Episode Transcript
As an engineer you like working with numbers and equations. You like formulas. Especially simple ones you can apply to many things.
This is the topic of today’s episode: a simple, versatile formula that you can apply right now to your engineering career.
You’re at one of those places in your career where things are leveling out.
Not too long ago you met with a new opportunity. You had some successes and faced some challenges. You learned new skills. And now things are settling down again.
You feel good about what you’ve accomplished. You feel like you’ve taken a big step and made real progress. But now things are becoming more routine again. The excitement has subsided.
So naturally you start looking around for the next big thing. You want to make sure you don’t miss it. That you’re in the right place at the right time.
You wonder if you should start marketing yourself.
Ooh marketing. That’s a scary word. Marketing is for business people, not engineers.
If you’re like me you’re thinking, I’m not good at marketing. And I’m definitely not good at marketing myself.
So let’s reframe. Instead, let’s think of it as career messaging.
And let’s make it easy. This is where the Magic 4 really comes in handy.
Introducing the Magic 4 Self-Marketing Tool for Women Engineers
You’ve heard me talk about career messaging a few times. And I’ve written a guide specifically on this topic. It’s called “A Woman Engineer’s Guide to Self-Advocacy and Career Messaging.”
Be sure to get your free copy.
In the guide – and in a couple podcast episodes on self-advocacy and crafting your message of impact – I’ve highlighted what I call the Magic 4.
The Magic 4 gives you the key components of your story. The 4 magic parts are:
- What you’re working on,
- What your role is,
- What impact you’re having, and
- What you plan to do next.
And the point is, it’s a great formula for your career message. Simply write one sentence for each of the 4 parts and you have the nugget of your career message.
As an example I’ll give you my Magic 4 career message. I’ll recite it for you, and you can listen for the 4 magic parts:
Hi, I’m Mary Kinsella. I’m working with women engineers, helping them confidently command greater influence and impact.
I’m their career strategist and coach.
These women now take on more challenging roles, move up into high-level leadership positions, make a difference in their organizations and communities, and thrive in careers that are much more fulfilling to them.
Right now I’m focused on coaching and podcasting, but I plan to do more writing and consulting in the near future.
Were you able to pick out the 4 magic parts? Can you hear how impactful each statement is? It tells you a lot about me in just 4 sentences.
But what’s so cool is all the different ways you can use this formula. And every time you do, you’re marketing yourself. You’re planting a seed for you and your future career. Your future fabulous dream career.
Because, as it turns out, the Magic 4 formula works in many ways to help you
5 Ways to Apply the Magic 4 to Your Engineering Career Advantage
Here are 5 ways you can apply the Magic 4 to your engineering career advantage. Use it for:
- Your Performance Review Input.
The Magic 4 has the right information for your boss to evaluate you on. What you’re working on and your role in it are at the heart of your review.
Plus, the impact you’re having tells your boss how you’re affecting the mission. And what you plan to do nexttells your boss you’re thinking ahead.
Having your Magic 4 at the ready will set you apart from others. It’ll spur all kinds of discussion about your potential future. And ideas for setting and meeting goals.
- Networking.
Your Magic 4 tells people about your talents and interests. It gives them a set of conversation starters. And ideas for who else they can connect you to.
- Your Elevator Pitch.
Your elevator pitch is the Magic 4 in its basic form. It enables you to give a lot of impactful information in a short amount of time.
At the same time it makes your elevator pitch easy to memorize and present to anyone anywhere on the spot.
- One-on-Ones with Your Mentors and Bosses.
In a one-on-one, your Magic 4 provides many openings for insights and advice. Furthermore, it spurs the brainstorming that always makes a one-on-one discussion more fruitful.
- Introductions to Your Presentations
Your Magic 4 is a great overall (short) story of you. So it’s perfect for introducing yourself before presentations. Your audience now knows you better. And you have the attention of people who want to connect or collaborate with you.
The Magic 4 is a great tool because
- It’s a simple formula for writing your career message.
- It’s a ready-made self-marketing tool.
- It’s versatile so you can use it in many ways.
- You only have to memorize and remember one formula.
Plus it’s a great overall career planning tool. Updating your Magic 4 is a good way to update your career status and keep your plans in mind. And keep you aligned with your engineering career vision.
I challenge you to write up your Magic 4. And find all the ways you can put it to use in your engineering career.
You’ll notice that, when word gets around about you, you become more visible. Once people know about you, connections and opportunities follow.
Things start to happen. And your career takes on its intended trajectory.
And soon you’re having more influence in your organization and making a difference in your engineering community. This, my engineering friends, is what I want for you.
Don’t forget to get your free copy of my guide on self-advocacy and career messaging.
And also, if you’re enjoying the podcast, please share this episode with your engineering friends. And help them get access at HerEngineeringCareer.com/podcast or their favorite podcast app.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast, we’ll talk about taking time out to determine if you’re where you should be in your career. Be sure to tune in for Episode 95.