Management Tip of the Day: Focus on a Career Direction, Not a Specific Job

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   TIPS   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile DECEMBER 13, 2012 Focus on a Career Direction, Not a Specific Job In an unpredictable world, traditional career planning is a waste of time. It's close to impossible to pinpoint exactly where you'll be in five years and work backwards. Instead, you need to see opportunities as they arise and take smart steps down the right path. Begin with a direction, based on a real desire. While you can't say what exact job you might hold down the line, you can say what matters to you. Is it working in a specific industry? Managing people or not? Having work/life balance? Your answers will point you in a productive direction. Then think about the means you have to move in that direction: What are your talents and skills? Whom do you know? What do you know? With these assets in mind, you can act as opportunities present themselves. Today's Management Tip was adapted from the HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job. Buy the book and learn how to find a career that fits » Share Today's Tip: FEATURED PRODUCT HBR Guide to Getting the Right Job Ebook Now Available Trying to figure out where you want your career to go — and get a job that'll take you there? That's no easy task in a fiercely competitive market. How do you clearly and convincingly define what you've got to offer to an organization? And how do you dig up realistic opportunities that match your skills and passions? Even if you've discovered exciting possibilities, you may face other obstacles: Perhaps you're finding it difficult to compete with more-seasoned professionals. Or maybe you're struggling to show a logical progression in your job history because you've hopped around. With challenges like these, it can be hard to get any job at all, let alone something that's satisfying, stable, and a good fit. But you can find and land the right job for you, even in a tough economy, with help from the experts in this guide. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: PREVIOUS TIPS Don't Sacrifice Long-Term Growth Just to Hit Your Forecast Before a Big Presentation, Brainstorm Quit Your Job, for Real This Time Don't Be a Bad Boss The One Person Every Network Needs Be Assertive While Being Yourself Motivate Disgruntled Employees Use "Returnships" to Bring in Fresh Talent What You Can Do To Prevent Layoffs Keep Your To-Do List Fresh with the 3-Day Rule All Previous Tips BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's 10 Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done Introducing Mobile ManageMentor Powered by the proven content of Harvard ManageMentor™ iTunes >> Android >> UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2012 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)