How To Manage Your Career Life

Looking after your career needs can be a most arduous task! However, choosing and keeping a career that you love is really a gift from Heaven, something that you should cherish and take care of.

Muovo has found the following rules of most benefit, and we hope that they will guide you in managing your career life well and effectively:

1. Manage Your Manager!
Start by finding the very best leader you can, and tie your string to that kite. If you find you are working for an incompetent boss, then you should really try to find another one. Work your way around the organization and see who is sharp and innovative… aim to get into that group. If there are no smart managers to work for in the organization, then find another place to work. You need to be challenged and you need to be happy. You won’t be happy if you’re not challenged.

2. Never Stop Learning.
Learning should be lifelong, meaning throughout your entire life. Yes, it never does stop, really! Keeping yourself up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies will aid in making you an invaluable employee. Track down every training opportunity that is available to you - technical training, computer training, management training, communications training, conflict resolution training – go for it!

3. Get a Graduate Degree.
If you do not have a degree, then you should really start thinking of getting one. You could aim for a diploma or other qualification that will at least show the employer that you are committed enough to engage in some kind of commitment. In addition, you will have much more flexibility in a layoff situation if you are more highly educated than the next person.

4. Get Licensed.
If your profession has a licensure requirement or option associated with it - get the license, even if it is not necessary for the organization you currently work for. You will have more options if you get the license. You can always set up a home office in the backyard and go after business.

5. Maintain a Contact List.
Keep in touch with other professionals in your field who work for other companies. They will be your life-line if you need to move quickly to another job. They will also be a good resource when you are stumped by a problem.

6. Join Professional Organizations.
We cannot stress enough on the importance of networking (with the right people). This is the absolute best way to keep up with what is happening in your field. You will receive journals and email newsletters that will keep you informed about all things professional- technological breakthroughs, emerging fields, political issues, licensing changes, and job listings. You will also know when there are conferences and events that will put you in contact with other people in your field, which is all too essential to your success.

7. Take on Responsibility.
Smart companies in crisis look to keep the high performers. No one ever made a good impression by shirking responsibility. Stop hiding and volunteer for that big project. It will get you noticed!

8. Anticipate Change and Be Prepared.
Most people can expect to change jobs about every three to five years and will most likely make a major career change three times in a life time. Even the most charmed life has disruptions. You will discover that between technological, political, economic and social change – stuff happens.

9. Be Aware of Changes Around You.
Many people just skim through the news on a daily basis just to get the bare necessities (perhaps in order to give them something to talk about during lunch break!). Read technical journals, business publications and a weekly news publication in addition to your usual news feed. Stay informed. Big disruptive events rarely happen without warning.

10. Maintain a Solid Financial Cushion.
When the economy is good it seems like it will last forever- it never does. Have a back up plan- a solid savings and investment plan goes a long way to helping you weather any storm that occurs. Have enough resources to last up to two years. It is as simple as spending less than you earn and paying off your debt immediately. Do both. You will sleep better at night if you know that you are covered even if you never use it. Lets face it - if you have ever been a starving student you have learned to live on less.

Managing your career is task that could be readily accomplished with just a little commitment from your end. Just like watering plants, you need to be consistent in what you do. But finally, you will be oh so glad that you did it.

Courtesy of The Serious Job Seeker Blog

Nikita Pisani at Muovo

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