This past Monday morning I spent some time having my car detailed. It was well overdue. Sitting in the waiting room with other busy professionals I watched as their cars exited the rinse cycle and entered the detailing centre. It got me thinking about the business model of the car wash. Its 8 am on a Monday morning and here we are, having clearly invested a lot into our vehicles, and we are spending anywhere from $50 – $100 having them cleaned.
Watching the people around me, they were investing time, money, and energy into their vehicles. That got me thinking… Do we do the same in our careers?
We invest so much of our lives in our jobs, but when was the last time we actually spent any money investing in our career? Our careers give us so much: a salary, a daily routine, fulfilment (if you’ve picked the right job) social interaction, a sense of ownership and pride…When was the last time we cleaned it up?
[Tweet “Our career gives us so much. When was the last time we cleaned it up?”]
At the beginning of our careers, we may invest a huge amount of resources attending colleges or universities. What happens after that? There is no regular scheduled maintenance…is there? No stopping for gas, no tune-up?
If your career is in need of a tune-up before the holidays, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Polish your resume – A well-crafted resume will get you that interview that you have dreamed about. Without a resume, you may be avoiding applying to jobs that you are interested in pursuing. Is it time to give your resume a dusting off?
Get ready for next season – We are so busy in our day-to-day lives that finding time to plan for our next career move may seem like a luxury. Planning what comes next in your career will ensure you have a goal and a path to get you where you want to be in a timely manner.
Clear your vision – Whether in your career or in your car, you need to be able to see what is coming at you (especially when you are travelling at high speeds). Get clear about your current work environment and where the road ahead leads you.
Remove Clutter – Get the nonsense out of your car/career and focus on what you want to have around you.
That Monday morning, more than eight people worked on my car. It wasn’t some new piece of cool technology, but eight people… because trucks, minivans, sedans and sports cars they require personalized consideration. My vehicle is unique; it is special, and it, much like my career needs customized, detailed attention.
You can run your career (and your car) through the wash, or wash it yourself, but chances are good your career is worth investing in a customized, detailing.
Related Categories: Career Clarity, Job Search, Resumes & ATS
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.