Career Management Requires Knowing How Work Works

Career Management Lists (http://www NULL.flickr NULL.com/photos/16851909 null@null N00/93136022)Most career management sites simply tell you how to build your resume, find a new job, and maybe give you some tips on interviewing. Yet, the career management practice is much more than simplified resume writing. Career management is everything from doing well in your job right now to strategically determining the best industry to be in the next five years. Outside of your specific job skills for your work (knowing how to program Java…), what are the skills you need for career management?

Let’s create a good list of what skills you need to know to protect and enhance your career:

Creating business goals
Writing your own performance review
Writing status reports
Communicating with your manager about your work and performance
How stock options and restricted stock options vest
How your 401(k) is invested
How to sell your stocks in your 401(k) to cash without incurring a penalty
How your bonus is determined
Creating an effective task management system
How to build a network of relationships to support your career
How to market your personal brand
How to use your personal computer and the software programs your company uses to get work done
How to understand Corporate Speak so you understand what is really being said by management
How to research your company and industry to make sure what the market and management say matches
How to create an effective resume
How to interview for a different position

None of this addresses the skills you have to do your work, of course. That will vary with every individual. But being skilled in the topics on this list will translate to you being a more effective employee and enhancing your career.

What others have I missed?

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Sital

Interesting post. Some further suggestions to add to the list:

1. Self awareness - knowing which type of environments, roles and people make you thrive and which ones restrict you
2. Managing upwards (ie manage your boss & your boss's boss)
3. Learning to say 'no' and establishing boundaries so that you don't just become a 'yes man' or woman
4. Manage your time effectively so that you can focus on the big stuff and become more valuable to employers
5. Developing charisma. All things being equal, enthusiastic and charasmatic people stand out, are more popular and likely to go much further in their careers than the average Joe

(provided that Average Joe isnt a plumber - if he is a plumber, then he is likely to instant fame and fortune ;o) )
Scot

@Sital - Good additions here. Thanks for contributing. Any others?