How to Brand Yourself for Career Advancement

Getting from one level to the next in your career can be a tough climb. In all my years as a recruiter, I found that the number one reason professionals fail to advance is that they don't realize their worth -- or how to capitalize on it.

Most professionals undersell, understate and/or outright don't take stock of their skills and accomplishments. So, how do you brand yourself for career advancement? Following the steps below will put you well on your way.

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4 Steps to Branding Yourself for Career Advancement

NOTE: The following applies whether you are a full-time employee, or a freelancer.

1. Assess Your Skills & Abilities: I mean, really take stock. Don't look at your existing resume. Start with your current position and list every project you've worked on, every dollar you saved, every new skill you mastered, every client who's bottom line you increased.

Just make a list - no matter how minute the project, dollar amount or skill. Dollars to doughnuts, you have quite an impressive list in front of you. Many professionals don't ever take the time to do this type of in-depth skill analysis.

Okay, you have your list. Now what?

2. Organize Your List: How? I'd separate them into categories. Depending on your profession, they may look something like:

Sales Increased: List all cases where sales increased because of your input (eg, project you headed, direct mail campaign you wrote copy for, reorganization you structured, etc.

Dollars Saved: Similar to the above, list all instances where you saved a client/company money either directly or indirectly.

Skills Mastered: Did you take an HTML class? Did you go on a leadership retreat to master new management policies? Again, whatever skill it is you've mastered - whether it be a hard skill like coding, or a soft skill like employee management - put it in this category.

Projects Headed: If you spearheaded a project, list it. Eg, did you convert client files from QuickBooks to Peachtree, a new software you learned? Did you create a filing system to track client images? Did you create a new layout and design for a client brochure?

3. Create a Professional Profile: If you're a freelancer, I advise that you submit professional profiles to potential clients, not a resume (this subliminally says I'm an employee/I want a job).

A professional profile says that you're an independent consultant who can help a potential client increase their (insert client objective). Eg, sales, customer subscriber list, client retention rate, etc.

If you're a full-time employee, I would create this category on my resume. You can name it any number of ways, eg, Professional Profile, Professional Summary, Career Highlights, etc. It's up to you. The point is to create a place where, at a glance, potential employers can grasp what you can offer.

4. Market Yourself: This is where many professionals - freelancers and full-time job seekers alike - fall down. YOU are the product. Market yourself.

Create a professional website and/or create a blog. When you apply for positions/gigs, direct potential clients/employers to this.

Even if you are currently employed, it can be helpful to create some type of online professional preference, if only to keep track of your accomplishments as they happen. Then, when you are ready to move on and/or branch out on your own, all you have to do is make it "Live."

In today's ever-competitive professional environment, it's those who are able to effectively sell themselves who get the plum jobs/assignments. Don't be left behind.

Brand the thing you know the best - you!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com.
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3 Steps to Finding the Nerve to Quit a Job You Hate

Do you feel like this guy every Monday morning? Today, many are heading into jobs they hate. The commute, time away from family, office politics, etc. --- arrgghhhhh! Do you just want to get away.

For this reason, I thought today was perfect for this post -- 3 Steps to Finding the Nerve to Quit a Job You Hate.

Enjoy, and find that courage!

Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Blue Sky at www.sxc.hu
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Fear and love. These are the two emotions that rule every decision we make. Sure, they are masked as insecurity, jealousy, inertia, complacency, bliss, etc. But, as human beings, these are the two primary emotions that cause us to act, or not.

So, what does this have to do with getting up the nerve to quit a job you hate?Most never examine why they fail to act. Take the case of quitting a job you hate. All you know is that the bills are constant and doing your own thing won't pay the bills. It's too expensive to start a business, you have no clients and the paycheck you get, at least, is steady.

This is as far as most get when they sit at a desk, silently wasting away because they're so miserable.

So, how do you find the nerve to quite a job you hate? By doing the following:

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WORK-FROM-HOME E-BOOK REMINDER: Inkwell Editorial's work-from-home freelance writing e-books have been offline since August of last year. I've been planning to migrate them to Clickbank. But a series of life events, coupled with work, have delayed this process. So, I've decided to put them back on InkwellEditorial.com until I can find the time to do the migration. They'll be back up this weekend.

Editorially yours,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com

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1. Go subterranean: What do I mean by this? In short, explore the fear behind why you can't quit. Are you insecure about your skills and abilities? Are you afraid that you don't have what it takes to make it on your own? Will your spouse look at you like you've lost your mind? Whatever the fear is, examine it. AND, counter it.

If it's skill-based, then take a class to conquer the skills you need. If it's money, then get a second job to cover six months to a year's worth of expenses. If it's your spouse, talk to them about your dream and how doing what you're doing is slowly killing your spirit.

Whatever it is, examine it and come up with a solution for it. Whenever I don't think I can do something, I examine why. And, I remember where I came from.

Finding the Courage

To digress aminute for a personal story: One of the figures I admire most in history is Harriet Tubman. For those who don't know, she led slaves to freedom in the underground railroad. Some accounts say 300; some say 3,000.

Whatever the number, she risked her life and again, coming back from the North to the South to lead slaves to freedom. I often ponder if I would have had that type of courage. Most of us don't have the backbone to risk our necks one time, to do it over and over again -- well, it still blows me away.

So, when I get uneasy about doing something, I think of Ms. Tubman and I find a way to go over, under, around, on top of, below and/or right through any obstacle that may stand in my way.

My point? To achieve a dream, this is what is required. Nothing more, nothing less. So, you might not be able to quit in a month, but you can plan to do so in six months, a year, two years.

2. Create a plan: This piggybacks off the first idea. Create a solid, concrete plan of what you will do daily, weekly, monthly, etc. to get to your goal. Put your plan in a place where you can see it every day. You can even put it several places. Remind yourself at every turn what you should be doing to get where you want to be.

3. Visualize: As in, visualize the life you want to have. Whether it's I will get up at 6am and work until 5pm.

I will work four days a week. I will be able to walk my kids to school. I will take three consecutive weeks off in the summertime to vacation with my family. I will grocery shop in the afternoon when the stores are less crowded. I will do housework on Friday, that way I have the weekends free to socialize with friends and family.

Now, don't get me wrong, you are going to have to put in some long hours -- and the lifestyle you envision may not come to fruition for several years.

BUT, the fact that you have a dream -- and are taking active steps to get there -- should keep you motivated to achieve the life you want.

Good luck!
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
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Networking No No's: What NOT to Do when You Network

I usually, I write about freelancing issues. After all, this blog is about the BUSINESS of freelancing. However, I've decided to start devoting one post a week to full-time career issues, as I've been peppered since the beginning of the year with these types of questions.

Sincerely,
Y. Black, Publisher
InkwellEditorial.com
InkwellEditorial.blogspot.com
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NOTE: The following advice can be used if you are promoting yourself as a potential employee, or if you're networking as a business owner.

TODAY'S ARTICLE

If you're serious about building a business, or landing a new job, networking can help you reach your goal faster than any other form of marketing or advertising.

Following are three things you should not do when you are networking. Remember, you are building relationships that can, ostensibly, pay off for years to come. Don't ruin it by doing the following:

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1. Represent the "right" business (or career aspiration): What I mean is, don't introduce yourself under one business and network under another. Or, if you're seeking a full-time position, talk about your side business Let me explain.

I belong to two chambers of commerce in my area. Chambers of Commerce, by the way, are excellent venues for networking. Want to know more, click here.

Many times, I've been at a networking event and someone will approach me with their "side" business, eg, I work for XYZ corporation, but I have an event planning company I want to talk to you about.

This is unprofessional, for a couple of reasons: i) it's unethical. If your company has paid for you to be a member of a chamber, don't promote your side business on their dime. Join the chamber under your own company name.

If you're networking to land a new position, tell the Chamber representative that. Ask if you can come as a one-time guest. Or, find a member who will bring you along as their guest and introduce yourself as a professional looking for a new position.

Not only will your company benefit from the advertising the chamber does for members (eg, mailings, website listing and e-mail blasts); ii) it shows that you are serious about growing this side venture.

I often wonder if I will get paid if I do work for a company that doesn't have enough leadership to recognize the above-mentioned points.

2. Give Before Receiving: Networking is a slow build. It's rare that you will get immediate business from this type of marketing. Find out how you can become a resource for members - eg, recommend others who may be great contacts for businesses in the group; start a referral newsletter; pass along other networking opportunities.

Nine times out of 10, most of the people you meet at networking functions are there to sell something. Everyone knows this. BUT, if you are constantly asking for business, without giving leads to others, you will become known as a taker.

Karma works in all aspects of life. What you give comes back to you; so instead of being on the lookout for those who can help you, look for ways you can give to the group. Even if the majority of leads you pass out never work out, people remember those who take the time to give them leads or recommend the services of others.

3. Don't Be a Pest: I've met some extremely aggressive people in my networking circles. And, I cut them a wide berth. If you approach someone and they are not interested in hiring you as an employee (or express an interest in your product/service), stay in contact, but unobtrusively so.

Don't continue to call when they've clearly "brushed you off" a few times. That's why I like newsletters; they allow you to stay in touch without being a pest.

Don't publish a newsletter? Try passing along "Business Tips of the Day;" "Sales Tip of the Day;" or a "Community Events at a Glance" calendar.

In the case of job hunting, a brief touch-base email or phone call every few weeks will suffice.

All of these are viable, unobtrusive ways to keep your business top-of-mind - for the right reasons.

The fact is, depending on your profession and/or business, there will be very few people you actually meet while networking who can give you business (or hire you) directly. BUT, you're really building a line of trust so that when they "know someone who knows someone" who needs your product/service, you will be the first one they think of.
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Copyright Notice: May be reprinted with the following, in full: Yuwanda Black is the publisher of InkwellEditorial.com: THE business portal for and about the editorial and creative industries. First-hand freelance success stories, e-courses, job postings, resume tips, advice on the business of freelancing, and more! Launch a Profitable Freelance Writing Career in 30 Days or Less -- Guaranteed! Log on to InkwellEditorial.com to learn how.
*************************
Like what you read here? Find the content useful and informative? Subscribe to the Inkwell Editorial feed (under the LINKS section to your right) to receive new content immediately upon publishing. OR, email your address to subscribe and receive job listings -- immediately!