Six Steps to Taking Control of Your Job and Career

Many of us get immersed in the day-to-day rush of our jobs and discover that we no longer have the time, energy or inspiration to plan our careers. It seems often times a job is taken based on a practical need to have an income stream or gain experience to enable us to rise in an organization. These are all valid reasons but there can be a downside. Namely the day-to-day pressure of the job can tend to put your career plans on hold and you find yourself spending less and less time thinking and planning a career path.

A career path is basically your agenda to position yourself at some future point in time in a job that you find enjoyable, rewarding (financially and emotionally) and challenging. Too lofty of a goal? Perhaps for some people but depending on what's important to you there are steps you can take to seize control of your destiny in the job market.

1. Start with a 'blank sheet' and list what your 'ideal' career/job would be. Maybe you have more then one in which case list them all. Over a period of time flesh this list out by adding to each job items like expected income, advancement potential, potential downsides e.g. excessive travel. Do some research online or at the library to increase your knowledge.

2. Now list your personal attributes and qualifications for each of these careers. This would include education, on and off the job experience, personal skills such as speaking ability, personality attributes that might qualify you.

3. If you have more then one job or career listed try to objectively match your personal experience and skills to the career you feel you want to pursue. Once done review the information objectively to see if there is more research or questions about the career you want to get answered.

4. Prepare your Career Objective Statement, which basically states the career/job you want to pursue, and your experience and other qualifications that you presently have. In the process of doing this highlight areas that you need extra training or experience in to make you fully qualified.

5. Develop a plan to obtain that education or experience. This may include additional education, attending seminars at your present job if offered, seeking out mentors who can advise or educate you. The plan should not only include goals but a timetable that is realistic since most likely you will be working on this while you are holding down your present job.

6. Once completed enlist the assistance of 3-4 people around you that would be willing to advise or mentor you on your progress. These would be people whose opinions and maturity you respect. Ask them to meet with you as a group and present your plan to them and ask them to critique it. You'll want to know whether they feel you are suited for this position, have you accurately assessed your qualifications and needs for additional training, experience or education. Once you incorporate their input be prepared to make a commitment that you will pursue the plan to the best of your capability and request that they meet with your periodically to assess your progress.

Now that you have a plan you are pursue you might want to get a head start by discussing your plan with a career coach or a person you consider to be a mentor. Either a career coach or mentor is not as close to the situation as you are and should be able to give you some objective ideas on how to proceed on taking control of your job and career. Now that you have a plan with measurable goals and a timetable you are ready to take control of your career. You now have two jobs, the one you work at every day and get paid for and the other one you also work at every day with the rewards being measured in successes in devloping your career path. Soon you should start to see opportunities develop in your paid job for enhancing your career since you will always be tuned in to looking for those opportunities and how they might fit into your career plan.