Taking Control of Your Career

Every had a moment at work where you looked around and wondered how you got there? Perhaps you had never expected to be with that company, working in that job or involved in that industry.

No, it isn’t a sign of amnesia, more likely it’s an indication that you have lost control of your career.

Some people map out their futures at an early age and then follow their plans to the letter. But, for others, everyday life takes over and they find themselves almost falling into jobs without any real thought or planning.

Sometimes, this approach works. You are lucky to have stumbled upon something that you enjoy, are good at or for which you are well paid.

But when you have the realisation that you’re in the wrong job or career, or you haven’t progressed as you’d hoped, it’s a horrible and helpless feeling. You need to do something…but what?

Here are seven steps that can help you to regain control of your career.

Accept Responsibility

You can’t change the past, but you can certainly influence the future. No matter how you managed to find yourself in a career dead end, acknowledge that it’s up to you to find your way out.

Decide What You Want to Do

The easy bit is knowing that you want to make a change. The tricky bit is knowing what that change is. Think carefully, make a decision and go for it.

How are You Going to Get There?

It might involve studying for a qualification, gaining more experience, working harder…or all three. To reach the promised land of your chosen job, set yourself goals to help you along the way.

Include Others

Don’t be shy about your plans. Tell your partner, relatives, friends and, if it helps to achieve your ambitions, tell work colleagues. Sharing your intentions with those around will feel empowering.

Stick to the Plan

Your desperation to do something different could lead you to apply for any job that helps you escape your current situation. Resist this urge and only go for positions that interest or excite you – or you’ll find yourself in a similar predicament before long.

Be Flexible

While clearly defined goals are important, be prepared to tweak them every now and then. On your career journey you may discover other opportunities that appeal to you more than your original target.

Don’t Give Up

Taking control of your career should lead to a more rewarding working life – but it won’t happen overnight. Stay positive in the face of any rejection of disappointment and continue towards achieving your hopes and dreams.

Low Cost Ways to Retrain

With Coronavirus continuing to dominate everyday life in the UK, some people will find themselves with more spare time. That may be a result of being unable to work from home or because their social lives have come crashing to a halt.

Regardless of the circumstances, the current ‘lockdown’ provides an opportunity for anyone who is interested in retraining but usually wouldn’t have time.

Learning something new in order to change careers isn’t always easy. Many qualifications, degrees and some professional awards can be expensive.

But while a lack of finances can make finding the right course more of a challenge, it shouldn’t mean that it’s an impossible task.

Here are four ways to retrain without breaking the bank:

Sign up for a Course

There are many organisations providing short courses (sometimes free) on a wide array of subjects. Visit the websites of Future Learn, Open University, Reed and others to find out more.

If you’re looking for something a bit more challenging (and long-term) then online degrees are also available. The Open University also excel in this area and, depending on your income, you may not have to pay a penny.

Gain Some Experience

Volunteering is always a good idea but it’s even more important in the current climate. There are all sorts of ways you can make a contribution to your local community or some other good cause.

As well as the satisfaction of lending a hand, a volunteering role on your CV can demonstrate work experience in your chosen field and how keen you are.

Train Yourself

Not every job or career requires a degree or other formal qualification. Sometimes, showing how talented you are is more important.

Anyone interested in freelance writing or photography could start a blog or build a portfolio. When it comes to finding work, showing your previous efforts is far more likely to be of use then a certificate. And if you do need any help with the theory behind your role, there should be enough articles online to answer any questions you have.

Have a Side Hustle

Most career changes don’t happen overnight. In many cases, they are slow processes, coming after a lot of hard work and a few setbacks along the way.

That’s why starting off slowly, and working your chosen career as a second job, can be a great idea. You gain valuable experience while still having the security of your boring old full-time role.

4 Tips for Working from Home

As coronavirus (Covid-19) has swept across the globe in recent weeks, working from home has, for millions of people, changed from being a luxury to a necessity.

For many, this will be the first time they have carried out their jobs without leaving their own four walls.

In theory, working at home should be straightforward – you’re just performing the same role in a different place. But it doesn’t always turn out that way.

So, for any first-time homeworkers, here are some tips to help you cope over the next few weeks or months:

Act Like you’re at Work

No that doesn’t mean spending eight hours staring at a clock, nor does it involve hanging around the water cooler waiting to hear the latest gossip.

It’s more about having the right mindset and the same level professionalism you would have at your normal workplace. This could include getting dressed, setting yourself break and lunch times and having a ‘to do’ list. Having some structure to your day should help you get off to the right start.

Have Somewhere to Work

It doesn’t matter how big it small it is, or where in the house it is, but having a suitable workspace is a must.

If you’re fortunate enough to have a home office or a large dining table where you can go about your daily business then lucky you. If not, then you’ll need to be a bit more creative. A small folding table should be enough to hold a laptop, a mobile phone and a mug (for tea or coffee). So, even if your flat isn’t the biggest, then you should still have enough space to get some work done.

Avoid Distractions

Unless your normal workplace is completely silent, you should be used to a bit of background noise. In fact, a bit of music from the radio or anywhere else might even help.

However, if you live at a main road, think about working away from the window if traffic, roadworks or everyday life are off-putting. Likewise, be facing away from the television and if your other half is also working at home, make sure you give each other space, particularly if either of you is speaking with customers or colleagues on the phone.

Consider the Kids

Under normal circumstances you would be able to plough on with work from 9-3 while your children were at school. But the world we are living in now is anything but normal.

While teenagers will probably be happy to be left alone with a device, don’t worry about coming away from your laptop (if your job allows) to spend time with the little ones. If that means having a long lunch, playing in the garden or watching a movie, then do it – the work will be still be there when you return.

4 Reasons to Try a Secondment

Afraid of the unknown

Comfortable with your surroundings

External commitments and responsibilities

Reluctant to change

These are just four out of a host of reasons why people stay in a job or career long after they stopped wanting to be there.

There’s nothing wrong with the examples listed above or others like them. They’re all natural responses from anyone who has thought about moving on and doing something else.

But changing jobs doesn’t have to be permanent – well not straight off, anyway. A secondment to another job and/or department within your organisation can be an invaluable first step towards making a longer-term change.

It might only be for a few weeks to provide cover, or it could be for as long as two years as part of a specific project. Regardless, taking on a secondment could prove to be a career changing experience.

Test the water

You can try something new without committing to it permanently. If you do enjoy the temporary role, it could lead to a job or career change. If you decide it’s not for you, you can go back to your original post, no harm done.

New skills

While some secondments are only about filling a gap in an organisation, many play an important part in someone’s development. The skills and experience gained can make you more employable as well as increasing your confidence when it comes to taking on new challenges.

New environment

A new department or workplace can provide a welcome change of scene. Combined with new tasks and different colleagues, it can provide a refreshing break from the old routine.

Raise your profile

Doing a good job while seconded can help you to be noticed by senior management and others within the organisation. This could increase your chances of gaining a permanent move or other secondments.

Transform Your Career in 2020

Many New Year’s resolutions involve jobs or careers. While some aim to find work, others will want to change employer or move towards the career of their dreams.

As we say goodbye to 2019 and hello to 2020, there are numerous ways to improve your career prospects and make yourself more desirable to prospective employers. Here are some suggestions:

Study

While a university degree is a welcome addition to any CV, there are shorter less expensive modes of study.

In some cases, a short online course or a professional qualification can be every bit as effective, depending on the line of work.

Secondment

Ready for a new challenge but reluctant to let go of your current job? A secondment could be the answer. Many large organisations require people in short-term roles for reasons including maternity cover, specific projects or pilots.

So, you gain an insight into a possible new field with the security of your own job to fall back on, should things not turn out as planned.

Volunteer

It can be difficult to make a career switch when you don’t have any relevant experience of the industry where you see your future.

Offering your services to a charity or other good cause can be a massive ‘win-win’. You take your first steps in the profession of your choice and feel good at the same time.

Go for Promotion

How many times have you looked up from your desk at your line manager and thought, ‘I could do that job…easy’?

Next time the opportunity arises, put your money where your mouth is. Whether it’s a first supervisory post or a move up to senior management, taking the next step on the ladder can be a massive boost to your confidence, level of responsibility…and salary.

Speak Up

In an ideal organisation, the people who get ahead are those who keep their heads down and quietly go about their business. But real life isn’t like that.

Sometimes you have to raise your voice to tell the world (or the people you work for) what you have to offer. If you want promotion, a sideways move or additional duties, use appraisals, feedback sessions, networking events and any other opportunity to tell management what you want.