HOG-TIED

I was reading a great article entitled “Defending the Rolodex” this morning published in FierceFinance. While the article is about the defection (or not) of an institution’s client base when an executive leaves for a new position, it got me thinking about the reverse side of the desk.

As a senior executive, do you really want to be hog–tied when you are forced, pressured, or persuaded to prematurely leave an organization? Or, would it make more sense for you to plan your next move and work your plan? Know what your next target is, the companies on your hot list, and when it is strategic for you to make the move versus being at the whim of the company, economy, or industry?

Companies run on a three to five–year plan – so should your career. You can continue to give away control of your career – what you do and where and when you do it … or you can take back control by getting in the driver’s seat.

If you are so busy working in your job that you don’t have time to work on your career, you will forever be positioned – at some point – as a job hunter. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of complacency because you’ve landed in a new position … CFO longevity is only 18 months to 2 or 3 years.  Shift the job search paradigm by moving into the driver’s seat and taking control of your career.

How? Recruiter Tim Norstrem and I will be discussing why you should manage your career like you manage your business on Tuesday, May 15 at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time as part of the CFO–Career–Forum’s monthly Conversations with the Experts. You can join us.