November is National Career Development Month
Survey Results & Books to consider for your career growth

Brand Career Management 

Hello Everyone,

November is National Career Development (NCD) Month so the focus of this issue will be on fostering your career. Also this month, we’re trying something new and will be sharing books instead of articles. Feel free to reply and let us know what you think about this deviation from the norm.

On another note, I’d like to share the results of our recent reader survey. First of all, a sincere THANK YOU to everyone who participated! We had a healthy response rate with 54 people chiming in. The data created was extremely useful in helping me decide on the frequency and what topics to focus on for future newsletters. Based on the results shown below, we will continue a bi-monthly format moving forward!

Results summary:

  • The average rating was 4.2/5.
  • More than ½ of the respondents read some part of every issue
  • 65% find every article useful and another 25% find them useful depending on the topic
  • A whopping 77% are just fine with (or prefer) receiving the newsletter every other month.

Top responses for other online career resources readers go to:
Forbes (41%), Glassdoor (40%) New York Times (36%), Washington Post (33%), Wall Street Journal (31%), National Public Radio (25%) and Fast Company (21%)

The career topics most people want or need are (in order of preference): Interviewing strategies, career management, salary negotiation, job search, LinkedIn, resumes, personal branding, balancing work/life, women-related career issues, assessments/understanding strengths and growing as a leader. Accordingly, these topics will become the focus of future newsletters and blogs.

Thank you for all of the positive and encouraging comments about the newsletter! It warmed my heart to read such great feedback and gave me inspiration to keep writing it. To sum up the comments, many readers said the newsletter provides them expert knowledge that keeps them up to date on trends and resources. They love that it’s honest, targeted and easy to read with useful tips. Many readers mentioned that they share the newsletter with their staff, colleagues, and clients.

The biggest reason people don’t read it is that they have too many other things going on in their lives (no surprise in this day and age). Thanks again to everyone who supports, appreciates and shares the newsletter!

Best wishes for your career development this month and always,

Paula

P.S. Please forward this to a friend, if you like what I have to share. Anyone can sign up for the Brand Career Management Newsletter by going to the bottom of the home page on BrandCareerManagement.com.

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LINKED IN – TIP OF THE MONTH

When developing your career, you want to grow your network and adding LinkedIn connections is one way to do that. Even better, connecting on LinkedIn in the moment you are meeting someone new can be a great idea for many reasons. It helps confirm spelling (which can be helpful if it’s unusual or hard to understand the pronunciation). It also assists your memory since you’ll see it in writing. Finally, it saves time and avoids forgetting to do it later. Thankfully, LinkedIn has made it even easier to connect in the moment with QR codes.

Did you know you have a QR code for your LinkedIn profile? I didn’t until I attended the ATD conference in May when a fellow attendee showed it to me. The beauty of this feature is that it provides a way for you to easily find others on LinkedIn, especially when someone doesn’t have a business card handy. You can access it using the LinkedIn mobile app (of course, you both have to be LinkedIn users with the mobile app downloaded for this to work). Next time you meet someone new in person, give it a try.  

To access it, open your LinkedIn app. Look to the right side of the search box (top of the screen). You’ll see a symbol that looks like three boxes and an x in the shape of a square.  If you touch on that symbol, you’ll have the option to scan the QR code or to show your code to someone else. After you scan someone’s LinkedIn QR code, their profile will magically appear on your phone.

Note that scanning their QR code doesn’t automatically connect you two. You will still have to send them an invitation (and don’t forget to customize your invitation, as I mentioned in the (May LinkedIn Tip of the Month). As a bonus, the QR code avoids having to type the person’s name in the search box and having to ask them “Is this you?” if there are many people with the same name. 

Have fun connecting with others as you check out this LinkedIn feature! 

USEFUL BOOKS WITH LINKS

This issue is going to deviate from the usual practice of sharing articles tied to our theme.  Instead, we will share books that have been released in 2019. The titles are diverse, but each addresses some aspect of career development. 

Digital You by William Arruda 

Just released on October 1st, Digital You by personal branding pioneer William Arruda, provides the mindset shift you need to succeed in the new world of work, along with tips on how to master social media without letting it take over your life!  In true fashion, William is donating 100% of book profits to Free2Luv, an organization that’s all about promoting individuality and kindness. I bought a copy and have started to peruse the content.

Elevate by Robert Glazer 

Also just released on October 1stElevate by Friday Forward (a newsletter with 100,000+ subscribers) creator Robert Glazer, reveals four life-changing principles ― or capacities ― that will allow you to overcome self-limiting beliefs, establish positive habits, and find your “why.”  After recently hearing Robert as a guest on CareerBlast, I was truly inspired by his words and purchased a copy. Also, check out Robert’s Elevate podcast on becoming all that you can be

Bring Your Brain to Work by Art Markman 

Over the summer, Bring Your Brain to Work was released. In it, professor, author, and popular radio host Art Markman focuses on three essential elements of a successful career–getting a job, excelling at work, and finding your next position–and expertly illustrates how cognitive science, especially psychology, sheds fascinating and useful light on each of these elements. I just bought a copy and look forward to reading it. 

The Introvert’s Complete Career Guide by Jane Finkle

A career colleague of mine, Jane Finkle, recently published The Introvert’s Complete Career Guide. In this all-inclusive handbook, she demonstrates how to use your introverted qualities to their best advantage for ultimate career success. Also, you’ll discover keys to navigating each stage of professional development–from self-assessment and job searching to survival in a new position and career advancement. 

The Career Practitioners Field Guide by Jim Peacock

Another colleague, Jim Peacock of Peak-Careers, recently published his first book, The Career Practitioners Field Guide. This is a great book for anyone who helps others with careers. It’s useful for both new and seasoned career professionals. It’s written in a friendly tone while offering concrete insights into theories and techniques with reminders on mindset and helping clients express their strengths. The last few chapters address the needs of the career professional (on self-care, professional development and running a private practice). I’ve read it and enjoyed it. I hope my other career colleagues give it a try. 

Start Finishing by Charlie Gilkey 

“Few things propel your career or set you up for opportunities more than a list of significant projects you’ve finished and the impact you’ve created from those projects. Finished projects and actual impact usually transcend degrees and certifications because the latter show potential, whereas the former show your ability to use your resources to get significant projects done. So if you’re looking to improve your resume, consider what significant projects you can start finishing so that when it’s time for your raise or interview, you can speak to what you’ve done rather than what you’re working on.

Not sure where to start? Ask your boss or potential employers what kinds of projects demonstrate the talent they’re looking for. Then go finish one of those.” –
Charlie Gilkey, Author, Start Finishing 

The Essential HR Handbook (10th-anniversary edition) by Sharon Armstrong & Barbara Mitchell 

If you are in HR, this book is for you! This best-selling book has been completely revised and updated because so much has changed, from “wearable” technology… to the paperless HR office… to the repercussions of the #MeToo movement in the workplace.  This 10th-anniversary edition is packed with information, tools, checklists, sample forms, and timely tips to guide you through the maze of personnel issues in today’s complex business environment. Whenever personnel problems arise, having this on your bookshelf is like having a team of expert HR consultants at your beck and call. 

*The book links provided above are through the Amazon Associate program, which means I will receive a small percentage of the sale if you purchase using them.
Paula Brand – Global Career Coach & Consultant | LinkedIn Expert | Speaker, Trainer, Facilitator |
Founder of Brand Career Management

 

Brand Career Management (BCM) helps professionals strategically manage their careers, apply effective job search techniques and leverage social media tools to secure their best career options with ease. We provide an array of career services designed to meet your current needs. Write to: paula@brandcareermanagement.com or call me at 443-254-8173.

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