Beyond the CV ‐Securing a Lifetime of Work in the Global Market

Citation

Thornett, T. (1998), "Beyond the CV ‐Securing a Lifetime of Work in the Global Market", Career Development International, Vol. 3 No. 4, pp. 171-171. https://doi.org/10.1108/cdi.1998.3.4.171.3

This book is designed to help people prepare themselves positively for the challenges that will confront the career‐ minded as a consequence of the effect that globalisation brings to the market and subsequent career opportunities.

The implications, according to the author, are that many people will miss the “carnival of opportunity” created by the global economy through a lack of imagination, determination and self‐belief. Young people, particularly under the age of thirty, are advised to invest in the development of the expertise, skills, attitudes and personal qualities that match the needs of changing patterns of work that will shape the organisation of the future. The book identifies those prerequisite needs and offers the reader an opportunity to access their current expertise, skills, attitudes and personal qualities against those that are predicted to be of importance in the future.

The argument is soundly based on evidence collected by the author and other writers such as Charles Handy, concerning the expanding nature of the opportunities being generated by the global market. The need for people to develop career strategies, wider ambitions and horizons to prepare themselves for potentially new challenges is done on an informed and pragmatic basis. The logic is simple, adapt to the environment or become extinct. Organisational evolution is changing the nature of work and the very structure which many assume will provide their career ladder. Taking charge of one’s destiny and having more control over future career moves, or in other words developing a career strategy, requires the individual to be well versed with all of the options. This book articulates many considerations that possibly would not have entered the evaluation phase of the career decision making process.

As with most things, there are winners and losers. The law of averages dictate that to be a winner there must be a loser. One could argue that those who “win” when it comes to their career are those who are naturally equipped to respond to external changes and can evolve quite happily without counsel and advice. This natural order would be fine if the needs of the global market were being met with a plentiful supply of suitably equipped people. However, according to the author, there will be a shortage of suitably equipped people in the future unless we start doing something about it now. It can be summed up simply by asking one’s self whether or not you want to be a victim of destiny, or whether you want to do something positive about it now.

On the whole, a very useful resource, both for people who want to take charge of their career strategy and for those who provide counsel and advice to others. At first, it appears to be aimed at a younger audience, but for the career‐minded over‐forties, it reassures you that age is not always a barrier to achieving one’s ambitions provided that first you believe in yourself.

The book provides some very useful self‐diagnostic tools and advice to help people gain a better idea of where their expertise, skills and personal qualities lie, but more importantly, how they can use modern technology to their advantage when it comes to selling themselves positively.

For those who believe they can positively shape their future career, then this book offers a great deal in support, advice and encouragement. For those who believe that their destiny is preordained and is subject to luck or fate, then this book offers nothing. It’s the difference between those who believe in themselves and those who allow themselves to be victims and subsequent losers. Life is ruled by ratios, and I would hazard a guess that for every individual who is concerned about their future and personal development and who therefore should find this book useful, there will be nine who don’t. Still, on average, for every winner there are nine losers.