Tips for Preparing for New Opportunities

It's easy freak out about the job market right now. But, there is a silver lining in all of this uncertainty. The smart move? Use this time to invest in yourself. I learned this the hard way, wasting too much time trying to make a move during the Great Recession and getting no results. At first, I panicked. Then I realized the job market was completely out of my control and decided to focus on something that wasn't: Expanding my skillset and getting a new certification. ⭐Within 10 months, I was promoted from recruiting to leading PR and external affairs. ⭐Within 4 years, I was recruited to a dream job Bottom line: This isn't the time to just sit back and relax. And panicking won't help. When the job market turns (and it will!) you want to be ready to go. Here's what to do now to set yourself up for success: 1️⃣ Create Your Own Opportunities ↳ Volunteer for high-visibility projects ↳ Solve problems nobody owns yet ↳ Document your wins meticulously 2️⃣ Build Strategic Relationships ↳ Network across departments and externally ↳ Find mentors who challenge your thinking ↳ Be the go-to person others count on for something specific 3️⃣ Learn In-Demand Skills ↳ Master data analysis and visualization ↳ Build AI savvy and experience ↳ Pick up tools to manage complex projects 4️⃣ Develop As A Thought Leader ↳ Share insights from your daily work ↳ Write internal newsletters or reports ↳ Present at team meetings consistently 5️⃣ Volunteer in Your Community ↳ Search for organizations aligned with your values ↳ Find out what help they need most ↳ Take on a leadership role to make connections or build skills 6️⃣ Teach Others ↳ Choose something you genuinely enjoy ↳ Take a deep dive into it so you can teach it to others ↳ Check out community centers, and local colleges for adjunct roles 7️⃣ Start a Side Gig ↳ What can you do that others can't or won't? ↳ Let friends, family and neighbors know what you're doing ↳ Ask people to refer you and share testimonials on social media 💡Career growth isn't just about changing jobs. It's about owning your own professional development. ♻️ Share to help others grow professionally. 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career insights. 📌 Need help with your growth strategy? DM me to chat.

Are you ready to take your career to 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹, but unsure how to make it happen? The key to your next promotion might be closer than you think. As a career and leadership coach, I've seen countless managers struggle with career stagnation. The good news? With the right strategy, you can position yourself for that coveted promotion. Here's your 5-point guide to not just ask for a promotion, but to ensure you're the top candidate when the opportunity arises: 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲: Before you even think about asking for a promotion, make yourself irreplaceable. Take on additional responsibilities (responsibilities, no more work), volunteer for challenging projects, and consistently exceed expectations. Document your achievements and the value you bring to your role and the organization. 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀: A promotion often means leading others. Start honing your leadership skills now. Mentor colleagues, lead cross-functional projects, or take on a leadership role in company initiatives. Show that you're ready for increased responsibility. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸: Promotions aren't just about what you know, but who you know. Cultivate relationships across your organization. Seek out mentors in senior positions and build alliances with decision-makers. Your network can be your strongest advocate when promotion opportunities arise. 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹𝘀: Understand your company's strategic objectives and align your work accordingly. Demonstrate how your contributions directly impact the bottom line and support the organization's vision. This shows you're thinking at a higher level, a key trait for promotion candidates. 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: Timing is crucial when asking for a promotion. Monitor the company's performance, be aware of organizational changes, and choose a moment when your recent achievements are fresh in your manager's mind. Prepare a compelling case that outlines your readiness for the next level and how it benefits the company. Remember, asking for a promotion isn't just about the ask—it's about strategically positioning yourself as the obvious choice. By following these steps, you're not just hoping for a promotion; you're actively creating the conditions for your success. Are you ready to take control of your career trajectory? Start implementing these strategies today, and watch as new opportunities unfold before you. #CareerAdvancement #LeadershipDevelopment #PromotionStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth #CareerCoaching #SuccessfulLeaders #CareerEmpowerment

I spent too many years thinking my boss was responsible for my career. Or the company. Or a magical fairy godmother. I thought it was everyone else’s job to advocate for me. To push me. To help me advance and grow. And I completely missed the fact that it was me. It was always ME. Our job is to be the biggest advocate for our careers. We are in the driver’s seat. And we can’t take a back seat and expect someone else to do the driving. Here are ten ways to start advocating for your career not tomorrow, TODAY: 1️⃣ Take a seat at front of the table, not at the back of the room. Be visible. Log onto that Zoom early, make sure people know you are there. Don’t shrink to the corner of the screen or room. 2️⃣ Raise your hand 🙋🏾♀️ Ask that question. Show you’re engaged and thoughtful and there to contribute. I always ask a question early on in the meeting to build my confidence to contribute more later. 3️⃣ Ask to be put on that assignment Make sure you are working on assignments that are priorities for the company. Especially in this market. 4️⃣ Coach your peers on their work You don’t have to have direct reports to have influence. Guide peers who ask for your help: position yourself for the next level by acting like you are at the next level. 5️⃣ Build a career development plan If your boss won’t help you do this, ask a colleague to be a sounding boarding or a friend outside of work. Understand what your goals are this year and what you want your next two roles to be. 6️⃣ Focus on one new skill you want to build What’s one new skill you want to learn that can help with your career growth? Pick it and commit to it. Block 30 minutes on your calendar daily to work on it. Make this time non negotiable. 7️⃣ Take credit for your work Even if they won’t let you in that meeting, share what you are working on with others. Whether that’s it in 1:1 conversations or in team meetings, make sure you let others know the impact you are making. 8️⃣ Get meaningful feedback If your boss keeps saying you’re killing it or avoids giving your feedback, ask others. Show up with what you think your strengths are and areas of opportunity to get their reactions. 9️⃣ Keep a track of your wins Start a Google doc or grab a notebook, and down all of your wins and the end of every month. This makes it easier to do your self evaluation during performance review time and update your resume. 🔟 Always have your resume ready Whether you are looking for internal or external, always have your resume ready. And make sure it’s not saved on your work lap, especially in this market where layoffs are happening every day. How do you advocate for yourself at work? #leadership #culture #inclusion #MitaMallick

I recently had a conversation with a mentee who’s exploring how to move into a new department—and it sparked one of my favorite career development topics: advocating for yourself where you are to get where you want to go. We talked about how you don’t always have to wait for a new title to gain new experiences. Sometimes the best way to grow is to stretch within your current role. Here are a few strategies I shared that can make a real difference: ⭐️ Ask for exposure: Let your manager know the types of work or skills you’re hoping to develop. You might be surprised what’s available if they know you’re interested. ⭐️ Volunteer strategically: Whether it’s a cross-functional project, mentoring a new hire, or supporting a team pilot, these are opportunities to grow your skills and your visibility. Keep raising your hand. ⭐️ Document everything: Track what you’ve worked on outside your core duties—it builds your internal brand and helps connect the dots on your resume when you’re ready to make a move. ⭐️ See a need, fill a need: one of my favorite past managers, Jorge Tapia encouraged me to look and act on areas of opportunity within our function that would make things better. Sometimes this means coming up with a plan and getting buy in while other times it could be just fixing things you find along the way. If you’re feeling stuck, don’t underestimate the power of having a conversation with your manager. Advocating for yourself isn’t about asking for special treatment—it’s about being clear on where you want to grow and how you can add value along the way. What are some other ways you've been able to gain experiences while in your current role to pave the way for your next move?