You know you need the PMP certification training to get that next promotion at work. However, finding the time to study isn’t easy. Then you have to face the question of which resources to leverage. Let’s cut through the complexity by looking at a few simple ways to get PMP certified faster.

1) Know Your Why For PMP Certification

Take 5 minutes to journal about why you want to pursue this certification. Is it a prerequisite for your career goals? Do you want to fill in gaps in your knowledge? Take your time here – knowing your why is essential to staying motivated during your studies. Here are some popular reasons for taking the PMP:

• Career Advancement. As the PMP becomes a standard requirement, you may hit the ceiling on your career goals unless you earn the PMP certification.
• Increase Your Confidence. You probably have a few techniques you use to stay organized on your projects. However, personal organization tips and tricks are not enough to manage large projects. To operate at that scale, the tools and methods covered in the PMP certification will help.
• Maintain Competitiveness. If you skip investing in your career, you put yourself at a disadvantage. As the PMP becomes more popular in project management, it may not be optional.

Your Action Step: Take 5 minutes and write down 3-5 reasons why you are interested in earning the PMP certification.

2) Know The PMI Requirements Before You Apply

Do you know why the PMP certification is so widely respected in the market? It is challenging to obtain, and it requires considered work experience hours. Before we go any further, take the time to check if you are eligible for the certification.

Note: The PMP certification is administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). If you have a question on whether you are eligible, it is best to contact PMI directly.

• Work Experience. The amount of work experience required for the PMP depends on whether you have a degree. Take note that the application will ask for a detailed breakdown of your experience hours (4500-7500 hours) and contact information for references. Remember that PMI can audit your application and request proof from your references.
• Project Management Training. You must complete an accepted project management training course. Fortunately, there are many options available including intense weekend courses and online self-study courses.
• Application. You need to complete the PMP application. Once it is approved, you will have the option to schedule your PMP exam date.
• Exam. PMP certification exams are multiple choice tests based on the PMBOK Guide and other resources. The good news? Most major cities have several testing centers so you can choose a time that suits your schedule.

3) Leverage A Proven Study System

What was the last exam that you studied for and passed? If you are taking the PMP exam, your university years are probably a distant memory. With your career advancement goals on the line, do yourself a favor: use a proven study system. You could ask your coworkers for recommendations, but they may have taken the exam years ago in a classroom. Instead, I recommend looking for online options that fit with your schedule.

When you select a PMP certification training resource, look for the following features:

• Practice Exam Questions. Reading PMP exam books is helpful. How do you know if you are truly learning what you read? The only way to tell is to take a practice exam. The best PMP certification training providers include practice questions so you can evaluate your knowledge.
• Contact Hours. Under current PMI requirements, you must complete a certain amount of “contact hours” to be eligible to take the exam. Make sure the resource you choose fulfills this requirement.
• Case Studies. If you’re like me, you can only read the PMBOK Guide so much before you ask “how does this work in practice?” That’s why I recommend looking for industry case studies in your certification training.
• Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.). This special status quickly tells you whether or not a training provider has registered with PMI. If a PMP certification training has this status, it is a good sign you are working with a reliable provider.
• Training Format. In essence, you have two ways to take PMP training: online or in a classroom. I used both methods when I earned my PMP certification. If I had to do it all over again with limited resources, I would focus on an online course option.

4) Discuss Your Plans With Your Manager

If you have been following along so far, you have already made some substantial progress toward earning your PMP certification. Now it is time to reach out to your stakeholders at work. To keep this simple, let’s focus on your manager. I recommend scheduling a one on one meeting with your manager to discuss your PMP goals. Ask for their advice and support in pursuing your studies.

Note: If your organization tends to fund professional development, ask your manager for funding before you pay for anything.

5) Connect With Your PMI Chapter

Studying by yourself is critical to PMP certification success. To reinforce your learning, connecting with others is helpful. If your area has a PMI chapter, I recommend joining and asking about PMP study groups. Joining an in-person study group is an excellent way to grow your network while you learn.

Resource: Visit this webpage for a list of PMI local chapters to find one located near you.

6) Commit To A Study Schedule

In my first job, I used to try to squeeze professional development into my work day. When 4 pm arrived, I would open my materials and start studying. As you might guess, this studying approach was slow and didn’t work well. That’s why I recommend you commit to a study schedule. Skip TV twice per week or cut back on a volunteer role to give yourself the study time you need.

7) Leverage Deadlines By Scheduling Your Exam Date

Until you have a specific PMP certification exam date, your study efforts will be unfocused. That’s why I recommend scheduling your exam date as soon as you can. To the degree possible, schedule your exam to avoid known holiday plans, work busy periods and so forth. Once you have a date in mind, build a high-level schedule to organize your studies.

Here is a sample three month study schedule that assumes you have about 5-10 hours per week to study:

• Month 1. Complete your contact hours course. Read through the PMBOK Guide.
• Month 2. Complete two or more practice exams. Focus your studies on areas where you have low scores. Attend one study group session.
• Month 3. Write up your notes using The Feynman Technique for areas where you need to sharpen your understanding. Take more practice questions. Visit the exam location a few days in advance to confirm you know how to get there.

Project managers are known for their love of achievement and organization. Many project managers fail to plan one of the most important projects in their life: their project management career. That’s a huge mistake because most of us spend more of our waking hours at work than we do at home.

Jeff Allen, PMP Shares His Perspective On Earning The PMP Certification

Find out how to make the most of that time by using these four strategies to develop your career goals.

1) Search Within Your Past Job Experiences To Inform Your Next Step

Review your past job experiences and your goals to find your next step. This strategy is especially powerful once you have a few years of work experience.

Example: You loved the experience of mentoring new hires and selling the vision of new projects to management. You also have a goal to increase your income. One career path to combine these goals and strengths: start your own business focused on coaching and consulting.

Use these reflection questions:

• What frustrated you the most about the organization’s culture (e.g., work from home, limited professional development budgets)?
• What projects were you most proud of in this role and why?
• How did you feel about the job on Sunday nights? If you were inconsistent low spirits every Sunday night, that’s a warning sign you’re in the wrong job.

If you find yourself liking the fundamental nature of the work (e.g., leading technology projects) but disliking the organization, it is time to look at making a change.

2) Look At The Marketplace (Not Just The Job Boards)

Your needs and interests matter but they are not the whole story when it comes to careers. As you plan the next step to grow your project management career, there are a few considerations you need to keep in mind.

• Look At Promotion Notices. Does your company post promotion announcements to an internal website? If so, take the time to read through those notices. Specifically, look for patterns on who is promoted. For example, if you have your heart set on an executive role, you might notice that most executives have a master’s degree like an MBA and have a variety of different roles in their work history. You can then model those patterns in your career.
• Check In With Your Network. The majority of the best, highly paid jobs and business opportunities come through your network. Unfortunately, you are probably neglecting your contacts. To gain insight from your network, set up coffee meetings with two to four people you already know. The purpose is simple: ask them for their perspective on what skills and capabilities are in demand. You will receive the best insights if you focus your efforts on managers who have made or participated in a hiring decision in the past twelve months.

If your market research tells you that certifications and credentials are critical, we’ll show you how to take the next step.

3) Enhance Your Career With Project Management Certifications

When you earn a high-value certification like the Project Management Professional (PMP), you will experience a few benefits. You will start to have greater confidence in your decisions because you can use a proven methodology. Further, Project Management Institute research suggests professionals with PMI certifications tend to earn more than those who lack the certification.

If you want to earn a certification, use the following steps to get started.

• Choose Your Certification. While the PMP is the most project management certification, it is not the only option on the market. If you already have the PMP, you might consider pursuing another certification like the Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP).
• Check Your Eligibility. Before you get too excited about opening new doors in your career, you need to do your research. Visit the certification organization (e.g., PMI) website and review the eligibility requirements. You may require a specific combination of professional work experience, training and exam results to obtain a certification.
• Set Your Budget and Schedule. Once you find a relevant certification that you are qualified for, it is time to set your budget and schedule. For the PMP, I recommend setting your schedule as 12 months or less. The budget you use will depend on your circumstances, but you can probably earn the certification for less than $1,000.
• Seek Out Support. There are two places you can seek support. First, ask your manager if you can apply for funding for certification expenses and time to study. Second, ask for your family’s support and understanding as you take the time to study for the exam.

Now you might be asking yourself “how am I supposed to find time for all this when I already have a day job?” Let’s cover that challenge in the next section.

4) Start A 10% Personal Project To Get Growing

10 percent is all you need to make serious progress in your project management career. 10% of what? Let’s unpack the concept.

For the sake of discussion, assume you work a 40 hour work week. If you extend that workweek by 10% (i.e., add four hours), you will be able to make progress without driving yourself crazy.

Assuming you work a 9-5 schedule, here are a few ways you can add 4 hours to your program.

• The Morning Warrior. Set aside 1 hour in the morning on Monday-Thursday and work on your career. This approach works well if you are studying for a certification.
• The Networking Strategist. Start scheduling two lunches and a few coffee meetings each week to grow your network. For the best results, include existing contacts and people you want to meet.
• Leverage The Weekend. If your workweek is too chaotic, look at your weekends differently. When I studied for the PMP exam, I set aside time on weekend mornings to do practice PMP exams. The strategy worked well for me because it gave me uninterrupted time to do full practice exams.

Resource: Interested in starting your own project management business on the side? Check out The 10% Entrepreneur by Patrick McGinnis for advice on how to apply the 10% concept to starting a business.

Are four hours per week enough to achieve all of your career goals? Only you can tell for sure. If you want to make progress faster, you may need to set aside more time. This approach will be enough to get you going.

Image Source: Shutterstock

It’s the moment of truth in any career change: the job interview. You sweat. You prepare and hope for the best. But it usually feels like a black box.

That’s going to change with this article. Based on the excellent research from, “Pedigree: how elite students get elite jobs,” by Lauren A. Rivera, we’re going to break down job interviews.

During her PhD research at Harvard University, Rivera “went undercover” to find out how elite firms (high end law firms, consulting firms and financial firms) hire new staff from America’s top universities.

Do these insights apply to all hiring situations? I would say yes based on my personal experience and research. Of course, there are some nuances specific to the firms Rivera studied (e.g. the case interview in the management consulting industry).

Reporting From The Front Lines Of The Elite Job Market

In her excellent book, Rivera reports on how individuals at elite companies actually think and behave in hiring and recruiting. How? Rivera interviewed numerous profiessionals and personally worked in these firms during recruiting season. This book is the most detailed and robust explanation of how job interviews and hiring work in the wild I have ever seen.

Rivera describes the job interview as a four act process:

1. Icebreaking chitchat
2. Autobiographical Narrative
3. Technical Tests
4. A Question and Answer Period

You will learn how each step works in this article because knowing is half the battle!

Secret 1: Your Interviewer Probably Has No Training

Hiring decisions matter, especially in professional services firms that sell high priced labor. So you would expect plenty of time and attention would be applied to training interviewers? Rivera’s research on professionals at top firms finds the opposite:

Sociological accounts of hiring often portray hiring decisions – including interview evaluations – as being conducted by professionalized HR staff who have in-depth knowledge of interviewing techniques…However, in the firms that I studied, interviews were conducted almost exclusively by full-time revenue generating professionals who balanced recruitment responsibilities with full-time client responsibilities. Interviewing was a secondary responsibility for them… Because firms gave evaluators little guidance regarding what merit is and how they should measure it, identifying talent was largely up to each interviewer’s judgement.

That means that if you and friend both interview at the same company, you can expect quite different results. How so? Rivera founds that some interviewers rated candidates highly on “fit” if they happen to share the same hobbies (e.g. SCUBA diving or Varsity athletics).

Secret 2: Icebreaking Chitchat Matters More Than You Think In Job Interviews

As you walk down the hallway with the interviewer, the job interview is underway. How you talk about the news, the weather and more all factor into the impression you make. Here is how Rivera reports on this phase of the job interview:

The interviewers I spoke with often began by asking job candidates which they liked to do in their spare time. Yet this conversation was not “cheap talk”, tangential to the the evaluation process. It was the primary basis on which interviewers judged the key criterion of cultural fit… Firms, in essence, sought surface-level demographic diversity in applicant pools but deep-level cultural homogeneity in new hires.

Surprisingly, certain hobbies and interests were considered more “worthy” than others in this process. Having time and resources to indulge in fun is not always possible. Rivera points out: “Concerted cultivation of leisure is a hallmark of the more economically privileged social ranks.” The types of activities that evaluators participated in and valued were also those most commonly associated with white, upper-middle class culture.” If you leisure activities are expensive (e.g. golf), that is more likely to earn your bonus points. However, good leisure activities are not the only factor; your personal story matters as well.

Secret 3: Telling Your Story Is More Than “Just The Facts”

What comes to mind when someone asks you the typical job interview question, “Tell me about yourself.”

At first glance, this appears to be a highly personal question that could be answered in many different ways. In fact, there is right way to answer and a wrong way to answer. Rivera observes the key elements in crafting and delivering an effective autobiographical narrative in job interviews:

A strong narrative had two distinct but interrelated components: the applicant’s past experiences and his or her future trajectory. Interviewers used stories of the past to assess a candidate’s level of “drive,” an evaluative criterion that combined ambition and a strong work ethic. They used stories of the future to assess a candidates level of “interest” in a career with their firms.

Simply thinking about your relevant past experiences and plans for the future is a starting point but not enough. However, Rivera reports that HOW that narrative is delivered makes a big difference.

Not all candidates’ stories were equally successful in eliciting high marks on drive from evaluators. This is not surprising but it is problematic. It means that artful storytelling about one’s experiences is awarded greater weight than one’s actual experiences (enumerated on resumes) in job interviews.

What are the key elements of a successful story in a job interview?

• A series of decisions in a coherent, linear account
• an emotionally, exciting narrative
• a portrait of experiences similar to the interviewer OR a dramatic/unique story line.

Rivera goes on to point out that many job applicants struggle to excel with these expectations. For example, what if your choices reflected surprise opportunities, unexpected tragedies or other limitations? Based on my reading, it looks like candidates are likely to be rejected if their narrative contains anything other than a series of heroic triumphs.

Secret 4: Getting It Right On Technical Tests Still Matters

In some job interviews, you will be tested on technical skills. Years ago, I remember completing a series of tests (including written essays!) for a position in Canada’s civil service. I passed all the tests but did not succeed in the French language test. That level of evaluation in technical skills appears rare for the firms that Rivera studied.

Why?

There are two reasons for this lack of concern about technical skills. First, recruiters assume that elite colleges and universities, by virtue of their challenging admissions processes, have already selected highly intelligent students. Second, elite professional services firms are noted for their extensive training programs (i.e. you are not expected to be economically productive right away) so new hires are not expected to have job skills.

Let’s take an example from the consulting job interviews which stress the importance of case interviews:

Although case interviews incorporate the most systematic tests of job-relevant skills across the industries that I studied, their purpose was not to screen for previously acquired job-specific knowledge but rather to identify candidates who displayed a generalized knack for problem solving.

The discussion goes on to provide commentary on how interviewers perceived case interview answers. An effective answer has an explicit structure (e.g. 3-5 bullet points summarizing the main issues was considered ideal). One unexpected surprise? Candidates were sometimes rated favorably in this section based on structure and logic, even if there were errors in the detail of the analysis. In contrast, less organized answers – even with perfect math – often led to lower ratings.

Secret 5: Navigating The Question And Answer Period

Demonstrating interest in a company and profession help in job interviews. Rivera’s research found the following about asking questions during job interviews:

Like other acts of the interview, the Q&A was a ritualized interaction and good performance within it followed a particular script. First, the interviewee has to ask the interviewer something… Interviewers interpreted having questions about the firm or the job as evidence of genuine interests in the firm and an absence of queries as a sign that the candidate didn’t really want the job.

Asking questions in a job interview serves two purposes: obtaining information AND demonstrating your interest in the role. However, some questions are better than others. Here are some of Rivera’s further observations on that front:

A wrong question, though, probed the time commitments entailed by these jobs. For example, asking too many questions about travel demands or working hours made interviewers question applicants’ commitment to the job or the firm and their underlying personal character… Several female evaluators, mostly lawyers, reported having particularly negative reactions to applicants – primarily other women – who asked about work-life balance or family leave policies during the interview.

There’s nothing wrong with being curious about hours, travel and related points. These questions to be discovered through networking rather than a job interview. Ultimately, the Q&A portion is helpful but it does not overcome other parts of the interview. The one exception? Asking “bad” questions (e.g. about hours, benefits, pay) during a job interview tends to produce a negative reaction.

Question of The Day (Write Your Answer In A Comment!)

What have you learned to improve your job interview skills over time?

The art of networking is something that readers ask me about all the time. Usually, the question comes in the form of “how do I network to find a job?” That’s just one aspect of networking. In this article, you will find a wealth of material to aid you in building networking skills.

Networking Books

Get started with these networking books. I have read (or I’m working through!) all of these titles and have learned from all of them.

1. Networking With the Affluent by Thomas Stanley

After seeing this book recommended by several authors, I started to read it. It is excellent even though it was published in the 1990s. The book is directed at sales and marketing professionals yet it can be used by others if you apply some imagination. This book’s unique insight is to propose ways to add value to your network. One example  – enhance revenue! Before trying to sell someone, first provide introductions to customers for them. What an excellent idea.

2. Never Eat Alone, Expanded and Updated: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time by Keith Ferrazzi and Tahl Raz

If you are only willing to read one book on networking, it has to be this book. Informed by Ferrazi’s experience at Deloitte, Starwood Hotels and other research, there is much to be learned here. A great insight from the book is to develop a relationship action plan in order to meet your goals. I have read the book in print and listened to it twice via Audible.com. It’s that good.

3. Who’s Got Your Back: The Breakthrough Program to Build Deep, Trusting Relationships That Create Success–and Won’t Let You Fail by Keith Ferrazi

Do you have a small group of friends who can give you advice, support and accountability? That’s the central premise of this book. The book goes into practical suggestions on how to organize such a group and make it work effectively. After you start to master the basics of networking, “Who’s Got Your Back” will take you to the next level.

4. Little Black Book of Connections: 6.5 Assets for Networking Your Way to Rich Relationships by Jeffrey Gitomer 

Aimed at sales professionals, this short book is a fun approach to networking. There are lists, bullet points and other devices to make the book for easy reading. If you are looking for a quick introduction to networking, this is helpful. If you are not involved in sales, you will have more work to translate this book to your context.

5. How to Work a Room, 25th Anniversary Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Making Lasting Connections–In Person and Online by Susan RoAne

I discovered this book a few months ago when the author appeared on a podcast interview. What a great find. Making connections in person at events is one of the best ways to build your network. This book is filled with encouragement and great tips. You will find tips on questions to ask, conversation ideas and examples showing the power of events.

Networking Articles: Scripts, Cold Emails and Success Stories

Use the following articles to address specific networking problems. In some cases, all you need is a script. These resources will point you in the right direction.

6. All You Need to Know About High Level Networking: An Interview With Geoff Woods

Published earlier this year, Geoff Woods has reinvented his career from medical device sales to entrepreneurship. How? He changed his peer group, he went to the right conferences and started a podcast. What’s the key lesson I learned from him? Check out the answer to question 5.

7. Ramit’s definitive guide to building your network (with scripts)

Author of “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” Ramit Sethi offers actual scripts you can use in networking. Not sure what to write in an email to that impressive person? Start with these scripts. A key insight from this material? If you receive a piece of advice from a mentor or VIP, put it into action! Then send the person a follow up message describing your experience. That’s what Ramit calls “closing the loop.” Michael Ellsberg advocates for a similar practice in his book “The Education of Millionaires.”

8. 6 Steps to Writing Great Cold Emails

Cold calls have a bad reputation. Are “cold emails” any better? It all depends on your approach including your research and how much you think about the other person. In this article, entrepreneur Noah Kagan describes a cold email that he received that worked on him. Key insight here: “make it easy to say yes.” Ask a simple question or make a basic request – that’s how you start the connection.

9. How to Get Busy Influencers to Share Your Stuff

Some people are more influential than others. That’s why so many authors used to work hard to get onto Oprah’s TV show. Getting an endorsement from one influential person is a powerful way to advance your career or your company. How do you actually do that? In this article, author Tim Ferriss deconstructs a successful email pitch he received. Similar to the Noah Kagan article above, a key practice is to make it easy. If you want people to write a Tweet about you? Provide example Tweets to them so they can copy and paste. The article includes links to other helpful resources.

10. How I Hustled to Get the Perfect Job: From Tradecraft to Zumper

I read this article a few weeks ago and WOW. Ina Herlihy has dedication and gives you the details on how her job hunt. What’s her secret? Keep trying! Want to work at a company? Ask multiple people! Go to an event where you will see people from the company. Ina Herlihy also invested in herself by participating in an educational program called Tradecraft. Even if you’re not in Silicon Valley (I’m not), there is plenty of insight and inspiration to be drawn from this article.

11. Why You Need to Take 50 Coffee Meetings

When I interviewed Donald Asher last year, he encouraged readers to “take the call and take the meeting.” That’s an important attitude if you want to win in networking. In this article, Mark Suster shares his experience on networking broadly. Mark Suster has built several successful companies so there is much we can learn from him.

• The math on this approach is compelling. My standard order at Starbucks – a tall medium – comes to $2 in Canada. If I implemented this strategy, the cost would be around $200 per year (assuming I pay for the other person and they have a similar order). That’s an incredible value to be earned on a small investment.

12. How Do You Get a Job Doing Marketing for a Start up?

Many people will tell you that applying to a job posting is one of the most difficult ways to get a great job. So what should you do instead? Brandon Croke offers his perspective on breaking into marketing. There is great tactical advice here such as the importance of learning high demand skills like copywriting. How Brandon Croke add to the conversation? He points out there is a big difference between a marketer who says “I can write write” and one who states “My copy delivers results because of this revenue (or this analytics data).

13. 4 Things Networking Can Help You Do (Besides Get a Job)

Many people think the only purpose of networking is to find jobs. That’s just not true. Lily Zhang shows four our “use cases” where it makes sense to network. For example, gathering intelligence on an industry (I would add that it makes sense to start with some reading of your own first so that you can ask good questions) and learning from mistakes others have made. Want more examples? Click through and read the article.

14. 5 Email Templates That Make Following Up With Anyone Way Less Awkward

Staying in touch with your network matters. Just think of how many people you met at events last year – how many of them are you still in touch with today? This article includes scripts that you copy and paste into your email service.

15. 7 Networking Mistakes Even Harvard MBAs Make

Learning what NOT to do is also helpful. Joel Comm’s advice includes going to events (online networking helps but it is not the whole game).

Networking Podcasts, Videos & Courses

I love to read and make it a daily practice. What if you prefer to learn from other types of media? I’ve got you covered with this section.

16. How to Connect with Powerful and Influential People

In this video, author Michael Ellsberg explains his approach to connecting with people. He brings a member of the audience on stage to demonstrate his approach. For more on Ellsberg’s approach, read his book “The Education of Millionaires.”

17. Susan Cain: Networking For Introverts

Most of the time, I see myself as an introvert (i.e. I recharge through alone time). If you see yourself as introvert, the benefits of networking are still available to you. In this interview, author Susan Cain offers advice for introverts seeking to connect.

18. How to Build a World-Class Network in Record Time

In this episode of the Tim Ferriss show, you will learn about Tim’s approach to networking. Before he became an entrepreneur and best selling author, Ferriss built his networks by volunteering at associations, focused networking at conferences and other means. This resource is most helpful to those seeking to maximize the value of participating in a conference.

19. Staying In Touch – Examples

An excellent Manager Tools podcast that provides templates you can use to stay in touch. Meeting new people is important. Yet, the “fortune is in the follow up.” Use this resource to maintain and grow your relationships.

20. How To Use The Holidays As A Networking Opportunity

In this Fast Company article, you will learn the mindset and tactics needed to achieve success during the holidays. I’m writing this entry right before the Canada Day holiday so the topic is on my mind. A key insight from the article:  “Ever look at a business card and think, “How the heck do I know him?”.. Consider doing what [Dorie] Clark does: “Don’t forget to write identifying notes on the back of people’s business cards, or enter their information into your database as soon as possible,” she suggests. “Because if you leave it until the new year, you’re likely to forget who was who.”

21. Your #1 Relationship Building Strategy

In this episode of the Mentee Podcast, Geoff Woods shares his strategy for conferences. Based on Geoff’s teaching, I have made two key changes in my approach to events and conferences. I aim to sit near the front and I work to ask a good question. How? I have a notebook with me during the presentation and write down a few possible questions. By being one of the few people to ask a question to the presenter, everyone in the room notices you and you have the opportunity to connect with the speaker after the session.

22. Productive Networking Dinners with Dorie Clark

Serving as the host of an event is one of the best ways to build your network of relationships. How do you put that idea into action? Listen to this podcast where author and consultant Dorie Clark shares her approach to networking dinners. Read “Mastermind Dinners: Build Lifelong Relationships by Connecting Experts, Influencers, and Linchpins” by Jayson Gaignard for additional insight including step by step directions if you are interested in pursuing this strategy.

23. How to Build a Millionaire’s Network with Keith Ferrazzi

Another resource with Keith Ferrazi? Yes! I’m enthused about sharing his material with readers because he has achieved outstanding results in networking in several industries. The podcast has some great material on developing relationships with mentors.

24. How To Grow Your Business With Associations: 5 Benefits You Need To Know

I wrote this article last year to promote the value of associations. Taking an active role in associations, often through writing and serving as a volunteer, is one the best networking strategies. The best point of leverage is to become a leader in the association. Becoming a leader often takes time yet it is worth it.

25. A Complete Guide to Building Your Network by Keith Ferrazzi

In this Udemy video course, Keith presents short video lessons on various aspects of networking. Much of the material is based on “Never Eat Alone.” Is it worth it to buy the course if you have the book? I would say yes for two reasons. First, you may find video easier to use than books. Second, the course includes files and templates that assist you in networking activities.

Networking Tools

The right tool for the job makes a major difference. Use these tools to support your networking efforts.

26. LinkedIn

An essential resource that needs to be part of your toolkit. Here are two tips to get you started: add a professional head shot to your profile and participate in groups related to your interests. There is much more to be said on LinkedIn as a career research tool. Perhaps I will do another article exploring LinkedIn in greater depth.

27. Meetup.com

Conferences are excellent network events yet they have some drawbacks. Travel costs alone make conferences difficult for many people. What’s the alternative if you are interested in live events? Meetup.com is a helpful service that I have used over the past few years. If your first experience at a given Meetup disappoints, suspend your judgement until you have attended two or three more events.  In my experience, technology related interests are well represented on Meetup. If you are interested in technology or entrepreneurship, Meetup is likely to be a great resource for you.

28. Use Cards & Stamps

Buy blank cards and stamps! Use them to send thank you notes. Or postcards. In a digital world, sending a traditional letter is one way to stand out. That said, the possibility of a Canada Post strike in 2016 does pose challenges. That’s why the “tools” section of this article has multiple tools.

29. Contactually

At a certain point, you may realize that managing your network is difficult or overwhelming. In that case, consider using a “CRM” (customer relationship management) tool to keep track. I have not used this resource myself but it does come recommended by networking expert John Corcoran.

30. FollowUp.cc

Relationships take time to develop. You may want to meet for coffee tomorrow but your friend is busy. Will you remember to stay in touch? This tool helps to solve that problem.

Are you unhappy with the direction of your career?

You’re not alone. Each year, there are new surveys on employee engagement that suggest millions are frustrated with their current job. In fact, Jobvite’s 2012 Social Job Seeker Survey found 69% of Americans they were either “actively seeking” a new job or “open to” a new job. According to Glassdoor research, common frustrations include poor leadership, technology and working hours (The Worst Companies to Work For).

What Forces Are Driving The Need For Career Change?

Several trends are powering a growing rise in career change. Think of these trends as powerful waves in the ocean. They can propel you forward or you can overwhelmed by them.

More Industries Are In Crisis.

Over the past twenty years, several industries have experienced major losses. In Ontario, a sharp decline in the number of automotive jobs prompted governments to provide billions of dollars to large car companies to boost the industry. In the travel industry, travel agents have been impacted by the rise of services such as Kayak and TripAdvisor. Whole books have been written about these trends.

What It Means For Your Career.

If you are currently employed in a declining industry, that trend will negatively impact for career advancement. To use a military analogy – while it is possible for a small force to defeat a much larger force (e.g. the defenders in the 1529 Siege Of Vienna), it is a high risk move. If career growth matters to you, competing in a declining industry is like running a race with your eyes closed. Do yourself a favor and move to a company with higher growth prospects – that will ease your path.

Megatrends Are Creating New Opportunities

Economic change often gets a bad reputation because the pain it causes attracts a lot of attention. A Fortune article reports findings from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas: nearly 500,000 layoffs were announced in 2015 (an increase compared to 2014). At the same time, other large scale trends are creating new opportunities. Here are three trends that I have been following over the past year:

• Analytics and Data. This trend is creating new jobs at large companies (e.g. Amazon), startup firms and everything in between. For detailed insights on technologies, training and opportunities, read my InfoWorld article: Career boost: Break into data science. Another option is to start a formal program of study such as Coursera’s specialization in business analytics.

• Internet of Things (“IoT”). What happens when Internet connected sensors become more common? I have reported that IoT improves air travel in both airlines and airports. Unlike the other two trends mentioned, this trend is still early. However, I see significant growth coming in the future. A key challenge for IoT connects to analytics and data science – what data should we collect and how do we use that data to improve results?

• Cybersecurity. For immediate employment, this is one of the highest demand sectors I have seen. The arm’s race dynamic (attackers vs defenders) mean a constant demand for new ideas. Cybersecurity jobs are found at large companies like IBM, cybersecurity software companies, IT security consulting firms and beyond. For more on this topic, read my CSO article: How to get started in IT security consulting.

What It Means For Your Career

These above technology trends are likely to generate new companies and employment for years to come. What if you are not interested in technology jobs? Look for other trends that are likely to increase over time. Energy and healthcare are two industries that combine a history of high quality jobs and a bright outlook. Consider a 2016 article in Bloomberg showing the rapid growth in solar and wind energy since 2000.

Realizing You Have An Accidental Career

Trends and economic change suggest directions but only you can select a direction. My research and conversations suggest that many people fell into their current career rather than choosing it. Some people may be content with such a path. On other hand, if you are discontent with your current career, it is time to pursue a change.

Note: If you are interested in rethinking your career and life generally, I suggest reading Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want by Daniel Harkavy and Michael S. Hyatt. It is a short book that explains how life planning works. The website linked to in this paragraph also includes resources to guide you through the process.

5 Ways To Fail At Career Change

Deciding to change your career direction is exciting! You might have a relatively small move in mind (e.g. web development to mobile development) or a major change in mind (e.g. graphic designer to accountant). The key is to capture that frustration and channel it toward productive change.

Make sure you avoid these five failure points as you plan your career change.

1. Do Nothing. This failure is where you do nothing but dream and fume at how frustrated you are with your current career situation. Clearly, this is not enough.

2. Complain. This is a slight step up from the point above. At this point, you are expressing the problem. I think of career discontent as fuel – it has the potential to power change but only if you put into an engine and have a direction.

3. Resign Immediately. In rare cases, resigning immediately is the smart move. If your discomfort level is sky high, leaving makes sense. For 95% of people, resigning immediately – before you have a basic plan and knowledge of your next steps – is a recipe for failure.

4. Underestimate The Challenge. The easiest job search is where you do the exact same job at a different company (e.g. Java Developer at company X moves to a Java Developer role at company Y). The further you want to move away from your established skills, the harder the career change will be. Why? You will be competing against people who have been in your new dream job for years. Why? From the employer standpoint, a career changer means greater uncertainty compared to

5. “I’ll Figure Out Myself” Fallacy. Given enough time and patience, it is possible to make the “DIY” approach to career change work. That said, most of us have constraints to work against. You might give yourself a year to build up a client list. Or you realize that you only have 5-10 hours per week to learn new skills while you hold down your current job. In that case, you need all the help you can get. Learn from others who have already achieved success in your new dream job.

The Low Risk Strategy For Career Change

Whew! You might be thinking, “Does this mean I’m stuck in this career path?” Not at all. There are ways to move forward. Even better, there’s no need to quit your job tomorrow. Instead, use this approach to deconstruct your frustration and set direction.

Define Your Frustration.

Putting your frustration into words is a key step to planning a career change. Are you frustrated by compensation? Or is company culture more of a problem (e.g. high risk aversion)? Perhaps you are fundamentally bored or disengaged with the content of your work. At the same time, think deeply about what you like in your work (e.g. you like building spreadsheets and models? Maybe your interest here is really about applying systems thinking).

Read To Explore Your Horizons.

Expanding your career horizons through reading is low risk and high impact. If you are looking to expose yourself to a wide variety of jobs in a short period, look into The One-Week Job Project by Sean Aiken. If you have a specific focus in mind – e.g. explore if product management is right for you – read interviews with people in that profession. Next, read 2-5 of the books on the topic with the highest rating on Amazon.

Start your reading process with these resources:

• 8 Steps to Getting What You Want… Without Formal Credentials by Michael Ellsberg
• The Ultimate Guide To Reinventing Yourself by James Altucher

Connect With Multiple People In The Field

Time to leave your office and meet people! The above reading step gives you ideas, a sense of a field’s opportunities and history. However, it is incomplete. It is vital to connect with several people (rule of thumb: at least 5 people at five different companies) doing the kind of work you are interested in. Write out some questions in advance and go ask for insights.

What if you don’t have any contacts that are related to your field?

• Associations. Most professions have associations where people gather together to share advice, professional education and network. Look into joining an organization, reading their association newsletter or going to their events. WEDDLE’s Association Directory is a helpful resource to get started.
• Educators. Similar to the point above, there are instructors who teach a wide variety of career skills. Many established instructors have developed extensive networks in their field over time. Read the instructor biography and then email them with a few questions to start the conversation (Tip: How to Connect with VIPs: 5 Tips for Cold Emails)
• LinkedIn Groups. Joining LinkedIn Groups is an online strategy to gorw your network. For the best results, look for groups where multiple people are regularly contributing material and comments.

Validate Your Interest With A Project

Eventually, you need to do the work. Earlier this year, I wrote an article for InfoWorld explaining how to become an Android developer. During my research, several managers and experts commented that building an Android app is one of the best ways to set yourself apart and break into the profession. Whenever possible, look for a way to demonstrate your skills with a specific project. You can either work on a solo project or work in a group. For job search specifically, the best scenario involves creating something that other people use and have input on.

Here are X ways to do a project to validate your interest in a new career before you quit your day job.

• Technology Careers. If you’re interested in switching to a technology or development career, you are in luck! Many companies offer free or low cost resources to developers. Explore CodeAcademy if you are interested in Python, PHP and other programming languages.

• Take A Working Vacation. Another option is to take a 5-10 day “working vacation” from your job where you work in a new occupation as an intern or apprentice. Bring a notebook, an open mind and a willingness to learn. Reflect on the experience after you come home. Read “Advice to a Young Man Hoping to Go Somewhere (Or Get Something From Someone Successful)” before you go to get ready.

Question For The Comments:

What career change are you interested in?

If you were handed $1000 to invest, where would you achieve the greatest payoff?

Let’s consider a few popular options:

• Savings Accounts. Annual interest rates are 1-3%. Not much to get excited about there.
• Dividend Stocks. A more interesting option with potential for growth, unfortunately there is also greater risk here. The S&P 500 dividend yield in 2015 was under 3%.
• The classic ‘safe’ investment for many investors. Returns are sometimes better than savings account and sometimes less.
• Your Career. Learning additional skills and growing your network? That could boost your income by 10%-20% this year.

Earlier this year, I read The Last Safe Investment by Michael Ellsberg and Bryan Franklin. The authors make a compelling case for investing in skills and networks instead of traditional financial assets. Yet many people have an overly narrow definition of what it means to invest in their careers: going for a MBA degree, professional certification or high priced bootcamp.

If your goal is to work at Goldman Sachs or McKinsey & Company, then an Ivy League MBA is your best bet. Potentially, you could make the case for student loans though one needs to keep the drawbacks in mind (see the New York Times: Student Debt in America: Lend With a Smile, Collect With a Fist). For everybody else, there are other options that will provide a faster return with a lower upfront investment.

Before you sign up for a crippling student loan or pour hours into studying for the GMAT, use these 17 strategies to boost your career.

Lay A Foundation For Success: 5 Daily Career Habits

Habits are a fascinating topic that I recommend everyone study. When you leverage good habits, you are able to make steady progress on your goals each day without giving much thought to them. The investment in this case is in changing your daily practices. Use the Tiny Habits approach to get started with habit development.

1. Read Your Annual Goals Each Day Before Writing Your Todo List

What’s the first thing you do each day at the office once you log into your PC? If you’re like me, you probably login to your PC, fire up Outlook and scan through email. In my case, the login procedure to the corporate network takes several minutes. That’s a golden opportunity to plan the day in less than 5 minutes. Here’s what you do.

• Read through your annual performance goals.
• Reflect on where you are making progress and where you are falling short
• Write three “mini-goals” for the day that will move you toward achieving your goals.

2. Work On “The One Thing” For Your Job For The First Hour Of The Day

After you review your goals, what’s next? It’s time to invest an hour in a high value activity before anything else comes up. After all, the work day will only become busier.

For sales professionals, that could be a mix of following up on leads and calling prospects. For technology professionals, it could be designing a test for a new high impact feature.

Resource: Not sure what your most important goal should be? I suggest reading “The one thing : the surprisingly simple truth behind extraordinary results” by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan.

3. Ask For Micro-Feedback

Feedback is helpful yet few people seek it out. Even fewer take that feedback into account and improve their daily work. If asking for feedback feels scary or uncomfortable, start with micro-feedback:

• How did that meeting go?
• Did the analysis I delivered yesterday answer your question?
• How can we improve the customer experience?

Resource: The 5 Best Times And Ways To Ask For Feedback

4. Ask For The Bigger Picture

Specialization is a double edged sword. It creates value because you learn how to perform tasks better than a generalist. However, it also means you miss out on understanding what other people do. I recently learned that a monthly report I produce for another department is directly tied to $100,000 of annual revenues. I had delivered the report month after month for over a year before I asked how it was used. This insight helped me see this task in a new way (“oh this report actually has a revenue impact!”).

Here are a few ways to ask for the bigger picture:

• What do you do with this document?
• Who reads the report?
• If I stopped doing this task, what would happen?

5. Record Your Daily Wins

In late 2015, I started to make daily notes about the work tasks I accomplished in Evernote. To remind myself, I set a reminder alarm for 4:40pm and it has been helpful. This practice is helpful in at least two ways: first, it motivates to have three worthy items to put into the log each day. Second, I periodically review the entries and look for patterns and gaps. It’s interesting to see a mix of small daily tasks and building up wins that relate to larger goals. Here are a few ways to put this habit into action:

• Use Evernote (tip: if your company blocks Evernote, you can use the Evernote app on your iPhone – that’s what I do)
• Use a text document (make sure that you back it up!)
• Use a habit reminder app to remind yourself (I like Coach.me)
• Make sure one of your daily wins relates to your One Thing

Investing $1,000 (or less) In Your Career: Little Hinges Swing Big Doors

Targeted investments in your career have tremendous power to grow your career. Choose two methods from this list to grow your career for less than $1,000 (most of the strategies will are under $200) this summer. Think of these approaches as a way to become an angel investor for your career.

6. Attend Local Events

Going to events is a powerful way to grow your network, spark creativity and add new insights. What if you can’t afford to get on a plane and visit a conference in person? Are there other options to consider? Yes! Here are ten ideas to help you find local professional events to grow your career:

• Meetup.com: Meetup is a great place to connect with other people. For business, I find Meetup is strongest in the area of technology, startups and marketing. You might be out of luck if you want to find a supply chain management group (though you could always start your Meetup group for a small fee).

• Ten Thousand Coffees. This one-on-one social network is designed to bring together people interested in meeting over coffee. I’ve used the service and found it interesting.

• Local Chapter of the Project Management Institute. With over one hundred chapters in the United States and Canada (and more around the world), local chapters are an excellent way to learn new project management methods like agile, find out about project management software and more.

• Eventbrite. This popular ticket platform has many different events and it takes some digging to find good ones. For example, you can find Discover Your Personal Brand, an annual event in Toronto that costs less than $200 and packs plenty of value.

• Chamber of Commerce. Most cities and towns have chambers of commerce or business associations. In Toronto, I have benefited from attending Toronto Board of Trade events. Like other organizations mentioned, you don’t need to buy a membership in order to attend events.

• Alumni Association Events. Many colleges and universities have alumni associations which are great learning resources. Over the past few years, the University of Toronto has put on excellent career oriented programs covering networking, communication and other topics through their Shaker event series. Check with your institution to see what they have available.

• Charity Events. Attending a charity event is an interesting way to connect with other people in your city and industry. There are many different options to consider ranging from museum fundraisers to charity auctions. Start by looking for charities you already support and ask what events they have/

• Guided Events/Tours. How much of your city have you explored? Exploring your city on a tour is an interesting way to expand your knowledge. Toronto has ROM Walks that cover different parts of the city. While this type of event is not limited to business professionals, you never know who you will meet. The new perspective you gain will boost creativity.

• StartupGrind. For those interested in the technology industry, StartupGrind is an interesting organization to explore. Founders of companies in ecommerce, apps and other fields regularly give presentations about their firms. At the time of this writing, StartupGrind has a presence in 200 cities covering more than 80 countries.

• Hack Events. There is a whole category of events with “hack” in them that are worth exploring. Finding these events involves spending a bit of quality time with Google search. Start by searching “CITY hackathon” (e.g. New York City hackaton).

7. Obtain Your DISC Profile To Understand Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Through my study of Manager Tools’s excellent podcasts, I have found great value in the DISC profile. This assessment helps you to better understand your communication and interpersonal strengths. That’s valuable for two reasons: you will better understand how to focus on your strengths. Second, you will find out where you have gaps relating to others.

Tip: A significant amount of conflict can be traced to different communication styles and preferences. DISC (and Manager Tools’s podcasts) will help you to reduce that miscommunication clashes.

8. Join Toastmasters

Few international organizations match Toastmasters in value and longevity. For under $100 per year, you can improve your career by giving short speeches, running meetings and taking on leadership roles. I was a member a few years ago and I’m thinking to join again.

Resource: How To Become Successful With Toastmasters

9. Take An Online Course

Online courses have received mixed reviews due to widely varying quality and content. On the one hand, there are well respected offerings such as Cornell, Coursera, Lynda (free through Toronto Public Library and other institutions) and Udemy. On the other hand, “Trump University” has triggered lawsuits from highly disappointed students (e.g. Former Trump University Workers Call the School a ‘Lie’ and a ‘Scheme’ in Testimony).

Use these tips to evaluate online courses:

• Course outline. Is there a course outline available? Does it cover topics at the right level of detail for your needs (e.g. introduction vs advanced)?

• Reviews. Are there comments or reviews from past students? Are they detailed?

• Goal alignment. Does this course advance your career goals? If you are signing up to study something “trendy” (e.g. cyber security) that does attract your interest, then be aware you may be facing an uphill battle in maintaining your attention.

• Homework. Homework assignments are important if you are going to build a skill or acquire knowledge. Some of the best courses provide written feedback on homework or have “office hours” sessions where students can ask questions.

• Instructor. Does the instructor have the right knowledge and capability to teach the course? Instructor credibility comes in different shapes and sizes. In a scientific field, holding an advanced degree may be helpful. In other cases, extensive research or publishing in the field may help. While learning from a top expert has value, there is also much to be gained from an expert who is a few steps ahead of you because they can better understand a novice student’s questions and concerns (i.e. reduced ‘curse of knowledge‘ problem).

10. Commission A Professional Photo For LinkedIn

A high quality photo for your LinkedIn profile sets you apart from other people. My LinkedIn profile photo cost less than $100 and it was great. I was fortunate to have a friend who gave me a great deal. Use the following tips to obtain a better LinkedIn profile photo:

• The 7 Factors That Increase The Psychological Impact of Your LinkedIn Profile Photo
• 5 Tips for Picking the Right LinkedIn Profile Picture

11. Take A “Night School” Course With A College or University

I’m fortunate to live in Toronto where there are three universities and multiple colleges. Most of these institutions offer great continuing education programs. For less than $1000, you can take an introduction to accounting. Or you can take an introduction to wines. (Yes, I’ve done both of those!). If you want to boost the value of the experience, take a course in person, introduce yourself to the instructor and your fellow students.

Here are some examples to start your research process:

• University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
• Colleges Offering Adult and Continuing Education Programs – a list of U.S. programs provided by the U.S. Department of State
• New York University School of Professional Studies
• The Open University (UK)
• University of Chicago Graham School of Continuing Liberal and Professional Studies

Improving Your Network

Every week, I have another conversation or read another article that emphasizes the value of networking and relationships. It’s important. Yet, the knowledge-execution gap persists. Here are a few tactics that will break down the “develop your network” into concrete actions.

12. Send Thank You Notes

This simple practice goes a long way. I suggest sending both thank you cards in the mail and sending them by email. Need to be convinced? Consider these findings from the Harvard Medical School on gratitude.

Did somebody help you with an Excel problem a month ago? Send them a thank you email right now (just a few sentences go a long way).

• How To Write A Thank You Note
• Navy Blue Thank You Cards (Amazon Link. I usually buy these at Indigo).
• 5 “thank you” letters you should be sending to your network

13. Introduce Two People In Your Network

This week, I’ve sent two introduction emails. One was introduce friends in the legal profession. The other was to introduce people in the banking industry.

If somebody asks you for help or information and you don’t have it, keep this tip in mind. Making introductions is an excellent way to help other people in a short span of time.

• PSA: Email Introduction Etiquette – Always Always Always Use the Double Opt-In Intro
• The Three Ways to Introduce Two People Over Email

14. Do A “Get Back In Touch” Challenge

In networking, most people immediately put their focus on meeting new people (especially networking with powerful people). If you are looking to break into a new industry or if you just moved to a new city, that makes sense. Yet, this approach often means neglect for your existing contacts. What’s the solution? Take a page from Anna Runyan and implement the 4×4 challenge (reconnect with 4 past connections and meet 4 new people in a month.

• The 4×4 Networking Challenge by Anna Runyan.

15. Endorse Two People On LinkedIn For Their Top Skills

Skill endorsements are one way to show support for your connections on LinkedIn. There are some people who indiscriminately endorse people. Don’t be one of those people. If someone helped you design a better presentation in PowerPoint, endorse them for presentations or PowerPoint. Use these articles for further ideas on endorsements:

• Everything You Need To Know About LinkedIn Endorsements
• LinkedIn Tips: 5 Ways To Manage Endorsements

16. Ask For A Recommendation On LinkedIn

Asking for favors is part of networking. Asking a past client, manager or colleague for an endorsement is a great way to set yourself apart from other people. These short comments, typically one or two paragraphs, go a long way toward boosting your credibility.

• 4 Keys to Scoring Amazing LinkedIn Recommendations
• 5 Best Practices For Requesting LinkedIn Recommendation

17. Follow Up On Advice You Receive

Let’s say you meet the mentor of your dreams – the one with connections, power and knowledge.

She gives you one specific suggestion – read a strategy book, attend a conference, set goals or something else. What happens next? Based on my research, most people do nothing when they receive suggestions. That’s a lost opportunity.

Pause for a moment and think back to a suggestion you’ve received. Now, put that idea into action. Once you have some results, send an email to the person who suggested that idea about your experience. This method yields two benefits for your career: you execute helpful advice and you have an excellent reason to reconnect with a senior person.

• Pleasantly Persistent: 5 Rules for Effectively Following Up
• Ramit’s definitive guide to building your network (with scripts)

Image Credit: Pixabay.com

Making a move to a new job is a major decision. There’s new people, new terms to learn and the pressure of being “the new guy.” There’s also concern about knowing whether the move is right for you. Fortunately, there is a way to reduce uncertainty about these decisions: job shadowing.

Once reserved for students and recent graduates, job shadowing is a strategy that professionals are using to explore new careers today. Through observation, asking questions and getting work done, you gain additional perspective on a job’s requirements quickly. Using the process in this article, you will be equipped to set up a job shadowing arrangement at your current company.

What If I Want To Job Shadow At A Different Company?

The process in this article is based on the assumption that you are interested in exploring other roles at your current employer. If you work at a large firm, there are other many different functions and departments to explore. However you may be determined to explore something quite different: go from IT project management to publishing. In that case, use a vacation day to find the time. Expect that it will take longer to arrange job shadowing at a different company.

Steps To Propose A Job Shadowing Project

Based on my experience and research, it’s possible to obtain approval for an internal job shadowing arrangement in a few weeks or less. This process assumes you have already defined a short term career goal and that you are using job shadowing to advance toward that goal.

1. Research The Job: What Does The Job Look Like?

The first step is to carry out research about the job you are interested in exploring. You may be interested in a product manager role. In that case, start by reading 3-5 job descriptions for the role to gain a basic understanding of the job responsibilities. Next, read a few interviews with people online who are already doing the job (e.g. How to Break into Product Management). This reading will equip you to ask better questions and plan what you want to accomplish.

• Tip: Read The 25 Best Jobs for 2016, 100 Best Jobs in America, and 25 Best Jobs in America — According to Glassdoor to find out about high growth careers. The popular media only presents a tiny fraction of career paths so it is important that you do your own research.

2. Research The Organization: Does Your Organization Have People Doing Your Dream Job?

Now that you have an understanding of the job, it is time to identify specific opportunities. There are a few ways to explore your organization:

• Asking mentors and trusted friends who work at the same company is a great starting point (e.g. Send them a short email to ask ‘I’m interested in getting to know product managers at our firm. Can you introduce me to someone in that role?”).

• Use Advanced People Search on LinkedIn (put your job title of interest in the job field and your company in the company field).

• Searching the company’s intranet. Look for listings of the departments, divisions and senior leaders. Departmental newsletters are particularly helpful.

• Read the organization chart and executive biographies. Each organization has a different structure – project management often reports to a technology executive while product management may report to a sales or marketing executive.

What if your organization doesn’t have anyone doing your target job title? If that happens, go back to step one and see if there are other job options at your employer that you could explore instead.

3. Develop Learning Goals: What Do People In Your Dream Job Actually DO?

Some job shadowing experiences disappoint because they are passive experiences. The “shadow” simply walks around and sits quietly in meetings. You can do better. The key is to direct your observation and other activities toward learning goals. Here are a few prompts to help draft your learning goals:

• Learning Technical Skills. Technical skills are the core of any job. Identify one or two of these skills to learn through observation, study and direct application. For project managers, technical skills might include using Microsoft Project or project reporting. Ideally you will seek to learn a small technical skill that you can continue to use elsewhere.

• Learning Leadership Skills. The art and science of leadership skills is another great area to learn. I have benefited from observing how other people prepare, design and deliver presentations. Likewise, I have benefited from observing leaders raise difficult questions and solve problems.

• Career Appeal. Finding out whether a given job fits your interests and abilities is the final point. There is a simple way to assess appeal – are your interest levels in the role increasing or decreasing as you learn more about the role.

4. Raise The Request: The Fine Art Of Asking Your Boss For Support

Armed with your goals and research, it is time to have a discussion with your manager about the job shadowing arrangement. For the best results, I recommend writing a short proposal outlining your plan, what you plan to learn and possible impacts on your regular responsibilities (hint: make it clear that you will not drop anything your boss cares about!). My research suggests that the majority of managers are open to job shadowing and career development if it is presented in a professional ways. To increase the odds of success, make a small request (e.g. 1-2 days at another department) rather than asking for weeks away.

• Tip: Involve your manager in the process and ask for their guidance in designing the plan. For example, they may want to call a manager in another department to plan the project. Or they may ask you to do further research and present a proposal. In any case, it is vital to involve your manager in the process. Failing to do so will hurt your reputation.

5. Report On The Assignment’s Success: Share What You Learned

At the end of your assignment, it is time to close the loop with your manager. This is a step that many people forget to complete. Prepare a one page summary report on what you learned and review this document in a meeting with your manager. This step demonstrates that you reflected on the experience and that it added value to your career.

• Tip: Using your learning goals as a framework for this summary report. Describe specific insights and skills you learned. Rather than “learned communication skills,” note something like, “learned how to present a business case to executives to secure project funding.” In your remarks, share what the experience meant to you and thank your boss for supporting your career growth.

Further Reading And Resources

There are a wealth of resources on the market to help you through this process. Here are a few resources I recommend:

Reinventing Your Personal Brand by Dorie Clark. This Harvard Business Review book looks at career management through a marketing lens. It is a powerful to think about the value you bring to the market.

Reinventing You By Dorie Clark. A book length exploration by Clark that takes you deeper into the process. My Kindle copy of the book is filled with highlights.

Work experience: ‘I job-shadowed 60 people in 60 days’. An article in the Guardian shows how repeated job shadowing aids career discovery.

Meena Dowlwani​, CHRM

Moving to a new country is exciting. Immigration is often the result of months or years of planning, research and logistics. Unfortunately, many highly educated and capable new Canadians struggle to find rewarding professional opportunities. It doesn’t have to be that way.

Enter Meena Dowlwani.

Among other roles, she serves as a Humber College instructor who has achieved great career results since arriving in Canada in 1999. Even better, she is now sharing her experience through courses, seminars and the forthcoming book Destination CEO. I discovered Meena earlier this year via Kickstarter and happily signed up to support her Kickstarter project.

Why This Article Is For Everyone, Not Only Immigrants

Some readers may assume that this article will only help new arrivals, new Canadians or immigrants. That is not so! Starting over in a new country represents a significant career change to be sure. The strategies developed to overcome that challenge apply to other career changes: switching industries or moving from an individual contributor to management. With that note, let’s dive into Meena’s perspective.

1. How have you developed your career?

I arrived in Canada in 1999 and faced major challenges in my career. I learned the importance of making the most of jobs I held early on when I started as a receptionist at the YMCA. By connecting with other managers and learning about what people wanted from the organization, I was able to advance.

Later on, I developed my business skills and went into the recruiting industry for several years. In recruiting, I set a goal to build relationships with many of Canada’s best managed companies and developed many connections. That experience helped me to understand what employers want from candidates and the hiring process. All of these experiences inform my current work teaching at Humber College and my other projects.

2. What results have your students achieved at Humber College?

I teach Career Connections at the Humber College School of Media Studies & Information Technology. Through this program, I guide IT professionals – including many new Canadians – in finding new career opportunities.

By applying what they learn, the majority of students have found professional IT positions jobs in many companies including CGI, QA Consultants, and Dynacare. In addition, I have also presented a successful workshop at Centennial College where sixty employers connected with students. Many found excellent professional level jobs through that program as well.

• Resource: View Destination CEO videos on YouTube. There are 10 videos available at the time of this writing.

3. What is your approach to informational interviews?

Informational interviews are one of the best ways to learn about people and employers. My recommended approach is to develop a portfolio that combines company research, a presentation of the individual’s capabilities and how they can contribute to the company. Students and professionals have had excellent results with sending this document and obtaining positive responses to their request for informational interviews. Knowing your dream job or company matters. Doing additional research on the manager or executive you are addressing takes the process to the next level.

4. What are some of the common job search mistakes you see people making?

There are several common mistakes I see people make that hold them back from success.

First, many people rely on the traditional process of applying to an open job posting and then simply waiting for a response. This job search approach is only one part of the overall strategy.

Second, many people assume that they need 100% of a job’s required skills in order to apply – my view is that you only need the “must have” items (or 50% of the requirements if there is no must-have list).

Third, many professionals decide to take a “survival job” instead of a professional role that relates to their skills. In addition to the reduced income, most people become deeply frustrated after a year or two and then decide to restart their professional job search while having to catch up.

Finally, some people become highly discouraged during the job search process. This mindset prevents otherwise successful and intelligent people from finding an opportunity and connecting effectively with other professionals.

5. What is the forthcoming Destination CEO book about?

I launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the creation of my book, “Destination CEO – Beyond the Traditional Way of Job Search in the GTA is the most comprehensive guide to hacking the local job market.” With 58 backers and over $5000 raised, I’m looking forward to presenting my ideas in book form.

I decided to write a book because I was starting to become overwhelmed with requests for career help and guidance. This book presents job search tactics and strategies for new Canadians looking to develop their career in the Greater Toronto Area. The Kickstarter page provides an introduction video as well as video messages from the individuals I have helped.

6. What is your approach to events and networking?

I think it is important to look for focused events. For example, there are many technology related groups and events organized by Meetup.com. These are great events to connect with others who share the same technical expertise as you. Regarding career fairs, my suggestion is to look at these events as the opportunity to connect and have a conversation rather than immediately seeking an employment opportunity.

[Editor’s Note: Active Meetup.com groups in the Toronto area include: Toronto Big Data University, Women In Technology, Toronto Hadoop User Group and Toronto SharePoint Business Users Group].

7. What resources have you found valuable in your career and work with other people?

There are several outstanding resources on the market to consider. I took a Dale Carnegie course and found that highly valuable – it provided me with connections and new skills. LinkedIn is a powerful research tool to learn about companies and the people with hiring power.

8. Where can readers find out more about you and your work?

There are two ways to connect with me. People interested in the Destination CEO book and related activities, please visit the Destination CEO website for details on events and training. In addition, readers are welcome to connect with me on LinkedIn.

Luck.

It’s St Patrick’s Day so what better time to address this mysterious factor? Whether or not you have the luck of the Irish, there is a way to produce more luck in your career. Even better, there is no magic involved (or green beer).

The Luck Formula: The 4 Factors You Need

In reading one of John C Maxwell’s books, I came across the following luck formula and thought it would be a great topic to expand in an article. The good news about luck is that 75% of the model is completely within your control. The remaining factor – opportunity – may be influenced by your perspective though it is not fully under your control.

Luck = Preparation + Attitude + Opportunity + Action

Let’s go through each factor of the luck formula one by one. Increasing any aspect of the formula will lead to greater opportunities for you.

Preparation: Be Ready For Luck To Appear

Preparation takes many forms in career development. The time you spend taking courses, reading this website and studying for certifications give you increased capabilities. Beyond technical skills, taking care of yourself comes into the picture. If you are tired, distracted or otherwise “off your game,” you will not able to identify and maximize luck when it comes your way. Preparation also requires a strategic vision for your career, a willingness to look beyond your current job or projects. If you start developing management and executive skills today, you will be well placed to move ahead in the future.

Preparation goes beyond studying and formal learning activities. On the job learning and development is widely considered one of the best ways to learn new skills. Therefore, analyze around your current job and department for ways to add additional skills. For example, volunteer to take on new tasks during department meetings. Or ask to cross train with a co-worker – that way you can take over part or all of their workload when they head out on vacation.

Resources To Propel Your Preparation

• 51 Training Resources For Project Managers
• 10 Agile Resources For Project Managers
• How To READ The News For Career Growth
• 5 Career Resolutions I Completed In 2016
• The 5 Best Strategies for Learning on the Job

Attitude: Develop Strong Self Awareness

Developing the right attitude regarding your work and career make a big difference. Imagine you are a manager with two staff with roughly comparable technical abilities and you have a new assignment to hand out. The assignment will require personal growth and a willingness to learn. The person with a stronger positive attitude is likely to get the assignment and the opportunity to shine. I see attitude as a part of self-awareness which is a key part of emotional intelligence. Developing and maintaining a positive attitude becomes even more important as you take on leadership roles.

As a leader, your team tends to follow your attitude lead. If you are negative about the company or project, that influence will spread to the rest of the team. In contrast, walking into a meeting with a smile and positive energy puts a different spin on the event. The attitude you bring to meetings has a significant impact on your reputation and ability to get work done through other people.

• Tip: Sleep your way to a better attitude! Research reported in Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson showed that people who miss sleep tend to emphasize negative thoughts and undervalue what is going well in their life. If you are struggling with keeping a good attitude, additional sleep is one solution.

Resources To Develop Your Attitude

• How to Create a Positive Attitude (Inc)
• Nine Attitudes Of Emotionally Intelligent Leaders And Managers
• Angela Lee Duckworth: The key to success?
• Why You Need Grit To Get Your Projects Done

Opportunity: Seizing The Moment

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” – Winston Churchill

Opportunity takes many different forms and it takes training to identify all this factor in its many forms. Opportunity may take the form of complaints from a manager or stakeholder: that gives you the chance to do better. Opportunity also shows up as event invitations – you never know what you may gain by attending an event and meeting the right people. Hustle, work ethic and long hours of work are another type of opportunity. Several successful people – Gary Vaynerchuk and Elon Musk come to mind – attribute much of their success to pure work ethic. Finally, opportunity may appear as a painful event that creates space to do something new (e.g. Michael Hyatt started his blog, later the foundation of a multi-million dollar business, when he was off his feet for an extended period recovering form an injury)

Opportunity is not evenly distributed. That’s an important reality to recognize as you plan your professional development and growth. Some departments are growing constantly such as sales and customer service while corporate functions tend to add staff more slowly. Before writing off an organization as having no opportunities, look beyond your personal situation. For example, look for any projects or activities that have changed the status quo over the past eighteen months. Do those changes suggest new ways to contribute value? Likewise, look for staff changes – new staff hires, promotions and manager hires – as new people often bring new ideas. If you see no opportunity signals, then it is time to search for greener pastures.

Resources To Find More Opportunities

• 3 Volunteer Opportunities That Will Seriously Boost Your Career
• How to advance when there is no career ladder
• Six Ways To Grow Your Job (Harvard Business Review)
• Find High Growth Companies: Profit 500 List of High Growth Companies (Canada) and the INC 5000 – America`s Fastest Growing Companies.

Action: Do The Work!

Once you are equipped with the right knowledge, it is time to get down to work. In addition to putting in the hours, make sure you are following smart work principles. This part of the LUCK formula does not have the same excitement as the other points covered above, yet it is highly important. Failing to deliver and complete assignments on time will do much harm to professional reputation and ability to get ahead in your career.

Discussion Question:

Which “LUCK“ factor will you work on this month? What are two specific actions you plan to take?

It pays to take a step back from our work occasionally and ask, “Am I producing value?”

In this article, you will learn to reconsider whether you are working smart or simply going through the motions. Notice that “working smart” still includes the word “work”: any effort to escape that point will lead to failure.

Two Ways To Think About The Value You Produce

There are two ways to think about the value you produce in your work. First, there is the value that you understand and appreciate. Second, there is the value that others (e.g. managers, stakeholders and customers) perceive. For the best results, these two perspectives need to overlap substantially. Let’s define both these perspectives and see how it applies to working smarter. Most people perceive their work as highly valuable. In contrast, the recipients of your work product tend to focus on a few aspects that relate to their needs.

Tip: When considering what to do with unexpected free time, ask yourself “what task would deliver the greatest value to my number one customer?”

The 4 Ways To Work Smarter

Use the following strategies to work smarter and achieve more valuable results in your work. The first strategy asks as a foundation that to enable the other strategies.

1. Seek End-To-End Understanding (i.e. Be Curious About The Organization)

Once an organization expands beyond a handful of people, specialization takes hold. That process brings many benefits such as increased focus and the ability to recruit experts. However, there is a cost in the form of decreased understanding. For example, sales staff may not understand the invoice and accounting implications of their work. In contrast, accounting staff may not understand how a new product launch will impact their budget. This point is especially important for “back office” functions like IT. Take a page from leading CIOs who emphasize the value of learning the business operations and the sales organization.

Action Exercise: Seek an an end to end understanding of the processes and tasks you are involved with. Who works on the process before you get involved? Who uses the outputs of your work? This understanding will equip you to add more value.

2. Execute At Key Moments

There are certain moments and tasks that are key moments in our work. Delivering a quality result at those times make a big difference. Following this rule often becomes difficult because “key moments” tend to come at the end of a long process. For example, the “go live day” at the end of a long project – if this event is not well executed, your reputation will suffer. Delivering a presentation with energy to an important audience is another example. During these moments, you have the opportunity to shine!

Action Exercise: Examine your calendar for the next 30 days to look for “key moments” that have the potential to make an impact on your career. Schedule additional time to prepare and seek outside help if needed.

3. Seize The Initiative

Executing on orders you receive from above matters especially if you are getting started in your organization. Delivering on those requests from managers and others shows that you are a team player. However, a passive outlook or simply waiting for orders from on high is not enough. The third work smart strategy is to seize the initiative. If you are operating in a conservative or risk averse organization, start small and build up from that point.

Here are a few ways that you can proactively take initiative to get ahead.

• Solve A Messy Problem. Every organization has messy problems that have lingered on for a long period. Messy problems may mean confronting another group about their ineffective interactions. In other cases, it may simply be complicated, detail heavy work that few people want to work through. Sitting down to review a complex Excel spreadsheet or PowerPoint presentation, line by line, is an excellent way to add value.

• Improve Personal Productivity Through Process Improvement. There are many ways to improve processes and make an impact. In the short term, there is a benefit to this work because you can free up additional time. You can then redeploy that additional professional capacity in new ways. Asking for cross-training on a colleague’s work tasks is one approach.

• Support Another Department`s Goals. Stepping up to help another department shows that you have a vision that goes beyond your job description and current department. Ensure that your additional assignments do not undermine your regular portfolio.

4. Complete Strategic Work/Education On Your Time

In the book “Nobodies to Somebodies: How 100 Great Careers Got Their Start,” by Peter Han, I learned of a Pulitzer Prize winner Bill Dietrich who worked on projects on his own time. Here is a quote from the book describing his approach:

Journalist Bill Dietrich remembered having to fight for one of his early award-winning efforts to write about the deinstitutionalization of mental health patients across the country. ‘I heard about this and could see that it was going to be a major change… The city editor said, ‘Well, this paper doesn’t do big stories… so forget it.”

“So what I had to do was do a lot of the reporting and writing on my own time, then bring it to the paper as a fait accompli, and say, ‘See, isn’t this interesting?’… I also learned at that first job that you can’t wait for people to invite you to do things.” (pg. 106-107)

Other ways to apply that strategy include seeking out education on your own time. For example, I have met a number of executives, managers and other professionals who have gone back to school to earn additional degrees. In some cases, they had employer support. In other cases, they did not have such support.

All of these strategies involve taking some degree of personal risk and being willing to embrace a trade off. You might be turned away when you seek to add value to another department. Your personal project may not lead anywhere interesting. That uncertainty discourages many people from using smart work strategies. Therefore, you have the opportunity to stand out by being one of the one or more of these strategies.

Further Reading On Working Smart

Today’s article was inspired by a book I read last week by Peter Han. There are numerous fascinating insights from the book including the smart work concept discussed here. Find additional resources below on how to work smart.

Nobodies to Somebodies: How 100 Great Careers Got Their Start by Peter Han. This book features interviews and insights from one hundred leaders from a variety of fields. The book emphasizes the early career and advice to young professionals.

The big difference between smart work and hard work by Blaz Kos. An in depth article that explores multiple aspects of working smart. The article covers some important big picture concepts such as understanding your organization and knowing the career potential of your industry.

5 Scientifically Proven Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder by Jeff Haden. The Inc.com article presents research on how we work. The first tip in the article? Take more breaks! Breaking the day up with breaks tends to refresh you.