Do you have what it takes to steer your career in this stormy new world?

When I trained as a career guidance practitioner (the second of three career changes), I stumbled across Albert Bandura’s concept of self-efficacy.

What this means is the confidence in your ability to steer your course – whatever the landscape and weather – with effectiveness and confidence. While it’s a term that can be applied to any area of life, in career terms it’s about intention, confidence and using smart career management skills.

I’ve realised just how important this ability is for success in these volatile times. When career paths were linear, predictable and often reflected the idea of a ‘job for life’ (remember that?), career management was something your line manager did for you. There were clear lines of ascent and change was much, much slower.

Today change is normal, and it’s often in hyper-drive. No sooner has one re-structuring been completed than the next begins. We expect innovation, high tech solutions, and new ways of getting ahead of the competition. Disruptions are almost standard.

And then along came Covid. That took adaptability, innovative ways of working and unpredictability to a whole new level.

Welcome to the new world of agility, resilience and pivot!

Josh Bersin, HR analyst and researcher, puts it this way:

“The age of the career ladder safety net is over.”

And that’s why your ability to recognize when it’s worth taking a risk, going for a secondment, a new project, experimenting, pivoting – whatever it takes to develop a career that takes you in the right direction – is going to be your best asset in your long and winding career.

And who sets that direction? Well, I’d say it’s you!

I use the word ‘direction’ advisedly because the landscape will inevitably and unpredictably change over the decades of your career. Re-invention will be required and no two careers will look alike.

That’s when self-efficacy will see you through.

It’s also when a clear values compass, self-awareness, personal reflection, and a constant refresh of your purpose barometer will help you set the best course for you.

How to master your career when everything changes

How confident are you that you have what it takes to steer your career through these unpredictable times?

No one has a functioning crystal ball and neither is our knowledge of how things worked in the past very much help.

So how can you be confident that you can build a working life that suits you – whatever the world throws your way? 

Let’s consider managing your career with three things in mind:

·      your personal career needs and what you have to offer  (you)

·      the lifestyle you want and how work fits into that  (your life)

·      the changing world out there (the reality) 

Juggling all three is an art form because there are so many moving parts.

I call it the art of Career Mastery, because when you understand the components and have confidence in your ability to understand and position them well, you have mastered the art of designing a career that will work for you. And when conditions change, you’ll know how to set a new course that stays aligned but adapts to the new realities.

If you want to understand the different elements of Career Mastery, complete this checklist.

Download the full checklist using this link

There are 21 elements, each one dealing with a different piece of the career management puzzle. 

You’ll identify how well equipped you feel to design your career and will quickly realize where you need to put in some work to enable you to move forward in YOUR direction.

You’ll find plenty of articles on many of the elements of career mastery on this site, along with career services that will help you design the career you really need.

I hope this article has started the ball rolling in developing your own career mastery  - and I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below. 

If you haven’t already discovered what you need your career to give you (beyond the obvious ‘pay the bills’),  this guide to uncover your Career Success Criteria will help. 

What does career success mean to you?

Mobility? Security? Purpose? Use the guide to find out whether your current career is taking you in the right direction.

And you’re welcome to use the button below to arrange a free 30-minute career call. We can discuss what’s missing in your current career, and the steps you can take to move in the best direction for you. 

To your career mastery!