Your Career Plan--Think Like A CEO

You've been going 6-to-late; exhausted by running the supersonic treadmill of life and wish you had a different job. But you can't because you have no time and you're left spent at the end of every day. Conversely, you're gut tells you that everything would be different if you could only find the right career match. You could stop hitting the snooze button every morning and get back into enjoying the game of life.

You might be surprised to learn that thinking like a CEO will teach you a lot about career planning. Wonder how? Then read on and learn how being a CEO has everything to do with mapping out a successful career.

1. As a Chief Exploration Officer, your first step is to engage in self-exploration. It is the key to career planning and decision-making. The better you know yourself, the more informed career decisions you'll make. One of the best ways to hone in on your natural talents, interests and strengths is to re-visit your childhood years, dreams and passions. What did you love to do? Who did you enjoy being with? What did you like to play most? What were your favorite sports and interests? Did you have any hobbies? Where did you picture yourself in the future? The past often holds the best clues. You might also want to seek the help of a trained career counselor or coach to help you define career options that fit your talents and interests, and help you explore current and future labour markets and trends. Narrow down the choices and seriously examine one or two career options that fit you. Trust your heart or intuition. It most often leads you in the right direction.

2. As a Chief Educational Officer, you need to examine the competencies and skills required in your choice of work. Once you determine one or more career options, list the skills and competencies you need to move forward. What do you need to know? And what do you currently know? Make a plan to fill the gaps whether through school, apprenticeship, reading, volunteering, etc.

3. As a Chief Experiential Officer, you need to talk to the people who are actually in the career you've identified for yourself. It takes you from dream mode to reality check. Seek out at least 5 people who are working in the career field you have identified. Hint, the more people you interview, the better. You will find common themes and information that will be invaluable to your career planning process and final decision. Don't hesitate in making the calls. Most people love to talk about themselves and their expertise. If possible, ask to meet with them in person. It provides a more high touch approach. When you meet, be candid and curious. This is your opportunity to learn from people who are working what you're still thinking about. Preplan some questions carefully. Do they enjoy their job? What kind of education and experience do they recommend? What do they like and dislike? Ask for their recommendations and what they think you need to be successful in the career. You might also want to think about inviting one of them to be your mentor as you move forward in your personal career aspirations and goals.

4. As a Chief Engagement Officer, you will have to stay on top of your game. Stay self-motivated, energized and engaged in the career planning process. Here's the truth. Career planning, exploring and making career choices take energy and time. Think about what you will need from yourself, as well as from your environment, schedule and support network to keep yourself engaged and moving forward. Think about what nourishes and nurtures you. What feeds your energy level?

5. As a Chief Employment Officer, you are your greatest resource in finding the right employment. In the end, the career planning process leads you to finding the right job for the right money. A combination of statistics and interviews continue to prove that networks are the number one resource to finding your next job. Stay well connected and share your plans. In the end it is you who's going to turn career planning and aspirations into reality.

So if you're ready for a career change, remember how to think like the CEO you are. You're life is waiting to have wings.

Elizabeth helps to facilitate and inspire careers and workplaces. She helps people find meaning, make money and balance their life. She helps to put people back into the work they love.

Elizabeth Lengyel is an HR Consultant and Career Coach who helps people from blue suits to blue jeans, transition from career pain to career solutions. For in-depth information on career planning or a free consultation, visit http://www.peoplecoach.com

---

CRM = Customers (dont) Really Matter

CRM was supposed to bring companies closer to their clients.... Read More

How to Win the Hearts of Your Customers and Friends

Those of us doing business over the internet have to... Read More

Your Number One Asset

Customers put you in business, keep you in business, and... Read More

Ten Ways to Help You Improve Your Customer Service

1. Stay in contact with customers on a regular basis.... Read More

Write a Business Thank-You Note

Have you seen that thing on TV where the gal... Read More

The Art of Giving Great Service

Sales is tough to get right, and depends on retaining... Read More

The 7 Principles of Business Integrity

If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't... Read More

Be A Resource

What is one of the greatest ways to add value... Read More

Customer Service For Huge Profits

Customer service is the most vital asset for Business either... Read More

Customer Service, the Internets Primary Neglected Business Concern

Customer service is everything to a business. Just look at... Read More

Customer Service Consultants

When all else fails in your company to meet the... Read More

Proofs of Delivery and Logistics: Speeding Throughput and Avoiding Pitfalls

It should be a straightforward business scenario: making sure that... Read More

In the Villa of the Sick Cat -- A Lesson in Customer Care

If you're a pet owner, you know the stress of... Read More

The Dissatisfied Customer

We, as small business people, naturally dislike complaints from our... Read More

Customer Service Tips for Mail Order Businesses

Can we be too good to our customers?... Read More

Astonish your Customers With These Customer Service Tips

Customer service today is getting worse. Win customers over and... Read More

Writing The Book On Great Customer Service

Q: One of the big chain bookstores recently opened up... Read More

How to Transform Your Voicemail into an Effective Medium of Communication

"Hi this is Randy. Leave me a message after the... Read More

Create a Positive, Upbeat, Can-Do Workforce and Dazzle the Customer with Your Caring!

Given the choice of dealing with a positive, upbeat employee... Read More

Increase Sum in Your Check Account with Follow-Ups

We'll be examining what makes follow up to prospects/customers so... Read More

Customer Service Is More Than Just Being Nice To People

Many organizations tackle to the issue of customer service by... Read More

Top 10 customer service tips

1. Hire people who have a service attitude. Some people... Read More

How To Kick Your Customer Service Up A Notch!

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Human Tech Tips --... Read More

Profit from a Customer Service Recovery Program

A client recently said to me: "Most days things seem... Read More

Foolproof Customer Service Strategies (That Only A Fool Would Try!)

Ever notice how customer service varies from store to store?... Read More

CRM For Beginners ? Customer Relationship Management Basics

In order to maintain a successful business, the business must... Read More

Customer Service - Winning Customer Experiences

Winning Customer ExperiencesMuch research has been done on what the... Read More

Difficult Customers - Theres No Such Thing

A couple of years ago I had a call from... Read More

Can Three Words In Websters Dictionary Be The Key To Customer Loyalty?

Are you concerned about customer loyalty? Are your customers so... Read More

How CRM Software Works -- Creating Customer Satisfaction with a Click

When people ask, "What is CRM?" the literal answer is,... Read More

Making the Connection: Customer Relationships That Build Your Business

Have you ever wondered why you often find a coupon... Read More

Poor Customer Service - Are Your Customers Driving Away Other Customers

Every customer you have is a word-of-mouth advertiser for you.... Read More

Dont Eliminate The Middle Man - Add One

Today, there are situations when we actually add a "middle... Read More