ATD Blog
Ask the Career Coach: Do You Need a Career Image Makeover?
Thu Mar 06 2014
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Each month we pose a career-related question to one of ASTD’s Career Center Coaches. This month’s coach is Suzanne Stadlman Anctil, who is an executive coach and human resources consultant.
Each month we pose a career-related question to one of ASTD’s Career Center Coaches. This month’s coach is Suzanne Stadlman Anctil, who is an executive coach and human resources consultant.
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QUESTION **:** I am working for someone younger, and I am not sure they think I'm “with it” when it comes to technology. I am also not getting the new and innovative assignments. I’m actually very adaptable and a fast learner, but somehow I am not projecting that impression. What can I do?
QUESTION**:** I am working for someone younger, and I am not sure they think I'm “with it” when it comes to technology. I am also not getting the new and innovative assignments. I’m actually very adaptable and a fast learner, but somehow I am not projecting that impression. What can I do?
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ANSWER: First of all, I applaud you for reaching out for help. That is a great first step. While this is not an uncommon concern in the workplace, not getting choice assignments is not always due to age differences. In fact, often the reason for it is that the employee’s skills and capabilities are simply not known.
ANSWER: First of all, I applaud you for reaching out for help. That is a great first step. While this is not an uncommon concern in the workplace, not getting choice assignments is not always due to age differences. In fact, often the reason for it is that the employee’s skills and capabilities are simply not known.
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I will address the possibility of a generation gap, however these suggestions will work for anyone—from early career employees to those nearing the retirement stage—who feels that they are not getting the cutting-edge assignments.
I will address the possibility of a generation gap, however these suggestions will work for anyone—from early career employees to those nearing the retirement stage—who feels that they are not getting the cutting-edge assignments.
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Above all, we need to own our situation and do what we can to ensure we are being challenged and allowed the opportunity to contribute at the highest level. Here are some ideas that may help.
Above all, we need to own our situation and do what we can to ensure we are being challenged and allowed the opportunity to contribute at the highest level. Here are some ideas that may help.
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Conduct an honest self-evaluation . This is essential. Review performance reviews, feedback, and think about the perceptions that people may have of you. Be honest with yourself. Write down the feedback and perceptions you agree with and what you are willing to work on.
Conduct an honest self-evaluation. This is essential. Review performance reviews, feedback, and think about the perceptions that people may have of you. Be honest with yourself. Write down the feedback and perceptions you agree with and what you are willing to work on.
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Note: If it really is a generation-related issue, the common perceptions (or stereotyped concerns) people have about “workers with experience” are concerns about stamina, flexibility with change, and current skills. A few tips:
Note: If it really is a generation-related issue, the common perceptions (or stereotyped concerns) people have about “workers with experience” are concerns about stamina, flexibility with change, and current skills. A few tips:
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Demonstrate stamina. Maintain good posture, be energetic, and project a pleasant voice quality.
Demonstrate stamina. Maintain good posture, be energetic, and project a pleasant voice quality.
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Embrace change. Often, it is the seasoned professional who focuses on age---not necessarily the others. Be sure that you are not the one always saying things like “Before you were born...” Offer to facilitate a management change project.
Embrace change. Often, it is the seasoned professional who focuses on age---not necessarily the others. Be sure that you are not the one always saying things like “Before you were born...” Offer to facilitate a management change project.
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Keep current with your knowledge and skills. Remember you become wise through experience—not by passive activities. To stay current, ask for more training. If budget concerns are the case here, train yourself by using social media, books, or online training.
Keep current with your knowledge and skills. Remember you become wise through experience—not by passive activities. To stay current, ask for more training. If budget concerns are the case here, train yourself by using social media, books, or online training.
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Hone and demonstrate your technology skills. Keep learning, keep reading, and keep trying new things. Show people that you love the forward motion of learning (after all that is our profession: training). Other tips:
Hone and demonstrate your technology skills. Keep learning, keep reading, and keep trying new things. Show people that you love the forward motion of learning (after all that is our profession: training). Other tips:
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Get on LinkedIn or enhance your profile. This is a good, professional social media tool that provides the opportunity to discuss current workplace topics, network with others, and see how their careers are moving.
Get on LinkedIn or enhance your profile. This is a good, professional social media tool that provides the opportunity to discuss current workplace topics, network with others, and see how their careers are moving.
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Hold a webinar. This is a great way to showcase your technology savvy and current skills.
Hold a webinar. This is a great way to showcase your technology savvy and current skills.
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Publish an article about the use of technology in training.
Publish an article about the use of technology in training.
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Implement a perception change plan. Identify and document specific opportunities that you would like to work on in the next three to six months. Depending on the plan, you may want to share with your manager or with an accountability partner.
Implement a perception change plan. Identify and document specific opportunities that you would like to work on in the next three to six months. Depending on the plan, you may want to share with your manager or with an accountability partner.
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Reassess your plan. Give yourself three to four months to try out your “new you” and set a date to re-evaluate. Review the perceptions you were trying to overcome. What actions did you take you to reinvigorate yourself, and what were the resulting perceptions? How has the situation changed? Re-evaluate the steps that didn’t work and try something new.
Reassess your plan. Give yourself three to four months to try out your “new you” and set a date to re-evaluate. Review the perceptions you were trying to overcome. What actions did you take you to reinvigorate yourself, and what were the resulting perceptions? How has the situation changed? Re-evaluate the steps that didn’t work and try something new.
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Celebrate the successes and reap the rewards. It is all about creating and owning our own career. Feel free to add other ideas and let us know how it turns out.
Celebrate the successes and reap the rewards. It is all about creating and owning our own career. Feel free to add other ideas and let us know how it turns out.