One Opportunity May Be a Springboard to the Next

One Opportunity May Be a Springboard to the Next

I have been involved in facilitating a local job search support group in my community for some time. Up until March of 2020 that group met bi-weekly in person. Since the pandemic, it continues to meet bi-weekly, but virtually online. The change to online led to many things, including attracting attendees far from my local area, and putting more of the onus on me for the creation and presenting of the topics of interest to the group in their job search.

Fortunately, my career as a coach, provides me access to a great deal of excellent material from which to draw. One of my more recent presentations was on job search having both short-term and long-term goals within its processes. The professional who is not “planning ahead” in terms of their career is setting themselves up for a “virtual day of reckoning” at some point of their life.

For example, an individual may have a mindset that I’ll work at the company I am at now until I am ready to retire. All too often, individuals find they often don’t get to make that choice. Company mergers, business closures, changes of management, etc., lead to the choice being taken out of their hands. Even those who may leave employment “on their terms,” find out in a few months without their job that they are bored or looking to do “something else.”

Have you thought about your longer-term career goals? If so, have you thought about how you may go about obtaining them? Here are some tips which you may want to keep in mind.

One key item is “Always Be Learning.” That can take many forms. It may mean possibly taking certification courses and training. Another approach would be to be a regular reader of periodicals on an area of interest. Attending professional association meetings to meet others in a field of interest or to hear the talks of guest presenters. Volunteering to help an event or cause in which you have an interest is another way to help build your skills for going forward.

Another item to realize is that you are not the first or only person to have “taken the journey.” As such connecting with a mentor or a colleague who keeps you motivated and is one with whom you can discuss ideas will often be helpful. The mentoring approach not only works in the form of you being the mentee and the other person being the mentor. As you become more experienced in an area of interest, being the mentor to someone newer in the profession actually helps your development. Your mentee may present you understandings of new technologies and approaches. You may find yourself getting fulfilled by helping another to grow. The key is you are not isolating yourself to your own thoughts in terms of what may be best for you.

Be a seeker of challenges. What are problems that you see going on around you that you would love to help address? Be realistic that you may not have all the answers yourself but may be part of a team for the solutions to those challenges. What are items that you are currently doing or learning that can lead you to your next opportunity? Are there aspects that you can discuss with those for whom you work that can be built into your work to get you the experience and exposures you need to address future challenges?

So, in summary remember the following items. Career development is about setting goals and acquiring the skills to achieve those goals. Reflect on who you are and what you ultimately want from your life. Research job paths, leverage company resources, and consult with a mentor. Create a flexible plan and follow it. Outlining a long-term vision for yourself opens the door to self-actualization. Planning lets you be proactive about your skills development and your conversations with others. You are less likely to be surprised by shifting sands that will occur during your life, and you will have more time to course correct.