Tips for Maximizing Career Opportunities

Gaining experience is necessary for career development and can be done in various ways WITHOUT pursuing another degree. . . . Here are a few ways I have gained experience throughout my career: 👉🏾 Internships offer hands-on experience in a specific field or industry. They provide an opportunity for practical application, learning from professionals, and building your network. 👉🏾 Volunteering allows you to contribute your skills and time to meaningful causes while gaining valuable experience. Seek out volunteer opportunities in organizations or projects aligned with your career goals. This can help you develop new skills, expand your network, and demonstrate your dedication and commitment to potential employers. 👉🏾 Joining professional associations and attending industry-related events, conferences, and workshops. Participating in these events can provide opportunities to learn from experts, gain insights into industry trends, and potentially find mentors or job opportunities. 👉🏾 Completing relevant courses and obtaining certifications can enhance your knowledge and skills in specific areas and can demonstrate your commitment to learning and staying updated in your field. 👉🏾 Consider starting a side business or pursuing entrepreneurial ventures in line with your interests or skills. This allows you to gain firsthand experience in various aspects of business and it also showcases your initiative, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities. 👉🏾 Seek opportunities within your current workplace to collaborate on cross-functional projects or request a job rotation. Participating in different projects or roles exposes you to different aspects of the business and allows you to broaden your skill set and knowledge. 👉🏾 Identify professionals in your field who can serve as mentors or arrange shadowing experiences. Mentors can provide guidance, share their experiences, and help you navigate your career path. Shadowing allows you to observe and learn from professionals in action, gaining insights into their skills, decision-making processes, and industry dynamics. Remember, gaining experience is a continuous process, and it's important to actively seek opportunities, demonstrate initiative, and make the most of the resources available to you. By taking proactive steps to gain experience, you can strengthen your skill set, expand your network, and position yourself for career growth. ✨

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

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

Hey there, it’s me, your coach Nina, how are you today? Are you feeling overwhelmed by the exciting but vast possibilities in your career? Society, your parents, friends, strangers on social media, and even your own expectations have all been suggesting paths you “should” take professionally. If you're intellectually curious and enjoy learning, you likely have a strong drive to grow already. You might already have some ideas about where you want to go and how to get there. However, with endless possibilities and only 24 hours in a day, it's important to have a focused and sustainable approach to your career development, one that prevents overwhelm and burnout. Here are some strategies to consider: 1️⃣ List out your career goals: What do you really want in your career? Is it money, title, creative freedom, influence, fame, or making an impact? In my early career I wanted to get promoted because the society says so, but after a few years I started to optimize for learning new experiences (hence jumping from corporate to startup to stand up a new team.) 2️⃣ Figure out your why: understand why you want to achieve something adds meaning and boosts motivation. Are you aiming for FIRE (financial independence to retire early), seeking respect as a manager, or craving intellectual exploration? 3️⃣ Define success: know your destination helps you figure out what resources or skills you need to get there. For instance, aspiring to be a people manager might require learning how to inspire others. 4️⃣ Identify the resources you need: Just like planning a trip, you need to know what to pack for your career journey. Determine the skills or knowledge necessary for your dream role. 5️⃣ Choose how to learn: Different people prefer different learning methods—reading, visual cues, podcasts, or hands-on experience. Find what works best for you and experiment if you're unsure. 6️⃣ Practice: Apply your new skills whenever possible. Shadow others, volunteer for projects, and actively develop the competencies you need. 7️⃣ Reflect regularly: Set a monthly reminder to assess your progress and adjust your strategies if needed. 8️⃣ Seek accountability: Remember the saying, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." Find a mentor, friend, or a coach friend to support and hold you accountable. What strategies have you used or would you recommend to feel less overwhelmed and more empowered in your career growth? #careerdevelopment #professionaldevelopment #midcareer

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

I went from coordinator to CSO in 5 years. It has been crazy. Here’s my “Top 7” for an explosive career in marketing 🚀 TL;DR 1. Passion 2. Fill gaps, don’t just fulfill orders 3. Connect the dots 4. Meetings = Classes 5. Apply Feedback 6. Rabbit Hole 7. Strength = Weakness 1. Passion 🍍 This is the most obvious and the most crucial. If you are going to put in the hard work to grow your career, you have to want it. You have to have an innate motivation and you have to go all in. 2. Fill gaps, don’t just fulfill orders. 🥧 Do things because they need to get done, and try to get to them before you are asked. Pick up the stuff that is left in the gray area between roles. And don't be afraid to challenge priorities for the betterment of a business (be a thought leader). 3. Connect the dots. ⚫⚫⚫ Don’t just do things. Always try to figure out why you are doing them. Understanding how your role impacts the bigger picture is the first step to a promotion. 4. Meetings are career development classes 🏫 As a coordinator you are usually sitting in on meetings while “bigger” people go back and forth. Make sure you are listening and picking up on patterns. Use what they are talking about to help you understand your role, the company as a whole, and the goals of the organization. Also, learn from how they conduct meetings. Use this when you are called on to speak, present, or lead a meeting. 5. Apply Feedback 🔏 No one starts out knowing everything. We all get feedback, and it is easy to get upset or ignore it. Don’t. Feedback is free help to get closer to the next level. Apply it as soon as possible so it sticks. 6. Send yourself down the rabbit hole. 🐰 Leave no stone unturned. This applies to your work, the business as a whole, testing creative, client strategy, training, etc. Having a deeper understanding of how things work will make you stand out. 7. Don’t let your strength be your downfall. 😴 If you are doing all this, you are probably super ambitious and motivated. That’s great. But it can also lead to burnout REALLY quickly. Make sure you are carving out time to disconnect and recharge. This may feel like this goes against trying to grow your career, but it is actually part of it. People can tell when you are burned out, and they will be hesitant to give you more responsibility. These are the 7 things that have had a HUGE impact on my career growth- what would you add? Let me know below!

I remember being so upset when I didn't get advancement opportunities at work. I quickly learned that being a "good" performer often means being overlooked when it comes to career acceleration. Good performance leaves you in the people pile with the majority of employees. The key to career acceleration is to stand out. The best way to stand out is to Exceed Expectations. I realized I had to get very clear on what exceeding expectations meant to my leader. Here are some questions I asked: 1️⃣ What needs to be true for me to exceed your expectations?  2️⃣ What did the last person in this position do very well and where did they miss the mark?  3️⃣ What would you say are my strengths? How can I grow them further? 4️⃣ What are my opportunity areas? How do you suggest I grow in these areas? By asking these questions and acting on the feedback, I started to stand out. Leaders started to notice, and I started to get offered more opportunities inside and outside of my organization. 🌟 Don't settle for being just another face in the office —aim to stand out and reach your career goals whatever they are. You got this! 💪 How are you ensuring that you exceed expectations in your workplace? Share your strategies in the comments below. 👇 #LeadershipCoaching #CareerDevelopment #ThoughtLeadership

Are you putting your JOB before Your Career?   Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith authors of How Women Rise, cite this as one of the main reason women stay stuck. You are working on a strategic project. You need to stay up late to talk to your counterparts in Australia. You are invited to an exclusive leadership dinner with the CEO of your company and senior leaders of a sister company. You feel conflicted. You want to show up at the dinner but you also have a big deliverable due the next day. You decide its best to make sure you are doing a good job in your role now instead and keep you eye on the current ball in the air. You miss the opportunity to network with senior leaders who could have career opportunities for you. Or…. You decide to go to dinner and instead ask you number 2 to get on a call with your counterparts in Australia. You feel nervous about trusting your team member in this situation but you realize if you are to step up into a bigger role they will need to step into your role. You see this as a win-win opportunity for everyone to stretch. You feel encouraged and hopeful. 🚀 It takes a lot of discernment and clarity to put your career before your immediate job duties. There is a way you can do both if you allow your creativity and resourcefulness shine through instead of choosing the easy, safe option. 🌟 Here are 3 things you can do when you notice yourself at a choice point between your career and job duties: Prioritize with Purpose: Evaluate the potential long-term impact of your choices. Consider how each decision aligns with your career goals. Sometimes, it might be worth taking a leap and attending that leadership dinner, even if it means delegating tasks to others. It's about strategically investing in your future. Delegate and Empower: Recognize that to grow, you must empower your team. Trust them with important responsibilities and offer guidance. By doing so, you not only ease your immediate workload but also foster growth within your team. It's a win-win situation that can lead to bigger opportunities for everyone involved. Embrace Networking: Networking is a powerful tool for career advancement. Don't miss out on opportunities to connect with senior leaders, mentors, and peers who can provide valuable insights and open doors for you. Step out of your comfort zone and build those essential relationships that can shape your career trajectory. 💡 Remember, it's not about choosing between your career and your current job; it's about finding ways to harmonize them. Be open to exploring unconventional solutions, taking calculated risks, and continuously learning and growing. Your journey to success is a dynamic, evolving path, and it's up to you to make the most of it. 🌐🌆 Let's discuss these strategies and more in the comments! What's your go-to approach when faced with a choice between your career and immediate job duties? 👇 #CareerGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalDevelopment

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