Get The Job You REALLY Want

From LinkedIn.com

Throughout my career I have made sure that I assess my own performance at regular intervals and I will also use the opportunity to ask myself whether I am reaching the personal targets I routinely set myself at the start of each year. Summer is often a good time for this, as I find it motivates me to push on and make the rest of the year a success.

This time of year is also an opportunity for many people to take stock of their career. Outside of family and friends, work is the most important thing in our lives so it is sensible to make theeffort and ensure you are in the right job, working for the right organisation and enjoying yourself. Work is an increasingly important part of modern life so you should focus as much time and attention on your career as you can.

When people think about reviewing their career they can sometimes feel overwhelmed. However I believe there are a number of straightforward steps that anybody can take to do this

1) Evaluate: Look at what you currently do and the value you add to your company. How much of an asset are you to your employer? If you are unemployed, look through your CV and do the same thing. What are your USP’s and what can you add to a company that you might join?

2) Be realistic: Confidence in your ability is great, but you have to be realistic. It is highly unlikely you will be able to move from one company to another and immediately treble your salary. If you are looking for progression, speak up and ask. Your employer will be impressed by the ambition you are showing.

3) Set goals: You should always have a career plan mapping out what you want to achieve. Set yourself goals for each year, for example taking on new responsibility or mastering a new skill. By setting regular, clear goals you will find it easier to accelerate your career.

4) Research: Good preparation will make all the difference. If you are already in a role, research your sector – look at everything such as the average salary levels to understand if you can progress. If you have landed an interview, then your research needs to be even better. For example if you are applying for a Financial role within a company, the very least you should do is familiarise yourself with their accounts. These days information is so readily available that there is really no excuse for not preparing properly.

5) Positivity and Confidence: Having the right frame of mind is important in any part of your life, but especially when it comes to your career. People who take the glass half full approach are more likely to get the job they want. In fact, I have come across many examples where people had a great CV but they lacked the mental attitude to progress. You may not have any direct experience in a particular sector, but have you looked at your transferable skills? Being successful in one area doesn’t mean you are restricted to working there forever; it is just a case of using these achievements to sell yourself elsewhere.

6) Get a mentor: Having somebody alongside you to provide a fresh, honest opinion can be a big help. Whether it's somebody in or out of the working environment, a mentor can make all the difference to your career prospects. The right person will be able to give impartial, objective advice and quite often point out things you may not have noticed.