Tips for Agile Career Development

A recent conversation with a mentee trying to navigate the next steps in their career reminded me of an essential rule I always emphasize: You own your career, therefore you have to be in the driver's seat. They recently received some feedback from their manager that was confusing as it didn’t align with previous feedback. The conversation on next steps was very vague. Reality check: waiting for clear guidance or validation from others can leave you stuck in neutral. Instead, you must proactively manage your own career path. Here are a few things I suggested: 1. Do a Self-Assessment You need to understand your strengths, weaknesses, passions, and career aspirations. Identify what excites you and where you see yourself in the future. Remember they can all change due to new experiences and gaining new skillsets. 2. Seek Constructive Feedback While feedback from leadership is valuable, it’s important to triangulate. Reach out to mentors, peers, and others in your function that you admire for their insights. Feedback is just one piece of the puzzle. Use it as a tool for improvement, not as a definitive roadmap. You never know when you might run into an unconscious bias. 3. Continuous Learning and Development I’m ever curious and always looking for learning opportunities. Look for opportunities to learn from other functions. The business world is continusly changing, and staying on top of the game, requires investing time to learn. Stay informed about your current industry trends but also look for best practices in others. 4. Advocate for Yourself People can’t read your mind, so they don’t know what your career goals and aspirations are. Don’t be afraid to articulate them to your leadership. Express your interest in new projects, responsibilities, or roles that align with your goals. 5. Adaptability and Resilience Career paths are rarely linear. My own has been a lattice. Be adaptable. Embrace challenges and view setbacks as learning experiences. Being in the driver's seat of your career means taking an intentional role in your professional development. While others can give you guidance, the ultimate responsibility for your career lies with you. What else would you tell him?

🚀 Career Acceleration Insights By age 35, I had climbed the corporate ladder and doubled my salary in less than 5 years. The journey was filled with invaluable lessons, but there's one piece of advice that outshines the rest, crucial for anyone looking to advance their career, especially in the dynamic field of technology and marketing. ✅ Here's the golden nugget of advice: Identify and Focus on Key Business Metrics: The secret lies in pinpointing the metric that is most valuable to the business. Once identified, channel your efforts to move this metric significantly. This approach transcends beyond mere numbers; it's about aligning your contributions with the company's core objectives. ✅ What to Avoid: - Don't let workplace politics distract you. - The size of your team or the scope of your responsibilities should not be your primary concern. - Steer clear from getting entangled in unnecessary workplace drama. ✅ What to Embrace: Be relentless in your focus on the crucial business metric, whether it's related to revenue, growth, or any other key area. 💡Demonstrate how your work directly contributes to moving this metric forward. Make it the centerpiece of your discussions and reports. This strategy is particularly potent for those early in their careers or operating within growth-oriented roles. It's not just about working hard but working smart—targeting your efforts where they'll make the most tangible impact. Leverage this approach, and watch as doors open and opportunities unfold in ways you might never have imagined. #CareerAdvice #BusinessGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment #TechIndustry #thejessemercado

3 Ways to Advocate for Career Growth and That Promotion You Want!   I commonly get asked how I can advocate for myself or speak up about moving up within a company I work for. What do I need to say to my managers to tell them I am looking for something bigger?   Are you looking to take your career to the next level but unsure how to get noticed?   Here are 3 ways to be your own advocate and show leadership you're ready for more:   1. Schedule a Career Development Meeting: - Script: "Hi [Manager Name], I'd love to discuss my career development goals. Would you be available for a meeting in the next couple of weeks?" During the Meeting: - Discuss your accomplishments and how they've benefited the company. - Express your interest in specific growth opportunities or future projects. - Ask for feedback on areas for improvement and a development plan.   2. Take Initiative and Lead Projects: - Script (to a colleague): "I noticed we're facing a challenge with [X]. I have some ideas on how to tackle it. Would you be interested in brainstorming together?" Benefits: - Showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to take ownership. - Gain valuable experience outside your current role. - Get recognized for your proactive approach.   3. Shine During Meetings and Presentations: - Script: "[Summarize key point]. Additionally, I'd like to suggest [your idea] as it could potentially [positive outcome]." Tips: - Be confident and articulate your ideas clearly. - Back up your suggestions with data or previous successes. - Be an active listener and build on others' points.   Advocating for yourself doesn't have to be loud.   Be proactive, take initiatives, and demonstrate your value, and you'll be well on your way to achieving your career goals!   Let me know what you’d add to my list!   #careerdevelopment #promotion #leadership

Without active career management, your remote career will be just as doomed as that of your on-site peers. 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲.   Here are 10 ways you can stay "top of mind" and be seen as an important, dependable and accessible part of the team who will be considered for important projects and promotions:  1. 𝐄𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 The introverts among us find more solitude in their work day appealing, but that can quickly backfire. Opt for video meetings where possible. Otherwise, you're out of sight, out of mind.  2. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 "𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬" In the absence of a watercooler you have to create moments of connection outside of your meetings. Tag a few minutes on to your meeting and offer a coworker to "hang out". Focus on genuine interest in the other person, their interests, challenges, ideas, etc.  3. 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 If people don't know what you're doing or why you're on the team, you should be frightened. It's your responsibility to change that. You can create a simple overview page or dashboard to share which projects you're working on. Add a segment showcasing the types of questions you can help with so others can see how you add value.  4. 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 Identify projects that have high internal visibility, allow you to grow and/or showcase your skills and deliver high value. Cross-functional projects can be great to widen your reach and to get a better understanding of the big picture.  5. 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Plan your career development with your manager. You can seek regular feedback and plan stretch goals to further your growth.  6. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞 Work doesn't speak for itself. It doesn't have a voice. And people are too busy remembering everything you do. So, humbly share how you are qualified and share how your team solved similar problems or removed roadblocks.  7. 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬  You don’t get what you don’t ask for. If you want support from your manager, ask for it. Be specific about the support you want, e.g. floating your name for a specific project or socializing an idea that needs buy-in.  8. 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭  Ask your manager if there are meetings they’d like you to sit in on or take over. This adds direct value and is a great opportunity to raise your profile with stakeholders you wouldn’t have access to otherwise.  9. 𝐍𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 Set a weekly goal to connect with your colleagues. Your goal is to keep in touch. You can send them a helpful resource, or simply ask how things are going.  10. 𝐁𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲  Use your messenger status to build trust through transparency. E.g. you can state "out for lunch, back at 1:30PM" instead of just "Away". #remotework #leadership #careerdevelopment

Looking to accelerate your career and land that promotion? Check out these five direct steps to help you stand out and impress potential employers: 1. Tap External Mentorship: Find a mentor outside your company for fresh perspectives and career guidance. Look for industry experts, career coaches, or successful individuals in your field. 2. Fuel Your Growth Engine: Continuously learn and develop new skills. Take online courses, attend industry events, read books, and network with experts. Build a strong and relevant skillset to impress potential employers. 3. Strategic Networking: Attend events and conferences relevant to your industry and goals. Connect with potential allies, mentors, and employers who can open doors to new opportunities. Quality over quantity here! 4. Showcase Your Impact: Track your achievements, quantify your results, and document your success stories. Don't be shy about sharing your value during performance reviews or job applications. Use data and concrete examples to prove your worth. 5. Go Beyond the Routine: Don't just stick to your job description. Volunteer for challenging projects, take initiative, and demonstrate your dedication and willingness to contribute. Show them you're an asset who thinks outside the box. Remember, these are just guidelines and tips that helped my clients and myself accelerate careers. Adapt them to your specific field and career as necessary. You got this! #coachkarie

Boss: "We can't afford the pay raise he wants." HR Manager: "Then we should pay for it." Boss: "What?! Why?" HR Manager replied: "If we can't afford his increase, we can't afford to advertise, interview, hire, pay and train his replacement. It costs less to keep staff than replace them. ------- But, here's the thing, waiting for a pay raise or a promotion to come your way isn't always the best strategy. If you want to reach your next level... ➡️You have to ask for it! ➡️You have to go for it! And you can't afford to wait. Here's why: 1️⃣ Opportunities are limited: The job market is highly competitive, and waiting for the perfect opportunity to come knocking at your door might mean missing out on a chance to progress. 2️⃣ Continuous growth is essential: Stagnation is the enemy of success. By proactively seeking new challenges and opportunities, you'll be constantly learning and growing, enhancing your skills and knowledge. 3️⃣ Building a strong network: The more proactive you are in seeking new opportunities, the more you'll expand your professional network. Building relationships with key industry players can open doors to exciting career advancements. 4️⃣ Confidence and self-worth: Taking charge of your career and actively pursuing your goals will boost your confidence and sense of self-worth. Knowing that you are in control of your destiny is empowering. So, don't wait for your next job, your next level. ➡️ Take the initiative, ➡️ Explore new avenues, ➡️ And be proactive in reaching your professional goals. Remember, the best opportunities Are often the ones we create for ourselves!!! #CareerGrowth #ProactiveApproach #LevelUp #ProfessionalDevelopment

𝗜𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 - 𝟱 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝗧𝗼 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 - Employees often assume (wrongly) that their hard work and results will be enough when leaders make decisions about their future growth and promotion opportunities. Performance is critical for advancing your career, but it is far from the only reason employees get promoted. 𝟱 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫: 𝟭) 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 - Clearly communicate that you desire guidance, feedback, and coaching to improve your performance and development. If you and your manager do not have ongoing conversations about your career development, it is your responsibility to initiate these conversations. Take the responsibility to ask your manager if you can set up quarterly meetings that focus on your performance and ongoing development. Show up prepared to engage with them about your performance, future development, and career aspirations. 𝟮) 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 Visibility matters, when you have occasion to mention accomplishments to your leaders, do so. Clearly let them know that you enjoyed being involved and that you were excited about your contribution. When you receive compliments from clients or customers, request that they send a note to your manager and their manager. It is okay for you to be an advocate for yourself! 𝟯) 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 - The benefits of receiving feedback include increased self-awareness and improved performance. For you to truly receive honest feedback, they must be deliberate about creating a safe environment by actively giving permission and expressing openness and desire to receive feedback. 𝟰) 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 - To be recognized as an individual who can take on greater responsibilities, employees need to demonstrate advanced social and emotional skills that are necessary to navigate important, complex, and relational situations. Companies need employees to be effective at their tasks, contribute to others' performance, and use others' contributions to improve their performance. 𝟱) 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫-𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫 - A senior-level mentor can have a broader view of potential future opportunities, introduce you to their peers, and advocate for development opportunities. Being strategic about navigating your career is not manipulative or inauthentic. If you expect someone else to care about your career more than you do, you will always be disappointed. Being an advocate for your career is essential to achieving your professional aspirations. Do you agree? Share your COMMENTS below. ⬇️ 𝗛𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 🔔 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘁 | Tony Gambill   #leadership #management #careers #humanresources

You are the only person who can advocate for your career development, and its probably more important than ever to ensure you have a plan in place for yourself. Here are a few strategies to consider:   ⭐ Know Your Worth: Take the time to reflect on your skills, accomplishments, and unique strengths. Understand your value and be confident in communicating it to others.   ⭐ Set Clear Goals: Define your short-term and long-term career goals. Be specific and create a roadmap to achieve them. Share these goals with your managers, mentors, or trusted colleagues, so they can support you in your journey.   ⭐ Seek Feedback: Actively seek feedback from your supervisors, colleagues, and mentors. Embrace constructive criticism and use it to fuel your growth. Regularly assess your progress and make adjustments as needed.   ⭐ Network: Build and nurture professional relationships both within and outside your organization. Attend industry events, join relevant LinkedIn groups, and engage in conversations with professionals in your field. These connections can provide valuable insights and open doors to new opportunities.   ⭐ Be Proactive: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you; create them. Voice your interests, ask for stretch assignments, and express your desire to take on new responsibilities. Take charge of your career path by seeking out growth opportunities.   Remember, advocating for yourself is not about being pushy or arrogant. It's about recognizing your own value, asserting your needs, and actively pursuing growth opportunities. By advocating for yourself, you can unlock your full potential and shape a fulfilling and successful career.   #CareerDevelopment #AdvocateForYourself #ProfessionalGrowth #UnlockYourPotential #LinkedInCommunity