Career Development

Got bigger plans for your career and your life? Use this collection of must-read articles, many of which were written by actuaries, for actuaries, to help you get where you want to go. Got an idea for an article of your own? Contact us at imagewatch@soa.org.

10 Secrets to Landing Your Dream Job (Part 2) by John West Hadley
Unless you've done an in-depth analysis of what you bring to the table, how can you hope to convince others of that value?

Making a Visual Connection by Maureen Costello
Self-presentation is crucial for any professional. How employees represent their company's brand makes a difference to clients, prospects and vendors.

How to Set Truly SMART Goals by Liz Bywater, PhD
The traditional SMART technique is a useful tool. It is not, however, sufficient. If you're looking to develop goals that are highly meaningful, relevant and motivating, you'll need to take SMART to a whole new level.

No Two Actuaries Are Created Equal by Paula Hodges
As with the general population, every actuary is unique, and each of us has personal preferences, passions and interests. Then why is it that we expect our staff, and ourselves, to fit into the mold of a specific job description?

Orchestrating Attitude (Part 2) by Lee J. Colan, PhD
Our thoughts and beliefs have incredible power to shape our lives and the lives of others. It's not just about your experiences, but how you choose to think about them.

How to Get Clear on Your Ultimate Value  by David C. Miller
Do you know what you do that makes people want to hire you? In my experience, people don't fully realize the value they offer.

Orchestrating Attitude (Part 1)  by Lee J. Colan, PhD
When we control our attitude we influence how our body responds and performs. Where our thoughts and attitudes go, our bodies follow.

Ten Secrets to Landing Your Dream Job (Part 1)  by John West Hadley
Job seekers are often afraid to focus their search too much. The greatest success comes from aligning what you are best at with what you love to do.

Image Does Matter: Advancing Your Personal Brand (Part 2)  by Maureen Costello
What you wear sends a signal about your image. So when people ask "Does a professional image at work really matter?" The answer is always "yes".

Empowered and Powerful--How to Achieve Your Goals by Sandra Enoch
You have a career goal in mind. You know what is expected of you, what you have to do, what you need to do and what you should do. What’s next? 

Image Does Matter: Advancing Your Personal Brand by Maureen Costello
Managing our personal presentation can be an effective leadership tool--like negotiation or strategic thinking, so it's important to get the personal packaging right.

Are You Making the Most of Your References? by John West Hadley
What steps are you taking to ensure you get the most from your references?  

Are You Feeling Stuck? Use the Worst-Case Scenario Technique by David C. Miller
A step-by-step recipe for bursting out of your comfort zone. 

Lessons Learned as a Personal Actuary by Carol Bogosian, ASA, EA
An actuary shares what she's learned as a personal actuary. 

From FSA to CEO: The Path is Shorter than You Think by Joe Pesani, FSA, MAAA
In this era of rapid change, results are more critical than ever. Learn to translate your expertise into measurable actions.  

The No-Cost Image Makeover by Maureen Wild
I decided to "catch the wave" with all the attention given to the makeover trend and make suggestions about how to transform your professional demeanor.

Ten Skills for Broader Opportunities by Steven J. Stender, FSA, MAAA
The author shares his insights on the skills that will help actuaries expand beyond the traditional technical role.

Marketing Yourself: Creating a Successful Sales Strategy for "ME, Inc." by Mary Kilkenny
You are your own company and you need to market your product--you and your abilities.  

How to Sabotage Your Career Networking by John West Hadley, FSA
Five common obstacles to your career search networking activities.