Career Management
Every year business publications print surveys showing that
those who are proactive career managers prosper at a much higher level then
others. These surveys have consistently shown that during a typical 43 year
career, one will earn 40% more by being proactive rather then reactive. They
also demonstrate that active career management will result in a considerably
higher level of job satisfaction. If you can make more money and be happier in
your job, why are the majority of people still waiting to react to what their
company does before they make a career change?
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We are all busy doing our jobs, making business plans,
marketing strategies, closing the deal, etc. but if you don’t take an active
role in planning and managing your career, who will? It’s your life: 25% of it
is spent at work and 100% of it is affected by your career. Every company is
legally bound to their shareholders to do what is best for the company. You
should be equally bound to do what is best for you and your family. When your
agenda diverges from your firm’s, then you need to take responsibility for
your own career. Start with a plan. Just like in college each semester you
decided on what courses you where going to take so that at the end you would
have a degree and a good prospect for making a living. Twice a year you need to
take the time to look at your goals, assess your progress, and then evaluate and
adjust your goals and plans.
When you begin a new job the learning curve is steep. You
are challenged and are learning new things everyday. As time goes on with most
jobs that curve flattens out and your job either expands, your promoted, or you
get bored. If you are taking the active role described in the preceding
paragraph you will identify this immediately and be incorporating plans to make
another step.
In sixteen years as an executive recruiter, I have seen
many people put themselves through psychological torture and waste a great deal
of time when considering a job change. All of this can be avoided by taking the
following steps:
1.
Think through where you want this process to take you. Successful people
begin with the end in mind. They are motivated by long term progression toward
set goals, not by emotional tiffs that will fade.
2.
Meet with your boss and listen to what he/she has in mind for your
future. Get an understanding of the time line that these steps might follow.
This may be pleasantly surprising and enable you to throw yourself back into
your current job with renewed vigor. Otherwise you will have your concerns
validated and be able to accept a new opportunity without second guessing
yourself or falling into the counter offer trap.
3.
The following are the most common factors for job satisfaction: Job
Content/Challenge, Geographic Location, Career Advancement, Income and
Potential, Style of Management. Put these into order of importance and add any
others that are meaningful to you. Then use this to evaluate job opportunities
as you hear about them.
Hearing about Job Opportunities
Always stay connected to your industry. Seminars,
conferences, industry trade shows and associations are important. Keeping
yourself known to some of the top recruiters with in your industry will be key.
Most jobs today are not advertised so recruiters tend to be the best conduit. To
have an ongoing relationship with recruiters requires a two-way benefit. He/she
is looking for referrals while you are looking to be kept abreast to what is
going on and be represented to particular positions that fit your parameters.
You will want to let the recruiter know where you are in your career and what
would interest you and at what level urgency you would have. You want to limit
the recruiters you work with to those that specialize in your field.
Dealing With The Emotions
Now that you have determined that this is the appropriate
time to make a job change you need to get a handle on the emotional side of
changing jobs. Logically, the decision is fairly straightforward, yet the
emotional side of the decision has many pit falls. That old axiom, "don't
let your heart rule your mind" is much easier to say than do. Your current
company has helped you progress professionally. You've made many friends, and
you feel comfortable because you can handle the job well. Let's face it, it is
natural to resist change and avoid disruption, and your present employment is no
exception. Changing jobs is considered to be almost as stressful as divorce or
losing a body part. Dealing proactively with emotional issues will save you
tremendous stress, possible embarrassment and make you look and be more
decisive. Ask your spouse and/or others that will be effected. It is much better
to anticipate problems rather then later when it maybe too late or embarrassing
professionally to withdrawal from the process.
It's up to you to end your relationship as professionally
as you began it. Write a letter that expresses your thanks for the opportunity
they extended and tell them you enjoyed your relationship, but that your
decision has been well thought out and is final. Put it in your own words and
either mail it personally or hand it to your immediate supervisor. Be pleasant
but firm. The counter-offer is a standard business practice. It can be a very
flattering experience: your emotions may be swayed, you may lose your
objectivity, you are going to be tempted to stay. "Buyer's remorse"
will set in - that apprehension of change will urge you to reconsider your
decision. As a professional, your career decisions must be made objectively.
The counter offer is specifically designed to play on these
emotions. It is flattering but it's beset with pitfalls too numerous to risk,
and let me sight some of them.
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Political resentment is likely to be created at various levels
with in the organization.
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Salary is out of range so that you will not receive raises or will
be targeted for a lay-off in the next recession.
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Your loyalty is now suspect and will limit any future career
advancements.
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They are making promises to buy time for them to hire your
replacement.
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You’re caving into short-term pressure but the initial reason
you wanted the other position still exist.
Logic must prevail. That is why you met with your boss
before you ever went outside of the company to look for a position. That is why
you carefully wrote down your reasons both logical and emotional so that you
would not lose your objectivity. Ask yourself this question: If I where
unemployed and had these two jobs (My current position or the one that I have
been offered) offered to me which one would make the best sense? Comfort zones,
familiarity, fear of the unknown are inhibiters, not reasons.
Best of luck with your continued career growth, but
remember that luck is created by planed goals and the willingness to make
changes. No one ever made a difference without making a change.
