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The latest CSME mixer aimed and fired at the topic "Bulletproof Your Career." On March 29, the panel included the success stories of Kim Pittaway, former editor of Chatelaine and current industry consultant, and Lass Turnbull, the executive VP at Brunico Communications Inc.
Kim shared her list of her top tips for long, successful career in the magazine industry. Click here to see her tips.
Top Tips To Bulletproof Your Career
All of my bulletproofing has been accidental: I didn’t do any of this on purpose, and it’s only on looking back on it that I see some patterns and lessons. Lucky for you: you get the insights without the trauma and drama! (And a note: as tempting as it may be to imagine I’m only talking about my experiences at Chatelaine, that’s not the case. Many of these points do not apply to my experiences there—though a few might!)
1. Your job is not your career:
* Doing your job well is not enough. You need to establish visibility with your peers and potential next employers. Volunteer for industry boards and committees. Show up at events—and stay sober-ish (don’t let your name become a verb that is a synonym for “drunk and disorderlyâ€)
2. Worry less. Do more.
* Isolation is a career-killer—and it also leads to bad decision-making. Build your support networks when things are going well, and then use them when things aren’t going well. Get a reality check.
* Yes, you should consider your options. Yes, you should seek advice. Yes, you should be aware of what others are doing and what their motivations might be. But at a certain point, you have to stop talking, stop worrying and do something.
3. Don’t wait until you’re desperate to network.
* But you’ll also be surprised at how many people will talk to you even when you are desperate.
4. Even if you are desperate, try not to look it.
* Networking is not therapy. Do not spend the entire conversation trashing your boss/workplace/co-workers—because it makes you look like poison.
* Focus on gathering information: about another workplace, about what they’re looking for, about leads.
* Focus on conveying positive information—about your skills, goals.
5. No matter where you are in the hierarchy manage up, down and sideways.
* You should be good to people because it’s the right thing to do. And if that’s not enough of a reason, remember that someday they might be in a position to hire—or fire—you.
6. Share the wealth.
* It’s good karma to share job and work leads with other people. But remember…
7. To act sincerely with the insincere is dangerous. (Taoist proverb)
* Know that some people really will try to screw you. You don’t have to go head to head with them—but you can’t just “be good†in the hopes that they’ll be good to you. They won’t be. Be pleasant—and brickwall them as much as you can.
8. Know what your values are.
* It’s okay to be flexible. But eventually, you’re going to have to stand firm.
* It can be tough to stay focused on your values when you’re the frog in the slowly warming pot. One strategy: think about how you’d explain what you’re doing to someone you respect. Would they buy your explanation? If not, maybe you’re not where you want to be.
9. Don’t let a bad job/bad boss/wrong job/wrong boss torpedo your career. Take evasive action.
* A lateral move is better than sinking.
* Recognize that there is a difference between “bad†and “wrong for youâ€: some places and people are genuinely toxic while others are simply not a good fit for you. Either way, you need to come up with an exit strategy.
10. Have a safety net.
* Money is power, and having the money—or the ability to earn money quickly—gives you the power to move.
* Debt is a trap in more ways than one.
11. Sometimes your next job isn’t your career, it’s just your next job.
* It’s like the transitional boyfriend: not your life partner, but just someone to get you over the hump (so to speak).
* Don’t let the transitional job become your next trap.
12. Be a class act.
* There is momentary satisfaction in saying something awful—and awfully funny—about a bad boss, a bad workplace, an evil co-worker. Do it cautiously, because this is a small industry—and it’s better to be a class act than the class clown.
13. The right job doesn’t come along when you need it. It comes along when they need you.
* John Macfarlane shared this advice with me when I left Chatelaine.
* Know that the right job may take time to arrive.
* Know that you might have to create the right job.
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18:00 - 20:00 CSME Mixer - How Tweet It Is
