[BOOK REVIEW] The YOU Plan A 5-Step Guide to Taking Charge of Your Career in the New Economy - CareerEnlightenment.com

Another thing to keep in mind is the importance of self-branding. “The job market is ever-changing so you have to make sure you are always positioned correctly.You must present yourself in a way that is relevant and in demand.”Value Clarification: Creating a Strong FoundationIn a time of instability it helps to have stable values as your foundation. Woodward guides you through a process of value clarification and assessment. Its important to recognize if you arent actually acting on what you say your values are.“Aligning your values with your goals and actions is a critical first step in building a successful career.”This is because your well-being is deeply influenced by whether or not your values are in alignment with those of the company you work for. You need to know what youre looking for before you can be sure that you are seeking the right employers.Intrinsics: The Things You Have to Offer that You May Not Be UtilizingThe idea of seeking an employer that jives with who you are may sound like wishful thinking when its so challenging to find a job in the first place. But dont sell yourself short. You probably have a lot of things to bring to the table that feel so natural to you that you forget to emphasize them.Here is Woodwards description of intrinsics: “Contributions can come in many shapes and sizes: writings, research, innovations, assistance, or changes you have influenced. Step back and assess the value you have created, and see how you can leverage that value in developing your career.”This is yet another example of creative career design. You are learning to use what you already have to find a custom fit. “Its just a matter of identifying, articulating, and packaging these contributions.”If youre ready to start building your plan check out the book for tons of guidance and space to reflect.You can also find lots more at http://drwoody.com/