It’s a fair question that I’ve heard many times over.
If your natural personality is not outgoing and you don’t enjoy putting yourself out there socially, engaging in conversations with new people, it’s easy to just omit networking from your career path. But in a world where more positions are filled by people the hiring manager knows and trusts, networking is essential.
So, back to the question: is this something introverts can ever have hopes of doing well? The answer comes from Lisa Petrilli, the CEO of C-Level Strategies, Inc., author of The Visionary Leadership Blog – and an admitted introvert.
Lisa recently wrote an article in the Harvard Business Review about her introverted background and how she overcame it. It’s a great first-person testimonial of someone who realized they needed to get over something they weren’t naturally comfortable doing for the good of their career.
Sometimes hearing a story like this from someone who’s been there and knows what you’re feeling can make a big difference. I recommend you check out the article as soon as possible!
Have you ever dealt with anxieties about networking? What helped you push through?
The job search game never stays the same.
As just one example, years ago, it was encouraged to attach a photo to the upper right hand corner of the resume. Then that changed and became out-dated in the HR community. But now, with Linkedin having a prominent presence in the job networking/application world, pictures are back in!
There are countless little do’s and don’ts like this. It’s important that you stay up with emerging trends and embrace the fact that what you know today won’t be enough to take you where you want to go tomorrow. One place to start is this article that explores 5 Outdated Job Search Tactics. And of course, as a Career Coach, I’m always willing to talk with you about more trends and how you can best stay on top of them.
The rules and the expectations will continue to change. Make sure you’re ready to change with them!
If you haven’t heard of Richard Branson, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Virgin, this should be a great introduction!
Branson has set himself apart in the professional world by the fresh approaches he’s adopted in his career journey (you can learn more about him here).
The reason I’m bringing Branson up is that I just came across an article that identifies his 9 Success Strategies. It’s very insightful and inspiring to hear his thoughts on topics like leadership, risk and branding – all things that we can really learn from in our own career journeys.
I really recommend you read the article. As you do, it will become clear that he’s practiced what he preaches, and that’s how he’s gotten to where he is today.
You’ve probably seen commercials about “the cloud,” or maybe even starting seeing cloud computing find its way into your office (if the cloud is new to you, check out this 101).
But did you know that the cloud is opening up new kinds of careers in the IT world? I recently came across this Forbes article that explains the cloud’s impact on the IT industry. I highly recommend it for those of you who work in IT, but also those who don’t.
If you ARE in IT, it will introduce you to new titles/positions that might work alongside you, or even integrate with what you do.
If you aren’t in IT, it will introduce you to how your IT department might be evolving. But even more so it will serve as an illustration of how we all ALWAYS need to be ready for change in the workplace. This example reflects how technology can force us to think differently and either adapt or be replaced. I think it’s a great real world reminder of how we have to get out ahead of change, and how those who do will be the most successful.
So the question is this: What’s “the cloud” in your workplace?
I came across a very insightful article and video from foxnews.com in which Gregory Giangrande, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer of Dow Jones, breaks down 5 Critical Career Moves You Need To Make Now.
In short, his tips are:
- Focus on your personal brand.
- Update your internet profile.
- Network, network, network!
- Stretch yourself.
- Be the captain of your career.
Do any of those sound familiar?! We talk a lot about each of these things here on the blog, and I want to reinforce that these are really universal insights that we should all be embracing.
But the question remains: are you ready to make these moves if you’re not already? Are you ready to stop talking and start acting? You can do it – and there’s no better time to start than now!
No one is always happy in their job all the time, nor should they pretend to be. Whether it’s a bad boss or just a bad day, it’s understandable that you’re going to have some negative things to say about your career at times, even if you’re in a career you love.
The key is knowing who to say it to, when to say it, and where – the answers being close friends you trust, in a private moment and in a private place. And that means NEVER EVER using social media to air your grievances!
It shocks me how often people will jump on Facebook or Twitter to complain about a bad day on the job. I actually just came across an article called 10 Social Networking Posts That Sink Careers that does a great job of calling out specific things that we’ve all seen people post on social media that can negatively effect your career. Their common comments that we should all stay away from.
Read the article for tips on what NOT to say. As for when it IS appropriate to complain about a hard day at the office, find a group of close friends who you trust to keep your thoughts private.
I’ve talked here before about careers that are trending upward, but things are always changing. I just came across this Fortune article that calls out 10 hot jobs for 2012 and beyond, and I think it’s definitely worth sharing.
Some of the jobs they present are nothing new (like Infomation Technology, Healthcare and Engineering) based on reports we’ve seen in the past. But what’s good about Fortune’s take is that it includes really solid statistics about each career path, including average annual salaries for each.
Now, I am NOT suggesting you abandon your current job for one of the ones on this list because it’s more stable. Lists like this are good for those who are in career transition or considering looking outside their current industry to pursue a job that’s more reflective of their passions in life. You can look at lists like this to see if there are any matches with what you’re meant to do.
It’s a smart way to set yourself up for success, but if nothing on this list matches your passions, don’t force it!
There’s no time like the New Year to really evaluate our processes and outcomes professionally. “Is what I’m doing effective? Do I need to make changes?” These are just two of the many questions we SHOULD be asking ourselves.
Change can be such a great thing. But one of the biggest mistakes one can make is to try to force change to happen too quickly. We see this a lot when there’s new leadership within a company. New managers have a reputation of coming in and making changes too fast.
This extends to those who are out of work, too. So many individuals who get the pink slip run out of the door feeling like they have to make changes in every part of their careers and themselves. As a new job seeker, you have to give yourself some time to really digest what just happened and evaluate what concrete steps can you take that will help you get to your new destination. The “I’m going to change everything at the same time” approach usually wears you out and leaves you feeling let down.
I recommend you focus on those things that create steadiness in your life. Change can be very good, but refuse to change everything all at once. That goes for your schedule outside of work, too! Go to bed at the same time as usual and don’t change your workout patterns.
No matter where you are professionally going into 2012 – working or unemployed – give yourself permission to say “no” to making change happen TOO quickly.
As you make plans to spend time with friends and family tonight/tomorrow to celebrate the New Year, I recommend that you try and set aside 30 minutes to really reflect on the past year professionally.
What have you learned? What would you have done differently? What would you have done the same? How can you take steps to manage changes that will no doubt come your way in 2012, helping yourself get out AHEAD of those changes? What are your goals (and in what priority) for the upcoming year professionally and personally? Where do those goals cross over? What makes you unique in your professional world? And finally, are you really doing what you are meant to do?
These are heavy questions. But can you deny that they are essential to know and live out?! There’s no better time than now to take an introspective look and put the right foot forward in taking control of your career.
Happy New Year!
In short: YES!! I’m a big believer in New Year’s Resolutions overall, and I think a career-motivated resolution is a great thing.
Almost one year ago on January 3rd I posted the following here on the blog, and I still believe every word of it:
Some people are firm believers in the importance and power of New Year’s resolutions, while others see them as a gimmick. My opinion? When it comes to your career, a resolution is a wonderful thing. Why? Because it gives you a goal to work toward, not to mention an inherent positive outlook! It doesn’t matter if you’re employed or unemployed, having something to work for will keep you motivated through the tough times. And when you finally achieve your resolution, you’ll feel a more rewarding sense of accomplishment than you ever thought was possible.
You still have a few days before the New Year – so what will your career resolution be? To land the job of your dreams? To drive change in your workplace? To quit settling? To use social media for better networking? To get that promotion you deserve?
If you can think it, you can do it.