Have you ever ridden a wave too long? Stayed in an industry or at a company for much longer than you thought or even wanted to stay? I have. It’s what happens when we develop an illogical belief that we are destined to get our dream position without having to strategically design it.
The term “reinvented” is often used when people change their career path. In her book Strategize to Win, Carla A. Harris says reinventing yourself “suggests that you are making or creating a new person, a new individual, distancing yourself from who you are or ‘the old you’.” But, many of us aren’t reinventing ourselves, we are merely repositioning – moving ourselves from one position to the next.
My own experience and that of my clients’ have proven you can design your career by choosing how to approach opportunities that come your way, and learning how to leverage them, too.
1. Say YES more often. Look beyond the position and take on the challenges no one else wants. Not only will you help alleviate one thing off your boss’ to-do list, you will also show you are committed to the overall success of the department and the organization. Be the person who does what no one else wants to do. Trust me, it will serve you greatly.
2. Change up your style. Your appearance can greatly impact career opportunities. Studies show bright colors help to attract positive attention for women. For men, using bold colors on a tie, handkerchief or cufflinks are a subtle, yet noticeable change. The goal is to re-fresh your look, so others can see you in a different light. Your appearance is part of your brand. When you look good, you feel good. A new image will renew your confidence and elevate your courage.
3. Learn New Things. The best way to leverage yourself in the workforce is to learn something new in your industry. Getting a certification or taking a course where you can contribute that knowledge to your workplace is a good way to start adding value to your resume. Keep up to date with industry trends. Your intellectual capital is your most valuable tool.
4. Confront what you want to correct. If you don’t like something about your career (your pay, your position, your purpose) remember, you have the power to change it. The important thing is to specify what you want to correct about your career path and address it head on. For example, increasing your paycheck isn’t as challenging as finding your purpose and aligning that with your career path. These areas don’t require the same strategy either. The goal is to define what is really holding you back from your career ambitions and create a strategy specifically for that.
5. Get a Mentor. Real talk – you can do all the right things and still get overlooked for a promotion. Who you know is vital to your career success. Find out who will be in the room when it comes to making hiring or promotional decisions. Ask one of those decision makers if they would be a mentor to you and if they would be willing to advocate on your behalf should a position come up. Learn from them. Ask them about their mistakes, their best decisions, etc. Solicit their opinions on how to approach conflict and how to position yourself for promotion. You can’t be considered if you (or your name) aren’t even in the room. You may not have access personally, but you should make it your business to ensure your name is at least part of the conversation.
You have within you the power to take control of your career path. You have the right to change your mind, re-new, reposition and refresh your brand. The greatest mistake you can make in your career is not giving yourself permission to change the path you’re on to pursue what makes you happy.
