Honestly Evaluate Your Current Skill Set
You may want to consider evaluating your skills such as Communication, Arrangement Office Presentation, Showroom Product Demonstrations, Public Speaking, Computer skills, and the list goes on. Be honest with yourself, and if possible, gather and encourage input from your Manager and other coworkers.
Evaluate Your Current Organization and Your Current Organizational Standing
Is there an opportunity for promotion? Does your firm encourage ongoing skills training? Is your compensation at the high, medium or low end of Funeral Director wages? Is the benefit program competitive? Does your current firm offer a Pension Plan? Does the work schedule provide you with adequate free time? How many weekends are you working a month? Are you paid overtime? Is there room for advancement? These are questions to consider!
Understand Career/Industry Trends
Determine what important skills are going to be required in the foreseeable future for you to succeed and then develop a plan to attain them. For example, skills working with cremation families are going to be in high demand as the cremation rate continues to increase.
Building a Career Network
Determine which funeral and non-funeral related organizations you would benefit most from joining. An estimated 50% of all job opportunities are generated from contact networks. Maybe it’s your Provincial or National Funeral Association, Rotary Club or your local hospital foundation. Don’t be passively involved – become known for your insights, interests, work ethic or commitment to achieving goals.
Commit to Life Long Learning
From our experience, many funeral professionals obtaining their license is the end of their formal training. In reality, if you do not continue to develop your skills, abilities and knowledge, you are considered one of many by your Manager. Those who strive for ongoing learning and responsibility tend to develop their potential for quicker advancement within the organization, command higher annual raises and increased compensation.
Build and Maintain a Powerful Resume
Your resume should be filled with accomplishments as well as your career highlights. It should be accurate, honest and without errors. Funeral Workforce can help you build an impressive resume – just let us know how we can help!
Set Your Goals
Determine Your Strategy, Evaluate Your Progress Annually and Stay Focused!
Now, the toughest step in your Career Action Plan…getting started! Funeral WorkForce can help!