It has almost been a week since I returned to London from Sydney. It’s a bizarre feeling! Trying to click from Holiday mode to Work mode has not been automatic and it is a very confusing situation. I had a fantastic time and the 5 weeks has ignited the flame I needed to help with the next challenge in my life, moving on to a new career and building a new life for me and my fiancée. The tan may be fading but the memories are not and luckily I came to the breaking of Spring in the UK with nice warm weather to help me adapt.
What next?
The good thing about my return is that I am kept busy. Challenges await and need to be faced. The next career step will not be an easy one but it is certainly not impossible. It is a time of cuts, competitiveness especially the public sector which I left. Do I continue with the path I took? Do I stay in the Public Sector?
Stage 1 – Read, Read, Read
The first stage is to learn and read as much as I can. It has been almost 8 years in one sector so it is more than likely that it has taken it’s toll on my confidence, identity and my ideology. It is time to wipe the slate clean and start all over but not forgetting the positive ( even the no-go negatives ) experiences and skills that have been learned and gained.
The first stage is to re-discover me and figure out my personality type. Some of this may have come apparent with my last work and discovered whilst on holiday but this is the first stage to help with knowing where to place my energy and what type of work with bring out the best in me.
The first book is “Do what you are” which is a book about Personality Types. I have just completed it and would highly recommend it, even if you are not looking for work it may just help you spice up your current work. It helps you recognise your strengths, your weaknesses, preferences and explain why you do the things you do. There’s no right or wrong here. If you don’t embrace how you are it can limit progress and cause frustration and stress. Developing and balancing your strengths and weaknesses will help you thrive at work and make you in the end, much happier at work! Have a go! My code was ENFP. After you read the book you will understand!
The next two books focuses on mental strengthening and of course, the reconstruction of your CV, Cover letters, Interview Skills and Networking. The two books above, Coaching yourself to a New Career and Job Hunting and Career Change for Dummies are ideal in preparing yourself in your Career hunting project. I will be starting on these books early next week which should put me in a strong position to start the next stage, Searching and Applying. Interview skills and competency tests will be the third stage, these do not need to be dealt with at the early stages.
So, that’s the plan! Follow me to see how it turns out. It could be successful or a complete flop but the important thing it to keep positive, focused and to enjoy the challenge!!
