I regularly talk with companies, recruiters, and leaders who are currently in the process of hiring executive and professional candidates. They are looking for the RIGHT candidate, not just any candidate. They are looking for a person who is a perfect fit and, someone who has a unique value proposition that will solve the problem they are trying to solve.

Even in the current climate, there are companies hiring. If you feel like you need a boost to be the top choice, it is time to shift your way of thinking. Reframe your thoughts around branding, pursuing a promotion, asking for a raise; or, even considering a pivot or, transitioning.

If you do what you have always done, you are going to get what you have always got. If you want more opportunities or more pay, what are you doing about it right now?

Dig deep and think about what is holding you back. Why are you feeling stuck? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it plain old doubt? Do you fear success or failure? Or, do you have that overriding feeling that you are not good enough?

Creating a Strong Professional Brand

People with strong professional brands are very clear and decisive about who they are. They are clear about what drives them. They are absolutely clear about what they will and will not do in regards to their professional brand. They know how to leverage their key strengths and they know how to maximize their potential.

What about you? Do you feel like you have a strong professional brand? Or, do you feel like you struggle with clarity around your personal strengths.? Maybe you start spinning your wheels because you think about everything you do. Maybe you have trouble identifying exactly what it is, how you serve a need or, how you bring value to a certain organization or industry.

The role of Clarity and Confidence

Clarity is so critical in your career strategy. It will help you to identify your talents, skills, abilities and, purpose. It will help you be clear about where you are and where you want to go. It will also help when you come up against self-doubt. Clarity brings confidence. Confidence will help you overcome obstacles when internal politics tries to hijack your confidence. If you are thinking about taking that leap to advance your career, confidence can be that thing that transforms your life and changes the way you think about your future.

You need confidence in your job search, in your promotional campaign, and, when you are identifying what your strengths are as a leader. Confidence will help you be and, feel promotion ready. It will also help you to feel positioned to negotiate well for your next role. You’ll also be more confident and, competent to lead from a place of authenticity. Remember, it’s important to listen to your gut, and that strong sense you have about who you are, what you value, what you will and, won’t do, and, how you add value. Having this clarity will allow you to lead authentically, which in turn will improve your overall confidence.

I bet you’ll even wake up every morning feeling excited about what you do because you are feeling fully in alignment with your purpose. Because, when you have confidence that comes from having clarity you are able to accept and, recognize that you are enough. More than that, you will recognize that you are fantastic, you are awesome, you are capable. Connecting with the impact that you make in your industry or organization will help you realize that you bring value to wherever you are. As a result, you will lead more powerfully from where you are at and, ultimately lead more strategically to where you want to go.