Rich Career, Poor Career

What makes for a rich career? It is more than just the salary and benefits. A rich career is one that suits your talents and provides an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution, as well as one that provides the right compensation.

A rich career is one that has a rich return on investment. What is career ROI? It is more than a paycheck and healthcare benefits. Your career ROI is the entire package of what you receive in return for the investment of your energy, time, and talent in a career and an organization.

Career ROI can include monetary compensation and the typical benefits package. It can also include less tangible, indirect benefits, such as the opportunity to be involved in a professional association, credibility, status, and the reputation of the organization you work for - just to name a few. Career ROI is also unique to you: what you consider a return on your investment may not be important to the person who works across the hall or across the country.

To determine your own unique career ROI, identify what you receive from your current career, in addition to your salary and other standard benefits. Once you have determined your current career ROI, think about the elements that would make up the ideal career ROI for you. Think outside the standard HR benefits package.

Now that you know both your current ROI and your desired ROI, compare the two. How large is the gap?

If your current ROI does not add up, does it mean that you need to look for a new job or career? Not necessarily. Once you identify the elements of your ideal ROI, one option is to approach your current organization about making some changes.

Not all ROI changes require your employer to invest money to implement. For example, perhaps your ideal return on investment includes the opportunity to volunteer a few days a month for a nonprofit organization in the community that you are passionate about. Unless you are in a position where your employer would need to pay someone else to do your job during those days, this benefit would not result in a significant cost. In fact, it could bring value back to your employer, by enhancing its image in the community. If your employer is not willing or able to make changes to meet your desired ROI, you may decide it is time to start looking for a new opportunity.

Before you go searching for a bigger paycheck, take time to identify your career ROI. Then, if you decide it is time to look for a new job, you will know when you find the right opportunity for you.

Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, teaching people how to master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (John Wiley & Sons, 2002). Sign up for Shannon's free Career Minicourse at http://www.15minutecareer.com

---

Take the Personal Out of the Workplace: Leave Your Troubles at the Door!

Bringing your emotional baggage into the work place is inappropriate... Read More

It May Be Time to Walk in an Employers Shoes

If you are in a job search and aren't receiving... Read More

It is Still Possible to be Upwardly Mobile in America!

Yes, it's still possible to be upwardly mobile in America:... Read More

Energizing Synergy

Would you like to have more energy and synergy in... Read More

How To Choose The Right Resume Format

After a thirty (30) second glance lots of resumes get... Read More

What Me? Lie On My Resume? Who Will Know?

The temptation to lie on a resume is great! How... Read More

Job Search Techniques: Smashing The Gray Ceiling

For decades, women have chaffed at the invisible glass ceiling... Read More

Old Hiring Foxes vs. The Hedgehogs

You are about to compete for the best people again.... Read More

Finding a Job Under Tough Circumstances

Anyone can find a job. That's right, I said "anyone".... Read More

The Executive Resume - Moving Beyond Accomplishments

There is a major difference between conventional resumes and executive... Read More

So You want to be a Bodyguard?

Then let me start by helping out. The politically correct... Read More

What You Cant Ask a Job Candidate is as Important as What You Can Ask

As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More

CV Writing ? How to Write a CV

A winning CV has 2 objectives: To illustrate... Read More

Hospital Staff at Great Risk of Attack and Injury Whilst at Work

There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More

Career Change: Success Tips

Successful career change is based on first making an honest... Read More

Fact or Opinion?

"You ain't going nowhere, son. You ought to go back... Read More

Look in the Mirror

Take a moment to step outside yourself. Now, be honest... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

Resume Writing and Preparation is Free Online

Creating a strong resume is a very important part of... Read More

No Degree, No Problem

According to a recent survey, 52% of job candidates polled... Read More

Start Working Before You Get Hired

What if there were a way to *prove* to any... Read More

Job Search Advice for Desperate Job Seekers

Another morning of job hunting lies ahead of you. You... Read More

References: Choose Wisely

Sophisticated job seekers know and understand that sometime during the... Read More

Great Salary Negotiation Tips

11 Commandments For Smart Negotiating1 - BE PREPARED. The... Read More

How to Make Your Career Change Easier

Despite what your grandmother told you, life is not supposed... Read More

Marketing You and Your Career

Imagine if a business invested years into the research, design,... Read More

Prepare for YOUR Future now --

All Presidential candidates (before and after) make all kinds of... Read More

The #1 Job Search Mistake To Avoid: Not Preparing Your Mind!

Mental preparation is probably your most important task as you... Read More

5 Resume Mistakes Telecommuters Often Make

Finding a legit telecommute job can be difficult. Telecommute jobs... Read More

Career Searching: A Vision Without A Plan is a Hallucination

Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More

Networking is the Key to Star Performance in Everything You Do.

Many people's idea of networking relates to the 'size of... Read More

Seven Myths You Must Challenge Now To Begin Your Second Career Today

* Has it been awhile since you explored career options?*... Read More

Believe And Get Hired

Good things seem to come in bunches, especially in a... Read More