7 ways to control your career -

7 ways to control your career - If youre looking for a job, dont leave it to chance. You want to keep ahead of the game to make sure you manage your own career. Cal Brown, author of When Life Strikes: Weathering Financial Storms, offers the following suggestions to help you maintain control and succeed with your career goals. 1. Dont be complacent. Even if your company is solid and your industry is in a growth trend, you should always have a plan B. Ask yourself, How can I earn income if I lose my job? Dont be caught off guard; always think about how to replace your income. Identify your most marketable skills, your education and experience, and document your accomplishments. Focus on your interests (including your hobbies and extra-curricular activities), geographical preferences, and your financial situation. Reduce or eliminate debt and do your best to create a cash reserve. 2. Go back to school. Before you choose a degree program, do your research and learn what firms regularly recruit from your potential school. 3. Think about tax implications. There are a wide assortment of jobs within any industry, and a tremendous variety within any company. 4. Carefully consider trends for future growth. Your goal should be to land a job with a firm and an industry that is either growing or poised for growth. 5. Networking is an inexact science, but it works. Brown says, Will texting and social media replace person-to-person contact? I doubt it 6. Stand above the crowd. Your resume and job search materials need to have some unique characteristics to stand out from the pack. 7. Dont limit yourself by geography. You could curb your earning potential if you are unwilling (or unable) to move. Read the entire post on my U.S. News World Report post. photo by morberg