Holistic Career Development A Company-Employee Partnership

Holistic Career Development A Company-Employee Partnership Employers and employees targeting career engagement often believe that career development is a 50/50 responsibility, but this is a mistake that costs employees opportunities and employers their best talent.In reality, career development is a 100/100 accountability. When employer and employeeboth fill their vital roles in three areas, dramatic improvements are seen in motivation, productivity, career growth, and the employers reputation as a great place to work.Career development is all about understanding and connecting what drives both the organization and the employee, and it involves activating three distinct stages cultivating awareness, managing skill development and performance, and working a plan.Stage 1 Cultivating AwarenessFor EmployeesIt is your job to know why you work beyond the paycheck what you love to do, what you are good at, how you work best, what you want to learn, and what difference you want to make. The mora you can clarify and share these things, within both your organization and your network, the greater chance you have of finding the right match in a role or development opportunity.This sounds simple, but it requires some dedicated effort and analysis. For the self-guided, a great place to abflug is reflecting on the most motivating experiences in your career, education, and/or volunteer activities to date. Identify themesthat explain why these moments make that list. What do these motivating experiences have in common? Were you making order out of chaos? Connecting people to resources? Making something better?Books are a good resource for additional prompts, includingStrengthsfinder 2.0byTom Rath and Gallup, What Color Is Your Parachute? 2019byRichard N. Bolles, and The Pathfinderby NicholasLore. For those who have an easier time reflecting with the help of others, finding a strong career coach can be a good option.For Organizations Encourage m anagers to make it possible for employees to discuss their goals and motivators openly. Consider training managers in holding effective career conversations to make the process easier. As managers become aware of their employees drivers, they can provide assignments, offer learning opportunities, or shift responsibilities to align employees roles with their motivators, thereby increasing engagement and getting more accomplished.At the enterprise level, mandated yearly development conversations can allow employees to hold discussions they might otherwise worry about initiating. These discussions have power and should focus on leveraging employee strengths, not justmitigating weaknesses. Regular performance conversations that go beyond reviewing high-potential employees can widen awareness of all the talent available for the organization to access. In fact, organizations often have an easier time recruiting future executives than they do key contributors in particular disciplines, so they should cultivate awareness of talent they most need to retainand provide opportunities to keep these employees engaged.Stage 2 Managing Skill Development and PerformanceFor EmployeesPerforming well is what gets you noticed for future advancement. It is critical to seek feedback, both on how well you have achieved your goals and on how you are regarded by others. It is often difficult for managers to level with you about your reputation, so asking for both positives and areas you might need to address in this regard can give them permission to be more open.You also want to stay ahead of whatthe organization willneed in the future, so key questions to ask both your manager and the leaders in your field are What is likely to change in this role/field? and What would make me even more valuable in 2-3 years if I could develop it now?For OrganizationsIt is your responsibility to knowhow your business is evolving and to help employees develop the skills to evolve along with it. Manage rs owe it to employees to check in regularly, provide frequent feedback on their strengths, and be open and clear about what needs improvement. Managers should also connect employees with training and inform them on how to stay marketable.Stage 3 Working a PlanFor Both Employees and OrganizationsThe more specific your career development plan, the more likely it is to be executed. An employees planmay involve things they choose not to share with their boss for example, a three-year plan to move into a different industry. The part the employee does share should be based on the outcomes they want to achieve in their current role, their role as it evolves, and their longer-term career goals.Outcomes are what an employee wants to be able to do, not how they will get there. For example, Be able to produce pivot tables and create simple spreadsheet formulas is an outcome Take a course in Excel is not. Outcomes should include clear timelines and metrics.Organizations and managersmust help actualizeemployee plans that are mutually beneficial. This can be donethrough stretch assignments, formal/informal mentoring and opportunities to mentor others, introductions to internal connections, clear access to anticipated openings, funding for training, or even internal talent exchanges between groups. The employee needs to drive the plan, since no one will care more about the result than they will.Ultimately, if both employees and organizations own career development, the partnership can produce energized people, a pipeline of eager talent, and the business results that can sustain both going forward.Pennell (Penny) Locey is vice president, delivery, at Keystone Associates. Follow Keystone Associates on Twitter Keystone_Assoc.

5 Administrative Assistant Skills That Add the Most Value

5 Administrative Assistant Skills That Add the fruchtwein Value5 Administrative Assistant Skills That Add the Most ValueSuccessful geschftslebenes rely heavily on workers with top-notch administrative assistant skills. They are the shrewd wizards behind the company curtain, the chiefs who keep the office running efficiently, the brilliant multitaskers and detail-oriented coordinators.The best administrative professionals arent just supporting players. They add value to the job in ways that make them critical to an organizations success. What are their administrative skills? Everything from planning to communicating, organizing to problem solving.What does it take to be the kind of administrative assistant businesses cant do without? Here are five administrative assistant skills that can help you get hired, succeed on the job and drive your career.1. Industry knowledgeKnowing the three Ts of the industry - terminology, trends and technology - and being able to articulate them on you r administrative resume means that even as a new hire, you will begin to contribute immediately. A savvy admin professional is not only familiar with these concepts, but also knows how to use them to full advantage on the job.Terminology - Knowing the language of a particular business sector means an administrative assistant new to the company can keep up with and contribute to conversations in the workplace right from the start.Trends - Todays administrative professionals should be knowledgeable about industrywide trends, whether its healthcare or manufacturing. They should also be thinking proactively about how these trends could potentially impact the company.Training - Employers prefer administrative professionals who are not only tech-savvy but also well-versed in the companys most-used tools. They look for individuals who proactively update their administrative assistant skills through training.2. Expertise in software and social mediaKnowing how to use Microsoft Word, Outl ook and Excel is a given for any administrative assistants career. Knowing how to run virtual meetings, organize newsletters and create PowerPoint presentations puts you a cut above the rest. Managers and executives also value assistants who know how to use accounting, payroll and HR applications.An administrative assistant with a working knowledge of the ins and outs of social media is a huge asset for an employer, too. Small and midsize companies, in particular, sometimes need help managing a Facebook page or Twitter feed and may not have the resources to hire a social media specialist for the office. These skills can help the company or executive build an online presence, which is essential to staying in the game in todays market.DISCOVER ADMINISTRATIVE ROLES3. Artful articulationGood communication skills are crucial for a successful admin assistant. Most often, youre the first point of contact in the office for clients, customers and vendors. You may also be the go-to person int ernally. The ability to communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively, both verbally and in writing, is something hiring managers seek when evaluating top administrative assistant skills.4. Budget perceptivenessCompanies are always on the lookout for an administrative assistant who can find ways to save money and help the business become more efficient. Youre on the front lines every day - overseeing day-to-day operations, selecting vendors and negotiating contracts - putting you in the perfect position to look for opportunities to cut office expenses. Proposing cost-cutting solutions to those within the company is a good way to make yourself indispensable to the organization.5. Ability to display grace under pressureManagers appreciate administrative assistants who can think on their feet. Every day, new situations arise in the office requiring quick decisions and immediate action. Stretching your skills beyond your job description to tackle the unexpected shows youre well-posi tioned to handle the complexities of todays workplace. You effectively communicate with colleagues and clients in an even tone, exemplifying emotional intelligence at work.Use your administrative assistant skillsSkilled administrative assistants are in demand in offices across the United States. See our open administrative assistant jobs in these hot citiesAdministrative assistant jobs in AtlantaAdministrative assistant jobs in Memphis, Tenn.Administrative assistant jobs in PhoenixAdministrative assistant jobs in San Antonio, TexasAdministrative assistant jobs in Tampa, Fla. Tags