Tag Archive for ‘Career Advancement’ at DrivenLeaders.com

Tag Archive for 'Career Advancement'

Tips For Getting Promoted in Down Economy

Published

on July 9, 2009

. 1 Comment

With unemployement numbers higher than they’ve been in years (9.5% as of June 2009), it sounds odd to be talking about promotions. When businesses large and small laying off employees, the natural inclination is for us worry about holding on to our jobs. Who wouldn’t! Yet for some, these challenging times may present an opportunity to differentiate yourself, get noticed, and position yourself for a step up the ladder.

Even admist restructuring, when there are fewer employees in an organization, those who survive often have increased opportunities to move up. Speaking to this, renowned career coach Marty Nemko presents an interesting video for U.S. News & World Report with advice on how to position yourself for a promotion in a down economy.

Video - “Getting Ahead in a Down Economy“

1. Hitch youself to a star.
2. Get involved in the companies core.
3. Get involved in professional associations.
4. Utilize online tools to brand yourself.

Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on April 8, 2009

in Book Reviews, Job Hunting and Personal Branding

. 4 Comments

The way we manage our careers is changing and the Internet has become the new ticket to post-graduate success.

A recent Careerbuilder.com survey showed that one in every five hiring managers used social networks to conduct background checks on candidates. In his new book, Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success, Dan Schawbel explains how anyone can become successful by using social media tools, such as blogs, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, in order to stand out and make a name for themselves. Me 2.0 is the first book about personal branding written for the millennial generation by a millennial, that bridges the gap between the current business environment and the progressive best practices of the future.

“In a tough employment environment, it is absolutely essential to move past old rules and embrace job hunting 2.0 — Dan Schawbel’s new book will show you how,” explains Sydney Finkelstein, Steven Roth Professor of Management, Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Me 2.0 teaches you how to use social media tools for personal empowerment, confidence building, and professional networking that can actually result in attracting jobs directly to you.

Highlights from Me 2.0 include:

A 4-step proven personal branding process for career success.
Over 40 expert quotes from leaders, including Don Tapscott, Guy Kawasaki, Penelope Trunk, Chris Brogan, Laura Ries, David Kirkpatrick, and Steve Rubel.
More than 70 research reports, three personal case studies and examples to offer a broader perspective on the topic.
Tested advice on how to create an online and offline presence for career protection and self-promotion.

I’ve had a chance to preview Dan’s book and agree that if you implement the suggestions he’s outlined, you will be well on your way to setting yourself up for success. If you already feel confident brand and want to put to the test, enter the Personal Branding Awards before August 1, 2009 to be considered for the award. This year Dan has added me to the list of judges, who be announcing a winner on November 1st 2009. Contest or not, as technology evolves your personal brand will be increasingly visible. Thus making it ever more important to be represented the way you want to. Don’t wait, if you haven’t started yet, think about it today, this book is an excellent place to start.

The Power of Personal Branding (drivenleaders.com)
Dan Schawbel, Me 2.0, and Personal Branding (myventurepad.com)
HOW TO: Leverage Social Media for Career Success (mashable.com)

Personal Branding Magazine - Free Sample!

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on October 28, 2008

in Gen-Y and Personal Branding

. 2 Comments

Dan Schwabel just released the latest edition of the Personal Branding Magazine, and as expected, it’s better than ever. Entitled “The Personal Branding Gold Rush,” this issue is a call to action. I’ve written previous posts about the importance of building your eBrand; Vol. 2 Issue 2 takes it another step further. It contains interviews with, Gary Vaynerchuk, David Allen, Keith Ferrazzi and Robert Cialdini, along with 26 other articles on developing a powerful online presence. I think Dan’s description says it best:

“Now is the time for building your personal eBrand. Laggards will be lost in a Google cloud of dust, while early adopters will rank #1 for their name. Stop watching everyone else steal your gold (your THUNDER) and get involved today. Many people are scared to develop an online presence, yet it’s the only way you can safeguard your brand and have “job security.” This issue will highlight Gary Vaynerchuk, who will passionately force you to get involved in the GOLD RUSH. As you read each page, you will gather the knowledge needed to not let these opportunities pass you by.”

The full issue won’t be available until November 1st for subscribers, however a free sample is available today at http://www.personalbrandingsample.com If you haven’t seen the magazine or subscribed to it yet, I would highly recommend it. I’ve had a sneak peak at the complete issue and I have to say, you won’t be disappointed…

Stepping Up in the Absence of Leadership

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on October 9, 2008

in Advancement and Leadership

. 0 Comments

climbing ladder Stepping Up in the Absence of Leadership Like many organizations, my company is going through its fair share of leadership changes. Be it promotions, transfers, reorganizations or resignations, there are countless reasons as to why leaders will move on to other opportunities. With the uncertainly that a temporary void in leadership creates, it also opens a narrow window of opportunity for aspiring leaders at all levels. The key is not only noticing when these opportunities arise, but being fully prepared to take advantage when they do. Doing so effectively can help you position yourself as a key player when new management begins to step in.

As the incoming leaders formalize there roles, they will undoubtedly look to find key people that can help them make their transition process successful. By positioning yourself as an informal leader in their absence, you start off on the right foot from day one. We’ve all heard the adage, “You only get one change to make a first impression” – well this situation is no different. If you are strategic about your actions during a leadership transition, you will not only create a meaningful first impression; you will be saying “I’m ready for more recognition, more responsibility, and more money .”

The following are a few suggestions on what to do before and during a leadership transition.

Find a mentor. Find a leader you trust and respect, and be a sponge. Not only will you elevate your learning, but you’ll create an ally who can help you as future opportunities arise.
Learn from outgoing leaders. Chances are they did things very well or horribly wrong. Either way, spend some time learning about what made them succeed or fail, and what opportunities they foresee emerging as the transition ensues.
Build your network. Having a positive relationship with key people in your organization is a major asset. They may be able to prove insight into advancement opportunities and give you the backing necessary to win over with the incoming leaders.
Lead your group through the change. Stepping up as a leader in your group or department is always looked at as a positive in times of change. With the knowledge you’ve gain from your network, you’ll have the confidence to calm the masses and keep your team moving forward in these times of uncertainty. In helping others succeed, you naturally project yourself as a leader and someone ready to assume additional responsibility.
Step outside of your comfort zone. As the old saying goes, “To get what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done.” Challenge yourself and your peers. The results may surprise you.
Keep developing yourself. I know it sounds cliché, but if you sit back and ride out this transition you are wasting valuable time. There is no better time for personal development and if you’ve executed the above suggestions to this point, I’d venture to say that you’ve already learned a few lessons along the way. Don’t stop.

As with many things in life, the only constant in business is change. They key to maximizing this opportunity is being ready at any given time. Don’t wait to start this process, start today. You never know when you’re window of opportunity may just open up…

The Power of Personal Branding

Published

Anthony Portuesi

on September 19, 2008

in Gen-Y, Personal Branding and Thought Provoking

. 2 Comments

personalbranding The Power of Personal Branding

Personal branding is the red-hot buzzword these days and for good reason. The term, first discussed by Tom Peters in 1997, is a powerful topic whose significance is growing by the day. No one will disagree that in the digital age, the importance of establishing and maintaining a strong personal brand is vital to your future success.

“It’s what you do that makes you who you are and how you project that to others that makes you memorable.”

- Dan Schwabel, Personal Branding Blog

Incase you’re new to the subject, personal branding is treating your personal image as if it where a consumer brand. It’s a process of articulating your unique values and attributes, consistently, across multiple platforms. Being a marketing guy at heart, this concept has intrigued me ever since I first heard it years ago.

In today’s marketplace, a strong personal brand gives you the ability to stand out in a crowd - a competitive advantage. Tomorrow, on the other hand, will be different. The absence of one (or a negative one) could be devastating. Just this month, careerbuilder.com released some eye-opening statistics related to employers using social networking sites to screen potential employees. Here are a few memorable stats directly from their site:

Of those hiring managers who have screened job candidates via social networking profiles, one-third (34 percent) reported they found content that caused them to dismiss the candidate from consideration. Top areas for concern among these hiring managers included:

41% - candidate posted information about them drinking or using drugs

40% - candidate posted provocative or inappropriate photographs or information

29% - candidate had poor communication skills

27% - candidate lied about qualifications

On the other hand, social networking profiles gave some job seekers an edge over the competition. Twenty-four percent of hiring managers who researched job candidates via social networking sites said they found content that helped to solidify their decision to hire the candidate. Top factors that influenced their hiring decision included:

48% - candidate’s background supported their qualifications for the job

43% - candidate had great communication skills

40% - candidate was a good fit for the company’s culture

36% - candidate’s site conveyed a professional image

To see the complete results of the survey, view the full report.

Though I won’t claim to be an expert on the subject, it’s hard to deny that the power of personal branding is only growing by the day. Below are some of my favorite resources in regard to personal branding. Each provides a slightly different outlook and strategy as to creating and promoting your own personal brand. My only advice is, that you don’t wait, start today…