By Cynthiann King, C. King Unlimited Education Services
The best way to get onto the fast track in our industry is to MANAGE YOUR OWN CAREER. No one can take as good care of your career as you can. No one has the same interest in your success as you do! Try these proven techniques to managing your career effectively:
(1) Know Your Position Description.
Read or create a written description of your position and its responsibilities. Understand the expectations through discussion with your supervisor and team members. Note what you do well and areas needing improvement or education. Determine which areas will boost your career. Create, write and discuss your new professional goals with people who can get and keep you accountable to these.
(2) Secure Mentors or Coaches.
Most fulltime professionals are too busy today to commit to coaching you weekly. If you approach several potential mentors and secure each person for one hour a week, you will benefit from a variety of talented individuals with a consistent flow of ideas, resources and recommendations. Know and nurture these supporters.
(3) Keep a Record of your Successes.
Designate and use a journal to regularly document your small and significant successes. Use this journal to accentuate your positive outcomes. Review your accomplishments and write new goals to challenge yourself. Use your journal when communicating with mentors and supervisors to acquire suitable recognition and secure additional direction.
(4) Develop the Look of Success. Image matters. Review your wardrobe, tools, posture, demeanor, communication skills, and overall image. Upgrade yourself to the next level. Attend a Toast Masters meeting to enhance your speaking skills. Paste a sincere look of interest and a smile on your face – even if you have to fake it to (eventually) make it.
(5) Develop a Professional Network. Take advantage of the network opportunities that exist in our industry: Attend an association meeting, serve on a committee, present a report, participate on a panel, secure and/or introduce a speaker, invite others to attend an event, attend an education conference, volunteer at a charity event, interact on a live CallSource webinar or teleclass, join a live chat on Gracehill.com, pose a question to experts at www.smmonline.com, submit an idea for an issue of Rent and Retain, and organize and meet with a sharing group of professionals.
(6) Become an Expert. Are you a Winner or a Whiner? What do you do when faced with a challenge? Detail its parameters and concerns. Visualize the challenge as resolved. Consider potential resources. Become an expert on the subject so you can pose plausible solutions. Present your solutions verbally and or in writing so others can benefit from your new expertise. Get recognized as a responsible, conscientious, creative team player. Be someone on whom others can really count!
By implementing these strategies you will garner favorable attention, earn deserved respect – and probably a promotion!
About the author: Cynthiann King is President of C. King Unlimited, national Speaker and degreed educator. She provides an array of innovative training seminars and services for multifamily firms and associations. Available for seminars, conferences, curriculum development and policies’ manuals, contact her at (847) 487-8791 or e-mail: cynthiann@ameritech.net.
