Secrets to Career Success in 2023
The 2023 job market looks a lot different compared to previous years. In 2022, we saw massive layoffs worldwide by nearly 1000 tech companies, including Meta, Twitter, Microsoft, and Amazon. The impending recession is the newest conversation starter, causing anxiety and uncertainty for career seekers.
If that news isn’t a sign that you need to be in the driver’s seat of your career destiny, then I don’t know what is. As a self-advocacy career coach and diversity strategist, I aim to help professionals like you understand your worth, communicate your values, and negotiate opportunities that align with your goals and aspirations. Keep reading this blog post to learn the secrets to career success in 2023.
Develop a growth mindset
The first and arguably most crucial step to career success in 2023 is to develop a growth mindset. A growth mindset is a belief that you can improve your abilities through time, effort, and dedication. Fostering this attitude for your career keeps you open to new challenges and opportunities. Let go of negative thoughts from 2022 and embrace that you will do more and excel in 2023. All you need to do is believe that you can and put in the work to achieve it.
Earlier this year, we talked about mindset as it relates to finances and generational wealth. Believing you have the power to break generational curses, set financial goals, and build a legacy for your family is more than half the battle. Your mind and how you speak to yourself are powerful, even outside of money.
The term “growth mindset” was coined in 2007 by Dr. Carol Dweck, a Stanford psychologist and professor. She pioneered research in mindset and motivation and how that impacted student achievement. In 2007, her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success transformed the field with her growth mindset theory. Simply believing that your abilities can be developed through hard work and learning changed the perspective beyond the classroom - for students, parents, employees, and entrepreneurs.
In contrast, someone with a fixed mindset believes that what you have is all you have, and there’s no going past that.
Approaching your career journey with a growth mindset can lead to increased resilience, adaptability, and success while facing challenges and setbacks. Rather than giving up in the face of adversity, push yourself. Believe that you can persevere, learn, grow, and become stronger from the situation.
In her book, Dr. Dweck writes, "The fixed mindset makes you concerned with how you'll be judged. The growth mindset makes you concerned with improving."
And if that isn’t the truth!
Many of us high-achievers struggle with people-pleasing and perfectionism. But the beauty of a growth mindset is that perfectionism, and anyone else’s opinion for that matter, is irrelevant. What matters is that you focus on improving yourself through learning and skill-building.
So in 2023, be kind to yourself, focus on how you can learn from your mistakes, and move forward with grace.
Stop focusing on the wrong things
In 2023, you have to stop focusing on the wrong things, point blank, period. You’re overthinking your next move, which will cost you your dream career.
You’re equipped with the skills and ambition needed to succeed, but you’re overthinking your next steps. Your dream career will pass you by because you were worried about the wrong things – if you should sign up for a resume course or a career workshop. You might even be waiting for the “last straw” at your current job before you start looking for another.
Not only will these “what ifs” and “should I’s” leave you spiraling, but you are also procrastinating your next opportunity.
In 2023, it’s time to nail down a strategy to meet your career goals - no more stressing over hypothetical situations and wondering if they will get you to where you want to be.
Whether you are just starting your career journey or deep in the trenches, ready to make a big career transition in the new year, working with a career coach can help you cut through the noise in your head and prioritize decisions that will move the needle forward.
As a self-advocacy career coach, my goal is to help you thrive and make the best move for your career. If you’re struggling with self-advocacy but not quite ready to hire a coach, sign up to receive biweekly career tips straight to your inbox.
Set clear goals
Whether you believe in the power of prayer, manifestation, hard work, or all three - setting career goals with a clear vision of what you want to achieve makes it that much easier to get there.
SMART goals, an acronym for specific, measurable, realistic, and time-bound, help you create a plan to achieve your vision.
The SMART method is designed to make it easier to set a goal for yourself and stick to it. Rather than setting a vague goal like “Get a new manager job before my birthday on 12/27,” try:
Get a new job as a mid-level product manager at a leading technology company by the end of 2023. To do this, I will apply to three open tech product manager jobs each week, beginning in January 2023.
See the difference?
This goal is
Specific (product manager at a leading technology company)
Measurable (applying to three open tech product manager positions each week)
Realistic (sorry, but getting the job by your birthday is not realistic when that is just days away), and
Time-bound (by the end of 2023, I will have a new job. To get my new job, I will start applying for jobs each week in January).
Now that’s a SMART Goal!
Network and build relationships in your career field
As the experts say, your network is your net worth. Your contacts from graduate programs, fellowships, and previous employers are some of the most valuable assets in your career. Connect with other professionals and build relationships in your industry.
The beauty of the 21st century is that there are many ways to find networking opportunities, whether online or in person. See someone with a job title you are interested in on LinkedIn? Send them a message and see if they’d be willing to share how they got to their position.
Be proactive, take initiative, and advocate for yourself at work
Career change-makers aren't afraid to take initiative and try new things. Don’t be afraid to take risks, especially if it’s a decision that will make you happier. Be confident and unapologetic about your skills, and communicate your value to potential employers. In a competitive job market, self-advocacy can be the difference between getting a job or being passed over for an opportunity. The most significant piece of self-advocacy is knowing your worth and what you have to offer. And if an offer doesn’t reflect that worth, negotiate for better compensation and opportunities demonstrating every bit of your worth and value.
As a self-advocacy career coach, I help women take ownership of their careers by developing the confidence and skills needed to be a champion in the workplace. Self-advocacy isn't about being the loudest in the room to make your point known. It’s about being calculated and strategic so you know how to best stand up for yourself in the workplace.
Seek out opportunities to learn and develop professionally
Knowledge is power, and we cannot grow without continuously learning and pouring into ourselves. In my experience, my desire for lifelong learning led me to entrepreneurship. In my business, I continuously learn, grow, and serve others on a daily basis.
For you, lifelong learning may look different. This can mean taking on projects outside of work to help improve your skill set or simply asking questions about new processes in meetings with managers or colleagues.
Other professional development opportunities include serving your community - whether volunteering at a community organization that needs your skillset or working with a professional organization on continuing education while growing your network.
Especially for someone who wants to make a career change in 2023, career transition services can help you identify what professional development opportunities would be the right fit for your goals, your resume, and your interests.
Celebrate what makes you different
It’s easy to get caught up in comparisons and let imposter syndrome set in. No one else in this world is exactly like you.
Everyone has unique experiences that make them who they are—and those experiences should be celebrated! Don’t let your skillset or experiences in a different industry stop you from applying. The key here is being honest about what makes YOU different from other candidates—and highlighting those differences as strengths instead of weaknesses. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is an essential strategy for organizations to implement (and if a company lacks that strategy, it’s probably a red flag).
In our career workplaces, we want to celebrate our differences but also set up systems so that people who are different whether it be from race, gender, socioeconomic status, or ability - are treated fairly and equitably.
It’s not just checking off a box - what makes you different should be celebrated by you and your company in 2023.
Don’t be afraid to explore new paths or make a career transition
Have confidence in yourself and your career - be willing to try new things without fear. If fear is holding you back, consider working with a coach on career transition services. You deserve fulfillment in your career, and as a career coach, it’s my job to support you in that transition.
If you’re considering transitioning careers in 2023, leave the fear and imposter syndrome behind. My own transition inspired me to build my online coaching business and offer career transition services. Now, I help others from non-technical backgrounds make the leap to tech without fear and feel empowered that they are doing what’s right for them. You were made for this journey, and you need the mindset, grit (and maybe a little support from a career coach) to get the job done.
Be patient, rejection is redirection
Another email starts with “we regret to inform you..” or maybe you applied, interviewed, and never heard back from a company. We can feel really down in the dumps when we are passed over for an opportunity (or twenty) we had our hearts set on.
Have you ever heard the quote, “what’s meant for you will not pass you by?” – well, it’s not just for romance. It also applies to your career.
Searching for a new job can be stressful and challenging, especially when facing rejection after rejection after rejection. Of course, it’s normal to feel discouraged, but don’t lose motivation even when you are told that you aren’t the right fit for the role. Think about it - maybe that role wasn’t the right fit for you, either.
Rejections are inevitable in the job search process. Rather than letting these rejections let you down and prevent you from applying again - take them as an opportunity to learn and grow (that’s what a growth mindset is for, right?).
Reflect on the feedback you received from interviews, and consider ways to improve your approach for the following interview. Stay resilient and keep applying to new opportunities.
Many professionals who successfully jumped to a new career field faced many rejections before finding the right fit.
Remember, each rejection brings you one step closer to your fulfilling, rewarding dream career.
Work with a Self-Advocacy Career Coach & Diversity Strategist
I’m a career coach, but not just any career coach. I specialize in self-advocacy because I firmly believe self-advocacy is an essential skill to reach your career goals while ensuring you are heard, understood, and respected.
You may think “I’m good at communicating - I don’t need to work with a self-advocacy career coach.”
Yes, you may be great at writing emails, presentations, or even a resume. But what about the rest of the communication skills regarding the hiring process?
What about when you want to negotiate a more substantial salary or benefits package because the one offered doesn’t reflect your value? Or when a company ghosts you after an interview without receiving feedback?
We all have blind spots, especially when communicating our needs in our careers. My ideal coaching clients are high-achieving professionals who are ready to do the work. We'll get along fine if you’re a natural problem-solver, open to change, and have a growth mindset.
If that sounds like you, fill out my contact form to book a no-pressure discovery call. We’ll discuss your career goals, and determine if we’d be a good fit for working together. If everything works out, I’ll send you a detailed proposal outlining the goals, deliverables, timelines, and what you can expect from me as your coach!
Cheers to your success in 2023!
