Take Control of Your Career

1. Take Control of Your Career Tools to Jumpstart Your Stalling Career Executive Focus 2007 Executive Focus 2007

2. Have you ever thought to yourself? • 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

3. So what are you going to do about it? Executive Focus 2007

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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. Attitude Competence Résumé Employability Focus yourself and begin your journey Build your Foundation starting with You Executive Focus 2007

7. Don’t stop working on You! Continue to Improve Attitude Competence Résumé Employability Focus yourself and begin your journey Build your Foundation starting with You Executive Focus 2007

8. Your Foundation • You must be honest with yourself, there is a reason why you are not 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

9. 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 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

10. Résumé • Remember, your résumé is your personal calling card • Make sure your résumé is worth reading • Does your résumégive a positive first impression of you? • Is there a clear objective? • Does your résumé read like a job description or does it speak to 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

11. 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 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

12. 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

13. Employability • Sure, you’re employable but are you employable at the level and for 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

14. 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