HKSM

Building a career without a clear plan is like trying to build a house without a blueprint. It's crucial to have a roadmap for your career that aligns with your values. Your career path should reflect your passions, goals, and aspirations. By doing so, you’ll find purpose and fulfillment in what you do.

The Importance of Having a Career Plan

Imagine you want to become a CEO or CTO. That’s a big dream, but it’s achievable if you break it down. Start with a clear career path that begins with where you are now and ends at your goal. For example, you might begin as an individual contributor, progress to a team lead, then a project manager, and so on. Adjust it based on your ambitions, but always keep your long-term goal in mind.

To stay motivated, your plan must align with your values. If your job doesn’t align with what you believe in, it will be hard to get out of bed each day. You won’t feel energized or passionate about what you do. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this?" If you can’t answer that question, your career plan needs rethinking.

The Art of Interviewing

One key piece of advice: it’s often better to look for a job while you're still employed. Companies see employed candidates as more valuable. But the benefit of this isn’t just finding a job – it’s about practicing your interview skills. Interviews are a skill you can improve with practice, just like anything else.

I recommend you take at least one phone interview per year, even if the job is at the same, lower, or higher level. Apply for roles that stretch you. The process will give you insights into what you’re missing on your resume and help you identify gaps in your skills. You’ll learn what questions they ask and the qualifications they seek.

Waiting for the perfect job opportunity to land in your lap is a mistake. If it does come, you might not be prepared to articulate your experience. You’ll stumble. That’s why practicing is so important. I set a personal goal to aim for at least five interviews a year. This keeps my skills sharp and ensures I’m always ready.

Polish Your Resume and Keep Track of Your Achievements

Your resume isn’t something to update only when you're looking for a job. It’s an essential tool for tracking your growth. Along with your resume, keep a journal of your achievements and stories. These will serve as reminders of how far you’ve come, and they’ll help you build a stronger narrative during interviews.

Don’t just focus on your current job – look ahead. What skills do you need for the next role? If you want to move up, whether it’s to a manager or director, identify the gaps and start learning. Take on new challenges, courses, and opportunities. Your growth will prepare you for the next step, whether it’s in your current company or elsewhere.

Align Ambitions with Values

It's okay not to aim for the highest positions. Not everyone wants to be a manager or executive, and that's perfectly fine. However, if you don’t want to go up the management ladder, make sure it aligns with your values. Understand that being a manager or executive comes with a lot of responsibility, long hours, and constant personal development. It's a heavy price to pay, and you must be sure it’s worth it to you.

You can choose to stay in a role you enjoy for your entire career if that aligns with your values. What’s not okay is letting life pass by without a plan. Don’t just go with the flow if you want to achieve something. If you’re ambitious, take charge and make it happen.

A Story of Mike – The Expert Who Knows His Values

Let me tell you about Mike, an engineer I once interviewed. Mike loved fishing. He told me he wanted to work hard from September to May but take the summer off to fish, spend time with family, and enjoy his hobbies. He didn’t want a demanding job that would interfere with his passion. Yet, he was highly skilled in his profession and knew exactly what he wanted. I hired him because he was clear about his values, and his job gave him the flexibility to do what mattered most to him.

Mike wasn’t just dreaming. He had worked hard to become a top professional in his field, and that’s how he found a job that suited his values. Know your values, and find work that allows you to live by them.

A Story of Pete – The Dreamer Without a Plan

Now, let me share another story. Pete was determined to manage 100 people. He reported to me and we discussed his career development. I asked him, “Do you want to learn project management? Do you want to take on responsibility for failures and work long hours when necessary?” He said no. He had a dream but no real plan to achieve it.

Pete was a dreamer, someone who could tell you all about the problems with the world but wasn’t ready to take action to change it. Without a plan or motivation, he never moved forward. If you want to manage 100 people, it’s going to take hard work and learning. Dreams don’t just come true by themselves – you need to act on them.

The Importance of Career and Performance Reviews

No one, not even your boss, is going to sit down and map out your career for you. As a manager, I've created career development plans for dozens of people. I’d spend weeks planning and reviewing, and after all the meetings, I’d forget most of what was discussed. Managers are focused on hitting milestones and achieving goals. They don’t have the time or energy to focus on your career every day.

That’s why your career is in your hands. If your company offers performance reviews or career planning, take full advantage of it. Follow through on the commitments you make. If you don’t take ownership of your career, no one else will.

Always Stay Positive at Work

At work, never bring negativity to the table. Your coworkers, manager, and direct reports are not your therapists. Don’t use work as an outlet for personal frustrations. It’s tough, but you need to control your emotions. Your job is to make money, build your career, and provide value. If you need to vent, do it with friends or a therapist, not your boss or coworkers.

Your mindset shapes your career. Positive thinking doesn’t just help you at work; it improves your life in general. Practice gratitude and focus on the good things in your life. Bring energy and positivity into every meeting. If you inspire others and bring joy, more opportunities will come your way.

Don’t Be a Problem for Every Solution

Finally, don’t be the person who only identifies risks and problems without offering solutions. It’s important to point out risks, but don’t make yourself a problem for every solution. When discussing risks, use this framework: Identify one problem or risk, then propose three solutions or mitigations, and finish with one recommendation. This shows you’re proactive and solution-oriented.

Conclusion

Building a successful career takes time, effort, and planning. Align your career path with your values, keep practicing your interview skills, and take ownership of your growth. Stay positive, be proactive, and keep your long-term goals in sight. Your career is in your hands – make it count.