MC's Perspective
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Toolkit
  • Groups
    • Group Insights
    • Group Intake

Managing Self-doubt when you Accomplish Professional Goals

11/6/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Recently, I achieved a professional goal that I have been working towards for many years – I became a people manager again. I was a people manager in my last company and wanted to go back to managing a team. This huge accomplishment came with many mixed emotions for me. The first emotion I felt was excitement that my professional dream had come true, and then the feelings of self-doubt started to creep in. 
 
In this blog post, I will share the five tips that are helping me navigate and enjoy this phase of my professional life. I am writing this post as a reminder for myself and valuable tips for anyone out there who is working through similar experiences. 
 
#1: Celebrate your accomplishments  
When my manager sent the email to my team announcing that I was becoming a Manager, I had a smile on my face and was very happy. My journey to get here was a multi-year process that was not smooth or straightforward. I knew that I needed to celebrate this significant milestone. However, it felt easier to keep moving as if everything was normal. The good thing was that I got to spend some time with my family, and they celebrated my accomplishment with me.  
 
Why is this important? 
  • Celebrating your accomplishment tells your mind that it is real  
 
#2: Accept the trust that people have in your abilities 
Self-doubt makes you think you don't deserve to be where you are or accomplish something big. It helps to get extra confirmation from people you trust. In my case, the people telling me that I will be great in my new role have worked with me for years and know my work. I have decided to listen to them and believe their kind words. It is very easy to brush off the positive things that people say about you because we think they don't mean it as a way to diminish our contributions.  
 
Why is this important? 
  • Hearing other people's confidence in your abilities helps you believe in yourself even more 
 
#3: Acknowledge your emotions  
Over the past weeks, I have had multiple emotions – happiness, overwhelm, excitement, and more. Right now, the emotions I feel are mostly a sense of responsibility because I want to do right by my team. I want to be the best manager that they need to feel valued, respected, and that they can thrive professionally. Over my journey, I have learned that it is important to acknowledge when I am feeling self-doubt and causing myself not to enjoy a key milestone.  
 
Why is this important? 
  • Knowing what you are feeling gives you clarity and the ability to deal with your emotions 
 
#4: Set your goals and gain clarity of where you want to go 
One of the effects of self-doubt on me is that I get too scared to think about the future. Many people who talk about their imposter syndrome will tell you that it stops them from envisioning a time when they accomplish even bigger things. When something big happens, I worry about the increased responsibilities and my desire to over-achieve. Setting goals helps me plan for the future and get concrete about the steps I will be taking to accomplish them. 
 
Why is this important? 
  • Writing down what you want to accomplish makes it seem achievable
 
#5: Believe in yourself and make bold moves on your journey 
As much as your mind might be telling you that you don't deserve to be here, the truth is that you have worked very hard to accomplish everything you have. It takes a lot of self-talk and continuous personal work to guard against self-doubt. You need to keep making bold moves and not let self-doubt stop you from accomplishing great things. 
 
Why is this important? 
  • Believing in your skills and abilities will help you accomplish great things 
 
Final Thoughts 
If you feel overwhelmed by the great things happening in your life, you are not alone, and it is perfectly fine. Although I am very excited about my journey ahead, I am still actively walking through self-doubt. I'll keep you all posted on my progress in this new phase of my journey. ​
0 Comments

Have you considered working with a Career Coach?

29/3/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
In 2022, I am committed to sharing tools that have helped me thrive in my personal and professional life. One of the tools that have significantly impacted my professional journey is career coaching. Until a few years ago, I did not know it was for me. I worked with a career coach when I moved to the US, and five years later, I just completed six months of working with another coach. 
 
In this blog post, I will share some of my experiences and lessons learned from working with career coaches. My goal is to help you see that this is a tool that is also accessible and can be beneficial to you. 
 
What is a Career Coach, and when does it make sense to work with one?
Career coaches provide a range of services, from helping you figure out what you want to do to explore opportunities for professional growth to supporting you through the ups and downs of looking for a new job. In my experience, you can work with a coach at any time on your professional journey. If you are planning to keep growing, exploring new things, and taking on new opportunities, working with a coach will help set you up for success. 
 
What were my goals when I worked with a Career Coach?

Interestingly the two times that I have worked with a career coach, I was in very different places in my career and had vastly different needs. 
  • 2016: It was my first year in the US, and I realized that the professional environment was very different from what I was familiar with when I worked in Germany. By observing my colleagues, I could see that I was missing some skills that would help me thrive. I wanted to learn more about building my career plan, establishing my professional brand, and understanding the professional culture
  • 2021 - 2022: I was preparing for a huge transition at this stage in my career. I knew that I needed to map my 3 - 5 year career plan to have some orientation as I embark on my journey. I needed some support with understanding where I want to go in the long term in my career, framing my new role, and setting myself up for success.
 
How did I approach my search for a Coach?
As I have progressed in my career, I have become more intentional about planning and preparing for the moves I make. Before I started my search for a Coach, I thought about what I wanted to work on with them. I had three goals that I have wanted to accomplish. The actual search for a Coach was different the first time. While taking professional certification classes at UC Berkeley, one of the professors mentioned that she was a coach. We had an introductory call where I learned about her work, decided it was a fit, and we worked together for about six months. My second coaching experience was part of a program at work where we partnered with a company that had coaches in their Network. I was able to select my preferences and was offered a pool of coaches to choose from.
 
Some of the things I look for in a coach include:
  • Someone who understands my industry a little. As someone in Tech, I like working with coaches who have worked or coached others in my industry and understands the challenges 
  • A person who has worked with people who have similar learning styles. It's easier to work with a coach who knows how to pass information so that you can easily digest it. I learn through studying and doing research. While I'm working with a coach, It helps me a lot when they make recommendations of things I could learn 
  • The coach's price works for your budget. It is crucial that you can afford their services and want to invest at that time. Worrying about the money you are investing won't make the experience fun
 
How to make the best of your coaching experience
  • Be honest and transparent: working with a coach is the best opportunity to be transparent about things you want to do better in your career. We don't have a lot of spaces where we can be vulnerable, and this is the right place for you to get the support you need 
  • Be organized: I strongly believe that if you are organized and manage your time well, you get the most from the experience
  • Prepare for your sessions: you need an agenda for each session that is shared with your coach beforehand. This ensures that the time you have together is very productive 
  • Document your learnings: take notes during every session, document your next steps and review your notes before the next session
  • Take action and be committed: prioritizing sessions was a way to keep your commitment to learning and growing
 
What did I get out of my coaching experiences?
Working with a coach has helped me grow professionally. Some of the outcomes of coaching include:
  • Learned more about my strengths and found language to talk about them
  • Revamped my professional brand on various platforms such as my blog, LinkedIn and my resume
  • Streamlined my view of where I want to go and what I want to do professionally
  • Discovered what I really care about in my life and work 
  • Found encouragement to ask for what I want professionally and support to work towards my big goals
 
Final Thoughts
I recently talked to one of my colleagues, and she shared that she never thought working with a coach was for her. It got me thinking about how hesitant I was to work with a coach initially and how much my investment has paid off. If you are unsure if coaching is for you, test it and see. A lot of coaches offer info sessions where you can learn more. Coaching is a tool that has helped me a lot, and I hope you will take advantage of it. 
 
Great Resources 

  • Benefits of coaching: Purpose, clarity, and passion in daily life
  • Here's the Real Deal on What a Coach Can (and Can't) Do for Your Career
  • 10 Benefits of Career Coaching
  • 11 Benefits of Coaching in the Workplace
  • 3 Reasons To Hire A Career Coach
  • 7 signs you're ready to hire a career coach — and 3 signs you're not
 
Time for reflection
  • In what areas of your career do you want to grow?
  • How would you go about searching for a Coach?
  • How do you plan to make your coaching experience worth it?
0 Comments

5 Professional development tools that everyone needs

16/11/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
When I think about building a successful career, I focus on things that are in my control. Knowing that I can drive my career makes me feel empowered. Recently, there have been a considerable number of articles about the great wave of people quitting their jobs to find something new. The desire to do work that we enjoy has become even more amplified. Developing your career is a wonderful way to infuse some energy and excitement into your professional life.
 
In this blog post, we will explore tools that have helped me grow my career. Check out my other "Her Career" blog posts for more tips and resources for a thriving career.
 
Tool #1: Learning & Skill building
One of the best pieces of advice that I received was that learning did not end once I got my degree and that it was important to continue learning. I took it to heart and made learning a part of my career development toolkit. Taking courses, trainings and certifications have helped elevate my professional profile a lot. I set a yearly goal to learn something new that will grow my career and make it happen. We all learn in different ways, so it is crucial to find what works best for you.
 
Questions to consider
  • What do you need to learn to get to the next career level?
  • How do you plan to learn it?
 
Tool #2: Mentorship & Sponsorship
In last week's post, I wrote about the value of mentorship and how much it has impacted my life positively. As you grow your career, you want to have people who can advise and guide you. Getting additional perspective from your mentors on your career decisions will help you accomplish big things and see things clearer.
 
Questions to consider
  • Who are your professional mentors or sponsors?
  • How do you leverage their knowledge and expertise?
 
Tool #3: Career Coaching
Reflecting on my career journey, one of the most pivotal moments was when I moved to the US in 2015. I quickly realized that I needed to do things differently in my career to thrive in this new country The new role was bigger than I had in the past, and I knew I needed some support. Working with a career coach helped me develop my plan, share my fears, and understand the professional system in the US better. As I plan for my next big career transition, I am working with a coach to prepare for the journey ahead.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are some of the challenges you are facing in your career?
  • How could working with a coach help you?
 
Tool #4: Professional Network
The people who are your companions on your professional journey are very important. Especially in the times we live in, building professional networks takes a lot more work and requires us to practice new relationship-building strategies. You can leverage your network to connect with people who have similar professional interests and share their knowledge. I enjoy having the opportunities to connect with my professional network and hearing about their experiences.
 
Questions to consider
  • Do you have a professional network?
  • How can you build or maintain your professional network?
 
Tool #5: Career development plan
Having a plan for your career will help you ensure that you are growing and developing. Documenting your career goals and checking in on your progress regularly should be something you do. It is easy to lose sight of your career ambitions when you do not have a plan.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are your career goals?
  • What steps are you taking to accomplish them?
 
Great Resources
  • Own your career development
  • How to find professional Sponsors
  • How to rekindle your passion for work
  • How to build a professional network
  • Lessons I learned about Career Transitions
 
Call to Action
  • Where do you want to go in your career?
  • What steps are you planning to take over the next month?
  • What is one professional accomplishment of which you are proud?
0 Comments

How to rekindle your Career

19/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
As we settle into our new normal in life, this is a great time to focus on things we have put aside to survive this past year. We spend a lot of time at work and deserve to be happy and accomplish our professional goals. I believe that we should own our development and take action to build our dream careers.
 
In this blog post, we will explore five ways to recharge your career journey and thrive professionally.
 
Envision your dream career
Allowing yourself to dream about where you want to go in your career is essential. It is very easy to settle into the day-to-day of your job and forget about your career dreams and aspirations. Remembering what inspires you professionally is a great step to rekindle the excitement.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Ask yourself what your dream job is
  • Create a professional vision board or plan
  • Follow the professional journeys of people you admire
 
Check-in on your career goals
To accomplish great career success, you need to be working towards your goals. Take stock of where you are today compared to where you want to be professionally. It is crucial to check in on your goals regularly and measure the progress you are making.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Write down your professional goals
  • Explore what you think has been holding you back
  • Look at your career journey and your accomplishments
 
Build and leverage your career support group
When you have companions on your professional journey, you are more likely to accomplish your goals. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, provide guidance, give your feedback, act as a sounding board for your ideas and support your development. You don't have to go through your professional journey on your own.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Reach out to your sponsor and mentors
  • Have accountability partners who check in on your progress
  • Join professional groups and expand your network
 
Update your plan
Having a professional development plan is crucial to building a successful career. The intention is to document the steps you want to take and plan for them. Spending time planning will provide the clarity you need about what it would take to accomplish your goals.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Document the steps you will take to accomplish the next step on your career development plan
  • Do your research to gain more clarity on what you need to do
  • Commit to taking the steps on your plan
 
Take action towards your goals
Now that you have checked the progress you made, refreshed your goals, and updated your plan, it's time to take action. Putting in the work is the best way to develop your career. When you look back at this time in your life, you want to see the progress you have made in your career.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Take steps towards accomplishing your goals
  • Continue learning and developing new skills
  • Track your progress regularly
 
Great Resources
  • Own your career development
  • How to find and build relationships with your professional allies
  • How to ask for what you want at work
  • How to build a professional network
  • Telling your Career story
 
Call to Action
  • Are you where you want to be at this stage in your career?
  • What are your big career goals?
  • What are you going to do within the next month to accomplish your career goals?
0 Comments

How to ask for what you want at work

20/7/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
As we grow and advance in our careers, there will be situations where we will need to ask for something we need. This might be asking for a promotion, a bigger project, or even a new role. It is interesting that we were never taught how to ask for things we really want in our careers. Asking for what we want is crucial to accomplish our professional goals.

In this blog post, I will share the process that I go through when I need to ask for something at work.

#1: Prepare your mind
Asking for what you want is very important. Often, if you don't speak up, people will think you are content with where you are today. Before you make any requests, it helps to take time to reflect and prepare yourself. Reflect on where you have been and where you want to go professionally. This is the perfect time to check in on your professional goals, update them and evaluate what you need to progress.

Strategies to consider
  • Reflect on your professional journey so far
  • Write down what you enjoy doing at work and what you want to be doing more of

#2: Seek advice and feedback
Especially when you are about to ask for something big, it is helpful to share your thoughts with someone you trust. This is where having mentors, sponsors or trusted colleagues is very valuable. The objective of having these conversations is to practice vocalizing your thoughts and to get their advice on what you are thinking about. It is best to have these conversations early to help provide more clarity and give you input for your next steps.

Strategies to consider
  • Have a chat with three people about your thoughts and dreams
  • Write down the questions they asked you or feedback they provided

#3: Create an action plan
It is crucial to have a plan and document your planned action. Write down what you are asking for, your qualifications, potential growth areas, and the path to get to where you want to go. Having a plan will make your request and path forward clearer.

Strategies to consider
  • Review your plan with people you trust
  • Keep updating and refining your plan as you learn more

#4: Ask for what you want
If you have been thinking about a promotion, a bigger project, or a new role, now is the perfect time to ask for it. Present your plan to the decision-makers and make your ask known to them. It is important to know what you want and ask for it. However, it is crucial to go in with an open mind. The conversations will provide you with more information to refine your plan and path forward.

Strategies to consider
  • Meet with the people who are in places of power
  • Communicate your ask and your professional plan

#5: Execute your plan and learn
Now it is time to start taking the steps towards the goals you set. You can only make progress towards your professional goals if you are doing something. It takes one small step at a time to get to where you want to be. As you embark on your journey, keep learning and trying new things.

Strategies to consider
  • Take steps towards your own goals
  • Track your accomplishments and lessons learned

Final Thoughts: MC's Journey
Recently, I have come to a juncture in my career where I know that I need to do something new to stay excited about work. To make it even more complicated, the work that I want to be doing is a mixture of different roles and does not yet exist. If you know anything about me, I like a challenge ;) Personally, I know that I need some element of change every two years at the minimum to feel like I am making progress. I like to take on new professional paths or responsibilities that help me continue learning. I embarked on the journey of designing my ideal role a few months ago. I'm on a learning journey, and I am excited to share my experience.

Time for Reflection
What is the next step in your career?
What do you need to do to get there?
Who is in your professional support group?
0 Comments

How to rekindle your passion for work

15/6/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
With everything that we have been managing over the past year, it is understandable if you feel that you are not enjoying work right now. We spend a lot of time doing work and deserve to be happy while we do it. If you want to rekindle your passion for work, this is for you.
 
In this blog post, we will explore five concrete things you can do to find your joy at work again.
 
#1: Look back on what you have accomplished
It is easy to get so caught up and not see the progress you have made over the past year. Looking back on your work results can remind you of what you like the most about your work. All your professional accomplishments, even the small ones, matter a lot. Even if you don't see it, you have made progress and are doing well.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Make time to reflect on your professional accomplishments
  • Share your accomplishments with your manager and team
 
#2: Refresh your professional goals and update your career plan
Most of us have been in survival mode over the past year. As a result, you may not have had the opportunity to define or check on your professional goals. Having an updated Career advancement plan helps give you a view of the future. Knowing that there are great things ahead builds excitement and rekindles your passion for your work. Do not let another year go by without you checking in on your professional goals.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Plan time to check in on your professional goals and update your career plan
  • Write down what your next career moves will be
 
#3: Make a bold career move, start working on a new project or job
After you review your career plan, you might discover that it is time to do something new or make even bigger career changes. Finding work that is satisfying and meets your development needs is crucial. If you know that the only way you can be happy at work is to change your job, plan, and make it happen. It could also be time to go up for a promotion. Asking for an overdue promotion is an emotional thing to do. However, making bold career moves has great rewards.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Think about how to make your next career move
  • Go up for a promotion, find a new project or job
 
#4: Revive your professional network
Especially if you have been working virtually over the last year, you may have lost touch with your coworkers and industry connections. Most of us have been working from home, unable to attend conferences or professional meetups. The people in our professional lives have a positive impact on how we enjoy our work. It is crucial to be intentional about reconnecting with people professionally.
 
Strategies to consider
  • Identify three people you want to reconnect with
  • Meet with them over the next four weeks
 
#5: Find a passion project
The truth is that work is only one part of your life. Focusing solely on your job and investing most of your time will not make you happy. Sharing our focus on multiple things will help us be at our best at work. Working on my blog posts and coaching sessions provides me a vital outlet. I find that I am better at work when I am working on projects that I care about. 
 
Strategies to consider
  • Find what you can invest your time in outside work
  • Work on your passion projects
 
Final Thoughts: Is it time to take a break?
If you read the strategies above and felt overwhelmed, it might be time to take a break. One of the first things that I did when I got back to work from maternity leave was plan days and weeks when I would take time off work. It was a necessary strategy for me to enjoy work and thrive. Planning time off work will help energize you.
 
Great resources
  • [Podcast] Let’s Do Less Dead-End Work
  • How to Rekindle Your Relationship With Work
  • 6 ways to reignite your passion for work
  • How Self-Improvement Can Reignite Your Passion For Work
  • 10 Signs That You’ve Lost Passion for Your Career
  • Stuck In A Rut? How Passion Projects Can Reignite Your Motivation
0 Comments

How to find and build relationships with your professional allies

13/4/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
As I have progressed in my career, I have realized that professional allies and advocates are a crucial part of my career journey. In our private lives, we understand the importance of building and maintaining very healthy relationships; the same principle should apply to our professional lives.

In this blog post, I will share the benefits of having professional allies and the best way to leverage them along your career journey.

Who are professional allies?
Allies are people who offer one another backing, assistance, advice, information, protection, and even friendship. Your professional allies could play different roles such as mentors, sponsors, technical advisors, career advisors.

What are the benefits of having professional allies?
Great allies support your career in various ways such as:
  • Speak well about you and your work when you are not in the room
  • Provide access to new opportunities, projects, or jobs
  • Connect you to people in their network
  • Be a sounding board for your ideas
  • Provide objective advice, information, and recommendations when you face challenges

5 ways to build relationships with your professional allies

Find your allies and ensure they are from different backgrounds
Being intentional about seeking out and choosing your allies is essential. Many different people could be your professional allies such as your manager, teammate, senior leaders, experienced co-workers or people that report to you. It is crucial for you to continuously identify your professional allies.

Strategies to consider
  • Think about the people in your professional life that can be your allies and reach out to them

Be clear on what the relationship is and what you want
As with every relationship, when you are clear about how you want your allies to support you, you will get the best results. You should be able to clearly map out how your professional allies can positively influence your career and help you accomplish your goals.

Strategies to consider
  • Agree on the rules of engagement with your allies

Make sure they know your work
Your allies can talk more about your work when you share details with them. You do not work closely with your allies in some cases, but you want them to feel like they know what you do. You are the best person to share your professional accomplishments.

Strategies to consider
  • Send your allies updates on your work quarterly or every six months

Meet with them regularly
In any good relationship, conversations and connections happen regularly. To stay top of mind for your professional allies, it is crucial to stay connected. You want to make sure you are not only reaching out when you have issues. Sharing good updates with them is also unbelievably valuable.

Strategies to consider
  • Schedule time to connect with your allies at least once a quarter

Provide your professional allies value
As much as you receive support, you want to give the same. We all appreciate when people who we invest in also give back to us. You have something to offer your professional allies as well. We all have different perspectives and can enrich each other's lives when we share.

Strategies to consider
  • Find out the value you can bring your allies and provide it to them

Final Thoughts
You do not have to feel lonely on your career journey. Surround yourself with amazing people who can help you thrive and enjoy your work.

Time for Reflection
What type of allies do you need to seek out?
Who are people around you who you want to convert to professional allies?
How are you going to build solid relationships with your allies?

Great Resources
  • 7 Examples of What Being an Ally at Work Really Looks Like
  • Finding Your Allies
  • 5 do's and don'ts for creating career allies
  • Six Kinds of Career Allies: Building a Personal Board of Directors
  • 7 Ways To Create Beneficial Alliances At Work
0 Comments

Video: How to Introduce Yourself at Work

26/9/2020

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Video: Unconventional Career Advice I Wish I Heard

22/8/2020

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Learning to introduce yourself at work

26/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
There are so many lessons to learn about your professional life. The best professional advice I received from one of my coworkers was "always take the time to introduce and reintroduce yourself." She gave me this advice after I had been at a new company for about four months and it changed my trajectory.
 
In this blog post, we will explore when you need great introductions and how to create an introduction that people will remember.
 
When are introductions important?
  • In a Job interview or when you start a new role
  • Every day when you meet new people at work
  • When you reconnect with colleagues to share updates
 
How to create a great introduction
 
Step #1: Think about what you want people to know about you
It is important to help people get to know you. When you think about your story and reputation, ask yourself what the important aspects of your career are. Some of the things I share with people include projects I have worked on, skills that I have, certifications or degrees and what I am passionate about. Remember also to include aspects of your personal life. There is so much power in connecting with people on a personal level.
 
Questions to consider
  • What do you want people to know about you?
  • How do you want to be perceived by the people you work with?
 
Step #2: Write your intro statements
In my experience, I have learned that when you write down a short introduction, it allows you to think through your message. Write down many options and refine your introduction as you go. As you work on your introduction statements, try not to over-engineer it.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are the most important words you want to include in your introduction?
  • How long would you like your introduction to be?
 
Step #3: Practice your introduction with people you trust
One way to improve your introduction is by sharing it with your trusted advisors. You can send it to them in written form or practice telling them in person. The objective of this activity is to gather feedback and ideas from people who know you really well.
 
Questions to consider
  • What feedback do people that know you very well have for your introduction?
  • Which improvements do you want to make to your introduction?
 
Step #4: Update and tweak your Introduction
Based on feedback and your experience as you tested your introduction, it is time to adjust your intro statements. The goal is to have a version you are comfortable with sharing with more people. It might not be perfect, and that is fine.
 
Questions to consider
  • How will you keep your introduction fresh and relevant?
  • What aspects of your introduction are the most important?
 
Step #5: Introduce and reintroduce your self
Now it is time to start using your new introduction. Depending on your audience, you may want to tweak your introduction. By practicing and working on your introduction, you will get better. I have also started being more aware of how other people introduce themselves and what I can learn from them.
 
Questions to consider
  • What parts of your introduction resonate the most with others?
  • Is your professional brand being strengthened by your introduction?
 
Action Plan
  • How do you want to be remembered by the people you meet at work?
  • How will you keep improving your introduction?
 
Final Thoughts
  • Take every opportunity you get to introduce yourself to people at work.
  • Your introduction is your opportunity to share things with people that you really want them to know.
  • Own and manage your professional brand.
 
Great Resources
  • 2 Ways to Create a 1-Line Elevator Pitch (That'll Make People Want to Keep Talking to You)
  • How to introduce yourself so you’ll be unforgettable (in a good way!)
  • The Best Way To Introduce Yourself In Five Potentially Awkward Situations
  • Ways to introduce yourself in person, at parties or networking events (and a few you should skip)
  • A Complete Guide to Answering “Tell Me About Yourself” in an Interview (Plus Examples!)
  • How to Tell People What You Do—and Be Remembered
0 Comments

How to deal with disappointment at Work

12/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
We spend a lot of time in our lives at work. Recently, I have been reflecting on some of the experiences that I have had at work that had very different outcomes than I expected. I am making peace with the fact that setbacks are a part of every successful career.
 
In this blog post, we will discuss five ways to deal with disappointment at work.
 
Starting point: What type of professional setbacks have I faced?
Some of the experiences that have stuck in my memory include:
  • Being passed up for a promotion
  • Not getting the project that I really wanted to work on
  • Being unable to negotiate my salary or a pay raise
 
Five ways to deal with disappointment at work
 
Don’t be too hard on yourself
It is important to not let all the weight of a setback rest on your shoulders. Going through a difficult time at work can often make your life feel less balanced and make you unhappy. Being aware of the impact of disappointment at work on your happiness is essential. Putting it all in perspective will help you move on.
 
Questions to consider
  • Would you care about these experiences one month or one year from now?
  • How can you take care of yourself in these difficult times?
 
Be better prepared
After major setbacks in my career, I wondered if there was a way for me to be more prepared to overcome the deep sadness I felt. And I have found that the answer is yes, you can prepare for the impact of disappointment on your life and work. Taking the time to plan for the negative events helped me bounce back.
 
Questions to consider
  • What steps can you take after a career setback?
  • Who will support you on your journey to get over your disappointment?
 
Identify the learnings
One of the things I am learning about all negative experiences in life is that there is always a lesson to be learned. When you experience setbacks at work, make time to think about what the lessons may be. It might not be easy to see the lessons. However, they exist and would help you a lot on your future journey.
 
Questions to consider
  • What can you learn from this experience?
  • Is there a common theme with the disappointments you have faced at work recently?
 
Find something positive that motivates you
Having a positive outlook on your career is a great gift. Especially when something does not go the way you planned, having something that excites you can help you stay happy. A great mindset to have is to view your future journey with optimism.
 
Questions to consider
  • What is the one thing you enjoy about your job?
  • What are some recent accomplishments that you have had?
 
Know when it is time to find a new job or role
Depending on the type of situation you may be going through at work, it may be time to move on to the next career adventure. It is crucial to know when that time comes and to take action.
 
Questions to consider
  • What are you looking for in your next job or role?
  • How will you utilize the learnings from your past experiences in your next job or role?
 
Final Thoughts
  • Disappointment at work can be expected, how you deal with it will determine how successful you will be.
  • Going through any negative experience with an active support group will make it easier.
  • Building resilience for setbacks in your career is a strategy you can learn.
 
Call to Action
  • What is one of the biggest setbacks you have faced in your career?
  • What strategy helped you get over that disappointment?
 
Great Resources
  • 5 Ways to Bounce Back from Disappointment at Work
  • How to Deal With Professional Disappointment at Work
  • Overcoming Career Disappointment
  • How to get over career disappointment
  • 5 Major Work Disappointments and How to Handle Them
0 Comments

Video: In The News | To Become Your Best Self, Study Your Successes

9/11/2019

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Video: In the News | Why Self-Awareness Isn’t Doing More to Help Women’s Careers

21/9/2019

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Lessons I learned about Career Transitions

17/9/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Throughout my career, I have been through transitions that have taught me many valuable lessons. After going through so many changes, I now accept that it is part of my professional journey that I cannot avoid if I want to grow.
 
In this blog post, I will share some of the lessons I have learned about career transitions and ways I have worked through them.
 
What are Career transitions?
There are numerous types of career transitions that involve unanticipated or even undesired shifts in an individual’s career path. In addition, the term career transition may refer to the process by which an individual changes from one job to another within the same job family; and it may also refer to a more dramatic career change from one occupational category to an entirely different one. Finally, a career transition takes place when an employee merely shifts to a new position within the same company or organizational structure.
 
MC's Journey
Most of the career transitions I have been through happened without me planning them. Although transitions were not my primary goal, they came through actions I took to grow my career. My career development is something I am very intentional about, and I have learned to appreciate the positive side effects.
The top career transitions I have been through include:
  • Increased scope: Going from managing one-time small projects to ongoing project portfolios for clients.
  • New role: starting a new role managing a Global Program Management Office.
  • New job, new company: after almost eight years at my old company I took a leap and joined a new company.
  • New role, same company: a few months ago, I started a new position with different responsibilities at the new company.
 
5 Lessons I learned about reinventing yourself in your Career
 
Lesson #1: You don't have to do the same thing for life
Especially when I lived in Germany, it was quite common to see people who have had the same job or worked for the same company for close to 20 years. Somehow, I could not imagine being in the same company for that long. I like the stability that being in the same company offers you. However, I also wanted to enjoy the comfort of knowing your company and environment. Moving to the US, especially here in Silicon Valley, people typically spend less than two years in one role. I have learned the benefits of working in different roles and companies throughout of your career.
 
Question to consider
  • What new role or job have you been thinking about?
 
Lesson #2: Change in your career is good - embrace it
Embracing change is definitely something I am learning every day. Before the transitions, I typically feared the unknown and the upcoming changes to my life. Reflecting on my career, I have seen that the changes and transitions that I have been through have turned out good even when they were accidental and not planned.
 
Question to consider
  • What aspects of changing your career are you worried about?
 
Lesson #3: You need to keep learning
Throughout our careers, it is crucial to learn new skills and gather knowledge. When I prepare for transitions, I make sure I equip myself with a strong foundation for what is about to come. Over time as I learn more about my new role, I take trainings and read more about the areas where I have knowledge gaps. Continuous learning has helped make my transitions more successful.
 
Question to consider
  • What new skills do you want to learn?
 
Lesson #4: Be open to explore different jobs and roles
Sometimes new roles or jobs don't look perfect initially, or you may feel like you're not ready. In my experience, the most significant growth I have seen in my career has come from the roles I did not feel totally prepared for. I turned down one particular position multiple times, and when I accepted it, I was pleasantly shocked by the great results.
 
Question to consider
  • What new roles and jobs do you want to read more about?
 
Lesson #5: Have a career plan
Being intentional about your career growth is crucial. There are some career changes that you can plan and prepare for. Especially if you are planning to change jobs, you have the opportunity to start planning the steps you want to take to achieve your career goals. I have learned to always plan and prepare for the next step in my career.
 
Question to consider
  • What is the next step for you on your career journey?
 
Call to Action
  • What new role or job are you going to start preparing for? Get ready for your transition.
  • How can you be more successful in your next transition? Plan for success.
 
Final Thoughts
  • Career transitions are a crucial part of your career development and growth.
  • You have the power to change a transition that started negatively to good.
  • See transitions as a way to reinvent yourself.
 
Great Resources
  • [Podcast] Career Transitions
  • Ready for a re-do? 5 tips to reinvent your career at any stage of life
  • 5 Essential Tips To Reinvent Your Career
  • 10 skills you already have that can reinvent your career
  • Five Ways To Reinvent Your Job When You Can’t Change Your Job Title
  • How to Survive the 4 Types of Career Transitions Everyone Goes Through
  • Understanding Your Career Transition
0 Comments

Video: 5 things I wish I knew earlier in my Career

24/8/2019

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Celebrating Career Milestones

20/8/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
In a few days, I'll be celebrating my first anniversary at my new job. Marking this significant point on my journey, got me thinking about my experiences in the last year and other significant career milestones.

In this blog post, I will share some of my most memorable career milestones and the lessons I learned along the way. Also, check out my previous post titled "Celebrate your professional achievements" to learn five simple ways you can start celebrating your accomplishments.

Starting point
We are accustomed to celebrating some typical milestones such as birthdays and landmark anniversaries. In my experience, we do not spend enough time thinking about the crucial points in our careers.

MC's Story
Let me take you on a journey of some of my memorable career milestones:

My first paid part-time job
Although it was over 18 years ago, I can still remember the first twenty euros I made. The excitement of being able to do something I enjoyed, support someone, and get paid was immeasurable. This experience kicked off my career and taught me some many valuable lessons.

Lessons Learned
  • Taking responsibility for a task and putting in the work can have financial benefits.

Getting my first Internship
Throughout my time at University, I wanted to go into the industry and take a job that let me see how I could use the skills I had learned. And in summer 2009, I had the great opportunity for my first internship at a Bank in Luxembourg. This was my first practical introduction to project management.

Lessons Learned
  • Ask many questions and learn what you need to know to build the career you want.

Starting first full-time job
I can still remember when I interviewed for jobs after I finished my first degree. And after a few months, I received my first offer for my full-time job as a Project Manager in a Digital Agency. Thinking back, I did not know what I was getting into. I learned a lot of excellent skills in the years that followed.

Lessons Learned
  • You have something great to offer, don't underestimate yourself.

Getting my first big promotion
Doing great work was a priority for me. After a few years of being a great contributor to the company, I got my first promotion. I now appreciate the fact that back then putting in great work was what got me a promotion. It definitely gets more complicated as you progress in your career.

Lessons Learned
  • Work hard and learn new skills to get to the next level.

Moving to work in a new country
When we move to a new country, we typically focus more on settling in from a personal life perspective. I had a unique situation that I started working in the US only two days after I moved here. I remember the first day I walked into my new project assignment in a new country. It marked the start of the most substantial growth I have experienced in my career.

Lessons Learned
  • Change and transitions in your career can bring many growth opportunities.

Working on projects with much responsibility
A few years ago, I was asked to lead a Global Project Management Office. Initially, I rejected the offer because I felt I was not ready, and I did not want to travel for work. Thankfully, they offered me the job about two months later, and I took it. This move in my career set me up for the more significant opportunities and took me to places I would never have been if I did not take the leap.

Lessons Learned
  • You grow more when you take significant risks in your career.

Working at a new company
After working at my last company for almost eights years, I made the transition to a new company. Thinking back to my first day at the new job, I was very excited to be starting a new phase of my career journey. And now, it's been a year already, and I'm in my second role, I am looking forward to seeing where my journey goes next.

Lessons Learned
  • Know where you want to go in your career and work towards it.

Final Thoughts
  • Write your own career story - tell the story you want people to remember.
  • Own your career development - don't depend on others.
  • Celebrate your wins and accomplishments.

Call to Action
  • What are some of the career milestones you are most proud of?
  • How do you plan to celebrate your career milestones moving forward?

Great Resources
  • 25 Career Milestones Worth Celebrating
  • 12 Little Milestones You Should Be Celebrating at Work
  • 4 Career Milestones You Think Will Make You Happy (and What Actually Will)
  • 15 Career Milestones Everyone Should Reach by Age 30
  • 3 Pivotal Career Milestones and What I Learned From Them
1 Comment

Telling your Career story

25/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Do you know how to tell a compelling story about your Career?
 
Over the past months, I have been interviewing for a new role at my company. Going through the process, I had the opportunity to tell my Career story to a new set of people I networked or interviewed with. Sharing my story has been something I had struggled with in the past but have been learning to do over the past two years since I launched my blog.
 
In this post, we will explore the benefits of telling your career story, some aspects you can include to make it a compelling story and five steps to create your own career story today.
 
Why is it important to have and share your Career story?
  • Helps you introduce yourself in interviews and when you meet people for the first time.
  • Helps people get to know you better through your lens.
  • Provides you with the opportunity to share lessons and motivate others.
  • Helps people connect with you professionally especially through similar experiences.
  • Reminds you of how amazing you are : )
 
What can you include in your Career story?
Some components of a great career story are
  • Your qualifications - degrees, certifications, trainings.
  • Success Stories - accomplishments, awards.
  • Challenges you faced - lowlights, areas of improvement.
  • Your passions - topics that excite you, work you do outside work.
  • Your unique selling point – traits or experiences that make you different from others.
 
How to prepare yourself to tell your story
 
Step 1: Take stock of your career
Take time to reflect on your career. Think about some of the accomplishments you have had, situations where you overcame challenges, skills you gathered, and your unique selling points.  This activity may take a while and feel painful. However, the reward will be worth it.
 
MC's Tip: Do some research and see how other people tell their career stories.
 
Step 2: Write it down
Writing down your career story brings it to life.  Remember, at this point, it is more important to write down your first thoughts. Your story will be refined and tweaked in the next steps. The best stories are honest and authentic.
 
MC's Tip: Get your raw thoughts on paper. Don't edit yourself.
 
Step 3: Gather feedback
As part of the process of perfecting your story, it's crucial to test it by sharing with people around you. Select a few people who know you very well and others who know some of your work to get their feedback.
 
MC's Tip: Practicing with real people will give you additional data points to make your story better.
 
Step 4: Share it with everyone
A story gets better as you share it with more people. Be prepared to share your story at any time with people you meet at networking events, interviews, mentors, or sponsors. When people hear a compelling story, they never forget it.   
 
MC's Tip: Take every opportunity you get to share your story.
 
Step 5: Tweak and update
As you share your story, you will recognize areas that people find exciting and what you can improve. Take the time to evaluate the quality of your story and make it better. Success is when you can convey the aspects of your story that you want to share, and people are resonating with your story.
 
MC's Tip: Continuously craft and improve your story. It's an ongoing process.
 
Call to Action
What have been some highlights in your career? Highlight your accomplishments.
What are some unique aspects of your career so far? Highlight your unique selling points.
 
Final Thoughts
  • Own your narrative - tell the story you want people to remember
  • Be bold - share your story with everyone.
  • You have a unique story to tell that no one else can!
 
Great Resources
  • 7 Elements of a Juicy Career Story
  • The Right Way To Tell Your Career Story
  • Stop Rambling! How to Tell a Concise, Compelling Career Story in an Interview
  • 7 Candid Career Stories That'll Motivate You to Kick Ass in 2018
  • The Key to Career Growth: Surround Yourself with People Who Will Push You
  • Make Your Career a Success by Your Own Measure
 
0 Comments

VIDEO: In the News| Picture a leader

11/5/2019

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Reflecting on your Career

19/3/2019

1 Comment

 
Picture
How often do you make time to reflect on your career?  
 
Navigating our careers and being successful requires action on our part. Reflecting is an easy way for you to gather some insights on what you want to start, continue or stop doing to get to the next career level. 
 
In this post we will reflect on your career so far, start planning for the future and discover a tool to help you build the career you want. This is one of the posts where you would have to take notes to get the most value.  
 
Why is it important to reflect on your career? 
The benefits of making time for reflection include: 
  1. Helps you get clarity of what you want and what you don't want. 
  2. Helps you be more aware of your professional strengths and weaknesses. 
  3. Reminds you of your achievements. 
  4. Gives you the opportunity to identify lessons learned on your journey. 
  5. Equips you with tools to boost your career. 

Reflection Questions 
What aspects of your career have you found most rewarding and why? 
Think about your fondest work memories. Reflect on what made those experiences so special and great. Reflect on the work assignments that brought you joy. 
 
What keeps you excited about your field of work? 
Reminding yourself of the reason you decided to take the career path you are on, is something you should do more often. It is easy to forget the passion you once had. 
 
What are your career-related fears? 
Reflecting on what has been holding you back from making those bold career moves is very important. Especially if you would like to see different results and achieve your career goals, knowing your fears allows you to address them.  
 
How do you prioritize your career growth/development? 
The concept of owning your career development is one that I talk about frequently. Making a conscious effort and investing in your career development should be a priority for you. Discover more practical tips in my previous blog post "Own your career development".  
 
Who influenced you in your career? 
Surrounding yourself with great peers, mentors and sponsors is essential to build a great career. Think back on the people that have played a small or large role in your career. 
 
What's the best career advice you ever received and how has it changed your career outlook? 
Think back on some of the great things you heard along the way that helped in your career. It could come from people, books, trainings or other sources. Write it down and share with others. 
 
What are your greatest professional goals or objectives? 
Knowing what you want to achieve in your career will play a huge role in your satisfaction and help you plan for the career future you want. Having a career plan will help you on your journey. 
 
Tools in your Toolkit - Create your Career Journal 
To make it easier to reflect on your career moving forward, start writing things down as you go.  A few years ago I started writing things down mainly in preparation for conversations with my managers to ensure I did not miss any important details about my work. Recently, I made a slight change and started my weekly career journal. It may sound like as big task, but it is not. I dedicate about an hour every Thursday evening or Friday morning to document what I worked on, my highlights and lowlights from the week. This consistent practice helps me reflect on the week, celebrate my achievements, identify things I want to change and plan for the next week. 
 
MC's Story 
I recently transitioned to a new job. At the start of my job search, it was important to me that I had better experiences than in my previous job. At this stage I had a mixed portfolio of achievements and failures. I had learned lessons on what I wanted to do more of and what I did not want to do. 
Reflecting on my career provided clarity in the following ways: 
  • Knowing when it was time to leave my company: In the 8 years of working there, I had many phases when I wanted to quit. However this time was different and I started preparing myself. 
  • Searching for new positions: while I read through many job postings I was able to filter out jobs I really wanted and others I would have settled for. 
  • Interviewing for great positions: I interviewed at four companies and spoke to almost 20 people. Reflecting on my career helped me speak about my achievements clearly, highlight my strengths and ask for what was important to me. 
  • Starting a new job: being very aware of my career goals and aspirations helped me strive for more and not settle. I prioritized finding ways to navigate my new company because I knew what I wanted. 
 
Call to Action 
What are the three biggest lessons you have learned in your career so far? Learn from your past experiences. 
What are you working towards this year? Identify your career goals and plan action. 
 
Final Thoughts 
  • To build the career you want, make time to reflect and plan. 
  • Implement the lessons you have learned and prioritize growth. 
  • Don't neglect a huge part of your life. Your career is important. 
 
Great Resources 
  • Want to Keep Moving Forward? You Better Know the Answers to These Key Questions 
  • These Simple Self Reflection Exercises Will Repower Your Career 
  • The 15-Minute-a-Day Habit That Can Boost Your Career 
  • Want to Get Better at Your Job? Build in Time to Reflect 
  • Five Career Reflections To End This Year Strong And Get A Running Start On Next Year 
  • You better reflect on your career: a starter’s guide 
  • Career Coach: Looking back to look ahead in your career ​
1 Comment

5 Things you should do at Work in 2019

29/1/2019

0 Comments

 
"Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible."- Francis of Assisi
Picture
After the long holidays, we are all now back to work. Some of us are having a great time, while others are not happy to wake up and go to work every day. With the amount of time we spend at work, I firmly believe that we need to enjoy work more. Thinking beyond your day to day job and more about finding fulfillment on your career journey will broaden your perspective.

Studies show that about 60% of women like to set career goals for themselves and 74% of women globally in junior or middle manager level positions expressed aspirations of reaching senior or executive leadership ranks within their organization. To get desired results in your career, you need to act.

Career growth should be on your list of goals for 2019. Continuing our thoughts on what we can do for ourselves, let's prioritize growing our careers and taking action. In this blog post, we will explore ways you can ensure you get the results you want at work.

Own your career development
To continuously grow in your career, it is essential to have a career development plan. Think about what you want to achieve in your career in the short, mid and long term. It is a missed opportunity to take the approach of "let's see where my career takes me" or “ I’ll see what my company will do for me.” Take an active approach to discovering where you want to be and working towards it. Learn more practical ways to Own your career development from my previous blog post. Remember that you are responsible for building the great career you desire and that it is possible.

Talk about your work
A great way to show your value and contribution is to make your work visible. Many women I talk to struggle with talking about the great work they are doing and their unique contribution to their company. Practice sharing highlights of what you are working on at any opportunity you get at work. Share some lessons you learned and the great results you have produced. If you aspire to get more recognition for your work, start talking about your accomplishments today. Discover more ways to Celebrate your professional achievements.

Find Mentors and Sponsors
Identifying the people who can serve as advocates and support you with your career development is a great contributor to your career growth. You need a mentor who will give friendly advice, build relationships and help you improve. A sponsor, on the other hand, can support you to get to the next level and help you get ahead. In a previous blog post titled How to find professional Sponsors, I shared some practical tips that can assist you on your quest. An additional piece of advice that I would like to share; seek out mentors and sponsors way before you need them and invest time in building relationships. The more they know about you and your work, the better they can support you.

Build your network
Having a community of people who are working on developing their careers will help you propel your career. Sometimes networking sounds daunting because we think of growing a massive network of people rather than making connections with our peers and industry partners. Great ways to start building your professional network include attending events, conferences, talks, and trainings. Discover more practical tips from my blog post How to build a professional network.

Seek out new opportunities
To find fulfilling work, you may need to look outside your day to day responsibilities for new opportunities. An essential part of women's satisfaction at work comes from doing more meaningful work and having opportunities to make a difference. Seek out work that provides you some satisfaction and growth opportunities. Depending on where you work, this may be a gradual process, be patient and persistent. Explore more tips on How to take Initiative at work from my previous blog post.

Call to Action
Where do you want to go in your career? Write down 3 things you want to achieve at work over the next year and 3 more longer-term career goals. Take a step today.

Final Thoughts
  • You can build the career you want - develop it one step at a time.
  • Knowing your career goals will guide you to seek out the opportunities that will get you where you want to be.
  • You have something unique to contribute at work - show it.

Great Resources
  • 10 Brené Brown Quotes to Inspire Success and Happiness at Work
  • The Four Keys to Happiness at Work
  • How to Be Happier at Work, According to Scientific Studies
  • Finding Happiness at Work
  • 37 Ways to Be Happier at Work ASAP
  • 13 ways you can be happier at work, according to career experts
  • 15 Proven Tips to Be Happy at Work
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Picture

    Author

    Marie-Christin Anthony
    -Learning and sharing

      GET the monthly newsletter

    Subscribe to Newsletter

    Categories

    All
    Events
    General
    Her Career
    Her Finances
    Her Growth
    Her Plan
    Her Relocation
    Her Story
    Her Toolkit

    Archives

    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018

    RSS Feed

    JOIN THE LIST

Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Toolkit
  • Groups
    • Group Insights
    • Group Intake