Much like regular car maintenance is needed to ensure your vehicle operates at peak performance, ongoing career maintenance is needed to ensure you are not only operating at peak performance in your current role but are “at the ready” for when you choose to pursue a new opportunity, one presents itself or you are unexpectedly set on a new path.
With the increasing number of company layoffs making headlines each month, it’s important to be tending to the career care basics:
Keep your resume up-to-date
Be sure to highlight core competencies with accomplishments and results
Make time to network with professionals in and outside of your organization
Strive to schedule two 30-minute coffee chats per week
Fine tune your elevator pitch
Be mindful of the three Cs – clarity, conciseness and confidence
Craft compelling success stories that highlight your contributions
The STAR method (outlining a situation, task, action, result) is a great way to prep for behavioral-based interview questions
While all these best practices can help prepare you for what’s next -a new role, stretch assignment, next-level position or career pivot – you also need to carve out some time to:
Catalog the “intangible impacts” you’ve made to your organization, customers, your team, peers and colleagues.
These impacts reflect your unique “WHO” – how you show up every day as a leader, manager, valued employee
Connect with a coach to help you explore your future “WHY”
What do you really want?
How does that vision align with your core values and beliefs?
What is your true purpose, heartfelt passion and innate prescription for joy?
Taking time to regularly care for your career will ensure that you are not only prepared for what’s next but that you are in the driver’s seat navigating your unique journey, wherever it may lead.
If you are in career transition, reach out to me for a complimentary coaching session and start mapping out your future success.
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