Dig What You Do

No need to panic, yet.  The news isn’t bad, but it suggests that the job market is cooling off.  Job growth last month was weaker than expected, the stock market is in turmoil, interest rates on corporate debt is climbing, the housing/mortgage bubble is deflating, oil prices are skittish…all suggesting that you get your head out of the sand and take a realistic look at your career and your current environment.  High unemployment rates, layoffs, and long job searches are still fresh in the minds of many, and learning from the last job market slowdown can help the health of your career today.  Whether or not an uptick in unemployement numbers is in our near future.

 What should you be doing, now?

1.  Everyone is vulnerable.  Define your value connection.

2.  Hard work and doing a great job are not enough.  Build positive visibility.

3.  It’s what you know AND who you know.  Work on relationships and networks.

4.  Getting caught off guard leads to reactive behavior.  Be ready for a move at anytime.

I’ll go into more detail on these in my next postings.  Meanwhile, think intelligent action.  Know yourself really well, constantly scan your environment, and take action everyday on those things you have control over in your career.  You can do it.

Posted by Chris Fogarty - FiredUP Careers

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I would just love it if people were really proactive in their careers.  Wouldn’t it be great if clients came to my door saying ‘I love my work, I’d like your help in keeping it that way.  I’d like to gain insight and skills into managing my career to meet my goals.”.  Looking over the last 7 years, I’d say that approx. 10% of my clients have entered my office with that type of work in mind.  the other 90% are there because their work just isn’t feeling good any longer.  Something just isn’t right in their world of work.  Often their goal is to find a new career or a new job.  WAIT!  Slow down, I say.

It is so human nature to flee from a bad situation rather to  than stop, look, think and plan intelligent action.  I have not kept track of the enourmous number of clients who have ultimately decided to stay in their career or job after taking the time to analyze themselves and their situation.   But it is the majority.  So if you’re unhappy at work, recognize the miriad of variables that play into career satisfaction.  Personality, values, environment, work relationships, pace, company culture and climate, industry climate, skills, interests, salary, benefits, management style….the list is long.  As we get out of alignment between who we are and the work/company we’re with…we feel disengaged, stressed, bored, or overwhelmed.  And it’s important to step back and see just where the alignment has gone out.  There may be some tuning that can be done to fix your situation ‘in place’.  And if a change truly is right for you, you’ll be better equiped to make a great decision towards the next step in your career.

Posted by Chris Fogarty - FiredUP Careers

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