Are you in the same role or position for several years, are you aware when you might be moving to the next role, or are you just waiting for it to happen gradually with the flow
well you are not alone read on....
Staying employed at the same company for over two years on average is going to make you earn less over your lifetime by about 50% or more - assuming your career is only going to last for 10 years. Read this blog before you move on - ofcourse the statistics might have changed as this blog was posted in 2014 but worth reading it in 2021
What is Job clinging? Job clinging is when one works in the same position at the same company for a period of five years or more with little to no change in title, job responsibilities or salary. How Long is Too Long to Stay in the Same Job
Majority of the employees may not have a clear career roadmap, or little idea on where they are headed, days, months and years pass by in their same roles thinking about this.
The work goes on and on with no end....
So who is responsible for your career?
it's you and only you are responsible for your career!
While organizations and managers are accountable to an extent but it solely depends on the individual to take charge of their careers and push their limits to know the boundaries and move on to their next phase of their career
Easy to say, but the reality is very difficult isnt it? as employees have no or little control over their career growth
But when I say growth does it only mean the Promotions and Progressions and your salary you draw every month
Well not at all, the "Growth" here I mean is the skill you learn in your current position- is that something your new potential employer is interested and looking for ?
Question yourself, are you performing a work which is required only in that particular company?
Asking these questions frequently is critical to understand where you are in your career and to make corrections in your career roadmap. If no actions taken easily 5 to 10 years will pass by...
Please for Gods sake never get stuck....
So here are some of my Do's and Don't's!
Lets start with the Do's?
Be Open and Spend time learning a new task
Usually managers hold a lot of tasks to themselves or delegate them , the best way to learn something new at work is to discuss during the One 2 One and ask for new responsibilities proactively
Leaders/Managers appreciate employees who are proactive and seeks new responsibilities
Majority of the times managers or supervisors must identify people within their teams to nominate a new scope of work, being proactive puts you in the front line and the Go to person when there is a new opening
If you are aiming to become a Project Manager you may easily learn some of these skills by taking the additional point of contact roles for Risk Management, SME etc.. there are tons of reports you may learn like Risk Register, Audit planning and preparations etc...
Learn and Understand your managers Roles and Responsibilities
Knowing your managers work know where you are headed (already discussed to be proactive)
You can find the work responsibilities on your Companies Internal websites or check it on Google. (if you cant find out - just ask your manager - I am kidding)
For example: If you are a Team Leader - spend time to learn important tasks relevant to Management and strategy. Take certifications and stay connected to blogs/podcasts relevant to your market
Learning & Development Strategy
Check your companies Learning and Development plan (companies provide trainings based on Projects and companies long term requirements, importantly the value you as an employee can provide to the company based on those trainings)
Make use of these opportunity and get relevant training or certification you are interested in.
Never ever rely only on your company to provide you the trainings you need. Do your homework and save money separately to study for the courses you are interested in.
Honestly, in today's environment you don’t need a instructor to teach you anything. There are billions of websites and majority of the information you do get it for free.
I wanted to take the PMP exam but I couldn’t afford the classroom training as it was expensive, so purchased a eBook and some online courses I was able to pass the PMP exam.
Some of the Don'ts
Never pass the responsibility on your manager to take care of your career - you know yourselves better than anyone. Trust in your manager and take all the advise, there are amazing managers who always care and provide their best to people. But it's your career hence take decisions based on your goals.
Procrastination: We all procrastinate, focus and try to reduce it through small targets. How Can I Stop Procrastinating?
Never say I wish I would have started early - well we wish we would have started early in our career, but the life teaches you some amazing hard lessons through experience Its fine just see where you are and start fresh and move on…..
Don’t be around people: I mean don't be around people who demotivate you or keep saying Don’t work too much. Because these people themselves don’t want to work hard hence try to demotivate you as well. Try not to fall for that trap - this is the best advise I can give. Well Stay away!
To conclude:
Take your career at your hands, learn the skills you are passionate about and spend time researching and improving them. This way you wont get stuck where you are.
Have you ever been stuck in the same position? what did you do to get out, please leave your comments below.
For SME's/team leaders aspiring to become PMP or a Project manager facing hurdles running your project, my recommendation is to study for PMP Certification this course provides you the foundation on
People - soft skills required to run the projects smoothly
Process - technical aspects
Business environment - connection between projects and organizational strategy
personally, this course helped me to improve my operations and my understanding towards the above foundations better. PMP Examination Content Outline
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