Soaring on Your Strengths : Discover, Use, and Brand Your Best Self for Career Success

by Ryan, Robin (Author)

• ISBN13: 9780143036500
• ISBN10: 0143036505
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-12-27
• Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)

Summary

Robin Ryan’s groundbreaking new book is designed to help readers take advantage of a paradigm shift in the workplace. Instead of hiring or promoting generally qualified people and improving their weaknesses, companies are now looking for workers who have the strengths that match particular jobs. Ryan shows readers how to identify those strengths and use that knowledge to advance their careers and better promote themselves to prospective employers. She shows how to establish an appealing career identity using self- branding tools like résumés, Mind Maps, and on-the-job success stories, and outlines fresh approaches to networking with colleagues and negotiating with bosses. Savvy and entertaining, Soaring on Your Strengthswill be thejob and promotion seekers guide for the twenty-first century.

Author Biography

Robin Ryan is one of the most visible figures in the employment field, a tireless lecturer and teacher whose career column appears in over 100 Gannett newspapers and their Web sites. She has been a guest on over 1,000 TV and radio programs including Oprah, Dr. Phil, CNN, and NBC Nightly News.

Table of Contents

About the Author	i
Dedication	v
Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction	xvii
PART 1 ESTABLISHING YOUR CAREER IDENTITY
Distinguish Yourself from the Pack	3	(7)
Your Career Identity	4	(1)
So What Is Brand You	5	(1)
Work Smart: Use Your Gifts	6	(1)
Your References Matter More Than Your Resume	7	(1)
Can You Do This?	8	(2)
Discover Your Own Unique Genius	10	(29)
Brand Components	16	(1)
Brand Equity---Talents and Strengths	17	(3)
Brand Advantage---Your Core Competency	20	(2)
Brand Passion---The Drive Inside	22	(2)
Brand Values---Be True to Yourself	24	(2)
Brand Essence---The Traits that Make You---You!	26	(3)
Brand Image---The Right Appearance	29	(3)
Brand Reputation---How Others See You	32	(7)
PART 2 BRAND YOU DEFINED
Define Your Career Identity	39	(6)
The Early Career Brand You	45	(17)
Understanding Your Uniqueness	50	(1)
James---Looking for Direction	50	(7)
Jennifer---Hoping to Move Up	57	(5)
The Midcareer Brand You	62	(16)
Understanding Your Uniqueness	66	(1)
Carl---Handling a Layoff	67	(6)
Teresa---Seeking a Promotion	73	(5)
The Executive Career Brand You	78	(18)
Being the Notorious Purple Cow	80	(1)
Understanding Your Remarkability	81	(1)
Rick---Getting Back on Track	82	(9)
Judith---Moving On to Bigger and Better Things	91	(5)
The Reinvented Career Brand You	96	(27)
Understanding Your Uniqueness	99	(1)
Julia---The Reinvention of a Career Changer	99	(6)
Kathleen---The Reinvention of a Career Changer with No Experience in a New Area	105	(1)
Tyler---The Reinvention of a Laid-off Worker	106	(5)
Michael---The Reinvention of a Military-to-Civilian Career Switcher	111	(6)
Sharon---The Reentering Job Seeker	117	(1)
Mathew---The Reinvention of a Been-There-Forever Employee	118	(5)
PART 3 CREATING BRAND YOU
Brand Image	123	(18)
Your Own Brand You Dress Code	125	(3)
Your Personal Image Assessment	128	(1)
Your Personal Image Assessment	129	(1)
Special Advice on Image Presentation for Women	130	(4)
Special Advice on Image Presentation for Men	134	(1)
Rule of Thumb: Dress Up for Work	135	(3)
Analyze Your Image to Enhance Brand You	138	(1)
Feeling Good from the Inside Out	139	(2)
Create Brand You For You	141	(10)
Beta Test Brand You	147	(4)
PART 4 IMPLEMENTING BRAND YOU
Brand You and Promotions	151	(18)
What Does Your Ideal Job Look Like?	154	(2)
Redesigning Your Job	156	(4)
Better Opportunities Often Come with Small Employers	160	(1)
Misconceptions About Promotions	161	(2)
High Flyers Get the Promotions	163	(6)
The Boss and You	169	(9)
Key Advice from CEOs	171	(1)
A Strategic Plan for Your Career	172	(6)
Build a Power Network	178	(14)
Job Search Networking	180	(1)
Commonality Is a Key	181	(1)
Networking Dos and Don'ts	182	(1)
Make Networking a Key Long-Term Tactic	183	(2)
The All-Important Career Identity Card	185	(3)
Strategic Volunteering to Advance Brand You	188	(2)
Mentors and Experts	190	(2)
Communicate Brand You	192	(11)
Your Resume	193	(1)
The Stand-Out-in-a-Crowd Resume Quiz	193	(3)
Performance Appraisals	196	(1)
Cover Letters	196	(3)
Email	199	(1)
Interviews	199	(4)
PART 5 CREATING YOUR FUTURE DESTINY
Brand You Action Plan	203	(11)
The Sky Can Be the Limit---So I Always Say Dream Big!	205	(3)
Brand You Is G.R.E.A.T.	208	(2)
Action Step---Achieving Successful Outcomes	210	(1)
Visualizations and Affirmations	210	(4)
Brand You for a Lifetime	214	(5)
Do It Now!	215	(4)
More Career Resources to Aid You	219