Do you feel stuck in a rut at work and in need of a change? Is one of your New Year’s resolutions to start looking for a new job?
Working in a job that you don’t enjoy does little for your self esteem and is unlikely to help you realise your financial aspirations. But before rushing off and posting out an updated CV, why don’t you take a step back and think about a ‘career review’. By spending some time planning now, you may well save yourself from similar work-related frustrations in a couple of years time.
The best place to start is with a ‘self-audit’. Make a list of your strengths, weaknesses, skills and interests. It’s also useful to look at what you like and dislike about your current role and what you want from a future position.
To help you though the process, you can read one of the many self-help books available. The bestseller ‘What Colour Is Your Parachute’ by Richard Bolles is a great example. Alternatively, consider a personality test. The ‘Myers-Briggs Type Indicator’ is the most commonly used and - as with all personality tests - will help to reveal aspects of your personality and character through a series of questions. There are a number of free personality tests available on-line, but it’s usually better to do a test under the guidance of someone who’s an expert in interpreting and analysing the results.
Once you have a clearer picture of what motivates you, your skill sets and what you enjoy, you could try brainstorming different career options to help identify what types of job opportunities best suit your personality.
Armed with greater self-awareness, you’ll be in a stronger position to devise a clearly defined and targeted job search strategy with specific actions and a timescale. Fundamental to your task is having a well written and perfectly presented CV that mirrors the job you want - not the one you’ve left behind. A CV is the first impression you will make on a prospective employer and the chances are that, on first reading, it will be scanned in less than twenty seconds. It must therefore be concise and clear and of course all achievements should be quantified and qualified.
Part of your job search strategy actions should also include brushing up on your interview technique. Do your research on the prospective company and job beforehand, carefully plan your answers to possible questions, know what skills, experience and expertise you can offer and ask questions about the role. After all it’s also your opportunity to find out about the employer.
If undertaking your own career review seems all too daunting, then you can always turn to a ‘life coach’ or ‘career coach’ who can help you through the self-audit process and work with you to clarify future career options.
Whichever route you choose in understanding your true motivations, you’ll reap the benefits if you take the time to identify what you really want - before you jump ship!
For further information or to discuss your career options contact Cliff Sewell or Ben Sequerra at Sewell Moorhouse – an independent and specialised accounting, financial and administrative recruitment consultancy based in Sheffield, Doncaster and Leeds.
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