Last week, we examined the question "H𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗷𝗼𝗯 𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗹𝗲? “

Just as we discussed in Part 1 of this series, it’s important to expand the ideas of what we mean by development or growth opportunities to something beyond a course or certification.

This growth may also focus on the ways of how we show we’re adding value.

It’s more than just doing what’s expected of you, and more about the impact you have on your profession, or even, the broader environment in which you work.

Many clients I work with struggle a bit when thinking about their impact.

Some speak in generalities about what they might be good at or hesitate a bit when pinpointing what unique or stellar thing they bring to a team or work setting.

They don’t necessarily think about how the group would be affected had they not been involved.

Does their presence make a noticeable difference, with others recognizing that their absence would have an effect on the way a project is going?

Or does the way they’re showing up on the job leave others ambivalent to their contributions?

Figuring out how you add value professionally helps amplify your reputation for success.

However, it also helps you build a specific quality of excellence or behavior associated with your professional contributions.

A lot of times, professionals feel that adding value equates with knowing many technical or hard skills.

➡️ While hard skills may serve as a way to add value, it’s likely not the only one.

Understanding how your influence and presence impacts teams, processes, and organizations for the better can take many forms.

Still not sure? Here are a few ways you might have overlooked:

• You're a Planner: You’re known to always go the extra mile with preparation, anticipating multiple scenarios and building the plan to succeed regardless of what comes your way.
• You're an Innovator: Offering new ideas that offer an unexpected, fresh take comes easy to you, and are often embraced or explored by those around you as viable ways to solve a challenge.
• You're an Analyzer: You’re able to digest complex ideas and processes quickly, easily identifying what’s at stake or the bottom-line scenario for all those involved. You automatically go beyond getting the surface-level, sound-byte only understanding of these tricky issues and understand issues deeply and critically.
• You're a Communicator: You’re able to express complicated or difficult messages with ease, leaving those involved in the interaction feeling positive, respected, and involved.
• You're a Mediator: You’re a peaceful presence when tensions run high and are often called upon to be involved to smooth out the conversation in a conflict or challenge unrelated to you.

Whatever way you’re known to show up professionally, keep working on your skills and talents so that it continues to reach the highest levels possible.

It might be tempting to be satisfied with knowing others see us as ‘pretty good’ at a certain skill.

However, when it comes to adding value, good is only the beginning.

Strive for excellence in your area of talent or expertise.

Sure, it demands depth, persistence, and deliberate practice – but it also sets you apart from others with the same solid skill. With excellence, you’ll be positioned as a reliable, go-to person in your field.

Pursuing excellence is a long game.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about consistent elevation.

Striving for this level of performance fuels your career momentum, builds your reputation, and adds value in changing landscapes and job markets. Ultimately, it will help you create opportunities that align with your highest potential and keep building your career.

The #1 Question I'm Asked About Career Coaching

Last Updated: 6/05/2024

I’ve been asked this question more than any other when people find out that I’m a Career Coach:

They point to the many websites, articles, blog posts, workshops, and webinars available out there on the trusty interwebs.

I’ve even had college-aged relatives remind me of the amount of support they get through their own universities, including that they talk to their peers about ideal salary expectations, or that there are student business groups that share resume templates that have worked or do mock interviews with one another.

And of course, many professionals mention that they’ve been able to land jobs on their own, enter salary discussions and negotiate counter offers successfully. They state that first-hand experience itself serves as a valuable template to advancing their careers.

How To Talk About Money in An Interview:
What To Do Before The Meeting

Last Updated: 4/24/2024

We're taking a deep dive into the topic of money, specifically in relation to your professional growth and career development. This comes as part of our open-door series for  The Move Up Mindset Career Community we’re doing in January and February. Normally, these sessions are exclusive to our premiere members, but we've opened up the doors a bit this month for everyone interested.

As a hiring expert with over two decades of experience in talent acquisition, recruitment, and sourcing, I've seen and learned a lot when it comes to discussion about money, which is always among the most popular topics asked by professionals and job seekers.

Here is a recap of the three things you need to do BEFORE you start talking about salaries, money in an interview setting:

1. Do Your Due Diligence

It's crucial to do your due diligence before these discussions. When I talk about research, I don't mean just scouring a couple of popular websites. The research should be multifaceted, encompassing different data points and perspectives. It also involves having open conversations about salary expectations with various people in your professional circle. Interestingly, I've observed a shift over the past decade or so, where people are more candid about their earnings and financial expectations, which I think is great.

However, while talking to friends and peers is good, it's also crucial to get informed perspectives from mentors, previous managers, or third-party recruiters who have an intimate understanding of salary ranges. It's also worth checking out online courses on money and interview preparation like the one in the Move Up Mindset career community.

2. The Need for Holistic Research

As you research, ensure you're using both anonymized and verified sources of information. Websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed which provide anonymized information are handy, but remember to corroborate this information with verified sources. Utilize websites that give verified data points from wage surveys across industries and public sources for federal and academic institutions.

3. Self-Reflection and Practice: The Two Hidden Keys

Another crucial aspect of preparation is self-reflection. Understand what you value in terms of compensation. Consider not just the monetary aspect, but also other attributes like time off, job satisfaction, learning opportunities, and more.

Lastly, practice the conversation. This is an overlooked part of the process, but it can make all the difference. Try a mock interview with someone who can give you informed feedback. This could be a mentor, an HR specialist, or even a coach.

The Art of Advocacy

Negotiations can be tricky and often people feel sheepish about asking for more. However, you should always advocate for yourself. Remember, no one else will look out for your interests like you will. It's better to get it right upfront rather than trying to course-correct later.

As we wrap up, remember, you don't have to do this alone. Leverage the resources available to you, both within The Move Up Mindset Career Community (click to learn more here & sign up for our premiere Membership) and beyond. And as always, feel free to ask questions, share your experiences, and let's navigate this journey together.

Written by Mary Despe

Nailing Your Job Interview: The Y3P Career Blueprint Approach

Last Updated: 1/24/2024

Hello again, we’re sharing some content that we’ve developed for The Move Up Mindset Career Blueprint course, out on Teachable, focusing on performance, specifically as it relates to interviews. 

Our philosophy is that career advancement is a journey. We call this the Y3P Career Blueprint—Y representing You or your personal brand, and P standing for Portfolio. In this course, we're looking at performance and later cover another crucial area: People. We know that there are many dimensions to performance as you navigate your career, but in this foundational course, we'll focus on preparing for interviews. 

If you've taken other classes with us, you'll know we're big into reflection and preparation. This course is no exception. Before launching into your interview preparation, it's essential to understand your current interview performance. It's always beneficial to evaluate how you fare in these types of situations. 

We'll be guiding you through aspects to consider as part of your routine, before, during, and after the interview. One tool that can be immensely helpful is conducting a SWOT analysis on yourself. If you're unfamiliar, a SWOT analysis is a framework that evaluates the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to an idea or opportunity we hope to bring to market. In this case, we're applying it to your candidacy for job opportunities. For many, the concept of comparing their background with others in the open market or candidate pool might seem uncomfortable. 

However, this comparative analysis can provide valuable insights into how your profile aligns with what a company might be looking for. This process might reveal areas of improvement or uncover attributes that you can highlight during the interview. In addition to SWOT analysis, it's crucial to continually review your accomplishments, receive and reflect on feedback, and keep your professional reputation at the forefront of your mind during your interview preparation. 

Some candidates have found it helpful to journal their interview experiences, noting reactions to their responses, body language, and the types of follow-up questions asked. This course aims to provide comprehensive support and guidance as you prepare for job interviews. We want to hear from you! What has worked well for you in interviews? What areas do you feel need improvement? Please feel free to share your experiences and thoughts either in the comments below or via direct message. Happy learning!

Written by Mary Despe

3. Be Mindful of the Questions You Ask

Avoid leading with questions about the company perks or benefits. Instead, focus your questions on the work, the team, potential projects, and expectations for the role. Questions about benefits are not off-limits, but they should not dominate your query list.

4. Be Conscious of How Your Questions May Be Perceived

Be careful to avoid questions that may suggest you're not fully committed to the role or the company. It's important not to seem overly eager for promotion or greater compensation before you've even started the role. It’s good to ask about progression opportunities, but don’t make this the focus of your questions.

5. Avoid Filler Questions

Finally, avoid asking questions just for the sake of it. A common mistake is asking if there's anything on your resume that would prevent you from getting the job. Not only does this provide little valuable information, it can also come across as a roundabout way of asking if you're about to be offered the job.

In conclusion, the key to successful interviewing is to demonstrate your professionalism, ask meaningful questions, and leave a positive impression that aligns with the role you're excited to take on.

As always, I'd love to hear your thoughts or any go-to questions you might have. Thanks so much for tuning in!

Written by Mary Despe

Portfolio: Documenting Your Expertise

The first 'P' of the Y3P model signifies 'Portfolio'. This component encompasses the tangible proof of your skills and experience - your resume, your LinkedIn profile, your personal website, and other representations of your expertise. Your portfolio is like a visual storybook, showcasing your professional journey and demonstrating the depth of your knowledge and abilities.

Performance: The Proof of Your Professionalism

The second 'P' stands for 'Performance'. This measure stretches beyond your job performance and includes your conduct in various scenarios like job interviews, contributing to teams, participating in community groups, or speaking at industry conferences. Your performance is a multi-faceted element, reflecting not only your primary technical skills but also your ‘soft skills’ like interpersonal communication and your ability to function within a team dynamic.

People: Building Your Professional Network

The final 'P' in the Y3P blueprint represents 'People', denoting the relationships and connections within your professional network. The company you keep can significantly influence your career trajectory, so we emphasize the importance of nurturing these relationships. This part of the blueprint covers networking strategies, both offline and online, and the importance of maintaining long-term relationships. We also discuss the idea of a 'personal board of advisors', a network of individuals who can provide diverse perspectives and guidance for your career progression.

The Y3P Career Blueprint is flexible and adaptable to all stages of your career. Whether you're a fresh graduate or a seasoned professional, these four components remain essential, though the challenges within each area may differ. Striving to achieve a balance in all these areas will surely set you on the path to success in your professional journey.

Written by Mary Despe