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Starting a new job – success tips part 3

February 2, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

The start of a new job is crucial to make a positive impact, especially if you are on a probation period. Changing jobs and getting used to a new culture, people and systems is a lot all at once.

This blog, part 3 of 3, shares 10 tips to make a great impression at the start of your new job.

Identify key messages that you want to give out about your role and contribution
Diarise time each week to get in touch with your stakeholders and build relationships
Apply customer relationship management (CRM) principles with your key stakeholders – take notes after every interaction and refer to them before communicating
Find out who the powerful connectors are internally of information and people
Establish the politics so you don’t unwittingly ‘tread on landmines’
Identify some ‘quick wins’
Make time once a month to reflect on the learnings
Be yourself
Connect/follow key stakeholders on Twitter and LinkedIn
Attend industry/profession networking events to get up to speed with issues affecting the sector

What tips would you add?

For more useful tips and insights, why not follow us on Twitter?

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

Starting a new job – success tips part 2

January 25, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

Starting a new job is an important and sometimes stressful event. It is crucial to make a positive impact and achieve some ‘quick wins’, but not rush in and make too many decisions/changes without consideration or you could ruffle a few feathers.

If you have a probation period when starting a new job and need to prove yourself before securing a full time contract, the first 100 days are especially important.

Starting a new job means getting used to a new culture, people and systems – a lot of change all at once. This blog, part 2 of 3, shares success tips.

Introduce yourself to as many people as possible
Ask advice
Invest time getting proficient at the firm’s IT systems and policies
Establish any ‘elephants in the room’ i.e. things that don’t get talked about even though they are obvious
Set yourself goals for each day, week and month
Get a coach to support you and make the first 100 days a success
Attend any free lunchtime sessions/social events to immerse yourself in the organisation to expose yourself to people
Ask everyone you meet what are the 3 best things about the organisation and the 3 things that if changed would take it to a higher level
Note the dress code and adjust yours accordingly
Reflect on the value you bring after the first 30, 60 and 90 days

Hope you found our blog starting a new job success tips part 2 useful. What tips would you add?

For more useful insights and tips, follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

Starting a new job – success tips part 1

January 19, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

If you have a probation period when starting a new job and need to prove yourself before securing a full time contract, the first 100 days are especially important.

Starting a new job means getting used to a new culture, people and systems – a lot of change all at once. This blog, part 1 of 3, shares success tips.

Listen and learn
Initiate a comprehensive induction for yourself if one hasn’t been created already
Keep a diary of observations, questions and ideas to share at a future meeting with your employer, initiated by yourself
Be curious and ask lots of questions
Learn the language and buzz words of your new employer and use them
Find out the organisation’s values and live them
Find out when and how your key stakeholders like being communicated with
Learn times to avoid contacting people when they are under pressure
Establish the organisation’s key priorities and make them yours
Be discreet

Hope you found our blog starting a new job success tips part 1 useful. What tips would you add?

Read about how coaching helped Hemal create success when starting a new job.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112072645153.html

For more useful insights and tips, follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

Career change – an obstacle course?

January 12, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

Making a change in your career always feels daunting, let alone in a downturn with lots of uncertainty about.

You can choose to do nothing or do something.

I remember once laying out an obstacle course on the floor with a client, Duncan Goose who worked in advertising, with each obstacle representing a challenge to overcome.

They went on to win a Greatest Briton award and provide the water at Bob Geldof’s Live8.

Just imagine how many people wouldn’t have had fresh water in their village if they had given up at the first hurdle!

This is their story:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102862873131/archive/1106786590378.html

Here are four more examples of clients who have taken action and are now smiling and very glad they did!

Ever been at a life AND work crossroads at the same time?

Read Kam’s story:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112075112149.html

Has a career change ever seemed insurmountable?

Read about Kerry’s successful transition from the public to private sector.

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112114912854.html

Do you think getting a dream job is a pipe dream?

Read how Emily achieved her dream job:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112027555365.html

Worried about changing jobs in case it doesn’t work out?

Read how Hemal tackled this:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112072645153.html

What most scares you about career change and what one action would get you moving forwards?

Read this blog about career change fears:

http://liberateyourtalent.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/career-change-fear/

Read this blog about feeling stuck:

http://liberateyourtalent.wordpress.com/2012/04/10/feeling-stuck/

For free career insights and tips, follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

What change do you seek at work?

January 5, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

I have been creating some new ‘inspiring client examples’ this week, having had the time over the break to reflect on last year.

Changing your career can feel daunting and hearing about the successful transitions of other people can help make it feel possible.

One of my favourite inspiring quotes is by Alan Kay: “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Career change in times of uncertainty can feel scary, but doing nothing changes nothing. And too much analysis = paralysis!

Here are some clients we have worked with – they inspire us so much and we learn a lot from them.

Choose the one(s) that you most relate to:

Escaping from the law:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112027555089.html

Transitioning from the public to private sector:

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs193/1102862873131/archive/1112056859585.html

Wanting to get off the hamster wheel

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102862873131/archive/1106787631164.html

Child friendly work

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102862873131/archive/1106786138068.html

Work with meaning and purpose

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs042/1102862873131/archive/1106786590378.html

What would be the headline for your desired career transition this year? Why not get in touch and tell us about your dream/goal? Click on this link:

http://careerstrategies.co.uk/careercoaching/what-next/

For useful insights, tips and more inspiring examples of career change, follow us on Twitter @talentliberator

What next for your career in 2013?

January 1, 2013 By // by DigitalJenIPC

Happy New Year! A new year marks a new beginning. What new career beginning do you want in 2013?

New career beginnings can be small or large, but all beginnings are growth.

New skill. What new skill could you learn in 2013 which would make you more useful and marketable in your work? Skills have a shorter shelf life than in the past and with more competition, individuals need a greater level of skill to have a competitive advantage with more people competing for less work/jobs.

New project. What new project would you love to get your teeth into to stimulate your learning and growth and build the breadth or depth of experience? Moving employers isn’t always the answer; new projects to broaden your experience may exist where you are, or volunteering could give you this.

New career. Is a new career the answer for you in 2013? Many people fall into their career or chose one with no or inadequate careers advice, so their career may not suit them. There are also many more different careers than there used to be, e.g. in the digital area.

New qualification. What studying and qualification could be another string to your bow? A qualification can be a way of showing mastery and could be the differentiator against many candidates. What qualification could be useful for you to study and perhaps could be funded/part funded by your employer?

New thinking. What person could help you to broader your horizons, support you in your career aspirations and introduce you to their network? A career coach, a mentor, someone at work in a different department could be very useful to help you to transition from A to B and achieve a goal.

New attitude. How could you change your attitude to your work? Attitude can make a huge difference to how you feel and what you do at work or in your business. How could you shift your attitude to your job, employer or business?

New something else. A career sabbatical? Go travelling? Set up your own business? Promotion?

In some ways a new year is just a date in the diary, but it is also a mark in the sand to begin again, refreshed having taken a break.

What 3 small steps forward will you take this week to mark the beginning of your career in 2013? Let us know if we can help you – get in touch.

To follow us on Twitter, follow: @talentliberator

Career cul de sac or crossroads?

December 22, 2012 By // by DigitalJenIPC

How’s your career?

Making time to reflect on your career and take a step back can be hard in a busy world.

It is important to do this, because even in uncertain times, you need to create a career strategy and plan. It is a bit like having a horizon towards which you sail, but you might have to tack sideways to reach your destination. You might encounter a storm or two on the way, or head into port for a while to service the boat or do some training for the new digital equipment. Or you might decide to adjust your compass, change your career horizon, and head in a different direction altogether.

Here are some self-reflective questions to reflect on your career.

What have I achieved this year to be proud of?
What has worked less well this year and what have I learnt?
What needs to change to be fit for purpose for a prosperous and satisfying future career?
How much do I really understand my employer/client needs and priorities and how can I understand them better?
What is resistance to change costing me?
What’s working well and what’s working less well?
Where can I improve efficiency and be more productive?
How motivated and engaged about my career am I feeling?
What training do I need to be fit for purpose with the changing work market?
What goals do I want to achieve next?
What’s stopping my career fulfillment and what can I do about it?
What are my values and to what extent is my career aligned with them?
What’s my career plan and who or what can help me to make it happen?

For insights about the changing world of work, why not follow us on Twitter:@talentliberator

Wishing you success and career fulfillment. Let us know how we can help you on your journey.

Comfortable or uncomfortable career change?

December 8, 2012 By // by DigitalJenIPC

Career change is a big change affecting lots of things and often people get stuck for different reasons. Change and clarity about the change need to be created at a number of levels and ‘stuckness’ for a short or longer time can occur at any of these; vision; identity; values; beliefs; capabilities; behaviours; environment.

Vision: The future vision you have for your second career is often very different from your first career or the vision your parents/guardians had for you. Many people fell into their career, or received no/poor advice, so may not have had a vision at all. Creating a vision – the horizon towards which you are always moving towards is crucial, especially through challenging uncertain times and knockbacks.

Identity: Identity – ‘who am I’ in the world of work and society is crucial to how we feel. Having a place in the world and feeling connected is an inherent part of being human. Life is full of job titles and ‘what do you do?’ questions when you meet people in a social or business context. “I am a senior manager” or “I am a doctor’ or “I am a lawyer” for example can be difficult to let go of unless you have thought through the new you and feeling comfortable and congruent with what you say when asked “What do you do?”

Values: What is important to you is an inherent part of the desire for career change – your values. Poor career fulfilment is caused by people’s values not being honoured by their work. If you love innovation, but your boss or employer loves tradition, this is a mismatch and causes dissatisfaction. Making decisions consciously and intuitively about your career or job options around your values is essential. Values also affect what type of employment or self-employment is right for you.

Beliefs: ‘I must work 9-5’ or ‘I need to strive and get to the top of my profession’ or ‘it is impossible to earn a living doing what I love’ are often beliefs that cause people to be stuck. Often the beliefs we have about work are not even ours, but ones that we pick up from society, the media or parents e.g. ‘self-employment is risky’ or ‘a secure job with a career path is essential.’

Capabilities: Everyone is talented in their own unique way but many people find it hard to identify their capabilities and skills and see where else they are useful. If you cannot see where you are moving to, it will be unlikely that you will step off into what can feel like a void or abyss!

Behaviours: Proactivity and self-belief make a huge difference to making a career change, career success and career adaptability. Doing nothing is the easiest behaviour to choose but then nothing changes. Making a decision causes stress and anxiety, magnified in uncertain times and it is human nature to avoid stress and fear. Acknowledging these and keeping on moving forward makes uncomfortable change feel more comfortable.

Environment: The environment in which we thrive can be really important for career fulfilment; being out of the office, or having music on in the background rather than silence. Not being clear what environment energises and nourishes you can cause an impasse.

At any point in a career transition, you can get stuck at one or more of these levels. To create a successful career change, you need to think through all these areas; vision; identity; values; beliefs; capabilities; behaviours; environment. This is something that it can be hard to do yourself, as you are too close to yourself.

Where are you stuck? What advice/experience can you share to help people to move forwards? A career coach helps you to become unstuck, like a plumber helps you unblock a drain so things flow free again.

For more insights and tips, follow us on Twitter: @talentliberator

PS Did you know we do career coaching gift vouchers? They make a great thoughtful and practical birthday, Christmas or leaving present.

As clear as mud?

November 30, 2012 By // by DigitalJenIPC

My clients inspire me so much and a coaching session this week inspired me to write this blog, as this blog’s theme is a common one to arise.

A new career involves a lot of new and, for many, challenging aspects:

Learning the language of a new market
Having to market yourself
Creating a different network
Asking for help, advice and introductions

This can be overwhelming and daunting; you can only know what and who you know. So why are career choices so overwhelming?

Where to look?
Who to ask?
What to ask?
When and how to tackle?
How to find the time?
Which to choose?

When people feel overwhelmed and daunted, the easiest thing to do is nothing because of lack of time and avoiding stress.

So what is the best way to tackle finding out about potential careers which suit your experience and skills?

I remember in the early days of my business, over 14 years’ ago, I used to put ‘call contacts’ on my ‘to do’ list. However, I seemed to never get around to doing it.

I worked out that there were various reasons why I wasn’t phoning my contacts;

I would rather write an article or blog
I felt like I had too many so didn’t know where to start
I wasn’t clear about who to phone or why
I was worried about disturbing and annoying busy people at work
I like peace in my office so was projecting my preference onto them
I am better at phoning my contacts to help other people than for my own benefit

Having established this, I felt a bit clearer, but what next?

I spent some time focusing on what my objectives were i.e. my purpose for phoning my contacts:

To see how they were
To keep top of mind
To get an update on their needs
To arrange to meet
To share what I had been doing
To find out specific information e.g. when their financial year was, who was responsible for a specific area

Once I had broken down the task, it felt like the mud was starting to clear a bit.

For people who are considering a different career or to set up a business, getting really specific and explicit can reduce the overwhelm so the brakes are taken off taking action.

A list of questions are a good starting point and asking just one of each person can feel more comfortable:

Questions to start exploring with might be:

Who are the experts in this field?
What are relevant networks?
What web sites should I look at that have useful information?
What is their advice from their own experience?
Who do they know who they can introduce me to?

Analysing and breaking down what can feel like a huge undertaking into small, simple, clear bite size questions and tasks can make it feel do-able rather than impossible.

Getting some insights and information gives a sense of progress and reward and helps the mud start to clear as well as creating motivation and energy to take more action.

For more tips and useful information to help you liberate your talent, follow us on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/talentliberator

Are you a silly sausage?

November 24, 2012 By // by DigitalJenIPC

I had a bit of a panic this week.

You know those times when you have a fast worried inner rant with yourself?

I had gone to an excellent talk about career change where the presenter had shared about the process of career change and how people become stuck, going round and round in circles. Oh no, I thought to myself! No-one will actually pay for support if they know how to do it themselves and they can buy a book, download a free e book from the web or get help from a friend/relative.

There are a lot more competitors on the market now, which is the same for many people, so it is harder to create awareness. I was doubting my own uniqueness, something which I tell my clients not to do. Doh!

Yes, you silly sausage, there is lots of free stuff out there, but it cannot do what a good career coach brings to the process.

Below are general things that any career coach brings:

Time in the diary in a busy world to focus on creating change
A witness of the client’s expression of the desire to change
A step by process which helps make it happen
Sharing the blocks to progress which often clients cannot see as they are too close to their situation
Skill at listening, questioning and reflecting back key themes
Exercises to create awareness and clarity
Objectivity which someone close cannot give, because they have their own agenda and fears
Introduction to new contacts
Help marketing yourself

The presenter at the talk shared the key blocks to successful career change:

Ping ponging away from avoidance of fear and anxiety about change and making a mistake and towards the desire for something compelling and back again
Short term focus
Linear thinking
Choice overload of ideas creating overwhelm and inaction

Can you relate to these?

I felt so much better then. Rachel, you silly sausage, remember this next time you have a panic:

Courage to embrace uncertainty – how many people take 6 months out unpaid to look at market trends to ensure their business is on track, develop skill in a new area from a standing start (talent management) and read as many research reports as you do?
Long term focus – how many people buy a house with a bus stop in their 40’s thinking ahead to when they are in their 80’s and may not have a car?
Non-linear mind – how many people have your energising connecting mind, that is unique in its ability to spot insights, make connections and come up with ideas that people simply cannot see themselves? (21 in a session is my record so far)
Focus – how many people have a laser focus and tools to work through and narrow down options as much as you do?

Oh yes. Fair point. And don’t forget about your 900+ quality connections on LinkedIn and huge toolbox of tools and tips. Oh yes, Forgot about that. Panic over.

So don’t doubt yourself. You are unique. Competition is increasing but you can develop your skills to build your competitive advantage and make your career change happen successfully, even in a downturn.

For more useful tips, follow us on Twitter @talentliberator