Thursday 25 August 2016

Tips to Manage your Career better

If you are feeling somewhat frustrated with your career path then this blog is for you.

Since most of us spend a large percentage of our waking hours at work it makes sense to think extensively about what you want from your career. And, since life is short, to do it now.

Here are my five top tips of tasks that you can get stuck into today.

1. Tell people you are close to what you are thinking and feeling. As you speak you will start to process your thoughts and come up with some ideas and actions to move forwards with. People that you trust can also support you and ask you about how it is going along the way.

2. Reflect on your work to date. For example, when were you happiest? Where were you then? Who were you working with? What were you doing? What did you enjoy the most? How did it work for you? What patterns are emerging that give you insight into what you could do moving forwards?

3. Think about what energises and motivates you in your life. Synchronising this with your career choices is a must as employers and clients will be looking for enthusiasm from you.

4. Research the job market. For example talk to local recruitment agencies about what employers are looking for and go through sample job descriptions. Ask to speak to people who already do those roles about what they find good and less so!

5. Start your career action plan. For example set a time line for achieving your career goal, your broad statement of intent as well as specific objectives. To do your dream career you have to make it happen. What are your qualifications and skills gaps and what are the options for closing these gaps?

For help and support in improving your existing career path or transitioning to a new career, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk where we specialise in this area of your life.

Tuesday 9 August 2016

7 Career Habits of Highly Effective People

If you are interested in seeking further guidance in achieving the career of your dreams then please read this blog.

I am a fan of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Here I attempt to apply these habits somewhat to your career success.

Habit number 1 is to be proactive and this includes with regards to your career. Excuse the crude analogy - have you ever been shopping for an outfit that you really needed only to return home empty handed? Have you ever been shopping and found lots of outfits that you like and suit you that you do  not actually need right now?

When you are not desperate to change you career but you are open to options and opportunities you are much calmer which assists greatly with judgment and decision making. At interview you will likely appear less desperate too.

Today there is no such thing as a job for life so it makes sense to keep your antennae up, your CV up to date and even to undergo some professional career coaching.

Career coaching provided by West of England Coaching and Counselling begins with a diagnostic to arrive at specific options for you based on your work personality, values and skills preferences. This initial stage can help you to decide whether you may want to transition to a new career where you would be happier.

Stephen Covey's habit number 2 is to begin with the end in mind. Here I suggest that you write a letter to yourself (sorry for being maudlin!) on your death bed which tells you what you did in your work life, what you are most proud of or happy about. This will help to guide you through the years in between now and when you pass.

His third habit is to put first things first, to prioritise. The key question that comes to my mind for you to ask yourself what are my priorities when it comes to my career? For example, my top priorities for my own career are - it gives meaning to my time, my own health and wellbeing and self and others learning and development.

The fourth habit that Stephen Covey found in his highly effective people research is to think win win. This makes me think of you plus others. What in your career plan would best serve your clients or customers for example?

The fifth habit is to first seek to understand and then be understood. You could use this habit to have a conversation with people who are important to you who could be impacted by an career decision made by you. You might want to ask them their views before you share yours and before you make any decision. This may be particularly important if your decision involves moving house, a difference in pay or an ethical issue.

The sixth habit is to synergise. Perhaps you could work with others to come up with a career solution that is greater than the sum of the parts involved in helping you to make your decision.

Finally the seventh habit that Covey suggests is to sharpen your sword, to keep at it, to keep improving, day by day by day.

If you would like help and support with your career transition or upskilling in your existing career, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or by calling 01761 237400.