Top tips to making your career move in 2010
Think 2010 is your year to shine? Vernlyne Narayan from Manpower Australia shares her top tips to reaching your career goals this year.
1. Look before you leap.
While the start of the year is a popular time to think about a career change, a hasty decision is going to land you right back where you started. Impulsive decisions may be ok when buying a new party dress – they’re not a good idea for making a career change.
Although it may look like the grass is greener on the other side, take the time to form a complete picture of your current situation. Think about how satisfied you are in your current job – how much you enjoy the work you do, your career opportunities and the culture of the organisation.
You should also assess your professional development opportunities and consider talking with your boss about what changes could be made to your current role that would give you more satisfaction. To have an effective conversation, you need to be clear about what you’re asking for.
2. Define what you want.
Before starting your search, it is important to define your career objective. Put pen to paper, make a list. Individuals who know where they are going tend to get there faster. Look at your current role (in your organisation) objectively and compare it to the role you want. Ask yourself, what specific skills are required to get there?
3. Reassess your skills.
New Year is a great opportunity to reflect on what you want out of your career. Are you doing what you do best? Take a look at your skills, abilities and interests and line them up with your current role and your ideal role. Research suggests that people whose skills, abilities and interests are most in line with their job are more likely to perform at the top of their game.
Keep abreast of the skills that are needed for the career you want and take action. Be prepared to put in some hours of training. It doesn’t have to involve advanced degrees - attending workshops, taking online courses or lunch time webinars can also add value.
4. Know what your worth.
You should also have an idea of your career net worth – that is, the value the market places on your unique abilities and knowledge. Ensure you are continually building your skills, knowledge and technical expertise – with experience under your belt, you become more competitive and can generate your highest career net worth.
5. Work your network.
If you’re looking for a career change, don’t forget to actively build and maintain your network. There is a wealth of opportunity to get to know the people in your industry through trade and industry groups and community organisations. Keep in touch regularly to strengthen those relationships. Finding a mentor who is working in your industry and can introduce you to others is also an effective way to expand your network.
It’s important to think about online networking opportunities too. Sites like LinkedIn are becoming increasingly valuable and give you more ways to stay in touch with your existing network. The trick is to use LinkedIn like an interactive resume. It should be up to date, provide a detailed account of your previous work and have recommendations from other people in your network.
6. Build your personal brand.
Just like a corporate brand, your personal brand comes down to a combination of factors. This includes your professional reputation – what your current and past colleagues and bosses say about you, or where you have been seen ‘in action’, such as at external meetings. It covers how you interact with others – for example whether you are cheerful, serious, confident, bossy or technical ly impressive - know your strengths and work them.
And then of course there’s your visual brand – does your wardrobe and grooming reflect the industry or role you want? Get some honest feedback from people you trust to make sure you are making the best impression.