to Your Future
By Julie Adamen

If you are like so many managers, on site and portfolio, you have spent some time asking yourself (and me) “Where am I going?” “What can I do?” “What are my options?” And like these professionals you also say,  “I’m not really unhappy where I am, it’s just, well… I just don’t know if what I am doing is preparing me for anything else. So, Julie, what do you think?”

I think: Let’s evaluate where you have been, then we can talk about where you can go. Let’s look at your resume.

Most of the managers I talk to are looking to improve their current situation. But through sheer inertia, denial or complacency - they have failed give themselves the leg up to move in to the most desirable positions.   Yes, your resume is a recitation of your past job history. But that’s not all it is. Your resume is the roadmap to your professional future.

Been There, Done That

When you are looking at your (well-executed) resume, you see the past 10 years come to life before your eyes. What do you see? Did you take chances? Did you fail at something? Did you earn your degree? Did you change frequently or have you been at the same place for 10 years? Did you earn a promotion? Did you accept a better position? Has your salary gone up appropriately? The answers to these questions can be key in evaluating where your current skill set is taking you. But are you going where you WANT to go? And once you decide that, how to get there?  Here are some key issues in making that evaluation.

Responsibility. Does your resume reflect increasing professional responsibility, or has it remained static? Why? You may have made the decision to stay in a certain position for family or health reasons.  Or you may have liked a certain comfort zone.  Either way, there is a professional price to pay for not branching out.  A steady increase in responsibility shows not only your willingness to learn and grow, but also your employer’s trust in your abilities. Potential employers like this – you look like someone who can hit the ground running.

Education. Do you have a college degree? Have you earned an industry designation (especially those more difficult to achieve)? Make no mistake that when you are vying for a top position with a management firm or a highly paid on site position – your level of education DOES MATTER. Having a college degree usually means you have interest in bettering yourself, you have learned how to “think” and are more likely to have acceptable communication skills.  Industry education shows your commitment to your profession. Have you made that commitment? Are you willing to do so?

Evaluate your skills.

Technology. Ability to utilize basic office programs? Well versed in email and Internet usage? Or scared of ‘doing something wrong’ on the computer? You can be in denial all you want, but if you are unable to manage basic office programs and at least grasp networking issues, you may be passed over for someone more technologically savvy.

Interpersonal.  Do you look people in the eye when you talk with them? Do you listen with empathy? Are you able to influence others? Do you express your ideas clearly and concisely? Can you manage and resolve conflicts? Are you able to supervise others and evaluate their needs and skills? Are you able to speak to a group of people?  Having good interpersonal skills is probably the most important factor towards your success in this, or any other, people-oriented industry.

Previous Employment & Compensation.

Who have you worked for? How long were you there? What positions did you have, and for how long did you have them? Understand the answers to each of these questions have it’s own positive (stability) and negative (salary) effects on your professional upward mobility.  Most people who stay with one firm or community for many years are usually paid less than those doing similar jobs but who have moved around a bit.  Why? Chances are the “movers” have made three job changes in the past 10 years increasing their salary by $3k per year each time, so they are likely making $10k more per year than their more conservative counterparts. Keep in mind that when anyone decides to make a move, the salary they command has a direct tie to the salary they have made. Seldom will a manager make a leap of more than $10k - $12k in one (upward) position change – regardless of the position’s duties. Bottom line: You don’t go from making $50k per year to $75k per year (unless you are very, very lucky).

Your Vision

Look back over the past ten years and ask yourself, do I like where this is leading me? Do I like the Vision I see of my future? Or do I need to make adjustments here and there? How are my people skills? What is my educational level? Have I been compensated commensurately with my duties? What do I need to do to help myself realize my Vision?

Over the past months we have talked about Vision Creation for our communities. Now we’ve talked about Creating a Vision for YOU.  And one of the best places to start is by trying to see yourself as potential employers will see you – through the eyes of your resume. By taking that step back, looking at where you have been and what you have accomplished, and applying that to what you want to achieve professionally, you can take the first steps towards making your Vision a reality.

“The future is purchased by the present.” – Samuel Johnson.