Gaining A Voice
A top piece of advice I’ve received lately is to be my own advocate.
Makes sense right? Who will speak for you when you don’t speak for yourself?
However, the trick is how to find your own voice and the correct (and appropriate) vehicle to convey your wants, needs and goals to the greater world.
At work, how do you tell your boss that you feel like your talents aren’t being fully optimized? How do you ask to be placed on projects outside of your direct job description? How do you use your advocacy prowess to develop your career?
In job searches, how do you express these needs and wants within the confines of the interview? How do you make your potential boss aware of your true ambitions and skills, even outside of the job you are interviewing for?
Advocating for yourself is obviously a fine art; one that must be learned and honed through time, practice and counsel. Without seeming too pushy or aggressive, you need to make your intentions well known. I believe this is where emotional intelligence comes into play: being able to read and understand the nonverbal cues of people around you. Strategically introducing yourself to the world and placing your goals at the forefront requires planning.
A way to plan is to write down your goals. Life goals, career goals; any goals you wish to share. This way you are best prepared to advocate your dreams.
Another way is to create your own image and brand. Wording and formatting your resume to best reflect this image is key, as well as the development of personal messaging. Think of how corporate branding works and mimic it for yourself.
Becoming your own brand and your own advocate will give you confidence, assurance and drive and, if done correctly, will get you to where you need and want to be in life.
So what am I doing?
I’m taking the idea of “making your own brand” quite literally. Designing a logo to be used on revamped business cards and stationery, I will be known as “kerplunker communications.” This will easily fit in with this blog, another kerplunker website I plan to create to showcase my communications work and interests, and my Twitter account. (Once these are finalized, I’ll post them.)
In this hyper-competitive economy and city, this is what will set me apart. Networking with these custom-made cards, a strong handshake, sincere smile and polished message will get me the responsibilities and experience I desire.
Falling Feet First 