When networking, engaging with my LinkedIn contacts and clients, I often ask them to tell me a bit about themselves. Something personal and unrelated to their professional lives. This isn't me being nosey, it's me getting to know some pretty amazing
people.
Now, one thing I've learned through my years of coaching is that people are generally
very resistant to showing the 'real them'. One of the reasons for this is they worry that the 'real them' won't measure up to the professional image they are trying to portray online.
Of course, any hiring executive will see straight through this, which is why being genuine is so important. And it's also why I like to get to know 2Actify's clients.
So that together we can create a career advancement strategy based on who they really are and the real value they have to offer.
This is why networking so important---you get to practice real conversations and prepare for interviews. You get used to conversing with people you don't
know.
Perhaps you even talk about yourself in terms of your expertise (and there's
nothing they won't be interested in if it relates to their needs).
The paradox of executive presence is this: the less you perform and the more you simply show up as yourself—generous, consistent, clear about what you're good at—the more magnetic you become and...
The right people find you.
They remember
you.
And when they need what you offer, you're the obvious call.
That's when "building relationships" in your career becomes infinitely more interesting. Let's Discover How...
During networking conversations (and interviews), there may be stories you want to avoid.
Here's a story about an executive client that was avoiding a discussion about why he "lost" his last position, how he reframed it and it opened a new world of career possibilities...
He was
clearly avoiding a discussion about it in our practice making the story confusing. I had to plea to know what happened...
Turns out that he left because his company wanted him to skirt the truth about their performance and success, but my client wouldn’t do it.
And that was his dark secret, yet what he did was actually noble and positive but he didn’t know how to frame it that way. Instead, he tried to avoid being asked about the topic.
After we worked through exactly what happened, we used the 2Actify value proposition framework to formulate a positive response to the question, “Why did you leave your last company?”
And after he had his response, it was like a ton of bricks were lifted off his shoulders.
He started talking to his network with new found confidence, he quickly found a new opportunity, interviewed, and got the job. Then, he was promoted right away and very far up the chain of command (in a massive tech company, btw).
All because he changed his story, positioned himself powerfully, and went into the interview prepared and with full confidence in himself.
Many of us have “secrets” about our past work history that we’re not fond of. And, more often than not, we don’t need to be, which is why a major part of the 2Actify method is how to “sell your impact”.
Once you know how to turn your past (no matter what it is) into a positive, it won’t keep you from getting your dream career, it will actually be one of your greatest selling points!
THE BEST CAREER STRATEGY COURSE EVER!
Your commitment to your career strategy will include strategic lessons, group support, a tools library that solves real career search challenges.
