Turn Your Career Path Into That Yellow Brick Road

Does it feel like your career path is turning into a dead-end road? Here’s how to keep growing in your chosen vocation.

When we embark on our life’s work, we have the best intentions to go the distance and climb to the top of the corporate ladder.

But many of us find that five, 10, 20 years down the road we are suddenly looking at our career path and wondering how we ended up on the slip road!

Not being complacent about your career — taking time to take stock — will help turn a humdrum work life into an exciting journey.

Foo See Luan, 71, is an Executive Career Coach who specializes in performance and personal effectiveness enhancement as well as career and life planning skills. Previously, he was the Human Resources Director for BOC Gases (where he oversaw 7,000 employees in 10 countries) and a Human Resources Consultant with Exxon Mobil. He shares some wise pointers with Nanz Inc on paving one’s way to a successful career.

1. Know yourself.
Consider how your family background, education and work experience has shaped you as a person. Also consider your skill set based on the industries you’ve worked in and the various functions you served. “Subconsciously, we imbibe all these life experiences and this affects our values, ways of thinking, behaviour, choices, habits, character and ultimately, destiny,” Foo explains.

2. Know your strengths.
What are your assets and what have you been successful at? Besides looking at the tangible successes that you’ve achieved, it’s also important to think about your character strengths. What is your general attitude towards things and people? How do you interact with others? “This stage requires a lot of reflection. You may also realize that it’s the unseen things such as a good Emotional Quotient (EQ) that will put you in good stead,” says Foo.

3. Choose a career that is something you have a passion and a competency in.
When you do well in what you are doing, and you appear to enjoy doing it, you will inevitably get more opportunities from your bosses to develop in that area. “In Asia, it is quite common for parents to tell their children to choose high-paying jobs at the expense of their interests. Forcing yourself to do something that you don’t like can have very devastating effects, sometimes to the point of a psychological breakdown,” Foo warns.

4. Assess the relevant market once you’ve decided on a particular industry where you want to build your career up.
“More than ever, the recent economic turmoil has taught us that things are constantly changing. Many people used to view banking as a dream career, but obviously, this has changed,” he points out.

5. Don’t just zoom in on one thing.
Come up with two or three choices. “Just as how a headhunter presents two to three job candidates for their clients to recruit for a position, it’s important to have several game plans so you have choices,” says Foo.

6. Don’t be selfish.
We are constantly interacting with people when we work, whether they be our subordinates, peers or supervisors. All these relationship connections ultimately link right up to the CEO and as such, it is essential to get their collaboration. Says Foo, “It is important to demonstrate politeness, respect, consideration and friendliness. Don’t place yourself ahead of others.”

7. Always keep check on yourself.
Do you find fulfillment with your current job? Do you feel there is meaning in what you do? “Always monitor, always follow-up, always assess these areas,” says Foo.