The Alternative Press

Careers are evolving for many of us. Some of us who are employed either love or are dissatisfied with our work. The unemployed include individuals seeking their next opportunity, working to re-invent themselves, or venturing back into the marketplace after taking a designated break. Whichever category you fit into, there are goals driving your return to employment. For some, it is the financial need and for others, it is the need for a challenge or social stimulation. The key is to understand your goal and generate a plan for yourself. The marketplace is evolving as is the need for your strategy in establishing and managing your career. This takes planning.

In a previous Career Rx column, Survival in the New Career Market (April 10, 2011), I described the world as changing and the old ideas of career management don’t make sense anymore.When thinking about my own career strategy, I found myself reflecting on who inspires me. Who do I admire, respect, and wish to emulate? How do I survive in this new world of work?

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle."          

 Steve Jobs, America's Innovative Genius

The issue of settling does occur when you need to pay bills. Yet, when settling, try to do so with a plan in mind. Think about what this paying job offers you. Will it lead to new contacts for your desired opportunity? Will it allow you to learn a new skill or further develop a skill for a future opportunity? Understand how you can leverage your current work situation. Think about the relationships you can develop, how you can show your work ethic, and how you can enjoy each role for what it is during the time you are engaged in it. Understand how to add value to the team. So how do you establish and manage your career? Here are a few ways:

 

ENVISION YOUR FUTURE

You need to have a vision for yourself. How do you want to be known? What story do you want told about you when you are not present? And what stories do you want to be retold? This is your reputation.

 

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS

Learning the skills necessary for your next opportunity is another critical factor for career success. Your plan should include identifying training opportunities, projects and developmental assignments to help refine your skills. It may include volunteer opportunities to enhance your skills, your network, and your reputation.

 

RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT

Learning to build creditability and trust with others is critical for success. Build your emotional intelligence. Successful relationships are the key to your next opportunity.

 

MAKING YOUR PLAN HAPPEN

Taking charge of your career, whether you advance or remain stagnant, is based on your own initiatives. It is important to plan each week so that you work on sharpening your skills and managing your relationships. If we "pay ourselves first," our investments will benefit both ourselves and the companies in which we work.

 

Don’t settle for mediocrity. Consider how each opportunity can help you grow. There are lessons that can be learned from each experience. Gain wisdom as you grow in your life by becoming the person you wish to be. This person is based on skills learned, lessons shared and relationships developed. Surviving in today’s job market requires you to continuously evolve and adapt. Learn to pay it forward to enrich your community which will pay future dividends.

 

 

Lisa Chenofsky Singer is the Managing Director of Chenofsky Singer and Associates LLCwww.ChenofskySinger.com, providing Executive, Leadership and Career Coaching and Human Resources and Communications Consulting.

Lisa’s extensive human resources and coaching experience with Fortune 500 companies, small enterprises, medium-sized firms, and non-profit organizations gives her the unique ability to bring together wide-ranging perspectives on career transitions, executive and leadership development. She has consulted with a wide variety of sectors — consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, media and entertainment, pharmaceutical and life sciences, publishing, professional services, technology, and non-profit. Lisa has a passion for motivational speaking, conducts career forums, and provides executive and career coaching.

Lisa’s greatest strength is that she enables individuals and organizations to see themselves in new ways, freeing them to achieve their goals. Lisa can be reached at Lisa@ChenofskySinger.com