Careers are about continuous reinvention. In today’s world, there is a need to be present and current, no matter how good you are at your job. Companies will merge and be acquired and irrespective of your status (position) and skill set, you may find yourself without a job. Transitions whether personally or professionally motivated, mean career reinvention (to a new place, new boss, new set of skills, new geography, new culture). Although we may all know this can happen, rarely do the plans get laid to reinvent yourself until it happens. Without proactive measures already set in place, it will be difficult to adjust, whether in a career for a short or long period of time.
What I know through experience and the various businesses (worked and consulted for), is that the rug can and will be pulled out from under you, ready or not. Reinvention is sometimes an adventure to do what you like most but also can be a mandate to do what you must. Since many companies are not about preparing you for what might occur, you are on your own to reinvent yourself and should always be ready for the possibility. This may also mean something different based on where you are in your career and other outlying responsibilities. I once worked with a group of women getting back into the workforce. They were taking my seminar, Career Fabulous! When completing resume writing (for some this was a first-time assignment), I always begin by asking, “what do you believe is your skill set”. Most of the women in the group answered, “I am just a mother and a homemaker”. My comment to the statement, “I am just a”, is always let’s begin again by changing the line, “I am just a”. What we imagine ourselves is what other people will see. By the end of that seminar, the “I am just a” changed to skilled technicians in time management, budget control, supervision, coaching, mentoring, safety and engagement (to name a few and different for all according to life and work skills) – by the way, all women received employment!
So, how do you begin your continuous reinvention assignment? If working, always know where the company is going and what that means for you. There will never be anyone more concerned about your employment then YOU! Do as much as you can daily, monthly, quarterly to put time into you, personally and professionally.
- Research other jobs, what they might look like, where they might be. Make a list with timelines of changes you want to make.
- Address your strengths and opportunities. What do you need to change immediately; what can wait. What does your reinvention look like? You will need to see it, in your mind, before you take action.
- Make “continuous improvement” your mantra. Keep a list of personal and professional improvements and celebrate these actions. Learning and daily self/professional improvements must be continuous.
If you think about all the times you change with clothing trends, hair color, and hair style (to name a few), it should make sense that keeping up with professional continuous reinvention is just as important – whether self or externally induced. Will you be ready?