Rich Career, Poor Career

What makes for a rich career? It is more than just the

salary and benefits. A rich career is one that suits your

talents and provides an opportunity to make a meaningful

contribution, as well as one that provides the right

compensation.

A rich career is one that has a rich return on investment.

What is career ROI? It is more than a paycheck and

healthcare benefits. Your career ROI is the entire package

of what you receive in return for the investment of your

energy, time, and talent in a career and an organization.

Career ROI can include monetary compensation and the

typical benefits package. It can also include less

tangible, indirect benefits, such as the opportunity to

be involved in a professional association, credibility,

status, and the reputation of the organization you work

for - just to name a few. Career ROI is also unique to

you: what you consider a return on your investment may

not be important to the person who works across the hall

or across the country.

To determine your own unique career ROI, identify what

you receive from your current career, in addition to

your salary and other standard benefits. Once you have

determined your current career ROI, think about the

elements that would make up the ideal career ROI for

you. Think outside the standard HR benefits package.

Now that you know both your current ROI and your desired

ROI, compare the two. How large is the gap?

If your current ROI does not add up, does it mean that

you need to look for a new job or career? Not necessarily.

Once you identify the elements of your ideal ROI, one

option is to approach your current organization about

making some changes.

Not all ROI changes require your employer to invest money

to implement. For example, perhaps your ideal return on

investment includes the opportunity to volunteer a few

days a month for a nonprofit organization in the community

that you are passionate about. Unless you are in a

position where your employer would need to pay someone

else to do your job during those days, this benefit

would not result in a significant cost. In fact, it could

bring value back to your employer, by enhancing its image

in the community. If your employer is not willing or able

to make changes to meet your desired ROI, you may decide

it is time to start looking for a new opportunity.

Before you go searching for a bigger paycheck, take time

to identify your career ROI. Then, if you decide it is

time to look for a new job, you will know when you find

the right opportunity for you.

Shannon Bradford is a writer and coach, teaching people how to master their brains to succeed in their careers and businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (John Wiley & Sons, 2002). Sign up for Shannon's free Career Minicourse at http://www.15minutecareer.com