Is this the right company for me? Can I rise in it? Will it grow? How am I placed at the moment and how will I stack up five years from now? Does my company reward my skills? These are very familiar questions asked by today’s professional when he stares at the specter of performing of a personal career review. In today’s environment where there are major talent dislocations in which mediocre talent skyrockets in "hot" technologies or industries, and we see superb talent languishes in the "stagnant" ones. It is just not good enough to focus on the assignment at hand or maybe next promotion, but the real challenge is to maximize job opportunities over a longer period of time.

People finish there basic education or technical training and take the best job offer, stay in that function, that company, that technology, for too long. By the time they realize it, the demand for their skills has declined. Downsizing or right-sizing can happen to all companies and functions, and the best way to stay away from it is to perform a periodic ‘Personal Career Audit’. This is surely a factor of supply and demand and your career assessment process should ask "Where can my skills achieve maximum career growth, resulting in greater value creation in the future?". The answer lies in long-term planning, which includes constantly informing oneself about how the technology or marketplace trends are valuing what you have to offer.

Following are some of the ways to get information to conduct your personal career audit

• Attend at least three seminars per year, plus one or two trade show(s). While learning technical training, etc, you can expand your professional network.

• Read voraciously. One could also get tons of relevant career information through the Internet.

• Develop a network of at least ten professionals who are on the top of technology or industry analysis and job trends. Some intelligent networking should help you develop relevant contacts that can open doors to help you get the ideal job.

• Stay in touch with at least three good-quality executive search consultants, who track your industry and are willing to talk to you. You will not only get information about the possible job opportunities but also valuable advice on how strong is your resume, what are your career strengths and shortcomings. An executive search consultant is in a good position to advice you on what you can do, so that they can market you best.

A personal career audit conducted annually, is a reality check. It nudges you to keep abreast of career relevant trends, including supply and demand, through reading and your own network. The personal career audit can and should lead to action plans, so that you continue feeling on track when you conduct your next audit, next year.

Monica Batra, VP, executive search and selection, India, Band-X,