, up significantly from 52 percent last year, 22 percent in 2008 and 11 percent in 2006, when the survey was first conducted. Additionally, 59 percent of hiring managers use search engines to research candidates - compared to 51 percent last year.

“Tools such as Facebook and Twitter enable employers to get a glimpse of who candidates are outside the confines of a resume or cover letter,” says Rosemary Haefner, chief human resources officer of CareerBuilder, about the survey. “And with more and more people using social media, it's not unusual to see the usage for recruitment to grow, as well.”

To make the most of social media profiles, it’s important for job candidates to fill out their profile completely, and to use appropriate pictures to represent themselves online.

Build an Online Social Network. As the employment search and employee recruitment becomes more routine online, networking online will become commonplace. Job seekers who prepare themselves for this change can get a head start.

Job seekers who use many forms of networking are more likely to secure employment faster than those who do not. Building your network can lead to multiple job opportunities throughout your career, so don’t hesitate to reach out and become familiar with others along the way. You can’t predict when networking can lead to an employment connection, so aim to network on a regular basis.

Sources: SWE Career Center, CareerBuilder