It is vital that you regularly take time out to assess your career.
I recommend performing a career assessment at least twice a year, more frequently if possible.
A career assessment gives you the opportunity to identify the gap between where you are currently in your career and where you want to be. It also enables you to evaluate the value you are providing as well as the value you are getting back.
I suggest carrying out your own personal career assessment in addition to any appraisal or monitoring that may take place within your organisation. The assessments that are carried out within in the work place are focused on the outcomes you will deliver for the company. A personal career assessment concentrates on the results you will produce in your own life.
I recommend performing a career assessment at least twice a year, more frequently if possible. It is also worth comparing your personal career assessment with any performance tools you use at work, and identifying any conflicts.
For example, if you have a personal goal to spend more time with your family and friends but one of your career goals requires significant international travel, this could cause significant disharmony for you.
A career assessment can be a very effective tool for gaining clarity and aligning your personal and professional goals. To get started with your personal career assessment, answer the following questions:
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What are my top 3 personal priorities over the next 3/6/12 months?
Imagine yourself in the future, 3/6/12 months from today. What will you have achieved? What aspirations will you have fulfilled?
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How does my career add value/contribute to my top 3 personal priorities?
Consider your top priorities and commitments at work. Do they move you closer to your top 3 personal priorities or move you further away?
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What can I do to deliver the most value to my career and desired lifestyle?
Your career matters to you as much as your desired lifestyle. What adjustments can you make to ensure you are adding value to all areas of your live?
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What have I achieved over the last 3/6/12 months? What am I doing well? What do I need to do more of?
As you achieve goals, it can be easy to move straight on to the next goal without reflecting on what you have accomplished. What actions did you take that were most effective?
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What lessons have I learned over the last 3/6/12 months? What improvements can I make? What do I need to do differently?
Inevitably things will not go according to plan and obstacles and challenges will come up. What can you learn and how can you apply what you have learnt going forward?
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How does my career align with my desired lifestyle?
Once you have clarity on your top priorities, it will become clear if your career is in alignment with your desired lifestyle. Does your career give you the freedom and inspiration to live a life you love or do you resent your job? Do you feel like your professional life adds to your personal joy and fulfilment or do you feel like your career is an obstacle?
Performing a personal career assessment not only gives you clarity and focus, it allows you measure the progress you are making on your personal goals. The results can be used to create an action plan and to set SMART goals, enabling you to better align your personal and professional aspirations.
Are your personal and professional goals aligned?
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” ~ Jimmy Dean
Author Bio:
Leanne Lindsey loves inspiring, motivating and empowering women who have had enough of feeling demotivated, fed up and unfulfilled to create a career and life they love. She is a Career and Lifestyle Fulfilment Coach and author of Get A Career & Life You Love, who has experienced redundancy, a complete career change, starting a small business and as a result is enjoying what she calls “the sweetness of life”.
Through 1-1 coaching, workshops and writing, Leanne works predominantly with women who are considering a career change or craving a more fulfilled life, to identify any limiting beliefs, find inspiration, get creative, explore their options, rediscover their purpose and develop a plan for living a more meaningful life, full of happiness, joy, peace and abundance.
To receive a FREE guide to creating a happier and more fulfilled career and life, click here or visit her website.
