Planning Your Career Progression

Whether you’re currently in a job search, anticipating your next move, or want to be prepared should a unique opportunity arise, the following are a few tips that can be used to propel you forward. Coming to the realization that you want or need to make a career change can be both exciting and daunting. You may be driving this career change as part of your career road map, or you may be making a move that you had not anticipated due to market volatility or family circumstances. No matter what the catalyst for the change, it’s essential to have a strategy in place to navigate this change.

Step 1: Defining Your Career Vision

The first step is to build a vision for your desired career. Begin by getting it down on paper. If you write down your vision and look at it on a daily basis, it's more likely it will happen. Either consciously or subconsciously, you'll take steps to make it a reality. Start with the following seven questions:

1.   If anything were possible, what would I want to be different in my career?

2.   What type of job would I want?

3.   What responsibilities would I want?

4.   What kind of boss/co-workers/team would I want?

5.   In what city would I want to live?

6.   What salary would I want to earn?

7.   What would I want my level stress and workload to be?

Step 2: Finding a Mentor

Once you have a vision, a mentor can be a great resource to help you with its implementation. As an initial source of finding a mentor, you may want to seek out old colleagues or bosses that you admire and ask them to mentor you. Some people are intimidated by the prospect of seeking a mentor, but the benefits of mentorship outweigh any fear factors.

Mentors offer the following benefits:

•   Mentors help with setting career goals and the steps to realize them

•   Mentors use their contacts to make introductions and locate new job opportunities

•   Mentors raise awareness of professional resources and organizations

•   Mentors teach how to seek and keep jobs

•   Mentors share their experiences and give advice

Step 3: Networking

Networking is a great way to enhance your career. Networking is a bit more intricate than trading business cards at a happy hour event and it is something that you can do on a daily basis. For example, LinkedIn is an excellent tool for networking. Showing a sincere interest in someone’s post by taking the time to add value through your response positions you as a person of importance; this will increase your chances of the person showing interest in you. The key to networking is to be sincere in your approach. Networking will become natural with practice. 

Step 4: Take Action

The final step is to take action on the suggestions above. Here’s a quick review and a few additional tips:

Create your vision

•   Know what you want for yourself

•   Write it down

Find a mentor!

•  Know what you want from a mentor

•   Ask your associates for recommendations and introductions

•   Schedule follow-up conversations with potential mentors

Build your network!

•   Have lunch with a business leader at least once a quarter

•   Meet someone new for a coffee break at least once a month

•   Send hand-written thank you cards instead of emails

To close, please understand that the implementation of these suggestions will take time. Be patient and enjoy the journey. Best of luck.