Are you actively managing your career? At Transition Solutions, we’ve been helping our clients navigate workforce changes for over 30 years. We work with individuals to help them find their next opportunity. Once they land in their new role, we also reinforce the importance of actively managing their career moving forward to ensure they are ready for their next career transition. Below are the six components we recommend to managing your career while you are employed. 1. Build your LinkedIn profile for the job you want, not the job you have. While many individuals have a basic LinkedIn profile, most do not take advantage of engaging with their network and keeping their content current while actively employed. Three key areas to keep your LinkedIn current are:
- Include your current experience and key accomplishments.
- Connect with people as you meet them. Going back and trying to connect with people years later can be more challenging.
- Engage on LinkedIn by liking and commenting on relevant content.
2. Get more involved with your industry. This speaks volumes about your dedication to your career. Ways to do this are to join relevant professional associations, earn certifications or write articles displaying your expertise.
3. You own your career, not your employer. It is your responsibility to take charge and look to the future. Your employer is subject to the whims of the market and is not focused on what is best for you, rather, what is best for the organization as a whole. Own your future! You will be disappointed if you don’t.
4. Tracking your accomplishments. Keeping track of your accomplishments, large or small, is a key component to your future success. With future job search in mind, try making a contribution to the success of the organization on a regular basis and write it down, add it to your current resume and your LinkedIn profile.
5. Networking. Have a networking plan with frequency goals. Networking can take many forms when you are employed but at a minimum your focus should include:
- Re-connecting with a contact on a regular basis.
- Help someone, maybe someone in job search, make that key connection.
- Attend a social or work gathering that will expand your circle of connections.
- Remember that most employers would prefer to hire someone they know or someone who is highly recommended by an existing employee.
6. Education. Adding new skills or qualifications that are relevant to your current employment or your planned, future path is never a wasted exercise. Determine any needed gaps in your current environment (opportunity for advancement) or skills or qualifications you are going to need for the future and take care of them now. Career transitions happen every day. Job loss can be planned or unexpected. Actively managing your career on an ongoing basis will help you navigate your next transition.
Career transitions happen every day. Job loss can be planned or unexpected. Actively managing your career on ongoing basis will help you navigate your next transition.
At Transition Solutions, we have been helping companies and individuals with workforce changes for thirty years. Our strong reputation for consistently delivering exceptional service at value sets us apart. If you would like more information on our services please check out our website at https://www.transitionsolutions.com/