YOU CAN HAVE

CAREER SUCCESS

CONTENTS

°° INTRODUCTION 4

°° CHAPTER 1: 6
CAREER SKILL BASICS
°° CHAPTER 2: 7
WHERE DO YOU NEED IMPROVEMENT
°° CHAPTER 3: 10
ASSESSMENT TESTS FOR YOUR GIVEN
CAREER
°° CHAPTER 4: 12
MENTORING
°° CHAPTER 5: 16
ONLINE COURSES
°° CHAPTER 6: 17
OFFLINE COURSES
°° CHAPTER 7: 19
LIFE LESSONS
°° CHAPTER 8: 21
SELF ESTEEM
 TERMS AND CONDITIONS
LEGAL NOTICE

The Publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the

creation of this report, notwithstanding the fact that they do not warrant or
represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly
changing nature of the Internet.

While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publi-
cation, the Publisher assumes no responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary
interpretation of the subject matter herein. Any perceived slights of specific
persons, peoples, or organizations are unintentional.

In practical advice books, like anything else in life, there are no guarantees of
results. Readers are cautioned to use their own judgment about their individual
circumstances to act accordingly.
This book is not intended for use as a source of legal, business, psychological or
financial advice. All readers are advised to seek services of competent profes-
sionals in these fields.

IMPORTANT: If you find yourself in a job in which you are at risk of physical
or emotional harm, the insights offered herewith cannot help you. Dangerous
work situations should be but are not always illegal. We recommend you gain
professional career counseling and support to secure your safety.

We encourage you to print this book for easy reading.

3
 INTRODUCTION
If career success has eluded you to this point, then this book will assist you in
clearing a new path. Read through it carefully. Some of what you find here may
be entirely new information, while other elements may be things you have
heard in the past.

Whether you wish to advance in your current career, change careers entirely, or
even if you’ve merely been working a “job” and wish to move into a meaningful
career path, there is a great deal of help you will find here!

To begin, let us look at a few of the basic characteristics of a career worth having.

First, a true career requires skills that can be valued with higher pay. Unskilled
labor “jobs” will never provide the kind of income that supports a family or a life.

Secondly, a career provides room for growth. Not only do you need skills to ad-
vance in the career, but the career itself allows and leaves room for you to grow
your skills and abilities.

Third, a career should have a path or trajectory. Careers are not “dead-end” jobs
that go nowhere over time.

Finally, careers should offer compensation packages including health care and
medical benefits, paid holidays and sick leave.
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In order to enjoy career success in any field, you can expect that you will want
to advance your skills from time to time. And that “time” may be starting right
now.

There are very few employers willing to take a risk on “raw talent” unless you
happen to be quite young, armed with a degree and willing to hustle. If you do
fit this category you will find many start-up companies eager to speak you.

For the rest of us, beefing up your skills may be required. You can gain specializa-
tion and expertise in a specific activity or field. This may be through continuing
education, university studies or a vocational school of some kind. Today, there
are also many online courses to support your career advancement. Mentorship
may also be a valuable part of your career skill development.

This book will aid you in exploring how to acquire these skills. Once you have
explored them, you are on your way to better career choices, a sense of stability
and yes, very likely, more money.

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 CHAPTER 1

CAREER SKILL BASICS

Any employer worthy of working for is looking to hire the best possible can-
didate. One who has all of the basic skills, at the very least, along with a clear
potential to grow into the company culture and add value to the company’s
overall goals.

While each company has a different culture and different set of goals, the basic
skill requirements of a good employee are generally very similar, so let’s have a
closer look at these basics. As you read through the below, be sure to be honest
with yourself and evaluate your own level of competence and skill in each of
these areas.

BASIC CAREER SKILL REQUIREMENTS

▷▷ Reading: You must be able to understand, interpret and locate written

information like graphs, schedules and manuals.

▷▷ Writing: You are able to communicate ideas, information, thoughts and

messages effectively in writing. You may also be able to create docu-
ments like manuals, flow charts, graphs, reports, directions and letters.

▷▷ Mathematics/Arithmetic Skills: You are able to perform computations

and face practical problems with basic mathematical techniques.

▷▷ Listening: You can attend to, interpret, respond and receive verbal cues,
messages and directions.

▷▷ Speaking: You can communicate and organize ideas orally.

▷▷ Interpersonal and Team Skills: You are able to communicate with co-
workers, team members, customers and the management team.

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 CHAPTER 2

WHERE DO YOU NEED IMPROVEMENT?

SYNOPSIS

Employers are looking for skills that often go beyond the basics reviewed in
Chapter 1. While your experience and education may make you eligible enough
to apply for a job, you still need to have mixed skills.

For most employers, getting the right people is important. It is all about iden-
tifying the people with the right qualities and skills to fulfill their role and con-
tribute to the success of the organization. You may be one of those candidates
who have the practical and qualifications in managing your job role. However,
employers are less likely to hire you if they do not believe you possess the qual-
ities that will make you a good employee. These could be referred to as “soft”
skills, or adaptability.

With the heavy competition in some sectors of the marketplace, it is the ability
to adapt to a company’s culture which will make the difference between two
candidates who are otherwise equal. So let us now have a look at some of the
“soft” skills to see where you might want to improve.

EMPLOYABILITY

What is your track record with other companies, if any? Do

you have good records with your other employers? During
the hiring process, are you available for answering questions
or for follow-up? Do you have a disciplinary record with oth-
er companies? Have you had excessive sick leave or received
workers compensation? These all factor into your employ-
ability status.

INTERPERSONAL

How are your interpersonal skills? It is an unfortunate truth

that many times it is the very people with poor interpersonal
skills who lack enough self-reflection to recognize that they
are the cause of their career problems. Don’t be one of those
people!
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Here are some questions to ask yourself: Are you a good lis-
tener? Do you take directions and feedback well, without
taking criticism personally? Do you like to gripe or complain
at the water cooler? Do you tend to have “enemies” at work?
Is there a lot of drama that circles around you at work? Do
you blame others for your problems at work? Have you been
passed over numerous times for promotions.

Other questions to ask include: Can you manage others well

without barking at them? Is there a record on file about you
with previous employers related to your interpersonal skills
or lack there-of? Have you received disciplinary warnings or
been fired for your conduct/misconduct?

With good interpersonal skills, you can actively participate

as a team member. You can satisfy the expectations of your
employer and customers, manage your time efficiently and
work effectively with other employees.

Keep in mind that there is always room for improvement

and you may still need to hone your interpersonal skills,
which ultimately leads to a less stressful and better working
environment.

COMMUNICATION

Employers are searching for people who have the means to

communicate well, both in writing and verbally. If you are ap-
plying for work or seeking a promotion, you’ll want to make
a positive effort to demonstrate your communication skills.

If you do not excel in communication, you’ll need to improve

in this area by practicing and possibly taking a course or join-
ing a club. If verbal communication is an area of weakness
for you, consider Toastmasters International. This worldwide
organization helps people improve their speaking skills and
the tiny membership dues makes it easy to join no matter
your current income level.

If written communication is your area of challenge, start by

looking online for free videos or training on how to improve
basic writing skills.
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CRITICAL THINKING

Critical thinking is not the same thing as being critical. Crit-

ical thinking is about discernment. It is about being able to
use your rational mind, pulling in relevant information and
thinking through a challenge or problem in order to come
to an optimal solution.

In other words, critical thinking is used for problem-solving.

Further, it’s used on a frequent basis in any business set-
ting. Your ability to solve problems will be a big asset to an
employer. This is a desirable skill that you’ll want to demon-
strate if you can.

In problem solving and decision making there is a need to

gather reliable information, plan effectively and organize
your time may all come into play. With employees who can
think critically, employers save money and time.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Most jobs involve change. Employers prefer people who are

flexible, patient, and adaptable and respond to change. If
you are not open to changes and learning, then this is one of
the areas that you simply must develop. If you are resistant
to changes in an organization, this will serve as a hindrance
to your successful career.

All else being equal, an employer will choose an employee

who can make the company more money. Employees con-
tent to do the bare minimum and get paid are not oriented
toward personal or professional growth. They will inevitably
become a drain on the company.

Personal development is about acquiring the right attitude

toward your life, which affects the way you show up for the
company. Employers look for people who are interested in
learning and developing themselves because these are the
kind of employees who bring more creativity, motivation
and growth energy to the company.

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 CHAPTER 3

ASSESSMENT TESTS FOR YOUR GIVEN CAREER

Assessment tests help in determining the best career option for a person based
on their personality, aptitude, interests, skills and other factors. Assessments
can help you discover a career that you will be able to stick with for the long-
haul. Such tests are also useful in suggesting career options.

Assessments may include questions about your style of working, your skill level
in different areas, your attitude, interests and style of interaction with others.
With a set of responses, your basic personality can be seen, along with a list of
potential weaknesses and strengths. This profile is then matched with a data-
base of career options.

It is crucial to be honest when answering all questions if you want to get the
best career guidance. Lying would only cheat yourself.

Keep in mind however that assessment tests serve as a guideline. They may
not always be right, so be sure to trust your own interests which may not show
up in the results. If you know, for example, that you have a passionate interest
in building and creating things, but an assessment test reveals no builder/con-
tractor options, explore them anyway. Ultimately, you want a career where you
can both excel and be passionate about what you do.

Now, let’s have a look at a few of the assessment tests available:

• INTEREST TEST

This is considered to be the strongest of all tests. This is also helpful in assess-
ing the career that is best suited for a particular person. Interest Assessments
will suggest careers that motivate and interest you, more than what you may
show a “natural” aptitude for, relying on your personwal engagement (interest)
to support you in becoming successful.

You can expect questions related to set of choices in different fields. Your orien-
tation toward different jobs is being determined.

People can beef up their career skills and choose a job that best fits their inter-
ests by taking an interest test such as an interest assessment, self- assessment
exercise, career pipeline or a career interest inventory test.

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• SKILLS AND APTITUDE TEST

Aptitude tests help to determine skill levels. These also assess a person’s weak-
nesses and strengths. These tests contain questions which can reveal things
like: analytical ability, verbal reasoning, technical skills, visual skills, language
skills, numeric reasoning and speed tests.

The inherent aptitude for a specific subject is being tested. These tests also
highlight areas where you may be weak, average and strong. Thus, you know
where to further build on the strengths and shore up weaknesses.

• PERSONALITY TESTS

Personality tests are used to uncover your basic nature, which helps you find a
career that will be suit your character.

For example, where one person may be introverted, another may be outgoing.
And while both may have the same basic aptitude for a certain type of career,
the first may be better suited for R&D (Research and Development) while the
second may be better suited for Account Acquisitions or some other role with
the public.

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 CHAPTER 4

MENTORING

One highly effective way to up-level your employment desirability is to get men-
torship. In fact, all top CEOs CFO and CMOs in Fortune 500 companies invest
some of their time with personal and professional mentorship. This is not to say
that Mentorship is only for high-level executives. On the contrary! It is because
of the effectiveness demonstrated t top levels that we can see the value of men-
torship for anyone.

To put it more bluntly: Mentoring has long been proven to be essential for top
career success. A good Mentor can be instrumental to your career growth and
success. They offer their time, care and commitment to help you improve your
skills.

Great mentors have the knowledge and experience to guide a protégé or men-
tee. Mentors are valuable because they guide you on your career path. Whether
you are an experienced professional or recent college grad, mentors are a valu-
able asset in your career toolkit.

How can you get started on creating a relationship with a mentor?

Below are some suggestions:

DETERMINE THE MENTORSHIP GOALS

Before you seek out a mentor, write down all your expectations and the role
that you like your mentor to play in your life.

Would you like a mentor who can help you develop specific, tangible skills?
Would you like a mentor who can assist you in learning more about a particular
industry? Are there areas of experience or specific skills in your career that need
improvement? Would you like a mentor to help you with leadership, or personal
confidence, or even more effective interpersonal skills? Or, would you like some-
one that provides guidance on how to become a successful entrepreneur?

These questions and more can help you determine the type of mentor that’s
right for you.

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RECOGNIZE A GOOD MENTOR

While investigating potential men-

tors, always allow for someone who
can also support you in your personal
growth. In addition, look for someone
who has proven themselves and has
success in their own right.

The most obvious mentor candidates

are current and former bosses, suc-
cessful leaders in the community or a
company, college professors or even
a family member with the knowledge
base and track record you seek.

Bear in mind that you are not limited

to a single mentor. You can choose to
have a mentor for each stage of your
career. There are multiple mentors
that specialize in different areas.

REQUEST FOR MENTORSHIP

It is easy to approach a mentor candidate when you have known the person
and have built an existing relationship with him or her. You can easily ask this
person for meetings, whether at a coffee shop or in the office environment.

Communicate all of your career goals and identify some of the areas that you
want to improve on. Explain that you have a high regard for your mentor’s
specific leadership, experience and skills, and that you would like to learn
from her or him. There is nothing wrong with asking this person to become
your mentor.

If you do not personally know anyone, you may want to ask around. Look for
others who are successful in their field and ask if they have ever had a men-
tor. Ask for referrals.

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Here are the other ways of approaching a potential mentor that you do not
know personally:

▷▷ Ask a mutual friend for you to be introduced to a mentor. Establish mu-

tual connections over the internet through LinkedIn, or ask particular
people in the network if they know potential mentors.

▷▷ Contact a mentor. One of the most direct ways of contacting a potential

mentor is through email. If you cannot get an email address, you can try
reaching out with social networks, like a Facebook message or Twitter.
If you still do not hear back, you can still follow up. Be persistent but not
annoying.

▷▷ Explore the different ways to cross paths with potential mentors. If you
have someone in mind who is an online influencer, a professional orga-
nization member or conference speaker, you have to attend online and
live public events. You must not stalk this mentor, but instead, be proac-
tive about the opportunities where you have the opportunity of meeting
your mentor.

▷▷ If you are well-acquainted with the potential mentor, the important ele-
ment is to show admiration on the things that he or she does. You also
need to show enthusiasm for growth.

BE A COMMENDABLE MENTEE

Business people are successful and busy. They consider their time to be valu-
able. Thus, when a person has agreed to mentor you, you need to realize that
this is both a privilege and an honor.

Here are some ways to be a commendable mentee and show your appreciation
for the support you are receiving:

▷▷ Always show up prepared. Before you meet with your mentor, plan the
questions and topics that you want to address. This keeps the meeting
focused and respects their time.

▷▷ Ask for suggestions in moderation. Asking too much signals a needy,

high-maintenance mentee. In general, reach out only for advice on ca-
reer decisions-not little challenges.

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 ▷▷ Be a Good Listener. Mentors are dispensing advice. You may sometimes
take the advice or you may not. In either way, you have to listen and con-
sider the advice.

▷▷ Share your Development. Your mentor is gratified in your progress as a

protégé or mentee. Thus, you’ll want to be sure your mentor knows of
any career wins.

▷▷ Show Your Gratitude. Remember, your mentor is taking time out of his
or her busy schedule, so express your appreciation. Thank your mentor
frequently. Verbal thanks are enough, however, making an effort to send
a small gift or card is a good idea when you have particularly benefited
from their guidance.

Once your career has progressed and you have met a lot of people, you may
even introduce your own mentor to other business contacts or other mentors.
Business professionals are always finding value in meeting same-minded pro-
fessionals.

Ultimately, you may even reach a point in your career that someone has a need
of your mentorship. If you think that the person is a worthy mentee, agree to
mentor her or him. Then, pass forward all of those wonderful lessons you learn
from your mentor.

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 CHAPTER 5

ONLINE COURSES

Strengthening your skills through continuing education can give you a leg up
in an ever-increasingly competitive marketplace. Online courses are a wonder-
ful way to stay ahead of the competition, with easy access, no matter where you
are in the world and often, a relatively low cost.

Online courses also give you the advantage of learning at your most convenient
time, allowing you to plan your pace of study for as long as you have an estab-
lished internet connection.

Here are a few of the tips to consider when finding online courses that support
career growth:

1. Accreditation and Reputation of Online School

The reputation of an online school adds value to your certification. If you are
aiming to earn certification from a study program, you need to sign up to an
online course that is offered by an online school with a good reputation. It must
also be accredited by the Department of Education.

2. Request the Details of the Course Before Enrolling

The online course that is being offered by one school may be different from an-
other school. Be sure to review the course details before registering and com-
mitting your money and time. Most online schools offer their course outlines
and other information free of charge.

3. Credit Transferability
You should check the credit transferability of your chosen online school. Tuition
fees are generally calculated based on credit hours.

4. Hands-on Training or Lab Work

Depending on the course of study, some online courses require you also attend
some live or face-to-face classes. Be sure to read the fine print and check into
the location and schedule where you will need to attend the physical classes or
training.

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 CHAPTER 6

OFFLINE COURSES

Despite the modern virtual world, there are still plenty of course of study that
require live, in-person training in order to become certified or receive a diplo-
ma. These can include University degrees or vocational certifications, as well as
short-term training course.

GETTING INFORMATION FOR OFFLINE COURSES

If you have decided to enroll in an offline course, seek out the resources avail-
able at the school campus or office. Educational institutions have programs
that are specially developed and designed for adults of all ages. Often, there
are also scholarships that come along with these courses, so be sure to do your
homework on the program as well as the possible financial aid available to you.

SHORT-TERM TRAINING COURSES

Universities and colleges are among the places to turn when you want to focus
in a new career direction, or advance your current career. However, there are
also short-term courses that can provide you with long-term benefits.

Follow these practices that can give your career a lift without burying in a debt
on student loan.

1. Shop Around for A School

Selecting the right program is important if you do not want to bury yourself in
a student loan debt.
Investigate programs at a local community college, private and public schools
and four-year universities before narrowing your search. You can also compare
the structure and costs of an offline course program with an online course pro-
gram. If you feel hesitant about obtaining a graduate degree, you can still get
a certificate. You can jump into a subject that interests you the most without
committing your time to a full degree program.

2. It’s More than Just the Tuition

Fees and tuitions are the launching point in tallying up a cost of the program.

17
Always remember to provide a space in your budget for rent, transportation,
supplies, books and the like. In comparing various programs, be sure to calcu-
late all costs involved.

3. Fill out the Student Aid’s Free Application

Although you may be hesitant to borrow, federal loans for students can go a
long way in supporting your future career success. Look for low interest and
high-flexibility in repayment.

4. Transfer Credits
If you have already collected credits from former degrees or degree attempts,
see if they can be transferred.

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 CHAPTER 7

LIFE LESSONS

In achieving success in your career, don’t ignore the

very real value of personal life experience. Often, it
is the learning that comes through day-to-day liv-
ing (as well as mistakes) which can be a real credit
to your career. Common sense is worth a lot more
than a few cents!

You may want to take some time to do a little self-re-

flecting to uncover some of the skills, abilities and
“smarts” you already have.

Here are some of the tips to consider for you to ap-

preciate your life lessons:

1. Appreciate the Successes of the Previous Year

Take the time to jot down all things that you succeeded at in the previous year,
as well as the lessons learned from “mistakes”. List any specific career accom-
plishments. If there are still areas in your career that you need to strengthen,
include those in a separate column.

2. Learn From Your Disappointments

The things that you learned from your disappoint-
ments can also be major life lessons that are wor-
thy and truly meaningful. Write down your disap-
pointments from the past year and what you’ve
discovered about yourself in the process of com-
ing to terms with those disappointments. (Hint:
being a victim and blaming others for the disap-
pointments is not what we are talking about here!)

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3. Eliminate Limiting Beliefs
There is a need to live from the truth that is within you. The most important
aspect of being successful is to eliminate the beliefs that hold you back. One
of the common negative and limiting beliefs people have is that they are not
enough for the task at hand. This only sabotages their own success and blocks
their ability to live their passions and achieve their goals. Recognize this or other
limiting beliefs and replace them with a truthful statement.

4. Live According to Key Roles and Values

Being clear on the things that get you out of bed in the morning is essential.
What do you think are the personal standards or principles that you live by?
Remember that values are the drivers of your goals. What are those values that
are important to your life? An important key to long-term career success is the
ability to integrate your values in your work life.

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 CHAPTER 8

SELF-ESTEEM

Self-esteem is important for you to have a successful career. You need it at any
stage of your career- whether you are a new employee, dealing with deadlines
and stress and working with other people.

Self-esteem is about having the satisfaction and confidence in your abilities and
skills. This is achieved through a series of personal success. This also helps you
in coping up with the difficult challenges in life. This also gives you the faith of
overcoming them.

Here are a few things to consider when building and strengthening your self-es-
teem.

1. Make a plan where you can get a daily exercise and eat
nutritional foods and balanced diet. Maintain a respect and
care for your body. Your mind gets a lot of these benefits
because a healthy body supports healthy attitude. It is basic,
self-care 101.

2. Engage in meaningful and fun activities. Participate in a

hobby that you most enjoy. Better yet, volunteer with an or-
ganization which helps others. It is through nurturing your
interests and helping others that you boost self-esteem and
give your energy to things that matter to you.

3. Reward yourself for your career achievements. You can

do this by celebrating with friends, offering yourself a little
praise or even something like getting a massage. Each time
that you recognize your own success, you build a better sup-
port system and stronger trust in yourself.

4. Create your list of achievements and successes. You can

refer to this list in times that you are in doubt of yourself.
This is one of the best ways of staying in touch with your
strengths, because you can see that you really are able to
overcome obstacles.

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 5. Forgive yourself for the things that do not turn out well.
When you are critical of your own efforts, this only serves
as a way of chipping away at your self-esteem. You have to
release shame or guilt feelings by making a room for confi-
dence and poise.

These steps are useful in building and strengthening your self-esteem. This
takes dedication and practice. However, the results make them well-worth the
effort.

Remember that your self-esteem is the most important asset to reaching your
success. In fact, healthy self-esteem is one of the secrets of being successful!

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