1. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR CAREER!
Looking for a new job?
Ready for a promotion?
Critical strategies for differentiating yourself
in the marketplace and nailing down the right
position.
Jean Erickson Walker, Ed.D., CMF
503-816-5956
jean@jeanericksonwalker.com

2. What do you do?

3. GET TO THE BOTTOM LINE
What is the result of what you do?
Who benefits?
“I lead cutting edge technical teams to create innovative products.”
“I engage people at every level in commitment to quality and safety.”
“I energize the entire organization around bottom line results,
focusing on what’s best for the company and best for the customer.”
“ I create the blueprint to take new products to market
internationally.”
“Most people decide within 8 seconds whether
someone is worth listening to in the first place.”
The New Articulate Executive, Granville Toogood.

4. Break out of the job
description trap. Don’t let
rules get in the way of your
career. Titles, functional
areas and organizational
structure are meant for ant
colonies. Borrow
shamelessly and make a
compelling case to change
your job to fit where you
shine.

5. WHAT IS YOUR BRAND IMAGE?
Is your image distinctive, consistent and relevant?
“Straight shooter”
“Tough negotiator”
“Creative”
“Competitive”
“Gets results”
“Idea person”
“Great with people”
“Natural leader”
“Kind, considerate, nice person”
“Smart”
“High integrity, ethics”
“Technical expert”
“Hard worker, dependable”
“Loyal”
“You are always on display.
When it comes to your brand,
there is no such thing as a transaction that doesn’t count.”
David D’Alessandro, CEO of John Hancock

6. WHO ARE YOU?
Know your story
What is unique about you?
Talents, skills, interests?
Leadership, management style?
How do you create success?
Tell your story
Examples, analogies, stories
Make it come alive!
There is no template or pattern when you
determine to be authentic.

7. Picture
yourself on
top of the
mountain
and shout it
to the
world.

8. WHAT DIFFERENTIATES YOU?
U N I Q U E LY Y O U
ONE OF MANY
Values/Beliefs
Titles
Heritage/Culture
Years of experience
Focus/Priorities
Functional area
Life changing events
Industries
Personal style:
Companies
Communication
Degrees/certifications
Decision making
Skills
Leadership
Technical knowledge
Management
“If we see the path ahead laid out for us, there is a good chance it is not our
path; it is probably someone else’s we have substituted for our own.”
The Heart Aroused,”David Whyte

10. DEFINE YOUR MARKET VALUE
What is your specific product or service? What do you provide of
value?
What are you willing to guarantee to deliver?
What is your market niche?
Who is your ideal customer? Who benefits most from your
contributions?
What differentiates you from your competitors?
What is your optimum role? Where do you typically excel?
What are the relationships that bring out the best in you?
Peers, Direct Reports, Senior Executives, Boards, Customers?
What are your natural talents and gifts? What comes easily,
instinctively, to you? What skills and expertise have you built
on these talents?

11. BE AN EXPERT AT SOMETHING…..
• Stand out from the crowd
• Become indispensable
• Learn something new no one else
knows
• Be visible and available
• Take on a project no one else wants
• Establish alliances by trading
expertise
• Focus on outcomes, not tasks
“Everybody needs somebody sometime,
and although my dream was overdue,
it was well worth waiting for someone like you.”
Dean Martin hit song

12. EXPAND YOUR REPERTOIRE
1. Improve your communication
skills. People skills win out over
technical skills every time.
2. Increase your knowledge of the
global marketplace.
3. Volunteer for a leadership role in
your professional association.
4. Focus on acquiring wisdom,
rather than facts.
“No one pays to see a one ball
juggler.”

13. TAKE CONTROL OF THE SOLUTION
THE RULE OF THREE
Major
Point
Supporting point
Supporting point
Supporting point
1.
2.
3.
Analyze the problem or
opportunity
Create three potential solutions
Present your recommendation
with supporting evidence
“Always do your thinking
outside the door.”

14. Inside each of
us is a geyser
of optimism
waiting to
erupt. Don’t
hold it back!
Believe in
yourself.

15. PROFESSIONAL PRESENCE MATTERS
Look, sound and act like a leader
Walk like you know where you’re going and can hardly wait to get there!
- long smooth strides; reach with your toes
- head up, shoulders back, hips forward
- smile, eyes open, alert look of anticipation
- include everyone in your eye contact
Show the calm, self assurance that gains the confidence of others.
- believe in yourself
- do your homework and know the value you bring to the table
- be optimistic and show it
- be the host not the guest, focus on making everyone else comfortable
“When you walk into a room, own it!”
“

16. •
Wear an outfit that will be remembered; keep it
classy but distinctive. This is not the time to be
anonymous.
•
There is no age restriction on being cool; be
memorable or be forgotten.
•
Even undertakers wear a touch of red occasionally.
•
Dare to risk.
•
Meticulous grooming, don’t forget the shoes.
•
What are you selling? Do you look the part? Do
you inspire confidence?
•
Is your hair style current? Age appropriate? Role
appropriate?
“This is not the time to be
anonymous.”

17. APPEAL TO THEIR EMOTIONS AND THEIR MINDS
WILL FOLLOW
•
Everyone is asking themselves, “Why should I care?” The lesson of
the elephant and the rider is emotion controls logic every time.
People instinctively follow the leader who appeals to their hearts.
•
Listen thoughtfully: “To be interesting, you must be interested.”
The most fascinating conversationalist is the person who asks you
about yourself. Be fascinating to everyone you meet.
•
There’s a reason for the adage, “Death by power point.” Forget
technology and talk directly to your audience.
•
“A picture is worth 1,000 words.” Create visual word pictures; data
is only useful for shock value.
“The truth is three minutes in front of the right audience can be worth
a year at your desk.“ The New Articulate Executive by Granville N. Toogood

18. IF YOU HAVE
SOMETHING
WORTH SAYING,
SAY IT WITH
ENTHUSIASM!

19. SEVEN THINGS TO AVOID THE ROCKY SHOALS
1.Ego: Needing to be the smartest person in the room. If you are, you aren’t doing
your job and you aren’t hiring the right people. Everyone who works for you should
be smarter than you are at something.
2.Losing your mojo: When you stop really caring, everyone around you stops
performing at their best.
3.Avoiding conflict. There is no such thing as an issue that will go away on its own.
It will either erupt or go underground. Deal with it within 24 hours.
4.Protecting your mistakes: Admit your mistakes, and get on with it.
5.Micromanaging: If two people are doing the same job, one isn’t necessary.
6.Forgetting your customer: Internal or external, who benefits most from your work?
7.Neglecting to set clear expectations and ensuring consistent accountability: Don’t
leave people floundering. Set a clear path and be sure the lights are on.

20. Be alert, ride
the wave,
anticipate the
action, take
control….soar.
You have the
power.

21. 10 THINGS TO DO ON A REGULAR BASIS
1. Focus on the positive.
2. Set priorities and boundaries for your life.
3. Take care of yourself; you are your own best asset.
4. Don’t waste your gifts and talents.
5. Learn something new every day.
6. Ask, “Why not?” more often than “Why?”
7. Become an expert in recognizing communication styles and adapting your own.
8. Genuinely value and enjoy people. After all, they are all that really matter to your
success.
9. Manage your time and resources based on priorities rather than whims or
expediency.
10. Concentrate on the questions, not the answers.
“Be open and encouraging of people who dare to be
different. They may well be the forerunners of the future.”

22. We are Watch for
all faced
the
with great
opportunities
brilliantly
disguised as
impossible
situations.

23. TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE AND
SWIM TO SUCCESS
Know
your
story
Identify
your
target
Focus
on the
goal
“Luck is the residue of design.” Whether you are looking for a new
position or a promotion, you can’t just wait for it to happen. Your
career success is up to you and it begins with commitment and
determination to make it happen.”

24. IMAGINE THE FUTURE
“Your customer isn’t interested in
past successes; they’re buying
hope and trust in the future…hope
that you are the one who will make
their future wonderful; trust that
you will care as much about their
future as they do.”
Jean Erickson Walker, Ed.D., CMF
503-221-8747;
jean@jeanericksonwalker.com