teamlease
employability primer

Do we live to work or work to live?” By posing this question, sociologist Max Weber, succinctly expressed the dilemma that all of us face in today’s rat race.
The answer to this depends on what your definition of success is and how you perceive work as part of this definition. Your perception of a perfect job
determines the course of your career.
• Is it a responsible, power-laden position in a small organisation?
• Is it a fat salary and unchanging job profile in a staid, old company?
• lIs it a combination of several factors such as salary, responsibilities, work atmosphere, reputed organisation and growth prospects? A job that is seemingly perfect to one may not be seem to be so to another.

“A job is not merely a job — it’s an important part of who we are”

A career transition of any sort is one of the most unsettling experiences you can face in your life. How about making it a pleasant transition so that there is no regret and you get what you want out of work?

This is when career planning comes in handy. Job search experts vouch that planning your career path with prudence is essential for success. The term ‘planning’ acquires a deeper meaning at this stage, as you have already garnered work experience and exposure. By analysing your strengths and accomplishments so far, you can identify your goals and the means to achieve them.

Ask yourself these questions

• Favourite activities: What activities give you the most satisfaction? Your career should allow you to do these activities daily or at least thrice a week.

• Career goals: What are the goals that you want to accomplish? For instance, it could be money, contribution to the organisation, position or name and fame.

• Skills: What skills and talents have you used in the past to achieve goals? Talent is inborn but skills can be acquired. Evaluate yourself and look at what additional training or qualification you need to attain success.

• Recognition: Were you ever acknowledged or praised for something you did?

• lMotivation: What motivates you every morning?

• Your dreams: Finally, what is your dream? List everything you’d like to do in your lifetime. The career that you want to pursue should allow the accomplishment of these.

Why does one look for a change?

• For better prospects.

• Anticipating trouble.

• Lack of recognition by employer.

• Organisational culture and hierarchies.

• Meaningful career.

• Organisational restructuring.

SWOT analysis

Do a realistic analysis from an employer’s perspective and use the results to improve where necessary. That way you will have a road map that shows you how to capitalise on your strengths and minimise or eliminate your weaknesses. You should then use this map to take advantage of opportunities and decrease threats. The secret of a successful career depends on a number of factors — the opportunities in the market place, your ability to learn, network, update your skills, your positive and persistent attitude and so on.

Networking

“It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Networking (the process of using contacts for professional purposes) plays a crucial role in determining one’s success.

Networking means developing a broad list of contacts of people you’ve met through various social and business functions and using them to your advantage when you look for a job.

According to experts, nearly 40 per cent of all the jobs available are not advertised at all. Then how are candidates identified?

People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you information about a particular company and introduce you to others.

It is a misconception to think that you cannot seek help from your contacts. Taking undue advantage of people is a definite no-no but asking for assistance in job search is absolutely harmless as long as your approach is straightforward, honest and appreciative.

Checklist for networking

• lAsk people for help without being rude or overbearing. But for them to help you, it is important that you stay in touch with your contacts, by phone, mail or e-mail.

• lDon’t go anywhere without copies of your resume and business cards. This would help in case you chance upon someone who is willing to pass on your resume to the HR manager they know. If you aren’t able to carry resumes with you all the time, learn to send one promptly.

• Professional associations (industry specific associations) are great places to network. If you can, join one related to your field.

• If you can, find a mentor to guide you in your career quest.

• After you have got a job, do thank people who have been helpful to you. Keep your contacts alive. You never know when you might need them again.

Go back to school

Literally. Take short-term courses or join a vocational institute to update your skills. Scour the newspapers and search the Net for skills enhancement training programme to enliven your job search. Armed with new skills or additional qualifications, you will be in a better position to pursue your dream job.

“It’s never too late to learn.”

“Find something you enjoy and learn what it takes to become good at it”.