Principal Consultant, Career OverDrive!
On an almost daily basis I'm contacted by or, during the course of the day, I come across individuals who express frustration that they either (a) have the proper credentials to do a particular job or (b) have proven experience at doing a particular job, yet they somehow have great difficulty in finding or landing not just that particular job but often any job.
There are a number of very granular reasons as to why this is, but for now, takes take a 20,000 foot view of what's going on here:
- Being good at "doing a job" isn't the same as being good at "finding a job".
- Being good at "finding a job" isn't the same as being "good at landing a job" (i.e., receiving an offer and joining the company).
- Being good at "landing a job" isn't the same as "doing the job", let alone "keeping it".
- And even if one is good at all of those, it doesn't follow that one is also automatically good at planning and managing a career.
Below are the 5 broad areas in which some level or core competency is necessary for an individual to establish, nurture and enjoy a long vibrant and fruitful career.
It should also be noted that each of these 5 areas can also be analyzed on a much more granular basis.
For instance, finding a job and landing a job would together include activities such as job discovery or job creation, resume design and development, locking down interview opportunities, closing down the interview, receiving a written job offer, negotiating a "proper" starting salary and package, onboarding and so on.
Five Broad Areas Of Career Competency:
1. Do a job
2. Find a job
3. Land a job
4. Keep a job
5. Plan and manage a career
Do you agree or disagree with this view? Which areas do you find yourself strongest in? Which areas do you find your skills to be uneven or perhaps in need of a boost if not a tear down and rebuild?