YOU CAN HAVE CAREER SUCCESS

YOU CAN HAVE CAREER SUCCESS

CONTENTS

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INTRODUCTION

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CHAPTER 1:

CAREER SKILL BASICS

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CHAPTER 2:

WHERE DO YOU NEED IMPROVEMENT

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CHAPTER 3:

ASSESSMENT TESTS FOR YOUR GIVEN CAREER

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CHAPTER 4:

MENTORING

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CHAPTER 5:

ONLINE COURSES

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CHAPTER 6:

OFFLINE COURSES

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CHAPTER 7:

LIFE LESSONS

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CHAPTER 8:

SELF ESTEEM

4 6 7 10

12 16 17 19 21

LEGAL NOTICE

The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this report, notwithstanding the fact that they do not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet.

While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publi- cation, the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary ǣȇɎƺȸȵȸƺɎƏɎǣȒȇ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺ ɀɖƫǴƺƬɎ ȅƏɎɎƺȸ ǝƺȸƺǣȇِ ȇɵ ȵƺȸƬƺǣɮƺƳ ɀǼǣǕǝɎɀ Ȓǔ ɀȵƺƬǣˡƬ

persons, peoples, or organizations are unintentional.

In practical advice books, like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of results. Readers are cautioned to use their own judgment about their individual circumstances to act accordingly.

This book is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, psychological or ˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼƏƳɮǣƬƺِǼǼȸƺƏƳƺȸɀƏȸƺƏƳɮǣɀƺƳɎȒɀƺƺǸɀƺȸɮǣƬƺɀȒǔƬȒȅȵƺɎƺȇɎȵȸȒǔƺɀ- ɀǣȒȇƏǼɀǣȇɎǝƺɀƺˡƺǼƳɀِ

Xx¨…«ÁzÁي Xǔ ɵȒɖ ˡȇƳ ɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔ ǣȇ Ə ǴȒƫ ǣȇ ɯǝǣƬǝ ɵȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏɎ ȸǣɀǸ Ȓǔ ȵǝɵɀǣƬƏǼ

or emotional harm, the insights offered herewith cannot help you. Dangerous work situations should be but are not always illegal. We recommend you gain professional career counseling and support to secure your safety.

We encourage you to print this book for easy reading.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

If career success has eluded you to this point, then this book will assist you in ƬǼƺƏȸǣȇǕƏȇƺɯȵƏɎǝِ«ƺƏƳɎǝȸȒɖǕǝǣɎƬƏȸƺǔɖǼǼɵِ³ȒȅƺȒǔɯǝƏɎɵȒɖˡȇƳǝƺȸƺȅƏɵ

be entirely new information, while other elements may be things you have heard in the past.

Whether you wish to advance in your current career, change careers entirely, or even if you’ve merely been working a “job” and wish to move into a meaningful ƬƏȸƺƺȸȵƏɎǝًɎǝƺȸƺǣɀƏǕȸƺƏɎƳƺƏǼȒǔǝƺǼȵɵȒɖɯǣǼǼˡȇƳǝƺȸƺٍ

To begin, let us look at a few of the basic characteristics of a career worth having.

First, a true career requires skills that can be valued with higher pay. Unskilled labor “jobs” will never provide the kind of income that supports a family or a life.

Secondly, a career provides room for growth. Not only do you need skills to ad- vance in the career, but the career itself allows and leaves room for you to grow your skills and abilities.

Third, a career should have a path or trajectory. Careers are not “dead-end” jobs that go nowhere over time.

Finally, careers should offer compensation packages including health care and ȅƺƳǣƬƏǼƫƺȇƺˡɎɀًȵƏǣƳǝȒǼǣƳƏɵɀƏȇƳɀǣƬǸǼƺƏɮƺِ

INTRODUCTION

XȇȒȸƳƺȸɎȒƺȇǴȒɵƬƏȸƺƺȸɀɖƬƬƺɀɀǣȇƏȇɵˡƺǼƳًɵȒɖƬƏȇƺɴȵƺƬɎɎǝƏɎɵȒɖɯǣǼǼɯƏȇɎ

to advance your skills from time to time. And that “time” may be starting right now.

There are very few employers willing to take a risk on “raw talent” unless you happen to be quite young, armed with a degree and willing to hustle. If you do ˡɎɎǝǣɀƬƏɎƺǕȒȸɵɵȒɖɯǣǼǼˡȇƳȅƏȇɵɀɎƏȸɎٮɖȵƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀƺƏǕƺȸɎȒɀȵƺƏǸɵȒɖِ

IȒȸɎǝƺȸƺɀɎȒǔɖɀًƫƺƺˡȇǕɖȵɵȒɖȸɀǸǣǼǼɀȅƏɵƫƺȸƺȷɖǣȸƺƳِçȒɖƬƏȇǕƏǣȇɀȵƺƬǣƏǼǣɿƏ- ɎǣȒȇƏȇƳƺɴȵƺȸɎǣɀƺǣȇƏɀȵƺƬǣˡƬƏƬɎǣɮǣɎɵȒȸˡƺǼƳِÁǝǣɀȅƏɵƫƺɎǝȸȒɖǕǝƬȒȇɎǣȇɖǣȇǕ

education, university studies or a vocational school of some kind. Today, there are also many online courses to support your career advancement. Mentorship may also be a valuable part of your career skill development.

ÁǝǣɀƫȒȒǸɯǣǼǼƏǣƳɵȒɖǣȇƺɴȵǼȒȸǣȇǕǝȒɯɎȒƏƬȷɖǣȸƺɎǝƺɀƺɀǸǣǼǼɀِ…ȇƬƺɵȒɖǝƏɮƺ

ƺɴȵǼȒȸƺƳɎǝƺȅًɵȒɖƏȸƺȒȇɵȒɖȸɯƏɵɎȒƫƺɎɎƺȸƬƏȸƺƺȸƬǝȒǣƬƺɀًƏɀƺȇɀƺȒǔɀɎƏƫǣǼǣɎɵ

and yes, very likely, more money.

CHAPTER 1

CAREER SKILL BASICS

Any employer worthy of working for is looking to hire the best possible can- didate. One who has all of the basic skills, at the very least, along with a clear potential to grow into the company culture and add value to the company’s overall goals.

While each company has a different culture and different set of goals, the basic skill requirements of a good employee are generally very similar, so let’s have a closer look at these basics. As you read through the below, be sure to be honest with yourself and evaluate your own level of competence and skill in each of these areas.

BASIC CAREER SKILL REQUIREMENTS

۩ Reading: çȒɖȅɖɀɎƫƺƏƫǼƺɎȒɖȇƳƺȸɀɎƏȇƳًǣȇɎƺȸȵȸƺɎƏȇƳǼȒƬƏɎƺɯȸǣɎɎƺȇ

information like graphs, schedules and manuals.

۩ Writing: çȒɖƏȸƺƏƫǼƺɎȒƬȒȅȅɖȇǣƬƏɎƺǣƳƺƏɀًǣȇǔȒȸȅƏɎǣȒȇًɎǝȒɖǕǝɎɀƏȇƳ

ȅƺɀɀƏǕƺɀ ƺǔǔƺƬɎǣɮƺǼɵ ǣȇ ɯȸǣɎǣȇǕِ çȒɖ ȅƏɵ ƏǼɀȒ ƫƺ ƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ ƬȸƺƏɎƺ ƳȒƬɖ- ȅƺȇɎɀǼǣǸƺȅƏȇɖƏǼɀًˢȒɯƬǝƏȸɎɀًǕȸƏȵǝɀًȸƺȵȒȸɎɀًƳǣȸƺƬɎǣȒȇɀƏȇƳǼƺɎɎƺȸɀِ

۩ Mathematics/Arithmetic Skills: çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ ȵƺȸǔȒȸȅ ƬȒȅȵɖɎƏɎǣȒȇɀ

and face practical problems with basic mathematical techniques.

۩ Listening: çȒɖƬƏȇƏɎɎƺȇƳɎȒًǣȇɎƺȸȵȸƺɎًȸƺɀȵȒȇƳƏȇƳȸƺƬƺǣɮƺɮƺȸƫƏǼƬɖƺɀً

messages and directions.

۩ Speaking:çȒɖƬƏȇƬȒȅȅɖȇǣƬƏɎƺƏȇƳȒȸǕƏȇǣɿƺǣƳƺƏɀȒȸƏǼǼɵِ

۩ Interpersonal and Team Skills: çȒɖ Əȸƺ ƏƫǼƺ ɎȒ ƬȒȅȅɖȇǣƬƏɎƺ ɯǣɎǝ ƬȒ- workers, team members, customers and the management team.

CHAPTER 2

WHERE DO YOU NEED IMPROVEMENT?

SYNOPSIS

Employers are looking for skills that often go beyond the basics reviewed in

!ǝƏȵɎƺȸ׏ِáǝǣǼƺɵȒɖȸƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺƏȇƳƺƳɖƬƏɎǣȒȇȅƏɵȅƏǸƺɵȒɖƺǼǣǕǣƫǼƺƺȇȒɖǕǝ

ɎȒƏȵȵǼɵǔȒȸƏǴȒƫًɵȒɖɀɎǣǼǼȇƺƺƳɎȒǝƏɮƺȅǣɴƺƳɀǸǣǼǼɀِ

For most employers, getting the right people is important. It is all about iden- ɎǣǔɵǣȇǕɎǝƺȵƺȒȵǼƺɯǣɎǝɎǝƺȸǣǕǝɎȷɖƏǼǣɎǣƺɀƏȇƳɀǸǣǼǼɀɎȒǔɖǼˡǼǼɎǝƺǣȸȸȒǼƺƏȇƳƬȒȇ- ɎȸǣƫɖɎƺɎȒɎǝƺɀɖƬƬƺɀɀȒǔɎǝƺȒȸǕƏȇǣɿƏɎǣȒȇِçȒɖȅƏɵƫƺȒȇƺȒǔɎǝȒɀƺƬƏȇƳǣƳƏɎƺɀ

ɯǝȒǝƏɮƺɎǝƺȵȸƏƬɎǣƬƏǼƏȇƳȷɖƏǼǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇɀǣȇȅƏȇƏǕǣȇǕɵȒɖȸǴȒƫȸȒǼƺِRȒɯƺɮƺȸً

employers are less likely to hire you if they do not believe you possess the qual- ities that will make you a good employee. These could be referred to as “soft”

skills, or adaptability.

With the heavy competition in some sectors of the marketplace, it is the ability to adapt to a company’s culture which will make the difference between two candidates who are otherwise equal. So let us now have a look at some of the

“soft” skills to see where you might want to improve.

EMPLOYABILITY

What is your track record with other companies, if any? Do you have good records with your other employers? During the hiring process, are you available for answering questions or for follow-up? Do you have a disciplinary record with oth- ƺȸƬȒȅȵƏȇǣƺɀّRƏɮƺɵȒɖǝƏƳƺɴƬƺɀɀǣɮƺɀǣƬǸǼƺƏɮƺȒȸȸƺƬƺǣɮƺƳ

workers compensation? These all factor into your employ- ability status.

INTERPERSONAL

RȒɯƏȸƺɵȒɖȸǣȇɎƺȸȵƺȸɀȒȇƏǼɀǸǣǼǼɀّXɎǣɀƏȇɖȇǔȒȸɎɖȇƏɎƺɎȸɖɎǝ

that many times it is the very people with poor interpersonal ɀǸǣǼǼɀɯǝȒǼƏƬǸƺȇȒɖǕǝɀƺǼǔٮȸƺˢƺƬɎǣȒȇɎȒȸƺƬȒǕȇǣɿƺɎǝƏɎɎǝƺɵ

are the cause of their career problems. Don’t be one of those ȵƺȒȵǼƺٍ

RƺȸƺƏȸƺɀȒȅƺȷɖƺɀɎǣȒȇɀɎȒƏɀǸɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔيȸƺɵȒɖƏǕȒȒƳǼǣɀ- tener? Do you take directions and feedback well, without taking criticism personally? Do you like to gripe or complain at the water cooler? Do you tend to have “enemies” at work?

Is there a lot of drama that circles around you at work? Do ɵȒɖƫǼƏȅƺȒɎǝƺȸɀǔȒȸɵȒɖȸȵȸȒƫǼƺȅɀƏɎɯȒȸǸّRƏɮƺɵȒɖƫƺƺȇ

passed over numerous times for promotions.

Other questions to ask include: Can you manage others well ɯǣɎǝȒɖɎƫƏȸǸǣȇǕƏɎɎǝƺȅّXɀɎǝƺȸƺƏȸƺƬȒȸƳȒȇˡǼƺƏƫȒɖɎɵȒɖ

with previous employers related to your interpersonal skills ȒȸǼƏƬǸɎǝƺȸƺٮȒǔّRƏɮƺɵȒɖȸƺƬƺǣɮƺƳƳǣɀƬǣȵǼǣȇƏȸɵɯƏȸȇǣȇǕɀȒȸ

ƫƺƺȇˡȸƺƳǔȒȸɵȒɖȸƬȒȇƳɖƬɎٖȅǣɀƬȒȇƳɖƬɎّ

With good interpersonal skills, you can actively participate ƏɀƏɎƺƏȅȅƺȅƫƺȸِçȒɖƬƏȇɀƏɎǣɀǔɵɎǝƺƺɴȵƺƬɎƏɎǣȒȇɀȒǔɵȒɖȸ

ƺȅȵǼȒɵƺȸƏȇƳƬɖɀɎȒȅƺȸɀًȅƏȇƏǕƺɵȒɖȸɎǣȅƺƺǔˡƬǣƺȇɎǼɵƏȇƳ

work effectively with other employees.

Keep in mind that there is always room for improvement and you may still need to hone your interpersonal skills, which ultimately leads to a less stressful and better working environment.

COMMUNICATION

Employers are searching for people who have the means to communicate well, both in writing and verbally. If you are ap- plying for work or seeking a promotion, you’ll want to make a positive effort to demonstrate your communication skills.

XǔɵȒɖƳȒȇȒɎƺɴƬƺǼǣȇƬȒȅȅɖȇǣƬƏɎǣȒȇًɵȒɖټǼǼȇƺƺƳɎȒǣȅȵȸȒɮƺ

in this area by practicing and possibly taking a course or join- ing a club. If verbal communication is an area of weakness for you, consider Toastmasters International. This worldwide organization helps people improve their speaking skills and the tiny membership dues makes it easy to join no matter your current income level.

If written communication is your area of challenge, start by looking online for free videos or training on how to improve basic writing skills.

CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is not the same thing as being critical. Crit- ical thinking is about discernment. It is about being able to use your rational mind, pulling in relevant information and thinking through a challenge or problem in order to come to an optimal solution.

In other words, critical thinking is used for problem-solving.

Further, it’s used on a frequent basis in any business set- ɎǣȇǕِçȒɖȸƏƫǣǼǣɎɵɎȒɀȒǼɮƺȵȸȒƫǼƺȅɀɯǣǼǼƫƺƏƫǣǕƏɀɀƺɎɎȒƏȇ

employer. This is a desirable skill that you’ll want to demon- strate if you can.

In problem solving and decision making there is a need to gather reliable information, plan effectively and organize your time may all come into play. With employees who can think critically, employers save money and time.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Most jobs involve change. Employers prefer people who are ˢƺɴǣƫǼƺً ȵƏɎǣƺȇɎً ƏȇƳ ƏƳƏȵɎƏƫǼƺ ƏȇƳ ȸƺɀȵȒȇƳ ɎȒ ƬǝƏȇǕƺِ Xǔ

you are not open to changes and learning, then this is one of the areas that you simply must develop. If you are resistant to changes in an organization, this will serve as a hindrance to your successful career.

All else being equal, an employer will choose an employee who can make the company more money. Employees con- tent to do the bare minimum and get paid are not oriented toward personal or professional growth. They will inevitably become a drain on the company.

Personal development is about acquiring the right attitude toward your life, which affects the way you show up for the company. Employers look for people who are interested in learning and developing themselves because these are the kind of employees who bring more creativity, motivation and growth energy to the company.

CHAPTER 3

ASSESSMENT TESTS FOR YOUR GIVEN CAREER

Assessment tests help in determining the best career option for a person based on their personality, aptitude, interests, skills and other factors. Assessments can help you discover a career that you will be able to stick with for the long- haul. Such tests are also useful in suggesting career options.

Assessments may include questions about your style of working, your skill level in different areas, your attitude, interests and style of interaction with others.

With a set of responses, your basic personality can be seen, along with a list of ȵȒɎƺȇɎǣƏǼɯƺƏǸȇƺɀɀƺɀƏȇƳɀɎȸƺȇǕɎǝɀِÁǝǣɀȵȸȒˡǼƺǣɀɎǝƺȇȅƏɎƬǝƺƳɯǣɎǝƏƳƏɎƏ- base of career options.

It is crucial to be honest when answering all questions if you want to get the best career guidance. Lying would only cheat yourself.

Keep in mind however that assessment tests serve as a guideline. They may not always be right, so be sure to trust your own interests which may not show ɖȵǣȇɎǝƺȸƺɀɖǼɎɀِXǔɵȒɖǸȇȒɯًǔȒȸƺɴƏȅȵǼƺًɎǝƏɎɵȒɖǝƏɮƺƏȵƏɀɀǣȒȇƏɎƺǣȇɎƺȸƺɀɎ

in building and creating things, but an assessment test reveals no builder/con- ɎȸƏƬɎȒȸȒȵɎǣȒȇɀًƺɴȵǼȒȸƺɎǝƺȅƏȇɵɯƏɵِÈǼɎǣȅƏɎƺǼɵًɵȒɖɯƏȇɎƏƬƏȸƺƺȸɯǝƺȸƺɵȒɖ

ƬƏȇƫȒɎǝƺɴƬƺǼƏȇƳƫƺȵƏɀɀǣȒȇƏɎƺƏƫȒɖɎɯǝƏɎɵȒɖƳȒِ

Now, let’s have a look at a few of the assessment tests available:

ٚ INTEREST TEST

This is considered to be the strongest of all tests. This is also helpful in assess- ing the career that is best suited for a particular person. Interest Assessments will suggest careers that motivate and interest you, more than what you may show a “natural” aptitude for, relying on your personwal engagement (interest) to support you in becoming successful.

çȒɖƬƏȇƺɴȵƺƬɎȷɖƺɀɎǣȒȇɀȸƺǼƏɎƺƳɎȒɀƺɎȒǔƬǝȒǣƬƺɀǣȇƳǣǔǔƺȸƺȇɎˡƺǼƳɀِçȒɖȸȒȸǣƺȇ- tation toward different jobs is being determined.

¨ƺȒȵǼƺƬƏȇƫƺƺǔɖȵɎǝƺǣȸƬƏȸƺƺȸɀǸǣǼǼɀƏȇƳƬǝȒȒɀƺƏǴȒƫɎǝƏɎƫƺɀɎˡɎɀɎǝƺǣȸǣȇɎƺȸ- ests by taking an interest test such as an interest assessment, self- assessment ƺɴƺȸƬǣɀƺًƬƏȸƺƺȸȵǣȵƺǼǣȇƺȒȸƏƬƏȸƺƺȸǣȇɎƺȸƺɀɎǣȇɮƺȇɎȒȸɵɎƺɀɎِ

ٚ SKILLS AND APTITUDE TEST

Aptitude tests help to determine skill levels. These also assess a person’s weak- nesses and strengths. These tests contain questions which can reveal things like: analytical ability, verbal reasoning, technical skills, visual skills, language skills, numeric reasoning and speed tests.

Áǝƺ ǣȇǝƺȸƺȇɎ ƏȵɎǣɎɖƳƺ ǔȒȸ Ə ɀȵƺƬǣˡƬ ɀɖƫǴƺƬɎ ǣɀ ƫƺǣȇǕ ɎƺɀɎƺƳِ Áǝƺɀƺ ɎƺɀɎɀ ƏǼɀȒ

highlight areas where you may be weak, average and strong. Thus, you know where to further build on the strengths and shore up weaknesses.

ٚ PERSONALITY TESTS

¨ƺȸɀȒȇƏǼǣɎɵɎƺɀɎɀƏȸƺɖɀƺƳɎȒɖȇƬȒɮƺȸɵȒɖȸƫƏɀǣƬȇƏɎɖȸƺًɯǝǣƬǝǝƺǼȵɀɵȒɖˡȇƳƏ

career that will be suit your character.

IȒȸƺɴƏȅȵǼƺًɯǝƺȸƺȒȇƺȵƺȸɀȒȇȅƏɵƫƺǣȇɎȸȒɮƺȸɎƺƳًƏȇȒɎǝƺȸȅƏɵƫƺȒɖɎǕȒǣȇǕِ

And while both may have the same basic aptitude for a certain type of career, ɎǝƺˡȸɀɎȅƏɵƫƺƫƺɎɎƺȸɀɖǣɎƺƳǔȒȸ«ۭ(٢«ƺɀƺƏȸƬǝƏȇƳ(ƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎ٣ɯǝǣǼƺɎǝƺ

second may be better suited for Account Acquisitions or some other role with the public.

CHAPTER 4

MENTORING

One highly effective way to up-level your employment desirability is to get men- torship. In fact, all top CEOs CFO and CMOs in Fortune 500 companies invest some of their time with personal and professional mentorship. This is not to say ɎǝƏɎxƺȇɎȒȸɀǝǣȵǣɀȒȇǼɵǔȒȸǝǣǕǝٮǼƺɮƺǼƺɴƺƬɖɎǣɮƺɀِ…ȇɎǝƺƬȒȇɎȸƏȸɵٍXɎǣɀƫƺƬƏɖɀƺ

of the effectiveness demonstrated t top levels that we can see the value of men- torship for anyone.

To put it more bluntly: Mentoring has long been proven to be essential for top career success. A good Mentor can be instrumental to your career growth and success. They offer their time, care and commitment to help you improve your skills.

JȸƺƏɎȅƺȇɎȒȸɀǝƏɮƺɎǝƺǸȇȒɯǼƺƳǕƺƏȇƳƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺɎȒǕɖǣƳƺƏȵȸȒɎƻǕƻȒȸȅƺȇ- tee. Mentors are valuable because they guide you on your career path. Whether ɵȒɖƏȸƺƏȇƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺƳȵȸȒǔƺɀɀǣȒȇƏǼȒȸȸƺƬƺȇɎƬȒǼǼƺǕƺǕȸƏƳًȅƺȇɎȒȸɀƏȸƺƏɮƏǼɖ- able asset in your career toolkit.

RȒɯƬƏȇɵȒɖǕƺɎɀɎƏȸɎƺƳȒȇƬȸƺƏɎǣȇǕƏȸƺǼƏɎǣȒȇɀǝǣȵɯǣɎǝƏȅƺȇɎȒȸّ

Below are some suggestions:

DETERMINE THE MENTORSHIP GOALS

ƺǔȒȸƺɵȒɖɀƺƺǸȒɖɎƏȅƺȇɎȒȸًɯȸǣɎƺƳȒɯȇƏǼǼɵȒɖȸƺɴȵƺƬɎƏɎǣȒȇɀƏȇƳɎǝƺȸȒǼƺ

that you like your mentor to play in your life.

áȒɖǼƳ ɵȒɖ ǼǣǸƺ Ə ȅƺȇɎȒȸ ɯǝȒ ƬƏȇ ǝƺǼȵ ɵȒɖ ƳƺɮƺǼȒȵ ɀȵƺƬǣˡƬً ɎƏȇǕǣƫǼƺ ɀǸǣǼǼɀّ

Would you like a mentor who can assist you in learning more about a particular ǣȇƳɖɀɎȸɵّȸƺɎǝƺȸƺƏȸƺƏɀȒǔƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺȒȸɀȵƺƬǣˡƬɀǸǣǼǼɀǣȇɵȒɖȸƬƏȸƺƺȸɎǝƏɎȇƺƺƳ

improvement? Would you like a mentor to help you with leadership, or personal ƬȒȇˡƳƺȇƬƺًȒȸƺɮƺȇȅȒȸƺƺǔǔƺƬɎǣɮƺǣȇɎƺȸȵƺȸɀȒȇƏǼɀǸǣǼǼɀّ…ȸًɯȒɖǼƳɵȒɖǼǣǸƺɀȒȅƺ- one that provides guidance on how to become a successful entrepreneur?

These questions and more can help you determine the type of mentor that’s right for you.

RECOGNIZE A GOOD MENTOR While investigating potential men- tors, always allow for someone who can also support you in your personal growth. In addition, look for someone who has proven themselves and has success in their own right.

The most obvious mentor candidates are current and former bosses, suc- cessful leaders in the community or a company, college professors or even a family member with the knowledge base and track record you seek.

Bear in mind that you are not limited ɎȒƏɀǣȇǕǼƺȅƺȇɎȒȸِçȒɖƬƏȇƬǝȒȒɀƺɎȒ

have a mentor for each stage of your career. There are multiple mentors that specialize in different areas.

REQUEST FOR MENTORSHIP

It is easy to approach a mentor candidate when you have known the person ƏȇƳǝƏɮƺƫɖǣǼɎƏȇƺɴǣɀɎǣȇǕȸƺǼƏɎǣȒȇɀǝǣȵɯǣɎǝǝǣȅȒȸǝƺȸِçȒɖƬƏȇƺƏɀǣǼɵƏɀǸɎǝǣɀ

ȵƺȸɀȒȇǔȒȸȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀًɯǝƺɎǝƺȸƏɎƏƬȒǔǔƺƺɀǝȒȵȒȸǣȇɎǝƺȒǔˡƬƺƺȇɮǣȸȒȇȅƺȇɎِ

Communicate all of your career goals and identify some of the areas that you ɯƏȇɎɎȒǣȅȵȸȒɮƺȒȇِ0ɴȵǼƏǣȇɎǝƏɎɵȒɖǝƏɮƺƏǝǣǕǝȸƺǕƏȸƳǔȒȸɵȒɖȸȅƺȇɎȒȸټɀ

ɀȵƺƬǣˡƬ ǼƺƏƳƺȸɀǝǣȵً ƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺ ƏȇƳ ɀǸǣǼǼɀً ƏȇƳ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ ɯȒɖǼƳ ǼǣǸƺ ɎȒ ǼƺƏȸȇ

from her or him. There is nothing wrong with asking this person to become your mentor.

If you do not personally know anyone, you may want to ask around. Look for ȒɎǝƺȸɀɯǝȒƏȸƺɀɖƬƬƺɀɀǔɖǼǣȇɎǝƺǣȸˡƺǼƳƏȇƳƏɀǸǣǔɎǝƺɵǝƏɮƺƺɮƺȸǝƏƳƏȅƺȇ- tor. Ask for referrals.

Rƺȸƺ Əȸƺ Ɏǝƺ ȒɎǝƺȸ ɯƏɵɀ Ȓǔ ƏȵȵȸȒƏƬǝǣȇǕ Ə ȵȒɎƺȇɎǣƏǼ ȅƺȇɎȒȸ ɎǝƏɎ ɵȒɖ ƳȒ ȇȒɎ

know personally:

۩ Ask a mutual friend for you to be introduced to a mentor. Establish mu- tual connections over the internet through LinkedIn, or ask particular people in the network if they know potential mentors.

۩ Contact a mentor. One of the most direct ways of contacting a potential mentor is through email. If you cannot get an email address, you can try reaching out with social networks, like a Facebook message or Twitter.

If you still do not hear back, you can still follow up. Be persistent but not annoying.

۩ 0ɴȵǼȒȸƺɎǝƺƳǣǔǔƺȸƺȇɎɯƏɵɀɎȒƬȸȒɀɀȵƏɎǝɀɯǣɎǝȵȒɎƺȇɎǣƏǼȅƺȇɎȒȸɀِXǔɵȒɖ

ǝƏɮƺɀȒȅƺȒȇƺǣȇȅǣȇƳɯǝȒǣɀƏȇȒȇǼǣȇƺǣȇˢɖƺȇƬƺȸًƏȵȸȒǔƺɀɀǣȒȇƏǼȒȸǕƏ- nization member or conference speaker, you have to attend online and ǼǣɮƺȵɖƫǼǣƬƺɮƺȇɎɀِçȒɖȅɖɀɎȇȒɎɀɎƏǼǸɎǝǣɀȅƺȇɎȒȸًƫɖɎǣȇɀɎƺƏƳًƫƺȵȸȒƏƬ- tive about the opportunities where you have the opportunity of meeting your mentor.

۩ If you are well-acquainted with the potential mentor, the important ele- ȅƺȇɎǣɀɎȒɀǝȒɯƏƳȅǣȸƏɎǣȒȇȒȇɎǝƺɎǝǣȇǕɀɎǝƏɎǝƺȒȸɀǝƺƳȒƺɀِçȒɖƏǼɀȒ

need to show enthusiasm for growth.

BE A COMMENDABLE MENTEE

Business people are successful and busy. They consider their time to be valu- able. Thus, when a person has agreed to mentor you, you need to realize that this is both a privilege and an honor.

RƺȸƺƏȸƺɀȒȅƺɯƏɵɀɎȒƫƺƏƬȒȅȅƺȇƳƏƫǼƺȅƺȇɎƺƺƏȇƳɀǝȒɯɵȒɖȸƏȵȵȸƺƬǣƏɎǣȒȇ

for the support you are receiving:

۩ Always show up prepared. Before you meet with your mentor, plan the questions and topics that you want to address. This keeps the meeting focused and respects their time.

۩ Ask for suggestions in moderation. Asking too much signals a needy, high-maintenance mentee. In general, reach out only for advice on ca- reer decisions-not little challenges.

۩ ƺƏJȒȒƳnǣɀɎƺȇƺȸِxƺȇɎȒȸɀƏȸƺƳǣɀȵƺȇɀǣȇǕƏƳɮǣƬƺِçȒɖȅƏɵɀȒȅƺɎǣȅƺɀ

take the advice or you may not. In either way, you have to listen and con- sider the advice.

۩ ³ǝƏȸƺɵȒɖȸ(ƺɮƺǼȒȵȅƺȇɎِçȒɖȸȅƺȇɎȒȸǣɀǕȸƏɎǣˡƺƳǣȇɵȒɖȸȵȸȒǕȸƺɀɀƏɀƏ

ȵȸȒɎƻǕƻȒȸȅƺȇɎƺƺِÁǝɖɀًɵȒɖټǼǼɯƏȇɎɎȒƫƺɀɖȸƺɵȒɖȸȅƺȇɎȒȸǸȇȒɯɀȒǔ

any career wins.

۩ ³ǝȒɯçȒɖȸJȸƏɎǣɎɖƳƺِ«ƺȅƺȅƫƺȸًɵȒɖȸȅƺȇɎȒȸǣɀɎƏǸǣȇǕɎǣȅƺȒɖɎȒǔǝǣɀ

ȒȸǝƺȸƫɖɀɵɀƬǝƺƳɖǼƺًɀȒƺɴȵȸƺɀɀɵȒɖȸƏȵȵȸƺƬǣƏɎǣȒȇِÁǝƏȇǸɵȒɖȸȅƺȇɎȒȸ

frequently. Verbal thanks are enough, however, making an effort to send ƏɀȅƏǼǼǕǣǔɎȒȸƬƏȸƳǣɀƏǕȒȒƳǣƳƺƏɯǝƺȇɵȒɖǝƏɮƺȵƏȸɎǣƬɖǼƏȸǼɵƫƺȇƺˡɎƺƳ

from their guidance.

Once your career has progressed and you have met a lot of people, you may even introduce your own mentor to other business contacts or other mentors.

ɖɀǣȇƺɀɀȵȸȒǔƺɀɀǣȒȇƏǼɀƏȸƺƏǼɯƏɵɀˡȇƳǣȇǕɮƏǼɖƺǣȇȅƺƺɎǣȇǕɀƏȅƺٮȅǣȇƳƺƳȵȸȒ- fessionals.

Ultimately, you may even reach a point in your career that someone has a need of your mentorship. If you think that the person is a worthy mentee, agree to mentor her or him. Then, pass forward all of those wonderful lessons you learn from your mentor.

CHAPTER 5

ONLINE COURSES

Strengthening your skills through continuing education can give you a leg up in an ever-increasingly competitive marketplace. Online courses are a wonder- ful way to stay ahead of the competition, with easy access, no matter where you are in the world and often, a relatively low cost.

Online courses also give you the advantage of learning at your most convenient time, allowing you to plan your pace of study for as long as you have an estab- lished internet connection.

RƺȸƺƏȸƺƏǔƺɯȒǔɎǝƺɎǣȵɀɎȒƬȒȇɀǣƳƺȸɯǝƺȇˡȇƳǣȇǕȒȇǼǣȇƺƬȒɖȸɀƺɀɎǝƏɎɀɖȵȵȒȸɎ

career growth:

1. Accreditation and Reputation of Online School

ÁǝƺȸƺȵɖɎƏɎǣȒȇȒǔƏȇȒȇǼǣȇƺɀƬǝȒȒǼƏƳƳɀɮƏǼɖƺɎȒɵȒɖȸƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇِXǔɵȒɖƏȸƺ

ƏǣȅǣȇǕɎȒƺƏȸȇƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇǔȸȒȅƏɀɎɖƳɵȵȸȒǕȸƏȅًɵȒɖȇƺƺƳɎȒɀǣǕȇɖȵɎȒƏȇ

online course that is offered by an online school with a good reputation. It must also be accredited by the Department of Education.

2. Request the Details of the Course Before Enrolling

The online course that is being offered by one school may be different from an- other school. Be sure to review the course details before registering and com- mitting your money and time. Most online schools offer their course outlines and other information free of charge.

3. Credit Transferability

çȒɖɀǝȒɖǼƳƬǝƺƬǸɎǝƺƬȸƺƳǣɎɎȸƏȇɀǔƺȸƏƫǣǼǣɎɵȒǔɵȒɖȸƬǝȒɀƺȇȒȇǼǣȇƺɀƬǝȒȒǼِÁɖǣɎǣȒȇ

fees are generally calculated based on credit hours.

גِRƏȇƳɀٮȒȇÁȸƏǣȇǣȇǕȒȸnƏƫáȒȸǸ

Depending on the course of study, some online courses require you also attend ɀȒȅƺǼǣɮƺȒȸǔƏƬƺٮɎȒٮǔƏƬƺƬǼƏɀɀƺɀِ ƺɀɖȸƺɎȒȸƺƏƳɎǝƺˡȇƺȵȸǣȇɎƏȇƳƬǝƺƬǸǣȇɎȒ

the location and schedule where you will need to attend the physical classes or training.

CHAPTER 6

OFFLINE COURSES

Despite the modern virtual world, there are still plenty of course of study that ȸƺȷɖǣȸƺǼǣɮƺًǣȇٮȵƺȸɀȒȇɎȸƏǣȇǣȇǕǣȇȒȸƳƺȸɎȒƫƺƬȒȅƺƬƺȸɎǣˡƺƳȒȸȸƺƬƺǣɮƺƏƳǣȵǼȒ- ȅƏِÁǝƺɀƺƬƏȇǣȇƬǼɖƳƺÈȇǣɮƺȸɀǣɎɵƳƺǕȸƺƺɀȒȸɮȒƬƏɎǣȒȇƏǼƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎǣȒȇɀًƏɀɯƺǼǼƏɀ

short-term training course.

GETTING INFORMATION FOR OFFLINE COURSES

XǔɵȒɖǝƏɮƺƳƺƬǣƳƺƳɎȒƺȇȸȒǼǼǣȇƏȇȒǔˢǣȇƺƬȒɖȸɀƺًɀƺƺǸȒɖɎɎǝƺȸƺɀȒɖȸƬƺɀƏɮƏǣǼ- ƏƫǼƺ ƏɎ Ɏǝƺ ɀƬǝȒȒǼ ƬƏȅȵɖɀ Ȓȸ ȒǔˡƬƺِ 0ƳɖƬƏɎǣȒȇƏǼ ǣȇɀɎǣɎɖɎǣȒȇɀ ǝƏɮƺ ȵȸȒǕȸƏȅɀ

that are specially developed and designed for adults of all ages. Often, there are also scholarships that come along with these courses, so be sure to do your ǝȒȅƺɯȒȸǸȒȇɎǝƺȵȸȒǕȸƏȅƏɀɯƺǼǼƏɀɎǝƺȵȒɀɀǣƫǼƺˡȇƏȇƬǣƏǼƏǣƳƏɮƏǣǼƏƫǼƺɎȒɵȒɖِ

³R…«ÁٳÁ0«xÁ«XzXzJ!…È«³0³

Universities and colleges are among the places to turn when you want to focus ǣȇƏȇƺɯƬƏȸƺƺȸƳǣȸƺƬɎǣȒȇًȒȸƏƳɮƏȇƬƺɵȒɖȸƬɖȸȸƺȇɎƬƏȸƺƺȸِRȒɯƺɮƺȸًɎǝƺȸƺƏȸƺ

ƏǼɀȒɀǝȒȸɎٮɎƺȸȅƬȒɖȸɀƺɀɎǝƏɎƬƏȇȵȸȒɮǣƳƺɵȒɖɯǣɎǝǼȒȇǕٮɎƺȸȅƫƺȇƺˡɎɀِ

Follow these practices that can give your career a lift without burying in a debt on student loan.

1. Shop Around for A School

Selecting the right program is important if you do not want to bury yourself in a student loan debt.

Investigate programs at a local community college, private and public schools ƏȇƳǔȒɖȸٮɵƺƏȸɖȇǣɮƺȸɀǣɎǣƺɀƫƺǔȒȸƺȇƏȸȸȒɯǣȇǕɵȒɖȸɀƺƏȸƬǝِçȒɖƬƏȇƏǼɀȒƬȒȅȵƏȸƺ

ɎǝƺɀɎȸɖƬɎɖȸƺƏȇƳƬȒɀɎɀȒǔƏȇȒǔˢǣȇƺƬȒɖȸɀƺȵȸȒǕȸƏȅɯǣɎǝƏȇȒȇǼǣȇƺƬȒɖȸɀƺȵȸȒ- gram. If you feel hesitant about obtaining a graduate degree, you can still get ƏƬƺȸɎǣˡƬƏɎƺِçȒɖƬƏȇǴɖȅȵǣȇɎȒƏɀɖƫǴƺƬɎɎǝƏɎǣȇɎƺȸƺɀɎɀɵȒɖɎǝƺȅȒɀɎɯǣɎǝȒɖɎ

committing your time to a full degree program.

2. It’s More than Just the Tuition

Fees and tuitions are the launching point in tallying up a cost of the program.

Always remember to provide a space in your budget for rent, transportation, supplies, books and the like. In comparing various programs, be sure to calcu- late all costs involved.

3. Fill out the Student Aid’s Free Application

Although you may be hesitant to borrow, federal loans for students can go a long way in supporting your future career success. Look for low interest and ǝǣǕǝٮˢƺɴǣƫǣǼǣɎɵǣȇȸƺȵƏɵȅƺȇɎِ

4. Transfer Credits

If you have already collected credits from former degrees or degree attempts, see if they can be transferred.

CHAPTER 7

LIFE LESSONS

In achieving success in your career, don’t ignore the ɮƺȸɵȸƺƏǼɮƏǼɖƺȒǔȵƺȸɀȒȇƏǼǼǣǔƺƺɴȵƺȸǣƺȇƬƺِ…ǔɎƺȇًǣɎ

is the learning that comes through day-to-day liv- ing (as well as mistakes) which can be a real credit to your career. Common sense is worth a lot more ɎǝƏȇƏǔƺɯƬƺȇɎɀٍ

çȒɖȅƏɵɯƏȇɎɎȒɎƏǸƺɀȒȅƺɎǣȅƺɎȒƳȒƏǼǣɎɎǼƺɀƺǼǔٮȸƺ- ˢƺƬɎǣȇǕɎȒɖȇƬȒɮƺȸɀȒȅƺȒǔɎǝƺɀǸǣǼǼɀًƏƫǣǼǣɎǣƺɀƏȇƳ

“smarts” you already have.

RƺȸƺƏȸƺɀȒȅƺȒǔɎǝƺɎǣȵɀɎȒƬȒȇɀǣƳƺȸǔȒȸɵȒɖɎȒƏȵ- preciate your life lessons:

׏ِȵȵȸƺƬǣƏɎƺɎǝƺ³ɖƬƬƺɀɀƺɀȒǔɎǝƺ¨ȸƺɮǣȒɖɀçƺƏȸ

Take the time to jot down all things that you succeeded at in the previous year, ƏɀɯƺǼǼƏɀɎǝƺǼƺɀɀȒȇɀǼƺƏȸȇƺƳǔȸȒȅٹȅǣɀɎƏǸƺɀٺِnǣɀɎƏȇɵɀȵƺƬǣˡƬƬƏȸƺƺȸƏƬƬȒȅ- plishments. If there are still areas in your career that you need to strengthen, include those in a separate column.

אِnƺƏȸȇIȸȒȅçȒɖȸ(ǣɀƏȵȵȒǣȇɎȅƺȇɎɀ

The things that you learned from your disappoint- ments can also be major life lessons that are wor- thy and truly meaningful. Write down your disap- pointments from the past year and what you’ve discovered about yourself in the process of com- ǣȇǕ ɎȒ Ɏƺȸȅɀ ɯǣɎǝ ɎǝȒɀƺ ƳǣɀƏȵȵȒǣȇɎȅƺȇɎɀِ ٢RǣȇɎي

being a victim and blaming others for the disap- ȵȒǣȇɎȅƺȇɎɀǣɀȇȒɎɯǝƏɎɯƺƏȸƺɎƏǼǸǣȇǕƏƫȒɖɎǝƺȸƺٍ٣

3. Eliminate Limiting Beliefs

There is a need to live from the truth that is within you. The most important aspect of being successful is to eliminate the beliefs that hold you back. One of the common negative and limiting beliefs people have is that they are not enough for the task at hand. This only sabotages their own success and blocks their ability to live their passions and achieve their goals. Recognize this or other limiting beliefs and replace them with a truthful statement.

4. Live According to Key Roles and Values

Being clear on the things that get you out of bed in the morning is essential.

What do you think are the personal standards or principles that you live by?

Remember that values are the drivers of your goals. What are those values that are important to your life? An important key to long-term career success is the ability to integrate your values in your work life.

CHAPTER 8

³0nIٳ0³Á00x

³ƺǼǔٮƺɀɎƺƺȅǣɀǣȅȵȒȸɎƏȇɎǔȒȸɵȒɖɎȒǝƏɮƺƏɀɖƬƬƺɀɀǔɖǼƬƏȸƺƺȸِçȒɖȇƺƺƳǣɎƏɎƏȇɵ

stage of your career- whether you are a new employee, dealing with deadlines and stress and working with other people.

³ƺǼǔٮƺɀɎƺƺȅǣɀƏƫȒɖɎǝƏɮǣȇǕɎǝƺɀƏɎǣɀǔƏƬɎǣȒȇƏȇƳƬȒȇˡƳƺȇƬƺǣȇɵȒɖȸƏƫǣǼǣɎǣƺɀƏȇƳ

skills. This is achieved through a series of personal success. This also helps you ǣȇƬȒȵǣȇǕɖȵɯǣɎǝɎǝƺƳǣǔˡƬɖǼɎƬǝƏǼǼƺȇǕƺɀǣȇǼǣǔƺِÁǝǣɀƏǼɀȒǕǣɮƺɀɵȒɖɎǝƺǔƏǣɎǝȒǔ

overcoming them.

RƺȸƺƏȸƺƏǔƺɯɎǝǣȇǕɀɎȒƬȒȇɀǣƳƺȸɯǝƺȇƫɖǣǼƳǣȇǕƏȇƳɀɎȸƺȇǕɎǝƺȇǣȇǕɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔٮƺɀ- teem.

׏ِxƏǸƺƏȵǼƏȇɯǝƺȸƺɵȒɖƬƏȇǕƺɎƏƳƏǣǼɵƺɴƺȸƬǣɀƺƏȇƳƺƏɎ

nutritional foods and balanced diet. Maintain a respect and ƬƏȸƺ ǔȒȸ ɵȒɖȸ ƫȒƳɵِ çȒɖȸ ȅǣȇƳ ǕƺɎɀ Ə ǼȒɎ Ȓǔ Ɏǝƺɀƺ ƫƺȇƺˡɎɀ

because a healthy body supports healthy attitude. It is basic, self-care 101.

2. Engage in meaningful and fun activities. Participate in a hobby that you most enjoy. Better yet, volunteer with an or- ganization which helps others. It is through nurturing your interests and helping others that you boost self-esteem and give your energy to things that matter to you.

בِ «ƺɯƏȸƳ ɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔ ǔȒȸ ɵȒɖȸ ƬƏȸƺƺȸ ƏƬǝǣƺɮƺȅƺȇɎɀِ çȒɖ ƬƏȇ

do this by celebrating with friends, offering yourself a little praise or even something like getting a massage. Each time that you recognize your own success, you build a better sup- port system and stronger trust in yourself.

גِ!ȸƺƏɎƺɵȒɖȸǼǣɀɎȒǔƏƬǝǣƺɮƺȅƺȇɎɀƏȇƳɀɖƬƬƺɀɀƺɀِçȒɖƬƏȇ

refer to this list in times that you are in doubt of yourself.

This is one of the best ways of staying in touch with your strengths, because you can see that you really are able to overcome obstacles.

5. Forgive yourself for the things that do not turn out well.

When you are critical of your own efforts, this only serves ƏɀƏɯƏɵȒǔƬǝǣȵȵǣȇǕƏɯƏɵƏɎɵȒɖȸɀƺǼǔٮƺɀɎƺƺȅِçȒɖǝƏɮƺɎȒ

ȸƺǼƺƏɀƺɀǝƏȅƺȒȸǕɖǣǼɎǔƺƺǼǣȇǕɀƫɵȅƏǸǣȇǕƏȸȒȒȅǔȒȸƬȒȇˡ- dence and poise.

These steps are useful in building and strengthening your self-esteem. This ɎƏǸƺɀƳƺƳǣƬƏɎǣȒȇƏȇƳȵȸƏƬɎǣƬƺِRȒɯƺɮƺȸًɎǝƺȸƺɀɖǼɎɀȅƏǸƺɎǝƺȅɯƺǼǼٮɯȒȸɎǝɎǝƺ

effort.

Remember that your self-esteem is the most important asset to reaching your ɀɖƬƬƺɀɀِXȇǔƏƬɎًǝƺƏǼɎǝɵɀƺǼǔٮƺɀɎƺƺȅǣɀȒȇƺȒǔɎǝƺɀƺƬȸƺɎɀȒǔƫƺǣȇǕɀɖƬƬƺɀɀǔɖǼٍ