Do these 6 things to advance your career!
1) Be PROACTIVE! It’s a phrase I use hundreds of times per week! It’s a necessary part of any career strategy. Those who only REACT to a “sign” that it’s time to make a change are already behind the pack. Bosses leave, subordinates leave, departments are reorganized and your duties are changed. If you have not spent some time proactively assessing your next steps, it’s often too late and you could get stuck holding the bag!
2) Pay Attention! Pay attention to the company as a whole, not just your department. Pay attention to the industry and what your competitors are doing. You may think this is just for sales and business development people, not the accounting and finance team, but it will eventually affect you and your job! Follow competitors on LinkedIn, read their press releases, listen to their earnings calls, and read industry newsletters!
3) Know your goals AND the goals of others: What is the next level you want to achieve? Is it available at your current company? What needs to happen for you to be given that role? What are your boss’ goals? Does he/she want to be a CFO? Could they be looking themselves? What are their goals for the department? If you are successful at helping them to attain a promotion, you’ll be in line for their role, next!
4) Always be looking! Just as often as I say, “Be proactive,” I hear, “I’m not looking.” Well, you should be! Looking does not mean you are interviewing, leaving your current role next week or disloyal. Looking means you are making yourself aware of what choices you do have. How do you know that you are I the best position for achieving your career goals if you don’t LOOK at what else is available to you? Sometimes a good LOOK at the market will re-affirm that you are indeed in the right spot. But, if another company has the ability to move you forward on a faster and more rewarding pace, you owe it to yourself to at least check it out.
5) Be Patient! Being PROACTIVE allows you the freedom to be patient and wait for the best next step for your career to materialize. Being REACTIVE means you’ll be left with a limited range of choices and it’s not likely those will be optimal. Patience allows you to be selective.
6) Use your resources! Past employers and coworkers, industry events, training opportunities, certifications and yes, specialized recruiters. Never give up a chance to speak to others who are swimming in your same talent pool. Where have they gone? What did they like? Where did they have success or face obstacles? And, finding a recruiter, dedicated to your specific areas of expertise, is a free way to gain market knowledge and be assured that you are always in the right place at the right time!
2) Pay Attention! Pay attention to the company as a whole, not just your department. Pay attention to the industry and what your competitors are doing. You may think this is just for sales and business development people, not the accounting and finance team, but it will eventually affect you and your job! Follow competitors on LinkedIn, read their press releases, listen to their earnings calls, and read industry newsletters!
3) Know your goals AND the goals of others: What is the next level you want to achieve? Is it available at your current company? What needs to happen for you to be given that role? What are your boss’ goals? Does he/she want to be a CFO? Could they be looking themselves? What are their goals for the department? If you are successful at helping them to attain a promotion, you’ll be in line for their role, next!
4) Always be looking! Just as often as I say, “Be proactive,” I hear, “I’m not looking.” Well, you should be! Looking does not mean you are interviewing, leaving your current role next week or disloyal. Looking means you are making yourself aware of what choices you do have. How do you know that you are I the best position for achieving your career goals if you don’t LOOK at what else is available to you? Sometimes a good LOOK at the market will re-affirm that you are indeed in the right spot. But, if another company has the ability to move you forward on a faster and more rewarding pace, you owe it to yourself to at least check it out.
5) Be Patient! Being PROACTIVE allows you the freedom to be patient and wait for the best next step for your career to materialize. Being REACTIVE means you’ll be left with a limited range of choices and it’s not likely those will be optimal. Patience allows you to be selective.
6) Use your resources! Past employers and coworkers, industry events, training opportunities, certifications and yes, specialized recruiters. Never give up a chance to speak to others who are swimming in your same talent pool. Where have they gone? What did they like? Where did they have success or face obstacles? And, finding a recruiter, dedicated to your specific areas of expertise, is a free way to gain market knowledge and be assured that you are always in the right place at the right time!
Brooke Fisher brings over 20 years of financial recruiting expertise to your search. She has worked with both candidates who have just a few years' experience and Chief Financial Officers to match the best candidates to the perfect companies. Brooke's expertise is in mid to large-sized companies in the telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and real estate industries. Email her at Bfisher@andrewscole.com
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.
Andrews & Cole is a certified woman-owned boutique executive search and consulting firm with a focus on accounting and finance professionals. Clients range from start ups to Fortune 100 in nearly every industry.