Ten tips to managing your career

At some point in our working life, we may feel that managing our own career path is out of our hands.

We can let ourselves believe that it’s the boss or organisational structures that get in the way of our progress. In the 21st century, however, the onus of securing your own progression has shifted immensely and this can be a good thing. You’re smart, you got the job, so it is reasonable to assume that you can be in charge of managing your career, isn’t it?

You are the catalyst for your career development and, when you do it wholeheartedly with the right frame of mind, you can manage your career progression throughout your working life.

Here’s how:

• Goals: Know your goal or vision. Take some time to reflect on your skills, responsibilities and development so far. What else do you want? Is it achievable? If so, how and what is your timescale?
• Commitment: Commit to your goals and review them every six months at least to ensure you are on track. Talk to your line manager. If you are on track, great. If not, ask yourself what you could do differently or what you want to be different. Then address it.
• Record: Keep a record of your skills, key achievements and positive feedback now and as they develop. You can use this for appraisals, conversations with senior colleagues and your own motivation. Share appropriate news with the right people.
• Observe: Observe what is going on in your organisation in relation to learning and development. Is there a structure, gap or timeline that allows you to see that you have a path, or can create one?
• Mentors: Talk to colleagues more senior than you. Ask them about their career progress, their history and what they like about their job. Build genuine professional relationships. Could one of them become your mentor?
• Knowledge: Show interest in the company and industry, combined with curiosity about where the business is going. Read between the lines if necessary. Ask for a coffee chat. Find something to go in with as a point of interest, perhaps a project they worked on or a contract they drew up. Talk.
• Behaviour: Be positive, proactive, assertive and friendly when talking to others around you, especially those who are in charge of career development. Be visible and let people know what you can contribute.
• Connect: Find genuine points of connection with one or two more senior executives or directors on a level beyond work. Do you share an interest in the same sport, theatre, golf or cookery? Shared interests can help build rapport.
• Network: Network internally and externally. It is useful to start networking in your career as early as possible. If suitable in your line of work, inform your boss that you’d like to take a potential client or business partner to lunch, and make sure you understand the purpose of such an engagement.
• Engage: Offer to organise and participate in events, seminars and workshops, even if it takes you beyond your day-to-day role. Suggest a joint marketing event with an external provider, supplier, client or trainer which brings the two closer together.