Each of us as individuals is ultimately in charge of managing our own career irrespective of where we work. Managing one’s own career is an ongoing activity. Each of us has a different career aspiration. What works for one may not work for others. Your vision of success is an individual one, and only you can determine what makes your life fulfilling. By identifying specific goals and working on career development plan you can make a meaningful progress toward effectively managing your career.
So, what steps can we take to do that? Here are some ways to manage your career effectively.
1. Welcome opportunities
Taking calculated risks will keep you ahead of the league. Be vigilant and take the lead and make the best of the opportunities which is aligned to your interest. Watch those who are successful at what you aspire to be/do and make appropriate changes.
2. Focus on your strengths
Focusing on too many skills may not allow you to achieve optimal results. Rather than infusing your energy to improve on your weakness, focus on the skills that you are good at and make efforts to strengthen it so you can go from good to great.
3.Build on your personal brand
What differentiates you from the others and makes you unique is your own “personal brand” Your brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. So, figure out your brand differentiators and invest wisely building on your skills. Be your authentic self, showing how your skills makes you stand out from the crowd.
4. Develop a long-term career aspirations plan.
You must know what you want out of your career, and you should be clear about your career goals. Explore your strengths, needs, interests and aspirations to drive your plan. Develop your
career goals while thinking about job satisfaction and what will give you a sense of accomplishment and fulfilment.
5. Break it up with short-term action items.
After you determine your long-term career goal, break it into short-term action items. As you plan these, identify potential developmental opportunities, such as: skill-building classes, professional development programs, on-the-job training, guidance from mentors or advisors.
6. Build your network.
Networking is the key to success today. It should be more about relationship building and not just transactional. Work to get to know people. Allow people to get to know you. Volunteer for
assignments to build skills and connections. The benefits will unfold with time.
7. Think about your accomplishments differently.
Quantifying your work experience is the key to landing a new job or getting a promotion. people who stand out talk about their responsibilities in terms of numbers, achievements, and results, and they have examples to back it up.
8. Evolve continuously
In order to remain competitive in a constantly changing workplace its crucial to grow and evolve. Keep yourself up to date with the latest industry trends and take the necessary training to move to the next level. The more you move in this way, the more valuable you will be to your manager, team and the company. This approach also positions you for future opportunities that may exist outside of your industry.
Ultimately, you are the CEO of your career. Manage your career like a business – where your career is a business, and you are the product. Since professional development is no longer linear, it’s more important than ever to take charge of your future.
Author: Neetu Jaiswal
Founder – NEVOXEL COUNSULTANCY
