May 22 2009
Critical Career Questions
Every so often, it makes good sense to re-examine your career status, goals and issues. This need not be an extensive self-appraisal, but you should have a good idea in your own head on where you would like to be in the years to come and how you plan to do the ground work to get there.
The first big question is, do you have an updated resume? This is not just the document, but a close examination of back up information, contact numbers for references, new company addresses if they have moved, etc. Don’t wait until there is a problem contacting one of your key references to look into this. You would hate to lose out on a job offer because you were sloppy.
Another critical question is concerning where you want to be now, a year from now, five years in the future and at the terminal position in your career. What credentials do you need to get there? Do you need classes, certifications, etc? When will you obtain these things, how, with what funding?
Do you have a career or life mission statement to guide you through time? If you have not taken the time to do this, now is as good a time as any. Write yourself an essay on what you want to achieve in life, be it career goals, financial goals, family, friends, charities, volunteer contributions or anything else that you want to achieve. You will be happy you took the time to do this. You can revise it anytime you want and it is only for your benefit. Why not do it today?
