You understand the importance of preparing for an interview, crafting impressive CVs, and building a personal brand. We already gave you some pointers there, which you can check out here. Others are on the way! But what's next? How do you ensure success in your new role? The key is continuous career development. As the saying goes, there are no elevators for success. You need to take the stairs.
Transparency and Sustainable Career Development
Right now, when we all thrive in a mostly hybrid and flexible work world, we must remember the importance of open and sincere communication. The first step in having "the talk" about career development with your manager is keeping an open mind, on both ends, about what that means. At HARMAN, we are all in when it comes to career development, but doing that strategically and being mindful of how fast a person can grow is very important. Giving too much responsibility to someone not ready for that can be as harmful as not giving enough to a high performer eager to lead. Those mistakes are visible in the quarterly and annual business results but, more importantly, in the psychological world of the employee. And that is not what you want in a team.
For Philipp, Senior Director of Audio Feature Technology & Innovation, "It's a lot about listening and understanding where somebody wants to be; at the same time, it's important for me to give open and honest feedback on where team members currently are. Readiness and aspiration have to be transparently discussed. These talks could result in proposing a lateral move or jointly preparing for a new role in the future."
The right time to discuss career development is always – as long as you are ready to communicate openly, meaning you should be able to give and receive constructive feedback.
TIP: Make it a practice to talk in your recurring one-on-ones with your manager about how you are developing yourself and what you are actively learning. That way, when the time comes to talk about your next step, you will have a partner in your manager because you invested in that relationship and in that direction. It takes active participation from both people.
Speak Your Mind and Seize the Opportunity
Once you join HARMAN, the internal opportunities for growth never end. But your manager is not a mind reader. Even if you feel like your career aspirations are obvious, sharing them explicitly is the only way to ensure your manager has full visibility into your goals. More importantly, when you’re both on the same page, you can work together to identify areas of development needed before you can take the next step. At HARMAN, being direct about your needs and career goals is the right way to go - whether we are discussing a training you want to take, a promotion you hope to receive, or the opportunity to make a lateral career move.
"With 29 different nationalities and cultures, in combination with different generations and life goals, my main objective is to maintain the same positive dynamic inside our very diverse team of employees. I will always search for an internal candidate first before recruiting externally. And if we go external, we will always tell our people why we did so,” says Philippe, EMEA Vice President & General Manger of HARMAN Consumer Audio
Business is not a place where assumptions are encouraged, especially when making assumptions about people's thoughts, feelings, or needs. So, keep your eyes on the prize, talk about your intentions clearly, and make the most of each opportunity you receive.
Building Your Expertise with Lateral Career Moves
In career evolution, lateral moves can be your secret weapon—a dynamic force that propels you forward while keeping you in control. It's not just about climbing the ladder; it's about building a skyscraper of expertise, with each lateral move adding another floor to your success story.
Picture this: You, your career ship's captain, chart a course through uncharted waters. With each lateral move, you're not just gaining experience but expanding your skill set, broadening your perspective, and fortifying your professional toolbox. By embracing lateral moves, you're not just a passenger on this journey. You're the architect. With each new opportunity, you’re diversifying your skillset, expanding your network and exposing yourself to different parts of the business. All of these learnings come together to create a more well-rounded you. Your manager is a key factor in your career development, but it’s a two-way street.
In the words of Vikram, Engineering Senior Director, "Career development requires commitment and effort from the employee as well as his/her manager. Unless both parties are fully invested, it is hard to see how it could translate into success and just remain an academic activity. The two key steps to achieving this are strong mentoring with open and honest communication, and periodic review of career aspirations and course corrections as required. Sometimes, it is also required to be brave and redefine career goals."
So, let's rewrite the script. No more waiting for opportunities to knock; it's time to forge your own path! Embrace the power of lateral moves, seize control of your career, have that honest talk with your manager, and enjoy reflecting on a career you’re proud of. This is your journey—own it, live it, and let it take you places you've only dreamed of! Sounds good? Check out our career opportunities here!
