Preparing for success: how to land the dream role

1 PLAN YOUR CAREER – Those goals and steps are more crucial than ever at this stage of your career as you progress within any organisation. Plans may change at times but be true to the core plan that you have set out. Own your plan! 2 DEVELOP THOSE ESSENTIAL SKILLS - Consider informal ways to update your education through joining professional organizations, attending conferences and keeping up to date with trade publications in your field. It cannot be ignored but continuous professional development (CPD) is called that for a reason so ensure you put time and effort into building up the key skills that will help you succeed. 3 NETWORK YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS – Attend that local business group event, that upcoming chamber lunch, or perhaps that annual charity gathering of business women such as WXN. You need to become active and visible in various circles so become a talker and also a listener so you are aware as to what is happening in your region and you become known within those circles as an industry expert. 4 FIND A TRUE MENTOR – At times you have to take advice and let one guide you when you hit that wall and just need a helping hand to pull you through. It is not a case of ‘going it alone’ just to be a martyr but more a case of shared experiences may just have that eureka learning that gives you that push you need at a crucial time. 5 BE BRAVE AND CONFIDENT – A true sense of self-belief will help you to exude that confidence which is infectious and can be the ultimate decision maker between candidates going for that promotion or new job. Over the years of recruiting I have met many very capable women who are at senior level within organisations but are unable to make the step to the executive table because they lack that self-belief in what value they can add moving forward. If you have to stop and think about an answer to ‘what value can I add’ then you have not planned effectively. Educated, capable and talented women are always an amazing asset to any organisation.