Winding steps to a successful career? We suggest a short cut.
Here
are a few tips to take you higher up the corporate ladder - articles
on stress management, managing change, workplace hassles and more.
The
7 Step Career Model
One needs to effectively chalk out plans that will help them advance
in their career. This 7 Step Model imparts information on what
you actually need to do. They will help you chalk out the next
career move. Each step is further divided into questions that
you need to ask yourself to work effectively.
1. Purpose:
Clarify what according to you is meaningful and satisfying
work? What are the aspects in your job that are meaningful to
you? How will this make you contribute effectively to your work
and your organisation? Will this help you achieve your goal? Is
it just the monetary gains you consider as value? Do the employers
appreciate the long hours of work you put in?
2. Positioning: Optimally
match your skills, abilities and interests with industries and
organisations. What are your target job functions and titles?
Have you assessed your skills and abilities sufficiently enough
so that it helps you identify what your preferences are and at
the same time gives you room for alternatives also? What kind
of companies and industries look for the target skills you have?
3. Packaging: Packaging is
everything! Present yourself in a compelling manner in order to
successfully change industries or fields. How do you define yourself?
What qualities do you want to be known by? Are you a fast-starter?
Detail-oriented? A team player? You need to match well with your
target employer. What are your problem solving attitudes? Can
you cope with a crisis? What specific competencies, expertise
and experiences will you use as an argument for your next job
or career?
4. Preparation: Build a strategic
plan. Make contacts and turn them into career opportunities. Compile
a list of people who can be useful for networking. Networking
is the key promotional technique. Join organisations; get involved;
keep in touch; do what you can to help others; be visible in your
targeted professional community. Have you developed relationships
with search firms and recruiters? Think how often people are changing
jobs now. Are you using online resources and Web sites, career
fairs, conferences and trade shows to maximum advantage?
5. Presentation: Turn opportunities
into interviews and interviews into offers.
Employers certainly are interested in what you can do for them,
but they will be glad if you will be interested in them! Research
on the companies you have targeted at. Know what are the challenges
they face, their problems and what their values and mission are.
Use informational interviews to develop your understanding and
knowledge about companies and create a network of contacts.
6. Performance: Master workplace
competencies that enhance your personal success in any corporate
culture. Can you cope with a crisis? Can you wade through office
politics? Are your survival skills sharp? Can you perform well
even when you are pressurised for work? Do you know how to effectively
communicate the added value you bring to the organisation? Are
you assuming if you just work hard and do a good job, you will
be recognised and rewarded?
7. Planning: Long term planning
is more effective than a short term planning. Know what you are
getting into. Analyse where you would want to see yourself in
a few years from today. This planning is equally imperative as
it builds a thought process to which you need to find logical
answers. Maintain a professional developmental plan that will
serve as guidelines throughout your career. Is your resume updated?
Do you regularly maintain a log of your accomplishments, training,
awards and feedback to prepare for your annual performance evaluation?
Do you know where you want to be and what you want to be doing
in 5 or 10 years? What do you anticipate will be the challenges
and life situations you will be facing and how are you preparing
for them now? Do you have savings just in case of an emergency?
Are you prepared to relocate? What are your plans in case your
company decides to downsize?
These
are just a few questions we have listed for you to know and analyse.
It helps you think clearly and effectively. Once you have managed
to answer them, you know that you are on the right track.
Winding steps to a successful career? We suggest a short cut.
Here
are a few tips to take you higher up the corporate ladder - articles
on stress management, managing change, workplace hassles and more.