Career Planning Tips

As a starting point ask yourself:

• What do I know about today’s employment trends?
• What are my personal and career priorities?
• How effective is my personal career network?

What do I know about today's employment trends ?

Unemployment figures are at record lows, the economy is strong and the stock market is roaring, and consumer confidence is high. Yet in spite of these positives, there is less employment stability and less predictable salary growth.

Many professionals are finding they need continuous training to keep abreast of the latest trends and technological advances, particularly in the Financial Services industry. Is this all bad news? No, but it’s a call to action.

You can no longer expect others to manage your career—you must actively manage it yourself.

What are my personal and career priorities ?

In actively managing your career, it’s important to evaluate your personal and career priorities, including work and family balance, financial compensation, job satisfaction, and advancement potential.

If you’re like most people, you will usually have to weigh several top priorities and decide what is most important to you. Because Financial Services positions may require you to consider relocating for a new job, it’s best to think about this decision now before you’re facing an actual interview or job offer in another city or state.

If you decide that relocation is not appropriate for you, then geography is your highest personal and career priority, ahead of even compensation, job satisfaction or the potential for career advancement.

How effective is my personal career network ?

Many new jobs are found through the hidden career network – the network of friends, family, and acquaintances we build as we move through life. To manage your career path effectively, you need to develop and use this personal career network.

Develop and use this network by documenting and maintaining your list of contacts. You can do this by asking for business cards, labeling them with the date and occasion where you met the person, and filing the cards in a Rolodex or business card file.

Cultivate your network, but don’t abuse it. Get in the habit of serving as a resource or mentor for others who may be seeking career help or by volunteering for a committee related to your profession. Become known in your field.

Start with your network first. When it’s your turn to seek new employment, tap the expertise of the people you know both personally and professionally. One way to do this is through ‘informal interviews,’ which give you a way to learn more about companies that may be of interest and that may have job openings.

Effective Personal Career Networks

Look at everyone as a career resource:

• Friends
• Co-workers—both past and present.
• Professional associates
• Suppliers or customers
• Consultants
• Recruiters
• Teachers and class mates
• Industry/Trade associations

Develop and use this network:

• Document and maintain your list of contacts
• Cultivate your network, don’t abuse it
• Choose and use recruiters

Choose and use recruiters. Executive search and recruiting firms can be a valuable resource to help you identify – and get hired for – the right job. (See "Working with a Recruiter" on this site)

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