Episode Transcript
You’ve created a career message for yourself – using the Magic 4 framework. And you’ve been out there sharing it with others. With your network and people of influence.
This is a strong step toward finding opportunities and making connections for your engineering career. And advocating for yourself is starting to pay off.
If you want to learn more about self-advocacy and career messaging, check out Episodes 30 and 78. And learn more about the Magic 4 in Episode 94.
The Magic 4, you may remember, includes:
- What you’re working on
- What your role is
- What impact you’re having
- What you plan to do next.
How to Ensure Your Engineering Career Message is Heard
You’ve noticed that putting your career message out there has helped you learn about more opportunities and get connected.
But you’ve also noticed that sometimes after sharing your message you get a blank stare in return. Or you get sort of a vacant head nod.
It makes you think the listener doesn’t quite get it. Like you’re just boring them with your ambitions.
And you’re probably right.
You want to get your message out there to as many people as possible.
But not only that.
You also want people to really hear it. So they’ll help make connections for you. So they’ll recognize opportunities for you.
You don’t wanna just flood them with words. Instead you want your message to captivate. To get attention. To get people to take note and remember.
Blank stares and vacant head nods are signs that’s not happening. And it’s time to refine your message.
You might need less focus on precise words and more emphasis on uniqueness and interest.
You might need to remove generic words and add stand-out words.
Or you might need shorter, more impactful phrases to grab attention.
Best Ways for Refining Your Engineering Career Message
The weaknesses that I’ve commonly seen in career messages are:
- too much jargon
- unclear or timid impact and
- lack of passion.
Here are 3 ways to overcome these weaknesses and refine your message so it’s catchier and more notable:
- Get Rid of the Jargon.
This is hard for people in engineering and science to do. Because jargon makes you feel powerful and knowledgeable. It makes you feel like an insider. Like you’re part of the team.
But the problem is others don’t speak the lingo. To them your story sounds like too much blah blah blah.
And sometimes it sounds buzzwordy. And if it’s too buzzwordy people will tune out.
So put it in plain language. Keep it simple. And use words and descriptors that everyone sees as powerful and helpful.
- Put Appropriate Focus on You.
Make sure you’re using “I” statements to describe your individual impact.
“We” statements are good too because they show you’re a team player. And that you acknowledge the roles of others.
But people need to know the impact of your specific contribution. They need to see your skills and strengths.
Also, if the impact is generalized then it’s of less interest.
It might seem boastful to you. It’s common for women especially to think that. But it’s not.
Make sure people can see the impact that’s directly attributable to you. From your unique contribution and potential.
- Instill your passion.
Your career message will be much more dazzling if your passion shows.
People will sit up and pay attention because you sound inspired and your message is marvelous.
If you’re passionate about your message, people will hear that loud and clear. It’s memorable, fun and understandable.
You’ll know your message is right when you feel your energetic center emerging. When you feel animated and enthusiastic about who you are and what you’re doing.
That’s when your audience will be hooked and take an interest in what you’re saying.
These tips should help tune up your career message and get people to pay attention. And you’ll find that, once you make these changes, you’ll enjoy sharing your message so much more.
Add a Direct Ask to Your Engineering Career Message for More Effective Results
Here’s one more thing: Once you’ve captivated your listener, consider adding a direct ask.
Consider specifically asking people to follow through for you on connections and opportunities.
For example, at the end of your message you can say something like,
- Will you help spread the word to your group?
- When you hear of an opportunity will you let me know?
- Do you know who I should connect with?
- Will you introduce me?
While people will automatically make connections for you at some point, being specific about an ask raises the chances of that happening sooner and more often.
I encourage you to keep refining your career message and finding new ways to share it.
It’s an effective way to let people know about you. To get the word out about your accomplishments and aspirations.
And to get those opportunities and connections that move your engineering career forward.
Another great resource is the guide I created for you called “A Woman Engineer’s Guide for Self-Advocacy and Career Messaging.” Get your free copy here.
Next time on Her Engineering Career Podcast we’ll explore whether or not you’re getting the right kind of guidance at whatever stage you are in your engineering career.
Be sure to tune in for Episode 122.
