Let's talk 2021 career goals...
For those of you who are in a role and feel stagnated, those of you who feel it’s time for change, or if you are in threat of redundancy or worse have lost your job plus those of you who may just want to consider how income flows into your house then this is for you!
1. Assessment of current position
What is it about the role that you’re not enjoying? Is it the management or lack of? I could do a whole session on How to manage your Boss, The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Is it the salary or is it you?
• Do we change the car as soon as it loses the new car smell or change our partner when the honeymoon period is over? No we don't!
• Is a perspective shift required taking the current economic climate into account? Is there a constructive conversation you might need to have with your manager about aspects of your role that you’re not happy with?
• If you have hit a ceiling in your current role is there anything about the role where you can bring variety or add value? Any free online courses? Can you make yourself indispensable at the next level?
I have observed over the course of my career people make themselves Indispensable in their role and taken to its extreme it can be detrimental. I have been there myself.
I recall in one of my roles I was known as the Pantomath, the person that knows everything. The Go-to. I was told at that time that I was so needed as the head of the department that the new Ops Director role created to manage my role and that of my peers was being offered to someone with little experience and I had to train them. I wasn’t even invited to apply. It has never happened to me again.
If you’re succession planning you will get knowledge out of your head and into work instructions, flowcharts and training webinars for your successor. If you're a manager level up your subordinates. Strong managers recruit people who have the potential to be better than them, send the lift down if you dare! Don’t pride yourself on being the only key holder or the only one who knows how to do a series of tasks at your level or they will fight you when it’s time to leave.
Unless you are career and life downsizing always be levelling up.
If you are solving issues a level up, it provides evidence and scope for promotion within or progression onto higher roles in another organisation.
2. Assessment of timing for career change
Why leave or why stay? Create yourself an honest Pro-Con list.
• Is this really the right time to bounce?
• Is there a contingency plan should a probation period in a new role not go as planned? Or the job turns out to be completely different from how it was sold?
• How does a change align with other money goals i.e. house move, mortgage, car loans, school fees or other regular commitments?
I remember a time when I had only been self-employed for 12 months and decided to take paid employment so we could move house, back then 3 years of accounts were needed before a mortgage would be offered.
• If shifting from an employee position to self-employment do you have a plan in place for the lag time in income generation to pay bills and/ or secure mortgage/ credit?
3. Assessment of prior learning and experience
• How is your CV? When was it last checked?
• Do you have an old CV floating about on jobsites?
• Do a CV review every couple of years even if you're not job hunting, update with your current skills and experience
• Focus on voluntary work that impacts whole community rather than just a singular group or sector of the community
• Transferable skills – if you are downsizing or jumping sectors, or in a competitive market, focus on skills and achievements first before chronological record – I have two CVs!
• Sign up to websites such as Indeed, Reed, Monster, Totaljobs, LinkedIn
• Network, network, network! Not every company advertises their vacancies and some don’t know they have a need until you materialise, I can think of at least 3 times a role has been created for me
4. Assessment of application/ interview performance
• Are you getting acknowledgements, great!
• If no acknowledgement, keep going!
• CV review/ application check by a trusted and honest other
• If you’re getting interviews, you’re probably coming across well on paper, if you’re not getting the job then interview assessment is needed
• Coming to terms with rejection is vital to keep confidence high – prospective employers can spot low confidence and mood, and although sympathetic they still need to see your energy in the interview
• My advice to my clients over the years - your interview performance does not define who you are, you are the same person of worth after the interview as you were before the interview
5. Assessment of natural talents and personality
• What do find yourself doing and/ or what are you passionate about? What issue can you solve?
• What’s your personality type and how does it affect your work or the type of work you do?
• Try two great Psychometric tools: 16 Personalities and Strengthsfinder, which indicates your 5 top strengths, both are scarily accurate!
6. Assessment of which income stream works best for you
The money coming in – can it flow from a variety of sources?
Check out 4 Quadrants according to Robert Kyosaki's "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"
• You work for money – 1. Employee, 2. Self employed
• Money works for you 3. Business owner, 4. Investor
You can choose one, two or all the quadrants in varying degrees and capacity depending on your circumstances and preferences. You work for money, money works for you, either way, both ways, it's all good!
All the best with your 2021 career quest!
Useful links
Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1612680054/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_fabc_0ZFT1GJFFDM7XRE5QEBP
https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ways-to-become-irreplaceable-at-work
https://targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/career-planning/1044523-job-hunting-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-what-you-need-to-know
https://www.job-hunt.org/job_interviews/pandemic-interview-questions.shtml
https://www.snapsurveys.com/blog/15-job-interview-questions-employers-covid/