Formal Education - Prepared for Success? (cont'd)

Invest in Yourself

A co-worker once asked to borrow a book he saw on the shelf in my office. I kindly explained that I was not completely finished reading the book, but revealed where he could purchase the book and noted how much I paid for it. I could see the look of disappointment in his eyes and sense of resignation in his voice when he thanked me for the information. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he wasn’t going to plunk down $17 and take the initiative to make the purchase. What a shame. The sad part is that there are so many people like him.

Determine where you want to go in your career, what skills you need to get there, what books, CDs, seminars, courses, or other vehicles you can use to acquire those skills, and make the investment whether it’s out of your pocket or not.

There’s nothing you can do better to impress a prospective employer than to indicate what action you’ve taken to improve yourself professionally or otherwise. I ask that question (“What books, tapes, or seminars have you found helpful in your development?”) of every candidate that I interview, and if they can’t come up with anything, their chances of getting a “thumbs up” from me are slim.

Find a challenge

If you don’t feel challenged in your work, let your boss know it. Most bosses find it refreshing when employees express a desire to be continuously challenged, and will try to find ways to incorporate new tasks into their job. Sometimes a challenge that can add to your skill sets comes from outside of your primary job. A home-based business can provide tax advantages, supplement your income, and help you develop skills that might be useful down the road.

If you’re in a dead-end job, have expressed a desire to be challenged and received no commitment from management, and don’t see any opportunity for advancement or transfer, get out. Don’t fall prey to the myth of job security.

Communication, People Skills, & Sales

The ability to communicate effectively is perhaps the greatest prerequisite for success and the area in which formal education most notably falls short in preparing students for the “real world.” Find opportunities to network with business professionals, community groups, or charitable organizations. Any chance you get to communicate with others either in a formal speaking role or in informal groups will provide a tremendous opportunity for growth.

If you can take on a “sales” role within an organization, that’s even better. Activities such as fund-raising, selling sponsorships, or rounding up volunteers are in essence sales roles. And you can make yourself more marketable in any profession by getting exposure to sales. We’re always selling – our products and services, our ideas, our value to the organization, our rules of the house to our children, or our belief in a political candidate.

Take advantage of any opportunity to share ideas, interact with others, or speak in front of an audience. Learn to express your ideas convincingly, clearly, and succinctly.

See http://www.ldv-enterprises.com/ and http://www.fuzzy-widget.com for more business innovation and sales resources.