Top Careers Guidance Tips

With workers today expected to change profession several times throughout their working lives, career guidance is playing an increasingly important role in helping people negotiate the job market.

This month, experts from around the world are gathering in the UK for the 4th International Symposium on Careers Development and Public Policy (Oct 22-25) to discuss the policy role of career guidance in helping people to develop career planning skills to use throughout their working lives..

The conference in Aviemore will enable countries to learn from each other and develop and refine their own services to meet the career guidance needs of individuals and the needs of their labour markets.

There are universal rules for anyone thinking about how to find or change careers ñ here are five of them:

ï Consider what your interests are and what kind of work you like. Know more about yourself. It is important to enjoy what you do and be challenged by it. Vivienne Brown, Head of Policy & Strategy at Careers Scotland, said: ìIt is important to take time to know more about yourself ñ what makes you tick and importantly why, and at the same time think about what kind of work motivates you ñ and again why. Knowing about yourself and the labour market will help you to make informed decisions about work and hopefully will lead to more enjoyable work. The more you enjoy a job, the better you will do and the more you will achieve ñ not be mention how happier you will be.î Careers Scotland provides various tools for discovering more about yourself, about the labour market and what jobs interest you at www.careers-scotland.org

ï Donít restrict your career options by getting in stuck in the mind set that you are only capable of doing certain jobs. Dr Gideon Arulmani, clinical psychologist and director of The Promise Foundation in Bangalore, India says: ìChanging job markets and careers is a phenomenon the 21st century worker must learn to cope with. Many people believe they are only capable of certain types of work. This mindset is what career psychologists call a career belief, which creates a barrier to on-going career development. Career counselling can help challenge an individualís self-limiting beliefs and widen their view of their potential and options, as well as enhance their confidence in order to realise their potential.î Using all your contacts to widen your career options is key to success in future.

ï Be pro-active and open-minded when looking for a new career ñ look in a variety of places for job adverts and send speculative letters out to prospective employers once you are clear what you are looking for. Joe McGinley, 61, from Kirkintilloch, didnít let being made redundant from his job as an engineer get him down. Instead, he used the opportunity to change career. Joe said: ìI went along to my local Careers Scotland office where they gave me a career planning interview which focussed on making the best use of my skills. They also gave me career guidance on how to look for jobs, producing a good CV and interview preparation. Having a service like this is great for people who really want to work but need some help when you need to change career direction and you are not too sure how to go about it.î

ï Prepare for interviews ñ think about the questions you will be asked and consider your answers. Practice with family or friends, or speak to a Careers Scotland Adviser. Employers want to see evidence of how your skills, expertise and personal qualities will match their requirements for the job. We all have transferable skills which can move from job to job ñ but itís important to ensure you help the prospective employer understand that you have the skills and qualities they may be looking for. Research your prospective employer and revamp your CV to make sure itís up to scratch. Ensure your appearance is smart and your body language is positive ñ smile!

ï Learn new skills if you need them. Just because you may have left school or university some time ago, doesnít mean you have learned everything you can or should have. Damien Yates, Chief Executive of learndirect scotland, says: ìKeeping your skills up-to-date is what is meant by lifelong learning. Learning is an on-going, lifelong process. Life changes, technology changes and jobs change, so being able to adapt and learn new skills will mean you are always employable. Learning can be done in many ways too ñ it doesnít always have to be formal. You can learn at home, in your spare time, or at your workplace.î

Research has shown that careers guidance leads to greater access to learning and training, higher wages through gaining higher qualifications, higher levels of employment and increased confidence*.

Vivienne added: ìUltimately, career guidance is all about empowering people to take control over their own lives through informed choices about their career and ultimately their lifestyle ñ helping individuals to discover and realise their own potential. Adding up all these individuals has an effect on a national and even global level. The more productive and more successful an individual is, the more effective a workforce is and the more prosperous a country.î

The 4th International Symposium on Careers Development & Public Policy takes place in Aviemore from October 22-25. Visit www.is2007scotland.org.uk for more information.