I received a query regarding what work ethic should be expected from a fully qualified accountant. It related to an accountant who commenced the day at the exact agreed starting time and was consistently outside the office front door at exactly 5:30 pm, the precise time his contractual working day ended. Wouldn’t you expect something different from a fully qualified accountant? I would.
It all comes down to a positive attitude and commitment to your career. Few employees realise that they at all times remain responsible for their own career. Some think that now being in employment that the employer is responsible for their career and its development. Most employees forget about developing their own career until it is too late.
There is a huge demand for career development assistance when a crisis arises. How do I write an excellent CV, how to conduct a really good interview are questions often asked. People want a quick answer to a sudden calamity. There are very few employees who engage in continuous career development and if you meet one you should take him / her very seriously.
What do I mean by continuous career development? Employees who have an organised approach towards career development, plan their career in practical steps and are always prepared for the next stage. How do they do this? They start by reading ‘Self Help’ books like Stephen Covey’s ‘Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ or Jack Canfield’s ‘The Success Principles’. These employees make a point of reading books, articles and journals in their field of expertise every day for at least half an hour. Slowly they develop their expertise and over years they become real experts in their field of work.
‘Self Help’ employees have a pro-active attitude and don’t complain if something doesn’t work out. They take responsibility for their own actions and are responsible for their own career. That is why they plan their steps in building a career, work hard and come up with new ideas on how work can be done faster and better. You don’t have to tell them what to do as they have already anticipated it and are working on it. ‘Self Help’ employees also plan their own education, what courses would be useful to follow and how they fit in with their career plan.
‘Self Help’ employees work with other people and engage with their colleagues on how to make work easier and better. Not just sitting back and complaining but actively seeking how we could improve our own working conditions. Not just being positive on their own but trying to involve their colleagues by giving an example how things can be done better.
Employees, who work continuously on their career plan their activities; are on time for work even come in early to make sure that nothing unexpected will happen at work that day. They use time management skill to plan their days and they don’t leave work at their exact finishing times, especially in these economic difficult times.
If you are interested to talk to me about continuous career development give me a call at 065 7071933.