Considering a career move? Now might be the perfect time to invest in your professional development with some specialised coaching.
I speak from personal experience when I say that when you make a career move, you need to have a strong plan. Every choice you make along the way can impact your career growth.
In the past five years of my career in Human Resources, I’ve made a few conscious career changes to make my skillset as well-rounded as possible. Now, with the first-hand experience from multiple industries and sectors, small local organisations and large multinationals, I am in a much stronger position than I was five years ago.
As the adage goes, fail to plan and you plan to fail. For anyone thinking of making a career move, for instance, it’s important to have a clear idea of what you want and a strategy for how you’re going to get there.
1. Is the role right for me?
Read the job description thoroughly, highlighting as you go. This will help you decide firstly whether you have the required skills, experience and competencies to help you succeed in the role.
Secondly, consider whether the role allows you to build on strengths and help you get the career progression you want. If the company has annual reviews, for example, find out if its business strategy prioritises your areas of expertise.
You don’t have to tick every single box in the job description. If it’s a job you really want, however, this is a prime opportunity for you to identify any gaps in your skillset.
2. Do I fit in with the organisational values and underlying cultural beliefs?
Do your research into the company to decide whether you align with their values and workplace culture.
The company website, LinkedIn profile and social media channels, for example, will provide insights into what they stand for and help you get to grips with the product or service and customer proposition.
For information on what it’s like to work there, check out staff reviews on Glassdoor and SEEK. Additionally, you can approach connections on LinkedIn who have worked at the organisation and find out if they are happy to share insights.
3. Will the team and organisational structure allow me to grow professionally?
Find out how many people are on the team and who you would be reporting to. Is the team large or small? Are the structures rigid or dynamic?
You may be able to get information about the organisational structure on their company profiles on SEEK or LinkedIn. Otherwise, you can ask your recruiter for insights or contact the company directly to ask for additional information.
Consider the experience you’ve had to date and what you want in your next career change. Your professional portfolio may increase in value if you diversify the kind of organisations you have worked for. Or, you might prefer to specialise in a certain organisational size, industry or sector.
4. What are the learning and engagement opportunities in this career move?
If you are looking for a new career move, perhaps it’s because you feel you have gained as much experience as possible at your current company.
Employers who invest in your professional development will keep you more engaged in the job. Find out what learning and development opportunities they offer and this will help you decide whether this next move will help you to progress.
The salary is, of course, a very important consideration to make so don’t shy away from asking about money. Find out if the salary is competitive, for example, using the filter functionality on SEEK or considering whether the role falls under an award or agreement which would give you an idea (generally available on Google). If the salary is a bit lower than you would have expected, balance this up in your decision making with the opportunities for progression.
5. Can I imagine myself working there and visualise succeeding in the role?
In Marie Kondo style, does the role spark joy? If it does, bring that enthusiasm and energy to the interview. We all know what time of day we are at our best. Try to arrange the interview time for a morning if you are a morning person or vice versa, for example.
When you go for an interview, remember that it’s not just you being assessed. You are also considering whether they are the right career move for you.
Bring plenty of questions to the interview to demonstrate your interest and grasp of the role, company and challenges. Be honest and open, asking questions about any aspects you are unsure about and being clear about your ‘deal-breakers’.
Your career plan is similar to a business plan. To get to where you want to go, you need to strategise your every move. At whatever stage you’re at in your career, consider getting a career coach to help you navigate career changes successfully.
You don’t have to do it alone. We can help you chase your career dreams with our specialised career coaching platform. Get in touch for more information.
by Ben Robinson | Senior Consultant and Coach | Balance at Work
