Impressions for Men, and other topics

Impressions for men (covering how to dress and present yourself), 4 steps to balance, and a forthcoming webinar “Should I Set Up a Business”. Our latest Career Matters newsletter is now available here.

Espresso and other Coffee Coaching

Looking for a name for short, powerful career coaching sessions, what better than the term Espresso? We offer a series of 12 x 30 minute sessions under this banner, over a period of 3 months. This is particularly useful for those who need to concentrate on action, and who want to limit the time they spend in coaching.

Espresso is not to everybody’s taste. For those who need to decide on a direction before taking action, it may be too concentrated. Classico coaching, of 9 x 60 minute sessions over 3 months may suit them better.

And in between, there is always Americano, just that bit longer than Espresso, at 45 minutes.

Of course, we can design a specific package to suit your individual needs. The aim is to benefit you – unlike the Starbucks customer here!!

Contact us to discuss your needs and our prices.

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A Valentine for Your Job?

Did you send your job a Valentine? How about doing something special for it?

Maybe you take your job for granted, or worse still think the magic has gone.

Career coaching can rekindle  the spark, and keep the fires of passion for your work going until you retire.

Email us using the contact form

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Work Until 70 Plus?

The prospect of working until at least 70 has raised its head again. Click here.

There are good reasons for this. The increase in life expectancy (for UK men now 77, in 1911 50) coupled with a longer time in education, makes it difficult to fund retirement. So the raising of the typical retirement age is inevitable.

The other point that is made in the Telegraph article is that work has its social aspect, and that this can have an effect on health.

What is not necessarily the case is that people will carry on the same job. Physical or mental demands, stress or time commitments may mean that it is not feasible. There is a growth in “pro-tirement” where people switch to more fulfilling, but not necessarily as lucrative, ways of working.

So expectations of how long your career will last need to be realistic.

International Coaching Week Offer

It is International Coaching Week, and to help promote the benefits of coaching we are making a special offer to 7 people. This is a one hour no-cost session of career coaching, either face to face in Birmingham or by telephone.

So if you have wondered what coaching is about, or if you have a careers issue that needs addressing, now is your chance.

Sign up using the form below, and remember that it is first come, first served. You will not be able to do so after 11th February, when International Coaching Week ends; the session does not need to take place before then.

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Interview Questions: What are Your Career Goals?

“What are your career goals?” (also asked as “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”) is a common interview question. The aim is to find out how you might fit in to the employer in the longer term, as well as to ascertain what kind of person you are.

Mumbling “I haven’t really thought about it” is probably not a good answer. It suggests that you have not thought beyond the salary, and additionally that you are a drifter who is not in charge of their life. On the other hand “I want your job” will come across as aggressive, and could imply that you will engineer their departure.

Instead, say something like “I want to learn new skills and be an asset to the company by meeting and exceeding performance targets. I hope that this will enable me to progress within the organisation.” This shows ambition, but also an awareness that you will have to perform to be promoted.

One instance where this may not be so appropriate is for a candidate for a  job for which they are overqualified, and when age may be an issue. For someone five years from retirement, perhaps emphasising the wish to do that particular job well may be better.

Work Life Balance: Time for Yourself

Taking care of yourself forms an important part of a properly balanced life. That said, the pressures we face day by day to get things done can crowd out “me time”. Some people consistently put themselves last, ignoring their own needs. And all those things you are trying to do are important. So important that you may feel that only you can do them. Often this can result in resentment on your part, and the feeling that you are being taken for granted. You may become less effective at work or at home – or even both. Worst of all, you may suffer heath issues. So make time for yourself.

If you are not used to doing so, try adding enjoyable activities to your diary, so that you commit to them, and ensure that any necessary arrangements are put in place. You may need to agree a time with friends, arrange a baby sitter or even save up. Get on and do it, and do not let anything get in the way!

It does not have to be complicated: a stroll in the park, a meal with friends or a good long soak can all help you to stand back from the hurly-burly of life for a short time, before returning refreshed and invigorated. That helps you to deal with the important people in your life – and they are the ones who will suffer if you keel over.

Rest and recreation is an important way of making sure that you do not overdo it, and that you stay balanced.