 You will find as you go through life; most of us will not have a career path that is a straight line. There will be unplanned detours, bumps in the road, large rivers to cross, and tollgates to slow you down. There will be times we wish we had that compass. For some, to have written down the directions, still others who will be kicking themselves for not asking for directions in the first place. Even with a career road map, spelling out your goals, one can come upon all sorts of hazards in the career road.
Metaphors aside, layoffs, downsizing, mergers, a new boss or new co-worker, unplanned transfer, or called to military service are all disruptors. Your spouse or other loved one transferred; going with them removes you from your current employer’s career ladder. Any of these and more not written about here, will put a cramp in anyone’s upward movement.
The question one now needs to ask; “What can I do about it?” The obvious is to plan for it, but in reality that is easier said than done, because more people do not plan at all. Still others plan it all out and then put the plan on the shelf, never to go back to it again.
Truth be told, your career planning is an on going process, linked in with other tools. Many are surprised to find how similar the process of career planning is much like running a business, where multiple disciplines come into play.
Your resume, or more to the fact - your resumes, are work in progress documents. Your resume is only good for a snapshot in time. However, you need to keep it up to date; this is where the “Have Resume - Will Travel” comes in. No, the word-play on the citation “Have Gun - Will Travel”, in not about travel, but the ability to be available. The Paladin of “Have Gun - Will Travel” fame was hired not because of his gun, but that he was a problem solver, with many more tools than a gun. Moreover, in his day, his resume was his reputation and business card, not so in our present day.
Your resume is your marketing piece or your background statement that is backed up by several other tools. Some of these tools are a bio, a Blue Sky written statement, a portfolio, your personal business plan, a skills appraisal or list, and a “60 Second- ME!”.
How does this fit in with you? “Have Resume - Will Travel”, is all about your career, and where your career path/road travels are leading you. Whether your present goal is internal or external; your resume is the key tool. Moreover, it is the combination of the other important career tools, which makes the resume the key tool. Much like “Paladin” you may be needed to solve problems for a new employer or existing employer at any time, so you need to be prepared.
Let Ingage help you in your career travels.
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