Career Move

I read an interesting career question today and it got me thinking, what role do leaders play in the careers of their people? You may even think about a leader making a career change. I received this article in an email from Career News, it was abridged from the Boston Globe.

BOSTON, MA -- Q. I am 35 years old and have been in sales since college. I don't feel any satisfaction from my current role and am considering a change to the creative side of marketing. People say I'm too old to make such a big change. Your thoughts?

A. You have 15 years invested in a career that is no longer fulfilling, and you have at least 30 more years to work. Working 30 more years in a field that doesn't bring you enjoyment will be much harder than a job search you start today.

You are absolutely not too old to make a career change, and changing roles, functions or industries is just another type of career plan. Your career plan needs to chart a course toward a new role. People make all sorts of big and small career changes at a variety of ages. People go to law school, get MBA's or MSW's regardless of what their previous careers are. They decide to teach or to quit teaching. They transfer to a new role within their current employer. They change industries. What they know is that they'll get older regardless of whether they pursue a new career or not. So develop your plan. Don't assume this will be a one-step career move. It may be, but it may take 2-3 career moves to help you make the transition you are hoping for.

Here are some things leaders can do to help those who are interested in career changes after many years in the same role or the same type of job.

·         Leaders should encourage their people to follow their passion.

·         The leader should find ways in the jobs of their people to utilize their talent and help them to grow that passion.

·         The leader should help find opportunities within the organization to help that person expand their talents and passion.

·         It is never fun to lose employees but a leader could help the person network to find a job outside of the organization. Especially if there aren’t opportunities within the organization.

o    It is better for the leader to help the person find that opportunity than to keep them and make them disgruntled or disengaged.

Tomorrow I will address the things the leader can do for themselves if they want to make that career change.