Perform a career checkup

Given the state of the economy these days, many people who are employed have come to believe that they should be grateful just to have a job, and not, in any way, rock the boat with their careers. With a 9.5 percent unemployment rate, there is a sense that it's best to simply hunker down and live with whatever the job dishes up, whether or not it represents a satisfying experience.

With more people opting to stay in place, companies are witnessing a mixed bag of ramifications. On the one hand, voluntary turnover rates are typically lower in a slow economy, as people cling to their jobs. At the same time, productivity may be adversely affected as people who were otherwise ready to make their next career move wind up staying in place out of fear that they won't be able to find another job. The net result can be a lackluster environment in which many employees wind up feeling trapped and unfulfilled.

As the economy is just beginning to turn the corner on the worst recession most of us have experienced in our adult lives, this may not be the ideal time to jump ship. On the other hand, it can be the perfect time to give your career a checkup by doing a thorough self-assessment that will help you prepare for your next move when the time is right. Invest in your career future by spending some time exploring the following questions:

1. Am I happy? I'm talking genuinely happy here, not just basically OK. Do you wake up on Monday mornings feeling energized and looking forward to the week, or are you counting the seconds until you can say, "TGIF"? Are you proud to tell friends and new acquaintances about what you do, or do you see your role as "just a job"?

2. What do I like about my work? Step outside of your job description for a moment and give yourself permission to consider what you really enjoy about your job. What inspires you? When do you find yourself stepping into "the flow" at work? What makes your heart sing?

3. What would I like to change about my work? Consider what about your job feels limiting or uncreative. What aspects of your position could be revised to make better use of your natural abilities? What could be accomplished more easily or less stressfully if new processes or procedures were implemented? What ideas do you have for making your job a better fit that you have not yet brought forward?

4. How does my work fit with what matters most to me? Is it important to you to contribute to society? To discover something new? To exercise your creativity? We each bring to the workplace a set of core personal values. The best jobs are those that allow you to operate in sync with those values and work in a way that is meaningful for you.

5. Am I getting what I need from my job? This question is about more than just salary and benefits, although those are certainly important factors to consider. Are you in a situation that provides you with sufficient stimulation to keep you engaged? To meet your social needs? To be part of a strong team? To provide security for yourself and your family? To keep you growing?

6. Will this job help me get to where I want to be in five years? What do you want next for yourself professionally? If you are in your 30s, it's probably important to see a career path in front of you, along with increased earnings potential. If you're in your late 50s, your five-year plan may be to prepare for a comfortable retirement. Will your current position allow you to create the future that you want for yourself?

7. Is this the type of organization I want to work for? Just as each of us has a set of personal values that we are oriented around, so, too, do organizations have a predominant culture that defines what they are about. Is your company an aggressive, freewheeling enterprise? If so, does that work for you? If it's a more staid and conservative environment, does that feel like the right place for you to be?

8. What would the ideal work environment look like for me? Looking at all of the factors you have considered with these questions, what would your optimum position and environment consist of? How close does your current reality come to matching that vision?

9. What new contributions am I prepared to make? If you have been with your current employer for a significant period of time, you probably have amassed new skills, abilities and areas of expertise that you didn't have when you walked in the door. These represent assets that may equip you for different or higher-level roles in your next assignment. Make sure that your resume and professional bio are up to date, and that you have considered how you might use your current credentials in search of a more challenging assignment.

10. What can I do to enhance my career picture starting today? What is one small thing that you can begin, right now, that will help you move your career in the direction you want it to go? It may be as simple as taking the time to systematically answer these questions and discover the patterns that are true for you. It may involve enlisting the support of a coach or someone else who can help. It could involve scheduling an appointment with your manager or human resources department to investigate internal career development options. Whatever it is, commit to taking one small action, starting today, that will lead you in the direction you really want to go.

When the tide turns in the job market -- and we know that it eventually will -- be prepared for the options you will want to pursue. A thorough self-assessment is the key to that readiness.

Barbara Poole is a Master-Certified coach and leadership/team development consultant. She is president of Success Builders Inc. and partner/co-founder of Leading Deeply LLC.

The Job Coaches are experienced volunteers from the Center for Women's Job Counseling Program. Ask them a question by calling 763-7333 or e-mailing info@c4women.org. If you would like further assistance, make an appointment; a donation of $10 is requested for appointments.