Career Success Tip: Put the First Law of Career Development to Work

On Monday we discussed the First Law of Career Development and promised to talk about how to put it to work for you today. As a quick reminder:

The First Law of Career Development

Your career will continue to develop at the same pace and in the same direction unless YOU do something to accelerate it or change direction.

So to put this law to work there are two areas you can focus on: Career Direction and Career Advancement Speed. We'll discuss what you can do with each.

Career Direction

Is your career heading in the right direction for you? Are you in the right career? Should you change jobs or fields? Are you prepared for the threats to your career as the world changes?

The best and fasted way to answering these questions is to work with a career coach. A career coach will help you zoom in on your career aspirations, talents, personal values and personal brand. Armed with all of this information you'll be able to tell if you're headed in the right direction.

Career Advancement Speed

To help your career advance at a greater speed, you must give it a push.

• Learn new technical skills
• Learn new people skills (leadership, management, etc)
• Get the experiences you need
• Understand yourself, needs, wants and desires
• Develop a Career Strategic Plan
• Discover and live your personal brand
• Brand your resume
• Work with a career coach
• Work with a mentor
• Get an accountability buddy

The very act of doing any of these tasks will start you along a different path or speed up the path you are on. As you continue to build new habits based on what you learn they will become your new norm. It's like driving down the road at 5 miles per hour and then accelerating onto the highway at 55 miles per hour to your new speed.

Of course knowing what to do is only the first step. You must take action on a regular basis. You are the force that will control your career. Yes, there are outside circumstance that will influence it, but you have the choice in how to respond. Also, it's important to be realistic about what you can do. Small, regular steps will take you further than one big one that you are unable to sustain. Take small steps and as they become a habit, add in a new one. A career coach can help you determine what is right for you and be your accountability buddy. You may be surprised at where you are in a few months time!