| As 2009 comes to a close, it's a good time for | | | | director of sales in a medium size real estate |
| reflection. It's a perfect time to evaluate where | | | | company in Tampa, Florida with potential for future |
| you've been and where you want to go. As a career | | | | growth. |
| coach I encourage clients to conduct an annual career | | | | Now that you have a specific goal, you need to |
| checkup. Just as annual physicals are encouraged to | | | | determine whether or not that goal is attainable. |
| detect any problems, an annual career checkup can | | | | What is the job market like in Tampa? Is there |
| help you identify any problems and correct your | | | | demand for real estate executives in that area? Do |
| course if necessary. | | | | you have a solid network of contacts who can help |
| Perhaps you have had to make a temporary detour | | | | you land that next position? |
| in terms of your career goals because of the state | | | | And lastly, your goals need to be flexible, especially in |
| of the economy. It's important for you to set goals | | | | the current economic environment. If, after having |
| for the upcoming year so that you can get back on | | | | done your research you find that Florida is not a |
| track as soon as possible. Maybe you took a job that | | | | good place for real estate executives right now, you |
| is not fully utilizing your skills or you decided to | | | | should be willing and able to modify your plan based |
| hunker down and not make a career move until the | | | | on the reality of the job market. Without flexibility |
| economy improves. | | | | you may find yourself locked into a plan that is not |
| One way to make sure that your detour is in fact | | | | workable. |
| temporary and not permanent is to clarify for | | | | Just as you go to a professional healthcare provider |
| yourself where you want to be in terms of your | | | | to conduct a thorough medical review, it's a good |
| career. Career assessment can help you do some | | | | idea to engage the services of a professional career |
| introspection and aid you in identifying what career | | | | services provider to conduct your annual career |
| direction you want to take. | | | | checkup. A career coach can help you reality test |
| Then you need to develop a plan of action. Your | | | | your goals and aid you in staying on track so that |
| goals need to be specific, attainable, and flexible. | | | | you actually meet your goals. A career coach can |
| Goals must be specific so that you will know when | | | | administer career assessments and help you develop |
| you have attained them. Here is an example of a | | | | a career plan that is specific, attainable and flexible. |
| vague goal: I want a better career. How do you | | | | You can get your career checkup at any time during |
| define better? How will you know when you have | | | | the year, but of course there's no time like the |
| found it? On the other hand, this is a specific goal: | | | | present. |
| Next year I plan to land a position as a regional | | | | |