Career opportunities do not just fall in one’s lap. There is a saying that can be applied here and it’s the fact that ‘You need to be in it, to win it.’ Being open to career opportunities involves a process and these 7 tips will help get you started.
1. Have the right mindset
A mindset that enables you to see opportunities around you, all the time. Make an effort to seek out “hidden” opportunities like job openings that are not advertised, and projects that you can initiate because you have spotted an unfulfilled need within your organisation or industry. Opportunities can be created by an open mind and thinking laterally about possibilities.
2. Identify your strength and weaknesses
Understand your strengths and weaknesses to help you identify the opportunities that are relevant for you. It will require that you discriminate between opportunities that will enhance your skills, experience, and complement your career goals.
3. Network to develop professional contacts and opportunities
Networking within your organisation and industry enables you to keep abreast of the latest news and events. Networking may open the door to opportunities that otherwise may not be known or available to you. The larger your network, the greater the available opportunities that come your way. Consider volunteering for an organisation or committee to widen your network to spot opportunities.
4. Consider opportunities that fit
When you consider opportunities, be selective about those that match your passion, skill set, and fit into the context of your professional and personal life. Factors to consider include:
· Your passion and skill set
· Current lifestyle
· Salary/compensation
· Job security
· Overall career and life goals
· Future training/development available
· Opportunity cost – the benefit or value that you will need to give up to acquire or achieve the opportunity.
For example, to pursue an opportunity might require you to undertake work projects outside your full time job. This will increase your work commitment and hours, and decrease your leisure time, time with the family, or for yourself. Some people might prefer to leave their current role and transition into a new role. It may take time and there are financial considerations.
5. Commit to the opportunity
To attain your goal you will need to commit yourself to action the necessary tasks, and rise above challenges that you may face. When people under commit to their careers, they tend to get poor outcomes. When you are clear about what you want and commit yourself to create it, however long it takes, individuals usually get there.
6. Narrow your choices
When an opportunity comes your way, consider it in light of your professional and personal context. If you spread your efforts and attention too thinly, it will be difficult for you to maintain the opportunity to the required standard. Think clearly and pursue the opportunity with professionalism and positive energy. Consider factors such as:
· What it involves, on a day-to-day basis, and how it fits with your lifestyle.
· The rewards associated with it.
· The knowledge, skills, aptitudes, and experience needed to take full advantage of it.
· How likely you are to find it satisfying.
· What career path the opportunity leads to.
· The risks associated with the opportunity.
You may want to devise a decision making matrix to weigh up the factors to help you make a well thought through decision. Document the analysis to review it over time.
7. Prepare and take action
Once you identify an opportunity to pursue, prepare and take strategic action with written goals, tasks, priorities and due dates. People very rarely fall into their perfect career. Once you undertake reflection, make the decision to commit mentally, emotionally and physically with your time and effort. Commitment is an internal decision that will enable you to persevere through challenging times. A ‘half baked’ commitment will not sustain, and will fizzle with time.
Searching for opportunities is an ongoing process, not a one time act. It is an attitude where you keep your eyes and mind open, are patient and persistent. You never know what door will open when you open the door to opportunities.