I recently came across a peer discussing the importance of career management and I think it would be nice to share my own thoughts about the issue here.
For starters, I congratulate those who have taken control of their own career and are aware of where they are heading. I, for, one has taken such step. After working for a period of time, I realized, while I love some of the people I worked with, I am simply not a person that is suited to corporate culture. So I am sinking my heel deep to making my own consulting work.
It is not uncommon for people, nowadays, to feel threatened, bored and wary about their career. Companies when in panic mode will always start to think about downsizing and this is usually when things can get a little bit ugly.
With the uncertainties of the world economies, people are in a way on tenterhooks, not knowing when they will be on the ‘chopping board’.
Whether you are in such a position or you are contemplating to leave your job, I believe it is important to ask yourself a few questions
1) Why am I contemplating to leave my job? / Why was I asked to leave the job?
2) Are there things I can do to make the situation I am in better?
3) Is it the culture or I?
When you think you have answered the above questions and have decided that leaving your work is the best solution, you need to start thinking about
1) How do I go about this transition?
2) Can I talk to anyone about this? (If you are being asked to go, unless your organization provides you an outplacement program, you are basically on your own)
3) It is ok; I will start sending out my CV to recruiters. (This is the most common mistake people make – REACTIVE to the situation they are in and not thinking through)
For more support, you can always consult a career management consultant who will be able to guide you through the process.