|
Article from The Straits Times, Recruit, 7th January 2003
Keep Your Chin Up
Work smarter and worry less, says a career coach. You can get ahead in hard times if you take the time to nurture your relationships and plan your finances carefully.
At this time of the year, many of you will make new year resolutions, such as being more disciplined with an exercise routine, cutting down on smoking, eating more healthily or learning a new language.
If you have not already started doing this, consider making some career-related resolutions now, such as:
1 Take charge of your career
You have to take charge of your career, if you want to remain employable.
Employability, not being employed, is the new buzzword. You need to continuously learn and pick up new skills and knowledge.
Your organisation may or may not pick up the tab for training and development courses you would like to attend, but that should not be an obstacle in your self-development.
The crux of the issue is this: You have to continuously strive to identify and take up self-development activities.
2 Network more
Many people spend so much time on their daily work and business travel that they do not consciously set aside time for networking, building and nurturing friendships and relationships.
Joining trade associations, social clubs, community and volunteer-based organisations helps. Alumni and old school boys network do, too.
Take the case of Mr David Lim. He is a member of an electrical engineering network club that has members in many parts of the world. This has enabled him to keep up-to-date with the fast-speed changes in his industry and area of expertise.
Through this same network, he was offered the current job he now holds as a regional marketing and sales director based in Shanghai.
3 Balance work and life
Learn to leave issues outside your control and influence alone. If they are not within your sphere of influence, there is nothing you can do to change the situation.
So stop obsessing over your job security. You would be wiser spending time working hard and smart to ensure you have a better chance of staying employable whatever happens.
Plan to spend more quality time with your loved ones and keep sometime for yourself. It is easy to forget that we are still individuals in our own right.
4 Help at least one job seeker to find a job
Spend some of your time helping someone you know who has lost his job.
Given the high unemployment rate at this time, you should not have to look very hard to find someone to help. And who knows? The friend you helped will someday be in a position to return your kindness through the same sort of networking or job search assistance.
5 Financial planning
Start planning for financial independence from an early stage of your life. Now is a good time as any if you have not already done so.
The recent changes in the financial and insurance industry have resulted in an influx of financial advisers.
Some of them may persuade you to spend your hard-earned money on investment products. But |they should also consider your obligations, such as your need to take care of your dependents. Be careful what you commit your resources to.
Make sure that you speak to a few financial advisers before making that all-important decision on whom you choose to seek financial advice from.
Article by Paul Heng, managing director, NeXT Career Consulting. He is also the founding president of the Association of Asian Career Management Professionals. Visit: www.nextcareer.net and www.aacmp.org.sg
|
Programs 