Your back is killing you. You think you heard a pop when you leaned over to put your coffee cup in the dishwasher. Now you’re in crazy pain. What do you do? Most will call their doctor or go to an Urgent Care Center or the ER. After the doctor tells you that you’ve slipped a disc, prescribes anti-inflammatories, and tells you to rest, you also learn you are 25 pounds overweight and have borderline high blood pressure. You are advised to get a full physical as soon as possible. Wow, that escalated quickly!
Actually, in reality, it didn’t. These changes likely happened over time as less-than-ideal habits crept into your life. You stopped taking the stairs at work, walking in the evenings, and rejecting dessert after dinner. Because you seemingly felt fine, you skipped your physical for the past few years. Why waste the time?
Even though you know you shouldn’t have waited, you also know that sometimes it takes a minor trauma to wake us up from putting out the hottest fires and focus on ourselves instead.
This scenario above relates to your health, but it can also be written for many other areas of your life, including your career.
For instance, everything seems to be going fine in your life. You’re content with your job, you’ve been working at your company for five years, and you’re comfortable. Then your manager tells you there won’t be raises or bonuses this year. Or perhaps your manager has resigned, and your new boss is just not the same. Or even worse yet, you hear there’s going to be a 10% reduction in force. Yikes. This is typically when I get the phone call, at the exact time your doctor receives the call—at the point of a minor crisis or trauma.
Just like the health story, it is natural and easy to ignore your career health. Most people do. It’s natural, but not the right answer. So, what is the right answer?
To maintain optimal health, schedule regular check-ups, develop a relationship with your doctor, ask questions when things don’t seem right, and trust their advice. To maintain an optimal career, develop a relationship with a recruiter that specializes in your profession—a recruiter you trust, respect, and like. One that has been in your shoes, worked in your profession, and once navigated career obstacles like you. Ask questions, get advice, and check in regularly.
Do not wait for career trauma to strike before establishing a relationship with a recruiter who has your best interest at heart.
One of the favorite parts of what I do is forming relationships with accounting and finance professionals (and even with folks outside of accounting and finance). I am passionate about helping those professionals navigate the rough seas of their career by sharing experiences and advice. Changing lives by helping folks find a great new career is very rewarding. Providing professionals a safe and confidential environment in which to brainstorm and exchange ideas is very fulfilling.
If it’s time to reevaluate your career path and schedule a check-up with a trusted adviser, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Getty…out!