Famous writer Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” Yet, many of us fail to prioritise our career objectives, which results in us failing to benefit from the rewards that career conversations can offer. With the average person investing an estimated 90,000 hours at work over a lifetime, isn’t it essential to maximise the return?

How can we do that?

Firstly, we need to stop and take time to think about what we truly want from our careers. Is it progression? Is it experience for the next step? Or perhaps it’s gaining skills to help us qualify for different departments or industries? When we think about what we want, it enables a conversation about what we need and the measures we have to take to achieve our goals. It is vital to do this regularly to ensure we do not miss out on opportunities or become stagnant in our position.

Knowledge is Power

Life is busy and it would be difficult, if not impossible, to have an in depth understanding of the market at all times. However, here at EG, it is our job to be across the market at all times. We do the hard work, so you don’t have to! We know how important it is to be up to date with what each firm is offering and how that compares with your current position.

It Could be Costing You

You might be working the same hours, if not more than employees at other firms that are receiving thousands of dollars more than you. Have you thought about how your current role and experience are setting you up for the long-term plans you have? Have you considered if there are real career progression opportunities where you currently are? How do they compare with other firms in the market?

The Balance

Once you know what other firms are offering and how they compare, you hold the knowledge necessary to maximise your return. But it is all a balancing act – and the maximum return is rarely just financial. You need to weigh up what factors are most important to you when it comes to your job. Are you solely financially motivated or are you all about the right workflows? Perhaps you want to seek out a niche area of specific work and that is the key driver for you, or maybe culture is the most important thing for you? Once we have been able to establish your negotiables and non-negotiables, we can provide you with advice on which firms would be the best fit for you.

Here at EG, we can assist you to see clearly what each firm is offering in terms of salary, corporate benefits and the type of work you can attain to control your long-term plan.
We want to make sure you maximise your work investment! If you are interested in having an informal and confidential discussion about your career, please do not hesitate to reach out to one of our friendly and knowledgeable consultants.