Tips for Building a Strong Civilian Career Foundation

3 unexpected pieces of career advice if you’re breaking into finance or tech. I worked in finance for over 25 years, often pulling 80-100 hour weeks. How did I keep up the energy to advance? 👇 1. Build a Foundation of Health Just like a house, your life can crumble without a healthy and strong foundation. Your sleep, nutrition, and exercise are your strong foundation. Try to get or catch up on quality sleep. Fuel yourself with water and whole foods. Move a little (or a bit more) each day. You may be surprised at your results. It’s how I was able to be world or nationally-ranked in 3 sports while working 80-100 hour weeks. 2. Grow and strengthen your network with micro-moments Slow down, breathe, and savor the micro-moments of connection. When you meet someone, focus intently and entirely on them - for a limited amount of time. Treat the person you are with as the center of the universe. Giving them 100% (not just 95%, or even 99%) of your attention one moment at a time makes them feel seen. The limited amount of time removes the pressure and saves time. These moments add up, like deposits in a bank account. 3. Create systems that support your goals Productivity systems shouldn’t only be about fitting more in. List out your values, future vision, and mission. Make your systems work for you by cutting out what you don’t want to do and automating what you can. This includes networking, social media, book writing, and anything else that aligns with your goals. Your systems should support your mission, vision, and values and give you more breathing room. Without your foundation of health, you can’t enjoy the present or your end destination. Without a network, it will be harder and less enjoyable to get where you are going. Without systems, you may get caught in the minutiae and not go as far. What was most surprising to you?

I’ve been promoted 11 times in 20 years at 6 companies Here’s how I did it: 1. Eliminate entitled expectations and patiently play the long game 2. Be truly exceptional in your current role - don’t underestimate how long it takes to achieve mastery 3. Clarify and communicate your long term career goals including your ideal next step  - it is not up to your manager or anyone else to do this for you 4. Demonstrate you can do the next role by taking on key responsibilities of that position - you don’t need to ask permission to solve important business problems 5. Make your manager’s life easier, become indispensable to them and seize learning opportunities to take projects off their plate 6. Lead by example by exuding optimism, assuming positive intent and helping others, especially through challenging times 7. Don’t complain and only talk about problems, design and implement solutions that drive real results 8. Act like an owner and don’t let your current job description hold you back from doing what is required for the business to be successful  9. Respond to inevitable disappointment gracefully and don’t give up  10. Choose the company and evaluate the hiring manager wisely - a great company and an invested manager are two key ingredients to create the conditions for career advancement My biggest lesson 20 years into my career: The promotions are great but don't feel as good as you think they will - focus on the journey and the process, that's the good stuff #personaldevelopment

Angling for that next promotion? Most of the high achievers I coach over-index on solo strategies to get ahead: taking all the classes, accepting every assignment, working crazy hours to prove their dedication. That stuff can be helpful, but what they typically deprioritize (or avoid like the plague) is the interpersonal piece of the puzzle: building relationships and communication channels for mutual support and growth. Here are some often-neglected interpersonal approaches to lay the foundation for your next role: -Proactively seek feedback: Request input from your superiors and incorporate feedback to enhance your performance. Most people don’t know how to give effective feedback, so be specific about what you’re seeking and make it easy for them to give it to you. -Keep people in the loop: Clearly articulate your ideas, share progress updates, and communicate your achievements. While you may feel your accomplishments should speak for themselves, most people are too busy to be paying much attention. Expect to have to champion your results to get them on others’ radar. -Build a strong network: Cultivate relationships across the board, be it peer-to-peer, superiors, and industry influencers, to expand your opportunities. This isn’t sleazy schmoozing; seek to show up authentically, add value, and prepare to invest in these relationships for the sake of the relationships themselves. Any professional growth that might result is just the cherry on top. -Invite a mentor: Find someone who can provide guidance and support and advocate for your professional growth - then explicitly invite them to mentor you. Trying to go it alone is an overused and limiting strategy for many high achieving ICs, and a lot of folks point to a “mentor” who doesn’t even know they’ve been designated as such. TLDR: By seeking feedback, communicating effectively, building a strong network, and seeking mentorship, you’ll build a strong foundation for growth ahead (and probably make some great new friends along the way.) #leadership #growth #learning #development #relationships #peopleskills #coaching

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

🎖Some seniors transitioning out of the military need to learn their military rank does not hold the same weight / creditability in the civilian employment market when not translated. I observe senior ranking officials listing their rank / title in their LinkedIn headline frequently and as a Recruiter, I occasionally see military ranks published on resumes. While achieving a senior rank is a major milestone, your rank alone is not enough to compete in a competitive job market. Recruiters always suggest translating military language into civilian language. Your rank should also be translated to ensure Hiring Managers clearly understand your skills, abilities and experiences. 🎖Your military, rank carries a significant amount of credibility and represents a person's level of authority and responsibility. However, in the civilian corporate world, the emphasis shifts towards skills, qualifications, and experience rather than military rank. 🎖Employers in the corporate sector typically value specific abilities, such as leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, adaptability, and communication skills. While military service can certainly develop and enhance these qualities, it's important to translate them into civilian terms on your resume and during job interviews. 🎖Instead of relying solely on your military rank, it's essential to highlight your accomplishments, relevant experience, and transferable skills that are applicable to the desired civilian position. Consider focusing on the responsibilities you held, projects you completed, and any quantifiable results you achieved during your military service. 🎖While your military rank may not directly carry over as credibility in corporate America, your skills, background, and experiences acquired during your military service are highly valuable and can help you stand out as a candidate. By effectively communicating and translating your military experience, you can increase your chances of success in the civilian job market. #militarytransition #militarylife #military #militaryjobs #transitioningmilitary #transitioningveterans #transitioningservicemembers #veterans #veteranemployment #veteranhiring #militaryveterans

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

The worst career advice you can give a black woman is to “just keep her head down and work hard.” That advice kept me underpaid early in my career. I was excited yet nervous to be a part of a new analyst program that was highly visible to senior management. The work was challenging having to learn new systems, policies, and navigate new office culture. During a weekly meeting with my program coordinator, he commended me on the great work I was doing and wrapped up the discussion by saying, “Just keep your head down and do the work, that’s how you become successful here.” I was young, naive and honestly felt that his advice was genuine. So that’s what I did. Came in early. Worked hard. Stayed late. I made sure I was working at all times because I knew that it would be financially rewarded at year-end. Year-end came and my performance review was stellar. It spoke to my work ethic, intelligence, and teamwork. For that, I received a 3% bump in pay. It left me frustrated trying to figure out where I went wrong. Afterward, I noticed that the other top performers who were offered better opportunities and most importantly greater compensation didn’t work harder than me. They had built better relationships. The key to career advancement is to create a reputation supported by your work ethic but driven by relationships with those that can advocate for you. That reality check has since helped me to increase my earnings to six figures. Here are two things you can do to shift your career forward. 1️⃣ Build relationships with your peers. They hold valuable information about their experiences, connections, and successful strategies. As you progress in your career, these relationships will continue to grow. Your peers may move on to different industries, functions, and companies, which can be an advantage for you to gain diverse knowledge and perspectives. 2️⃣ Build vertical relationships (even when it feels intimidating). Take the initiative to introduce yourself, your function, and how long you’ve been with the company. Relationships start with a conversation, and it doesn't have to be formal. Use the break room, company events, and other less formal settings as opportunities to speak to new people. Remember, your career is your responsibility. Try something different today! What’s the worst career advice you’ve ever received? I loved to hear about it in the comments. #mondaymotivation #growthmindset #careercoach

Trading in the military boots for civilian dress shoes often feels like swapping a map for a riddle. It's a journey from a world where rank and structure chart your course to a landscape where the paths are as clear as mud. Who else misses their boots? ✋️ Master the Art of Networking Remember, in civilian territories, the treasure maps to opportunities are often hidden within conversations and handshakes. Think of networking like fishing: you need patience, the right bait (your unique skills), and sometimes, to cast your line in waters you've never fished before. 🔥 Pro tip: Approach with genuine curiosity rather than an immediate ask. It's about building bridges, not just crossing them when you need something. Polish Your Badge of Skills The military has honed your capabilities to a fine edge—leadership, discipline, and teamwork are your medals of honor. Now, it's time to showcase them, along with the tangible and relevant "hard" skills you've mastered along the way. Whether it's strategic planning, logistics, or crisis management, know your tools, methods and relevancy to your new chosen industry. Embrace the Quest for Knowledge Continuous learning is the new drill. The civilian sector evolves at a breakneck pace, and staying updated is not just advantageous—it's essential. Dive into courses and seminars that align with your goals. Unsure of where to start? Seek guidance. After all, every wise general knows the value of good intel. Adapt and Overcome The ability to adapt is in your DNA. Civilian roles might not mirror your military experience, but they offer new territories to conquer. Approach these opportunities with an open mind and the understanding that every step, even sideways, is a step forward in this new arena. Find Your Civilian Command Seek out a mentor who's navigated these waters before. The right guide can offer invaluable insights and help chart a course through the civilian landscape that aligns with your ambitions. The transition may seem daunting, but remember, you're not just moving on; you're moving up. With the skills and discipline forged in service, the civilian world is not a demotion but a new theatre of operations. Keep your humor, your wisdom, and your boots (metaphorically, at least) at the ready. You're equipped for success in any arena you choose to enter. Remember your training. 😉 #radicalresponsibility #militarytransition #stoicphilosophy #resilientmindset

I want to share a valuable tip that has proven instrumental in my career growth: creating an ongoing documentation of your accolades, projects, and accomplishments. In the hustle and bustle of our professional lives, it's easy to lose track of the significant contributions we make on a daily basis. From completing projects to hitting milestones, impacting organizations, and mentoring or leading teams, each achievement deserves recognition and documentation. Why is this documentation essential? It serves as a powerful tool during performance reviews. When your boss asks what you've accomplished, having a comprehensive record at your fingertips ensures that your contributions are acknowledged and valued. It's all too common to overlook our successes amidst the daily grind and burnout. Don't let your hard work go unnoticed simply because you haven't kept track of it. Moreover, maintaining a record of your achievements is invaluable when updating your resume or preparing for interviews and promotions. It provides concrete evidence of your capabilities and highlights your impact within your organization. As someone who understands the importance of documentation firsthand, I encourage you to start or continue this practice. Your future self will thank you for it. #careeradvice #interviewtip #recruitment #careergrowth