Career Planning Tips

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As a starting point ask yourself:

  • What do I know about today’s employment trends?

  • What are my personal and career priorities?

  • How effective is my personal career network?

What do I know about today's employment trends ?

Unemployment figures are at record lows, the economy is strong and the stock market is roaring, and consumer confidence is high. Yet in spite of these positives, there is less employment stability and less predictable salary growth.

Many professionals are finding they need continuous training to keep abreast of the latest trends and technological advances, particularly in the Financial Services industry. Is this all bad news? No, but it’s a call to action.

You can no longer expect others to manage your career—you must actively manage it yourself.

What are my personal and career priorities ?

In actively managing your career, it’s important to evaluate your personal and career priorities, including work and family balance, financial compensation, job satisfaction, and advancement potential.

If you’re like most people, you will usually have to weigh several top priorities and decide what is most important to you. Because Financial Services positions may require you to consider relocating for a new job, it’s best to think about this decision now before you’re facing an actual interview or job offer in another city or state.

If you decide that relocation is not appropriate for you, then geography is your highest personal and career priority, ahead of even compensation, job satisfaction or the potential for career advancement.

How effective is my personal career network ?

Many new jobs are found through the hidden career network – the network of friends, family, and acquaintances we build as we move through life. To manage your career path effectively, you need to develop and use this personal career network.

Develop and use this network by documenting and maintaining your list of contacts. You can do this by asking for business cards, labeling them with the date and occasion where you met the person, and filing the cards in a Rolodex or business card file.

Cultivate your network, but don’t abuse it. Get in the habit of serving as a resource or mentor for others who may be seeking career help or by volunteering for a committee related to your profession. Become known in your field.

Start with your network first. When it’s your turn to seek new employment, tap the expertise of the people you know both personally and professionally. One way to do this is through ‘informal interviews,’ which give you a way to learn more about companies that may be of interest and that may have job openings.

Effective Personal Career Networks

Look at everyone as a career resource:

  • Friends

  • Co-workers—both past and present.

  • Professional associates

  • Suppliers or customers

  • Consultants

  • Recruiters

  • Teachers and class mates

  • Industry/Trade associations

Develop and use this network:

  • Document and maintain your list of contacts

  • Cultivate your network, don’t abuse it

  • Choose and use recruiters

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Working With a Recruiter

The recruiter's job:

  • To fill a client's open position

Use your recruiter as:

  • A member of your personal job-search network

Choose a recruiter who:

  • Works with specialists

  • Deals with the level and type of position you want

  • Has a stellar reputation

  • Passes a reference check

Maintain a relationship with your recruiter by:

  • Giving information updates

  • Having periodic contact

  • Expecting a give-and-take relationship

Avoid recruiters who:

  • Show unethical behavior

  • Charge a fee to candidates for their service

  • Release your resume without permission

  • Have a personal chemistry that doesn't click with yours

How To Reach The Top Of Your Career

If you want to reach the top of your career, there are a number of qualities you will want to develop early on. Mastering these qualities will make the difference between becoming an executive or staying an employee.

Even if you are currently at the bottom of the corporate latter, it is important to understand how your company operates. Even if you work in a specific department, why not talk with people who work in other departments?

Talking to people in other departments about the work they do will allow you to learn more about your company. It is also important to understand your customers. What are their needs? What do they look for in a successful company? Having this knowledge will allow you to assist your company in building a larger customer base. In addition to the customers, it is also essential to understand the products or services which are sold by your company. Having a general knowledge of this is not enough. If you want to succeed in your career, you will need to have an encyclopedic knowledge of all products and services.

It is also crucial that you love what you do. If you are not happy with the company you're working for, look for another job. You will not reach the top of your career if you are doing something you don't like. The business goals of your company should also be your own personal goals. You will also want to gain the reputation of being a leader among your colleagues and managers. If the upper management feels that you have leadership abilities, you are likely to be promoted. Another area you will want to understand is human resources. If you have customers who rely on you, the last thing you want to do is let them down. If you do, they'll take their business elsewhere.

If you have your own department, you will want to run it like a business. Hold weekly meeting with the workers so that you can discuss issues or concerns. Being able to effectively communicate with others will make the difference between success and failure. The goals of your department should be connected to the overall goals of the company. You should have tasks for your employees to reach each day, and you should have a way for them to chart their progress. It is also important for you to do your research on the industry that your company works in.

Having this data can allow you to make decisions which will allow your company to thrive. When you speak with executives, presenting plans which are backed up with facts and data can support your argument, and can make you highly valuable. In addition to this, it is also important to stay on the cutting edge of technology. Being able to effectively use technology to enhance the customer service and profits of your company will allow it to thrive in even the most competitive environments. Using an intranet can allow your staff members to have more time to develop business tactics.

You will also want to find people in the company who can expand your own knowledge and give you good advice. If you work with the best people, you will get the best results. When human resources meetings are held, try to attend them if possible. You should also learn about things which are beyond the scope of your own department. It is also essential to surround yourself with people who challenge you. While this may be difficult, doing it will allow you to grow as a person.


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