“What in the world am I supposed to do? I have a college degree and I am working in the same clothing store that I worked at in college. I spent all this money on an education and now I don’t make enough money to pay back student loans. What kind of mess is this?” she said through tears of defeat and frustration as she sat in my office. Her mother sent her to me hoping that I could give her tips to move her career, after all I am the Chief Bridge Architect, helping clients build and cross their bridge from “I want to be” to “I am” and she wanted to be employed. So, to work I went. Here are three tips I gave her and now I give them to you:
1. Be an entrepreneur: Today’s employer is looking for employees who have an entrepreneurial spirit, they are now calling this intrapreneurship, these are people who are innovative, creative and take initiative within an employee role but as if they are an entrepreneur. The people who embrace this are getting jobs, advancing their careers and taking over rapidly. Manage your career like it is a business because it is. The sooner you recognize that you are You Incorporated the quicker and better things will go for your career.
2. Talk to strangers: as children you were likely warned to be aware of “stranger danger.” Well, throw that in the garbage when it comes to your professional pursuits. Talk to as many strangers as possible and begin to build your network. Now, don’t just talk to them but build and maintain relationships with them. These strangers are the key to your next opportunity.
3. Volunteer: give of your time because it is the right thing to do. That alone should be enough but in case it is not enough I want you to go and check the names of the board members of many of the prominent non-profits. When you look at the make-up of the volunteer boards of some of the larger non-profits like the Boys & Girls Club of America (one of my favorites and a client) you will see executives from companies at the top of their industry. Volunteering with these organizations could give you access to people who could impact your ability to get the job you want. Imagine applying for a job at Coke and being able to call the Vice President of Administration because he knows you from your volunteer work with the group where he is a board member.
There is so much more but for now, this is a good starting point. See you next time where we will take Queen Bey’s advice and get that resume in “Formation.”
