Career Advancement, Development and Personal Branding

1. CAREER ADVANCEMENT & DEVELOPMENT
Get the Career you want - faster!
One of the most critical aspects of your job search and overall professional development is the
career planning process, since it will be the tool that guides all of your actions and professional
development throughout your career. Take these 4 steps to create your career development plan.
1.) Define Your Goals
You can’t reach goals if you don’t have them. Think about your biggest dream, your 5-year plan
or your 10-year goal – whatever seems realistically achievable and measurable to you. Defining
your goal can indeed be difficult, but it’s a critical step. This is often the hardest part of the
career planning process. There is a lot of self-assessment and job market research to be done to
properly develop your goals. When defining your goals, keep in mind that they may change over
time – and that’s OK. The most important aspect is to have them written down.
2.) Define the Requirements of Your Goal
Next, define the steps you will need to take in order to achieve the requirements to be qualified
for your goal. Record the skills, knowledge, experience, education and network that you will
need to develop to become the ideal candidate. Not sure where to start? Review existing job
postings to see the preferred qualifications of employers for that role, and write down where you
do not yet meet the qualifications. Many of our clients also look at self-employment as an
option, which this can apply to as well, but the measurements may be slightly different.
3.) Create Your Career Development Plan
This is where your career planning process becomes more visible and solidified. Stay objective
and analyze the steps you will need to take in order to go from Step 1 (where you are now) to
Step 2 (the requirements of your goal). Create mini milestones that you can achieve within
specific time periods that are appropriate for your goal and needs (ex. 3 months, 6 months, 1
year, 2 years). Make sure to schedule supporting activities into your calendar and force yourself
to make time for them.
4.) Review Regularly & Follow Through
Set aside a regular time to actively participate in the career planning process, and schedule it on
your calendar to ensure you do not forget. Review your plan quarterly (at least). Don’t let
changes in your path or goals set you back. As long as you’re regularly making progress and
reviewing your career development plan, you can make quick changes that reflect changes in the
job market, technology or your interests.
If you properly engage in the career planning process by creating a formal career development
plan, you’ll be ahead of the game and prepared to reach your goals. If you need help with your
career planning and want to speak with an expert, feel free to reach R4K / ADEL for a deeper
insight.

2. PERSONAL BRANDING FOR JOB SEEKERS
In today’s job market, employers are looking for applicants who stand out, have a unique skill set
and are social media savvy. So, just how can you be all this and more and in today’s competitive
job market?
First, figure out what you want to do and how you want to be perceived. Next, figure out the
specific skills and attributes that you have to offer employers. And finally, show employers your
value by building a strong personal brand, continuing your education and by sharing your
valuable perspective.
How to Get Employers to Love Your Brand: One of the key factors of building your personal
brand is creating one that employers and recruiters will love, which will give you an edge on
your competition. To stay competitive in your job search, your personal brand must tell a story
about your unique you. You need to feel confident marketing yourself as a job seeker throughout
your personal brand.
How to Harness the Power of Your Personal Brand: Your reputation personally and
professionally is tied to your personal brand which is how you conduct yourself around others
and the sum of your personal experiences and education that define your character. Whether it is
a potential employer or a prospective new client, people are going to Google your name to see
what comes up about you. Why not give a presentation? By having a portfolio of your work
online and a personal site, prospective clients or employers can assess your skills. Testimonials,
Recommendations or accomplishments all help you.
How to Get Hired: Show Perspective, Not Pedigree: It seems the dismal job market has
created some real cynicism especially among recent graduates. What are companies looking for?
How can prospective hires get a competitive advantage in an overcrowded marketplace? As a
Recruitment consultancy, we look for people who are curious, open, and collaborative. More
than ever before, we want people who have eclectic, varied backgrounds. People who are
genuinely interested in the world around them, who have a strong point of view and who can
bring a fresh perspective to their work.
How to Stay on top in the Career Game: In today’s market, more employees are boosting their
education and training and implementing other career-enhancing strategies to stay relevant and to
get ahead. Unlike the 1990′s when companies lavished employees with endless training perks,
today’s students are self-funded and driven by the realization that increased competence equals
continued employment. Personal branding has is a job-hunting prerequisite.

3. GOAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHEET
A development goal is a statement of a desired outcome or accomplishment that is specific,
observable and realistic. For you to progress in your career, you must set goals. Here are a few
questions to help develop your goals hence progressing the vision of your career..
1. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or
improve by this time next year are…
2. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or
improve by the end of the second year are...
3. What I want to accomplish and the competencies (knowledge/skills) I want to acquire or
accomplish by the end of the third year are...
4. What barriers or obstacles might prevent me from accomplishing my goals on time (e.g., time,
money, and other commitments)?
5. What can I do to overcome these barriers or obstacles? What resources are available to help
me?