Give your career a tune-up to stay on track

Too often people chug along aimlessly in their jobs while they are asleep at the wheel. Years later, many are jolted awake only to find themselves at a dead end, spinning their wheels in a job they hate. Others realize, too late, that their batteries went dead long ago and they need a jump start in a new direction.

My new book, "The Career Decisions Planner; When to Move, When to Stay, When to Go Out On Your Own"(Wiley) is designed to give your career a tune up and help you decide if you're on track. The following abbreviated excerpt will help you do a quick maintenance check. Answer "yes" or "no." Your answers will give you insights about whether you should stay where you are or move to a more satisfying job.

Job Fit

·        Routine tasks and projects are interesting and challenging.

·        I spend more than 70 percent of my time on work I enjoy.

·        I am learning things that will make me more marketable in the future.

·        My skills and abilities are a good fit for this job.

Boss Fit

·        My communication with my boss is casual and frequent.

·        My past performance reviews have been well above average.

·        My boss solicits my opinions and ideas and trusts me to try them.

·        I am satisfied with my boss's approach to giving feedback.

·        I don't feel my boss shows favoritism to others.

Company Fit

·        My company culture fits my value system.

·        I support and admire the way my company's top management runs the company and treats its employees.

·        I feel fairly compensated, given my field, my responsibilities and my results.

·        I have skills/technical abilities that are valuable to my company.

Political Fit

·        My internal network within my company is alive and well providing me with information and support.

·        I know that I am seen as "promotable" by those above me.

·        My company is relatively free of office politics such as promotions based solely on "whom you know".

Advancement Fit

·        I am likely to make at least two more upward career moves at my current company.

·        I have been promoted at least every four years.

·        I know what gets rewarded and I am good at those things.

·        There isn't much competition for the internal jobs I want.

Entrepreneur Fit

·        I long for the freedom of running my own business.

·        I have good business sense.

·        I have lots of energy, drive and persistence.

·        I am opinionated and willing to take risks.