career planning

“So we have a new Chief Revenue Officer, and he set up a meeting to get to know me and share some ideas for where he sees the direction of Marketing.  And then he asked me a question – and I’m not sure if I answered it right.” “What was the question?” “He asked me where do I see my career going.  And I didn’t know what to say and I told him I’m happy with where I’m at.” Heed the career warning of the Cheshire cat I smiled. It reminds me of something the Cheshire cat said in the story of Alice in Wonderland.  Alice is wandering through the wilderness and comes to a fork in the road where she meets the Cheshire cat.  The cat asks Alice where she’s going and Alice responds that she doesn’t know.  To which the cat brilliantly responds – “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” I also smiled because I hear this all the time, especially from women leaders.  Like Alice, we often don’t have a good answer to this very important question.  We even misconstrue this question.  We think it’s a test of loyalty – are they trying to figure out if I’m wanting to leave the organization?  Or a test of arrogance – If I say I want their job eventually will they think I’m all high and mighty?  Will they get threated by my ambitions?  I should just be happy with where I’m at – right? Yes and no.  You may be perfectly happy with where you are in the organization now, and yet, it’s important you have a sense for where you want your career to go in the longer term.  These aren’t mutually exclusive.  Thinking about the trajectory of your career is a both and, not an either or. Being proactive about your career isn’t being pompous “But I don’t want to be CRO.  The thought of it scares me.”  She went on to say. But here’s the point.  The thought of it might scare you now, but what about in 5 years?  It’s one thing to do your due diligence on career planning and then say, this is the career path I think will be best for me, and here is a considered reason why based on research and sound analysis.  I like being close to the impact, I enjoy the execution and tactics more than the strategy and see myself more in a marketing operations role rather than a CRO role.  Fair enough.  But more often than not, we exclude things from our path because they seem too big or because of a fear of the unknown.  Or we worry about being perceived as overly ambitious and don’t want to rock the boat.  Take active management of your career Taking an active role in the management of your career implies just that.  I’m thinking about it, I’m working to create goals for the short term, the mid-term, and the […]

Life is full of annoying administrative tasks you have to do.  You may be thinking, why should I add another one to the mix?  Besides, isn’t my boss responsible for guiding my career and sharing developmental opportunities with me?  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  One of my favorite sayings in life comes from the immortal mouth of the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland – “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” What is a Personal Development Plan? A personal development plan is a succinct document that summarizes three important things: 1) Your key skills and experiences to date 2) How you’re looking to develop your skills for the future 3) What roles you’re looking to aspire to as you progress your career When I help career coaching and leadership coaching clients put one of these together, we often start backwards and answer question three:  Where do you want to go with your career?  That then informs what skills/experiences you will need to get there – which is question two.  What skills may you be lacking?  What experiences will help you grow and make you the right candidate for that coveted role? The value of a Personal Development Plan To the extent you’re focused and actively managing your career, opportunities won’t literally pass you by.  That pet project that will give you added visibility?  You’ll know to ask for it, particularly if you’re looking for the all-important promotion.  And the added benefit of asking your line manager to complete the personal development plan exercise with you, means it’s also on their radar screen as well. Who needs a Personal Development Plan? You do, no matter how early or late you are in your career, no matter what track your career is on.  It’s important you start thinking about this right away when you’re in a new job.  And if it’s not on your manager’s radar screen, initiate the conversation yourself.  Prepare a draft, ask for their input.  Ultimately, it’s up to you to be in the driving seat of your career!   Shelley Pernot is a leadership and career coach who is passionate about helping her clients discover their strengths and talents and find a career that utilizes them.  Reach out to me here for a free consultation to learn more about the coaching process and how it may benefit you!

Should I Call an Austin Career Coach? Perhaps you’re thinking it’s time for a promotion?  Or maybe a career change?  What about starting your own business?  Or maybe you’re wondering if you’ll ever manage to find a career your feel passionate about because you’re living a version of groundhog day, doing the same thing day in and day out.  A career coach in Austin, TX, can help you explore these questions as well as challenge your beliefs that may be holding you back from success. Career Coaches Understand Today’s Recruitment Methods Linkedin, Indeed – the bottom line is the job market has changed.  You upload your resume into a nameless, faceless database and you never hear back.  How can this be – you were perfect for that job!  Recruiting has changed too, whether we like it or not.  How can a person possibly stay abreast of all the latest developments?  A career coach in Austin is skilled at helping you navigate this new and confusing world. Hire a Career Coach in Austin to Find Clarity Wondering how to start a whole new career path?  Shelley Pernot has access to a number of helpful assessments like the Highlands Ability Battery that provide much needed clarity on your strengths and natural abilities.  Once your strengths have been identified and the way forward becomes more clear, she provides tips and techniques for making a smooth career transition. Your Free Consultation Starts the Process Shelley is excited to help you with your next career decision. Contact Shelley Pernot today for your complementary career coaching consultation by filling out this form or calling (512) 200-4269.  If you’re wanting to get a jump start on finding your dream job, download chapter two of her book Running on Empty here, it’s filled with countless tips and exercises to get you thinking. .

Have you ever suffered as a result of having no life direction? Here's a tip on tapping into and trusting the power of your intuition.

Life is Hard. Finding Your Passion Doesn’t Have to Be. Think about it. When you were young and immature you were handed one of the biggest decisions you can make. You were supposed to decide what you wanted to do for the rest of your life. At 18, it’s often a struggle to even decide where you want to eat your next meal, let alone decide how to spend the next 40+ years. The reason that so many people are often left unsatisfied with their life is because they are tasked with making a career decision before they are ready. People change. Things change. If you feel stuck or stagnant in life maybe it is time to look introspectively at what it is you truly want or desire out of life. If it’s your career that is draining your happiness, maybe career coaching is for you. Take it from me, I understand what it feels like to stare at the clock blankly waiting for the time to pass until you can escape. Many years and dollars later I have discovered my passion and want to help you do the same.   You Don’t Have to Be on the Verge of Career Crisis Career coaching is not reserved for those who who are at the point of storming out of the office yelling “I QUIT”. Everyone goes through phases of general dissatisfaction with their careers. Hey, life isn’t perfect. The beauty of my career coaching services is that no matter how trivial or tremendous your career troubles, I can help you refocus or redirect your passion and talent. Find Your Why With Career Coaching My career coaching includes a process that is proven to work. Here’s why: most career consultants often focus too much on the what. You take several tests that cost hundreds of dollars to end with a career suggestion such as “teacher” or “software engineer”. This may be a starting place, but not the right one. What you truly need to discover is the why. Why you do what you do. To find the source of your drive, I will guide you through a series of questions such as: What is that one thing that gets you excited every morning? Why do you do what you do? Why are you unhappy in your career? Why is one career path more appealing to you than another? Once you answer these essential questions, you are ready to learn how. Ready to Learn How?   Once we have figured out the essential “why”, the next step is learning how. We’ll build an actionable plan so that you can seamlessly integrate your newfound passion into your life. Not only will I help you create this actionable plan, but I will give continuous support to ensure that your passion is being followed. My career coaching is here to help propel you towards your goals. Don’t Wait for Your Life to Pass You By. Reach Out to Me Today If you feel that you […]