Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Discover the ‘High 5’ of Strategic of Career Management Today!

Presented by Rob Straby, M.A.

www.straby.com

About Rob’s Background

Presentation Overview

• Key Career Question• 5 Principles

– Change is Constant– Encourage the Heart– Focus on the Journey– Learning is Ongoing– Build Relationships

• Questions & Summary

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Learning Goals

1. To clarify what career success means to you

2. To identify the benefits of career management for you

3. To determine what steps you can take to increase your own career management

A Key Question

• What does “career success” mean to you?

• Write your answer• Discuss your answer

with a learning partner

Introducing the “High 5”

1. Change is Constant

2. Encourage the Heart

3. Focus on the Journey

4. Learning is Ongoing

5. Build Relationships

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

#1 Change is Constant

Critical changes that affect you:1. Increasing pace of technological change2. Integration of the global economy3. Organizational flattening / downsizing4. Demographic changes – impact of

Boomers5. Changes in organizational roles:

increase use of contract / flex work force

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Tom Peters Says “Re-Imagine!”

Yesterday• Job for life• Competence• Reference group: The corporation• Work with the same

old folks• Career strategy = Do what you’re told

Today• Gig for now• Mastery• Reference group:

Peers in my craft• Work with a shifting

network of partners• Career Strategy = Do what you excel at

Change Impacts Career Paths

Traditional Career Path #1

• Leadership• “Up the ladder”• Success based on

upward progress, position in the hierarchy

• Organizational definition of career success

Traditional Career Path #2

• Expert• Focus on being highly

competent in a specific type of work, e.g. doctor, lawyer, engineer

• Many people consider this to be the only definition of success

Emergent Career Path #1

• Spiral• Success means a

progressive broadening of one’s knowledge and sill over time

• A pattern of movement that uses old skills and learns new ones

Emergent Career Path #2

• Transitory• Focus on movement• Diversity of experience• May or may not

transfer skills• Mistakenly thought of

as not having a career

Career Management Assessment

• What have you done so far to prepare yourself and your career to take you into the future?

• To find out, consider the following questions

Career Management Assessment

1. Have you assessed your skills, values and goals in the past 12 months?

2. Have you acquired new skills in the past 12 months?

3. Do you have an up-to-date resume that clearly demonstrates your achievements?

4. During an interview, I could describe at least ten skills that I possess.

5. Do you clearly understand the needs of your customers?

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Career Management Assessment

6. In the past year, have you identified and filled any client needs that were not being met?

7. Are you currently aware of two or more potential assignments and are you taking steps to become involved in them?

8. Can you cite at least two projects that you worked on in the last 12 months where you can demonstrate significant impact?

9. Do you regularly read professional or industry based material?

10.Have you gathered specific feedback about your performance from peers, clients and/or supervisors in the past year?

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Career Management Assessment

11.Are you an active member of a professional group or organization?

12.Have you presented a seminar or participated on a committee in the past year?

13.Do you regularly update yourself on trends and changes that will affect society in general and your organization in particular?

14.Can you list at least three things – activities, places, relationships, etc. that provide a sense of continuity and stability in your life?

15.Do you honestly believe in yourself, and in your ability to survive whatever changes may come your way?

Increase Your Career Adaptability

• The more “yes” responses, the greater your adaptability and flexibility

• You can develop both by making a personal commitment to active career management!

Become the CEO of Your Career!

• "Today's worker will contribute more to the employer and probably do better if he or she thinks of themselves as a one-person company."

• William Bridges, Author, JobShift

#2 Encourage The Heart

• Career success can be attained by being clear about what excites you!

• What do you really want?• Clarifying what you want

can include a review of your:– Vision– Mission– Values– Beliefs– Interests

#3 Learning Is Ongoing

• Identify your natural skills and talents

• Be clear as to what talents you can use

• Continuously develop these abilities through ongoing learning and development activities

• Market them as your unique niche

• Track them with a personal portfolio

Key Skills to Continuously Learn

• Flexibility & adaptability

• Continuous learning• Stress management• Communication!

(that’s right, the soft skills a.k.a people skills)

#4 Focus On The Journey

• Understand your current position relative to your vision

• Set long-term & short-term goals

• Identify steps you can take this week to move forward

• ACT!

#5 Build Relationships

• Exchange information• Get advice• Solicit support• Get a mentor• Make connections• Celebrate success!

Copyright Lifework By Design 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Reviewing the “High 5”

1. Change is Constant2. Encourage the Heart3. Focus on the Journey4. Learning is Ongoing5. Build Relationships

• By applying these 5 principles you can achieve effective career management and be successful on your own terms!