About the Author:

Tyler Durbin is the lead author and editor here at GenYJourney.com.  Tyler shares his daily experiences as a recent college grad and young professional and loves to talk with readers and followers about theirs. Say something below in the comments or stop by Twitter and connect with @TylerDurbin.

Our careers are centered on the idea of running and building businesses. No matter what part of the business you’re in (marketing, accounting, etc.), you’re contributing to the continuation and prosperity of the company.  I know…obvious, right?  But what isn’t so apparent is why we don’t approach our career as if it was – in itself – a business. Why are we not looking at the whole picture? Let’s change that thought-process!  We know that companies that balance short and long term strategies are the ones that are successful and make the most money.  That same idea is transferrable to our individual careers.

Market Analysis

If you are going to succeed in anything, you need to have a thorough knowledge of what you’re working with.  How do you plan to advance your career through a specific industry if you really don’t know the key elements of it?

•    What are the distinguishing characteristics of the industry? When you write this out, you’ll want to include the relevant degrees and certifications that successful people in this industry carry, the characteristics companies desire in their employees, and the demographics of the current workforce.  Tip: Think about any geographical, seasonal or cyclical trends that may exist.

•    What qualifications are required? Understand the extent to which you can meet the needs of the customers of this industry which are your selling points to the companies that service them.  Easy terminology…what skills and qualifications will make you attractive to companies?

•   Pricing. What kind of salary is associated with this industry?  Is it what you want?

Management

Step 1: Understand that YOU are the person in charge of your career.  You’re the CEO and the “buck stops with you!”  That doesn’t mean that you have to do it alone, though.

Step 2: Create a Board of Advisors.  These people are advisors AND mentors.  Surround yourself with people that can:

•    Mentor
•    Advise
•    Inform
•    Educate

Step 3: Leverage.  If you build the right relationships with your board of advisors, now you have influential people in the industry on your team and advocating for you!  Totally awesome!

Marketing

Marketing is the process of creating customers, and customers are the lifeblood of any business. Who are your career customers?

•    Companies (Employers)
•    Higher Ups  (aka the people who promote you)
•    Colleagues
•    Clients

How are you marketing to these customers?  What is your message?  How can these customers propel you into the next step of your career?

Finances

Let’s make this one super easy:

1)  What things do you want to do in your life and how much do they cost?

2)  Where does your career need to lead to enable you those opportunities?

If you sit down with any financial advisor this is the stuff they ask you.  “Do you want to travel? How much? Ok…then we need to put this strategy in place.”  This is how you should be thinking.  Make your career decisions based on your life goals.

A business plan should be a work in progress as should your career plan. Your career will evolve over time and be influenced by countless factors; but when you set a foundation and have a process in place, you can be proactive and respond to situations as opposed to reacting.   Behind every successful career is plan.  What is your plan?
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