How to Advance Your Career at Your Current Company -The Muse

How to Advance Your Career at Your Current Company -The MuseHow to Advance Your Career at Your Current CompanyWe have some exciting news to share with you Starting in June, were going to launch a new column modeled after the Ask a Career Coach feature. Ask a Recruiter, intended to be your go-to destination for all recruiter-related queries, is now accepting submissions askarecruiterthemuse.com. Got a burning question about job searching? This is your chance to get insider intel.Hi Anna, Ive been working at my organization for nine months now, and its my first job post-grad. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity, but while Ive learned a lot, Im getting antsy- I feel ready to take my skills to the next level.I work for a large company, one that provides tons of opportunity for professional development, but Im afraid that Ill slip through the cracks and be stuck in my current position for a long time. I honestly dont know how I can get my name noticed because so many of my colleag ues are talented and successful theyre also interested in the same opportunities as me.I would love to know if you have advice for how I can make myself stand out. How can I show my initiative, drive, and passion for the field against those who may have been here longer or who have mora experience? I look forward to hearing from you Signed, Longing to Get NoticedDear Longing to Get Noticed,I am so glad youre taking responsibility for your own career success because the fact is successful people create this for themselves- it doesnt just miraculously happen.Here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you determine where you need to focus your efforts to get ahead and get noticed1. Does Your Manager Know You Want Growth Opportunities?People arent mind readers, and you cant expect your manager to know that youre eager to advance your career as soon as humanly possible. Not everyone wants to be in a leadership role or climb the ladder, or even stay at one company for a long per iod, so its essential that you communicate your desire to move up and grow to your boss. If the Answer Is NoSet up a meeting with your manager, explain that you feel prepared for greater responsibility and more challenges, and ask what you need to do to get promoted.And be open to feedback. If your boss doesnt have the exact reaction youre hoping for, thats OK. The important thing is that youve expressed your commitment and ambition- you may have a good deal more work to do before a promotion is on the table. 2. How Many People Do You Know Within Your Company?You cant get promoted if no one knows you. Typically, your boss only has so much control over how and when you advance to the next level. If you havent gotten comfortable with the humblebrag, nows the time. Just because your teams aware of your hard work, it doesnt mean the people at the top are. Even if your managers fully on board to promote you, if none of the higher-ups who need to approve it know who you are, you probably wont get very far. If Your Answer Is Very FewYou need to strategically build your network- yes, in house- and get to know as many people at your company as you can. Its not enough to be close with your department. So, reach out to various members of the organization to grab a coffee. Developing relationships with people on different teams (or with your bosss boss) is key to getting your name out there. 3. Are You Providing Extra Value to Your Company or Are You Just Doing Your Current Job?Have you brought in new clients or additional revenue? How about helped the company grow? Being prepared to present your accomplishments when seeking a promotion is required. And if youre concerned that you dont yet have anything impressive to show off, dig deeper You dont have to wait for your companys permission to learn a new skill or tackle a problem thats not a part of your day-to-day work. If Your Answer Is I Dont Think SoReview your companys revenue goals and determine how your job plays int o its increases- never underestimate the bottom line. Then, determine actions you can take to increase that number. Can you draw up a fresh client pitch? Discover a new way to grow brand awareness? No matter what your job is, theres almost always something you can do to make a difference in the big picture goals.If you give it time and still find that theres no upward movement- or, worse, that someone else snagged a promotion you were eyeing, you may want to explore opportunities elsewhere. But if you like your company, you should definitely try the suggestions above before just calling it quits. This article is part of our Ask an Expert series- a column dedicated to helping you tackle your biggest career concerns. Our experts are excited to answer all of your burning questions, and you can submit one by emailing us at editor(at)themuse(dot)com and using Ask a Credible Career Coach in the subject line.Your letter may be published in an article on The Muse. All letters to Ask an Expe rt become the property of Daily Muse, Inc and will be edited for length, clarity, and grammatical correctness.

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs

6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs6 Essential Tools for Veterans Looking to Switch From Military to Civilian Jobs6 Essential Job-Search Tools for Veterans Looking for Civilian JobsFor veterans, there are a number of key resurces to take advantage of when transitioning from a military career to a civilian career.Veterans are one of Americas most prized resources. They served without expecting much in return, and provided role models for our children. Not only do they deserve our highest praise, they deserve help landing their dream jobs. If youre one of our nations veterans looking for jobs, here are a few online and in-person job-search tools.1. Hiring Our HeroesThere are no shortages of online and in-person job resources for vets. However, one of the largest organizations providing career advice for Veterans and retired military service members is Hiring Our Heroes. This program is a joint effort between the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Fort une 500 companies, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. Chamber and VA officials work diligently with companies to help connect vets with executives, serving as a networking solution for both sides. Hiring Our Heroes hosts job fairs and training seminars throughout the year in nearly all major states.2. Military.comMonster takes pride in giving retired military members career advice. The company hosts Military.com, one of the nations largest military and veteran online news and membership organization. Military.com provides resources for all active duty personnel, reservists, guard members, retirees, veterans, family members, defense workers, and those considering military careers. While Monster founded the site primarily to help veterans with their job-search efforts, Military.com also lists stab und sttze groups and other resources for its readers.3. Military Skills TranslatorIf youre a veteran looking for a civilian job, this tool is a must. Lockheed Martin employs an onli ne tool to help veterans translate their military skills into civilian positions. The tool uses titles, keywords, and occupational codes to determine where a veterans military skills fit into a civilian work environment. Once Lockheeds online military skills translator civilianizes a service members work experience, applicants can better communicate their skill sets to civilian employers and human resources professionals. The tool also helps narrow search keywords for online job boards. In addition to its military skills translator tool, Lockheed Martin lists positions it has available for retired military veterans.RelatedJobs for Veterans What to Consider Before Accepting the Job4. Veteran Career NetworkAnother resource from Military.com, the Veteran Career Network offers a support tool for veterans looking to connect with other veterans. The online networking tool allows veterans to share information about job openings and their experiences and solutions to finding a job post-mili tary. Mentoring and support groups is one of the most sought after tools. Veterans help each other heal, grow, and give back through networking at Military.com.5. Veteran career fairsEvery state offers career fairs for veterans looking for civilian jobs, lining up hundreds of companies to offer jobs to veterans. Take advantage of these fairs. Businesses receive tax incentives for hiring retired military and veterans. In addition, with specialized defense training, security clearances, and leadership skills obtained through the military, applicants will find it easier to work with like-minded individuals during these events. Be sure to bring several copies of your resume and business cards to pass out to recruiters.6. Veteran-friendly job boardsAs with career fairs and Hiring Our Heroes events, some businesses prefer veterans to other applicants because of their unique skills and the tax incentives the organization can receive. Looking for veteran-friendly companies is not difficult. Most job-search sites and major corporations advertise whether or not they have a special website for veterans. Just Google it, and let your computer lead the way.Getting ready for the job searchWhile there are literally thousands of job-search tools for veterans designed to help with a career search, tools only can do so much. Your resume and cover letter play a larger role in this process. Creating a civilian resume for your military transition is not as daunting as many would think. Select a design and format that is professional and accommodates your information, staying away from scripted templates and fancy fonts. Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria and Arial are a few of the best fonts for resume. They are professional and can be easily read by ATS programs. Also keep in mind toSeparate information into these basic sections with headers introduction, experience and accomplishments, and education.Stay away from passive language. Use action verbs and achieving language.Only inc lude information relevant to the job, and resist the urge to include everything on your repertoire.Dont forget to visit your local library, VA office, and community college for additional job-search tools for veterans to help you land the perfect post-military career.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Ready to make the transition to the civilian workforce? Hire a TopResume writer to craft your military transition resume.Recommended ReadingHow to Get Your Military Resume in Shape for a Civilian Job SearchAdvice for Veterans Starting a Business and Entrepreneurial CareerRelocating Tips for Proactive Job Seekers

How to embrace mental wellness in startup culture

How to embrace mental wellness in departureup cultureHow to embrace mental wellness in startup cultureThe state of the world has been extremely turbulent, with people experiencing fires, war, earthquakes and other tragedies, in addition to an increasingly competitive working environment. Lately, people have been experiencing more stress and anxiety in their lives than ever before. Some people reach for meditation apps, go to yoga sessions or take breaks to travel internationally. Humanity appears to be constantly seeking peace in its heart.Through my experience as a startup founder, Ive realized that mental health issues are especially prominent among founders and people who play major roles in entrepreneurial endeavors. After addressing my own mental health and witnessing many of my close founder friends sink into depression, I have taken steps to ensure my company sustains a healthy work environment in order for everyone to thrive.Let go of negative influencesI founded Humm.ly six months ago with several others. I trusted one particular gruppe member wholeheartedly, overlooking some questionable behaviors because I thought his skills and talent would be valuable to the team. They delivered impeccable work whenever needed. I let him lead an entire project because I trusted his high standard of work. However, trying to get a startup going can be perilous. They were highly critical of other employees in circumstances that called for patience. Gradually, this persons temper discouraged almost everyone in the company. I was afraid to start frank conversations with him because of unreasonable criticisms and arguments. It was a difficult realization for me. I had to convince myself that having him as a leader in the company would significantly slow down work performance and impact others job satisfaction. After a lot of consideration and consultation with more experienced startup founders, I made the difficult decision to let them go. Even though I had sympathy for him, his departure ultimately prevented negativity from spreading to other team members.Encourage physical wellnessYears of research shows that physical activity can reduce anxiety and depression for healthy adults. Yet, exercising regularly can be difficult, especially when starting a new company and experiencing high levels of stress. During the beginning of my startup life, I experienced tremendous weight gain, living on spicy ramen and late-night delivery options. One of my founding members ate Big Macs for a month straight This was not the image we wanted to present, especially with a mission to promote healthy lifestyles for our users. I encouraged the team to sign up for boxing and yoga classes with me. I reminded them to eat healthfully and sleep well every day.We have been able to maintain medium- to high-intensity exercise routines ever since then. If you are worried about how to keep your team motivated to accomplish fitness goals, lead by example. You can initiate a grea t sense of well-being within your company by creating opportunities for regular exercise and fitness partnerships within your team. Ive seen that with a proper routine, memory recall and creativity can increase and team members can feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives, potentially increasing their performance and attitude at work.Develop meaningful one-to-one communicationThe most challenging thing in my startup experience so far has been managing the emotional highs and lows over the past several months. Although the ups and downs are a natural part of building a new company, its crucial to keep track of all team members well being, especially during the initial development of the business. I have found that regular one-to-one meetings are valuable for building rapport between you and the individuals you work with every day. Get coffee, go for lunch, hike and even take spontaneous trips with the team member you want to check in with. One-to-one communicat ion can develop trust, increase productivity, and support the teams alignment and development of a shared mental model.Foster a supportive and positive cultureCreating a supportive and positive culture became the most important priority for my company after stress and burnout caused internal discord and issues with team members. Although startups are always pushing to meet crucial deadlines, it is ultimately more important to reinforce your team and support them in going the extra mile. You want to help your team feel welcome, secure in their position and valued within the company. Lead by example and set a positive tone through supportive behaviors. As you build relationships with team members and grow your companys culture, over time you will create a supportive and positive distributions-mix that people love working at.Competition in the startup world can be brutal. If founding team members are constantly overwhelmed and not receiving support for mental or physical wellness, the company could crumble. Every founder should consider working on their own skills, including mindfulness, listening, clear communication and empathy. The team and the company will benefit from their founder leading by example, resulting in longevity, prosperity and happiness for all involved.Joanna Yu is the founder and CEO of Humm.lyBusinessCollective, launched in partnership with Citi, is a virtual mentorship program powered by North Americas most ambitious young thought leaders, entrepreneurs, executives and small business owners.