Six Steps Toward Career Success

Do you want to survive -- and even thrive -- in your financial services career? If your answer is yes, you must manage your career. Failing to take deliberate, thoughtful action to develop your career is a common but potentially fatal mistake. And waiting for others to do it for you will have similar results, said Dr. Steven Graubard, corporate and consulting psychologist, in his September 20, 2005 presentation to the Boston Security Analysts Society.

Here are six action steps you can take.

  • Get an assessment of your style, skills, potentials, and derailers. Graubard recommends using a trained assessor, but that can be costly -- $3,500 and up -- so try to get your company to pay for it.
  • Get feedback on how you are perceived by others. You will probably have to ask for feedback because people don't often volunteer feedback,
  • Get a network to become known, connected and supported.
  • Get a coach to help you set strategic career development goals and implement action steps. Look for one who has coached people in your type of organization and at your level. Once you have a name check with past and current clients whom you can ask for references.
  • Get a champion in your organization to sponsor your career movement. A champion does things like ensure that you get assigned to projects that stretch your capabilities.
  • Get a mentor to guide your career trajectory. If you don't know a good candidate, ask your friends to recommend a mentor or check with your college alumni association for someone in your company.

Got questions? You can contact Dr. Graubard at 617-527-2118.

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Susan Weiner, CFA (sbweiner@aol.com) ghostwrites articles for executives and writes or edits white papers, sales presentations and other documents that help investment-related companies win new business and retain clients.