5 Habits To Future-Proof Your Career

Executives often come to the author when they reach their wits’ end. These professionals have reached a breaking point and want out of their current situation. There is often a sense of urgency and despair.  According to the author, one’s career is an evolution, and even for people who are happy in their current roles, there is always work that can be done to prepare them for their next chapter. ​

The following five-point strategy will help propel your career forward preemptively. This way, when you are ready to make a transition to a new role, you have already completed some of the legwork. It’s like an insurance policy that prepares you for any scenario. ​

1. Have a clear objective for an updated résumé.​  Having a well-written objective on your résumé is paramount, and having it updated and handy to give to the right connection is key. Your résumé needs to capture exactly what you are looking for.  The objective should be a statement that is succinct and not vague. A confused hiring manager is not going to take the time to figure out what you are looking for. If your résumé is not crystal clear, the hiring manager and applicant tracking system will not know the role you are most qualified for or if you are even a strong candidate for a role.
2. Invest 20% of your time in job boards and 80% in networking.  ​Yes, job boards offer positions to apply for, and it is fine to apply, but people who only do this are limiting themselves. The other 80% of your job search should be networking, as a significant portion of the job market is never posted.  Build networking into a daily or weekly routine.
3. Build a target company list, and make it known.​  It is imperative for job seekers to have a vision of companies that align with their values and interests. Having a list of companies where you think you could be an asset gives your job search direction. This takes out the guesswork or doubt because you are keeping tabs on companies that you can already see yourself working at.
4. Craft and rehearse your professional story.​  Practice makes perfect. No matter what stage you are in during your professional career and no matter what job you are looking for, having a precise and clean story about your career development journey can set you apart.  People who ramble lose the interviewer and the opportunity. Make the expertise you have and the problems you are great at solving clear.  People often help and hire those they like and feel connected to, so make sure your story is interesting and easy to follow. It’s difficult to market yourself and not sound vain, but this is an important component.​  Dedicate five to 10 minutes a day to practicing in the mirror or even recording a video on your phone. Be mindful of cutting out filler words and presenting the most polished version of yourself while also letting your authentic personality shine through. Ask yourself, “Would I hire me?” and be brutally honest.​
5. Find problems to solve.​  The author’s favorite piece of advice is to find problems to solve. Don’t just try to fit into the mold of jobs that are posted. This strategy has gotten his clients hired faster than people who scour job boards for months.​  When you apply for a job, you’re competing with hundreds of other candidates; imagine 500 people fighting over the same plate of food.