by Valentine Logar

Created on: February 16, 2009   Last Updated: April 10, 2011

Taking command of your career sounds daunting especially now when so many are simply trying to hang on to jobs. The truth is now might be the exact right time to take a hard look at your achievements, capabilities and aspirations; now might be exactly the right time to take command of your future. What is it that that makes you stand out?  What unique set of skills and capabilities do you have that gives you the “Wow Factor”?  I think most of us have a hard time setting pen to paper or elaborating them in an interview.  Most of us have followed the tried and true path to resume writing for so long we haven’t taken the time to really look at all we have done over the course of our careers in light of what that means too our professional growth and our employers.

The following is how I set about taking command and creating the “Wow Factor”.  Not only did this exercise set me free it also boosted my confidence.  Fair warning, this is not for the faint of heart or those that demand immediate gratification, it is hard work and requires a bit of patience.  It also requires you be honest with yourself.  If you are able to take the time and set the mirror in front of you though the end result is worth it. 

Step 1 - Timeline:  I used Excel for most of the exercises but any spreadsheet will do.  Just create a timeline from the beginning of your time in the job market.  That is right from your very first job, whether this was flipping burgers in high school or babysitting.  You want to establish the timeline all the way back to the first time you actually held a position of responsibility where you were paid for your labor.

Some hints are in order here or this will be more painful than it has to be.  For the years current to three use one-month increments.  For years three to ten use quarterly increments.  For anything that is in the past more than ten years use six-month increments on your timeline.  For anything that is in the past more than twenty years use one year increments, unless you need to break this out, which you will find when you move on to the next step. 

Now you have your timeline drawn, if you are like me it is long and takes a great number of cells.  You are thinking to yourself what now and what for.  Stick with me there is a purpose for this other than simply the exercise of making you look at how long you have slaved for money.

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