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Sherri's
personal note ~ Thinking BIG and my Wall St
Journal interview!
I’ve had two great
successes this month. First, the Wall St.
Journal interviewed me as a career expert for a "how
to..." management article (View
article) and
now I'm being considered as a regular columnist
(keep your fingers crossed!) Second, I
received a promotion at my job. Yes, I’m a career
coach who’s actually out there doing it working in
management for a Fortune 100 company. (Not
only am I the President of Career Coaching 360, but
I'm a client, too! HA!)
So over the next few weeks, I'll
share with you some of my own personal strategies
that have worked for me and my clients to how to
take your career up to the next level!
Check out the article below, "The nitty gritty of
networking strategically."
As for being
interviewed in the Wall St. Journal, I used strategy
that I teach in my tele-classes and workshops
called thinking BIG and taking action. After
I published my article,
“Career Change Checklist” a few months ago, I
thought how else could I get this really valuable
information to other executives and professionals?
So, in the spirit of thinking big and taking
action, I sent my article to the Wall St.
Journal (hey, it takes the same amount of time to
send it to a local newspaper as it would to the most
highly respected newspaper in the country – so why
not go for the Big Daddy of them all, right!)
Well, two weeks
later they contacted me for an interview, and now
I'm being considered as a columnist! The
bottom line is this - you must be proactive in
managing your career. Trust me. If these
strategies work for me (a small town farm girl with
a degree in broadcasting!), AND they work for my
clients… they can work for YOU, too!
So I encourage you to "Think BIG and Take Action",
and tell me about your results. I want
to hear from you!
To your
success!
Sherri Thomas
Resources and Events
CD Audio Program: "Career Change Boot Camp!
A step-by-step action plan to change careers quickly
and easily"
AVAILABLE NOW! This boot camp
program includes two (2) audio CD's, e-Workbook, and
transcripts
I designed this
program
as a
step-by-step action plan with proven, easy-to-use
tools, insider secrets and strategies to help make a
career change quickly and easily. This is the
same formula that I used to successfully transition
into the radio, television, finance, retail, and
high tech industries.
Learn more.
Featured Article ~ The Nitty Gritty of Networking
Strategically
by Sherri Thomas
As you may know, I'm a career coach who is also
driving my own personal career. I’ve been
fortunate to have some incredible successes while I
was in the radio, television, advertising and high
tech industries, but I've also had my fair share of
career setbacks and roadblocks the size of Mt.
Everest that I had to blast through.
And through it all, I’ve learned that one thing is
for certain. Leaving my career in the hands of
someone else like a manager, client, or even a
company is a career killer!
So I changed my mindset and my actions. For
the past few years, my mission has been that I drive
my own career, and with this new mission came BIG
RESULTS. I’ve been more satisfied, more
fulfilled, and more successful in my career.
Case in point, I was thrilled to receive my latest
promotion a few days ago!
So over the next several weeks, I'm going to share
with you my BIGGEST CAREER STRATEGIES that I
personally use to drive my own career, and for this
issue, it's: The nitty gritty of networking
strategically.
People are the jet fuel behind your career.
People can hire you, promote you, inspire you, teach
you, and introduce you to potential employers or
clients. Whoever said business isn't personal
must have been someone who sits in their cube all
day. Surrounding yourself with the "right"
people and knowing how to leverage that support
system can skyrocket your career into another
dimension.
You'll have more career
opportunities and job security when you have a
strong
professional network in place of what I call –
career influencers. These are people
inside the company or industry where you work who
could potentially advance your career, or open doors
to new opportunities.
Who's in your
circle?
Think about your current professional network.
Are you connected with career influencers from each
of the following four categories?
-
Those who can evangelize your talents and
successes to others.
-
Those who currently hold, or have held, a
position you want.
-
Those who could teach you something new.
-
Those who, just by being associated with them in
some way, can strengthen your personal brand.
Think about your current and previous managers,
colleagues, and clients. Look for those who could
provide guidance, expertise, or information that not
only helps you succeed in your current role, but
could potentially help you get to where you REALLY
want to go.
Networking
the "right" way.
The
goal of networking is to create a connection or
establish a relationship with someone. The
goal is not to start asking about job opportunities
the instant you meet someone.
The
message you want to send is NOT, " I’m someone who’s
looking for a job." But instead, you want to
be sending the message that you're a successful
professional who's resourceful, well connected, and
who has some similar interests as they do. You want
them to realize that you are someone that THEY
should get to know!
So
the next time you meet someone who works for a
company where you want to work, or in a job role
that you'd like to have, keep the conversation
focused on that person (it's not about you!
-at least not yet!) Talk about their latest
marketing campaign or product launch, or something
new or interesting that's going on inside their
company.
Next , try
to get their business card by simply saying, "I'd
love to stay in touch - how about if we exchange
business cards?" Follow up by sending a piece
of information you think they might be interested in
such as an article, or the results of a new study,
or a cool website that relates to their business.
Once
the door is open, then talk about some projects or
teams that you’ve worked on that have been
successful.
One
thing that works really well for me, is offering to
share tips, insight or lessons I learned about the
project. l I find that by doing this, people
who appreciate these successes will naturally
gravitate towards me. And it provides the
foundation for a long-term relationship.
If you're
looking for a new job, then go ahead and
drop a hint that you’re looking for
“other opportunities.” And believe me,
when you use this simple step-by-step formula, if
they know of any opportunities they’re going to let
you know!
One final thought, I
strongly believe that no matter where you are in
your career, we're always in a position to help out
others. Is there someone else you can support
by introducing her to a potential employer, or
giving a recommendation, or inviting to a networking
event? Sometimes we get caught up in focusing
just on ourselves, but remember that when we help
out others along the way - the universe gives back
to us more than we ever dreamed possible.
Bottom line:
you need a powerful network if you want to have a
powerful career. So start making connections
and nurturing your professional relationships.
You'll find that once you have a strong team of
career influencers on your side, doors to new
opportunities will open and career will soar!
WANT TO
LEARN ABOUT HAVING A PERSONAL CAREER COACH?
You can learn more about personal career coaching,
personal management coaching or personal leadership
coaching by visiting the web page:
Personal Career Coaching by Career Coaching 360
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT A
PROFESSIONAL RESUME CRITIQUE?
Visit the web page:
Professional Resume Critique by Career Coaching 360
WANT TO LEARN ABOUT OUR PROGRAMS,
PRODUCTS and SERVICES?
Visit the web page:
Programs, Products and Services by Career Coaching
360
WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
ONE?
See Sherri's
newsletter archive.
WANT TO
USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete blurb
with it: Career success coach Sherri Thomas is
President of Career Coaching 360, an international
speaker, and author of "Career Smart - 5 Steps to a
Powerful Personal Brand." If you're ready to
jump-start your career, transition to a new level,
and move into a more meaningful and enriching
career, get your FREE tips now at
www.CareerCoaching360.com
Know anyone who would benefit from reading this
article? Forward this newsletter to your
network :)
Client Spotlight - Congratulations Ken
Furukawa on your new career!
Ken Furukawa,
Research In Motion |
|
I was in a work
situation that really wasn't for me. My motivation
was at an all-time low and I even started
questioning whether I belonged in my current career.
That's when fate intervened and I met Sherri. She is
enthusiastic, an excellent listener, motivator and
communicator. Through her sessions, Sherri was able
to help me reconnect with my passion and gave me the
confidence to pack my bags and move 2,500 miles
across the Pacific Ocean to California where I ended
up finding my 4Gs -- Great company, Great
manager, Great team, Great culture. Thanks Sherri!"
About Sherri ~
Career success coach Sherri Thomas
is President of Career Coaching 360, an
international speaker, and author of "Career Smart -
5 Steps to a Powerful Personal Brand."
She has successfully transitioned into
the radio, television, finance, retail, and high
tech industries, and now teaches others how to do
the same.
If you enjoyed this issue, then check out the
products, services, and coaching support available
to help you
get "un-stuck" and move your career forward.
The website is power packed with resources to help
you transition into a new role, company, or industry
quickly and easily. (I use these same
strategies to drive my own career.)
Learn more.
Resources and Events
Resume & Interviewing Toolbox
Sherri's personal "Resume & Interviewing Toolbox"
When you're ready to get "un-stuck" and move your
career forward sign up for the "Resume &
Interviewing Toolbox." You'll get instant
access to easy-to-use, proven resume templates,
samples, and guides to help you create a
professional resume QUICKLY and EASILY. Also
includes the "Interview Smart" guide, the "Know What
You're Worth Compensation Report", and personal
coaching support.
Learn more.
CD Audio Program: "Career Change Boot Camp!"
A step-by-step action plan to help you change
careers quickly and easily.
AVAILABLE NOW! This boot camp
program includes two (2) audio CD's, e-Workbook, and
transcripts
I designed this
program
as a
step-by-step action plan with proven, easy-to-use
tools, insider secrets and strategies to help you
transition into a new industry, company, or job role
quickly and easily. This is the exact same
formula that I've used to successfully transition
into the radio, television, finance, retail, and
high tech industries.
Learn more.
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Copyright 2008 Career Coaching 360, LLC. All Rights
Reserved. |
