Let me start by admitting I didn’t manage my career for most of my career. I didn’t have a plan, I didn’t have a strategy, I certainly wasn’t focused on building relationships and expanding my network. To a degree, I wasn’t focused on learning, expanding my skill set nor staying abreast of industry trends. I did what so many women are guilty of doing today: I showed up, did the work and did it well. I didn’t fully understand that there are aspects of managing my career aside from performance. I didn’t consider positioning myself, I didn’t consider preparation for anything other than a secret shopper which was extremely common when I was managing retail stores, a visit from my District Manager or an upcoming an interview. What I now know is that if your goal is to make PowHer Moves, you can’t afford to get lost in simply doing the work. Managing your career is something you must prioritize because it will require intention and more importantly, your attention.
Before I explain what managing your career is, let me tell you what you shouldn’t do when managing your career:
- You shouldn’t leave it to chance or anyone else. It is your responsibility and it will not happen without your efforts.
- You shouldn’t assume you will be compensated fairly. It is your responsibility to know your value, worth in the marketplace and negotiate.
- You shouldn’t think that your resume and interview is enough. These things will help you progress through the hiring process, but managing your career is much more than that.
Here are 5 mistakes women make when managing their career:
- Failing to manage their career like a business
- Failing to build relationships and in some instances overlooking them
- Failing to know your value
- Failing to understand your relevance
- Failing to plan
To continue, listen to the iTunes podcast: Career Management Mistakes Women Make
Ericka Spradley is the Chief PowHer Officer of Confident Career Woman which is the premier consulting firm for corporations and the mid-career professional woman who wants to advance, better manage her career, and go further faster. Ericka is an advocate who partners with clients to help women ditch perfection, play bigger and make PowHer Moves by: identifying their next role, creating a career strategy, offering ongoing career guidance, and coaching clients to master interviews. For additional information, visit: ErickaSpradley.com