Most of us attempt to start out the New Year with specific resolutions and goals, but often we lose track of time, and what started out to be good intentions falls short of our goals. We always think of spring as the time of year to clean out our closets and de-clutter our life, so that when summer arrives we can relax and enjoy summer activities – shedding the tensions and stress around us. We live busy lives and most of us have not had time for spring cleaning in our personal or professional lives.
Spring is a time for reflection and a time for renewal. Instead of floating through your career, take this time to evaluate your job performance and professional accomplishments, and set goals to recharge your job and career.
Even if you are happy with your current position, it is important to set goals. By doing so, you will be able to continue to grow within the organization. Often, technicians and managers become complacent and, as each year passes, they find themselves stuck in the same position and being passed over for other opportunities. By evaluating your job performance and professional accomplishments and setting goals, however, you can build a foundation for future opportunities as they become available. Positioning yourself for internal opportunities can also set the stage for those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that come along from other organizations.
The competition is tough today and job security no longer exists! Even people who love their jobs should be looking at ways to remain relevant. This is not the time to be taking it easy or relaxing. You need to ensure you are meeting the challenges to survive and prevail in today’s economy. Competing today will require higher levels of competence and necessitates looking straight ahead, not constantly glancing in the rearview mirror at what you have achieved in your past.
How you are perceived by your bosses, as well as your peers, is often the single greatest factor in career advancement. The good news is that you are in charge of your career and your behavior, and you have the opportunity to impact this perception to your professional advantage.
Take this time to review your skills, job performance, and your relationships with your employer and peers. Consider how you are viewed as an individual and as an employee. You need to do what it takes to be valuable to your employer and to set yourself apart from others!
This brief list is designed to provide an opportunity for self-analysis and, hopefully, is a useful tool to see how your boss and others perceive you.
Reliable and Dependable
Do you arrive on time every day? Do you get your work completed on or before deadlines? Following instructions, policies and procedures should be normal for most employees, but you would be surprised to find how many employees have been let go during staff cutbacks due to their lack of respect for following expected work hours and/or lunch and personal breaks.
Technical Skills
You must remain valuable to your employer with your knowledge and experience. Update and maintain your technical skills. Stay up-to-date with top industry trends, regulatory issues and your competitors. Network with peers and attend association meetings. Read trade journals and online blogs. Attend conferences, take higher education classes, and get certified. Do not rely on your employer to pay for additional training or certification. Spend time learning new health care technology. Take the initiative and be proactive in your career progression. Never stop learning!
Exceed Expectations.
This quality is one of the highest measurements of achievement. Often, a manager’s perception of success or failure is determined by setting and exceeding your boss’s expectations. Do you do what it takes to get the job done (even when it isn’t “your job”)? Do you go above and beyond what is expected? You should be known as a problem solver, one who takes the initiative. Employers want to hire and retain people who are productive, efficient and who can take care of business.
Customer Service Skills
These are more important than ever in today’s economy. If you feel you are lacking in this area, look for books or evening classes to help you improve.
Excellent Communication Skills
Verbal as well as written communications are in great demand today. Many employees have not accomplished the basic written and verbal grammatical skills that are needed for most business communications. Excellent documentation, reports and communication skills can make a difference in your accomplishments and how you are perceived. If you have poor grammar, whether speaking or in writing, it gives the impression that you are lacking basic educational skills. Excellent listening skills fall in this category as well. Pay attention when someone speaks to you directly. Consider enrolling in a community college to polish up your communication skills if you feel you are lacking in this area.
Excellent manager and leader
The ability to manage your own time as well as manage and motivate a team is an important characteristic of a successful leader. Organizational skills and tidiness are important in setting the example for others and in getting the job done well. How well you plan and manage your daily activities provides you the focus that is needed to complete your job requirements on time. You should be seen as flexible, accepting change easily, especially when your plan changes and other requirements take over your day. You should be open-minded to other’s ideas and techniques. Do not be opposed to criticism. Learn from your mistakes.
Enthusiasm and Commitment to the Organization
You should approach your job daily with enthusiasm and a commitment to the organization. Taking the initiative inspires confidence in your ability to assume additional responsibility. Managers want people on their team who eagerly take on challenges and exhibit the kind of energy that inspires others to follow. There is no room for negative attitudes in any organization. Leave your personal problems at home and remain focused on meeting your company’s goals. Your ability to concentrate on your job responsibilities, no matter what is going on, indicates you are able to take on more responsibility and, more importantly, that you are ready for the next level in your career.
Professional Appearance and Manners
You are not judged by your performance alone. Carelessness towards your appearance and daily grooming isolates you, regardless of your abilities. People shy away from associating with people who have sloppy appearance such as unkempt hair, wrinkled or stained clothing, or dirty, raggedy nails despite their expertise. It may not seem fair and it may seem unimportant, but you need to pay attention to this as perception is more important than skills in this area! Just as important is your ability to remain professional at all times in your mannerisms. Avoid gossip and getting involved in office politics. Treat others with respect. Always be seen as the ultimate professional in appearance and manners!
Integrity and Honesty
You should be seen as the person who is always trusted to do the right thing, always.
After taking time to evaluate yourself, it is time to make a plan for achieving your goals. It is easy to get overwhelmed when doing this. Make sure to set realistic goals that are achievable. If completing your bachelor’s degree is a goal, break it down into smaller steps. Instead of looking at the daunting task of going back to school for three years, break it down into taking two classes a quarter.
Be sure to set realistic timelines and expectations, and review your accomplishments and shortcomings throughout the year. It is important to prioritize your goals to help focus your attention on the most important ones. Like most things in life, you need a plan or a map to get where you want to be. The more focused you are on achieving your goals, the more likely you are to accomplish them.
Reflect now on your career, performance, accomplishments, and goals. Make sure that your skills and personal characteristics set you apart from others. Take the steps needed to keep your career on track! Here’s to your success!