Career Growth Made Simple

Uncomplicate your next steps with this one question

Make things easier for yourself. That's Kendra Adachi’s “Lazy Genius” way. And I’m here for it. Late to the party on the 2020 read, Adachi provides a simple system to be a genius about what matters and lazy about what doesn’t. Applied to all areas of life from your silverware drawer to your closet, I’m ready to apply her magic to kill career development overwhelm. 

Walk with me as we explore how her ONE question will take the panic out of job search to uncomplicate your career growth. 

So if (or when) a RIF surprise hits or THE opportunity of a lifetime crosses your desk, you're ready. And better yet, you are calm, cool and collected rather than succumbing to the harried scramble you know, oh so well.

THE MAGIC QUESTION

Enough lead in already, right? Let’s get to it. Do you know Kendra Adachi’s go-to Q? I didn’t either, until now. Drum roll, please: 

What can I do now to make life easier later?

In essence, consider how you can prepare for what’s to come to curtail challenges in the future. Now, let’s adapt the "magic" for our career purposes (Thanks, Kendra!)

Think: What can I do now to make my career advancement easier later? 

There is no trickery here. You know you best. So while we all can apply this question to our work, answers will vary. So don’t get stuck in finding the “right” path here. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all clothing line. Define what matters for your career and enlist any number of the following tactics to get ahead now for the future you (without making it a WHOLE thing).

Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash

CAREER CLARITY

Note your skills.

Make a mental note (or jot it down digitally) of the skills you enjoy using day-to-day. This short list will help you determine your must-have skills you want to employ in your forward career direction. Your detective work will help you match your skills to roles as you consider your future career options.

Know your top 5.

Values change over time. Revisit your priorities and what is important to you. Note your top five non-negotiable values. This will act as a decision-making framework to vet companies and future roles.

Declare mountain top moments.

What problems are you solving when you feel that on-top-of-world, Leo and Kate, Titanic moment? Note when you are feeling the most alive in your work to ensure those sticking points are par for the course in your new career trajectory.

PERSONAL BRANDING

SWOT yourself.

Remember the diamond marketing slogan, Frost Yourself, from the classic romcom, "How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days?" Instead: SWOT yourself. I know. It isn’t as sexy, but it works in helping you nail down internal and external opportunities, strengths, weaknesses and threats. We are accustomed to doing this exercise for our department or company. Now it’s your turn.

Flip the script on weird. 

When you feel like you stick out like a sore thumb, don’t beat yourself down. Instead, flip the script and see your strength in it. Your difference makes you, well, different. Note how it can (or does) help you in the work you love. 

Ask for feedback.

Survey trusted people in your life (personal, volunteer, work, etc.) to get at how they naturally see your best traits, strengths and the problems you solve. Collect their responses and notice the themes and commonalities that hint at what makes you unique.

RESUME

Create a brag file.

Rally work successes and evidence of your performance in a brag file. I’m talking about an email folder, Google drive or notebook where you collect your performance reviews, kudos and work wins. Our memories are short so make it easy on yourself to jog your memory of your impact.

Design a clear format.

Create a resume format that makes your blend of experience shine. Uniform formatting across your work experience makes it is easy to revisit and update. 

Revisit your file quarterly.

Check in with your document like you would a family member. Update her on your newest wins and gosh darn, it, be specific about it! Make sure the file matches up with who you are now, so it’s just minutes away from pressing send.

COMPANY RESEARCH

Start a list.

It’s that simple. Start a Word doc or note on your phone of companies that interest you. Start with one or two organizations. Then, as your work and conversations evolve, you have a designated place to mind dump companies that matter to you. 

Let the internet work for you.

Keep companies that interest you on your radar. It’s as easy as pressing follow or subscribe on LinkedIn, podcasts and/or Youtube content. You can also set the company name as a Google Alert so trending information about the company comes straight to your inbox.

Sniff out alumni. 

As your company list evolves, check out who you know that works at companies that interest you. Better yet, who you want to know (more on that later). Use LinkedIn’s alumni feature to uncover links to the org and your beloved alma mater for inside information.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

NETWORKING

Establish a LinkedIn Habit.

Dust off your profile and start engaging with people on the professional platform. It’s as easy as setting aside 15 minutes at the start of your day and 15 minutes at the end of your work day. If that seems like too much, work up to it. Start with one comment or five minutes. Warm up those chops with comments that add value to conversations (and people) that interest you.

Have conversations.

That’s it! Ask people to talk with you. Reconnect with past colleagues, old sorority sisters or college roommates. Chat with people at church, at your kids’ sporting events or as you walk your dog in the neighborhood. Be intentional about having meaningful conversations. If that freaks you out, start with hello and see where it takes you. 

Employ the ‘other’ MAGIC question (yes, there are two).

This is the ‘I know a guy mentality.’ It’s as easy as ending a conversation, with one simple question: “Who else should I talk to ?” Whether it's knowing where to buy a certain product or getting inside industry information, this question organically expands who you know, therefore expanding (and cultivating) your network.

UPSKILLING

Identify your gaps.

We all have areas we need to work on personally and professionally. And gosh, as women, we don’t often need to be reminded. Write down your areas to develop and leave it at that.

Create a professional development wish list.

Who doesn’t love a good Amazon wishlist? Do the same for your professional development. You never know when you’ll have the time, funds or opportunity to do them. It can be as simple as bookmarking LinkedIn Learning courses or learning the requirements for an advanced credential. Consider a ‘people’ wishlist, too. Write down names of people who have the skills you want to develop. Then, reach out with the intention of being a student of their experience and career path.

Practice.

Keep your eyes out for opportunities to practice. Whether it is a stretch assignment at work or a volunteer gig, take advantage. Sometimes having awareness gives us the eyes for new opportunities.

If you haven’t gotten the memo yet, the little things ARE the big things. When you are smart about what matters to you (and infuse small ways to pursue those), you give your future self a head start sans stress. So, get to it!