Dr. John Articles
| Take career management in your own hands |
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| Written by Dr. John McFerran |
| Saturday, 02 May 2009 00:00 |
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Last month, an online poll by Monster.ca suggested that the majority of Canadians believe they are on their own in managing their careers. When asked "Who helps you manage your career?" -- 82 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement "I feel like I'm on my own." Twelve per cent credited family and friends with supporting them in their career management decisions while only six per cent of people checked off the box indicating that their employer or boss has helped them to become successful. These results are particularly interesting given that so many companies today say that they help employees to grow professionally and advance in their careers. Either help is not really available or employees are not taking advantage of the guidance because they are not aware of it. "It might be surprising to discover just how accessible and helpful employers and bosses are in exploring career options," a Monster Canada spokesman said in a statement accompanying the release of the poll results. The other option is that many people are confident that they can grab the bull by the horns and make the right career decisions at the right time. Whether or not you seek the advice of others, it's ultimately up to you to take control of your own future. To make sure your career is always progressing, consider some of the following: How often do I ask for more responsibilities or offer to help out others? Answering "yes" or "often" to the above questions means that you are tapped in to some proven strategies that will help you move forward in your career. Sometimes, advancement requires vacating your current position to move elsewhere within the company. If you decide to pursue an internal position, keep these three tips in mind: Make it known who you are and what you want. Although you may be a star in your own department, don't assume that you can rely on a reputation built on past successes to take you places. Stay visible to other managers by stepping up for multi-department committees and participating in high-profile projects. This will help others become familiar with you before your resumé falls into their hands. Ensure that you qualify. Wayne Gretzky may have said that you miss 100 per cent of the shots you don't take, but rapid firing random pucks is not the best way to score either. Don't put your name in for every new job opening simply because it is available and easy to apply. Carefully choose the positions you are well-suited to and qualified for or else your efforts will not be taken seriously. Don't assume you're a shoo-in. A common mistake internal applicants make is in not making the effort to position themselves as the ideal candidate. They think they're a sure thing simply for having put in significant time at the company. Wrong. An internal job search needs to be taken as seriously as an external one. That means your resumé must be updated to highlight your unique skills, you must be prompt and professional at interviews, and your attitude needs to reflect how much you want the position. If you want to assess your current position with the company and create a plan for moving on to your next goal, the best place to start is by talking to your boss. Initiate a conversation about your future with the company and get feedback on your job performance. Emphasize that you want your performance to meet expectations while helping you grow toward accepting new challenges. Share your career goals and how you see them contributing to the company's growth. Most likely, your boss will respect your confidence, appreciate the opportunity to offer some advice and in turn, help in your quest for career success so you'll no longer have to go it alone. -- With reporting by Barbara Chabai John McFerran, PhD, CMC, F. CHRP, is founder and president of People First HR Services Ltd. For more information, visit www.peoplefirsthr.com. RESEARCH: |