Posted under Career Management, Career Planning on April 27th, 2007
Lou Adler wrote a great article today at ERE.net titled Speed Kills. Adler, a recruitment consultant, speaks mainly about the corporate recruitment/talent acquisition function. He contends that the need to make hiring decisions at a warp-like speed is creating a “monster” that may negatively affect corporations’ long-term competitiveness.
As someone who works with job seekers, I am also seeing how rapid decision making – by my clients AND employers – can adversely affect an otherwise stellar career. Don’t get me wrong, multiple jobs are not all bad. I am currently working with a marketing manager who has leveraged his career so skillfully – six jobs since 1999 – that after only eight years out of college, he is positioned for an executive role.
However, hasty decision making can also be disastrous for a career. I am working with another manager who has moved from three bad situations in the last three years. This is after a distinguished 19-year career with one employer. He is rightly concerned about his decision making abilities as well as his employability/marketability.
What is this relevant advice? It’s so basic, it almost seems silly to mention. But, given everyone’s need for rapid decision making, here it is:
Don’t make long-term decisions using short-term data.
Don’t make serious decisions based on emotions and biases.
Gather as much information as you can in whatever time is available to make major decisions.
Isn’t that a great reminder? Well, I have to go check my e-mail, voice-mail, and fax machine. My “to-do” list is really long today - actually, it’s long every day. Sound familiar? I am making a commitment to slow down my decision making - how about you?
Posted by Michele Haffner
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