6 Small Changes To Secure Your Next Career Move
Performing to your potential in high pressure situations is something that is written about a lot. It would be very easy to fall into the trap of thinking that there was one change that was going to make a huge difference.
The reality is that it is often a series of small changes that lead to significantly better results. So what are some of the small changes I suggest if you are looking to secure your next career move?
Discover your strengths
Most of the time we end up focusing way too much attention on what we struggle with. A much more productive approach is to focus on discovering your strengths. These might be for example:
- Your knowledge of a particular specialist area within your profession
- The way in which you work in a team
- The way in which you work with others outside of your professional field
- Your attitude when faced with a challenge
Make a list of your strengths and ask for feedback from others who may well be able to see strengths in you that you did not even appreciate existed.
Focus on contributing
A lot of the time people turn up, do what is asked and then go home. While this is a strategy you can adopt, it is unlikely to result in you getting promoted.
Look for ways in which you can contribute. A good starting point is areas of the organisation that are not working as well as they could.
Then start to look at small changes that could be made.
Know where you will do your best work
You might have heard the term square peg in a round hole. The basic essence of this statement is that you are not a great fit.
You are much more likely to do a better job in an organisation or sector that you are really passionate about.
Equally if you are surrounded by highly motivated and positive individuals it is more likely that you will do much better.
Target your job search
These days a few highly targeted applications are much more likely to yield a better response than dozens of random applications.
Update your CV
Make sure that it focuses on your strengths and achievements as well as the skills and attributes that are most sought after in your professional field.
Prepare rigorously for job interviews
I have polled hundreds of accountants and professionals about how long they spend preparing for job interviews.
What that revealed is that less than about 10% spend anything like enough time preparing for job interviews.
If you are one of the few who really prepare rigorously for job interviews, you will stand out from the mass and greatly increase the chances of you being offered the job.
The Bottom Line: The decision to employ someone is a significant one from an employers’ perspective. At the same time making some small changes can stack the odds of you securing your next career move.
Duncan Brodie helps accountants and professionals to achieve more career success. Learn more here.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.