Even though you work for someone else, you are the CEO of your career. Your career is your business, and you must manage and run your career as though you were an entrepreneur.
Once you begin seeing your career as a small business, it becomes clear that management, branding, marketing, sales, training, and consistent attention are needed. As an Executive Career Coach, I see clients every day who haven’t put much thought into who is managing their careers, becoming dissatisfied and frustrated, waiting for their careers to grow on their own. Meanwhile, the clients who run their careers like a small business are actively engaged in seeking to bridge their skills gaps, polishing their personal brand, establishing themselves as an industry expert, networking consistently, and setting the next career goal to achieve.
Schedule time to put on your “entrepreneur hats” at least once a week, even a 30-minute window is enough to address the needs of your career!
CEO: Set your goals. What job title do you want next? Make a note of current open positions and what they require, and begin the work of acquiring the skills and experience you need for your next goal.
HR: Are you actively seeking to bridge your skills gap for your next career goal? Even the best Executive MBA program may leave a few skills gaps for the job you’re seeking. Are you staying abreast of the job market so you know what you’re worth?
Branding: Create a personal brand and maintain it. Reputation can intrigue hiring influencers into offering you jobs before they’re posted, and can boost your career. Are you networking enough, and offering value to your contacts?
Marketing: Are your cover letter and resume ready? Do they match your LinkedIn profile? Are you featuring your Executive MBA?
Sales: Are you ready to interview? Are you ready to make a great impression in the first 10 seconds? Is your handshake ready?
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