Career Advancement

In a rut and need a change of career? If so, and you're not sure which way to go, career counselling can clarify your thoughts and set you on the path to the ideal job for your skill set.

It is a good idea to continually assess your employability - and here are some tips to help you maintain a healthy career, as well as feeling positive about where it is heading.

We have a variety of psychometric tools that we can use to help you understand yourself better, as well as one-to-one coaching to help you better understand what you would really like to do. We can also review your CV and help boost your interviewing skills, so you come over as confident and knowing what you want.

Develop career purpose

Research tells us that individuals who identify goals and have a vision of their future are more successful in achieving what they want. There will be key career desisions you need to make along the way. Establishing what is really important will help you make the right choices.

Get transferable skills

As organisations change, so does what is required. You need to know what is needed in your current role, while continuing to learn and develop yourself for future opportunities. Know where you perform well and where there are development gaps. Skills and knowledge can get out-dated quickly in a fast-changing world.

React to change

Taking care of your career means managing change. Many organisations are constantly shifting and flexing to meet the threats and opportunities in a fiercely competitive environment. Be prepared for flexible working, changing duties, short-term assignments and project working - and career opportunities may arise.

Be a high performer

Committing fully to your current job is a pre-requisite for career health. Your employability will be enhanced if you are known as a high performer. You will be judged both internally and externally by the results you have achieved, and the difference you make. Assume more personal responsibility for the success of your organisation, rather than focusing on the narrow confines of your job description. Work in an area that you enjoy so that you can give your best.

Balance your life

Many people experience tension between work and home demands. How can you juggle leisure interests, family commitments, self-development activities and work challenges? To avoid burnout, it is worth considering the life balance that suits you. Managing work and home is important. Career health relies on your physical and mental well-being.

Be visible

You may be highly employable in your organisation but, if people are unaware of your existence, you may be overlooked for interesting projects and development opportunities. Worse still, you could be written off as a poor performer if people are unaware of the contribution you are making. 

Develop a network of contacts

Your career success will largely depend on the strength of your relationships with others, colleagues, lone manager, customers, friends and professional contacts. Networking is something we do instinctively to gather information, to identify resources, to raise our profile, to co-ordinate activities and to gain support and is essential for getting our job done.

Promote yourself

Being able to relate what you have to offer to the needs of your organisation will enhance your employability. Think of yourself as a service centre with a range of services you are able to provide. Be clear about the value of what you bring, don't be tempted to under-sell yourself. Maintaining an up-to-date personal or curriculum vitae is part of this process.

For more information please fill in our on-line contact form about Career Advancement or phone us on  01425 471597