CULTIVATED INFLUENCE

Alec Fetterer is back with his second business/finance piece and he’s dropping more gems; you’ll want to pay attention to this. -SG

Today our Millennial Generation or the “20-somethings” are unsure about what they want to do with their career, so they sit around the house or in mediocre jobs waiting for the soul to inspire them. But what the “20-somethings” fail to realize is that not making a choice is in fact a choice. Our generation calls it keeping their options open, but in reality they’re shutting doors. Their peers begin surpassing them and the result: under or unemployment.

So you fall into this category?

Evaluate yourself; if you can’t map your future success to your current job or career, then it’s time to network and seek new opportunities.

You hear the old saying it’s not about what you know, but who you know. Often times this is true, but what I believe really defines your path is not who you know, but who knows you?

If you’re out of sight, then you’re out of mind. No Networking = No Awareness = Less Opportunities.

The good news is we can control our exposure and build awareness by establishing a personal brand, View your personal brand as a trademark; an asset that you must guard while constantly molding and growing it. Your personal brand must be managed with the intention of helping others benefit from having a relationship with you and/or by being associated with your work and the industry you represent or desire to serve. This is not about self-promotion, but about leadership and shaping your true identity.

When doing so keep in mind your reputation. This is priceless, treat it with care. Over time, your reputation is the most valuable commodity you have in your career. It’s the key that either opens or closes doors of career opportunities!

Be on the lookout for more business and finance knowledge at cultivatedinfluence.net, if you like what you see add me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter (@AlecFetterer), or connect with me via LinkedIn.

-Money Never Sleeps

Nazar, J. (8/5/13). 20 Things 20-Year Olds Don’t Get. Forbes.com

Llopis, G. (8/5/13). Personal Branding Is A Leadership Requirement, Not a Self-Promotion Campaign. Forbes.com