|
Achieving impressive,
but consistent, career growth is every professional’s
dream. Yet, many believe that aiming for professional
success is a difficult undertaking that often requires complex
Machiavellian strategies or political tact. Not true. The best
recipe for long term success is plain old PHP (planning, hard work, and
persistence).
Speaking of success, what actions if taken in 2007 will fire up
your career and take you a step closer to your dreams?
We have
outlined a few simple tips.
Realize that you are in charge
Many individuals I come across are bright, talented, hard
working professionals. Despite their tremendous potential,
however, they are very passive when it comes to their career.
When I ask them about their next career move or strategy, I
often get a blank stare or a cold response: "I don't know."
These individuals appear to be waiting, as if, for their boss or superior
to grant the next promotion or to catalyze the next big thing, a wait
that often translates into many wasted years --
precious years.
It is very important to realize that you are in charge of
your career, not someone else. Once this realization sinks in,
the rest will follow automatically.
Develop an action plan
Where do you want to be in the next
five
years? ten? What can you do in 2007 to take you closer to your
long term goals?
Answering
these questions in detail will provide building blocks for your
2007 Action Plan.
Caveat:
A plan that is conceptualized but not written will, most likely,
[let’s admit] not be executed, so it is critical for you to put
the action plan on paper, on the wall, on the bulletin board --
wherever it will scream at you to take ACTION.
Take stock
During all my coaching sessions
I stress on doing a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, threats)
analysis.
What are your strengths and weaknesses? What opportunities do
you anticipate (or can create) in the coming year? And how can
you grab them (literally)? Do you perceive any threats to your
professional ambitions?
Get the dust off your resume
How often do you update your resume? Once
every few years, right? Not a good strategy. At the end of every
work week you must make a list of achievements for that week.
These regular reports will be a big help when it is time to
actually update your resume.
Establish a PD (professional development) budget
We
are living in the Information Age, an age where knowledge moves
faster than fashion. Unless you participate in ongoing professional
development, your
skills will soon be, well, obsolete. Continuously investing in
professional
development -- training, professional associations,
education, certifications, professional
literature, etc. -- will help you stay abreast with the latest
advances in your field, and also a step above the competition.
Set aside an annual budget (if your employer doesn’t sponsor)
for your professional
development and growth. This will be your wisest investment
ever.
Challenge yourself
Achievers constantly compete with themselves, always pushing the
bar to deliver more with each attempt. Push
yourself to perform better. Aim for 110%, 120% ....
Become a valuable resource
Do people come to you for advice? If not, take steps
to become an expert in your profession
or area of interest.
From internal employees to the media, you must be looked upon as
a valuable resource. Regularly seek out publishing (articles,
books, etc.) and public speaking opportunities.
Network, network, network
If I could, I would summarize this article in three simple
words: network, network, network. Knowing the right people, both
within and outside the organization (especially experts,
authors, mentors, and industry leaders) can work wonders on your
career.
Although success doesn’t come overnight, PHP (planning, hard
work, and persistence) can catapult even an
ordinary career to enviable heights.
Nimish
Thakkar is a certified career coach, outplacement consultant,
and resume writer with
ResumeCorner.com and
Sai Strategies. He also serves as the chief
editor of
SaiCareers.com, a site that provides free
information and resources on a wide range of career topics, from
resume writing and career management to networking. Thakkar has
worked with thousands of clients and has authored over 100
articles. He holds two graduate degrees, including an MBA.
Nimish can be reached at
nimish@resumecorner.com. |
