2008 Training Magazine Salary Survey - The Buck Stops Here

For your enjoyment...
http://www.managesmarter.com/managesmarter/images/pdfs/trg_20081001_salaryreport2008.pdf

Moving Backwards to Move Foward

Fear is a real aspect of our professional lives. In some cases fear inhibits us from making the hard choices we need to make in order to progress professionally. For instance, the fear of failure may prevent an employee from voluntarily taking on new tasks and responsibilities. Additionally, this same fear may cause employees to remain in the same non-growth position without looking to move outside their boundaries. However, there is another type of fear that needs to be addressed: the fear of going backwards.

As learning professionals we have always looked at movement forward as the meter of professional growth and success. However, in some instances moving backwards, when done correctly, promotes growth and success. There are three instances where moving backwards will benefit your move forward. However, the trick is to not remain in the backward motion. Always have a target goal you are trying to achieve by moving backwards and a time frame:

Gain experience in an area where your resume is lacking
Why? Many employers look for specific experience for specific industries. If you would like to make a move into training within a specific industry, it would be worth your while to look at mid level or consulting positions. Keep in mind when doing so stress your experience in the Learning field. Once the experience is obtained, you may then target the job you want in the industry with your combination of previous learning industry experience and the new experience you have gained.

Reduce duties to gaining higher lever education
Why? Adding some extra letters to your name always adds depth of knowledge and credibility to your background. If your goal is to be in upper management in the Learning field, it is essential that a post graduate degree be obtained. While earning the degree it is ok to reduce duties or take a sabbatical. Once obtained, the combination of the degree and your past and present experience will assist in gaining your target position.

Reduce duties or take a job in a different job function to attend to personal affairs
Why? In most cases when a person has personal affairs to attend to, their mind is focused on those affairs. As a result, quality of work suffers. Do not jeopardize your brand by allowing personal affairs to impact the quality of your work. A reduction of duties, reassignment or sabbatical would benefit your professional reputation in the long run.

Remember the key is to target the goal that is to be achieved by moving backwards, have a time frame to reach that goal, and do not stay in a backwards momentum. Don't fear moving backwards to move forward.