How to Build a Career in 3 Steps
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Whether you're looking for a job for the first time or looking to make a mid-career change, having a plan is the surest way to find fulfillment and happiness in your professional life. According to career coach Tracy Timm and hiring trends expert Tony Lee, it's better to pursue a career path than to become too comfortable and complacent where you are. That can be a “recipe for disaster,” says Ms. Timm.
"If you and I wanted to bake a cake, we wouldn't just randomly throw ingredients into a mold and put everything in the oven."
says Ms. Timm.
“We would look up a recipe and then follow the recipe exactly to get the desired result.”
1. Identify your core values and professional skills
Those : educba.com
Do some self-exploration. Identifying your non-negotiable core values is one of the three categories Ms. Timm recommends when beginning to develop yours professional career to plan. Maybe family commitments would make it difficult to work on weekends. Or if you love where you live, you may not be ready to move. If you are a caregiver, working from home with flexible hours could be a good solution.
Before you begin, write down the answers to these questions:
What are your values? Determine what is most important to your lifestyle, e.g. b. income , Faith, the opportunity to go on vacation or meet new people.
What are your characteristics? Think about the personality traits that set you apart professionally and personally and that have not changed over the course of your life. Are you a Team player ? Do you prefer to work alone? Are you a quick learner?
What are your skills? This section is a list of what you've "learned and earned," says Ms. Timm. Write down what knowledge you have acquired throughout your school and professional life. This can range from the use of certain software to interpersonal skills.
Identifying your core values is a fundamental step, but one that is often skipped.
"I think we're afraid to question where we are right now because we don't want to be wrong,"
says Mrs. Timm.
“So we end up in situations where our work may be very well paid and highly valued, where we have good health care and dental care for our children and our family, but we never see our children and our family.”
2. Get advice from people you admire
Those : economictimes.indiatimes.com
It can be difficult to view your own situation objectively, which is why it can be helpful to seek outside opinions. "As one of my mentors says, it's like asking a surgeon to perform your own operation," says Ms. Timm. "We're just too close to the problem." Talk to a boss, mentor, professor, or friend that you trust and have a good relationship with. This person should know your professional and personal strengths. Ask them for instruction, advice and recommendations based on their expertise.
Three things you should ask:
- How did you get to where you are today? What you learn may surprise you. A successful person may have changed roles several times or stayed with one company for 30 years. You may have multiple degrees or skipped college altogether. Asking other people how their career path was can help you shape your own.
- Can you recommend any programs or training? Large companies may offer internal mentoring programs, formal professional development training, rotation programs, and even tuition reimbursement. If you are unemployed, have a part-time job or are studying, you can apply for scholarships that match the type of training you are looking for.
- How can I get involved better? Some employers may not have the budget for training programs, but there may be other options. For example, a small company may offer a more direct path to management. Ask to speak to a senior executive and let them know that you are ready to take on more challenges and responsibilities.
If you have concerns about discussing your career path with a manager or human resources representative, remember that you have more power than you think. If you've been in a position for a while, your boss probably won't see it as a betrayal that you want to look for new opportunities. If you have a clear idea of your career goals, it shows ambition. If you are a good employee, your employer will probably want to keep you. The cost of hiring and training a new employee to replace you far outweighs the cost of retaining an existing employee.
Human resources managers are judged by their ability to keep turnover rates low, says Mr. Lee, who is vice president of the Society for Human Resource Management.
"If you have high turnover, you have problems - probably culture problems,"
says Mr Lee.
“Many employers will do pretty much whatever it takes to keep a good employee from leaving the company.”
3. Determine the key competencies to advance your professional development
Those : hbr.org
The ability to recognize and articulate your skills and knowledge can help you take the next step in finding a job that is right for you Career path close. You may be surprised to learn that a Capability that you have acquired in one industry can also be applied in another. Learning to view your experience as an asset to potential employers will help you better understand your options.
For example, employers value flexibility and adaptability, while Ms. Timm says that if you work hard or are kind and generous to your colleagues, you will be an asset in any position.
