Networking
The importance of networking both within your own organization and
outside cannot be underestimated. Internally it is important that
you are respected and seen as being helpful in your peer group and
it also helps if you are liked. Try to be the sort of people that
other people like to bounce ideas off or ask advice from - be prepared
to put yourself out for others. Outside the office you should be developing
contacts with other like minded people so that you can provide mutual
help to one another. If you want to get on in your career then getting
to know the right people can help you get ahead.
Mentoring
The value of having a mentor at work provides an ideal environment
for positive career development. Ideally at a more senior level,
your mentor should be someone you respect, who doesn't have any
direct line responsibility for you and who represents good working
practices. It is with your mentor that you can discuss difficulties
about your job, the people you work with etc. without any fear of
repercussion. Your mentor will also be able to give you an objective
view of situations and provide helpful advice. While you may be
looking for a mentor it is also worth remembering that you could
perhaps fulfill that role for someone else.
Career Coaches
Career coaches are an alternative to your mentor, manager and human
resource staff. In the 21st century, individuals who wish to get
ahead in their career or make transitions in some aspect of their
career, by engaging a career coach will have an invaluable strategic
alliance partner. Career coaches are effectively personal career
consultants to individuals. They help their clients to look critically
and objectively at their career and give unbiased guidance and feedback
to enable reflective thinking and analysis for career success. They
also assist with facilitating career risk analysis and career 'politics'.
Taking Risks
Taking risks is never easy but at some point in your career
you will have to do so. It may be taking on a new job in a different
area, it may be putting yourself forward for a more senior position
or it may even be giving up your job and studying for qualifications
that you believe will open new doors. Whatever it is, weigh up seriously
all the pros and cons before you make your decision so that when
you do take risks they are calculated ones and you are aware of
the consequences. But at the end of the day, particularly where
work is concerned, there is often an element of 'nothing ventured
- nothing gained'.
Office Politics
There are office politics in all organizations, but it is probably
true the larger the company the more chances there is that office
politics assume a greater importance. There are two factors here
that are really important. First you need to have someone at the
head of the company that does not take part in office politics and
basically who disregards them. Secondly, you need to develop a fairly
thick skin so that you won't take every rumor and bit of gossip
personally. Try and avoid office politics, it is a dangerous game
which takes people's focus from the job they are doing and often
creates a whole host of problems for them.
Work Smarter
Don't fall into the trap of trying to be the person who
works the longest hours. Concentrate on delivering results and making
sure those results are the best you can achieve. Be confident in
your own success and other people will have confidence in you.
Being a winner
So what does being a winner take? Certainly commitment,
enthusiasm and determination to make things happen; it also requires
ambition motivation and a real drive for responsibility. It takes
all of that, plus the right attitude and being in the right place
at the right time with the right skills, abilities and a desire
to succeed and thrive. Even if you are not looking to move now,
you need to be monitoring what is happening in the employment market
place. You need to be managing your own career getting yourself
ready for the next move rather than waiting to see what might or
might not happen. Career management must become part of your lifestyle.
Just as you engage in health management by exercising regularly
and eating a healthy diet and wealth management by thriftily saving,
diversifying your investment and prudently investing; you need to
ensure career wellness through effective career strategy and ensuring
diligent implementation of your strategy for career success.
Back »
The article is extracted from a publication by Kelly
Services' called "Best Foot Forward". It is a 52 page
guide for job seekers on job search tips. To obtain your very own
copy of "Best Foot Forward", please send an email to marcom@kellyservices.com.sg.
Kelly Services is a Fortune 500 company offering
human resources solutions that include temporary services, staff
leasing, outsourcing, vendor on-site and full time placement. With
more than 2500 company owned and operated offices in 26 countries,
Kelly provides nearly 800,000 employees annually.
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