Our thesis is that contemporary career management dictates that we think about our careers in a very different manner. The dynamics of the technology age dictates that we think about our career in terms of a 40 or 50-year work life cycle. Our skills, gifts & abilities, and attributes represent the "product" that we offer to global marketplace. How we market and position our product will greatly impact our personal and professional success. On one hand, we must obtain additional skills to address the requirements of multi-profession marketplace. On the other hand, we become outstanding career mangers. Not just of our skills, but of the revenues generated from our product. Compensation is used to satisfy our financial needs and dreams-education, transportation, real estate, recreation, investments, life style and retirement programs.

In career management, it is useful to consider a work life cycle in 4 or 5 decade long time spans. Each 10-year span that can be managed like a series of projects. For example, most executives will earn between $1,000,000 to $2,000,000 in the next decade, so the "career project revenue" to be managed is that amount. We use the "career project revenue" to address all our personal financial requirements and personal and family dreams. In addition, it allows us to bring joy and job satisfaction to our career side of life. It helps to enjoy what we do.

In order to maximize the return from "career project revenue," a change of jobs or employers may be appropriate. Great care must be exercised in making a decision to change jobs. For most of us the decision to change jobs is not an overnight whim, but an evolutionary process. Just because a headhunter calls with the opportunity of a lifetime, doesn't mean you immediately announce your resignation. Just because a former boss wants you to join him in a new venture doesn't mean you leap. Just because your #1 competitor needs your skills, doesn't mean you jump. The lure of pre-IPO stock options must be weighed thoughtfully. Careful scrutiny of that $1-2,000,000 career project is required in order to grow professionally and financially. In other words, manage your investment.

But calculating the worth of your career has more of a dollar consequence than the face amount. One leading business columnist argues that a career should be valued at 20 times the dollar amount. We are here to augment your career quest. The career management articles and links are provided to assist in your obtaining insight into finding the right job.

When you are ready for your next job-whether next month, next year or years from now, please allow Wilson Smith Associates to assist in your search. We will help you eliminate a lot of the guesswork in changing jobs, and we will introduce you to some very interesting opportunities with a diverse clientele from the former garage-based enterprise to the very prestigious organization that we read about in the business press. It is your career and we believe you should manage it effectively and find the right job.