Remember when you could reasonably expect your job to be relatively permanent? You might even keep it until you retired at 65 with a gold watch! Your boss and the company pretty much managed your career. Lay-offs, downsizing, right sizing, reductions in force were terms we didn’t recognize.
Today all that has changed. The job of managing your career is pretty much up to you. How can you best manage it in today’s shifting environment?
Communication with your boss, your team, co-workers and others in your organization is key. Be sure you have a clear understanding of the results expected from your position or department. Use your annual performance review and other meetings with your boss to report on the outcomes you are producing and to agree on objectives for the future. This includes not only projects to be completed, but new skills to master, seminars to attend, etc.
Determine the form of communication that works best for you and your boss and set a schedule for staying in touch. Regular in-person meetings, weekly or monthly written reports, or a series of e-mails are possible options. Some clients have brief Monday morning meetings to get set for the week. The more clearly you can demonstrate to your boss that you are an important contributor to the bottom line results for which s/he is responsible, the stronger her/his commitment to protecting your position in case of lay-offs.
Be a team player. Prepare for and participate in the meetings you attend. Offer suggestions, ask thoughtful questions and make clarifying comments to move the process forward. Volunteer for special projects and organizational task forces, especially those with high visibility. They will showcase you as a significant contributor and also offer a number of internal networking opportunities.
Form and maintain alliances with people in other areas of the organization in order to have a broader view of trends and changes. Ask open-ended questions and listen carefully to the responses. In exchange, share appropriate information about your area.
In sum, it’s important for you to take charge and manage your own career. If you would like additional guidance, please contact us.
