While planning their future, mid-career professionals often think about questions like – Is my career on track? Am I at the right company? Or am I in the right job? Am I making good progress? so on and so forth.
They often make the mistake of comparing their career to others. Or they focus on things that could have been or could have happened.
How will you find out if your career is on track?
In my opinion, seeing how we match up against others is an unproductive use of time. That’s because people have different priorities and circumstances. And career progressions seldom follow fixed rules.
Instead of being stuck in the past or doing comparisons, a better approach is to have an objective criteria of finding out if we are making good progress in our career.
So, this article lists a series of high-value questions that you can use for self reflection and conclude whether your career is on track as per your own judgment.
The career questions mentioned in this article are useful for all working professionals, irrespective of their age, experience and industry. They are meant to guide your thinking so you can make intelligent career choices and decisions.
If at any point you feel stuck in the land of mid-career crisis or you want to benefit from career coaching, send us a message here. Our aim is to help you grow, progress and prosper more!
15 Questions To Help You Measure Progress In Your Career
Listed below are the high-value questions that give warning signals when a career drifts off track. Answer them with full honesty, openness, willingness and courage.
- Have you reached the place where you imagined yourself to be professionally at this age?
- Do you have a positive professional reputation where others appreciate and value your contribution? Are your talents, skills and viewpoints getting noticed?
- Have you positively impacted the organisations you have worked for thus far in a way that is meaningful and valuable to them?
- Do you have at least 10 months of living expenses in your savings?
- Are you growing and consistently adapting yourself to the changing business scenario?
- Do people within your industry know you by name and respect your knowledge, experience, and expertise?
- Are you active in your professional networks?
- Over the past years, were you given new responsibilities or have you been promoted?
- Do recruiters and hiring managers proactively contact you about new opportunities?
- Can you see your skills being used in the future?
- Do you get the time you need for fun and recreation, your health, your personal growth, and your family and friends?
- Are you challenging yourself occasionally (or you are beginning to slack off and stay where you feel comfortable)?
- Do you have a very simple plan to move towards achieving your professional aspirations?
- Has your career played a worthwhile role in building the life and personal legacy you want?
- As per your instincts, are you walking on the right path career-wise?
Recommendations
If you see signs of your career getting derailed or you want a more fulfilling career, take control of your career and get moving! Don’t leave things on autopilot mode.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to leave your current job. If you like the company, consider having a win/win conversation with your boss about things you want to do or have so as to feel confident that your career is on the right track.
Also, let your career aspirations guide you to up-level your skills and improve your self-esteem. Consequently, you will find ways to overcome your biggest challenges quickly.