Generate your Professional Reputation
You reputation is your most important asset. Supervisors, co-workers, and customers/clients help determine your future when it comes to raises, promotions, and new opportunities. Hiring managers are likely to check references, but they also use their informal network to obtain information about candidates. Everyone has natural talents or strengths. Do you have a reputation for being very good at something (sales, client relations, strategic planning, morale building)? What message do you send to others? How would colleagues describe you and your work?

Increase your Knowledge
Employers expect workers to stay current in their field through continuing education. Promotions and job offers typically go to the person who continuously adds to their skill set. Do you regularly attend seminars or conferences? Are you a member of a professional or trade association? Do you identify areas of growth and pursue training to address these areas?

Be Open to Possibilities
Desperate job hunters typically end up frustrated and unhappy with their results. The ideal situation is to utilize a forward thinking perspective while still employed in a satisfying position. Consider where you would like to be 5 to 10 years from now, and make decisions based on that goal. Have you established a strong network of professionals in your field? Do you demonstrate an interest in the work of people around you? Do you have an updated resume available if an opportunity presents itself? 

The average worker will have more than 10 jobs in their lifetime. Planning for the future starts today. Concentrate on what you want to do rather than what you need to do. The Career Exploration Office staff is available to help you establish your career goals and develop an action plan for meeting them. Contact us at 614-292-3503, 292-8493, or careerexploration@osu.edu.

The 2006 Robert Half International and CareerBuilder.com Employment Dynamics and Growth Expectations (EDGE) Report explored employment, hiring and compensation trends from the perspectives of both hiring managers and employees. If you are like many workers surveyed for the EDGE Report, you may be planning to change jobs.

Before handing in your resignation, be sure you have considered all of your options. There may be opportunities at your current firm that you are not aware of. It's worth talking to your supervisor about your professional goals and how your company might be able to support them. With hiring managers more concerned about finding and keeping talented workers, you may have more leverage than you think in negotiating a new career path or higher compensation at your present firm. The EDGE Report found that many organizations are offering pay raises, bonuses, better benefits and more flexible schedules in order to retain their best employees.

You have received this email in response to an inquiry made to the Career Exploration Office. If you do not wish to receive the CEO Career Tune-Up, please send your request to be removed from the mailing list to careerexploration@osu.edu.

Career Exploration Office, 152 Mount Hall, 1050 Carmack Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1002
(614) 292-8493 or (614) 292-3503, www.careers.ohiostatealumni.org, e-mail: careerexploration@osu.edu.