Proactively Managing Your Career – Our Top 10 Recommendations
A recent study by Indeed, of over 1800 organisations, found that 1 in 3 UK employees are unhappy in their current role. Given that the average person spends over 9 ½ years of their life at work that results in a lot of people spending a lot of time doing something that they don’t enjoy. This can have a massive impact on their quality of life, health and wellbeing and also the people around them. If you or someone you know is in a position where you are not enjoying your job, then read on to access our top 10 recommendations on how to start to proactively manage your career and seek out the roles that can provide happiness and fulfilment for you at work.
It is relatively easy to make changes because YOU are in control of your career if you choose to be. It does require some forethought, care, specific intent and exactness in order to get the best results, but it is so worth the effort and you’ll wonder why you didn’t take the plunge sooner. So, take some time for yourself and:
- Invest in making some assertive choices about your career.
Firstly, take some time to think about and find your true north – explore what you really want to do. Just by doing this you are much more likely to find your passion and secure your dream job.
- Know your strengths and play to them for strong sustained performance.
When we are doing work that aligns with our true strengths we are in the flow, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s research demonstrates how we lose sense of time and are energised by the work. If you do something well naturally, you are more likely to enjoy it and therefore more likely to do it for longer and be more successful at it.
You might also like to think about your potentials – those things that could become strengths if you gave them the time and attention to practice.
- Consider how you weave your whole life into your career scenarios.
Research shows that on average we spend our time as follows:
36% working and commuting.
28% sleeping
24% leisure
12% unpaid tasks
Build this into your thought processes and think about your current commitments as well as how you spend time outside work to order to achieve the life balance that is right for you.
- Deliver, build and transmit an indisputable track record.
Build up a track record of tangible achievements that make a real difference in the workplace. Ensure these are known, visible and traceable.
Prioritise value adding work and don’t get lost in emails/notifications in your inbox or back-to-back meetings. Stop confusing activity with productivity.
- Identify and manage your key stakeholders.
Think about and acknowledge who cares about you and your career. There are probably more people than you think. Alongside family and friends there will be trusted colleagues, mentors (both formal and informal) and HR/Talent teams. They will all be prepared to support you and give advice as you navigate your career pathway.
- Know how to navigate your internal talent marketplace.
In a recent survey by Gartner (2021) people cited the following reasons for NOT applying for an internal post:
83% did not feel encouraged to do so
71% were unclear on how to apply
49% not aware of internal vacancies
It definitely worth looking internally for positions before you look externally. Your current employer is more likely to invest in you and take a risk than an external employer. Find out how and where positions within your organisation are advertised and how to apply for them.
- Seize unexpected opportunities.
Be brave when unexpected opportunities arise. Don’t be afraid to say yes and explore a sideways move, a new connection or a new project. It will widen your network, broaden your horizons and enable access to different roles and experiences.
- Consider and evolve your personal brand.
What is your value proposition? How do people describe you when you are not there? Define your what you would like this to be and take steps to understand, build, embody and communicate your personal brand. You will perhaps need to readjust these as you continue to grow and develop. It is also vital that you know what your socials say about you and to manage them effectively.
- Careers are not linear, don’t expect a consistent upward trajectory – be ready to make sideways moves.
Organisations are flatter and less hierarchical than they have previously been. Realistically we can no longer expect every role change to be a promotion or a step up on the career ladder. Be open to other possibilities that develop your skill set in different ways.
- Be ready for a career that has not yet been invented.
Over the past 25 years so many jobs have disappeared as they are no longer relevant e.g.: switchboard operator, film projectionist. Equally many new jobs that we had not heard of 10 years ago are now amongst the most popular – social media manager, data scientists, app developer, drone pilot etc.
In your ongoing career development make sure that you effectively demonstrate your learning agility and keep an open mind so that you are well-positioned and ready to apply for the next new career.
Henry Ford said, ‘Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t – you are probably right’. Setting some time aside to work through the steps above, to invest in you and explore where you can find the most fulfilment and enjoyment at work could be the best thing that you ever do for your career. It will help you to envisage what it looks like and begin to think and believe that yes you actually can!
If you would like more information on how to invest in your career, take a look at www.h2h.uk.com or contact us about our online career development toolkit at enquiries@h2h.uk.com