Why IT IS up to you to invest in your career- what Professional Career Advice really means.
Your career is one of the key elements of your life, relationships, health and well being, religion and spirituality and your job are all critical factors in ensuring that you are living the life that you deserve. I am consistently amazed by the fact that people think that they cannot have all of these things. Senior people in their 50’s worried they are being put out to pasture; women returners who feel they have to make sacrifices to have work life balance; those who are waiting and hoping.
I referred to a number of worries that people have around job and career but I really want to hone in on “those who are hoping and waiting.”The vast majority of people I have spoken with over the years have never considered that they may need professional career advice. It sometimes seems an alien concept to many and the only experience they have had is in a dusty office at school a few months before they chose their exam subjects. This was the last time most of us completed an in-depth career evaluation, unless we have been fortunate enough to work for an organisation that supports our career goals, although even then it’s often only within their framework.
How long each week do you personally commit to your own professional development?
I was recently asked by a network contact for a bit of “free career advice” anyone who knows me will appreciate that I am always over the moon to hear that someone is taking a step towards being “career conscious” they then proceeded to talk in depth about some very difficult situations they were experiencing at work. The situation was far too complex to resolve over coffee and I referred them to a professional. Here in lies the interesting point, I would never expect any of my GP friends to make a diagnosis in a coffee shop, I wouldn’t consider getting legal or financial advice in the same way. So why do we put so little credence in professional support for our careers?
Owning Up To Being a Grown Up
So here is the reality check. Yes it is entirely up to you to invest in your career, there are some good sources of advice for young people, graduates and even some good quality outplacement support if you are made redundant, realistically though it is down to you. Now this does not have to be a full career programme such as The Seven Steps to Career Consciousness, it could be a self development book; an internal mentor or countless other solutions. It is however up to you to set the time aside to ensure that you are shaping your career in the direction you want it to go. You are in charge of your own happy ending in your career as with all other elements of your life.
Not Knowing What You Want to Do is Normal
It is never too late to change your career; I have worked with clients in to their sixties who still want to try something new and exciting. It is time to abandon the myth that there is such a thing as a job for life, very few people have the old traditional type role, yet are still influenced by those who experienced it. “I was told to get a job with X because……”. It really is time now to take control of every single step on the career stepping stones.
The World is Changing – Are You?
The world is spinning at what seems like an ever increasing pace, there are career paths now that would have been unimaginable a few months ago, let alone years ago. How do you know that there isn’t something that you might enjoy more than what you are doing now? And if you are 100% sure that there is something you would rather be doing, why aren’t you chasing it?
Everyone Needs Professional Career Guidance
No one expects you to shape your future alone, even if you are clear about what you want to achieve you may not know how to get there. Think about if now is the time to make the change or at least take the first steps. Professional Guidance does not simply come in coach form, it may mean research, additional training, communicating with your employer. All of these are still key ways of you making your career one that truly satisfies you. Remember:
- There is no such thing as a job for life
- You have to take control of your career
- It’s your journey and only you know your path.
- Seek guidance and support.
Executive Support
The Seven Steps to Career Consciousness was designed to ensure that mid to senior level managers and Executives are realising their potential; it’s a step by step guide to ensure that you know where you are going and most importantly how to get there, covering everything from CV writing, interview coaching through to managing your career. With an international client base we are proud to have supported hundreds of individual reach their career potential. Buy the book
To find out more about how we can help you contact us hello@7stepstocareerconsciousness