5 Things We Learned about Building a Purposeful Career from Kimberly B. Cummings

We had the honor of being part of career and leadership expert Kimberly B. Cummings virtual book tour to celebrate the launch of her new book “Next Move, Best Move: Transitioning into a Career You’ll Love” – a must-read! If you missed it, no worries we got you. Here are 5 gems we took away from the one-hour chat with Cummings that are life-altering and the perfect advice to get you on track for a purpose-driven career.

1. To Have a Career Means You are Making Intentional Moves – Cummings made a great distinction between having a job and having a career. If you are looking to have a career you are concerned with having an impact, have a vision for yourself, and are looking for longevity. A career makes you excited about moving to the next level and making an impact that is lasting. A job is just a passing experience. So, ask yourself, what do you want to do in your career?

2. Want to Increase Your Salary? Be Strategic in Your Transitions – We are in awe at the moves Cummings has made in her own career to earn a competitive salary every time she made a move. She shared that as she was going from marketing to finance to higher education to corporate America she thought strategically in order to grow her money. You can too by asking yourself: what am I able and capable to do? What are my transferable skills? Find your alignment to be able to sell yourself in interviews and be able to negotiate your next big salary.

3. You Can Leave Your Job: But Make Sure You Have a Plan – Before embarking on the next job, ask yourself if you have made an impact? If so, how can you use that to get your next big opportunity? Think about what you want first and how it aligns with the jobs you are seeking.

4. Always Aim for “Exceeds Expectations” – You should be focused on building a solid track record at your current job. That means asking yourself routinely: how have you been able to innovate? How have you collaborated across your team or organization? Do you have the sponsorship that can help you make your next move? People want to work with those that drive results and make an impact.

5. Cultivate Relationships – Cummings is big on maintaining and growing her relationships in her career sphere. You should too. Maintain and build a solid network and make sure to stay on people’s radars. Join professional organizations and get a sponsor who can speak to all of the great contributions you have made. They will help spread the word about you that can lead you to your next best move!

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