It seems wherever you go, you can’t escape talk about the economy.  The media does its fair share of sending waves of panic into the public, and career survivability is on everyone’s mind. 

But here’s the deal.  Not everyone is struggling – and no, these people haven’t learned to do back-flips or walk on a tight rope.  Many people, including professional moms, have realized that what it all boils down to in gaining a competitive edge is…….wait for it…….just being you! 

“Huh?”

Challenge #1
Although being yourself should be a no-brainer, many moms have become so consumed with attending to the needs of others (myself included) that they often forget who they are.  There was a reason why we wanted a career once upon a time.  It’s as if we woke up one day and said, “hmm, yes, I vaguely remember that gal from way back”.  If you can’t remember or never knew what you have to offer to an employer, it’s a good idea to start now. Simply going through the motions at work is one of the best ways to ensure your place on the chopping block. 

Challenge #2
We need to bust through the stereotypes that haunt us at work: that moms are pre-occupied, not committed, and incompetent.  Experts call this the maternal wall.  Instead, replace those assumptions with something more favourable.  Employers want to know, “So what are you going to do for our bottom line?”  This is where knowing your unique business impact is hugely important.

So what the heck can I do?

Be authentic.  Be you.  Sort through and document your life’s accomplishments, identify your values, passions and authentic skills and qualities – everything that makes you less of a commodity and builds your competitive edge.

Align your greatest assets with the needs of an employer.  How you are going to make money for them, save money, improve processes or work collaboratively to meet a goal? 

Get some 360° feedback from those who know you well – co-workers, bosses, clients, family and friends.  They can provide you with insights into yourself that are worth knowing for career management.

Pull out your resume and review it.  Does it create buying motivation for an employer, or is it just a list of boring duties and responsibilities?  When you read it, does it say “WOW!” or “yaw-w-w-n”?

If you want to increase your career survivability, try the suggestions above.  Get to know yourself all over again, either on your own or with some expert help, and carve out your unique promise of value with confidence!

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