How to Get in the Right Mindset for Career Change
From time to time, all professionals come across slumps that freeze the progress of their careers. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom who is nervous about returning to work, a person coming back from a long sick leave, a fresh graduate who is unemployed, or simply someone struggling to find their mojo at work, I can completely understand what you are going through at the moment. The one thing which I almost always advise all of my clients who are struggling to make positive changes in their careers, is to work on their mindsets. How you perceive this situation is far more important than your skills, experience, and PR in your industry. With the right kind of mindset, you’d be able to transform your career and climb up the ladder of success in no time!
In this article, I will share with you the 3 simple steps that you can take to change your mindset and make positive changes in your career. These are:
Start Questioning Your Negative Thoughts
Chances are that the main reason you are stuck in your career is that you allow negative thoughts to engulf your mind. “I’m not good enough/I don’t deserve the salary I get/I feel like I’m not worth anything/I don’t think I would be able to handle that promotion” – These are some of the thoughts that you MUST ban from your brain. And if they start haunting you at work, start questioning them. Think about all the things that you have accomplished so far. Have faith in your training and education. Beat negative thoughts with positivity!
Understand That Failure is a Part of Life
Coming across failures, be it getting rejected for a job, not being able to hit monthly targets, etc. can slow down the progress of welcoming positivity into your life. To tackle this challenge, you must understand that failure is a part of life. Even the most successful individuals have to face failure every now and then, so stop beating yourself over it.
Expect Good Things in Life
Last, but not the least, you must start expecting good things in life. Don’t be discouraged by the lack of progress. Understand that the seeds of efforts you are sowing today will make a huge impact sooner or later.
By keeping the 3 things mentioned above in mind (and acting accordingly), you’d be able to transform your mindset and ultimately, your career. Best of luck!
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Rediscovering Your Passion!
Remember the simpler times in school when we were asked what we wanted to be after growing up? The diversity of the answers was on a different level! Some of us wanted to be pilots, some wanted to become police officers, some wanted to be doctors, some painters, astronauts, firemen…and the list goes on. Many people are lucky and determined enough to transform their childhood dreams into full-time professions. However, others are not. Because of the ever-changing landscapes of the world, many of us were not able to follow our passions.
The good news is, it’s never too late to rediscover your true passion and start struggling for your dreams! Over the years, I have helped many people rediscover their dreams with my counselling, and it’s safe to say that most of them are doing extremely well for themselves. And more than anything, they are happy!
I can help you out as well. By following these easy tips, you can rediscover your passion:
Reevaluate Your Decisions
The first step that you must take is to reevaluate all of the professional decisions that you have taken so far in your life. Were they worth it? Did they result in happiness? Are you content with your life? If not, then it’s time to learn from your mistakes and think about the future!
Identify Your Passion
After having identified your mistakes, it’s now time to identify the very profession that you are after. Make a list of all the jobs that you picture yourself doing. Do you want to become a chef? Or do you see yourself working as a business analyst? Identify whatever it is you are REALLY passionate about.
Make a Game-Plan
Once you have identified your dream profession, it’s now time to make a game-plan. Devise a strategy, and determine the steps that you’d have to take in order to achieve your dreams.
At the end of the day, it boils down to what you really want. It’s great to chase your dreams and work towards your passion, but it isn’t always such a great idea. So, think a hundred times before you make any big decision, and stick with it!
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What Does Your Resume Say About You?
The trick to writing an impeccable resume is to express more with fewer words. Experienced recruiters can tell a lot about you by reading what you include in your resume. Therefore, you need to be extra careful while writing one.
In this article, I will share the 3 things which your resume says about you. By knowing what to focus on, you can definitely improve it. So, without further ado, let us begin:
How Well You Are Qualified
This is a no-brainer. You should include all of the relevant academic qualifications and professional experience in your resume. Don’t leave out any additional certifications or training that you may have completed.
How Well You Can Concise Your Messages
The information which you decide to include in your resume has to be extremely short, yet not vague. In fact, since time is money, throughout your professional life, you will be encouraged to be precise and to-the-point with your messages.
How Well You Can Prioritise Things
Writing a resume is all about prioritising. By identifying which accomplishments and professional experiences to include, you are actually prioritising, and are giving the recruiters a taste of how well you have mastered this soft skill.
Creating the perfect resume takes time, but once you get it right, it will all be worth it! Keep on experimenting, make a few drafts, and then select the one which you feel is the best. Best of luck.
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Being Open to Change in Your Career
Over the years of helping hundreds of capable and determined individuals with their careers, I have noticed one thing: Those professionals who are open to change and refuse to stay on the same spot in their careers are the ones who are generally more successful. These risk takers take life’s challenges head-on and have a thirst for progress. They understand that in order to move ahead in their career, they have to be open to change. And it’s about time that you accepted this truth as well!
If you are afraid of making changes, be it something as simple as switching a job or something as huge as changing your entire career, then keep reading, because I’m sharing some easy tips to change your thinking and start welcoming change in your professional life:
Don’t Stop Learning
The first and the foremost advice that I can give you on becoming more open to changes is to never stop learning. Don’t ever think for a second that your college degree is sufficient for your future. Learn new things, every single day. Attend seminars, enroll yourself in training courses…do anything that improves your competency. By doing so, you will start to look at the next step to take in your career and move from the position/place you’ve been stuck at for the past few years.
Challenge Your Limits
Don’t be afraid to take up new projects or explore new avenues. Stop thinking so negatively about your professional competency and limits. And don’t ever, for a second, worry yourself over failures. Look at every challenge as an opportunity to test and push your limits!
Seek Motivation
Look at your peers and supervisors who are doing well for themselves in life. Do you think that they would have achieved that success without having embraced change? Of course not!
Finally, I would like to say that instead of being afraid of making changes in your professional life, you should instead be excited about the opportunities that they have to offer. Good luck!
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Doing What You Love, Not Just What You Are Good At
All our lives, we are told to go after occupations we possess the skill set for – basically, jobs which would secure our future and help us pay the bills and put food on the table forever. It’s sound advice, right? Who doesn’t want to be rolling in money by doing a job that’s relatively easy and that they’re good at? Some people would do anything to have a career like that but is it really the right choice? Here’s what I think: doing something that you love as opposed to something that you’re just ‘good at,’ will ensure long-term happiness and satisfaction. Confused? Allow me to explain!
Imagine an Arts student, skilled in painting and creative writing, but they can only choose one as a career (let’s just assume). They can create brilliant masterpieces with their brush but their writing skills are far superior when compared using certain benchmarks. Their professor recommends a career in creative writing but they feel the happiest when they paint. If they take the advice of their professor, do you think they’ll be satisfied for the rest of their lives? Of course not!
The same thing applies to everyone, including marketers, accountants, engineers, doctors, bankers, salesmen, and individuals from virtually every single profession there is. You could be doing something that you are ‘skilled’ at but that does not necessarily mean that it would bring you happiness and peace of mind. Learning along the way while doing something that you are extremely passionate about is where true happiness lies. So, pick a career path that you think you would really enjoy and apply for jobs that you feel you would absolutely love getting up for in the morning!
In the end, I would like to say that playing safe might help you secure a good job but listening to your heart will help you build a successful career while also leading a happy, content life!
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Why Getting Your Career Right is So Important
“If the plan doesn’t work, change the plan, but never the goal.”
– Anonymous
You are in your last year of college. You are super excited to finally graduate and step foot in the professional world. A vast range of opportunities for you to kick-start your career awaits you – but will you choose the right one? A person’s career is the very reflection of their professional decisions and all that they’ve struggled for. So, it’s highly crucial that you get it right before it’s too late and you are left with nothing but regrets. Every college student should be extremely careful when planning their career goals and I’m about to tell you exactly why.
It Will Defines Your Very Future.
Choosing the right career path will impact how you live out the rest of your days. Will you lead a happy life? Are you going to be satisfied with your decisions 20, 30 years from now? Will you be financially stable? One misstep can completely change the way your life will look in the future.
You, Will, Be Satisfied with Your Job.
Intrinsic rewards are important to maintain satisfaction levels. You could have a job that pays well but if what you do isn’t aligned with your ambitions and career goals, you won’t be happy. So, select a career path that will help you accomplish your long-term goals and reach your ambitions.
Success Will Come to You.
A majority of people spend their entire lives running after professional success. But, if you are truly passionate about what you do and have a clear goal set in mind, not even the biggest mountains can stand in your way. In fact, success will eventually fall in your lap!
How Do I Choose the Right Career?
You have infinite oceans of knowledge in the palms of your hands – make good use of it. Conduct a thorough research on the internet about different career paths and how you can work towards them. Approach your seniors or professionals within different industries and get counselled by them. An even better option is to get professional career counselling and coaching from me. Book a session now: www.katelangford.com.au/bookings/
Why You Need a LinkedIn Profile
With so many graduates entering the market, it’s crucial that you stand out from the crowd and build a strong network. Fortunately for us, we live in the digital world and have a lot of tools at our disposal to help us with that. One such fantastic tool is Linkedin, a social network for professionals that provides you with an amazing platform to connect with people belonging to different industries. By showcasing your qualifications, skills, and experience on Linkedin, you can open up doors to fantastic career opportunities. In this blog post, I’m going to share the three main reasons why you need to build your LinkedIn profile, especially if you are a fresh graduate looking for a job. Let’s get started!
You Can Get Noticed By the Top Recruiters.
LinkedIn is one of the primary channels used by recruiters around the world to seek and contact potential job candidates. So, having a decent optimised Linkedin profile can significantly increase your chances of being approached.
You Can Connect with Professionals in Your Industry.
The primary purpose of LinkedIn is to help people build their professional networks online. You can easily connect with professionals in your industry while sitting at home and get a platform to interact with and learn from them.
You Can Build Your Personal Brand.
Another major benefit of LinkedIn is that it allows you to build your personal brand. In a market that is overflowing with fresh graduates, a person with an appealing image will always steal the attention of recruiters.
LinkedIn is a blessing for both job-seekers and recruiters but, surprisingly, a lot of people still take it for granted. This social network has so much to offer to professionals – we just need to make the best use of it. So, set up a profile today and spend some time optimising it to get the best results. Best of luck!
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Salary Negotiations!
The job search process is a wild roller coaster of intense emotions that can leave you feeling drained. Salary negotiation is perhaps the scariest part of the process!
A lot of people have trouble when it comes to aligning their compensation with the current trend in the market and often make the mistake of neglecting market research and selling themselves short.
I’m going to share with you 3 crucial dos and don’ts of salary negotiation so that you don’t end up making the same mistakes
DOS OF SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
1. Do your homework.
A study conducted by Jacob Jolij and Maaike Meurs of the University of Groningen showed that music has the power to alter our perceptions of the world. This means that listening to happy, uplifting music can actually make you feel happy. So, blast away some uplifting beats in the morning as you get ready for an interview or listen to them on the way to your destination. Finally, remember to keep your chin up, no matter what! What’s the worst that could happen? You may get rejected but that’s not the end of the world.
So, stay confident and you’ll eventually land the job of your dreams in a reputable organisation!
2. Do wait for the perfect moment.
Don’t abruptly ask for the salary package in the first round of interviews. Avoid initiating the salary negotiations yourself and wait for the right moment. The key is to be patient and let the employer bring up the subject.
3. Do beat around the bush a little.
In case your (potential) future employer asks you about your current package and/or the exact figure you are expecting, avoid giving a straight answer. Instead, tell them that it depends on the exact nature of your responsibilities and the duties you will be expected to fulfil.
DON’TS OF SALARY NEGOTIATIONS
1. Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
It’s tempting to ask for a salary higher than what’s being offered in the market, but don’t ask for too much. Go to the interview with realistic expectations, present your demands, and take it from there
2. Don’t give in easily.
Employers deal with hundreds of candidates on a monthly basis. They know their way around an average person’s mind and are very convincing with their words. Don’t let their intimidating body language and big words overwhelm you. Maintain your stance and keep negotiating until the very end.
3. Don’t forget to be courteous.
It’s easy to let your emotions get the best of you during salary negotiations, but it can be quite catastrophic and you could even end up being rejected. Be courteous and maintain a soft tone and respectful manner while discussing your package.
In the end, remember to stay confident and keep your chin up no matter what. Prepare a strong argument and rehearse answers to expected questions. Remember, salary negotiation is not about winning or losing; its main purpose is to come to a middle ground that will keep both the employee and employer happy in the long run.
Start your career on a positive note with professional coaching and consulting – book a session with me now: www.katelangford.com.au/bookings
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ARE YOU USING YOUR NETWORKS FOR JOB SEARCHING?
If I ask you to name at least 10 people that you know from different industries, you’d waste no time in listing the names of your uncles and your aunts. But if I ask you to name people from outside your family, you’d probably take your sweet time.
As someone smart once said, “The opposite of NETWORKING is NOT WORKING.”
So, if you feel that your networking skills aren’t strong enough, I suggest you take things up a notch and start getting into the radars of different professionals.
Why is Networking So Important?
According to the findings of a survey conducted in the years 2015-2016 by Lou Adler, 85% of jobs were filled with the help of networking. So, the first step towards beginning your job hunt is to let the world know that you exist. With thousands upon thousands of graduates competing for the same job as yourself, just emailing your resume and applying on online job portals doesn’t cut it.
And even after you land a decent job, there might come a time where you’d want to switch it for a better one.
To stand out from the crowd, you need to build a strong network. An exchange of cards, an email, a connection on LinkedIn, etc. – anything can open the doors to golden career opportunities and increase your chances of being referred.
How to Network
At first, the idea of interacting with strangers to exchange information might sound a bit terrifying (especially if you are an introvert) but, at the end of the day, it pays off well and you’ll eventually start to enjoy it. Here are some tips on building a strong professional network:
- Make a list of the most important connections you have and stay in touch with them on a regular basis.
- Make a profile on LinkedIn and start connecting with people in your industry.
(BONUS TIP: Introduce yourself with a brief introduction and ask them to introduce themselves.)
- Be on the lookout for any networking events happening in your city and try to attend them.
- If you have some experience and a particular skill, then make sure to keep a few business cards in your wallet which you can instantly exchange in public.
- Don’t be boring; give the other person a reason to give you their time.
- Last but not least, be confident!
Follow these tips and make yourself known or book a FREE 15 minute Career Consultation
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