My friend and fellow Gen Y enthusiast, Dan Schawbel, published his latest book this week, Promote Yourself: The New Rules for Career Success. Here are my five favorite takeaways from the book. But trust me, they only scratch the surface of the great advice in this book!
1.) The rules of engagement have changed: 15% of Millennials are already in management positions.
This is a finding from a survey conducted by Dan’s company, Millennial Branding, and PayScale. As this generation of 80 million people rises into leadership, work will undoubtedly change. Dan predicts, and I agree, that organizations will become more transparent and collaborative due to the Gen Y way of teamwork and open communication.
2.) To stay employable, you need to take charge of your own skill-building and education.
Some employers provide training for employees. Some offer in-house classes and others will pay for continued formal education. But you have to take your own career education into your own hands. With a growing skills gap between job opportunities and job seekers, the smart professional will choose to find ways to meet the needs of a new labor market. Dan references website likes SkillShare and Udemy, which offer online classes in a myriad of subjects at low cost.
3.) Social media and personal branding are critical for your career.
What you’re saying about yourself on social media is critical for shaping the kind of career you want. Dan emphasizes this point and admits that, for some, self-promotion is difficult. However, he encourages readers that there are ways it can be done without sounding arrogant. When people know what you like and what you can do, opportunities will come to you.
4.) Recognizing generational differences will help you do your job and succeed.
I think this point is particularly important for ambitious Millennials out there. Embrace the different styles of working, leading and managing from those of different generations. In particular, creating mentoring relationships with older generations will help the new workforce think creatively without repeating mistakes of the past.
5.) Thinking like an entrepreneur is the essential for everyone.
But it’s not all about starting your own business, though that may be a good path for you. Dan talks about the concept of “intrapreneurship” – innovating and creating change within a company. Employees who add value are those most coveted by employers. I like to think of it as: “when you see something, start something.”
I highly recommend you pick up Dan’s new book, available now on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Image: danschawbel.com
