Transcript
Page 1: Career advancement, development & personal branding

CAREER ADVANCEMENT & DEVELOPMENT

Get the Career you want - faster!

One of the most critical aspects of your job search and overall professional development is the

career planning process, since it will be the tool that guides all of your actions and professional

development throughout your career. Take these 4 steps to create your career development plan.

1.) Define Your Goals

You can’t reach goals if you don’t have them. Think about your biggest dream, your 5-year plan

or your 10-year goal – whatever seems realistically achievable and measurable to you. Defining

your goal can indeed be difficult, but it’s a critical step. This is often the hardest part of the

career planning process. There is a lot of self-assessment and job market research to be done to

properly develop your goals. When defining your goals, keep in mind that they may change over

time – and that’s OK. The most important aspect is to have them written down.

2.) Define the Requirements of Your Goal

Next, define the steps you will need to take in order to achieve the requirements to be qualified

for your goal. Record the skills, knowledge, experience, education and network that you will

need to develop to become the ideal candidate. Not sure where to start? Review existing job

postings to see the preferred qualifications of employers for that role, and write down where you

do not yet meet the qualifications. Many of our clients also look at self-employment as an

option, which this can apply to as well, but the measurements may be slightly different.

3.) Create Your Career Development Plan

This is where your career planning process becomes more visible and solidified. Stay objective

and analyze the steps you will need to take in order to go from Step 1 (where you are now) to

Step 2 (the requirements of your goal). Create mini milestones that you can achieve within

specific time periods that are appropriate for your goal and needs (ex. 3 months, 6 months, 1

year, 2 years). Make sure to schedule supporting activities into your calendar and force yourself

to make time for them.

4.) Review Regularly & Follow Through

Set aside a regular time to actively participate in the career planning process, and schedule it on

your calendar to ensure you do not forget. Review your plan quarterly (at least). Don’t let

changes in your path or goals set you back. As long as you’re regularly making progress and

reviewing your career development plan, you can make quick changes that reflect changes in the

job market, technology or your interests.

If you properly engage in the career planning process by creating a formal career development

plan, you’ll be ahead of the game and prepared to reach your goals. If you need help with your

career planning and want to speak with an expert, feel free to reach R4K / ADEL for a deeper

insight.

Page 2: Career advancement, development & personal branding

PERSONAL BRANDING FOR JOB SEEKERS

In today’s job market, employers are looking for applicants who stand out, have a unique skill set

and are social media savvy. So, just how can you be all this and more and in today’s competitive

job market?

First, figure out what you want to do and how you want to be perceived. Next, figure out the

specific skills and attributes that you have to offer employers. And finally, show employers your

value by building a strong personal brand, continuing your education and by sharing your

valuable perspective.

How to Get Employers to Love Your Brand: One of the key factors of building your personal

brand is creating one that employers and recruiters will love, which will give you an edge on

your competition. To stay competitive in your job search, your personal brand must tell a story

about your unique you. You need to feel confident marketing yourself as a job seeker throughout

your personal brand.

How to Harness the Power of Your Personal Brand: Your reputation personally and

professionally is tied to your personal brand which is how you conduct yourself around others

and the sum of your personal experiences and education that define your character. Whether it is

a potential employer or a prospective new client, people are going to Google your name to see

what comes up about you. Why not give a presentation? By having a portfolio of your work

online and a personal site, prospective clients or employers can assess your skills. Testimonials,

Recommendations or accomplishments all help you.

How to Get Hired: Show Perspective, Not Pedigree: It seems the dismal job market has

created some real cynicism especially among recent graduates. What are companies looking for?

How can prospective hires get a competitive advantage in an overcrowded marketplace? As a

Recruitment consultancy, we look for people who are curious, open, and collaborative. More

than ever before, we want people who have eclectic, varied backgrounds. People who are

genuinely interested in the world around them, who have a strong point of view and who can

bring a fresh perspective to their work.

How to Stay on top in the Career Game: In today’s market, more employees are boosting their

education and training and implementing other career-enhancing strategies to stay relevant and to

get ahead. Unlike the 1990′s when companies lavished employees with endless training perks,

today’s students are self-funded and driven by the realization that increased competence equals

continued employment. Personal branding has is a job-hunting prerequisite.

Page 3: Career advancement, development & personal branding

GOAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEET

A development goal is a statement of a desired outcome or accomplishment that is specific,

observable and realistic. For you to progress in your career, you must set goals. Here are a few

questions to help develop your goals hence progressing the vision of your career..

1. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or

improve by this time next year are…

2. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or

improve by the end of the second year are...

3. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or

accomplish by the end of the third year are...

4. What barriers or obstacles might prevent me from accomplishing my goals on time (e.g., time,

money, and other commitments)?

5. What can I do to overcome these barriers or obstacles? What resources are available to help

me?