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If you want your career to SOAR in the months ahead, you need a
solid, actionable plan. That's the trick that worked for Tanya,
a Katrina survivor who sought me out to coach her on her job search
process.
I had heartfelt compassion for this woman who was a college registrar
for a community college in New Orleans. Her home suffered a great
deal of damage, her family went to Atlanta and her campus was underwater.
She worked in temporary offices the college set up 85 miles from
New Orleans.
In January the college president said they could no longer pay
the staff salaries since so few students had returned. She HAD to
job hunt. But her job is rare -- most colleges only have one person
in that role, which meant only 30 jobs exist in all of ATLANTA!
She had a needle in a haystack chance.
When she failed to get an interview at Spellman College, she realized
she needed help to reach her goal. So she searched the Internet
for a career counselor and found me.
Having lost so much, I was amazed that she was NOT bitter or playing
the victim card. We created a top-notch resume that really emphasized
her talents, strengths & skills. THIS TIME she got an interview.
In fact, my eyes just welled up in tears as I read her email that
said "I got the job!!!" If she can do this by overcoming horrific
fates and odds, you can do it too.
Goals are the secret to accomplishing great things.
Success is no accident. You need to clearly define what you want
-- a new job, a promotion, a BIG salary increase -- and then set
up and start conducting the action steps to achieve that goal.
In the last several months, I've see a large increase in the number
of career counseling clients who are talented people (some employed,
some not) but each one decided that they can get a better job.
If you feel you are been underpaid, or are dissatisfied at work,
the time to move on is NOW! These guidelines will get you jump-started
on reaching your goal.
1. Set Goals with defined outcomes. These are NOT the same.
Goals are conceptual. Outcomes are what actually happen.
Write down your goals clearly. Make them specific and measurable.
Outline everything you need to do to achieve your goal. Step by
step, date by date, outline your plan.
If you want a new job note what's the title, the kind of company
you'll flourish in, the dollar amount of salary & any special benefits
you seek.
2. Make outcomes achievable. Thinking you'll double your
salary next year is more likely a fantasy.
Make a reachable goal such as, "I'll increase my salary 20% when
I land my next promotion within the next four months. Then I'll
earn $95,000."
3. Picture your success. The American Psychologists Association
noted that envisioning a goal's outcome does lead to its success.
You need to believe in yourself to achieve it, since that translates
into more effective self-marketing.
4. Break your goal(s) into doable pieces. Set a deadline
for your goal and, if necessary, interim deadlines.
Some major goals, such as becoming CEO when you're far from the
top, need several action steps over time to achieve them. It is
requires a well established personal brand (http://soaringon.com/brandyourself.htm).
Incremental baby steps put on paper are key to delivering your
success. Set up a timeline and put a completion date next to each
step. Define what problems and obstacles you are likely to encounter.
List who or what person, book, or resource can help solve the problem.
5. Act on your plan immediately. Do something, anything,
but get started. It is amazing how many people fail because they
don't take action toward their goals and plans.
Network, research openings, update your resume, read a career guide
on Interviewing, learn how to better negate salary, find a career
counselor, etc.
So, to get you going, answer this question: I'll start today by
doing WHAT?
Signup here for Robin Ryan's free Newsletter http://www.robinryan.com/newsletter.htm
Copyright 2006 Robin Ryan. All rights reserved.
With appearances including Oprah, Fox News, CNN, Robin Ryan
is considered America's top career coach. She is the best-selling
author of: ; 60 Seconds & You're Hired!; Soaring on Your Strengths,
What to Do with the Rest of Your Life; Winning Resumés; and Winning
Cover Letters. Robin has a busy career counseling practice providing
individual career coaching, resumé writing services and interview
preparation to clients nationwide. A dynamic national speaker, Robin
frequently teaches audiences how to improve their lives and obtain
greater success.
To sign up for Robin's FREE monthly e-Newsletter or to purchase
her books and audio training programs click here:
http://www.robinryan.com
To contact Robin email: RobinRyan@aol.com; or phone her at 425.226.0414.
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