Authenticity has received a great deal of focus in the workplace over recent times.
What does it mean and how does it relate to your career development?
The Oxford English Dictionary defines authenticity as “the quality of being authentic; being in accordance with fact; being genuine; being real.” When it comes to considering your job search strategy, it is important to give thought to what this means for you.
Why? Getting clear on ‘you’ will ensure you follow the right path and make career choices that work for you, long term. You will also be better placed to share these goals with others.
Where to start? By being honest about who you are, what you have to offer and desired future direction. This is not a static question, rather a dynamic and creative process.
Many of our clients are initially challenged by this, and find it hard to take the first step. This is especially the case if they have been with the same company or in similar roles for some time.
There are many facets to you and many questions to consider. These can include but are not limited to: What values do you hold dear? What are your strengths, skills and competencies? What areas do you feel passionate about? What motivates you? What interests do you have? What tasks and activities do you find yourself moving towards? What energises you? What are your career drivers?
Ultimately, what do you want to be known for; what is your brand?
Getting clear on this is vital before writing your resume, LinkedIn profile and pursuing your next role.
A useful framework to capture this information and support you with this process is a SWOT analysis.
A SWOT analysis is often used by organisations to scrutinize markets or products and assess associated strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
When it comes to building your personal brand, you can also be considered a ‘product’. A SWOT analysis allows you to assess your strengths and weaknesses (or areas for development) as well as considering what opportunities exist based on your strengths and weaknesses, and what are the potential threats to these opportunities?
Ultimately, this process supports ongoing self-awareness and the development of your emotional intelligence. A skill much sought after in the contemporary workplace.
If you wish to discuss this further, please go to our contact page and get in touch
