How to Get Ahead Without Murdering your Boss (16 page)

(Peter Ellyard, Australian futurist and strategist, 2001.)

Take a moment to consider the effect on your career of globalisation, technology, economy and politics on your career. Write down what you feel might be the most influential effect/s on your career.

Exercise 3B: Past or present organisation

Is your organisation viable, for example, is your organisation a good fit for you? Does it:

• support research and development,
  
• exhibit growth potential,
  
• promote learning culture,
  
• share wealth with employees,
  
• value open communication,
  
• share authority?
  

Exercise 3C: Profession/occupation

Is your profession core or secondary to your organisation? For example, is it a front-office role, such as sales or customer service, or a back-office function, such as IT, HR or finance?

Exercise 3D: Local marketplace issues

Note any local marketplace issues for you. For example, if you are committed to living in a certain area, what does the employment landscape look like? Are there major employers, growth industries, etc.?

Exercise 3E: Industry

What is your assessment of your industry currently, for example, when considering global and local competition, regulatory impact, expanding products and services?

Other industries

If you are considering a change to another industry, refer to the list below and tick which industries you'd like to research further.

Predicted future growth industries

Career Management Strategy Four

Financial Objectives

Current financial position

How much money do you need to meet your current financial commitments? For example, home, insurance, motor vehicle and living costs? If you don't know, consider carrying out an analysis of your financial position. For example, if you decided that you want to make a career change, this may involve taking a reduction in salary for a period of time. Alternatively, if you are looking at self-employment options, this may involve a period of low or no income while establishing your business.

Exercise 4A: Financial analysis

Analyse the results of your financial budget, involving your partner, if applicable. How long can you afford to be out of work, for example, in the case of pregnancy, redundancy, full-time study leave? Consider the best case/worse case scenario:

When do you plan to retire? How much money will you need to maintain an acceptable lifestyle?

Do you have a financial planner? If not, consider whether a good planner can add value to your financial wellbeing?

For a list of reputable financial planners please go to the Financial Planning Association of Australia
www.fpa.asn.au