Advisory boards aren’t just for businesses. The savvy career professional is not only skilled and well connected, but also has a strategic team of advisors who guides them throughout their career. From career coaches to mentors and sponsors to trusted advisors, a Career Advisory Board can help further your professional agenda quicker (and smarter) than going it alone.
Here are some tips on creating your own Career Advisory Board.
Look within your network for people for brand evangelists who can help advance your career. That former boss you had a great relationship with, co-workers who on similar career paths, and even alumni from your college can be excellent sources of leads. Ask them who they know that you absolutely must know to get ahead in your industry. Request an introduction so you can get to know them. Let them know your career goals and ask if they wouldn’t mind advising you from time to time. Don’t rush to make them your mentor. You want to take time to build the relationship first, and let them get to know, trust and respect you. These people are not quite mentors but they can be brand evangelists for you.
Get a branding specialist on your team. OK, I’m not out of my mind. Yes, you, an individual, can have a branding specialist on your team. Much like advisory boards, they’re not just for businesses. Perhaps you know someone who is a marketing whiz who also happens to know how to create a kick-ass brand. That is the person you want to have on your team. This is a person who can help you package, market and present yourself professionally. Your brand should be authentically you and people should be able to learn about and understand your brand on and offline. Once you have clearly identified what your brand is and have tailored your message, get your branding specialist to help you polish it for you. Then make sure you are representing your brand everywhere and any chance you get. I’m not talking about being a walking billboard. Quite the opposite. You should be living your brand message daily and showcasing it through speaking, media opportunities, volunteering and in your workplace every day.
Align with top recruiters in your niche. Now this might shock you but a recruiter can be your best ally. Don’t assume all recruiters can or will help you though. Do your research (there’s that word again) and find two or three recruiters who specialize in your area of expertise and industry. Build a relationship with them; don’t just wait until you’re looking for work to reach out. You should be building relationships with them way in advance of looking for another position. Share your professional goals and plans with them. Let them know everything from geographical preference to salary to preferred career track. A great recruiter is invaluable. Unlike career coaches, they actually can work on your behalf to find you work. Here’s something you probably didn’t know. Some recruiters love hearing from candidates they’ve worked with. An occasional status update let’s them know what you’re up to, how happy (or not) you are, and any forward planning strategies you have. So don’t just think of them when you’re looking for work. Make recruiters allies and part of your team.
Get a career or leadership coach (or both). It has been said that only people at high levels can appreciate (and afford) a good coach. That simply isn’t 100% true. Most people assume that coaching is a luxury, when in fact, studies show that people who utilize a career or leadership coach excel faster and steadier than a person who doesn’t. Research coaches who understand your career path and can guide you to that next level. Once you choose a coach, keep him or her in the loop (even after you’re done working with them). A good career coach is privy to opportunities and is willing to share them. Now don’t confuse them with a recruiter because they can’t (or shouldn’t be) find you a job. That’s not what they are there for. But a well connected coach has insights that would be beneficial to you. Keep the relationship going with them and include them on your advisory board team.
Get mentors. This is self explanatory. Many people think a mentor has to look like them or be in the same industry. Not true! A mentor is someone from who you can benefit from the years of wisdom and experience they have to offer. Go through your network and make a list of the people you feel you can learn the most from and who would be willing to mentor you. Also look outside your network. Don’t be afraid to target people you don’t know. Some people are eager to help others, some not so much. So don’t be offended if someone tells you no. Make sure you’re presenting a win-win opportunity for both. If a potential mentor feels like you’re just going to be taking from them, they won’t be so inclined to mentor you. Show that you have something to offer in return. As with any relationship, take time to get to know them and let them get to know you too. Diversify your mentors so you can have a wealth of perspectives.
Your advisory board can be as big or small as you want or need it to be. And you don’t even have to ask them “hey can you be on my career advisory board?” in order for them to be on it. Look at it as your way of stacking the odds in your favor. If you’re diligently working on strategically growing your network, creating your advisory board should be easy for you. And you’re probably already doing it. You just don’t know because nobody has ever told you that you could.
Til next time,
Adrienne Graham
I surround myself with smart(er) people.
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Adrienne Graham is the Founder & CEO of Empower Me! Corporation (www.empowerme.org). She is a strategist that helps people grow their career, business or network in any economy. She is the voice behind Views from the Top Radio Show, and the creative visionary behind Empower Me! Institute and Empower Me! Magazine. Her writing and shows focus on Career Management, Networking Strategies, Entrepreneurial Success and Small Business Management. You can also find her causing a ruckus on Forbes.com.
All content ©2012 Empower Me! Corporation. In spite of having a .org domain, Empower Me! Corporation is a For Profit entity and does not have 501c3 or any other non-profit status.
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