HOW TO PLAN AND ADVANCE YOUR’S OR OTHERS’S PROFESSIONAL CAREER

(Note: This paper is the result of Federal Government resources and research, and shall not be subject to copyright protection. It shall remain in the public domain so it can be used for training and education purposes without restriction.)

 

 

By Michael J. Johnson, M.A.

Carmen M. Johnson, M.B.A.

 

Recently we heard someone ask, “How do people advance to the very top jobs in their career field.”  We saw dollar signs flash in their eyes!   Well OK, how does one become a Senior Executive in the Federal Government, Top Corporate Executive, Millionaire Lawyer or Big University President?  Of course there are those who get there by sheer luck, or because of family connections, but most get there either knowingly or unknowingly following several principles, some good and ethical, and some not so good or downright dishonest.  Below are some good, ethical and honest ways one can plan and move up in their career.

 

Disclaimer: This article is NOT about finding fulfillment, peace, “true success”, a happy marriage, good health, true love, and all the things money and power can’t buy. After all there are many that have climbed the corporate ladder only to find out it’s leaning against the wrong building.

 

Now, having said that… money and power won’t buy any of the above for most people, but in order to live life to the fullest, sometimes an honest grab at the brass ring may be worth a try to make life exciting!

 

Basic Planning and Advancement Techniques for your Professional Career

 

1. The Right Career! If you select a career that is very large in volume you already have odds in your favor. A career field like business, engineering, medicine or law with thousands of high paying professional jobs will support many top-level positions.  Others in smaller career fields can make it to the top but will need to work harder at exercising the other principles stated below.  Also, if you are in a small career or low-end job field, this doesn’t mean you can’t change, but it may take extra effort.   What is your passion?

 

2. Get as much education as possible early on in your life!  Almost all-Senior

Management positions require not only a degree but also an advanced degree. And careers in medicine, law and higher education require advanced degrees just to start out.  Oh, there are those who make it to the top in business without formal education, but they tend to be people who start their own companies, entrepreneurs, and others who got started many years ago.  Do your research because the rules are different in some fields. What education will it take to get you where you want to be?

 

3. The more experience the better!  We recently talked to a lady who never stays

in one job more than a year and a half. She feels, and I believe she is right, you know 80% of a job after about a year. Then its time to move on and get more experience somewhere else.  Experience counts and the more the better. The only way to get to the top is to allow yourself as many varied experiences as possible within the core business areas.

                                                                                               

4. Training. The more training the better! Your value increases with what you know.  If your company won’t pay or supply your training it many be worth paying for yourself.  After all, you can take your knowledge with you when you move on!

 

5. Take Care of Your Health! Smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, poor diet, stressing out over little things and NOT getting proper rest and relaxation will cause you to burnout, dropout and die young before getting to the top.  Take care of yourself, see the doctor when your not well and finding hobbies and interests that can help head off a mirad of health problems and mental conditions that could keep you from fulfilling your potential.

 

6. All the Other Stuff. Things like: working hard, working smart, staying motivated, team building, getting along, taking special high visibility projects, finding a mentor, reading quality professional literature, joining professional associations, hobbies that enhance your job, etc. can make a difference. There are hundreds of books and seminars that tell you more of the basics -keep reading. And remember… “You won’t be promoted unless you promote yourself!”

 

Advanced Planning and Advancement Techniques for your Professional Career

 

1. Know Thyself! Before you grab for the brass ring you’ll be more likely to take hold if you know the extent of your reach. Do an honest assessment of yourself – what is your ability to tolerate stress?  Are you afraid to lead?   Do you feel resourceful and strong enough to take on all comers?  What is your tolerance for long hours, travel, time pressure?  Do you feel confident speaking in public, to large groups, to possibly unfriendly hostile groups?  Do you have the courage to stand-alone and make unpopular decisions? It’s best to explore these issues in depth before you spend years striving for something you don’t have tolerance for.

 

2. Did you ever notice that when politicos leave office they make the most money of

their lives. Why? Because they got an inside view of public policy, and they are highly valued by somebody who wants to tilt public policy in their economic favor.  Call your state or national representative for your geographic area.  Ask him or her for a listing of non-partisan public policy boards and committees that you can serve on. If you serve on those committees you will be plugged in with all the up and comers.  Or volunteer to help with someone’s campaign; if they win their coattails may bring you up. Who are the key players that could help you advance to your desired job?

 

3. The Home Team! No one is suggesting you launch into a sacred convenant with

anything else on your mind except the nobler things in life. And of course you select a partner in marriage who is kind, considerate, understanding and has an affinity for high ideals.  But, what if you could get all the aforementioned plus someone who is smart, highly educated, can work a cocktail party, cut a mean rug, is charming and has some financial resources… you now have more synergy on your side.

 

4. Be Likable. It helps to start your career and work in a large organization.  This gives you a

chance to display your skills early to a large pool of observers. If many higher ups take a liking to you and your skills, it can create goodwill credit in your favor. Think about it, it helps to have others want you to succeed rather than putting barriers in your way.

 

5.  Discernment! Probably one of the most important skills for those getting close to the executive suite. Everyday top leaders must make hundreds of decisions.  They cannot afford to get bogged down in minutia.  They read people well and hire or select people that are smarter and more talented in areas where they are weak.  They have just 24 hours in each day like everyone else, but must decide each day what is of the most value to their organization not only each day, month and year, but several years down the road.  They must understand themselves well enough to know when to rest, charge ahead, and make a good decision.   They must know their weaknesses and strengths and know early when their organization is traveling down the road to a poor decision.

 

6. Mass communication! It is not good enough to be able to write, speak and communicate well on a personal or professional level. You need to be able to do it on a large scale, in a confident and convincing manor.   You need to be able to sell your vision to hundreds or thousand of people, many who may not have an open mind and possibly be biased before you begin.   You must understand strategies of communication and be proactive enough to get ahead of rumors, problems and bad publicity.

 

 

7. Team Building! Becoming part of the intercircle and once your inside size-up potential team members? “Know thyself, the organization and other team members well enough to hire people that will make an immediate impact on problems, and assist in meeting all levels of goals. You’ll need to establish a sense of confidence and credibility in the first 100 days of your leadership to get traction and gain momentum.

 

8. Ethical Management! Remember that most people don’t get caught until they begin to climb the ladder. The Executive who says he earned his Masters Degree in Business from NYU in 1985 can get away for years until he begins to move up and the spotlight shines a little brighter at every step.  Then because of the increase exposure, questions begin to arise, journalist begins scratching away, and hard questions begin to surface. Those who cheat, lie and steal usually get caught in this life, especially if they move up into the spotlight… it just takes a little time, and if they don’t get caught in this life, maybe they will in the next life!  

 

9. Charity Work. Who serves on the executive boards of charities? Other executives! Most biographical sketches of those in the private sector include information on their service to the non-for-profit community.

 

10. The Intangibles. If an executive placement agency has been contracted to serve up several qualified candidates to be considered for a very high paying leadership position in a large company – all the candidates will be great people, with degrees from good universities, all will have a depth of experience and meet all the criteria mentioned above. As a mater of fact, the candidates will be so strong that all of them will be highly qualified and anyone could probably do an excellent job. So how will the board of directors make its decision?  The board will ask this question of themselves, “Who can we work best with?” With the answer to that question they make their selection.   But we are willing to bet that at all levels of interviews people doing the hiring ask that question whether they admit it or not.

 

Summary.   It is good to remember that there is a certain amount or luck, providence or what some call serendipity in everyone’s career.   However, it’s also good to remember that the odds favor the prepared!  Make the odds in you favor by setting forth a career plan based on the above principles.

 

Best wishes to Aspiring Executives and Federal Employed Women,

 

Michael and Carmen Johnson