Blogs

A SWOT analysis is often used by businesses to give a structure with which to plan for the future by identifying their Strengths and Weaknesses from within and Opportunities and Threats from the outside world.  So why not use it to plan your own career strategy? First think about your Strengths: positive things about you that are under your control… Continue reading How to do your own SWOT analysis

When you are trying to persuade an employer to offer you a job, you need to be really good at communicating your strengths.  Think of this as marketing yourself as a product by packaging up and presenting yourself in a way which will be attractive to your target market. You are the same person with… Continue reading How to communicate your strengths successfully

Living a life of fulfilment and happiness is so much more achievable if you have a healthy level of self-confidence. Too often when we feel our life is not going to plan our self-confidence is low.  So what can we do to try to improve it? First remember the things you’ve already achieved in life… Continue reading How to improve your self-confidence

Abraham Lincoln said: “Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be .” With all that is going on in the world just now, it is more important than ever for us to make the most of our future lives and do everything we can to be happy. No-one else… Continue reading Where’s your fairy godmother?

Winston Churchill said “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” So just how do you keep positive if you don’t seem to be getting anywhere when you’re looking for a new job? Get up, get dressed and get going early.  Starting your day with purpose is key to ensuring that… Continue reading Keeping your spirits up during job search

One of the most useful seminars I ever attended was about selling.  Selling anything – products, services, yourself.  The presenter talked about how the language you use can help the listener to feel either positive or negative about what you are saying. Think of listening to someone talk.  If they include a word like “unfortunately”,… Continue reading Using positive language to sell yourself

The inhabitants of the Japanese islands of Okinawa are known for their longevity.  They also believe in the idea that everyone has an Ikigai – a reason for living, the source of value in your life.  They believe that to live a long and happy life you need to work out what this is. If… Continue reading Find your Ikigai

A common theme with those of my clients who are unhappy in their current role is that they have difficulty working with their boss. It can make even the perfect job a miserable experience, stilt your opportunities for development and progression and sap your confidence if you feel that your efforts are not valued. So… Continue reading Ten tips for managing upwards

If you’ve been out of work for a while and money is running out then applying for a lower level job can seem like an easier way to get into work quickly. Maybe you’ve been in a situation in the past when taking a less senior role seemed like the best thing to do. It… Continue reading Should I aim for a lower level role?

Remember when you started out on your career. You were probably excited about the future with all its possibilities and keen to gain as many skills and as much experience as you could. You had lots of ideas and energy, and most likely you set yourself ambitious goals. But now, a good few years on, have… Continue reading Are you stuck in a mid-career rut?