Personal Career Solutions

How to land a new executive job this winter…

admin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 18:58:07 +0000

When we’re comfortable at a company and have had quite a long executive career there so far, it’s easy to stay there indefinitely. However, being comfortable somewhere does not mean you have to stay there forever.
It’s common to decide (in theory) that you’ve done all you can in your current role and decided it’s time to move onto a new one. It’s also common to find that’s it’s a different story in practice. You may find that you’ve been subconsciously – or consciously – putting off your executive search for whatever reason. Perhaps you don’t want to give up the security of your current position or you may decide to wait until the economy picks up a bit or maybe through your own personal circumstances.
You could have perfectly valid reasons for not changing executive jobs right at this very moment, but if you know deep down that you are just procrastinating, why not put a stop in the cycle right now and find yourself a new executive job this winter?
Of course, if you have been in your current company for decades, you’ll want to familiarise yourself with the current economy by doing research into the job market. You can do this by looking into the social media side of things, such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn – it’s basically a global, virtual, and eternal career conversation well worth involving yourself in.
On a more specific level, it’s important to research into the kind of companies you’d be interested in and be completely up to date with your knowledge. Start off researching an organisation by going to its corporate website. Search for the company on Google to find out what people are saying about it on news forums and social media sites – this is where Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn come into play, you can choose to ‘follow’ the company on any of these.
Once you have carried out the initial search on the market, you should have a solid base from which to launch your executive job search, it’s time to leave the days of procrastinating behind and start a new exiting challenge.

Personal Career Solutions News

Making the most of a midlife crisis – without the Ferrari

admin — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 02:59:27 +0000

The term ‘midlife crisis’ gets bandied about a lot, but why should it be a crisis at all? Think of all the things you have learned throughout your life and career. By exploring the knowledge and experience you have gained, your strengths and specialities can be used to formulate new concepts and ideas, which you can adapt to new networks and industries.

There’s no denying that ageism in the workplace is rife in Britain, but if you can manipulate your knowledge and market yourself as an independent business thinker you can prove yourself an asset to any company.

‘Coming to certain milestones in your life can make you realise that you’ve lost sight of what was important at the start of your career,’ says Simon. ‘This time doesn’t have to be chaotic but can be a transition into a more positive time in your life where you can gain full control of the exact direction your career is heading.’

There are some key questions Simon suggests asking yourself at this time:
• Is it time to make a career change?
• What do you really want to achieve?
• What are your career goals?
• Have you considered self-employment?
• Are you satisfied with your work/life balance?

Career management can help you answer all these questions and make sure you stay focused in achieving your career objectives within a realistic timescale.

Personal Career Solutions understand that senior and executive level individuals require specialist assistant and Simon states that ‘enlisting a the help of a career management company helps to keep you focused and determined during periods of change.’

(This post was originally published in October 2009)

Personal Career Solutions News

Free executive career advice at Personal Career Solution’s next event in Bristol

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 02:36:59 +0000

‘Maximising your Career Potential’ is a career workshop hosted by the UK’s leading career management consultancy, Personal Career Solutions.

The workshop is designed for anyone who is seeking:
• A new position following redundancy
• A more challenging position
• To increase their earning potential
• To address their work-life balance
• To make a career change

Personal Career Solutions assist mid to senior level executives find their next position by utilising a more alternative approach. The event will give attendees an insight on how to take advantage of the unadvertised job market and will get them thinking about the resources available to them in order to find their next role – and to make sure it is the right role!

To register for the event please visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk/free-career-events.asp or for more information on the services Personal Career Solutions provide visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk

Personal Career Solutions News

New Year, New Career? – Career Advice from Personal Career Solutions

admin — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 02:40:51 +0000

New Year, New Career?

In the middle of the first month of 2011, nearly 50% of New Years Resolutions will already be off track. If yours are still on target then make sure you don’t fall in with the 95% which will fail by January 31st. Perhaps you’ve not even considered yours since the chaos of returning to work? Now is the time to make sure you take control to ensure you achieve your ambitions for 2011.

Whether your resolution is to change jobs, widen your network, gain a promotion or simply develop your skill set, here are some measures you can take to ensure that you have a satisfied smile on your face in 347 days time!

Set smaller, intermediate goals

Break down your goal into manageable chunks. This may seem easier for a health related goal such as weight loss, but it is also possible for career-related objectives. If you are looking for a change in career then your targets for the first month could be to research new industries which would suit your skill set for example. The second month could be to make contact with 15 potentially valuable network contacts in that industry.

Write it down

Writing down your goals solidifies them. Leaving them floating around in your head is a sure fire way to lose focus and even ‘forget’ them (perhaps accidentally on purpose!) Make two copies and hide one in a sealed envelope, only to be opened on December 31st. Knowing that you are going to open it and review them on a certain date will make you more likely to want to achieve them, if only for the satisfaction of opening that envelope with a feeling of pride!

Talk about it

The next step after writing down your goals is to inform people what you are trying to achieve. Once you have verbalised your goals you will not only be letting yourself down by not succeeding, but all those people who will ask you how you are getting on.

Change your identity

Visualise! Consider what you are trying to achieve, and the qualities you will need to achieve it. Start to think about yourself as already being that type of person and you will not only make it easier to attain your goals, but you will slowly start to act in that way. For example, if you want to become an avid, confident networker but you feel more like a wallflower then you are very unlikely to succeed. By walking into a room and believing that you are someone who others will want to speak with and that this is something you do naturally, you are more likely to achieve. It may take some time to get there but over time your outer-identity will match that of your inner.

Seek advice

There will always be someone out there who can help you bridge the gaps in your knowledge and advise you on how best to achieve your goal. A resolution to run in a 10k race is daunting for someone who has never before shed their loafers to don a pair of trainers. How much should you do and how often? An expert in this field can help point you in the right direction. When looking for a new career this is no different. You may have been out of the job market for several years and feel out of touch, or perhaps you are looking to enter a new industry of which you have no experience. A career coach can be a fundamental factor when you set about achieving your career resolutions. Personal Career Solutions specialise in assisting individuals who have reached a mid-senior level in their career and are looking for their next move. Whatever you are trying to achieve, you can guarantee that they have already assisted thousands of people in a similar situation. For a free and confidential discussion with one of their consultants then contact them on 0844 880 6690 or email career@personalcareersolutions.co.uk.

Personal Career Solutions News

Analysis of employment market trends by Personal Career Solutions

admin — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:02:26 +0000

The recent Labour Market report released by the Office for National Statistics represents a bleak outlook on the current employment market. Set against a stock market in crisis and an inert economy, Personal Career Solutions analyses what this means for the 2.49 million who are unemployed and looking for work.

Back in January, there was a sense of optimism in the job market. Recruiters were reporting an increase in vacancies with a hopeful outlook that this positive trend would continue throughout the year. Disappointingly, reports from the ONS for the second quarter show a decrease in vacancies. With only 449,000 jobs publicly advertised the competition is rife.

It has not all been doom and gloom. Although Public Sector redundancies have had a massive impact on the negative figures, Private Sector employment has increased and total pay has increased by 2.3%. These positive figures illustrate that the private sector is stabilising and companies are investing in talent to solidify their position in our turbulent economic market.

Despite the dip in advertised vacancies, organisations are still hiring but budgets are being cut. The use of recruitment services are being used less, appointments sections of newspapers are thinner, so HR departments are under pressure to find candidates themselves. Knowing this, jobseekers must now change the way they approach their search. When times were good a candidate could go to a recruiter and let them do the work, in this market the candidate has to put in the leg work if they want to find results.

Despite the downturn, Personal Career Solutions’ clients are continuing to find work successfully. No clients in August found work through newspaper advertising, which has traditionally been a key source in finding executive level job roles and only 20% of clients found roles through traditional recruitment services. The other 80% of clients found work through the unadvertised job market, in other words networking and self-marketing.

In the current job market, networking is key when searching for an executive level position. Personal Career Solutions provide help and assistance on researching and building networks so candidates can overcome the shortfall in advertised positions. With over 15 years of experience in providing executive career management services they understand how to make the most of existing networks and how to approach key industry contacts.

For more information on how Personal Career Solutions can assist you at this time please visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk or call 0844 880 6690.

Personal Career Solutions News

Sign up to receive the Personal Career Solutions Newsletter

admin — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:23:51 +0000

Personal Career Solutions are the UK’s leading career management consultancy and have been providing executive level career advice for over 15 years.

Sign up to receive tips and advice on how to make the most of your job search from industry experts and be the first to hear about our industry approved guides

Simply visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk/newsletter-update.asp and let us know how often you want to receive our news and advice.

For more information on Personal Career Solutions, please visit our website – www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk – or call us on 0844 880 6690.

Personal Career Solutions News

Personal career Solutions Opens new Office in Belfast.

admin — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:06:32 +0000

Personal career Solutions Opens new Office in Belfast.

Pioneering leaders in Executive Career Management and Outplacement, Personal Career Solutions, are continuing their expansion this year by opening a new office in Belfast.

Personal Career Solutions provide a completely bespoke service for those who are looking for their next senior level role or position. Dealing mainly with senior executives earning £30K plus, what they offer is “completely unique in Belfast” says Darren Miller, the newly appointed Regional Director for Belfast. With no other career management company in the area, they are one of the first companies offering bespoke career guidance in Northern Ireland.
Following expansions in the South East and the Midlands last year and continued success throughout the UK, Personal Career Solutions are experiencing a high demand for their services in the Belfast area. The office will be headed up by experienced consultant Darren Miller.
“An opportunity such as this is completely unique here and we are very excited to get out there and build our network in the Belfast area.” Darren Miller, “I am looking forward to working with people and helping them with their career progression.”

The office is based in Central Belfast in the prestigious Scottish Provident Building in Donegall Square, opposite the town hall.
For more information visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk or alternatively call 0844 880 6690.

Personal Career Solutions News

How to get out of the rut in your Job Search

admin — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 11:29:14 +0000

Looking for a job after being involuntarily let go from a position is difficult under any circumstances. In today’s economy — with a national unemployment rate that recently topped 8 per cent — a job search can be prolonged, and the effects can be even more pronounced on your day to day life.
“It’s a big challenge to your capacity to adapt, just like a prolonged illness is a challenge and causes stress on you and your family,” said Simon Hudson from Personal Career Solutions, a consultancy focused on giving career advice to existing mid to senior level executives.
When a person loses a job, he or she is likely to experience anger, stress, and feelings of anxiety and depression. Left unchecked, these feelings can become detrimental, hindering their ability to search effectively for a new job.
In short, our natural responses may work against us.
Setting expectations is key to maintaining a sense of hope. Personal Career Solutions are focused on key points to get you back into work. They offer several ways of pin-pointing specific career planning advice that cater to you. Through a personal one on one meeting with your own consultant you will soon find yourself back into work.
“I heard the good news today that I had been offered the post. As you can imagine I am delighted with this outcome. The interview training and advice over the last few months had a significant impact.”
Alastair McDonald – Project Manager – who benefited from career advice.
It may take a while, but your journey will be unique. It will be your own, and reminding yourself that you are the one in control of the situation can be the key to keeping your composure.
At Personal Career Solutions you will gain confidence, more ease and alertness through:
- learning to recognize self-sabotaging behaviors
- gaining tools to manage them when they occur
- effectively dealing with inner conflict
“Looking for a job can be incredibly lonely and at times dispiriting. As a result it is sometimes hard to stay motivated. I found that the support I received enabled me to stay focused, motivated and determined to succeed.”
Jackie Rogers – Marketing Manager –Took the full executive career service that Personal Career Solutions offers.
To arrange a free, no obligation meeting, for help with your Executive career search, visit:
www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk

Personal Career Solutions News

Free career advice at Personal Career Solution’s next event in Reading

admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 08:36:22 +0000

‘Maximising your Career Potential’ is a career workshop hosted by the UK’s leading career management consultancy, Personal Career Solutions.

The workshop is designed for anyone who is seeking:

• A new position following redundancy
• A more challenging position
• To increase their earning potential
• To address their work-life balance
• To make a career change

Personal Career Solutions News

Personal Career Solutions appoints new Regional Director for the South West

admin — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:28:40 +0000

Personal Career Solutions, the UK’s leading career management and outplacement consultancy, have appointed Richard Barningham in the role of Regional Director at its key South West office in Bristol.

Richard started his career in the RAF where he was in control of budget and developing new business. It was in his role as Senior Officer that he developed his leadership skills and the ability to motivate and mentor his team. From the RAF, Richard trained as a Financial Advisor where he worked in a number of organizations before heading up his own advisory and coaching company and gained qualifications that put him in the top 10% of advisors in the UK.

Personal Career Solutions provide executive career advice and assist those looking for their next senior position, be it following redundancy or those looking for a complete change in direction. As Richard has had his own successful career and even instigated his own career change he will be able to provide an excellent level support by sharing in his own experiences.

“I wanted to move away from financial services to concentrate on personal development. I’m a people person and have thoroughly enjoyed the process of coaching and person development throughout my own career,” commented Richard on his reasons for joining Personal Career Solutions. Richard has recently attained two Coaching Academy Degrees giving him the perfect qualifications to aide the progression of Bristol’s career professionals.

If you would like to find out more information about how Personal Career Solutions can help you at this time, or arrange a meeting in the Bristol office please visit www.personalcareersolutions.co.uk or call 0844 880 6690 to speak to a representative.

Personal Career Solutions News