Managing your own career: lifestyles,economic cycles and counter-cyclicals

Abstract

The management of an individual’s own career is a big subject and is acutely personal. The task of advising people in general terms about their career in an objective way is very difficult. Some observations are made about career development, the give and take elements of investment in individuals, the delicate relationship between employee and employer and the special mixture which makes a good career. The account is actively shaped by the author’s own personal experience, tempered by the anecdotes of the many people who have shared their experiences during job interviews. Concludes that there is no such thing as the perfect career, that the “correct” CV is an urban myth and that careers do not tend to progress at a consistently rapid speed, even amongst the supremely talented. Careers more usually tend to grow in fits and starts, moulding themselves to opportunity, domestic issues and circumstances beyond the individual’s control. Recommends that, whether a person is actively looking for a job or not, reviewing available options as well as the CV is very important. Being ever ready for an internal promotion, chance invitation or business opportunity, means that the person is more likely to be able to react quickly when the time comes, so avoiding the risk of opportunities going to waste.