I’ve never watched the X Factor before, but I’ve watched it this weekend.

It’s all about chasing your dreams, and why not go for it? Better to chase a dream and lose then never to try. 

The tears streamed down my face as I watched the last contestant who was entering this year after having thought about it for 4 years. It was so sad, his wife had died in child birth and she had encouraged him to enter, but life had got in the way …. so this audition was for her.

He said something very poignant "You regret more the things you don’t do, than the things you did." 

If you take this thought and think about your life and your career, you might find something to ponder on …. ?

It is so easy to make a decision but not to have fully thought through options. It might have been better to have considered all options earlier, but he is not atypical, often people only think things through thoroughly after they have made a decision

So how have I helped?

The process I’ve used could also be helpful for anyone who isn’t sure what to do

1.    Write down your options

2.    List the positives against each option

3.    List the negatives against each option

Sometimes it can be hard to think broader about options so then it can be helpful to talk with people and to get more ideas and suggestions.

For this particular client, before withdrawing from the course a lot of things should be considered – how will this look on their CV, are they clear why they want to move to something else and really think deeply about the reasons for the move.

When you want a new job but are not getting shortlisted

Then you need some job search support – either to follow a programme or to opt for one to one support. A range of things can be covered – setting up systems, CV reviews, interview coaching, staying motivated, networking and much more …

If it’s the wrong company and the wrong job …

Well over half of my clients fall into this category. They may have just fallen into a job without much thought, or have opted to work as a lawyer, accountant, sales consultant etc and now you realise it is the wrong job for you.

The first step is to understand who you are and what you do want – where do your strengths lie – abilities, interests, personality, values, skills, goals, then to reach a decision using online research and talking with people and finally to go through the job search phase.   

The best way I can help people is through following my Gold Programme, that’s why I developed it, and one reason it won the award was because it is so very thorough, but I appreciate it can be outside peoples budget so you either choose one of the other programmes or book for individual sessions.

If you like your job, but not the company …

Perhaps you are a financial analyst, or store manager and you have got a new job but it’s just not right – you don’t like the management style, or location or something. Or perhaps everything was ok but with a new boss everything has changed and you are being micro managed.

So this means its time to find a new job, unlikely you will be able to change the company to suit you.

You’ll need to start looking at both on line and off line sources to find a job to apply for and to make sure your CV is up to date and you are ready for job search and interview practice. You may be fine to get on with this alone, but I do offer a range of job search support options so get in touch to discuss any needs.

What do you do when you like your company but it’s not the right job for you?

The reason why it isn’t the right job for you could be many – you may have always been a round peg in a square hole, but you were perhaps temping in finance and got offered a full time job there.

Perhaps you are ready for promotion but you are not being given a chance at an opportunity?

The obvious answer is to look to see what jobs are advertised internally, but that’s not the only way to get a new job or promotion.  You can be a bit more proactive - walk about, talk to people find out what else is being done and try to get some time spent shadowing or at least talking to people, that way you can understand more and identify where you could fit?

In the short term you could volunteer to take on special projects, tasks for your boss or other people thus demonstrating your drive and commitment.

It worked for me, so if you want to talk about how I may be able to help you get in touch.