Driving your career in 2010

Year 2010 has started. And so has the time to put our new year career resolutions into practice. So, what does it take to keep your career going good in the coming year?

Year 2010 has come with a lot of hopes and aspirations for job seekers. Here are some handy tips to help you manage your career resolutions and carve out a better career for yourself.


Decide upon and prioritise measurable bigger goals: Ensure that your resolutions clearly lay out the goals that you want to achieve by the end of the year. The goals must be quantifiable and should not be vague. Be it salary, new job or a new career, ensure that there is a dipstick to measure the success. (Also read: Five signals you should make a career change )It will help you decide to what extent you have been able to achieve your goals at the end of the year. Also, priortise your goals so that you do not end up spending more time on goals that are lowest in your priority list and lose out on the important ones.


Break bigger goals into smaller tasks:
Bigger goals can become overwhelming at times and keeping a regular track on them also becomes difficult. So, break your goals into smaller tasks. This way, you will be able to track your progress easily and implement corrective actions, if something goes wrong. (Also read: Set smart goals)


Develop a plan: Whatever your career resolutions are, to achieve them, it is important to have a plan in place. Plans that are carefully developed with achievable dates, give you the right direction to follow, and with each step you get closer to your goal. Make sure you give yourself a pat on the back on the achievement of a goal or task.


Invent alternate methods: After deciding upon your goals and plans, decide which methods you will use to get there. Deciding the methods in advance saves you a lot of time later and also gives you a head start with the plans. Better still, think of multiple methods to achieve your goals so that there are backup options available if the primary method fails.


Prepare for failures : Although the market situation is improving, it is possible that your goals may take longer to achieve that you expected. You may even fail to achieve some of your goals. So, it is better to be prepare for any unwarranted failures and have a backup plan that will help you revive and set you on track to achieve your goals. Just remember, it may not always be your fault, as situations may change. (Also read: Is it YOU who is making your job-hunt go awry? )



Achieving big goals call for persistence and hard work. Be confident about your skills and never give up. The situation will be good and your hard work will ensure you achieve your goals.



Shine Team

 

5 Mistakes to avoid @work in 2010

Here's a checklist of 5 mistakes we tend to commit in our approach to work, that negatively affects our career. Be aware of these and make sure you take the right approach in 2010 to see your career soar.

Research shows that even the smartest workers can err in their approach to work, thus negatively affecting their career. The fact of the matter is, people with the right approach usually emerge as winners, even though they may not always be the best or the most knowledgeable ones. What are the mistakes that can pull your career back, especially when things are looking good? Here's a checklist of 5-mistakes in your approach to work that you should be wary of.

 

• Being an individual player: You may be good at your work as an individual, but it is important for you to be a team player, as doing things collectively in a team, promotes team-growth and harmony. Don’t beat your own drum at the cost of the team. Rather, work cohesively to make the whole team and the product a success. Ineffective delegation can lead to more work for you if you’re in a supervisory role. Best is to be a team player and work for the end-product. (Also read: Accomplishing effective delegation.)
• Conservative approach to accepting mistakes: No one is infallible and all of us are prone to making mistakes. The faster you reconcile to this fact, the better for you. Keep in mind, if your supervisor/boss or even a team member points out a mistake; take it in the right spirit, unless there is an underlying tone which smacks of rudeness and is aimed at maligning you. Otherwise, accept your mistakes and try to correct yourself. (Read: Is admitting a mistake okay?)
• Being self complacent: Never be complacent - remember, you still have a lot to achieve. You may be good at a particular task(s), but there is a lot more you can learn and you can always improve on your work. Take your learning and the trainings at work seriously and try to improve your own work by setting your own previous best as benchmark. Thus, there's no room for complacency and your attitude to work will be appreciated. 
• Going for presentations and meetings unprepared: Keep yourself updated on all aspects of your work. Always be prepared and ready to answer questions raised by your supervisor in a meeting. If you’re unable to answer something, tell them you will find out and revert, and be sure to do that as this will reflect your involvement. You can, thus overcome your weaknesses by showing your commitment to work. Be thoroughly prepared if you have to do a presentation, as that highlights your confidence, leadership trait and oratory skills. (Also read: Powering up your presentation.)
• Shrugging off responsibility: If you’ve been given a job or task, it’s your responsibility. Even if things have not worked out as expected, the onus is on you, so have the courage to own up and you will be appreciated for that. Obviously, you can’t control everything at work. So, take responsibility for the work you do and the mistakes too and give a serious assurance of doing better.  

 

These are some of the basic issues and fairly common too, that can negatively effect your career. Avoid these malpractices at work to be a winner. A never-say-die approach will help you overcome all problems and shine this year.

Rajashree B Mustafi