Is your career in the exit lane, slow lane or fast lane?
Rob Moore
Now is the right time to think about your career – to take stock and think ahead.
To call this a time of uncertainty would be a colossal understatement., all we can do is guess at how the future looks for the world at large, not to mention for our own livelihoods and well-being.
But whatever happens in the weeks and months ahead, it seems clear that we are facing a new world of work. There may be limited options for us in our careers, but there will still be opportunities to pursue.
So, while you are thinking about the future, you can take the chance to think about your career – to take stock and think ahead.
Here are a couple of things you can do to help structure your thinking:
Step 1
If you said: “That looks like a good job”, what factors would prompt you to say that?
Why not create yourself a recipe for the perfect job for you? Grab a piece of paper and divide the page into two columns – ‘likes’ and ‘dislikes’ Then consider the tasks you’ve worked on, the responsibilities you’ve had and the situations you’ve been in over the last few years at work.
Jot them down as brief notes in the relevant column.
THINK - Tasks – Responsibilities - Situations
Likes Dislikes
Then, think about what boundaries you may have and consider what would be on your 'Ideal' list and what would be on your 'Would Consider' list
a) Location - Time spent on commute - By Car, Bike, Walk, Public Transport
b) Reward - Salary, Benefits, Bonus, Matching company values to yours
c) Work Style - Remote / Multi-site / Hot Desk / Full Time/ Flexible / Shifts / Job Share
Now you have the recipe for your ‘good’ job, you have a framework for evaluating job ads you see in the future. This can help you prioritise your applications, focus your direction and develop questions to ask or research before you meet a potential employer.
Step 2
What skills do you have? Have you ever really worked through your skill set in detail?
It is vital in the disrupted job world coming our way that you understand what you have and what’s for sale.
Here is one way doing of uncovering your skills:
Make four lists of skills, using a piece of paper for each – for business, technical, soft and life skills. They only need to be bullet points, not descriptions.
Stick them to your fridge door or notice board and add something every day. Ask friends, family, and colleagues what they think, then look at your CV, appraisals, and feedback you have been given for more ideas.
Here is an example list (without too many things to pinch for your list!)
1. Business Skills
What you need to run perform well in your work – sales, customer care, budgets, team leadership, IT
Think about skills you use at work that could transfer to another environment
2. Technical Skills
What you need to do your job? These are often the skills you are paid for, whether it’s a ‘trade’ or ‘profession’ – accountancy, plumbing, coding, teaching etc.
3. Soft Skills
What you use to be effective in life? Think communication, interpersonal, resilience, etc.
4. Life Skills
Outside the box! Home schoolteacher, parenting, skydiving, team sports, volunteering!!??
Next Steps
Spend some time thinking through these and hopefully you’ll find these two steps useful for thinking ahead career wise in challenging times. Make a realistic plan of what you can and want to do next in your current role or a new role and make it happen!
If I can help, please get in touch here https://www.thecareer.coach/Contact
Read more blogs here https://www.thecareer.coach/blog
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