Help! My salary no longer matches my job duties or contributions.

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Situations happen. Employees leave, but they do not rehire. Companies grow, but they do not add staff. You have added more job duties to your plate but have not been compensated.

Other situations happen. You may have played an integral role in your company’s growth and success by saving money, making money, streamlining procedures, etc. Despite your significant contributions to your company’s bottom line, your raises have not reflected your accomplishments.

So, you want to be compensated fairly. What would be your plan of attack? How would you approach your boss?

CREATE A HANDOUT WHICH CONVEYS YOUR VALUE

Highlight your accomplishments and then discuss each accomplishment. Don’t focus on job duties; rather, focus on your successes. To help pinpoint your successes and accomplishments, here are some questions to ask:

• What do you feel most proud about accomplishing during your tenure (or since your last performance review)?
• Have you done anything to boost your company’s bottom line? If so, do you have any numbers (or percentages) to back up what you’ve accomplished? 
• Have you found any ways to save money? Again, use numbers or percentages.
• Have you found any ways to streamline procedures?
• Have you solved any big problems?

Have you been given additional duties and responsibilities? If so, make a list of how many more in recent years (or since your last performance review).

Have you ever stepped up-to-the plate and volunteered for additional duties or stepped in when someone needed help. If so, add this to your handout.

Have you ever went above and beyond the call of duty? If so, what did you do?

Tips for creating your handout:

• Utilize graphs if possible. They serve as great visuals for getting your message across. For example, show increases (or decreases) by using numbers or percentages.
• Use “before and after” columns to showcase accomplishments.
• Have you ever received any written or emailed thank yous from customers, coworkers, or industry connections? If so, create a separate page for these.
• Have you received any LinkedIn recommendations that showcase your value? If so, create a separate page for these, also.

Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to discuss your value and salary concerns. Or, if you have an upcoming performance review, this would be a perfect time to approach your supervisor and discuss your value to the company.

Once your meeting is scheduled, you may have questions on how to ask for a raise during the meeting or questions on how to respond if there are objections to your request. Feel free to email me at careerproservices@gmail.com for more info.

How strong is your LinkedIn headline?

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Your LinkedIn headline is important. It appears directly under your name and should capture the essence of your occupation or career target.

Many people use their current job title and company name as a headline, such as “Receptionist at ABC Company” or “Program Coordinator at XYZ Industries.” However headlines that use a current title and company can sometimes pose problems such as these:

• Your current job title does not convey your true job duties
• You were laid off and accepted a lower-level position because you needed a job
• You want to switch careers to a totally different occupation

A better strategy would be to use a headline which contains words that recruiters or potential customers would use to search for someone in your profession. Be specific and try to use impactful words that capture their attention. Here are some examples:

• Award-Winning Public Relations Executive
• Experienced Executive Assistant -- Driven to Go Above and Beyond
• Marketing Leader | Social Media Guru
• Sales Director  -– Leading teams to be top performers in competitive markets

 If you decide it’s time to ramp up your headline, here’s how you can edit it:

1. At the top of your LinkedIn homepage, click the “Me” icon and choose “View Profile”
2. Click the Edit (pencil) icon located to the right of your name and current headline
3. On the next screen, make your changes and click “Save”

Strong headlines are compelling. They stand out and from the blah ones and can make a difference.

15 Signs it May be Time to Leave Your Job

Like any job, there are positives and negatives. Good days and bad days. Some days you might ask yourself, “I wonder if I should start looking for another job?”, but other days you tell yourself, “No, I think I’ll stay put.” If this describes you, and you’re constantly going back and forth with what to do, here are 15 signs it may be time to move on:

1. You dread going to work
2. When you come home from work you’re irritable more often than not
3. You have trouble falling asleep or wake up in the middle of the night thinking of work
4. Your job is making you feel down and somewhat depressed
5. You dread Sunday nights and the thought of going to work on Monday
6. You have no energy during the work week
7. You live for the weekend
8. Your employer or company doesn’t have the same values as you
9. You don’t find fulfillment in your job anymore
10. You have tried to grow in your career, but your job (or your manager) is not letting you
11. You contributions are not valued
12. Your colleagues or others at work are rude to you
13. The work environment is very negative and/or toxic
14. There have been several layoffs and/or turnover is high
15. You have a gut feeling something may be happening to your job

If you’ve checked off several of these signs, and you’ve even tried to remedy some of the situations, then it may be time to dust off your resume and move on. Change is always scary, but there comes a time when you need to look out for your well-being and for the future of your career.

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Ghosting a Job. Do you know anyone guilty?

In the past several months, I have read several articles about ghosting, where individuals blow off interviews or fail to show up the first day of work. In fact, when I surveyed hiring managers in the Fall of 2018, "not showing up" was one response when asked about interview pet peeves.

So why do people ghost? For some, they may not feel strongly enough about a position or perhaps they received a better job offer. Because they may have been treated poorly by companies in the past when they were interviewing (never heard back from them) or because they have an "I don't care" attitude, they never contact the employer.

Whatever the reason, ghosting is unprofessional and reflects poorly on an individual. Further, a person never knows what lies in his/her future. Maybe someday he/she will cross paths with the person who they ghosted and that person has the memory of an elephant and didn't forget.

Instead of ghosting, all a person has to do is send a brief email or call the human resources department. Depending on the situation, the message may be slightly different as to why they are withdrawing their application, but always thank them for the opportunity and wish them good luck in the selection process.

5 Important Reasons Your Resume Should be Up-to-Date

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If you're like most individuals, you do not have an up-to-date resume; however, by not doing so, you may regret it. Here are five important reasons why you should update your resume sooner rather than later.

1. If you suddenly lost your job, you have a resume ready-to-go. Case in point: a family member (and his coworker) were laid off unexpectedly. This family member had an up-to-date resume, and that same day, started applying for positions. Within one week, he had a job!

2. If you heard about a great job opportunity, but found out the deadline was only one day away, you would not panic and would not have to scramble to update your resume. 

3. Updating your resume regularly (at least once a year) will allow you to better remember facts, accomplishments, trainings, etc. The longer a person waits, the greater the chances of forgetting something important; something that could actually set you apart from the competition. You don't want to risk it.

4. With an updated resume, you will be documenting your career accomplishments on a yearly basis. These successes can be valuable tools in a performance review and could set the stage for a larger pay increase or possible future promotion.

5. Updating your resume will allow you to better assess and manage your career. Is your career headed in the direction you want? Are you still doing the same thing you did a year ago, but want to eventually move up the ladder? What do you need to do to reach your career goal?

Even if you really like your job and have no plans of changing careers, you just never know. Things happen. Companies get bought out. Bosses and coworkers change. Having an up-to-date resume is good career management, and if something unexpected happens, you'll be prepared. 

Put Your Job Offer in Writing

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“Put it in writing, or it didn’t happen.” This advice applies to many areas of life — especially when accepting a new job. Let me share a personal story.

When I first began my career, I was working in the Twin Cities, but after about a year, I wanted to return to the St. Cloud area. I applied for a job, interviewed, and was offered the job at a particular wage. I gave my two-week notice in the Twin Cities, gave my notice at my apartment (month-to-month lease), and signed a lease for an apartment in St. Cloud. The Friday before I was to start, my soon-to-be boss called me and said the Board did not agree with his pay offer, and he would have to pay me less than he offered. I felt I had no choice, because I had already given my notice in the Twin Cities and signed a new lease in St. Cloud. Thankfully, the offer was not a lot less, but this taught me a lesson.

Many companies will provide new hires with an official offer letter, but what if your new company does not do this? In this case, it’s important to send a letter of acceptance.

Letter of Acceptance

Like the story I shared, writing a letter of acceptance is especially important if your job offer was made orally but you have not — or did not — receive confirmation of the offer in writing. An effective letter of acceptance includes clarification of four key pieces of information: job title, salary information, details of benefits being offered (if any), and start date.

You can also clarify the date that the job offer was extended, as well as any additional information the company needs from you — or that you need from the company — before starting the new job. Address the letter to the person who offered you the position.

Don't let what happened to me happen to you.

Second Revenue Streams: A Form of "Career Insurance"

We purchase insurance for all types of reasons: vehicle, home, life, travel, health, disability, etc. Yet, when it comes to our careers, many people do not think of what would happen if they suddenly lost their job. If the job loss was due to a lay off or termination, unemployment benefits only last so long, and the benefits are less than your pay check.

Having an emergency savings on hand is a great form of "career insurance" and can provide some peace of mind, but having a second revenue stream is also important. There are many different ways for an individual to earn extra money with a second revenue stream. Depending on your background and skill sets, here are some ideas:

• Are you crafty? Sell your items to friends, neighbors, or online through Facebook or online stores like Etsy.com.
• Do you have a service or skill you can freelance? There are countless ways you can freelance: writing, proofreading, typing, website design, data entry, bookkeeping, online research, etc. Check out elance.com which is a great site that brings together both freelancers and people who are looking for freelancers.
• Are you handy or have mechanical skills? Start a small business on the side.
• If you don't want to start anything on your own, look for a part-time job.
• How about Direct Sales?

I ended the above suggestions with Direct Sales, because I wanted to share a couple stories from two individuals who had a second revenue stream with direct sales.

Story 1:
The first individual is a friend of mine, Ann, who has a background in interior design. Ann was employed by a design firm, but in 2008 the design industry was seeing a significant slowdown due to the sluggish housing market. Employees in her firm were being laid off, and Ann could see "the writing on the walls." She found a product that she fell in love with and, not knowing when her next paycheck would be, decided to take the leap into direct sales. To make a long story short, she has turned her direct sales venture into a direct sales career, and in 2012 achieved the highest rank in the company (which at the time made her the first and only one in the state to reach that level). Ann is sharing her motivation and success through "Inspiration Rocks" podcasts which you can listen to for free: http://apple.co/1zdycNt

Story 2:
The second individual was a client whom I will call Sue. She had been laid off in early November and contacted me for assistance with building a strong LinkedIn profile and resume. During our conversations, Sue revealed that for the past couple years she had been selling jewelry (through a direct sales company) on a very part-time basis. Since her layoff, she had ramped up her efforts and was noticing a significant difference in her sales in just a short time. She commented she was so grateful for this extra money during her layoff, especially since it happened right before the holiday season.

If you haven't thought about a second revenue stream, it's time to start thinking about the different possibilities. Not only will you have extra money, but an added benefit is that if you ever end up unemployed for a period of time, you can list this position on your resume, which means...no employment gap!

If you do have a second source of income, I'd love you to comment and tell me what you do!

Being Prepared for the Unexpected

Layoffs. If you received your walking papers, would you be prepared? We hear about people receiving pink slips all of the time, and we hope that it never happens to us, but it usually ends there. Most of us don't have a plan in place.

Throughout the years, I have worked with many clients who were caught off guard. Comments such as, "Oh, I wish I would have known I should be doing these things ..." have often been stated. Here is one client's story:

A client (I will call Susan) went to work one day, and by the end of the day was told that due to the economy, she was laid off and this would be her last day. Susan, a public relations professional, had worked on several projects, but because she was so busy, never took the time to make copies of her work. She had also received several congratulatory emails that she no longer had access to. Copies of these items would have served as documentation of her talents and contributions to her company -- a great addition to her portfolio.

Whether you are caught off guard or have an idea your job might be ending, here are some suggestions to help you be prepared:

1.  Update your resume at least once a year, but preferably twice a year. Include items that will set you apart. For example, did you save money, streamline procedures, solve a problem? Also, ask yourself, "What do I feel most proud about accomplishing these past 6 months?"

2.  Did you receive any thank you or congratulatory emails? Forward them to your home email address.

3.  Have you saved copies of your performance reviews? If not, ask your human resource department for copies. Excerpts of positive comments can be used in cover letters or on a resume and are a great way to set yourself apart. Remember, don't file them at work; bring them home.

4.  Are you proud of something you created? If so, and if company policies allow it, make a copy and include it in your own portfolio.

5.  Did you attend any seminars or trainings? Don't file those certificates at work, bring them home.

6.  Do you have a list of customers/clients? If so, keep a copy of this contact list. These individuals could serve as great resources for you, if you find yourself unemployed.

7.  Network Inward. Maintain your current network of connections. Send an occasional email, forward an interesting article to them, go out for coffee or lunch. Then, if something happens, you will have an immediate network to draw upon and will not have to re-establish a relationship.

8.  Network Outward. Always work on building new connections. Get to know the "connectors" who are the people who know everyone. Participate in local clubs/organizations, and volunteer in your community. 

9.  Build your LinkedIn Presence. Social media is also another great way to network outward. On LinkedIn, update your profile and make sure the content matches your resume -- you don't want any discrepancies. Join LinkedIn groups, participate in discussions, and work on building your connections. Finally, ask for recommendations on LinkedIn. Excerpts from these recommendations can be strategically placed in your cover letter or resume.

10.  Have you thought of creating a second revenue stream? For example, one of my clients, who was an auto technician, started to take on some repair jobs (which he did in his garage) for friends and neighbors. Another client, who had a very part-time job in direct sales (selling jewelry), decided to ramp up that business when she learned her company may be having layoffs. Having a second source of income like these individuals can be very helpful if you become unemployed.

11.  Build Your Savings. I am not a financial expert, but this is common sense. Google this topic and you will find a plethora of articles and tips written by financial experts who provide many different suggestions on ways to increase the emergency fund.

12.  If you have any inclination that your job may be ending soon, don't just sit around and wait; follow your gut and start taking action. Begin looking at job openings within your line of work, and if there is something that interests you, apply for it. By doing so, you will (1) learn how many openings are available in your field; (2) find out how marketable you are; and (3) may possibly have an opportunity to practice your interview skills and learn more about a potential job that would be a great fit.

If you don't have a plan in place, it's time to start one. Don't be caught off guard like some of my clients were. Be proactive, not reactive.

About the author:  As a career strategist and certified interview coach, Connie Hauer has 10+ years of experience delivering effective coaching programs that help clients reach their goals. Read client success stories here: www.mncareerpro.com

A Career Management Mistake Many People Make

Throughout the years as I've worked with job seekers and career changers, I have found there is one career management mistake that many people make: Not having an updated resume. Now you might ask, "Why is this a career management mistake, if I'm not looking for another job and have no plans of leaving?"

Career management is being forward thinking. While you might plan on staying in your current position for a long time (or forever), here are some important reasons to always have an updated resume:

1.  A sudden opportunity.  Sometimes the best time to look for a new job is when you're not looking. I cannot tell you how many times I have received calls from individuals who needed a resume "right away" for a great job opportunity they just heard about, but the deadline was only a few days away.

2.  It's easier to recall important facts.  If you update your resume once or twice a year, it is much easier to remember accomplishments (a large project, an initiative that saved money, sales numbers, a large problem you resolved, a training you attended, etc.). Note: when you attend trainings, seminars, etc., always save your certificates. They serve as documentation that you attended the event.

3. Your company may downsize.  Even if you love your job, things happen. With the downturn in the economy a few years back, I worked with many people who were laid off. I also worked with individuals who were not laid off, but the result of other people losing their jobs highly impacted their workload. The stress of managing all of their new responsibilities, plus the uncertainty of their own job security, prompted them to start looking for employment elsewhere.

4.  Your company could be bought out.  When there are mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, etc., in many cases there will be some positions that will be eliminated. While the elimination of these positions may not happen right away, it is not uncommon for some changes to take place after 6 months.

5.  Your company could go out of business.  Companies go out of business for many reasons: the economy, changes in the industry, technology taking over, fires, etc.

6.  You could get a different boss. Let's face it. There are some bosses out there who make your work life miserable. While you might have the best boss in the world right now, this can change. 

7.  You could get different coworkers. It's not always bosses that can make your work miserable. I've worked with people who have decided to look for a different job because of coworkers.

8.  If you're self-employed, one day you might not be.  Even if you are currently working for yourself, you might not always be. During the sluggish economy, I worked with several self-employed individuals whose businesses were impacted. The result? They decided to work for somebody else. Another time, one of my clients, who had been self-employed for 25+ years, decided he was tired of the self-employment world. He wanted to just got to work for somebody else, without having to worry about everything that goes into running business. Another client of mine who was self-employed, lost her husband due to cancer. She needed more income (and wanted health insurance), so she decided it was time to update her resume and look for employment with a company.

Career management is important. It essential to your overall career success. While it may be hard to think about updating your resume when there is no current need, it's important to be prepared, because you just never know. 

Now is the Time to Get Active on LinkedIn

According to a Jobvite 2014 national survey, 94 percent of recruiters are active on LinkedIn, but only 36 percent of job seekers are actively involved. This does not surprise me. Throughout the years, I have found that many of my clients are on LinkedIn, but most are not active in it and most do not realize the many benefits that LinkedIn offers.

LinkedIn is more than just a platform where a person can find jobs; it's a place where recruiters can find you. One important tip I offer to individuals during my LinkedIn training sessions, is to have a strong headline (the words which appear under your name). Think about what words a recruiter would use to search for someone in your profession. For example, one of my clients is currently completing her Masters in Public Health (MHP) with a focus in Health Promotion. In her situation, "Health Promotion Professional" would be a good headline. Then, after she gets her master's degree, she could change it to "MPH - Health Promotion Professional." 

It's also important to join (and be active in) groups on LinkedIn. In the example above, my suggestion to this individual would be to join health promotion/public health groups, job seeking groups, networking groups in her community, and also her alumni association group. Jobs are often times posted in these groups, but this individual could also participate in discussions (if she has something credible to add), and doing this would increase her visibility on LinkedIn. There are several other strategies for using groups, but in addition to groups, there are many more ways that LinkedIn can benefit you professionally and boost your career success.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, with such a small number of job seekers active in LinkedIn, now is the time to get active on LinkedIn! With 94 percent of recruiters using this social media platform, you have a huge advantage over the competition. And, even if you're not a job seeker, by increasing your activity on LinkedIn and building your connections, if you suddenly find yourself without a job, you will have an immediate network to draw upon.

Is your career stagnant? Start making plans for 2014!

Take a look at this past year. Are your skills and experiences the same today as they were one year ago – or even two years ago? Have you taken advantage of any professional development opportunities to increase your knowledge or enhance your credentials (earning a certification, enrolling in a course, attending a seminar, joining a professional organization, etc.)? Have you taken on any major projects at work that increased your experiences and value in your organization? Have you joined any local networking groups, or have you been active with social networking sites like LinkedIn to increase your professional network? Have you volunteered for any community activities?

As you examine the past year or two, if your career has been stagnant start making plans. Sign up for a class or seminar. Earn a certification. Read trade journals and industry-related topics online. Join online groups and participate in discussions – doing so will enhance your credibility. Ask your boss what he/she would like to see accomplished this year, and then take the initiative to get the ball rolling. Or, create your own accomplishments/achievements at work by identifying ways to slash expenses, finding ways to streamline procedures/boost productivity, or by thinking of ways to generate more company revenue. If you’re unemployed, find a volunteer opportunity where you can utilize your professional skills, gain additional experience, and at the same time give back to the community. Remember, certain volunteer experiences can be showcased on a resume as relevant experience.

In today’s competitive market – whether you’re employed or unemployed – it’s important to keep your skills current, keep up with industry trends, stay current with the latest technology, and keep building your professional network. Take action now!

Customize the URL for Your LinkedIn Profile & Include it on Your Resume

A shortened LinkedIn URL that's customized to your name presents more of a professional image because it will be branded to your name and will not have extra letters and numbers behind it. Here is an example of a before and after URL:

BEFORE: www.linkedin.com/pub/janey-jobseeker/12/6a3.502/ 
AFTER:  www.linkedin.com/pub/janeyjobseeker

If you haven't already done so, here is how to change it:

1. Go under the Profile tab and click Edit Profile.
2. Under your picture click edit.
3. Then on the right-hand side, about halfway down, you can customize 

Once the URL is customized, include it as part of the contact information on your resume and cover letter, in your email signature line, and even on your business/networking cards.

Portfolio Tips

A portfolio is a great way to set yourself apart from the competition during an interview.  In fact, one of my clients told me that the reason he was hired was because of his portfolio. It wasn’t just the fact that he brought one with him to the interview (and that he was the only candidate who did so); it was the fact that he had laid out his skills and achievements in such a clear, organized, and impactful manner, it totally wowed the interview panel. 

Even if you are not in a job search, it is a good idea gather all of your awards, achievements, etc. into one place, so that if the time ever comes when you need a portfolio, all of the information will be there. Here are some ideas for sections:

1. Resume — Begin your portfolio by having your resume in the first section.
2. Education/Trainings — Include copies of your diploma, certificates, etc.
3. Recommendation Letters — Include copies of recommendation letters. You can also create a page and title it “LinkedIn Recommendations” and then copy and paste your LinkedIn recommendations on a page.
4. Awards — This section should only include copies of related awards.
5. Accomplishments — What do you feel proud about accomplishing in your career? Were you promoted in a relatively short time? Did you slash expenses? Boost revenue? Streamline procedures? Create a page entitled “Accomplishments.” and list the achievements. (Hint: charts and bar graphs can produce an even stronger impact. For example, if your sales have continually increased in the past year, a chart/graph is a great visual tool to showcase this progression.)
6. Thank Yous — Have you received thank yous or congratulatory emails over the years? Create another section of thank yous.
7. Projects/Examples — This section will vary depending on your occupation, but here are some ideas: List projects with short descriptions. If you’ve created forms, newsletters, etc., add these to your portfolio. Maybe you are a writer. Include copies of your writings, blog, etc.
8. Volunteer Activities / Community Involvement — Did you receive a certificate of appreciation? If so, include it. If not, create your own page by listing the organization, your volunteer activity, date, and your duties.
9. Presentations / Public Speaking — What groups have you presented to? What was the topic/title? What dates were these public speaking events.

While these are just some ideas that can be included in a portfolio, the important thing to remember is that each career professional has a unique background. Think about what a hiring manager would be interested in seeing, and then, go ahead and create a portfolio that will “wow” them!

Counter Offers: Should I accept or not?

You've been waiting a long time for a career advancement, and after some unsuccessful attempts to move up-the-ladder with your current company, you were just offered a great opportunity with a new company; a position with more responsibility, higher salary, and a better retirement package. Now the dilemma. You gave your two-weeks' notice and a couple days later your boss approaches you with a counter offer, and this counter offer is a lot more attractive than the new position you were offered.

The above scenario is not unheard of, and if it happens to you, here are a few things you may want to consider before you make your decision.

• Most people leave a position because they are unhappy about some things. Unfortunately, if you decide to stay, some of these "things" may still be in place.
• Once you give your notice, you may be perceived as a "not-so-loyal" employee. This could affect you in the future if there are ever layoffs in your company. In addition, if there is an opportunity for a promotion, you may not be considered. Further, if there is a project with highly sensitive information, would they be more inclined to let somebody else work on it?
• As far as the other company is concerned (the company where you accepted your new job), rescinding a job offer once you've accepted is not viewed favorably with companies. Doing so may hinder any future chances of ever working for the company.

If you conduct research on the Internet, you will find that most articles agree that counter offers do not work. Despite this, I know of a few people have accepted counter offers and have been happy with their decisions. Each person has a unique situation, so it's important to consider all the pros and cons before making your decision.

10 Things to Remember When Starting a Job

Here are some tips to get you off on the right track when starting a new job:

1.  Learn the company culture. Observe meeting dialogs, staff dynamics, and learn what protocols are followed.

2.  Make every effort to remember coworkers' first names. Calling people by their first name shows strong interpersonal skills.

3.  Have lunch with coworkers. If you're an introvert, you may be tempted to hide out in your office, but when you first start, it's important to have lunch with others and build rapport.

4.  Don't get caught in office gossip.

5.  Don't use your company computer to check personal email, Facebook, etc.

6.  Remember you need to be employed for awhile and establish credibility before suggesting any changes.

7.  If you're unsure of something, it's better to ask than guess. However, before asking, make every attempt to find the answer on your own. If you end up still having to ask someone, let that person know you tried to find the answer ... it shows initiative on your part.

8.  Ask your boss for feedback on your performance, and keep your boss up-to-date on your projects.

9. Don't forget to maintain your network of connections by keeping in contact with past coworkers, colleagues, etc. Send an occasional email, forward an interesting article, go out for coffee or lunch. Don't wait until you need a favor to reconnect. 

10.  Finally, before you start your new job, remember to send a thank you to any individual who helped you land the job (someone who informed you about the job, references, etc.).

Are you prepared for the unexpected?

If you suddenly find yourself without a job, would you be prepared? Recently, I met with a client who had suddenly lost her job. This client (a marketing professional) had went to work one day, and by the end of the day was told she was laid off and that it would be her last day. She knew the company had plans to downsize but was totally unprepared for how fast it happened.

My client indicated that wished she had been more prepared. She had worked on several projects, and she wished she would have made copies for a portfolio. These copies would have documented her talents and her contributions to her company.

This is just one example of a career management practice that everyone should be engaging in. Here are other ways to manage your career and prepare for the unexpected: 

Have you received any congratulatory emails? If so, print them and/or forward them to your personal email account. Then, if you’re suddenly without a job and are asked to leave unexpectedly, you will have this documentation. 

Keep copies of your performance reviews, but don’t file them at work; bring them home with you. Excerpts from performance reviews can be strategically placed on a resume and incorporated into a cover letter. 

Foster your connections. Keep in contact with past coworkers, colleagues, and even past supervisors by sending them an occasional email, going out for coffee/lunch, etc. Don’t wait for something to happen to reconnect with people. 

Be active on LinkedIn. The key word is “active.” Participate in groups, ask questions, respond to questions, share links, and provide a status update; for example, “Just received my PHR certification,” or "Check out my company's new website: www.xyzcompany.com." Being more active increases your visibility, and who knows, you may even be contacted by a recruiter. (Note: If you're concerned your boss may noticed your increased activity, gradually build up your involvement. It's common practice for professionals to be involved with LinkedIn, so start by posting information on your company or sharing an industry-related article; then, build up your activity from there. Another strategy would be to go to "Privacy and Settings" and turn off your activity broadcasts so others do not see when you change your profile or follow a company. In addition, you can change your activity feed  so only you can see actions you've performed which are displayed on your profile. The key is, you have to remember to turn this back on once you're done updating/editing your profile.)

Keep track of your accomplishments. At least twice a year ask yourself, “Did I find any ways to save money, improve procedures, or boost profits? What’s a big challenge that I faced, and how did I overcome it? What do I feel most proud about accomplishing these past six months?” Be sure these accomplishments get documented on your performance review, and if your company doesn’t have performance reviews, then send an email to your supervisor highlighting some of your contributions (and save the email). 

Take these accomplishments and update your resume, preferably twice a year, but at least once a year. 

Trainings, certifications, etc. Has there been a training or certification program that you’ve been thinking of taking? If so, take action and begin pursuing it (especially, if your company offers professional development as a benefit). 

Keep your certificates when attend trainings, seminars, or workshops, but don’t file them at work; bring them home with you.

So, are you prepared for the unexpected? If not, hopefully these ideas will help you be more proactive in managing your career.

Are you keeping important career documents?

In my “Career Sense” sessions, I inform clients that part of career management is to always keep copies of their performance reviews. They will serve as documentation of a person’s growth, skills, and achievements, and excerpts of comments can be incorporated in a resume or cover letter (a great way to set oneself apart from the competition).

But what happens if a person’s company does not conduct performance reviews? In this situation, an employee should email his/her supervisor upon completion of a large project or whenever he/she accomplished something (streamlining a procedure, saving money/making money, solving a large problem.) The employee should keep a copy of this email (and possibly any response from the supervisor); these will serve as documentation of the person's growth, skills, and achievements.

Six Reasons You Should Use LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn offers members the opportunity to participate in many different types of groups (job seeking, alumni, industry-specific, networking, etc.), and users can benefit in many ways:

1.  Finding Jobs. Human resource professionals often post job openings to groups. And, these groups do not have to be job-seeking groups. I've seen jobs posted to alumni groups, industry-specific groups, and networking groups.

2.  Marketing Yourself (Part 1). Recently, in a LinkedIn networking group (which is comprised of local members) an individual posted that he was changing careers and was looking for advice from group members on how his past experience could bridge him to his new career. I've also seen people market themselves by posting that they are actively seeking career opportunities in XXX. What a great way to let potential employers know your skills/value and that you are looking for work.

3.  Marketing Yourself (Part 2). Let's say you are currently employed, but are also looking for another job. You don't want to announce to a group that you are looking, so showcase your knowledge and experience by responding to any questions that may relate to your occupation/industry. What a great way to establish credibility and increase your visibility to potential employers.

4.  Increasing Your Knowledge. Learn new trends, get new ideas, and gain new insight by reading questions and answers from other participants. And, don't forget ... if there's a specific question you have, post it to the group.

5.  Hiring Managers and Recruiters Can Find You. Every time you post or respond to a posting, you are not only increasing your visibility with your group members (as mentioned in #3), but you are increasing your visibility with your LinkedIn connections (who will see your activity in their activity feed).

6.  Emailing Individuals Who Are Not Your Connections. Unlike Facebook, you cannot send a message to anyone on LinkedIn (unless you purchase an upgraded version). But, with the standard LinkedIn (which most people utilize), you can send a message to your connections AND you can also send a message to anyone who is in the same group as you. So, if there is a specific individual who you want to contact, and if you and this individual are a member of the same group, you can send him/her a message!

Are you participating in LinkedIn groups? If not, it's time to start managing your career!

Career Management Self-Test

Are you managing your career? Throughout the years as I've worked with clients, I've often heard, "Oh, I wish I have would have known ..." Or, "I wish I would have done this earlier."

 

The following self-test will help you bring awareness as to what areas you need to improve upon (if any) in managing your career:

• Have you updated your resume in the past year?
• Do you keep track of major accomplishments/projects? 
• Do you keep copies of your performance reviews (if applicable)?
• Do you have (and do you use) a LinkedIn account?
• Are you a member of a professional organization?
• In the past year, have you engaged in professional development activities (books, seminars, trainings, etc.)?
• Do you keep copies of your training/workshop certificates?
• Do you keep copies of thank yous, congratulatory emails, etc.?
• Do you keep in contact with former coworkers/colleagues (emails, social media, coffee, etc.)?
• Do you engage in activities that will help you increase your network of connections (volunteering, local clubs/groups, social media)?

Congrats to all of the questions you answered "Yes." If you answered "No" to any of the above questions, then you've found an area which you can improve upon in managing your career.

Before Making a Career Move, Evaluate Your Options

Chances are you've heard the saying, "look before you leap." If you've decided you want to change careers, before making any move, evaluate your options. Here are some tips that may help you make an informed decision:

~Find out the salary range for your new career
~Research employment projections
~Read the job description (Dictionary of Occupational Titles)
~Talk with someone in the profession/field
~Find out if you need additional training or education

It can also be beneficial to talk with an objective party or a career advisor who can provide insight and ask questions on various aspects of the career change. For example, why do you want to make the change? Is a career change right for you? A career advisor can also administer career assessments (if desired), help you develop action steps, and when the time comes for an interview, help you develop key questions which can be helpful in determining whether or not the company (and the position) will be a good fit.  

So, "look before you leap." It will minimize the chances of accepting a position (or completely changing careers) only to find out it was not the right fit.