The Sunday News
THE first reaction when things aren’t moving is almost always a defensive one. Often as people we put our head in the sand and pretend nothing is happening. Your next reaction is you attempt to patch. The truth is patching never worked. Instead think about what needs to be done. Take preventive care rather than stagnating.
The job environment has changed and keeps changing rapidly. New skills and new competencies are now needed. It is important that you acquire them. If not don’t cry foul when you don’t get employment or when you lose your job. The only preventive measure is to acquire demonstrable skills. This is what employers want. You need to maintain your knowledge and skills with the new requirements in the employment sector.
Some people spent a great deal of their lives disappointed in their job position. The reason is they never really had time to think about their career choices. Everyone spends a significant amount of their life at work. To get the most out of your career you need to manage it. So what are key steps that you need to take to manage your career.
Tip 1: Know what you want to achieve
When you have a career as opposed to a job, you take a long term view. Those who achieve most will generally have a very clear vision of what they want to achieve. The vision is what inspires, what energises you hence should be based on what you enjoy doing or what you are good at. What’s your vision?
Tip 2: Set out a plan
Once you have clarity on your vision, the next step is to develop a plan. Your plan needs to clearly set out:
n Where you are currently.
n Where you want to get to.
n The steps to move you to where you want to get to.
In setting out your plan, think about skills, knowledge, experience, education and personal attributes. Most great things begin with a plan. A plan will give you something to work towards. It will also help you make the most of the opportunities that come your way. In addition a plan inspires you to work towards realising your ambitions in life.
Tip 3: Find a coach or mentor
According to Duncan Brodie most people have 10-15 years to reach their vision so you need support and accountability to make it happen. A coach or mentor can help you:
n Get clarity on your next move.
n Make the right moves that contribute to your overall vision.
n Avoid wasting time and effort going down the wrong path.
Tip 4: Deliver outstanding performance
If you want to progress and reach the top, you need to build a reputation of being someone who consistently delivers outstanding performance. One of the ways of delivering outstanding performance is to be clear about what you are measured on and make sure everything you do contributes to success.
Tip 5: Don’t move out of a job because you are disgruntled
Sometimes people move jobs because something short term annoys them. It might be that they are not feeling valued, that they are not supported or whatever they do will never be good enough. If you find yourself in this situation, speak to someone more senior before taking action or to your coach or mentor.
Tip 6: Discuss you career with your boss
Employees are sometimes reluctant to discuss their career with their boss. They worry that their boss might misinterpret this.
The truth is that the best bosses want to have people around them who are motivated and have a desire to get on. How could you create a relationship with your boss that allowed you to openly speak about your career?
Tip 7: Avoid job moves that only offer short term advantages
It is easy to be lured in the short term by money. Keep the focus on your vision and test job opportunities in terms of what you need to progress rather than short term financial gains.
Tip 8: Leave jobs on good terms
You might be working with someone today who pops up at some organisation you want to work with in the future. This is more common than you think so always leave on good terms.
Tip 9: Speak openly to superiors about internal positions that are of interest to you
Managers often form a completely wrong impression about individual’s career aspirations. If there is an internal post that would help you closer to your goal, speak to your superior about it.
Tip 10: Be open to lateral moves
It is easy to think that every job change needs to be a move up the ladder. Sometimes it might be useful to move at a similar level to get new experience. For example imagine all of your experience was in subsidiary companies and you wanted some head office experience. A lateral move might be the best way to do it.
Tip 11: Plan moves in advance
When you have secured a position and have got some clarity about some of the skills and experience you are gaining, start thinking about your next couple of moves. Why? The main reason is that it keeps you alert for new opportunities that might be ideal for you as you move towards your vision.
Tip 12: Keep your CV up to date
Make a habit of regularly updating your CV to capture new experience, skills or attributes that you have developed.
Tip 13: Record achievements and successes
In every interview you will always be asked about achievements and successes. If you record achievements on a weekly or monthly basis you will have a bank of successes available to draw from when faced with this questions. In addition, you will also have the drive and motivation to do even more.
If you want a career rather than just a series of jobs, you need to take control. Bear in mind that good career choices are made over a period of time. It is always important to start thinking about what career you want to pursue while you are still in secondary school. You need to develop an insight into the future.
n Herbert Taruwona Mbindi is a passionate career guidance and counselling advisor. His key motivation is to help people make a difference in their lives. Feedback to: email [email protected], WhatsApp 0773616665 or call 0712212179.
