Dorie Clark

You’re at a new phase in life and you want to be known for something different.
You’ve been laid off and need to ensure you’re in the best position possible to land a new job quickly.
You want to move up in your company, and you need to take control of your reputation.
You’ve been trying to win a promotion, but feel you’re being held back by misconceptions about what you’re capable of.
You’d like to move into a different area of your company, perhaps from legal to human resources, or from sales to finance.
You’re just starting out in your career and haven’t built up a powerful résumé yet, so you need to find another way to stand out.
You’re changing careers and need to make a compelling case that your unusual background is an asset, not a liability.

’ll walk you through concrete ways you can demonstrate your expertise, impress the major players, and prove your worth. Every art student has a portfolio ready to be shown at a moment’s notice. It’s no different in the business world; no one will believe you’re serious unless you begin to create content that demonstrates your expertise. That allows potential customers or employers to test-drive your approach before they make a large commitment. (If you’re a graphic designer, having contacts check out an image gallery of corporate logos you’ve created may inspire them to send you that major new account.) I’ll go over strategies such as how to leverage your online brand, affiliate with brand-name organizations in your field, get published in major journals, build credibility through assuming leadership positions, and more

But really what we’re talking about is something that’s always existed: your reputation. What do people think of you? What do they say when you leave the room? Understanding that, and identifying any gaps between the current reality and where you want to be in the future, is critical to beginning your reinvention process.

Next, identify the people you’ll be reaching out to. Whereas a coach who has been hired to interview people about you has license to talk to people in your organization, you need to be more careful if you’re doing your own assessment (plus, you don’t want to tip your hand if you’re considering a move away from your current employer). Focus on friends, colleagues, and family members who know you well and whom you can trust to give you honest feedback (no frenemies need apply). Phyllis Stein, the former director of Radcliffe College Career Services at Harvard University, suggests identifying up to twenty people who exemplify the interests, skills, and values you admire—preferably a geographically diverse assortment of men and women in different fields—to get the broadest perspective possible.