| Working with thousands of clients as a Career | | | | control before it becomes too late. |
| Coach, I have concluded that there are 3 Career | | | | Of course, some people are approaching |
| States which are fairly evenly distributed. None of | | | | retirement and wanting to take things easier |
| these career states is inherently good or bad, but | | | | which looks like moving backward, but for the |
| what makes the real difference is whether you | | | | right reason and others are consciously |
| are in control or able to determine your own | | | | 'downshifting' for a less pressured or more |
| future. | | | | relaxing way of life. The difference here is that |
| The 3 Career States are what I can only describe | | | | when the decision is your own, then moving |
| as 'moving forward', 'moving backward' or | | | | backward with your career can be a very |
| 'standing still' and most people will recognize which | | | | positive move for you and your family. |
| state applies to their job or career today. | | | | Standing Still |
| Of course, whether you're moving forward, | | | | This is the area which people who are 'happy with |
| moving backward or standing still with your career | | | | their lot' occupy. For example the salesman who |
| doesn't actually matter if you are happy with that | | | | thoroughly enjoys the interaction with customers |
| condition. Moving forward sounds like a positive | | | | and although seen as capable of becoming a sales |
| situation, but isn't necessarily so whilst moving | | | | manager, rejects the idea of moving away from |
| backward or even standing still sounds a little | | | | front-line customer contact to managing others |
| negative. Again that isn't necessarily so we need | | | | who do. |
| to consider who is in control. | | | | This is different from the individual who is held |
| Moving Forward | | | | back by their employer because they are seen as |
| Of the 3 Career States this sounds the best and | | | | being too valuable in their particular role, which |
| most desirable state to be in, one that most | | | | may eventually become stressful to the person |
| people would aspire to. But think about this: if | | | | concerned. |
| you're being pushed further and faster by your | | | | It's also different from the employee who has hit |
| employer than you feel able to cope with, is that | | | | a career 'plateau' and become stuck doing one |
| good? | | | | job. This candidate is often the first name that |
| Moving forward at your own pre-determined rate, | | | | arises when downsizing looms. |
| towards a goal of your choosing is a more | | | | So these 3 Career States are neither good or |
| satisfying and fulfilling condition so managing your | | | | bad, that difference being determined by whether |
| own career progress is much more positive than | | | | the individuals are in control of their own career |
| your career being channeled only to suit your | | | | paths; not being in control is something that can |
| employer's needs. | | | | be stressful yet can be changed given the right |
| Moving Backward | | | | information and a little determination. Whichever |
| The obvious thought when you hear of | | | | state your career is in, if you are not happy with |
| someone's career going backwards is that they | | | | it's direction, you must decide to take control. |
| are failing or on the way out. I measure a | | | | Get help with asserting your employability, there |
| backward moving career against the peer group | | | | are many Career Blueprints available which teach |
| and if they are moving forward, being promoted | | | | you how to redefine your own value and sell your |
| and you are not, or you are being passed over | | | | unique skills either afresh to your current |
| for promotion, then you are in the moving | | | | employer or to start over with a new career. |
| backward career group and need to act to take | | | | |