Archive for the tag 'Career Management'

10 Common Career Management Misconceptions

By Tony Jacowski

Most people do not believe in career management, they only believe in career damage control – which means when something goes wrong they will fix it. Until then, most people don’t bother to manage their careers to prevent disasters from occurring in the first place.

Listed below are ten misconceptions with regard to career management:

1. Only the most qualified people get the job – This is simply not true. It does not matter how qualified you are for the job. What matters is the way you have presented yourself during the interview process. Qualifications are not the only criteria for getting good jobs, other things like dedication, confidence and attitude also matter.

2. No need to work at a career just because you have a job – This could be the biggest mistake you make – and quite possibly the most popular misconception. This way of thinking has potential for disaster. You never know when you may be downsized or laid off from your current job, and if you do not have a career plan then you are in serious trouble. Make sure that you spend some time on managing your career even if you have a job. Do small things like update your resume and network with your peers.

3. Professional education stopped after graduation – This cannot be further from the truth. You need to continuously work at your professional education to maintain a competitive edge. Read trade magazines, write articles for relevant magazines, attend seminars, and pursue certificate and training courses.

4. The most generous salary is always offered – This is not true. In fact most employers offer a low salary just to see your negotiation skills. This is an old trick of the trade, where the employers check to see whether the candidate has done sufficient research from every angle.

5. I have job Security if I perform well – This is not true, especially in an economy where downsizing, mergers and outsourcing seem to be the order of the day. No one has a secure job, no matter how well you do your job. You have to take a hands-on approach by managing your career properly to ensure security.

6. Only a resume is required – All job seekers need to have certain tools for job hunting and the resume is only one of these tools. Other tools include cover letters, references and so on.

7. Recruiters are sufficient for job searching – No, they are not. Yes, recruiters will help you and guide you in the best way possible, but you cannot leave it completely up to them to get you the best job. You have to be proactive and take charge in your job-hunting process.

8. Employers are responsible for defining career paths – No, employers aren’t responsible for anything except getting the job done. You are the only person who is responsible for getting your career on the right path and for defining the way you want your career to head.

9. No need to network – Networking is essential to every business and for every person. You as a career oriented person need to constantly network. It is one of the most important aspects of career management.

10. Jobs are easily identifiable – Most people think that jobs are posted on the Internet or advertised in newspapers. This also is not true. Only a small percentage of jobs are advertised in this manner. Most people identify jobs by networking.

Global Career Management – Reasons To Enlist Its Aid

By Abhishek Agarwal

Things have changed a lot. Decades ago, you can easily get a job even if you are a teenager. You only have to apply for a job and easy as 1, 2, 3, you get the job. And, if never you don’t get the job, you won’t even have to worry, because your parents will surely be there to cushion you for a while. Those were the days when you need not worry about paying the bills or if you are making enough money, but those days are now over. Once you reach your mid to late twenties there no more buffers and cushions. Its time to get a real job, even a career, if you can. It’s not as easy as 1-2-3 however, and you can’t just enter a store, get an application and you have a job.

Do you want a career? Finding something you want to stay and take on for years is even more difficult. Looking for a job you really want can mean a lot of effort and hardships for you. Many people embark on this kind of job search by themselves, which is quite difficult. The best way is to look and hire a career management company that help people land their dream jobs, with all the benefits and advantages befitting their position. An example is the Global Career Management. This company specializes in placing the people that enlist their services in careers that suits the applicant and the career that they want. A career after all is a life changing decision, as this could be your job for the rest of your working life. Being stuck in a jobs you hate certainly is not the picture you want, especially if you can have one career that pays well and makes you happy. If you want one, then Global Career management is for you, and with them you’ll definitely be in good hands.

But why should you enlist for the help of agencies like Global Career Management? Many of your friends probably found a job on their own and by their own determination. But the question is, how happy are they with their jobs? If asked, you’ll be sure to get some complains. Global Career management knows that a career, no matter how perfect it is for you, is work a job. Working can be stressful and it consumes a lot of your time, so it’s important that you like and enjoy doing your job.

How to Succeed Within the Interview….and Your Career

By: Pamela Watson

We all know that a well designed job search requires much more than help with your resume and job interview tips. Usually it’s good to get advice from the experts and career counselors or coaches. But, it is far more important to know yourself and to know where you want to end up. Do you have a picture in your mind of where you’ll be in 5 years..10 years? Can you describe it? Have you written it down ? With this picture or goal in mind, can you now plan for tomorrow’s career strategy? What can you do, tomorrow, that will lead to the better job or the promotion?

Every step you take towards securing a new position, obtaining a highly desired promotion, reaching short-term career plans should be based upon a big picture – - your career vision. It is what provides the pathway for your personal success. It is what keeps you on track during disappointments and in the midst of organizational or personal changes.

As the central character in this strategy, you’re the one who has to articulate your dreams, capture your success stories, devise the steps needed to secure an interview, target desired companies, research each company to ensure they fit your interests and goals, and get the interview. We have to know what it is that we’re seeking to be effective.

Recently, I received an email from a business associate who wanted to proudly share a recent promotion within a major corporation. Since I’ve known this professional for over ten years and have heard him speak of his career goals, I recognized how valuable his stepping stones mean to him. His careful preparation, and planned risk-taking, was leading him to career success that had personal value to him and his family. When necessary he had made adjustments and changed jobs, but he kept focused on achieving the big picture.

The steps to creating your vision are similar to the process of drafting a company mission statement or long term plans. If you’ve ever participated in this process, you will understand the concepts. However, due to the size and functioning of corporations, it can take months – - sometimes years – - to complete a mission statement.

That’s not the case when you create your own personal one; the process is considerably shorter and there’s no need to get an entire management team together to complete it. What’s most important is that yours be based on your “reality” and your “dream.” Between those two areas is a gap of compromise that allows you to create a successful vision of your career. Whether you’re searching for a new job, a promotion, or career satisfaction, it’s important to have a vivid picture in your mind of where you’re heading.

It’s important that your career vision be drawn directly from your personal values, family background, financial desires, geographical limitations, physical limitations, etc. At least 25% of it should deal with your Reality.

The remaining 75% is based upon your dreams – - the bigger the better. Your life long dreams provide the basis of your desires. To connect the conflicting nature of your reality and your desires, it’s important to look for ideal compromises. If you’re able to respect your reality and still pursue your desire, then you’re on the right track. Your career vision should reflect your passionate and strong interests. Most importantly, it should be one that you can vividly capture on paper, verbalize, and be able to see or envision. It does not have to be materialistic – - it should, however, authentically detail your personal long term career goal.

Interviews are designed to compile results of your career-related actions, as well as to determine how well you will fit within the company. These are key measures and important to remember prior to starting your next interview. If you’ve done your homework (self evaluation and company research), then there are no difficult interview questions to answer. There’s only a discussion to take place regarding how well suited you are for the position.

Your vision should serve as the back drop for your career decisions and directly impact the short-terms step of interviewing. Yours should provide the motivation and drive needed for you to succeed within the interview. Each interview provides much needed feedback regarding the extent to which you are dedicated to achieving your dreams. Are you ready to succeed within your career?