Career

Break Your New Goal into Steps

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Once you’ve set your mind on a goal and cleared away distractions, you’re ready to start. But first, you need to do some planning. When you create a plan and use that plan, you’re more likely to succeed with your goals.

You can create a list of tasks to achieve your goal. But it’s more effective to start by evaluating what you need to make your goal a reality.

Tools or Supplies

What tools or supplies will you need to meet your goal? If you’re starting a blog, you’ll need a website and a hosting service. If you’re aiming to win a promotion, start tracking your projects, achievements, and results.

You also need to consider any supplies you may have forgotten. If you’re starting a job search, you may need an updated LinkedIn profile. If you’re starting an exercise routine, you may need to invest in new equipment.

Specialized Help

Sometimes, you can’t achieve your goals by yourself. That’s where specialized help comes in. Specialized help can take many forms. It might be hiring a personal trainer to help you achieve the toned body you want. It might be hiring a career coach to help you win a raise or promotion.

Specialized help can sometimes be expensive. But if your goal is important to you, don’t be afraid to invest in it. Some coaches and trainers may be willing to work with you to develop a payment plan, so be sure to ask if this is an option.

Support from Friends and Family

You can’t succeed in a bubble. To reach your goals, you’ll need the support of your family, friends, colleagues, or coworkers. If your current network can’t provide support, look for alternative support.

Joining a support group or finding an online community can be helpful in these situations. Look for groups and communities that leave you feeling upbeat and are filled with people who want to achieve similar goals.

Return the Support

It’s easy to become so focused on your new goal that you forget to invest in others. If you’re part of a group or community, make sure you offer help to other members. Be willing to take time from your day to support someone else.

This support can take many forms, including sharing a blog post you read, a relevant book, or a tool.

Now that you know what you need to succeed, it’s time to go after your goal. It’s scary to take that first step, but you must be willing to do it. Once you’ve taken that first step, you’ll experience a rush of confidence and increased motivation.

Motion creates momentum. Go for it!

Take my free personal brand assessment to see where your brand currently stands and the exact steps you can take to elevate your career.

Rock Your Network®: Never Burn a Bridge

Wendy Terwelp 4 Comments

Nick picked up a copy of my book when I spoke to his MBA class. He wrote me an email about the action he took after reading “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers” and his terrific result – a new dream gig!

“Wendy,

I found your book very helpful when trying to find a job that would make me happy and allow me to do something I was “into.” I went to LinkedIn and read my friend M’s profile. In her description, she said she “loved” her job. From there, I was very proactive. Instead of Facebook messaging, LinkedIn, or email, I just picked up the phone and asked M to tell me exactly what she did for a living and how she and her parents started this fundraising company.

[Editor’s note: Woo hoo! See how Nick researched online, then reached out to make that personal connection by picking up the phone and reconnecting with his friend?]

Our phone conversation lasted about a half hour, and from there, she said she’d put me in contact with a local rep. All of a sudden she called me back and had set up a ride-a-long. The ride-a-long went terrific, and from there her parents (the owners) of the company called me and flew me to Minnesota to see the operation and meet me. After two days, I went home with an offer. Within the following week, I accepted the offer…! After I accepted, they flew me in to meet the entire sales group and staff for the end-of-the-season sales meeting (4 hours) and to introduce me to the company!

It was a crazy journey getting this job, but I CAN’T wait to start. I basically just used “networking” as the sole reason I got this job. I kept in touch with an old friend that I was really close with but didn’t see often. That ended up being enough and proved you should never burn a bridge. They also liked that I sought out M, NOT asking for a job, but asking to learn about what they do. From there I acted the part, whether it be dressing for the part when they picked me up from the airport to just being very proactive throughout this process. It’s crazy like you said in your book, how many jobs come from networking, compared to online postings. I guess I just want to say thanks because your book just gave me the confidence to not be afraid to pursue something that I believed in for a career!”

Success Stories

YEAH! You rock Nick! Nick wanted me to share his networking story with everyone – and he’ll be in the next edition of my book, Rock Your Network®. The bold items are my edits.

Here are the exact steps Nick took to land his new gig:

1. Reviewed his LinkedIn connections and read the profiles to identify people with interesting jobs he’d like to learn more about. (Research)

2. Picked up the phone! And reconnected personally. (Reach out)

3. Asked about his friend’s career to learn more about it. He did NOT ask for a job.

4. Shared common interests. This led to the additional connection with a local sales rep.

5. Took action – went on the ride-along and, as he said, “dressed the part.” He acted as if he already had the gig.

6. Never burned a bridge. Maintained relationships.

7. Was a go-getter. Nick took action and initiative, which got him results: a NEW JOB.

Call to action: Which of Nick’s steps can you take right now? Go for it – and share your story! I’d love to have your story in the next edition of my book, like Nick. Let’s roll!

Want more networking tips? Grab a copy of Rock Your Network®.

© Wendy Terwelp | All rights reserved.

Wendy Terwelp, author of Rock Your Network®, writes, speaks, and coaches on career management, networking, social media, and personal branding. Need a speaker for your association, company, or private coaching to rock your career? Let’s talk!

What’s that thing you do? ONE thing.

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

You’re at a networking event… meeting… conference… cocktail party… and it happens.

“So, what do you do?” the networker asks you.

“Um, well I’m a consultant / L&D pro / social media expert…” you say.

Slash happens. And I get it. You have a lot to offer and a lot of interests. When you’re at an event, all those slash titles can be hard for one person to take in. A more effective approach, decide how you wish to be known and communicate that one thing – not everything. It’s confusing to the listener.

What’s the one thing you wish to be known for and and your best, most relevant story, that demonstrates your expertise to the audience who needs to know about you?

When I coach my clients on effective networking, we work hard on creating a dynamic brand-driven sound bite that gets attention, without overwhelming the listener.

Picking one thing can be tough, but it’s important. As one of my client’s said, working through the exercise, “It’s like my whole career – skills, experience, knowledge is summed up in this one project. It just doesn’t feel right.”

That may be true, however, in networking, and asking your friends, etc. “who do they know, who…” it is important to be clear and focused. Sharing ONE story helps people get an idea of what you can do for someone. It also helps them easily share your story with their connections. And your network becomes your personal sales force.

Challenge: Create your sound bite. Be focused. Share a benefit-driven story that demonstrates your expertise. Tell how your network can help you best.

Want step-by-step help to network like a rock star? Check out my book, Rock Your Network® and rebuild your network in 5 minutes a day online or off.

© 2018 Wendy Terwelp | Wendy Terwelp speaks about social networking, F2F networking, personal branding, and career development. Want raving fans, referrals, and even happier, more engaged employees? Book her here: https://www.knocks.com/speaking/

 

10 Secrets of a Results-Getting Resume

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

1. Clearly define your career focus. “Candidates have to be focused,” say Executive Recruiters. “The biggest complaint from employers over the years has been ‘We didn’t hire so-and-so because she or he didn’t know what they wanted.’”

2. Be specific when stating your achievements. Qualify, quantify, or “dollarize” them to demonstrate that what you offer a prospective employer can easily recoup their investment in your salary. Use the CAR method to help you recall your achievements: Challenge, Action, Result.

3. Use action words and statements. “Responsible for”… is out, “Developed; Directed; Achieved; Coordinated, etc.” is in.

4. For people with 20 or more years of experience: “Do NOT write that into your resume,” said one staffing CEO. “Put a BENEFIT STATEMENT into your resume – something that speaks of how you made the company money, saved the company money, or streamlined procedures. Years of experience are immaterial and may indicate you are just ‘old.’ Companies want to know what kind of a contribution you can make to their success – not how many years you’ve worked.”

5. Differentiate yourself. When you review your current resume, can you simply put someone else’s name on it? Or does it clearly differentiate you from your competition and brand you as “the one” for the job?

6. Communicate your value and put key points “above the fold.” One recruiter on LinkedIn told me he reads 200 to 300 resumes a DAY, seven days a week. You have GOT to stand out! Address the unspoken question early on: “Why should I hire you?”

7. When responding to a job posting, be sure you clearly read the ad and assess your qualifications. Companies don’t have time to meet with unqualified applicants. One finance recruiter said, “Candidates must be an exact match before a company looks at them.”

8. Create an X-worthy (formerly Twitter) value statement about yourself. That’s in 140 – 280 characters or less. This can become your brand statement used on social networking sites, when networking, and during interviews. Here’s mine: “Get known, get connected, and rock your career!” This gets people to say, “Tell me more!” That’s your goal.

9. If you know someone at a company, give them a call. Networking is the No. 1 method used by candidates to get jobs. In JobVite’s study, employee referrals were the No. 1 source for external hires at companies.

10. Think creatively about how you distribute your resume. In a JobVite study, 59% of people learn about jobs through friends and professional connections. Want more networking tips? Get “Rock Your Network® for Job Seekers.”

© 2003 – 2023 • Wendy J. Terwelp • Opportunity Knocks™ • All Rights Reserved.

Wendy Terwelp works with high-potential professionals through the C-suite. Her clients regularly win promotions, salary increases, and dream gigs. Schedule your strategy call today and learn how Wendy can help YOU be a rock star at work!

Reputation = Currency

Wendy Terwelp Leave a comment

Rep = Currency

Enhancing your visibility and personal brand the right way can advance your career. Your personal brand is either by default or by design. A default brand is one that others assign to you. A default brand sounds like: Gertrude is always late. Herman doesn’t follow through on projects.

A well designed personal brand is one you choose for yourself; you control and manage your personal brand through your actions. How do you take control?

First, you’ve got to know where your brand currently stands. Google yourself. Are the search results you? Or someone with too similar a name? For those results that are you, do they reflect how you wish to be perceived today for your current career goals? If not, check out these tips.

To find out how you’re coming across at work, take a personal brand survey. Ask three people whose opinion you respect what three words come to mind when they think of you? What do they feel is one of your greatest strengths? Were the results what you expected? Do these results reflect how you wish to be perceived at work? If there were pleasant surprises, what can you capitalize on? (Check out Bob’s story.) If feedback was not what you’d hoped, what can you do to stand out and be a rock star at work?

Next, take action. What’s one thing you can do to enhance your brand this week?

Results: When I conducted my Stand Out be a Rock Star at Work! program at a young professionals organization, I got a call a few months later from the executive director.

“Wendy, I’ve got something to share with you,” she said and shared the following:

While visiting a client company’s site and a dynamic, polished woman walked up to her. She realized it was K*, a member of the young professionals organization.

“What’s with the new look?,” the executive director asked K.

K said, “It was Wendy’s personal branding workshop. When we did the branding exercise in Wendy’s class, people thought I was shy and quiet. That’s not me! I thought I had to be boring to fit in with my new corporate job.”

“This is me,” K said, grinning with confidence and pointing to her new haircut and sharp attire. “By being more ME, I’m on track for a promotion.”

A promotion also equates to higher visibility in the workplace along with a salary increase.

I love it when I hear success stories from an organizer about someone who attended my workshop. Had K not assessed how she was coming across, she wouldn’t have known to make the change. And she took action to transform her career by design, not default. You can too.

Coaching Challenge: Which of these actions will you complete in the next week?

Want to kick your brand up a notch? Let’s talk. 

*Name pseudonym.

© 1998 – 2016 Wendy Terwelp | All rights reserved.