Posted on

This Year Will Be Different.

Now that January is behind us, and we are officially enjoying the new year, it is time to address those resolutions which were made during the past weeks of rest and recuperation. It is time to action that decision – THIS YEAR WILL BE DIFFERENT.

It is important to make a plan, and set achievable daily, weekly and monthly targets, if we are to achieve our goals. wishing them to happen is not enough. We have to invest time, energy and work if we want our dreams to become a reality. Success does not happen by accident – it needs a plan and an investment of time and energy.

Perhaps you need help with a Career Change, Interview Preparation Skills, CV Review or Job Search Strategies.

If you would like some help to turn your dream in to a reality, think about investing in the expertise and skills of a Career Coach. Take the first step now to achieve your goal – This Year Will Be Different.

Contact Angela at Career Coaching Matters.

Email:  angela@careercoachingmatters.ie Facebook:  @CareerCoachingMatters

Posted on

To young to retire – To old to get a new job?

Job Search – Decision Making – Better Planning – Not just for the younger generation.

 I heard a discussion this morning on Midlands 103 about people who are receiving long term unemployment payments. The topic gave rise to the a number of themes including one about people who have “retired” from employment and are finding it difficult to obtain new employment opportunities.

For many years now it has been my opinion that we are not addressing the challenges facing people who are seeking employment due to redundancy, retirement or returning to the work force after a career break. It is not my place to define the word ‘older’ people. We all know when the day comes that we feel a bit older. The disposable throw-away society is not just about getting rid of broken toasters and washing machines. We appear to have a similar attitude when it comes to people of a certain age. While the throw-away society might create more products and more jobs, the same mindset is dispensing with a wealth of experience, common sense and the understanding of loyalty.

Some people who retire in their late fifties or early sixties are quite happy to do so. They have a plan for activities, for employment, for travel or for more engagement with family, and they have worked out a budget, which enables them to do this.

However, many people who have to retire before they are ready to do so, find themselves struggling financially, physically or emotionally. While government has a role in this area, I would like to see employers working with staff so that the transition from full time employment to retirement is seamless, or at the very least, planned to make it a little bit easier.

  • Retirement planning should take place at some point during the five years before retirement date.
  • This is the time to complete a budget, to revisit your existing work place pension and to investigate your state pension entitlement. How will you manage your bills on a smaller income?
  • Will you have to find a job or sign for unemployment payments, because your pension payment does not start for 3 – 5 years after your retirement date?
  • Consider reducing your current working week in stages, rather than retiring with a bang. What about other employment opportunities? Will you get similar work in a full time or part time capacity?
  • Would you like to work at something new? Will you need to up skill or retrain?
  • Are you interested in returning to education?
  • Will you miss your work colleagues and the social interaction? Will you miss the routine of daily work? Will you miss having a pre planned purpose or goal?
  • How about getting involved in your community, in voluntary work?
  • Will you take up new interests, activities and hobbies?
  • Perhaps you might start your own business.If any of the above makes you anxious, or reminds you that you have some work to do, then now is the time to make a plan for the next stage of your life.

Even after a lifetime of work, we can all have issues surrounding confidence, fear of change and decision making. If you are moving in to a new world with changes and challenges, give yourself the time to research, to explore and find the path that is right for you.

Planning for retirement takes time. If you have spent 40 years of your life working in a job or various employments, spending a bit of time now to plan your retirement is not a big ask!

Career Coaching Matters. Email: angela@careercoachingmatters.ie

Posted on

One Size does not fit all.

CV Tips – One Job Application – One CV.

Every CV starts with a Job Specification.

  • One CV per job. Do not use the same CV for more than one job application.
  • Your CV must be personal to you. It must also be relevant and specific to the advertised position and relevant to the organisation.
  • Look at the job requirements, the organisation culture and highlight your relevant experience, knowledge and skills.
  • Your CV does not need to showcase all of your education and your work experience to date. Only include what is necessary to get you an interview.
  • Tell the employer/recruiter that you can do the job.
  • You may have additional experience, qualifications or skills that you believe will enhance the position, and was not requested on the original job specification.
  • Highlight additional information in your profile and in your cover letter. 

 

Email: angela@careercoachingmatters.ie

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/CareerCoachingMatters

 

 

 
CV    Job Search   Cover Letter   Job Specification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

Posted on

The Interview Process – What went Wrong?

  • You were absolutely thrilled to get invited to interview –
  • You researched the organisation – Googled the Website –
  • You read the latest news about the sector –
  • You studied the Job Specification again and aligned it with your CV –
  • You practised the expected interview questions –
  • You got to grips with competency interview questions –
  • You organised your smart professional outfit –
  • You checked out the interview location – Even did a test drive –
  • You turned up for the interview well prepared and in good time –

You didn’t have to wait for the regret letter. 

  • Sitting in front of the interview panel, you knew something was wrong.
  • They were quite shocked when you approached the interview table to shake hands and say hello –
  • They did not introduce themselves –
  • They talked for 15 minutes out of your 20  minute allocation –
  • They just about asked you about yourself – Nobody took notes –
  • They didn’t ask you about your experience, qualifications and fit for the job –
  • They didn’t even ask you the ‘creative off the wall question’ –
  • They talked, laughed and joked among themselves –
  • You got a sense that they were not listening –
  • The interview came to an abrupt ending or just filtered out –

Learn to Manage the Interview Process

  • Question: Who must prepare for interview?
  • Answer:   The interview candidate and the interviewers.

Solution

As an interview candidate, you must learn to manage your performance as well as the interview process in the event that interviewer is not expert in the field of interviewing. Don’t judge them, they may be your future employer. They are expert in other fields, so help them, to see what benefit you can bring to their organisation.

As an interviewer, your responsibility is to hire the candidate who can solve specific problems in your organisation – who can add value. In order to see a candidate at their best, set them up to succeed at interview, give them an opportunity to shine.

Next Steps

  • Would you like to perform better at Interviews?
  • This question applies to the both the candidate and the interviewer.

Contact  Career Coaching Matters in order to get better outcomes from interviews.

Email: angela@careercoachingmatters.ie       Facebook:  Career Coaching Matters.