» CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Hello,

First, being a receptionist in hospitality, then a retail sales executive. Next, being a business development manager. If you are one those who change your job, have you ever asked yourself which is the right career you are heading?

When having meetings with our candidates, I always share with them how important of choosing the right career path is. Indeed, shifting from one job to another can greatly impact their career goal. Let me share a few things which you might find useful in case you would like to change your current job.

Assess Yourself
Plan your future by knowing what your desires are and what’s important to you. You also have to figure out your priorities, understand your current level and determine those skills that you may need to develop. Reflection is one good tool in self assessment and in understanding your experiences fully. You should plan which career path you would like to pursue after your last two jobs. For example, “I used to be an administrator and then sale manager, but I really want that I can be a sale director who can run a big team.”

A personal portfolio can also help you in tracking your skills and achievements. Keep your certificates, transcripts, reference letters, achievements and so on.

Explore Options
Once you are certain what your desired career looks like, what the required qualifications are, and whether there are opportunities for advancement, you should then identify the opportunities around you. You need to be familiar with your desired future level by knowing what competencies are required for that certain field and evaluate them against your skills and interest level. Know what is available in the market by searching job vacancies or be familiar with labor market statistics. Learn the available jobs in different areas and industry sectors.

Develop Skills and Experience
Based on the prerequisite of the next position that you are aiming to attain and your current abilities, you should decide how to develop yourself, how much training is needed and how to capture them. Training and experience may vary from on-the-job training to several years of education from an international institution. If you are looking to advance in or change your career path you may want to look for continuing educations needed for a certain position. For example, if you are an accounting graduate with experience and would like to reach a CFO post, an ACCA certificate will help you to progress or you want to be promoted to higher level, MBA and Leadership Management program will facilitate your career development

Market Yourself
At this point you must know who you should contact and identify every principal details. What’s left is broadcast your skills and expertise professionally. Contacting your favorite recruiting consultant is still the best way to connect with potential employers. Another way to lead you with prospective employers is to open an account in different networking sites such as Caravat.com, LinkedIn or even Facebook.

Whether you are one of those who prefer to maintain your current position or move, establishing your reputation to your current or future employer can head them to recognize and value your expertise and appreciate the things you bring to the organization.

Plan and Decide
Setting a clear and specific career goals and objectives can facilitate you to decide what you want and what’s available in line with what you want. If you believe that a certain job offered could take you where you want to be in the future, then take it. You may need to compromise a few things, but balance it with what you can learn and how it can take you to another level. Should you decide to change your job, leave your current company gracefully and have a smooth transition? NEVER burn bridges because sooner or later it might harm with your career with your future employers.

Have a single goal and adhere to it. You should keep your goal in mind to keep you motivated when things get difficult. Have confidence in yourself and the decisions you have made.

So whatever career path you like to choose; think, decide and take charge.

Cheers,
Maria