Technology is converging with the career development process, and it has a lot of people wondering about what they need to do to find new opportunities and advance their careers.
Social and professional networking sites, blogs, online professional portfolios, video resumes, niche job boards/resume sites…..it’s beginning to look like a full time job to manage your own career. But before you jump in to ‘join’ the evolution of online career management, step back to some of the key basics that transcend technology.
1. Know thyself, really well.
This isn’t a one time ‘assessment’, it is the ongoing process of paying attention to who you are, what you need, and what you have to offer. Knowledge and skills, of course. Personal characteristics, style, interests, values, desired environment, and the needs of the other roles you play in life must all be clear to you before you ‘expose’ yourself online.
2. Branding is not just for cornflakes or doggies.
Create your professional ‘brand’ and use it as a theme for all you do online. Think of the one or two messages you want to communicate about the professional you. Forget the resume, and all the other materials you might have written. If someone needs to have you describe yourself, or your value, in one or two phrases what would they be? Develop these core messages, and think about how you communicate them both verbally and non verbally.
3. Focus on your Value Proposition rather than resume.
Sure, you need a resume. Too many people write a resume as if it were a laundry list of all they’ve ever done. Instead, before you write anything, keep a running list of the ‘needs’ of your target audience (prospective employers, coworkers, boss, customers) and how you can contribute to meeting those needs. What is it about what you’ve done, what you know, who you are that will meet these needs? If you do this, and maintain it over time, writing a resume becomes very easy.
4. Know who knows where the money is, go where the money is.
It’s not enough to be extremely talented and valuable if the people with the bucks don’t know you’re out there. Network network network, and have a strategy of where you’ll be visible (both online and in terra firma) and stick to a regular schedule of exposure.
So whether you’re thinking video, second life, blog, or efolio, don’t forget the basics. If you’re going online for your career management and advancement, show your best.
Reprint Authorization: This article may be reprinted in it’s entirety provided no content is changed and links and author information are included.
