A recommendation that would serve all business professionals well would be to keep a work journal. As the beginning of a career portfolio, this work journal captures the great value found within the incremental pieces of one’s career: various jobs, the learning, the progressions, and the impact that one has on the work environment. More than just a memory tool, a journal allows you to remember self-value as well as prove professional value, should either ever be in question.
Here are some tips from your friends at Dale Carnegie Training of Michigan for creating and using this valuable tool:
- Keep your public persona intact with current contact information. You never know when you will need a precious colleague for information, a reference or a referral within your career. There are many resources that can assist—such as LinkedIn—where you can post all kinds of information about you and disperse it easily to your network.
- Translate the accomplishments documented in your journal to update your resume. Include any new learning that you also may acquire. Upload your new postings online regularly if you actively are seeking new opportunities.
- Keep a running list of newly developed competencies that you can bring to the workplace. At least once a year for your performance review, refer to these contributions with your supervisor. Make sure these competencies are also listed in your resume.
- Identify trends in the things that you do well and enjoy doing most often. Once your trends are identified, you may find you may want to switch career tracks. These trends may assist you in finding a mentor that will want you on their team because you can clearly articulate to them what you like and do well.
- Prove your performance. Your journal cannot only assist in the above efforts, it may also allow you to negotiate a higher salary (for all the extra things you do), and possibly obtain a promotion because you can refer to measurable performance a prospective employer requires.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Dale Carnegie Training of Michigan, providers of professional development and management development courses and information in Michigan. We would love to connect with you on Facebook!
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