New Year, New You? 4 Must-Do’s For An Extraordinary Career
You may find yourself at the point in your career where you’re looking to hit that “refresh” button. A new year gives you the perfect opportunity to do so. Personally, I stopped making typical resolutions years ago, since I rarely accomplished them and experienced burnout soon after the confetti was cleaned up and the ball was dropped and put back in storage.
I had to learn that every year, I didn’t have to make a 180-degree transformation, and that sometimes, it only takes a small pivot in your mindset, strategy, or direction to make a difference.
I want to share five tips with you for creating a career where you feel satisfied and successful. Be your own best advocate as you work to get to a place in your career where you feel caught up on the latest career trends and can put your best foot forward for the year ahead.
Tip One | Invest In Your Brand Package and Reputation.
Branding determines how the outside world, including potential clients, employers, and fellow professionals, gets to know who you are, what you do, and what you represent. As I talked about in my previous blog post, I made the decision to reinvest in my brand this year, and I want you to do the same.
Ask yourself, “What do I want to be known for?” When you find the answer, ask yourself, “What experience do I have to back up my claim?”
This process will help you to build your career brand from the ground up, but establishing your brand is only the beginning. Next, it’s time to exceed expectations. If you’re not able to deliver on your brand promise, expertise, and the problems you claim to solve, what’s the point of reinventing yourself and career? The last thing you want to do is overpromise and underdeliver.
Don’t be afraid to enlist the right kind of help. I’ve worked with six-figure leaders who have “made it” by societal standards, with six-figure salaries, private jets, and the corner office, but they still invest thousands of dollars in their brands. Why? Because they understand that to go to the next level and increase your net worth, you need help.
Investing in a résumé and online presence is a great way to ensure that you have a great foundation. If you’re doing it on your own, don’t miss out on these tips to revamp your résumé and showcase yourself in the best light possible.
Tip Two | Make That Career Pivot You’ve Been Thinking About.
If not now, when? Though it can feel risky and daunting, making a career pivot can really pay off. But to do it successfully, you have to do your research and weigh your options. Money should never be the only reason to make a career change.
Evaluate all sides of the question before making the leap in order to ensure that you don’t waste time, money, and progress. What seems like a dream job may turn out to be a nightmare.
If you’re still unsure and need more career clarity, find my number one strategy for clarity here. It’s also a great idea to review jobs that are in demand in your area. But watch out for analysis paralysis, where more and more research not only confuses you, but keeps you from making any decision at all.
Tip Three | Ask For What You Deserve.
The new year is also the perfect time to re-evaluate your salary. The number one reason people don’t ask for more money is fear. It’s natural to fear that if you counter an initial salary offer, the employer will snatch the job offer back. But you’ve got to realize that employers expect you to negotiate.
Their first offer is rarely their best. You will most likely be low-balled to see if you will accept the terms as is, which is a win for them. They got your gifts, talents, and business impact at a discount.
Resources like Salary.com allow you to research salaries for your position and area in order to put an offer in perspective. You’ve got to go into any salary negotiation with a plan. For more details, I’ve put together tips on negotiating your salary.
Tip Four | Establish Yourself as an Expert By Elevating Your Skills and Knowledge.
I coach many professionals who are currently working just to pay the bills and yearn to figure out what they really want to do. If you’re looking to make a change, it’s important not to limit yourself to your day job.
There are many ways to get involved in your industry and remain up to date on what’s going on. You can join industry associations, subscribe to publications and websites, attend events, hold your own event or LinkedIn group, record a podcast, write a blog, or give a speech. The list goes on and on.
Put your expertise center stage, and stop waiting for someone swoop in and to shine a light on you. Don’t be one of those people who believe the work begins only once an opportunity opens up. You must be proactive.
Consider this new year an opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and treat your career like a business. As the CEO of your career, you must believe that you are already equipped with all of the tools you need, and that it’s up to you to make career elevation happen. Keep your eyes on your goals and focus on the progress you make each day. That’s how you grow. Happy New Year!
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