7 Pro Tips for Setting Yourself Up for Success in the New Year

7 Pro Tips for Setting Yourself Up for Success in the New YearAfter conducting a career assessment, its time to chart your career path for the year to come. In order to get you there, here are a few tips from some career experts for creating a roadmap to achieving success.Make Yourself Valuable Your Work QuantifiableExecutive Recruiter and Career Transition Coach Brian Howard said you can make yourself mora valuable as a professional by going over and above what is required of you in the workplace. Howard, who operates the website The Motivated Job Search and has authored a series of books on conducting a successful career search, said the first step is making yourself as close to irreplaceable as you can.You need to make yourself valuable so that if you should ever leave, its going to hurt and the people in power realize it, said Howard.Additionally, when youre ready to advance your career through a raise, promotion, or position with a new organization, you need to be able to speak in numbers. Use facts and figures to demonstrate how you have helped your company achieve its goals or how you have made yourself more marketable in the past year.While anyone can attest to their own value, numbers such as annual sales figures, new clients landed, or direct contributions to a companys growth are hard evidence as to your accomplishments. The bottom line is you need to be able to explain how you have helped (or can help) a companys bottom line.Strive for Professional Education and GrowthThe next thing that will help set you up for success in 2018 is the pursuit of any type of education such as a professional designation that is applicable to your industry, according to Howard. But, he said, that doesnt mean you have to go out and get an MBA.Go out and get a notable designation, he said. It may take three months, 90 hours of study, or a test, but pursue something that gives weight to who you are. When it comes to being recognized in your company or when you want to mo ve up, that designation becomes a differentiator. Not only do you get the knowledge from it, it differentiates you from others who may be pursuing the job.Pharmaceutical and Medical Recruiter Brian Stewart of Jacksonville, FL, who has 17 years of career experience, said even simply reading can start to move you in the right direction.I would say reading some books by people like Brian Tracy, Tony Robbins, and Zig Ziglar, those can help you get into perspective, and especially if you are an entrepreneur out there by yourself you need that inspiration.Network Like You Mean ItNetworking is one of the most impactful ways to get noticed and grow your career, according to both Stewart and Howard. Whether you connect with another industry professional on LinkedIn, invite someone to coffee, or join a professional organization, now is the time to expand your network.There may be some networking events you can go to, said Stewart. There are a lot of networking groups you can join, go to chamb er of commerce events, get around a lifeline of people.Howard agrees that networking is imperative to creating career success.Get involved with an industry association. Be gregarious. Network internally within your company or affiliates as well as externally, advises Howard.Be a LeaderStewart said that to achieve success in your career in the coming year, you should set yourself up as a leader in your department, company, and profession.I think being a leader, whether you are in a leadership role or not, is important, he said. Be the leader you know you are every day of the year. That really makes the difference. Be that person people come to. Have that demeanor about yourself. Be well versed in everything happening, whether its your piece of the project or not. Show people they can come to you and that they can trust you. Be loyal to them. If youre not leading, youre just following. When you see people rely on you, you assume a significant responsibility that will help you grow.Ste wart added that as a leader, you will become more confident, which also minimizes your insecurities as a professional. Confidence is silent and insecurities are loud, he said.Map Out Your GoalsThink about where you would like to be in your career a year from now and create short-term, achievable goals, said Stewart.Set daily, weekly, and quarterly goals, he said. If you hold yourself accountable to your goals, then it forces you to ask yourself why you are doing what you are doing. With short-term goals, you can achieve success because you are able to reflect and adjust more frequently than with long-term goals. Ultimately, your destination will be the same you are simply getting there more quickly and more easily.Be Ready for ChangeHoward, who recently published his fifth book Motivated Resumes and LinkedIn Profiles Insight, Advice, and Resume Samples Provided by Some of the Most Credentialed, Experienced, and Award-Winning Resume Writers in the Industry, said each person needs to determine the best options for where he or she can go with their careers in the future.You always want to expand in an industry if you can, Howard said. Do you have a continued interest in the industry? You want to go into an industry that has some expansion to it? There are a wide variety of considerations that go into the calculus here. A lot of it will be individual to the person and what they know.If you want a raise or a promotion, you need to show that you are ready to spread your wings. Beyond simply being good at what you do, you need to demonstrate the ability to take on more responsibility. For example, have you offered to help others with their workload or projects while you have continued to meet the expectations of your position? If not, nows the time to start doing so. Ask to take on extra work, projects, or responsibilities. If you have already begun to take on additional responsibilities and have exceeded expectations, that is proof youre ready to take on a larger ro le. Put together a list of all of the things you have done beyond your current position that have exceeded expectations, research the title and salary for whichever role handles such responsibilities, and be ready to discuss these points when asking for a raise or promotion.Update Your Resume to Include Your WinsBe prepared to talk about how you have proactively invested in your career over the course of the past year and how you have contributed to your current employer. By preparing an updated resume in advance and having it on hand during an interview, you can highlight things that may have gone overlooked.Items to include on your List of Wins*Stellar performance reviews in your current position*Raises and promotions earned over the past year*Completed courses, certifications, and credentials*Facts and figures to quantify your value as an employee*Projects you completed, especially long-term projects*Professional awards or recognitionYour resume is also helpful when approaching t he boss for a raise or promotion because youre able to demonstrate how seriously you have taken your career during the past yearand it demonstrates that youre ready to advance. You can even use your resume as a guide to developing your future career goals.

How to Find a Job You Love by Assessing Company Culture

How to Find a Job You Love by Assessing Company Culture How to Find a Job You Love by Assessing Company CultureLooking for a job match made it heaven? ansicht company culture research tips will help you find your dream job.In both dating and in the job hunt, its all about finding the one someone who not only shares your values but also brings out the best in you. Thats why compatibility with company culture is so important when searching for a job or making a career change. In fact, a recent survey by TopResume found that cultural fit is one of top three factors professionals consider when evaluating a potential position.In turn, employers are looking for the same connection with their prospective employees. A Jobvite study found that 60 percent of recruiters tarif culture fit of high importance when making a hiring decision.You can have all the right qualifications for a role, but if you dont mesh well with the organization and their team, you ultimately wont be successful. Thats w hy its so critical to learn as much about a prospective employers company culture before you decide to accept their job offer. Its all about learning how to find a job you love. Use these tips below to discover a companys true corporate culture and find your dream job.Search zugreifbarOnce youve taken some time to consider what matters most to you in your next role, the next step in your career change or job search is to actively seek out companies that embody those traits. Maybe the things that are most important to you are work-life balance and a companys interest in its employees professional development. Run an online search to uncover lists of companies that are known for these qualities. Develop a target company list based on this and then make a point to regularly check these companies websites for new opportunities. In addition, use this information to set up saved searches for similar companies on your favorite job boards.Seek out referencesDid you know you are 10 times mor e likely to land a job when your application is accompanied by an employee referral? Before you apply for a position, take a look at your professional network to see if you know anyone who currently works or previously worked at the organization. Not only could your connections help you avoid the resume black hole, but they could also provide you with valuable insights into the company culture and the hiring process you wont find anywhere else. Use the information you gain from your contacts to (1) determine if the company is a good fit for you, and (2) help you prepare you for interviews with the organization.Revisit the companys websiteThe internet is full of resources that can help you get a better sense of a companys culture before you even set foot in the interview room. Start by revisiting the companys site, particularly their Careers section. Today, many organizations are investing in what is referred to as employer branding to provide prospective candidates with a better und erstanding of what its like to work at the company. Be on the lookout for videos, employee testimonials, information about the companys mission, and any social media accounts that are dedicated to the companys recruiting efforts. In addition, check to see if they have a company profile on The Muse. These will help you gauge the corporate culture and decide if the company work environment and its values are right for you.Related Is This Company Right for You? Run a Social Media Check to Find OutFind out what others are saying about themWhen making a career move, dont forget to check online for company reviews. Im not just talking about the reviews youll find on sites like TrustPilot and the Better geschftsleben Bureau, though those are also worth looking at. Find out what former and current employees are saying about their employers, the company culture, and the interview process on sites like Glassdoor, CareerBliss, and Vault. This is especially useful if you dont know anyone who wo rks at the company who can share their firsthand experiences.Take these reviews with a grain of salt, however. Disgruntled employees are much more likely to post a review than someone whos happy with their job. Also, many companies actively encourage their newest employees to post reviews while theyre still in the honeymoon stage of their employment.Set up Google News AlertsWhether youre interested in learning more about a target company or youre preparing for an upcoming interview, Google News Alerts are a great way to stay in the know about your field and its major players. You can easily create an alert for a specific company to learn how theyre being portrayed in the news and what initiatives theyre currently involved with. While this wont give you deep insights into the company culture, it will help you understand how they are perceived by the media and see any strategic decisions that have been made available to the public.Prepare questions for your interviewIf you want to fin d your dream job, remember that the interview process should be a two-way street. Just as the company is evaluating you and your skills for their role, its your job to ask questions during the interview process to get a better sense of the position, the hiring managers expectations, and the company culture so you can decide if its the right position for you. Here are some great examples of questions to ask in order to understand what its really like to work at the companyIf you could describe your corporate culture in three words, what would you say and why?Whats one thing thats integral to this companys success that an outsider wouldnt know about?How do I get access to the information I need to be successful in this job?What kinds of people are successful here? What kinds of people have either fizzled out, failed, or left?How does the company recognize employee accomplishments?Take note of your surroundingsWhen youre brought in for an interview, pay close attention to whats going o n around you. Ask yourself the following questionsWhat does the waiting room look like?How is the receptionist treated by those who work at the company?How is the bro decorated? How are the workspaces arranged?Do people have pictures and other rolleal effects on their desks, or are their workspaces pretty sterile?Is there a break room or kitchen in sight? Are people eating at their desks or leaving the office for lunch?All of these little details provide clues into the corporate company culture and what you can expect, should you try to find a job you love and accept an offer from this organization.Related5 Ways to Evaluate Company Culture During a Job InterviewEvaluate the interview processConsider how you were treated during the interview process. Did the recruiter reschedule your interview three times before finally getting you into the office? Did most of the interviewers seem prepared for your meeting, or did they appear to be thrown into the mix at the last minute? When you as ked each interviewer specifics about the job and what would be required of the person who accepted it, were their answers somewhat consistent or did they vary greatly?Your treatment during the interview process is often an indication of what you will face at the company if you decide to work there. Click on the following link from Monster for additional questions to ask yourself when evaluating the interview experience.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Will your resume get you into the interview room? Get a free resume critique to find out.Recommended ReadingWhat Kind of Work Culture Works for You?Positive Personal References Are a Powerful ToolCorporate Culture and How Its Impacted by Leadership StylesRelated Articles