East West - The Asian American Lifestyle Magazine

By Erin Yoshimura

Gone are the days of finding a job and retiring from the same company 40 years later. Gone are the days of job security, pension plans and gold watches as a prelude to a comfy retirement.

You can't expect to sail calm seas throughout your career today. It would be like sitting in a row boat without any paddles or a life jacket. You'd drift where the current takes you, maybe bottom out until you catch a wave. Your boat might tip over in the turbulence of down-sizing.Taking control of your career is like mounting a motor to your boat and navigating the vast ocean of work with a state-of-the art GPS.

The workplace is different now. There are now four generations in the workforce, and along with each comes a different set of values and definitions of meaningful work. Companies are quicker to “right-size,” outsource work and change directions. These changes can be sudden and not always gentle. Recently, a woman I know was told that she was laid-off from her longtime job while she was on vacation. That must have put a damper on the family fun.

I've been laid off, too, and it took me a long time to recover my self-esteem and overcome the fear of finding a new job.It’s no wonder that 66 percent of workers today are dissatisfied or downright miserable with their jobs. Factor in the ever-changing job market with advances in technology, and change is not only inevitable, it’s necessary to stay competitive.

Younger workers will likely switch jobs 10 to 14 times in their careers, which is polar opposite to the belief system of baby boomers. No matter where you fall on the generational scale, you can take charge of your career. Let me rephrase: you must take charge of your career because job security is a thing of the past.

Become aware of what makes you unique.

Aside from expected job duties, how you perform those duties can be a distinguishing factor that could save your job. If you’re a project manager, launching projects on time is great, yet it may not set you apart from others. The extras, like establishing a change management system, can differentiate you.

Keep revising your resume.

Many people don’t update their resume until it’s time to look for a new job. Update your resume as soon as you start a new position, and keep updating it every few months. This way, you’ll be sure to note your accomplishments as you go.

Take credit for your accomplishments.

It’s a common cultural value among APAs to be humble and downplay personal successes. This doesn’t work in the office. If you don’t own your successes, how will your manager know your value? Start accepting praise by simply saying, “Thank you for noticing.”   

Network and socialize as much as possible.

My partner is a master networker who meets contacts for lunch regularly to share what’s going on in his industry. It’s not surprising that he often finds jobs through referrals. More than 80 percent of jobs are obtained from unpublished openings.

Know your brand.

Everyone has a brand — a set of attributes and emotional perceptions that makes you YOU. Done right, your personal brand will allow you to find a career that aligns with your strengths, passion and values. Invest in a coach. There are many types of career coaches who specialize in anything from writing compelling resumes to refining interviewing skills to uncovering your personal brand. You can take charge of your career before you need to, and in many cases, a coach will help you find a career that aligns with your passion.

Imagine eagerly jumping out of bed on Monday mornings ready to seize the day, captain of the boat of your career!

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Erin Yoshimura, chief empowerment officer of Empowerful Changes™, specializes in Emotional & Cultural Intelligence training and coaching and is also a certified Personal Brand Strategist. Visit her at www.empowerful.com.

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