Are you at a Career Crossroads?
What went through your mind when first choosing a career? And, where are you now in relation to those initial thoughts and choices? Did it all change? These questions are designed to give you some comfort in knowing that things do change and uncertainty is a part of life just like earlier on! When you accept this, it makes career decisions easier. Also, I am sure over time you have either increased your skillset, taken note of insights in your performance reviews or prepared yourself in some way for the future, all of which assist with career planning.
Today of course we have a new environment, remote working, global uncertainty, economic impacts and let’s not forget A1! As a leader in the new age, deciding on a career needs to be built around your existing experiences, then enhancing your leadership skills by noticing emerging economies, new business trends and balancing it all with the “right skillset for success.”
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt
Jobs for the future
In ABC news “Choosing a career? These jobs won’t go out of style,” a sensationalist article claims that 40 per cent of jobs in Australia won’t exist in the future which is unhelpful for young Australians thinking about entering the workforce. The reality is though that some jobs will no longer exist, however new jobs will be created and most jobs will undergo some form of transformation! The skills we need for work are changing, but young Australians can plan for these changes. Fears of automation and A1 wiping out future work are well founded — new technology is changing the way we work. But as the current workforce grows up alongside an ageing population, future generations will have many job opportunities if they acquire the right skills!
Stay Relevant in your Career
A Forbes article shows “How to future-proof your career path in 2020 (and beyond)” There’s plenty of uncertainty these days about how to figure out what skills will be in demand in the future. Here’s how to stay relevant, no matter what your job is! I still remember my first meeting with the VP of my department more than 40 years ago. I was a junior developer at IBM and when he asked what my professional goals were, I told him I wanted to be a CEO. He helped me map out a plan to get there. For the next 30 years, I followed that plan.
The uncomfortable truth is we don’t know what the job market of the future will look like—only that it will look very different than it does today and it will change a lot more quickly than it used to. What hasn’t changed, however, is the advantage of having a career plan—a long-term vision with clear signposts along the way. Critically, a career plan isn’t something set in stone. Think of it instead as a living document evolving in response to economic factors, emerging opportunities, and even personal interests and family realities.
Choosing Your Career Path
An October 2020 Indeed article shows how to “Choose a Career Path in 9 Steps.” While it will likely change over time, focusing on a certain career path can help inform your decisions about your professional growth as you gain skills and experience. A career path is made up of the positions you hold as you grow in your field. Your first job or college degree, for example, can mark the beginning of your career path. As you gain additional knowledge and skills, you may progress or “move vertically” into more advanced roles. Some employees also “move laterally” into equal but different job roles as they specialize or move into different career paths. Your career path should account for your goals, future plans and personality and considering these factors can help you:
- Outline your career goals
- Create a five-year plan and a ten-year plan
- Discover your personality type
- Review your previous experience
- Compare job requirements to your education
- Assess your current skill set
- Take note of your interests
- Identify your core values
- Consider job growth
- Use Experience to Learn, adjust and Grow into your
“Bad Bosses” make you want to “Jump Ship?”
My blog “Courage under a Bad Boss” shows that not every boss is a good boss. Bad bosses make us miserable; dealing with their negative behaviours day in and day out is exhausting. It’s all too common, and its bosses, not companies that people are often actually leaving. If you’re dealing with a bad boss, you can make it a good thing for your career. Here’s how:
- Learning Not To Jump Ship Straight Away
- Learning How To Deal With Others’ Emotions, And Controlling Your Own Reactions, Learning How To Be A Better Boss
- Find The Positives In Any Situation
Build in Leadership Essentials in your Career Plan
LeadershipHQ are excited to be working with Veriskills where our Leadership Essentials Program where you are awarded for Collaboration outcomes. The Leadership Essentials Program is either a self-paced (not Veriskills) or a group and one on one leadership program which takes 6-9 months and gives participants the human capabilities, tools, skills and resources to be the best person and leader they can be. The Human Capability outcomes you will be awarded on completion of our Leadership Essentials program are as follows:
- Initiative and Drive (Level 3)
- Communication (Level 3)
- Collaboration (Level 3)
- Empathy (Level 3)
Click here to learn more about Veriskills™, and the Human Capability Framework.
This program and coaching will take your leadership skills to the next level!
Leadership isn’t easy and sometimes we need help. I am always here.
Get in touch today to learn more about building a leadership strategy for your career and set yourself up for success!
Stay Kind. Stay Courageous.
Sonia x