Shaken and stirred – How to manage your career

“Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn’t an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned” said a source at Radar. But Craig has previously said that he would rather slash his wrists than agree to another film.

The reason appears to be one of not wanting to pigeon-hole himself in the role. Craig feels that for the sake of his career and what he wants to achieve, continuing to play Bond would do more harm than good. Even if you are not an A-list movie star, career planning is a skill many fail to develop, yet, in order to achieve your career aims it is essential. Here are some top tips.

(1) Establish clear goals

It’s important to be clear about your career destination. It may be a long term aspiration, involving multiple steps, so you also need to think about mini goals along the way – what you need to achieve to reach your final goal. Assessing where you are and what you need to do is easier if you view it in “bite sized” chunks.

(2) Communicate your goals

When communicating your goals you should be clear and unambiguous. Your manager and mentors should know what your goals are. Of course it’s important that you don’t come across as arrogant and not interested in the job you are currently doing. Performing well in your current job is a key step towards achieving your career goals.

(3) Encourage feedback

In order to develop your skills, you must be able to take both positive and negative feedback. Whilst it can be uncomfortable, constructive criticism allows you to adjust your approach and this will benefit your career. It may also allow you to review your goals and make any changes.

(4) Don’t be modest

Share your successes and when you talk about your achievements, focus on what you actually did to deliver a great result, rather than a personal quality which is inherent to you. It’s also important that you focus on the outcome or benefit to the organisation/client/team of your actions – the “so what” of your achievement, in a straightforward, non-bragging style.

(5) Keep records

Once a quarter, make a record (along with any examples etc) of things you have achieved. This helps with goal setting and will also help you during appraisals and interviews, rather than having to rack your brains.

Continue for tips on building personal credibility and putting yourself forward.

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