How to Prepare for Career Opportunities

When I first started at my company, I was eager to take on more responsibilities but hesitant to speak up. I worried that my request might be seen as overreaching. Then, a mentor gave me invaluable advice: "Opportunities are rarely given; they’re taken." This changed everything for me. Here’s a step-by-step guide based on my journey to help you leap: ➙ Self-Assessment 📝: Before asking for more, evaluate your current workload. Are you consistently meeting your deadlines and excelling in your tasks? This will show that you're ready for additional responsibilities. ➙ Identify Areas for Growth 🔍: Look for gaps in your team or company where you can add value. It could be a project that's been neglected or a new initiative that aligns with your skills. ➙ Prepare Your Case 📊: Approach your manager with a clear plan. Highlight your achievements, explain how you can contribute more, and detail the benefits to the team and company. ➙ Show Enthusiasm and Commitment 💪: Demonstrate your passion for growth. Enthusiasm is contagious and shows that you're genuinely invested in your role and the company's success. ➙Be Ready for Challenges 🚀: Taking on more means stepping out of your comfort zone. Be prepared to tackle new challenges and show resilience. After implementing these steps, I not only got the additional responsibilities I wanted but also gained the trust and respect of my colleagues and superiors. My career growth skyrocketed, and I felt more fulfilled in my role. Big Lesson: Don't wait for opportunities to come to you. Take charge of your career by proactively seeking out more responsibilities. You'll grow, learn, and stand out as a proactive, driven professional. How Do You Go About It? 📞Regularly communicate with your manager about your career aspirations. 📞Seek feedback and use it to improve continuously. 📞Network within your company to identify potential growth opportunities. Have you successfully asked for more responsibilities? Share your experiences and tips below! Let’s inspire each other to take control of our career paths. 🚀 ————————————————————————— Meeting me for the first time? I’m Rudy Malle, a clinical researcher dedicated to improving public health outcomes, and a career advisor helping ordinary professionals take their careers to the next level to enhance visibility for individuals and companies. #CareerAdvancement #ProfessionalGrowth #TakeTheLead #WorkplaceTips #CareerAdvice #LinkedInCommunity #personaldevelopment #20daylinkedinchallengewithhaoma #rudyhacks

Over the 30 years of my recruiting career, I’ve always stressed to professionals how important it is to be proactive about their future. Well, I guess there’s a term for that now. Enter "career cushioning," a situation where professionals strategically build backup plans in case their current role becomes unstable. 🪂 What does it look like? Career cushioning can involve a variety of activities: 🫱🏻🫲🏻 Networking consistently: Regularly connecting with colleagues in your field and attending industry events keeps you top-of-mind and allows you to learn about new opportunities. 🆕 Developing in-demand skills: Taking online courses, pursuing certifications or simply taking on new duties in your current role can broaden your skillset and make you a more attractive candidate. 👁️ Casually exploring new jobs: While you're happy where you are, keeping an eye on potential openings allows you to stay informed about the market and identify roles that align with your long-term goals. Why is it important? The job market can be unpredictable. By having a "career cushion" in place, you'll be better prepared to navigate unexpected changes. It also allows you to be more selective when seeking new opportunities, ensuring you find a role that's truly fulfilling. You’ll have a perspective on what may be available to you should things so south in your current company. Is it disloyal? Absolutely not! Career cushioning is about taking charge of your professional development and ensuring your security. A strong employee who feels valued is less likely to leave, but being prepared for anything is simply smart career planning. As I’ve always said – there is only one person truly looking out for you and your career – that person is you! 🫵🏻 Ready to start cushioning? 💡 Review your resume and update your LinkedIn profile. 💡 Identify 2-3 skills you want to strengthen and explore learning resources. 💡 (Re)Connect with 5 new people in your industry this week. Career cushioning is about taking control of your future. By knowing what’s out there, investing in yourself and your network, you'll be well-positioned for success, regardless of what the job market throws your way. #careercushioning #cpacareers #careercoach

✨Recently laid off? Check out this inspiring story from my client. Job seekers navigating career transitions should consider two key strategies: Recommendations and Networking (I know, there is much more to the story; read on!). 🔻 First, update your LinkedIn profile, including exchanging recommendations with colleagues, managers, and external partners like vendors or customers. This effort yields significant benefits: • Recruiters value social proof from recommendations showcasing your leadership and communication skills. • It offers a prime networking opportunity—if approached strategically. H͟e͟r͟e͟’s͟ ͟a͟ ͟c͟a͟s͟e͟ ͟i͟n͟ ͟p͟o͟i͟n͟t͟:͟ I just finished a call with a client who had been preparing for a career change for about a year. Unexpectedly, she was laid off as part of a broader company downsizing. Fortunately, she was well-prepared and remained calm. She resumed an earlier task of requesting Zoom meetings and testimonials from her network. To her contacts’ surprise, they learned of her recent layoff. Now, she’s exploring several opportunities. Remarkably, one conversation revealed 𝗧𝗪𝗢 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 (unwritten and unposted) job roles tailored to her expertise at an exciting company overseas. C͟o͟n͟s͟i͟d͟e͟r͟ ͟t͟h͟i͟s͟:͟ 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁—𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱—𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘄𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲. My client's proactive discussions have already positioned her for five potential jobs, some of which are still being defined. Next steps? We’re preparing to utilize my “write and pitch your own job description” technique when these companies express interest in crafting a role that leverages her skills to meet their needs. Isn’t that amazing? ✨ For more ideas about what to do to prepare for a layoff, here is a link to the Forbes Coaches Council article: 𝗟𝗮𝘆𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲: 𝟭𝟮 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀: https://lnkd.in/gpGf8jXs #jobs #careers #management

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

Don't settle for feeling underutilized. Here's a game plan to level up your career if you're feeling "stuck" but LOVE your job. If I had at least 5 years of professional experience under my belt, and was lucky enough to actually love where I work, I'd take an approach that most folks today are not. I'd create my next opportunity right where I'm at. And I'd kickstart this approach by asking my leader these 5 essential questions: 1️⃣ If not already shared with the company, I'd ask my leader if they could share the business's high-level goals, emphasizing "over the next 12 months." 2️⃣ Then, I'd ask them how our function fits into those goals. 3️⃣ I'd ask them what 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 priorities are for the next 12 months. 4️⃣ And then I'd ask them what's challenging about those priorities or what's getting in the way of those priorities. 5️⃣ Finally, I'd ask them what success would look like if there were no challenges or obstacles. That's it! 5 simple questions. But these specific questions will generate the depth of insight needed to craft a compelling, strategic, and effective proposal for your career growth. You don't have to settle for feeling underutilized! Use that resourcefulness to take charge of your career and make things happen!💪🌟 #CareerDevelopment #CareerGrowth #WomenLeaders #EmergingLeaders #CareerShifts #CareerEvolution #NextLevelCareer 💠 𝘐𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘨𝘶𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘧𝘶𝘭𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘥-𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘳 𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.