Being a person who actively manages their career is important for a range of reasons.
Here are 6 reasons to consider.
1. You see opportunities. One of the reasons people stay in jobs or in organisations is because they see opportunities to progress their career. A career activist notices what’s going on and sees opportunities that others miss.
2. You are in control. A person who doesn’t manage their career is more vulnerable to changes. They let things happen and then are surprised and ill-prepared. The career activist takes charge of their career by keeping records, knowing their strengths and weaknesses, seeking out learning opportunities, keeping key documents, like their resume, current. By doing so they can readily respond to opportunities and changes.
3. You respond to changes more effectively. By being in control, a career activist is more ready to respond to restructures, downsizing, mergers, closures. They use their networks to tap opportunities, find other opportunities. They don’t have to spend time in catch-up mode because they know what they have to offer and their key documents are current.
4. You avoid underselling yourself. The career activist can minimise underselling themselves because they are widely known, have a strong reputation, have sufficient self-knowledge to be able to put a strong case when opportunities arise.
5. You have greater clarity and focus. Because the career activist spends time setting career goals, they have greater clarity about where they are heading and how they will get there. This clarity gives greater focus. Decisions and choices are easier to make and a more informed.
6. You have greater job satisfaction. The career activist is likely to be more engaged with their work, and have a stronger sense of purpose. They then feel a greater sense of self-worth, which in turn is likely to increase your reputation and your ability to promote yourself.
So be a career activist. At a minimum:
Set career goals
Keep key documents current
Keep records of your key achievements
Actively network.