The Biggest Single Career Move Blunder So Many Make.
Posted by Saundra Lee on Tue, Nov 02, 2010 @ 02:47 PM
You may or may not have heard the term "career ending move." I have heard it used so much that some have even referred to it as the acronym, CEM. It has been used in so many different scenarios and I have heard countless stories but as a Headhunter, I usually tend to see it after the fact on a resume. When I am reviewing a resume and deciding if this is a candidate I can represent to a company, I sometimes am disappointed in one wrong move made in their career that slipped them out of contention for the searches I have been contracted to conduct. For an Accountant it might be something like leaving Big 4 before he/she got the CPA credential.“career ending move.”
I ask myself, “Why did they take that one wrong job that made their career path take a U-turn?”
When I have asked the candidate why they took that job instead of the plethora of choices they should have had at the time, 9 times out of 10, they say because it was offering more money.
Believe it or not, that’s it! Taking a job because it is offering more money is the Achilles heel to so many fast track professionals.
In your next career move, keep these 3 things in mind for your job search:
1. If a company is offering above market value, ask yourself honestly why. The best companies, offering the best long term career path don’t have to bribe for talent acquisition.
2. Salary is important but don’t be short-sided about your compensation aspirations. Figure out what you will be worth in 2, 5 or 10 years down the road with each opportunity you encounter. What is a 5k/yr difference now could be a 50k/yr difference in 10 years. Don’t be “penny wise and pound foolish.”
3. Don’t under estimate happiness. You will be more successful when you are happy. When we love what we do we tend to go the extra mile with passion and enthusiasm. That is a recipe for upward mobility!
As you may know, “Money is the root of all evil” is a MISQUOTATION.
The actual quote is, “For the LOVE OF money is the root of all evil.”
Posted By
Saundra Lee
President, Dubin & Lee
Saundra facilitates workshops on Career Stategies, Job Interview Preparation and LinkedIn. Contact Dubin & Lee to arrange a workshop for your organization.