CAREER development is the process of identifying and implementing career activities that cause change for the purpose of growth (www.resumes/eglossary.html).

These activities are usually derived from planning, to which career counsellors expose their clients/students. The world of work is dynamic and so choosing and succeeding in a career requires proper planning, hard work, dedication and commitment. It requires long hours of study, prioritising and managing your time as a student wisely. After all, you may spend 35-40 years working in the career you choose or related areas.

Today, based on the complexity of the workplace, there are thousands of new and emerging careers. If you are to survive in the 21st century workplace, here are a few guidelines for focusing on your career development.

1. Ensure that you know your interest and abilities

Do a self-assessment. This will help you to begin to examine from very early the career areas that best fit your interest and abilities. When you focus on what you are good at and enjoy doing, you are more motivated and will be prepared to go the extra mile.

2. Choose careers wisely

Choose careers that are marketable. You should research these areas to ensure there will be job opportunities when you graduate. You should also choose careers which will help you focus on entrepreneurial activities. In this workplace, you should have options. More and more, you are expected to create your own employment.

3. Be multi-skilled

Try to be rounded in your development. In undertaking tertiary level training, you may want to look at double majors/majors and minors. Try to be able to possess a variety of skills which will enhance your academic competencies. Organisations are looking for young entrants who are trainable, have good leadership potentials, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, the ability to make wise and informed decisions, are creative and flexible, not challenged by technology, are excellent team players and have good customer service skills.

4. Be qualified

In addition to being multi-skilled, you should try to be certified in your area of study. Obtaining certification should allow you to work not only in Jamaica, but also in the Caribbean and the rest of the world. The world has now become “a global village” and so you may be accessing job opportunities from just about anywhere.

5. Develop marketable skills and competencies

This includes knowing how to plan and organise a job search, how to write effective résumés and cover letters, prepare for and attend interviews, how to accept and refuse a job offer. Many graduates of high schools and other institutions do not make use of their placement services. These are excellent sources of help for giving you the career development guidance you need in all the important areas I just mentioned.

Above all, I will just focus on a few. Knowing how to write a résumé is very crucial. Irrespective of how good you will be at the interviews and the job, if your résumé is not properly written your chances of being selected for the job will be minimised. Everyday, employers are faced with thousands of applications – via the internet, ordinary mail and drop-offs. You just cannot depend on chance. Rely on quality.

6. Pay attention to attire

In attending interviews, you should be properly attired. Know all about the social and workplace ethics related to the interview process. Research your organisation.

Know why they should offer you the job – you could be asked. Most importantly, however, your career development should prepare you not only to get the job, but also to keep it. This could be more difficult in this competitive dynamic world of work. In addition to the skills and competencies mentioned before and the guidelines given, with dedication and commitment you should be able to achieve your career objective and succeed in a challenging world of work. The tools are in your hands.