| What makes for a rich career? It is more than just | | | | and your desired |
| the | | | | ROI, compare the two. How large is the gap?If your |
| salary and benefits. A rich career is one that suits | | | | current ROI does not add up, does it mean that |
| your | | | | you need to look for a new job or career? Not |
| talents and provides an opportunity to make a | | | | necessarily. |
| meaningful | | | | Once you identify the elements of your ideal ROI, |
| contribution, as well as one that provides the right | | | | one |
| compensation.A rich career is one that has a rich | | | | option is to approach your current organization |
| return on investment. | | | | about |
| What is career ROI? It is more than a paycheck and | | | | making some changes.Not all ROI changes require |
| | | | your employer to invest money |
| healthcare benefits. Your career ROI is the entire | | | | to implement. For example, perhaps your ideal return |
| package | | | | on |
| of what you receive in return for the investment of | | | | investment includes the opportunity to volunteer a |
| your | | | | few |
| energy, time, and talent in a career and an | | | | days a month for a nonprofit organization in the |
| organization.Career ROI can include monetary | | | | community |
| compensation and the | | | | that you are passionate about. Unless you are in a |
| typical benefits package. It can also include less | | | | position where your employer would need to pay |
| tangible, indirect benefits, such as the opportunity to | | | | someone |
| | | | else to do your job during those days, this benefit |
| be involved in a professional association, credibility, | | | | would not result in a significant cost. In fact, it could |
| status, and the reputation of the organization you | | | | bring value back to your employer, by enhancing its |
| work | | | | image |
| for - just to name a few. Career ROI is also unique | | | | in the community. If your employer is not willing or |
| to | | | | able |
| you: what you consider a return on your investment | | | | to make changes to meet your desired ROI, you |
| may | | | | may decide |
| not be important to the person who works across | | | | it is time to start looking for a new |
| the hall | | | | opportunity.Before you go searching for a bigger |
| or across the country.To determine your own | | | | paycheck, take time |
| unique career ROI, identify what | | | | to identify your career ROI. Then, if you decide it is |
| you receive from your current career, in addition to | | | | time to look for a new job, you will know when you |
| your salary and other standard benefits. Once you | | | | find |
| have | | | | the right opportunity for you.Shannon Bradford is a |
| determined your current career ROI, think about the | | | | writer and coach, teaching people how |
| | | | to master their brains to succeed in their careers |
| elements that would make up the ideal career ROI | | | | and |
| for | | | | businesses. She is the author of Brain Power (John |
| you. Think outside the standard HR benefits | | | | Wiley |
| package.Now that you know both your current ROI | | | | & Sons, 2002). |