7 Simple Steps to Reinventing You

7 Simple Steps to Reinventing You
April 18, 2013





16 years ago, I was a ballpark vendor. 12 years ago, I was a radio salesperson. 10 years ago, I was a reality TV contestant. 8 years ago, I was a middle school math teacher. 2 years ago, I was a social agency CEO. Today, I’m a software startup CEO.

I’ve reinvented myself professionally at least five times over the past 15 years – some more dramatic reinventions than others. Perhaps I get bored easily – or perhaps I’m just passionately curious about a lot of things. Whatever the reason, I’ve been fortunate to have a wide variety of stimulating opportunities in my career so far.

People used to work for 40 years at the same company, and then retire. Those days are almost entirely over, and more and more people today by choice or by necessity are pursuing multiple jobs, careers, and industries throughout their lives.

Whether you are bored or curious, a victim of layoffs or the economy, or just looking for something new and exciting, the opportunities are limitless today in the global economy. But in order to make that career change, you’ll have to embrace the concept of reinvention. I sat down with Dorie Clark, one of the country’s leading experts on branding and reinvention and the author of Reinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future. I asked Dorie for seven tips.

Here are seven simple steps in order to reinvent yourself professionally:

1. Understand how you’re currently perceived. Many of us think we have this down – but it’s easy to miss something. Google yourself and specifically ask: if this were the only information someone had about me, what impression would she get? It can also be helpful to do your own “360 interviews,” where you specifically ask your boss, trusted co-workers, and colleagues where you’re strong and where you should be focusing more. No, they may not be transparent, but it’s a lot better feedback than you’re likely to get without asking at all.

2. Test-drive your path. Don’t jump right into a reinvention. If you’re thinking of trying a new career or job, take small steps to see if it’s a good fit. You can join a nonprofit board to learn new skills (like finance or marketing), or shadow a professional for a day to see what her job is like.

3. Look for mentors. Many people look for the classic mentor archetype – an older professional sagely guiding you – and get disappointed when they don’t find one. Instead, broaden your viewpoint and develop a group of mentors. They don’t have to be older; it can be anyone you admire and would like to learn from. I formed an Advisory Board of 11 mentors a year ago – and it’s been hugely successful.

4. Don’t be afraid to go backwards temporarily. When you reinvent yourself, you may have to downshift in the short term – maybe taking a pay cut in a new field, or having to take on additional projects to prove yourself. Don’t stress out: if you’re moving in the direction you want to go, it’ll pay off in the long term.

5. Use social media to build connections. Social media is the great equalizer- you can send anyone a tweet or comment on their blog, and they’re likely to respond back. When you’re entering a new field (or a higher echelon of your current one), relationships are everything, and social media can help you develop them rapidly.

6. Show what you know. As “knowledge workers,” it can sometimes be hard to demonstrate what we’re really capable of. So act like an artist and develop your own portfolio. Start a blog or find other ways to create content (white papers, podcasts, a great Twitter feed) and let the world see what you care about, what you know about and what your perspective is.

7. Get a wingman. Psychology research shows (no surprise) that people who talk about their own accomplishments are viewed unfavorably; no one likes a braggart. But if someone else touts your accomplishments, you’re golden. So find a like-minded friend or colleague and make a pact to talk each other up. You’re likely to notice an immediate difference, as more people become aware of your skills, abilities, and accomplishments.

Reinventing you might not be easy – but in the end, it will be well worth it to move on in your career to something you’re more passionate about. And thanks to the internet and social media, it’s easier than ever to get started on the reinvention process. Start with these seven steps – and here’s to the new you!

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Now it’s your turn. Have you ever reinvented yourself in your career? How did you do it? Which of the above steps will you consider? And what other tips do you have for people to reinvent themselves in today’s social-media driven world? Let me know in the Comments section below!



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Dorie Clark is the author of the newly-releasedReinventing You: Define Your Brand, Imagine Your Future. A former presidential campaign spokeswoman, she is also a frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review and Forbes.

After several reinventions, Dave Kerpen is currently the founder and CEO of Likeable Local, the cofounder and Chairman of Likeable Media, and the New York Times bestselling author of Likeable Social Media and Likeable Business. To read more from Dave on LinkedIn, click the follow button below.