Career Development 2012: 5 Strategies for 2012

Rutgers CMD Leadership & Career Coach Donna Coulson trains high-potential leaders, speaks to college students and transitions corporate leaders into new fields. Here are 5 career strategies for 2012.
 

1. Know the Difference between a Career Track and an Interim Job or Internship
A career is a purposeful choice; a path with a beginning, middle and expert point that involves specific education, continuous learning and the gaining of experience and expertise.  A job is a random choice based on available openings—what the college recruiter offers or when your position is eliminated you take any interim one to stay with the firm. You may like it and make it your career path. Or you may not. An internship is a temporary position for a specified period of time to complete a project. Perform well and you may get a job offer. People are observing you to see what kind of an employee you’d make, so perform your best.

2. Learning is Life-long from age 3 to 103. Stop Learning and you Stop Earning.
While staying current with technology is key, so is keeping up with your field--the skills, facts, figures and trends so you can influence decision makers in your firm. Be open to learning. I emcee World War II commemorations. My expertise in Human Resources doesn’t serve me in History so I research, read and ask questions. If I misquote a fact, the audience corrects me. Be curious about your work and you’ll want to know more. 

3. Create Value that Adds to the Mission of Your Organization
Matthew Zubiller started a high-tech healthcare business then sold his innovative idea and took it and himself to the McKesson Corp. (Careers: Finding their Way to the Fast Track, Joann S. Lublin, WSJ Online, 1/19/2012). He used technology to align doctors, laboratories and insurers on better care and reimbursement for patients. He was initially perceived as a rogue risk taker. So he aligned his new approach with McKesson’s core business, then he created an Executive Board of key officers to oversee the rollout of his prototype. He acquired 5 new customers and ran a pilot program. Today he has a staff of 250 and a viable business model. Find the support you need to succeed. Deliver on that challenge. 

4. Your Age and Life Stage Determine Your Pitch for a Job or Career Entry
If you’re a Gen Y entering the workplace to start your career, your mantra is “Take a chance on me. Here’s what I bring to the job plus my willingness to learn.” Sell yourself and connect with people you meet.

Older workers bring solid experience or wisdom to the workplace—like dealing with difficult people or selling in tough markets. Your mantra is “I keep up with my field and can keep your firm competitive. The underlying assumption is you’re not on top of your game—show them you are.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 1.31 million workers over the age of 75 worked in December 2011.(More Elderly Find They Can’t Afford Not to Work, Kelly Greene & Ann Tergesen, WSJ Online, US News, 1/21/12).  While many work for financial reasons, others do because they enjoy being active in their profession.

5. Boomers: It’s Not About Your Past, It’s About Now.
A resume is your MARKETING tool. Avoid lengthy job descriptions from 10+ years ago. Focus on your marketable skills and accomplishments using figures—dollars, # of employees impacted, etc.  I was on a team that created the Prudential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The selling point is not the EAP--rather I can implement new ideas from start to finish involving healthcare for 90,000 employees. I can establish processes, engage media talent to promote initiatives and manage vendors to monitor program success. How can YOU tell your story using skills in demand for 2012?