To Manage Your Career, Know Thyself

Jul 6th, 2007 | By Bill | Category: Employment News



To Manage Your Career, Know Thyself By Carol Lippert Gray

When Socrates said “know thyself,” he probably wasn’t offering career management advice. But whether he intended it or not, it’s career advice that works. Just listen to the experts.

“Take responsibility for your own career,” says Dawn Fay, New York-based regional vice president of Robert Half International. Examine “the skills that are your strengths, what you like doing, what are the next steps to progress in terms of your skills, compensation and job flexibility.”

Case in Point

Jerry Gonzales is a senior accountant for salary professional services for Robert Half and Accountemps in Seattle. Since high school, he’s been assessing his career options and making conscious decisions based on his evaluations. Here’s his story.

“In high school, I enjoyed bookkeeping classes,” Gonzalez says. “I made the correlation between lifestyle and the income an accountant can make. So I took accounting classes at the University of Washington and enjoyed them. I had my own accounting and bookkeeping service in college. When I graduated, I knew I needed either to grow the business, hire more employees or partner with another firm. I looked into working for a CPA firm or to seek a firm out that places people on a temporary basis.

“What I do in project accounting has elevated my technical skill set. Project work and exposure to different industries also help. And being entrepreneurial is important. Too many people get tunnel vision and don’t get to see all the parts of their personality that can shine. The job market now is pretty stable in certain regions, but there’s going to come a point that you have to be flexible however the market changes.”

“Your number one asset coming out of school is your ability to change. That’s part of my mantra – not necessarily seeking out change, but being ready for it. Be willing to be taught, willing to be hungry and willing to be humble.”

Evaluate, Update and Learn

Do you have a career management plan in place to facilitate that next transition – or the one after that? You should, because you can bet many of your competitors do. “The marketplace is always changing and people are always changing, so you always need to do homework on yourself,” RHI’s Fay says. Like Jerry Gonzalez, “you want to stay ahead of the game.”

To do so, keep your eyes and ears open. Troll relevant Web sites, read professional publications, keep up with the regulatory climate and know the current hot sectors and industries. “Sometimes you get too focused on your own spot and don’t pick your head up to look around,” says Fay. If you think your technical or so-called “soft” skills are weak in certain places, bring them up to par.

Network, Network, Network

Everyone needs a network. “No matter what you’re doing, be sure yours is current and intact,” says Fay. “You never know when you’ll need it.” Your network should include people within your industry, colleagues from previous jobs, college friends, your clients, even neighbors and real estate people – what Fay calls a “nice mix.” Having a wide-ranging network, she explains, will enable you to “gain and give leads.”

“I’m always open to talking to people at the client companies I go to, no matter what position they’re in,” Gonzalez says. “That’s where a lot of your networking gets done. I’m never shy and say hi to people. And I say yes to any opportunity to attend presentations.”

It’s also wise to include recruiters in your network. “Look (for a job) proactively when you’re not that interested. Don’t wait until it’s an emergency,” says John A. Challenger, chief executive officer of the outplacement consulting firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. “Don’t leave it up to others (to decide) when you make career moves.”

In addition, have at least one person in your network who can function as a mentor. “Sometimes you can be the smartest person, but if you’re not being guided the right way, you can be spinning your wheels for a long time,” Gonzalez says. “Be around people willing to teach you.”

Resumes at Your Fingertips

Of course, you always keep your business cards handy. But it’s just as important to be able to place your resume in the right hands at a moment’s notice. And that means keeping it current.

Fay suggests updating your resume on an as-needed basis. That could require tinkering with it every time you acquire a new skill or certification, finish a significant project, or move to a new position within your firm. Alternatively, you might reevaluate it at regular intervals like, say, every six months. “It’s very hard to start from scratch if you’ve not kept up your resume for a long time,” Fay says. “Make time to do the things that will save you time in the end.”

Maintain Balance

Finally, don’t focus on your career trajectory at the expense of your personal relationships. Don’t move to an area where you don’t want to live. And if you have a hobby you love, don’t leave it in the dust. “When you’re doing career management, don’t forget to think about where you’re headed in your personal life,” Fay says. “Make sure it all fits together. Otherwise it can hurt.”

And don’t be seduced by visions of fat paychecks if other parameters of an offer are wrong for you. “Don’t burn bridges or move too quickly for a dollar sign,” she says. “Really think things through. If there’s a slowdown in business cycles, don’t panic. There’s always an ebb and flow of demand for certain skills and positions. Just stay focused on the big picture.”

In other words, know thyself.

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