Being honest about your career options
Suit: Led by Me
Many staff members and managers alike still have a very traditional view of career progression, with the obvious assumption that most employees will want to progress upwards and follow a straight linear path. But today’s careers are episodal, with each job representing a small segment of what could turn out to be a fairly squiggly journey.
It could be that your manager expects you to want to take their place when they leave or even progress up to become the next CEO, whilst all you desire is to stay where you are and specialise in a field you love. Or become a mentor for more junior people joining the team.
You may want to take a sabbatical, or reduce your hours so you can have a better work-life balance. It could also be that you feel you’ve gone as far as you can and want to leave your current team or department. Or the business altogether. But can you really say that to your manager?
In short, yes you should be able to. A huge part of career progression is having truthful and honest conversations about the possibilities you want to explore. Good managers will have a true talent scout mentality, and therefore understand that recruitment is all about borrowing people for a time, supporting them, giving them what they need and then letting them go when their time with you is done.
Once you’ve figured out what you’re seeking, be brave, don’t hesitate and have that honest conversation so you can get the support you need to take the next step, whatever it may be.
If you need support, make sure you give us a call or download our Career Planning whitepaper for more tips and tricks on how to follow the squiggly career road that will take you where you want to be.
Career Coaching Cards: Explained
This is a new series of blog posts, that explain our Career Coaching cards in more depth.
Our deck of cards contain 52 questions that help guide better career conversations and connect more with the individuals you’re having these conversations with.
Each week we are releasing a question from our deck with a little more information about why we think this question is a good question and what you are looking to get out of it when you ask it.
Download our free career planning whitepaper
This whitepaper is different from the norm, which you would probably expect from us at Let’s Talk Talent.
It has been designed to explore what you can do as HR Leaders to drive these important career conversations, while providing you practical workshop tools and tips which you can start to use immediately.