MARKETING YOU is a three-step career strategy:
1. Understanding the importance of regularly assessing your career;
2. Evaluating where you are now and where you want to be; and
3. Marketing yourself effectively all the time.

The Importance of Assessing Your Career
Even if you are not actively looking for a job or planning a career move in the near future, it is important to take stock of your career on a regular basis. Why? One reason is that things change. You may be satisfied doing what you are doing, but your environment (or your feelings about it) may change because of a new corporate strategy, the economy, a new boss, a merger, or a change in your personal situation. Change is guaranteed and you want to be ready for it.

Another reason for regularly assessing your career strategy is that you want to know you have a choice. You don't want to stay in a job because you feel like you can’t go anywhere else; feeling trapped feels terrible. A regular assessment of your skills and accomplishments, and what they are worth in the job market, will reassure you that you are where you are because you are happy. And, if you are not happy, you can choose to move on to something better.

Evaluating your career and recognizing the value of your talents and achievements will also boost your self-esteem. This will make you more attractive to your organization, to your customers and to many potential employers.

WHERE ARE YOU NOW AND WHERE DO YOU WANT TO BE?
Who do you work for? In assessing where you are right now in your career, it is important to understand who you work for. No matter what you do and who you choose to work with, you work for YOU. Believing that you are your own boss is critical to your success in any field. If you are an employee in a large business, think of yourself as a free agent and start managing your career as you would your own company. This shift in your thinking will increase the value you place on your time and skills. It will also give you a feeling of control that can’t be shaken by the toughest manager, office politics, rumors, business dips, or organization changes. No matter what happens, you know you will be OK because you are your own boss.

What have you accomplished? If you haven’t done this in awhile, take the time to evaluate all of your accomplishments, both personal and professional. Then, start keeping track of the actions you take and the results you achieve? A daily habit of acknowledging your successes is another confidence builder that also makes it easy to keep your resume current. Schedule some time to review your recent accomplishments and update your resume, and then continue to update your resume on a quarterly basis.

What do you want? Having goals makes your work, and all of your life, more interesting and exciting. Goals inspire you and help you recognize the opportunities that are often presenting themselves. What is important to you? If you love the job you have right now, do you know why you love it? If you don’t like what you’re doing now, do you have a goal to do something else? Knowing what is most important to you in your work will help you recognize the great job when you see it. Take time to write down what you want and why you want it. Write about your ideal job. What does it look like? Where is it? What are you doing? Who are you working with? Put in all the details to get clear on what you like most about this perfect job. Describe everything: your day, the pay, the place, the people, and most of all how you will feel doing your ideal work. A clear vision is the first and most important step in achieving any goal.

MARKETING YOU

Getting to where you want to be requires marketing yourself. Don’t think you can wait until you are looking for a job; you are always marketing you. This means always being at your best, whether you are with customers or at home. It means raising your personal standards and practicing daily habits that keep you at your best. Your friends and family deserve you at your best; you deserve you at your best.

Brag a lot. Most of us are much too humble. If you don’t admire and acknowledge your strengths and accomplishments, how can you expect others to recognize them? Be proud of yourself. Start bragging about you to you; a journal is a great place for this. Then try talking about your accomplishments with others. Maybe you and a friend could be bragging buddies to share accomplishments with on a weekly basis. You’ll both feel great and you’ll be helping one another to prepare for other conversations where promoting yourself is important. And remember, whenever someone else compliments you, say a sincere thank you. Don’t brush it off, don’t make excuses, and don’t minimize what they say. Just say thank you and enjoy it.

Network constantly. The word “networking” is misunderstood to mean “getting to know others who can do something for you”. Networking isn’t one sided. It’s relationship building; it’s reciprocal. Networking is reaching out and connecting with others. Networking is listening. Get to know your associates, your neighbors, and everyone you meet. Relationships are everything in life. When it comes to getting a job, making a sale, and finding just about anything (including love, friendship and support) – it’s your relationships that come through for you every time. The most successful people have huge networks and close, supportive relationships.

MARKETING YOU IS MORE THAN A CAREER STRATEGY
Although the focus of Marketing You is on your career, it is really about your life. Some other words for marketing are "promotion”, “endorsement” and “support”. How well are you promoting, endorsing and supporting yourself? Meaningful work is an important part of a fulfilling life. If your work isn’t meaningful to you right now, do you need to take stock of your entire life? What will it take for you to do a better job of endorsing and supporting you? What changes do you want to make? What inspires you? What’s your heart’s desire? These questions can get you started on the path toward living your life the way you want to. Marketing you is about being your own boss, enjoying what you do, and having a great life. So market, promote, endorse, and support yourself; and make things happen by marketing you.

Compass Coaching can help you in evaluate your career strategy and create a life you love. For a complimentary coaching session, call toll free (1-888-414-7557) or e-mail catherine@compasscoaching.com Visit Compass at http://www.codcompass.com

Author's Bio: 

Catherine O'Donnell, principal of Compass Coaching, had over 20
years corporate Human Resources experience before starting her
successful company, providing career and business coaching. Catherine works with all levels of corporate professionals and small business owners, helping them define success and achive huge goals. For a complimentary coaching session by phone or more information: call 1-888-414-7557 or 1-856-642-0583; or e-mail codcompass@comcast.net. Visit Compass at http://www.codcompass.com