The Career Audit: A 60-Minute Exercise to Reassess Where You Are

Sometimes, work can feel like a routine you’re stuck in, rather than a path you’re progressing on. Whether you’ve been in your current role for a few years or just finished your probation period, taking the time to perform a career audit can be enlightening. This guided exercise will help you reassess where you stand in your career by evaluating four crucial areas: energy, growth, values, and compensation.

Assess Your Energy Levels

Energy at work can significantly impact your overall job satisfaction and performance. To start, grab a piece of paper or open a digital document and draw a simple grid with two columns: 'Energizing Tasks' and 'Draining Tasks'.

Mini-Scenario

Say you are a project manager who loves brainstorming sessions but dreads the administrative follow-ups. Write these down accordingly. Spend 10 minutes listing tasks and activities from the past week or month.

Scoring Your Energy

1. Assign a score from 1 to 5 for each task, where 1 is 'drains me completely' and 5 is 'energizes me greatly'.
2. Tally the scores. If most of your tasks are in the lower range, it might be time to reconsider your current role or approach to it.

Evaluate Your Growth Opportunities

Growth is essential for keeping your career fulfilling. Consider the skills you've acquired and the new challenges you’ve faced recently.

Word-for-Word Script

Ask yourself: "In the last six months, have I learned a new skill or taken on a new responsibility?" If not, think about any opportunities you might have overlooked.

Scoring Your Growth

1. List 3 recent experiences where you felt you grew professionally.
2. Rate each on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is 'no growth' and 5 is 'significant growth'.
3. Consider whether your job provides enough growth opportunities. If scores are low, identify potential areas for development.

Align Your Values

Values alignment is crucial for long-term job satisfaction. Reflect on your personal values and how they mesh with your workplace culture.

Steps to Align Values

1. Write down 3 core values that are most important to you.
2. Consider how well your current role and company culture align with these values. Use a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is 'not aligned' and 5 is 'perfectly aligned'.
3. If there’s a misalignment, think about whether it’s something that can be addressed within your current role.

Review Your Compensation

Compensation isn't just about salary; it includes benefits, work-life balance, and job security. Take a holistic view of your compensation package.

Mini-Scenario

Imagine you’re considering a job offer. Compare your current compensation package against the new offer, considering aspects like vacation days, health benefits, and retirement contributions.

Scoring Your Compensation

1. List the components of your compensation package that matter most to you.
2. Rate your satisfaction with each component from 1 to 5.
3. If most scores are below 3, it may be time to negotiate or consider a move.

Bringing It All Together

Now that you’ve scored each area, look at the overall picture. Are there areas where you feel consistently dissatisfied? This exercise isn't just about identifying problems but also about recognizing what you appreciate in your job.

Consider discussing your findings with your manager or a mentor. They can offer insight and possibly help in addressing any issues you've identified.

Conducting regular career audits helps you stay aligned with your goals and ensures that your job remains a source of fulfillment.

To support your career journey, Nawaya offers a free first session with a career mentor. It’s a chance to gain personalized insights and chart a fulfilling career path.