Career upgrade anyone? It’s a new year and we all have big dreams to do better and be better. In most new year resolutions list or goals set, the desire for a career upgrade or better paying job is a common feature. But how do you achieve this? We went to one of the best in the game… Lead consultant at Elite Hunters and founder of Work in Nigeria, Ivie Temitayo–Ibitoye. She is responsible for developing strategies for attracting, developing and retaining talent for corporate organisations and SMEs in diverse industries across Nigeria. She is instrumental in the recruitment of talents from junior to senior management level positions. She also contributes her quota to national development by preparing Nigeria’s talents for the labour market through career advisory initiatives such as CV writing, interview coaching and mentorship.
During the course of her HR career, she has successfully managed the overall provision of Human Resources services, policies and programmes. This has helped various organisations boost their overall performance through effective HR, strategy building, fair and coherent compensation /benefits, and employee engagement.
Are you ready for a career upgrade?
Ivie’s educational background includes an LLB in Law from the University of Benin and a BL from the Nigerian Law School. We caught up with the busy HR lead to discuss key points on how to achieve a career upgrade amongst other things.
Glazia: If you had one word for the new year what would that be?
Ivie Temitayo-Ibitoye: My word for the year is STRATEGIC CLARITY.
G: What does career upgrade entail?
I: The world is rapidly evolving and most jobs roles are becoming dynamic, constantly changing, and adapting to the changes in the industry. A career upgrade means updating your current skill and expertise, in a position you currently hold which will equip/prepare you for a higher level of responsibility and benefit in your profession. For example, moving from entry/mid level stage to the executive management/C -Suite position.
Why/when is a career upgrade essential?
As a professional, your goal should should be to constantly get better in your field and become a sought expert; this can only happen when you’ve been afforded the opportunity to manage several aspects of your current job on different levels and successfully done so. Upgrading your career would be a great step towards achieving that goal.
Career swap and career upgrade?
Career swapping is simply changing your job field to one in a different industry or with a different set of
requirements. It would require that you take conscious steps to improve your expertise and knowledge in your field so that you can handle more executive and decision making responsibilities on your job and or your field.
What is the difference between skill upgrade and career upgrade?
Upgrading your skills is a component of career upgrade because it’s impossible to become better in
your field without improving the skills and tools/knowledge you use for work. However, upgrading your career is a more holistic approach to amplifying your voice and impact in your chosen field/ industry.
What do you do when you’re frustrated about current job or career choice?
The first step is to stop and evaluate your situation. Why are you frustrated? Is it because you think you’re in the wrong field or you’re in the right field but your current expertise does not match up with your current responsibilities? Is the frustration based off of your relationship with your bosses and colleagues at work or the core responsibilities of the job itself? Answering these questions would allow you to determine what is lacking and where you need to make changes or seek help.
Fire Tips for Career Moves in 2020
In 2020, be more intentional about your career goals and take active steps to achieve it. You can start with just one goal and stick to it. e.g. : to attend a workshop or technical training every quarter
- Do less of wishful thinking and take action. Build the career you want for yourself.
- Stop underestimating your current skills and abilities or feeling like you don’t know enough to contribute to your team meetings and industry mixers.
- Start speaking up about what you do know, ask questions and engage other colleagues and experts in your field: this will increase your knowledge and improve your networking, communication and emotional intelligence skills.
Connect with Ivie Temitayo-Ibitoye on LinkedIn.