"Why," you might be thinking, "Should I worry about an exit strategy when I don't plan to leave my employer?"
With worldwide unemployment rates stuck at we're-not-out-of-the-woods-yet, people with full-time, decent paying jobs will likely stay the course (for now).
However, many professionals are nearing burnout after 18 months of relentless stress about jobs, their financial situation, and quality of life. Burnout does not equate to full engagement at work.
High performers--what organizations identify as critical talent--know that they're marketable, even in a down economy, and they're ready to shop their skills.
Have you allowed yourself to stagnate this past year?
- When was your last measurable, visible success at work? If it's been more than a year, you're milking the past.
- Do you consider yourself well-positioned for a promotion, salary increase or even a bonus? (Yes, companies are still looking for ways to reward and retain talent even in this dour economy.)
- Have you updated or refreshed your current skills? If you've lapsed in the training, retraining and cross-mentoring arenas, it's time to chunk out 30 minutes to work on a plan that addresses this.
- Have you developed new skills? Give yourself points if you've started on this path. Zero points if you have nothing documented.
- Have you differentiated yourself by packaging your expertise into a personal brand? How will you stand out from the crowd? What makes you unique at your job, in your field, or in your industry?
Maybe you're stuck because your job has gotten stale. You like working for your employer, but you'd like to try your hand at something entirely different. But not now. It's prime time for developing your exit/re-entry strategy.
Check out the blog post I wrote for E.Factor Playing Your Cards Right: 7 Steps to Making Your Employer Your First Customer. Sorry, the redesign of E.Factor's website moved things around and this link no longer works.
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