May 2009


Careersadmin on 29 May 2009 03:55 pm

Did you know that the average person changes their career six times in their working life? There are many different reasons why a person would decide to switch careers- they may be laid off at their current job, a dream job may come along, people in a committed relationship may find themselves having to consider new prospects due to a change in location of the job of the other partner, or someone may just become plain bored in their current career, to the point where it feels like there is no point to the day. Career changes are not a bad thing, but they need to be planned according to the circumstances of your life, in such a way that you will still have the funds coming in which you need to survive.

Most of us will spend our lives hoping for the ideal job, but this will rarely materialize. The fact is, almost all jobs have their pitfalls- we may scoff at actors of musicians who complain about their long workdays or schedules, pointing to their pay checks, but the fact is that many jobs that offer lucrative incomes also entail a lot of dedication and hard work in order to get to the top. When you are defining your dream job, remember that almost every job comes with its downside, even if that downside is only the repetitiveness of the day.

A career change does not necessarily have to entail extensive retraining. Many people who have lost their jobs through layoffs or downsizing will find that their skills are still in demand, and that their experience is very useful in finding a new career. If you do not feel like retraining, consider a job with a different company where your skills fit. If you want to get right out of the corporate area, the odds are good that you can find a niche for yourself as an independent consultant or another area in which your expertise will add to your marketability.

Some people decide that they in fact do desire a total 360 degree turn from their current career path. In such circumstances, it is again best to begin by shopping the skills obtained at your former job only applied to new markets. You may also want to consider some retraining through college or university courses. There are many training courses available online, so people often do not even have to leave their homes in order to obtain the skills necessary to their new careers.

Whatever your decision, remember that it is always easier to find a new job when you are not desperate for one. Take the time to think through your decisions and applications carefully before severing ties with your current job; you may be ready for a change, but you will still have to eat in the meantime! In the event that your company has been downsized or other circumstance that has led to being laid off, find out if there are any contingency plans in place for retraining through the company or through any of the levels of government. This can provide a good financial buffer for that in-between time.

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Careersadmin on 28 May 2009 09:51 am

Do you want to get a promotion and make a lot more money? Do you want to be recognized for your hard work? Do you want to keep your job and not be downsized? In fact, do you want to know the secret to be Upsized? The most important skill you will ever learn is how to study and understand Office Politics.

Office politics plays a very important role in whether you get a promotion, an award, or the office job in London that you want, or the compensation that you receive. Virtually every aspect of your professional career is influenced by social politics. The proper understanding of the social “food chain” in your work space is essential for your professional success and financial well-being.

To understand why the organization works and how to use that information to your advantage, you must first understand how the “Big Fish” act and think. Who are the “Big Fish”? They are the decision makers, the people who are up-and-coming in the company and the people who hold ultimate power in the company. These are the CEO’s, Presidents, VPs, managers, and supervisors who are what I consider to be “in favor”.

When it comes to these “Big Fish” they typically care only about two things. The first is how they can take credit for increasing the effectiveness of the company and the second is who around them can get the results they need to be successful. To summarize, for these people it is all about self-preservation and self-promotion.

Are the “Big Fish” unethical or self-absorbed? No, the successful people just want excellent employees working for them and they expect results. If you were in a dog-sled race would you want a team of Siberian Huskies or Chihuahuas? The answer is obvious; you would want to win the race so you would want the best team available.

Can this information be helpful to you? Let me ask you:

1. Do you think you stand a better chance of getting a promotion working for a “little fish” or a “Big Fish”?

2. Is your chance of getting a good raise better or worse if the VP knows your name and the projects you have worked on?

3. Are you more or less likely to move up in the company if you are working on a “Big Fish’s” pet project?

The bottom line is this…If you align yourself with a “Big Fish” you will be considered for more opportunities than you would ever have working for a “little fish”. Why? The reason is because people trust people who can get the job done. If the “Big Fish” trusts you then he/she will be comfortable giving you more and more responsibility. And with more responsibility comes promotions and A LOT more money.

Study your office politics and align yourself with a “Big Fish” and will progress your career farther and faster than you ever could have imagined.

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Careersadmin on 11 May 2009 10:49 pm

Your career should essentially be in your control. In an ideal world, you would progress within your chosen company for doing your job well and doing it on time. However, whether you are looking for a deserved pay rise or you want promotion you may find that you are often overlooked in preference for employees that you believe are not as accomplished as you are. There’s no use in performing well, if the right people don’t hear about it.

Networking within the company you work for may not seem like the ideal way to spend your time, however, it will ensure that your face fits. Never be afraid to put your best foot forwards and sing your own praises if necessary. When you do something noteworthy let your managers and, if necessary, their managers know. If you come up with an idea that will potentially make or save money then tell the right people about it.

Your career is important and only by taking control of it’s progression can you be sure it will go the way you want it to. Setting goals is a major part of this aim. With short, medium and long-term goals you will be able to micro manage every aspect of your career. Your short-term goals should be geared towards achieving your medium-term goals, which in turn should help you achieve your goals.

Write down your goals and keep track of how you are doing. Always make sure that they are achievable but rewarding. If your goals are too easy and you can reach them with little or no effort, then there is no real point. Alternatively, if your goals are too difficult you will quickly become disheartened and give up. Life can throw the occasional obstacle or unexpected gift your way and so it will be necessary from time to time to re-evaluate your position. Try to only change your short-term goals if you are worse than expected and your medium term goals if better than you had hoped.

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