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
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