5 steps to career management for executives

𝟭. 𝗔𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱.

Having ownership of your career means being well-positioned to pivot quickly. It means anticipating the need before it becomes a need. Your resume is ready. You’re focused on your end goal and you’re ready to take action with a well-thought-out strategic career plan that will get you from where you are to where you want to be.

𝟮. 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀.

If you were to meet with a decision-maker inside the company where you most want to work, can you easily and clearly pinpoint your key messages?

Do you:

• Establish global operations.
• Reduce internal friction points to streamline operations.
• Challenge the status quo to grow top-line revenue.
• Garner media attention.
• Enhance IT operations.

Regardless of what you offer, articulating it with confidence and ease takes practice. Can you say with certainty what you do best? Can you string together convincing stories – the proof you’ll use to back up your claims? Take time to cultivate and practice this. Don’t wing it.

𝟯. 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆.

You’ll want to cultivate meaningful connections within your network before you need them. This includes recruiters. Recruiters can and should be part of your network. They often have access to job openings before the jobs are posted publicly, and have tremendous insight into what’s happening in the industry. Is hiring slowing down or speeding up?

You can often find recruiters who specialize in your industry/sector. Find and connect with them; not just when you need a job. Develop a relationship where you can refer good candidates and opportunities for them. Make it a two-way street.

𝟰. 𝗣𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀.

You’re a business-savvy executive with a strong work ethic. Don’t be so “head down” in your position, company and industry that you’re blindsided by changes in the market. Pay attention to what’s happening so you can “see the forest AND the trees.” Anticipate your next move well in advance. Don’t get caught up in an industry-wide slowdown.

𝟱. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲.

Congratulations, you’ve landed your next gig. It’s time to onboard, get settled and start thinking about what’s next. Maybe the ideas aren’t concrete, but start exploring, learning, adapting and assessing what your next move might be. Funnel your ideas into actionable next steps.

Your business has a business plan, right? Then you should have a career plan for your career. It just makes sense.

Career management means prioritizing your career goals. Take ownership of your career, plot your trajectory, be ready to share your key offerings with recruiters and industry leaders and, like the Boy Scout motto: Always be prepared.

It’s time to start treating your career like a business…

About The Author
Maureen McCann is an award-winning career coach, master resume writer, and master certified interview, employment, and career strategist whose clients include C-level executives, managers, and professionals in all industries including the Canadian banking, oil and gas, healthcare, IT, and government sectors.