If you think that you may want to change your career direction and have a period of work leave approaching please read on.
Most of us find that work takes up some of our thoughts whilst on leave and resolve to change something about it upon return.
Being at distance from your work often allows your mind to think through work issues and resolve to improve your current work situation or to transition to something new.
Being on leave with time and space away from colleagues and bosses to think often helps to come up with a clear plan.
I suggest that you ask yourself some questions in five areas to help you with this exercise.
1. What is my current work reality? For example what are my likes and dislikes? How do I feel on Sunday night? What would I miss if I left? What can I/not change?
Research suggests that the key reasons people decide to change their careers is due to factors outside their control or influence including dissatisfaction with their line manager or the culture of the organisation. Getting real about why you want to change jobs helps you to avoid repeating the same mistakes or moving to a similar environment.
2.What do I want and value about work? For example what is important to me about my work? what do I need to have from my work to feel happy and fulfilled?
3. What do I have to offer that is transferable to a new job? For example, what tasks do I enjoy doing or skills I enjoy using? What am I passionate about? What am I good at? What experiences and learning have made me who I am? What are my top three skills? What is unique about me? Ask people you respect and trust to help you with this and start thinking about career or role options that attract you.
4. My other resources. Who is in my network that could help me? Who is in the fields that I am interested in? Note down the names of your contacts to get in touch with when you return.
5. My outline plan. This can be something that you have some fun with and will review on return. Taking the pressure off helps you to think more clearly. For example, what is my career goal now? When do I want this? Who can help me? What additional skills or qualifications do I need and what are my options to get them? What will happen when I achieve this goal? What difference will that make? Why am I doing this? For example, to give my work life meaning and purpose.
Happy holidays! If you would like support in your career or with your career transition journey please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk and to see all of our professional services please visit us at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk
Saturday, 30 July 2016
Thursday, 30 June 2016
Lacking Career Direction?
If you are lacking career direction then please read on.
According to research only about twenty percent of us have career direction clarity. That is we are unclear about where we want to go in our careers! Considering that those of us who work spend a large percentage of our waking hours at work, this figure is rather alarming I think.
This blog offers suggestions on what to do to gain career direction clarity.
I suggest that you start by gathering information including what is important to you about work, what skills you enjoy using and are good at as well as aspects of your character relevant to work.
You may find it helpful to complete a personality questionnaire that will often provide pointers to the types of career for you to consider, that may or may not include your current career.
From here you can start to think about the qualifications, knowledge, skills and capabilities required for each type of career that interests you. This may help to narrow down your options, for example if returning to study is not an option for whatever reason.
Working environment is very important when it comes to work satisfaction. Where do you want to work? Not just the geographical location but right down to what you see when you look out of the window and what the space is around you.
What would you like your work identity to be? What really matters to you? Answers to these questions may narrow your work choice down to one particular sector, for example.
I hope that you find this exercise to be useful and would like to hear about what you discover.
Of course if you would like help and support with your career review or transition please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk, by completing a contact us form at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or by calling 01761 237400.
According to research only about twenty percent of us have career direction clarity. That is we are unclear about where we want to go in our careers! Considering that those of us who work spend a large percentage of our waking hours at work, this figure is rather alarming I think.
This blog offers suggestions on what to do to gain career direction clarity.
I suggest that you start by gathering information including what is important to you about work, what skills you enjoy using and are good at as well as aspects of your character relevant to work.
You may find it helpful to complete a personality questionnaire that will often provide pointers to the types of career for you to consider, that may or may not include your current career.
From here you can start to think about the qualifications, knowledge, skills and capabilities required for each type of career that interests you. This may help to narrow down your options, for example if returning to study is not an option for whatever reason.
Working environment is very important when it comes to work satisfaction. Where do you want to work? Not just the geographical location but right down to what you see when you look out of the window and what the space is around you.
What would you like your work identity to be? What really matters to you? Answers to these questions may narrow your work choice down to one particular sector, for example.
I hope that you find this exercise to be useful and would like to hear about what you discover.
Of course if you would like help and support with your career review or transition please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk, by completing a contact us form at www.westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or by calling 01761 237400.
Monday, 16 May 2016
Your Work Values are what?
If you are interested in finding and working in the job of your dreams then this post is for you.
Research suggests that the most important work values to you are:
Research suggests that the most important work values to you are:
- a level of challenge appropriate to you
- meaning
- fulfilment
- feel excited to go to and be at your work
- happy
The time to explore your options to achieve your values is when you are relatively calm and positive.
However, many people seek a career or job change when they are exhausted and rather desperate.
Something else that research suggests is that a high percentage of people live within invisible borders set by themselves or others, driven largely by fear.
My advice is simple. Do not stay in a role that is not good enough for you, where the best parts are your end of month pay cheque followed by the end of your working week because it is all over for a couple of days if you are lucky.
A lot of people I meet and work with who are happy do not let fear drive their decisions as much as others.
As well as the allure of happiness in your work, please be aware of the negative effects of being unhappy in your work. At least a quarter of us is said to be affected by mental health problems, working long hours and glued to our phones. Stress, anxiety and depression now make up at least one in five GP visits.
If you would like help addressing your fears of striking out with your career and for help in diagnosing the perfect career and role for your personality, likes and values, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or by calling 01761 237400.
Monday, 25 April 2016
Your Career Review
If you are interested in reviewing where you are in terms of your career then this post is for you.
Do not wait for a coaching session to start the ball rolling.
You can start coaching yourself by asking yourself the 10 questions listed below.
Honestly answering these questions will help you to decide whether your current role is working and what changes, if any, you would like to make.
Doing the work that you want to do to the best of your ability is a big part of what gives you meaning and purpose in your life, contributing to your overall health and happiness.
If you would like a safe place to discuss your career and work with a supportive career coach, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call 01761 237400.
Do not wait for a coaching session to start the ball rolling.
You can start coaching yourself by asking yourself the 10 questions listed below.
- How do you feel about your role?
- Do you enjoy your work for the most part?
- Is your role aligned with your values?
- Does your work make best use of your strengths?
- What have been your main achievements in the last 12 months?
- Are you passionate about your work?
- What have your learnt about yourself in the last 12 months?
- What is the one thing that you would change about your career that would have the biggest positive impact on your health?
- What is your career purpose over the next year or so?
- What career goals and objectives do you have?
Honestly answering these questions will help you to decide whether your current role is working and what changes, if any, you would like to make.
Doing the work that you want to do to the best of your ability is a big part of what gives you meaning and purpose in your life, contributing to your overall health and happiness.
If you would like a safe place to discuss your career and work with a supportive career coach, please get in touch via enquiries@westofenglandcoachingandcounselling.co.uk or call 01761 237400.
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