Empower Yourself for Career Success - Hallie Crawford

Empower Yourself for Career Success Happy Monday! Today, I’m happy to share a guest post from my new career partner, Miriam Salpeter. With over 10 years of experience, Miriams mission is to encourage, enlighten and empower job seekers for success. Dont launch your search without her toolbox of up-to-date tips and support. Miriams clients gain confidence, clarity and job search know-how! By Miriam Salpeter, M.A. While there is much we as  individuals cannot control (e.g., the stock market, whether or not the industry  we chose for our career will thrive in tomorrow’s economy and if layoffs will  be necessary in our company),  careerists still have a lot of power. My advice  for those who expect thrive in today’s marketplace… Seize control of what you  can! Don’t  be a victim of circumstances. Drive your own career bus. Steps to take: Draw your own career map.   Design your vehicle. Take the keys and start the ignition. Don’t let fear drive you. Back out carefully, but do get rolling… Draw Your Own Career Map Identify your goals. You  can’t get anywhere until you decide the destination! Stop and evaluate. What  characteristics and traits make you special? What are you (or do you hope to  be) known for in your field? Review trends and industries  with career potential. See if there are matches between your skills and  interests  and the  fields and organizations most likely to have  opportunities. If not, consider  re-focusing slightly without altering your  dream. When setting your goals, be open  to the possibilities that new industries provide. Consider the glass “half  full.” Instead of cursing a business with a shrinking job market, be willing to  re-adjust, re-tool and re-train  to take advantage of possibilities coming  down the road. Design Your Vehicle  Brand YOU! Once you identify a destination, you need to drive there! Take the time and  effort necessary to learn how to position yourself as the expert in your field  of choice. Use all of the tools at your disposal to create a “vehicle” (your brand)  that will drive you where you want to go.   If you haven’t looked for a job  in a while and/or aren’t tuned in to managing your “digital  footprint” what comes up when someone “Googles” your name it’s time for  a quick lesson in social media. The long and the short of it is this: an online  presence is key to how people will perceive you. Presenting yourself well both  online and in person will help open doors that seemed closed to you. Dan Schawbel, Personal  Branding Expert, suggests these steps  to  get you started: “Buy yourname.com to secure your brand, make a video resume,  start a WordPress  blog, use Google  Reader, participate (comment on blogs and link to them), get on Facebook and LinkedIn, network and more.” The key is to become the “go to”  person in your field. When you leverage your expertise online and become part  of the social networking community, doors will open that you otherwise would  never have even considered knocking on! Take the Keys! The key to a successful  career is to network generously. There is  nothing more important or more useful than networking.  In  our digital, Web 2.0 world, success will depend more and more on your ability to broaden your professional circles and to reach out to a diverse socio-economic  group of people representing a mix of opinions and beliefs. Professionals who  habitually introduce people who otherwise may not meet earn goodwill and  reputations as valuable resources and colleagues. Become that professional  to help you overcome obstacles to career success. Start  the Ignition Communicate Your Value Your ability to promote,  communicate  and connect your value to colleagues and superiors is crucial.  Hone this “soft” skill practice your writing, emailing,  speaking,  interviewing  and presenting skills. Join Toastmasters. Make a point  to  learn  how to communicate  well.  There is no doubt that the superior communicator in a  field  has  the best chance to  win the job. When you can  articulate why your role is vital, you will certainly help secure your future.   Confidently  Forge Ahead   Start Rolling Adjust your rear-view mirror, but keep your eyes on the road! Move forward  with your plans knowing that you DO control your career. Is it as easy as  reading these steps? No, but if you follow this plan, you will be on your way  to managing your job hunt and/or your career with finesse and aplomb! Enter your Email Address to Subscribe to Blog Updates Preview | Powered by FeedBlitz Heres to having a career you love! Career Seekers Career Coach