Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/2582
www.iltanet.org 18 Peer to Peer SmART mOvES W e are responsible for our own careers. No one decides for us what path we will take. Sometimes we might stumble. Sometimes we might go the wrong way and have to turn around. We have to find our own personal niches in the end. Over the years, I've explored the question of how we find professions that best fit us. There are straightforward, but not always easy, steps that each of us can take to land the right professional role. define your Professional Goals Don't select your next job based on today's opportunities. Colleges and universities offer degree programs in new media, organic agriculture and computer game design — disciplines that didn't exist 10 years ago. Job titles including "online community manager," "personal entertainment coordinator" and "scaling engineer" are examples of real jobs now appearing at CareerBuilder.com and Monster.com. Rather than relying on a job title, document the characteristics of your dream position. Here are a few attributes for inspiration, but your final list will be longer and more personal: • Where is your sweet spot on the continuum from "individual contributor" to "manager" positions? Do you prefer to work alone? Would you rather manage a small team? Do you want to count your staff in the thousands? • Where's the money? Is your professional passion enough to keep you warm? Do you want to be financially comfortable? Is your goal to rival Bill Gates's philanthropy through your vast wealth? • how much of your free time (including time with your family) are you willing to relinquish to achieve your goals? Is being on-call 24/7 exciting or draining? assess your advancement Readiness When your perfect position is fully defined, list the hiring requirements for model jobs that complement most of your goals. Be realistic, because some of your requirements won't be met. Next to each skill rate how well you match. Do you earn an "A" in project coordination, a "C" in communications and an "F" in cost management? Are you proficient in the technologies you'll need in your new role? It might be an unpleasant exercise, but I'd rather tell myself where I fall short than hear those words from my boss or a recruiter. fill your skill Gaps After your personal skill assessment is in hand, fill your gaps through work experience and classroom study (both firm- sponsored and self-funded). To impress a hiring manager you must demonstrate credible experience in the buzzwords they seek in the fewer than 20 seconds they will spend with your resume. Stand out from the crowd with an industry certification confirming your proficiency. Peer to Peer and ILTA's local and national meetings are outstanding forums to polish and promote your expertise. Take a cue from Elizabeth Gilbert in "Eat, Pray, Love." She describes in her book how a friend told her to stop yearning for a new future and to create her future. Elizabeth knew that she had to "replace her wishbone with a backbone." You know what stands between you and your perfect position. Don't delay — start your gap-filling program now. engage your community If this all seems a bit overwhelming, the best news is that you are not in this alone. You have a large community that includes your spouse or partner and your extended family and friends. They are all standing ready to help you succeed. Tell them about your goals. They will respond with their support, encouragement and maybe even a job lead. Take advantage of ILTA and other professional associations such as your college alumni network as well as your current firm. Yes, your firm can be part of your reinvention. Filling gaps in your expertise portfolio will make you a better employee, and you don't have to share all the details of your long-term goals. We're not living in a static world. Recent events have demonstrated the often painful instability that surrounds us. Review and renew your career plan every year. And keep me posted on your progress. Good luck! ILTA Jobs Happen, Careers Take Planning Jo haraf, Principal of haraf Professional services llc (www.harafconsulting.com), offers consulting services to law firms when she's not working on her new book "business dogma — be top dog in your office." she can be reached at Jo@harafconsulting.com.