Developing a Successful Career Strategy
More and more people want to boost their careers, make better use of their best talents, and feel more enriched at work. Survey data tells the story. A shocking October 2013 global Gallup poll showed only 13 per cent of the surveyed employees considered themselves engaged in their organisation’s efforts, with a massive 87 per cent disengaged. Australia did little better, with 24 per cent engaged, leaving a huge 76 per cent disengaged and looking for more fulfilling career opportunities.
And while almost half of employees want better pay or career opportunities when they move to a new job, according to several recent salary surveys, another quarter want :
- a role within which is more interesting
- more pay than they currently receive
- an organisation with a work culture that engenders greater happiness, and
- better career opportunities than they currently enjoy
In short, employees are frequently failing to find the interesting, fulfilling, rewarding work they want and many are actively disengaging from their organisation’s interests. And so many are considering a role change, or even a transition to a new field of work completely.
‘The times they are a-changin’
The impact of information technology and changing needs since the global financial crisis in 2007/8 has altered the outputs and required skills required by many people, and the work they’re expected to produce. Such change has left many people wondering about their career pathways. In addition, AI or artificial intelligence continues to advance and place many positions under pressure. There may be fewer options for traditional career advancement within existing organisations, and fewer options for taking on a new or different role elsewhere.
In such circumstances, a new career – better-paying, more fulfilling and stimulating – becomes attractive. But successful career change need to be well planned and well executed. And you need a firm commitment to the change.
Is this really happening to me?
Career change, especially complex change, succeeds more often when you have the help of an experienced mentor. It is also important to recognize that discovering you are in this position is not a sign of weakness, or of career failure. Most people in such career difficulty start with a stoic sense of denial and a determination to rectify the situation single-handedly. Eventually they recognise their circumstances, and this is usually the stage at which they act and seek help.
By this time they need fairly urgent and rapid planning and action. So if you want effective career help, seek assistance early in the process: you’ll feel more relaxed, and your strategy will be more productive. And it is certainly not a waste of money to seek professional help to manage your way through the process.
Is career transition really possible?
Career issues should always be handled with care, sensitivity, methodical strategy, planning and a tried-and-tested process. For most people facing career issues, the process begins with the approach of ‘finding another job’. They quickly realise that this is shortsighted and transition to designing a strategic plan for their future career progression, no matter what that may look like. An accounts payable supervisor may secretly desire to own their own restaurant or teach in a school. A finance executive may realise their career pathway has stagnated. Such people need help to move into suitable alternate career options without abandoning their original training and experience.
If you approach the process prepared to explore possibilities with determination and courage, and to make sacrifices where necessary, then indeed career transition is possible.
Are you in need of help?
If you are experiencing a career that has stagnated, or offers limited options, then don’t hesitate to seek assistance to ensure you have a solid strategy to manage your career. Why not give me a call for a confidential discussion – it may be the most important call you’ve ever made…and its free!