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You should now be motivated to establish a long-term career plan and seek to derive
incredible passion and energy from your chosen occupation. I want you to thoroughly
enjoy the process of self-discovery. Do not achieve to be happy; happily achieve your
objectives! And be confident that you now have the tools to achieve those goals.
Your
Career DNA
is unique!
Go back and review those particular components of the program that were confusing or you
felt you might need more help on and use them as reinforcement. Use these materials before
going into an information interview or an actual interview setting to assist you and to help build
your confidence. Commit yourself to constantly being a lifetime achiever. As I mentioned
earlier, be a personal growth stock and not a career seeker whose assets are on the decline.
Become “Me, Inc.!”
Be able to articulate your unique and compelling strengths and learn to create a desire for
your talents. Make your strength your knowledge of yourself and your thorough preparation. If
you have an audio player in your car, invest in positive messages and training programs rather
than listening to music or news.
Remember the old saying, “You have two ears and one mouth. So listen twice as much as
you talk.” When starting a new career, be reserved. Take in the sights. Learn the employer’s
culture. See who the people in power are. Find out which people you can trust. Look for those
people in a position of authority whom you’ll have to impress. Once you find out who the key
players are in the organization, learn what their particular objectives are and tailor your
performance to coincide with their objectives. In other words, mirror the goals of the people
who make up the power structure. And, more importantly, through your own methodology,
let them know that you are mirroring their goals, either by memo form or just by your day-to-
day performance.
Careering
isn’t always fair.
Be aware that at certain times in your career you
may truly be the best person for a job or for a promotion but, because of politics, friends,
or relatives of the people who are above you or who are your management, that may
result in your not getting the position. You’re not always going to win against the boss’s
son or daughter or son-in-law. My advice is to focus on your needs; there are always
options. Use social activities like company picnics, sports, dining out or parties, to get to
know your peers on a non-professional level.
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Section 17 - On The Job Success