Career Planning (IE2)

What basic characteristics does developing an action plan entail?

1. Set short-term and long-term career goals

2. Develop a timeline for skills and experiences to acquire

3. Establish a support network of mentors and peers

4. Stay adaptable and open to new opportunities

What are personal brands and what is their significance?

The cumulative perceptions others have of an individual’s traits, behaviors, and actions

Affects the success with which individuals are able to influence others

What mindset is required for a personal brand? How can one be built?

Requires a mindset characterized by focus on career distinction and recognition of the importance of active career management

Building a Strong Personal Brand:

• Self-reflect

• Be willing to envision a future state and your place in it

• Be aware of your near and far ground to identify and capitalize on opportunity

What is an internal brand? What is an external brand? What is brand clarity in relation to the two?

Internal Brand — How you would describe yourself

External Brand — How others see you

Brand Clarity compares internal and external brands

What does credibility of a personal brand refer to? What are the two primary factors involved?

A function of others’ perceptions of your competence, trustworthiness, passion, tenacity, and objectivity

Two primary factors — trust and competence

How do competence and trust contribute to personal brand credibility?

Competence is being adequately qualified in terms of knowledge, skills, and abilities

Credibility is developed through consistent demonstration of competence over time

Trust shows decision makers they can be comfortable giving you more freedom to manage

What are the four critical components of trust?

1. Consistency

2. Honesty

3. Benevolence

4. Vulnerability

What are key components of competence and how do they build off eachother?

Passion, Tenacity, and Objectivity

Passion and tenacity should be balanced by objectivity, which requires that individuals base judgements and decisions on sound evidence rather than personal feelings or beliefs

Why is learning to properly communicate your brand important?

Visibility is limited if you do not have a plan to communicate your brand

Professional competence requires perpetual career management

What does you biographical statement entail in regard to communicating your brand?

• Tell your story in a way that is memorable, using vivid language and quotes

• Reflect your vision, purpose, goals, values, and passions in a one-sentence brand statement

• Back this statement up with the who, what, where, when, and why details that tell your story

• Create versions that are tailored for a range of audiences

Who might a cover letter be targeted towards? What should it focus on?

Four basic potential targets:

1. Networking contacts

2. HR contact

3. Hiring manager

4. Recruiter

Should include leadership experience, connections to new opportunity, and executive summary

What are the 3 power “'C’s” for communicating your brand?

1. Clarity — assures that you are clear about who you are and aren’t

2. Consistency — be consistent with the message

3. Constancy — to be effective long-term, a brand must have constancy

What are 5 strategies to change or improve brand fit?

1. Leave the organization you are in

2. Move within your organization

3. Associate with different people

4. Take advantage of opportunities presented when a new leader comes from outside the organization

5. Transform your brand

What is the Principle of Resources? What is the Principle of Scarcity?

Principle of Resources

• To begin transforming your brand, identify the resources most valued and needed by the organization and develop these resources

• The more valuable the resources or assets you provide, the better your brand may be to that organization

Principle of Scarcity

• The resources that matter most are those that are both valuable and scarce within the organization

How can personal brand influence others?

Personal branding creates a platform from which to influence issues, ideas, proposals, or positions

What does influencing involve?

• Recognizing a need

• Championing a position

• Overcoming resistance

• Building affinity for an idea as it moves through the decision process

• Leaving relationships stronger d/t the interaction