Common Misconceptions About Career
Management
You get your clothes cleaned when they’re dirty. You pay
your bills each month. You see your doctor once or twice a
year. You send cards to family-members at each birthday.
So, why is it that most people (maybe even you!) don’t
integrate career management into their regular routine?
Most individuals have a reactive – not a “proactive” –
approach to their careers. Thinking that you only need to
“fix your career when it’s broken” (i.e., when you’re laid
off, downsized or just plain miserable) is a very
unfortunate misconception that will seriously limit your
career success!
Here are 10 other common misconceptions about career
management:
1. The most qualified candidate gets the job offer.
WRONG! Many times candidates with lesser qualifications
get job offers simply because they’ve prepared and
presented themselves in a more compelling way. In other
words, they’re better self-marketers! Being "qualified" is
not enough. You must CONVINCE the employer that you're the
best candidate for the job.
2. As long as I have a job, I don’t have to work on my
career.
WRONG! Even if you’re employed today, you never know
what may happen tomorrow! To avoid a career disaster, you
should incorporate “Perpetual Career Management” into your
professional life. Vital tasks like keeping your
Accomplishment Stories up to date, or networking regularly
with professionals in your industry, should be
incorporated into your regular routine.
3. My professional education stopped when I graduated
from school.
WRONG! You should always look for ways to advance your
professional knowledge. Attending seminars, reading trade
journals, pursuing certifications, etc. – these activities
should be a part of your ongoing professional development
process. It’s imperative that every professional remain
current in his or her field.
4. Employers always offer the most generous
compensation they can afford.
WRONG! Employers expect that you’ve done salary
research, and they anticipate dynamic negotiations. In
fact, they’ll often be disappointed and question your
candidacy if you DON'T negotiate. Employers usually state
a low salary offer merely as a “trial balloon,” to see how
you’ll react – and there’s almost always room to improve
on the initial compensation offer.
5. If I just do a good job, my position will be secure.
WRONG! With corporate mergers, downsizings, outsourcing
and a shaky economy, NO job is secure. You must take full
responsibility for your own career security.
6. My résumé is the only document I need to search for
a job.
WRONG! Your résumé is just one of the 10 “tools” you
need in your “Job Seeker’s Tool Kit.” In order to land a
quality position in today’s market, you’ll also need
Accomplishment Stories, Positioning and Exit Statements, a
Professional Biography, a Target Company List, and many
other vital components.
7. Recruiters will find me a job, so I don't have to
search for jobs myself.
WRONG! Although recruiters can be helpful, the most
successful way to find a new opportunity in today’s job
market is through networking. It’s fine to use Executive
Search Firms, but they’re just one vehicle for you to
leverage. Only YOU can find you a new job.
8. Employers are responsible for managing my career
path.
WRONG! This statement might have been true in our
father’s or grandfather’s time. But now, it’s “every man
for himself.” Only YOU have the power to take control of
your career and manage it for success. So, make the most
of it! Get support and guidance from a qualified Career
Consultant if you feel that this would be helpful.
9. Networking is only for entrepreneurs and jobseekers
– I don’t need to network now.
WRONG! It’s a smart career move to ALWAYS be
networking, no matter what’s going in your professional
life. If you don’t need help at this time, build-up your
networking power by helping others. Consistent, effective
networking will always pay big dividends! It’s just a
natural part of ongoing career management.
10. Most good jobs are listed on Internet job sites and
in newspapers, so they’re easy to identify.
WRONG! Only one percent of job postings that are on the
Web or in newspapers are any good! And that’s where you'll
be competing against 99% of all the other job seekers!
Since these odds are not in your favor, you should spend
VERY LITTLE time on this search technique – and instead,
focus almost all of your time and energy on networking!
Now that you’re familiar with these deadly career
misconceptions, you can easily reverse them to have a very
positive impact on your career. The first step is to
change your thinking, and then to practice productive new
behaviors in a consistent manner!
Are
you looking for career coaching and career
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