Chap14 Career Advancement

CHAPTER 14 GETTING AHEAD IN YOUR CAREER CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LECTURE NOTES

THE BASICS OF CONDUCTING A JOB SEARCH Although job search knowledge is readily available, this concise information can be used as a refresher and a reminder to be systematic in finding a new position. A. Targeting Your Job Search It pays to begin the job search with a flexible attitude toward the type of job sought. Knowing what type of organization is suited to one’s needs and preference is another part of the job search. You are much more likely to be successful in your new job and your career when you find a good personorganization fit, the compatibility of the individual and the organization .

Questioning people who work for different employers can provide useful information about types of organizations. Conducting an Internet search about the employer has become standard practice. Yet not every job candidate can afford to be so selective about a prospective employer. B. Job-Finding through Networking and the Internet Two cornerstone principles of conducting a job campaign are to use several different methods and to keep trying. Most job-finding techniques are inefficient because so many attempts must be made, yet effective because they ultimately work. Surprising recent information is that classified ads are still a major source of job candidates and employees. 1. Networking (Contacts and Referrals) The most effective job-finding method is through personal contacts or networking. Networking helps the job seeker capitalize upon the insider system. Carrying business cards facilitates networking. Job seekers should keep their requests for assistance brief and pointed.

2. The Internet and Resume Database Services The Internet is now a standard part of job hunting, with dozens of jobhunting sites available. Job boards related to specific industries have grown in popularity. Company Websites are strongly recommended for job hunting. Job seekers should remember that the Internet is but one method of conducting a job search. A major challenge of job hunting through the Internet is to fmd a way to speak to a company representative about your application. Speaking to a telephone operator will sometimes provide a lead to a contact person. 3. The T-Form Cover Letter The T-form (or column) approach gives the reader a tabular outline of how the applicant’s background fits the position description. The T-form cover letter is also recommended because it has an attention-getting format. See Figure 141 for an example of a T-Form Cover Letter. 4. Preparing an Effective Job Resume The major purpose of a resume is to help you obtain a job interview, not a job. A challenge in preparing an effective resume is to suit many different preferences, such as length and amount of detail about job expenence. Information about resume construction is readily available, and various formats are acceptable. Whichever resume format you choose, it should include a section about your job-related skills and accomplishments. Microsoft Word contains resume formats worthy of consideration. 5. The Successful Job futerview Being interviewed by one person at a time is still standard practice, however, group interviews are commonplace to supplement individual interviews as well. More emphasis is placed today on the behavioral interview in which a candidate is asked how he or she handled a particular problem in the past. Becoming a skilled interviewee requires practice. A good start is to practice answering the questions posed in Figure 14-2. An effective technique is to videotape the responses and observe the playback. A general guide for performing well in the job interview is to present a positive but accurate picture of yourself. One should also look for opportunities to make skill-benefit statements, which are brief explanations of how an individual’s skills can benefit the company.

EFFECTIVE CAREER ADVANCEMENT STRATEGIES AND TACTICS A. Taking Control of Yourself The tactics and strategies in this section center on the idea of individuals taking control of themselves in order to advance in their career. Some companies have career development programs, but the individual is still responsible for achieving his or her own goals. 1. Develop Expertise, Passion, and Pride A starting point in getting ahead is to develop a useful job skill. Although expertise is highly recommended, the workplace also demands that a person perform a variety of tasks as is required in working on a team. Passion goes hand in hand with expertise, and contributes to problem solving. Developing expertise and being passionate about your work leads naturally to being proud of what you produce. 2. Develop a Code of Professional Ethics An ethical code determines what behavior is right or wrong, good or bad, based on values. 3. Perform Well Including Going Beyond Your Job Description Good job performance is the bedrock for any career, a principle supported by common sense and research. Also, take on tasks not expected of you. Performing well on all your assignments is also important because it contributes to the success syndrome, a pattern in which the worker performs one assignment well and then has the confidence to take on an even more difficult assignment. 4. Develop a Proactive Personality An active agent in taking control of forces around him or her stands a better chance of capitalizing on opportunities. A proactive personality is a person relatively unconstrained by forces in the situation and who brings about environmental change. Managers prefer proactive employees because they take the initiative to take care of problems. A study with 500

participants showed that the proactive personality is related to salary, promotions, and career satisfaction. 5. Create Good First Impressions and a Favorable Appearance Favorable first impressions lead to continued contacts with internal and external customers, and can create a halo about the quality of future work. Looking successful and projecting a sense of control also contribute to a positive first impression. 6. Document Your Accomplishments Keeping an accurate record of job accomplishments can be valuable when being considered for promotion. New learning should also be documented. Let key people know, in a tasteful way, of your accomplishments. Many professional level workers maintain a portfolio of their accomplishments. 7. Keep Growing through Continuous Learning and Self-Development Given that continuous learning is part of the new model of career advancement, therefore engaging in regular learning will help a person advance. Selfdevelopment can include any type of learning including formal schooling, attending training programs and seminars, and selfstudy. 8. Observe Proper Etiquette Proper etiquette is important for career advancement because such behavior is considered part of acting professionally. Business etiquette is a special code of behavior required in work settings. 9. Develop the Brand Called You Tom Peters urges career-minded people to develop their credentials and their reputation to the extent that they stand out so much they become a brand name. In this way you are not tied to one company or one job. You begin developing brand-you by identifying the qualities or characteristics that distinguish you from coworkers.

B. Exerting Control over the Outside World The approaches in this section require the person to exert some control over the outside environment. If the environment is not totally controlled, at least it is juggled to one’s advantage. 1. Develop a Flexible Career Path If your goals are laid out systematically to lead to your ultimate career goal, you have established a career path-a sequence of positions necessary to achieve a goal. Here we look at two types of career paths.

(

a. The Traditional Career Path. A traditional career path is based on the assumption that a person will occupy a series of positions, each at a higher level of responsibility than the previous one. Personal goals should be incorporated into a career path to strive for a meshing of work and personal life. Contingency plans should be established because career planning contains uncertainty. b. The Horizontal Career Path. The norm today in organizations is not to have fixed career paths, and for individuals only to be able to make predictions about the type of work they would like to be doing rather than target specific positions. A horizontal career path is slightly easier to predict than a vertical one. A significant feature of the horizontal career path is that people are more likely to advance by moving sideways than moving up. A horizontal career path, as well as a traditional (vertical) one, does not necessarily mean the person stays with the same firm. 2. Achieve Broad Experience Many people who land high-ranking positions have broad experience obtained at one or more employers. Workers who follow the new model of career advancement are automatically achieving broad experience. A major benefit of broad experience is that you achieve more career portability, therefore being able to move to another employer should the need exist. 3. Find a Mentor Most successful people have had one or more mentors during their career. A mentor is a more experienced person who guides, teaches, and coaches another individual. Mentors are usually superiors, but can also be peers and even lowerranking individuals. The mentor serves as a positive model and a trusted friend. 4. Balance Your Life Having balance gives you additional energy and vitality which will help you in your career. Without balance, a career person runs the risk of burnout and feeling that work is not worthwhile.

DEVELOPING YOUR NETWORKING SKILLS Developing a network of contacts is the most favored approach to career advancement. People in your network can help you get promoted, solve problems, and can serve as customers and suppliers. A recommended approach to networking is to keep a list of at least 25 people whom you contact at least once a month, even bye-mail. A substantial amount of social networking also takes place on the Internet. Cyber networking includes newsgroups, mailing lists, chat rooms, and email. Check the corporate Website for possible contact people. Figure 14-6 presents suggestions for networking.