Career Plan Paradigm
Paradigm
A mind-set that presents a fundamental way of thinking about, perceiving and understanding the world.
Career Planning
The self-assessment, exploration of opportunities, goal setting and other activities needed to find the right job.
To get the best out of Perriam and Everett, it is vital that you have a clear understanding of what it is you want to achieve out of your career - in the short, medium and long term. Recruitment Consultants are excellent at helping their candidates manage their careers but for some inexplicable reason we often take less care when it comes to our own!
If you know what you are looking for, we can find it for you.
There are plenty of opportunities for good Recruiters. Career planning is a crucial step in linking your personal needs and aspirations with these market opportunities so that you choose the right job. We are often surprised at consultants who leap at unsuitable opportunities and then want to change jobs again shortly afterwards. Setting yourself a defined career plan may seem a bit intense, but it gives you criteria against which to logically compare opportunities thus enabling you to make an informed decision - whether to change companies and, if so, to which organisation. Also, when you find the right opportunity you'll recognise it.
There are four steps in planning a recruitment career and we are here to help you with each of them:
Self-assessment.
Gather (honest) data on yourself - strengths, weaknesses, values, interests, motivators, aspirations, successes. What have you got to offer - technical/functional expertise, sector knowledge, personal skills etc?
See Client Expectations.
Set goals.
What do you want to accomplish in the next year? Two years? Five years? What skills do you want to use or acquire? What environment do you want to work in? What are your financial targets? Do you want to manage, move into search, become an Account Manager or an Internal Recruiter? Perhaps you'd like to relocate or work abroad? Identify what you want from a new job and what you are prepared to negotiate on.
Explore opportunities.
Gather data on potential employers through interviewing. We can get you as many interviews as necessary to find you the right opportunity. Get as much information as possible. What are the career prospects, short and long term? Will you get the experience, exposure and training needed to get to where you want to be? (Remember you may not actually need to change organisations to do this). Match your career aspirations to market opportunities. What can you offer a new company and what can it offer you?
Match offers to original goals.
Hopefully there will soon be several organisations making you attractive offers. Refer to the goals you decided upon in Step 2 to find out which company can keep you on the right career track and help you achieve your original objectives. Stick to what you originally wanted and don't capitulate on your non-negotiables! Money is important but don't be swayed by huge packages and guarantees - other criteria are just as important. Your P & E Consultant will give you unbiased help in making your mind up.
Congratulations!
Now that you have found the right job you can concentrate on delivering the goods and fulfilling the company's expectations of you! However, career planning is an ongoing process, which should be regularly reviewed, redefining your objectives if necessary. It doesn't hurt to prepare a CV, at regular intervals, just to make sure you are still headed in the right direction. We are always here to give you impartial advice.
If you have any other questions email them to unstoppable@perriam-everett.co.uk
