Take Control of Your Career
Tools to Jumpstart Your Stalling
Career
Executive Focus 2007
Executive Focus 2007
Have you ever thought to yourself?
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I should be further along in my career
I just need a chance
I’m as smart as that person
They don’t have a clue
You can’t get ahead here because of the politics
I’m overworked and under appreciated
My boss doesn’t do half of what I do
Why am I wasting my time here?
I need to make more money
I hate my job but I need the paycheck
When I win the lottery …
Executive Focus 2007
Executive Focus 2007
If “you” are ready to make a change,
then “you” must first build a foundation
for change. Your foundation is built on:
• What you have done in the past
• What you are currently doing
• Where you want to go
• Skills and ability to get there
Build your Foundation
Executive Focus 2007
It’s one thing to think about what you
want to do and another thing to do it.
Take the word “try” out of your
vocabulary and replace it with “do”.
Get focused and do something. You
won’t have all of the answers today but
as long as you maintain your focus and
keep moving your journey will be fun
exciting and worthwhile.
Focus Yourself and Begin Your Journey
Build your Foundation
Executive Focus 2007
These four pillars are key to your success. Develop a
killer résumé, keep a winning attitude, build
competence where needed and this will drive your
employability ratio up.
Build your Foundation starting with You
Executive Focus 2007
Employability
Competence
Attitude
Résumé
Focus yourself and begin your journey
Don’t stop working
on You!
Continue to Improve
Build your Foundation starting with You
Executive Focus 2007
Employability
Competence
Attitude
Résumé
Focus yourself and begin your journey
Your Foundation
 You must be honest with yourself, there is a reason why you are not
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CEO today.
Take a realistic look at your skills and abilities and compare them to
the requirements needed for jobs you are interested in
Assess the feedback that you have received from managers and
determine how that might impact your ability to do the job you are
interested in
Understand some of the things that you are going to have to do
differently in order to land that ideal job.
Build the new “YOU”Package, that you are about to market.
Remember the “you” today got you to where you are today. The
“YOU” tomorrow has a much brighter future!
Executive Focus 2007
Focus
 No rookie mistakes! Get focused and get started.
 Build your personal strategic plan to get you to where you need to be
 That plan may not mean you jump ship tomorrow. It may mean you
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stay put to get more development
Focus on the right things versus what might feel good at the moment
Take a systematic approach and cover your bases
When it’s time to move, you will know, because it’s built into your
plan
Start your journey. However if your journey is only about the next job,
then it’s really not a journey. If it is about long term success that you
define, then you’re on to something.
Executive Focus 2007
Résumé
 Remember, your résumé is your personal calling card
 Make sure your résumé is worth reading
 Does your résumé give a positive first impression of you?
 Is there a clear objective?
 Does your résumé read like a job description or does it speak to
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results?
Are you using words that grab the readers attention
Is this document really selling the professional that you are?
Does your résumé tell a company what you can do for them?
When a recruiter reads your résumé does (s)he say “Wow”?
Does your résumé make you stand out in the crowd?
Executive Focus 2007
Attitude
 Check your attitude Today!
 Your attitude has a direct impact on your performance
 Even if you hate your job, there is something that you can learn. Don’t
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cloud your learning with a bad attitude
Someone may have to be a reference for you. Your attitude might play
into what they say about you.
The more positive you are the better your chances at landing that next
great opportunity
Attitude at work and attitude at home have a direct correlation. Get it
in check in all aspects of your life.
Don’t buy into the crap of “I have to work with these people, I don’t
have to like them”.
Whether you like them or not, they better like you and they better think
that you like them!
Just like you, people can see through “crap” so don’t think you’re
fooling anybody. Get your attitude in check!
Executive Focus 2007
Competence
 Know your skills and abilities
 Take a look at your competency profile and determine where you are
strong and where you need work
 Get help in those areas where you need help
 Be able to articulate your strengths as well as how you leverage your
strengths to help you in areas where you may not be as strong
 Companies are looking for the best and the brightest. You make sure
that you are competent enough to compete with anyone in the world
who might be interested in the same job that you are interested in. If
not, they might just get your job!
Executive Focus 2007
Employability
 Sure, you’re employable but are you employable at the level and for
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the position that you want?
Competence, experience, attitude play a big role in whether or not you
might be employed in the role you seek.
Your résumé will be a big key in determining whether or not you even
get the chance to speak with someone about the opportunity you seek.
If your are not focused and are able to communicate what it is you
want and what you can do, then your employability ratio goes down.
If you want to be a vice president, you need vice presidential skills.
Even though you think you are smarter than your boss, remember
(s)he has the job not you. Your employability is not about them it’s
about you. How they got there is one thing, how you get there is
another.
Don’t become a dinosaur. Stay on top of technology and trends
Executive Focus 2007
Summary
 Know what you want, build a plan and go
for it
 Get some help where needed
 Network, Network, Network
 Build and grow your skills
 Keep your attitude in check so that people
want to help you
 Stay positive and don’t be a victim
Executive Focus 2007