3 Steps for Better Career Management Decisions

Don Benenson, SPHR, is the owner of MVP Resumes. He has over 30+ years of corporate HR experience and happily helps clients with resume preparation and interviewing skills. He can be reached at 631-428-5877 or at mvpresumes@yahoo.com

Why do some individuals have fantastic careers while others have ones that are mediocre at best, or misguided?

The answers to this questions are so varied  and complex that saying that it’s due to intelligence, where they went to school, who they know and so forth, is frankly, insulting. Effective career management is part art, part luck, part being in the right place at the right time and part implementing some simple steps to reach the promised land of career nirvana.

Hmmm…This Job Feels Cozy and Warm. Why Change?

Let’s make the complexity of career planning simple. Until you arrive at your destination, which is usually titled career solidification, you need to work towards this goal. I suggest that every year, you spend time looking for a new job.  Here’s why. 

Knowing your marketability, the compensation you can get, the skills desired by hiring managers, as well as growing your network and practicing the “networking thing” are essential career management skills. And, should you get invited for an interview, give it very strong consideration. Keeping your interviewing skills sharp is critical to effective career management. 

Sometimes it’s Better to Be a Big Fish in a Small Bowl than a Guppy in the Ocean

It would be hard to dispute that your performance is the number one driver, but a close second is the impact of your performance and organizational visibility.  Throughout your career, constantly evaluate your organizational visibility. If you feel it’s low, either come up with a plan to raise it, or consider making a job change to become a big fish in a small bowl. Your career is like a billboard-if your talents and success are not visible and publicized only you will know about them.

Be Extremely Well Informed About the Economics of Any Job Change 

So, you get a job offer and it seems like you will improve your financial state. Before you accept the offer, whether presented verbally or in writing, dig deep into the financial side to make sure that you are really making the compensation progress you’re salivating about.

• Ask questions about your pre-tax contributions to all employee benefits and what they are forecasted to be at the next open enrollment period. Don’t become enamored by having recruiters or hiring managers tout their benefits program. Let’s face it, no one will tell you theirs stinks! Get a handle on what you’ll be paying.

• Find out about how the organization handles employee evaluations and when you will be eligible for a salary increase. Find out what might shift your date of eligibility, such as an extended absence, or what could exclude you from eligibility. If you’re in a job where you have the opportunity to earn incentive income or a bonus, dig deep to get the specifics.

• Make sure you know what types of business related expenses you’ll be reimbursed for and if you will have a company provided credit card. Don’t assume that everything is covered. You’d be amazed by many of the things you automatically think are covered are not.

Great careers can be built through great career management. Give yours the attention it deserves!