Get a Career Tune-up!
What to do to Keep Your Career on Track

By Clay Parsons

A rewarding career doesn't just happen on its own. Most of us know this, but did you also know that stellar qualifications alone will not insure success in any field. Growing your career is a continuous process. It has to be carefully constructed and continually nurtured if you are to achieve success.

Gauge the health of your career by comparing what you are currently doing with the following fourteen points. Are you doing what you need to do to keep your career on track?

1.) I know my personal career assets including skills, abilities, accomplishments and personal resources. This is what you are selling in the marketplace.

2.) I know my career and life goals and objectives. I try to think about them regularly and keep them updated.If you know where you are going you can plan a course of action to get there.

3.) I know how to prospect for job leads where none are advertised. Most good jobs are not advertised. Find them by expanding your network.

4.) I can identify at least 5 potential employers with whom I want to obtain interviews in the future. If you know who to target in a job search, you are halfway there.

5.) I am actively expanding my network. I am a member of all of the professional or trade associations related to my career. The more people you know in your field the more access to job opportunities you will have.

6.) I subscribe to all of my profession's publications. I watch for articles about new trends. I also monitor job advertisements. Keep up with what's happening as a way to position yourself for the future.

7.) I am keeping my skills up to date and maintaining a "knowledge edge" over my competition. Change is constant. Continually updating your skills is the only way to keep yourself marketable.

8.) I meet regularly with a career development professional to discuss my job and career path. The smart professional gets professional advice when they need it.

9.) I have identified any personal barriers or issues which could sabotage my future career, and I am actively working on them with a trained counseling professional. If anything personal gets in your way, address it, don't avoid it.

10.) I have a long term career education plan and I am currently implementing it by taking classes. A healthy career is the result of a continuous learning process.

11.) I have a detailed Career Search Journal in which I record my thoughts and ideas about my job and career. Careers are expressions of who we are as individuals. What you think and feel about your work matters.

12.) I have prepared a list of transferable skills I can use in my next job or assignment. What are you selling in the marketplace? Know yourself and your personal skills and abilities.

13.) I keep an updated record of my accomplishments and update my resume regularly. What if your dream job dropped in your lap? Keep your resume fully updated, just in case.

14.) I have several carefully prepared responses to the following questions: What are you interested in? What do you want to do? What can you do for us? This is called preparing a "script." Make sure you can answer these questions at any time. Be prepared for the unexpected. Opportunities Happen!

If you have done the majority of these recommendations, your career is on track and in good hands. If not, you may need a career tune-up.

Give me a call or send me an email. I can help.