December 24, 2007
101 Career Planning
Advice for preparing for a job change
By David Sanford
Special to the Worcester Business Journal
Here are some practical tips to kick-start your career in 2008:
Create a personal value proposition.
Ask yourself the following questions: How can I add value to my current, or new, corporation and team? How am I different from other candidates? Your answers will prepare you to articulate your personal value proposition, as well as be helpful while interviewing and networking.Make a commitment to network.
Resolve to interact with one contact a week that can help you develop career objectives, aid in career advancement, provide information and open you up to a larger network.Freshen up your resume.
Keeping an ongoing list of skills, training, and education as well as goals accomplished will make updating your resume quickly a cinch.Perform a self assessment - with some help.
First and foremost, be objective. Assess your strengths and weaknesses, write them down and share them with someone you trust. Look to them for guidance on the best way to articulate your strengths.Sell yourself.
If you aren't already, become comfortable tooting your own horn. Know what you are good at and be able to verbalize your strengths and skills in a clear, concise way.Seek professional career support.
Career consultants, recruiters and coaches have a wealth of knowledge about what is happening in the current job market and also what's on the horizon.Enhance your skill set.
Once you figure out where you want to go with your career, seek out course work or a professional development program that will help you meet your goals and enhance your skills.Dave Sanford is executive vice president of client services for The Winter, Wyman Cos., a staffing firm in Waltham.
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