Individuals turn to financial consultants when seeking investment opportunities, and employ legal experts to negotiate the procedures involved in setting up new businesses.
Those taking stock of their professional situation, for whatever reason, should also seek expert advice. Individuals considering a change of job need professional assistance to identify the best career opportunities, review and assess job offers, as well as negotiate salary and benefits.
This is a complex market offering employers a broad choice of competent, talented individuals from around the world. Anyone contemplating a career move needs to understand what they have to offer an employer, the barriers they face, and then devise a plan that will get them in front of hiring decision makers.
They should consider working with a career professional committed to helping them recognize their potential, develop a workable career path that will allow them to grow professionally and as a person, and finally secure that new position
Professional people take stock of their careers and consider changes for a variety of reasons. Research has shown that Middle East expat’ managers face four common problems: Career-path restrictions, contract coming to an end and not to be renewed, redundancy, and concern that they may be making the wrong career decisions.
Some reach the end of their contract and decide to examine all options open to them, including the possibility of renewing their present contract, or moving to a different region. Others opt to return home due to family commitments, or because they’re wary of losing touch with career opportunities in their home countries.
Some individuals reach the conclusion that they’re simply not achieving their career goals, failing to realize their full potential, and need a career change.
Even people who have just retired, or are thinking about it, can benefit from talking to a professional. Individuals capable of working on for a number of years sometimes retire because they’re burnt out, can’t see any point in extending their career, and have a degree of financial security. They may feel that they have no more challenges, and lack motivation.
But in some cases a change of career path can bring a new lease of life, and open a new chapter in an individual’s career. This is a good example of where proper career management can make all the difference, by making individuals aware of their strengths, and their abilities to operate effectively in areas they might not have considered.
A properly thought out career development strategy based on a sound understanding of a person’s abilities and potential, and sound market intelligence, can allow an individual who might be in need of a change, or thinking of ending their career, to take it in another direction, and to another level.
(Based in Dubai, David Thatcher, [email protected], is managing director of career management firm Bernard Haldane Associates in the Middle East.)