Career Planning or Career Cruising?If you think career planning is the responsibility of your HR department, your boss, or something that only comes up at your annual performance review, think again. What is happening across industries and nations - outsourcing, job cuts, rising unemployment - is more than about the global economic crisis. It's not something that will go away when the economy recovers. It's time to wake up and acknowledge that the face of work has changed radically. We have to act now if we want to stay productive and employable for as long as we can. This is where career planning comes in.
Managing Change In Times Of Uncertainty Knowing how to survive a recession is just part of the larger picture, which is about managing change and managing stress so that you don't get lost in what's happening and become another statistic. How do you keep on top when everything is so unstable? I believe awareness and preparation are the best defences. Awareness is about knowing yourself and knowing what's happening in your larger environment (your organization, your industry, the economy). But it can be overwhelming to try and accomplish everything yourself. That's why you need to focus on what you do best and balance out your weaknesses with a strong support network. This support can include engaging a
career counselor
to provide guidance and encouragement, whether you are making a career change or just thinking about it.
"Failing to prepare is preparing to fail." Benjamin Franklin What does it mean to prepare? Being prepared requires you to take ownership of your career. It means accepting that you alone are responsible for your career decisions. It's about being willing to live with the consequences of your choices instead of passively depending on others to lead or blaming others when you make a mistake. Taking ownership is a sign of maturity. Allowing someone else to take charge sounds like an easy option, but it is not in your long-term interests. When you decide to be your own CEO and HR Manager, you no longer have to wait on someone else's wisdom or whim. Whether you achieve your career goal, find your dream career or make the most of a career change opportunity is up to you. You will be
recession proof.
Some would rather let another person make the decisions. For them, it's just too much work to try and work out why things are the way they are, to accept responsibility for poor choices and mistakes, and even harder to make decisions about what needs to be changed and to commit to those changes. Career Planning Action Challenge Does the thought of taking charge of your career EMPOWER you or FRIGHTEN you? Does the thought of making a decision or a choice paralyze you? Why do you think this is? If you struggle with decisions, be sure to check out these resources.
Planning is ideally done while you are still employed. Of course, being in between jobs may mean you have more time to think about where you are headed in your career. Don't get so busy with the day-to-day that you forget to ask why you are doing what you do. It's also worth remembering that when you are in a position of strength (e.g. gainfully employed and financially secure), you are more able to make sound decisions than if you were operating from a position of weakness (e.g. when you have lost your job, have no savings and are behind in your mortgage payments). Is career planning a one-time exercise? Absolutely not. In practice, how often you do it depends on your circumstances. It could be once a year. It could be a 5 year career plan. The important thing is to do it regularly - like how you housekeep your financial affairs - so that you are always on top of your situation. If you are thinking of a career change, you definitely have to review your career, make a plan, and take action on essential tasks like whether you have the required job skills for your next job, or at least transferable skills that you can bring from your current job. As Stephen Covey would say, First Things First. Don't let the important get crowded out by the urgent. I need help to create a career development plan. 5 Must-Haves For A Smart Career Development Plan is your must-read starter resource. I'm thinking of making a career change. Where can I find information? On this site, you will find helpful information like:
BONUS GOAL SETTING ARTICLE
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