Inspire Guidance Careers Advice

If the Brexit teaches us anything it should be that the world can change over night and we have to adjust to a new reality.  The world of work is no different it operates on the same dynamics of life.  Changes in world events and our careers may well happen several times over our lifetimes.  You have probably been told that if you study hard, get a degree and tweak your CV, you will make it the job market. However sadly it does not always work like that. The ratio of graduates to jobs is at an all time high. To use business speak in many areas there is more supply then demand. So having said that how do you load the odds in your favour? You first of all need to know what makes you tick, what is your passion and your strengths. Do you enjoy selling, working with information or things are you a people person? Get a handle on who you are. Analyse and reflect on this. What skills do you have and how can you demonstrate you have them. Are there any gaps in your knowledg...

How to choose A Level subjects . Remember when you had to choose your options at GCSE ?  Well narrowing down 8 subjects to 4 is even more important and often more of a pain. The following points might help you. Subject strengths. Y ou will need to look at  your strengths. The advice we would give you is to choose subjects you have at least a B grade in at GCSE.  However most sixth forms now offer  subjects such as Law, Psychology , Sociology etc. In this case talk to the tutors and past students to find out more about the subject. Also read around it to try to establish if you would enjoy studying it for several years.  What you enjoy. A levels are very intense. You will have more lessons in a week of a particular subject then you did at GCSE. You have to be passionate and enjoy the subject. Persistence and application are important here. Keep your options open. You may be  very passionate  on s...

How to choose a career area. ( I will expand on points in future postings ) 1. Begin by determining what you like to do. So what are your interests now, what makes you sit up and take notice, which classes do you look forward to. Do you like science, people, animals, plants, technology, softwear, hardwear, travel, languages etc. Do you enjoy being indoors, outdoors, working alone, working in a team, leading etc 2. Identify the skills you use when you're doing the thing(s) you enjoy. Are you practical, theoretical, caring, good communicator, musical etc. 3. Think of career areas broadly . A career area of work is far more than a single job. ie caring for people, caring for animals, using numbers, manufacturing, crafts, arts, environment, medical, teaching etc 4. Learn as much as possible about the qualifications/ job role required. What are the entry routes, tasks and activities in job and progression points? 5. Find people who work in the field and meet a...

So you have your grades to go to university, Congratulations!! Only problem is you don't want to go to University. For some people University is a great experience and necessary for their chosen career. It can be great or it can be difficult. No single option is perfect for every person.  For some careers you need a degree and it has to be done through a University. It is vital to check. For many more you can do a degree while working or go through other routes like apprenticeships.   These days it is important to consider all the angles and an important one is financial. You have sliced and diced the numbers and the average student comes out with around 60,000 pounds in debt at the end of the course.  Granted you do not have to pay this back until you start earning above a certain amount of money but it is still a considerable sum to think about. It should not put you off if you really want to go and make the most of your University time and certainly not i...

If you are in Year 10 in school, now in the summer term of year 10 is a perfect time to start thinking seriously of your future career.  Year 11 will be a busy year and it will go by much faster than you think it will. In addition there will be exams and revision, applications to make and more pressures than this year. So give yourself some time out to think about what it is that you want out of your next few years and your life.  If you have access to a Qualified Careers Adviser then do take advantage of that and book an appointment to see them. Ideally they will be external to your school and be able to give you honest, impartial and unbiased advice about all the routes and options open to you, advise you on open days and vists and help you through the maze of choices and decisions..  If not then you will need to do more of your own research.  The main routes after year 11 are 1.School 6th Form College. If your school has a 6th Form and you wish to c...

Coming To Terms With Redundancy -What Do You Want To Do Now? You need to give serious thought to your next steps, which path to choose. What this might be may depend on your specific situation. For some people it will be a job hunting strategy for a specific type of job For some it will be job hunting for any job For others it may be a period of retraining in a job that is more likely to have vacancies For some it may be considering self employment as a sole trader or setting up in a company business. For others it may be travel... Or deciding to take early retirement. "The trouble with unemployment is that the minute you wake up in the morning you're on the job." Slapp Here are some useful sites for you to read more advice regarding redundancy Careers Advice Coping With Redundancy Careers Advice Coping With redundancy A case study about redundancy and the careers advice given to this person Career Article Coping with redundancy Advice re ...

How to Deal with Redundancy Financial Considerations If you are made redundant or take voluntary redundancy you will hopefully receive a sum of money. Do make sure you are clear how much  you will receive. It is important to know how long you can survive financially on your redundancy money so that you can plan. It is also important to find out if you or your family are entitled to any benefits at all. This will vary between countries and may depend on if the redundancy is compulsory or voluntary. If you are asked to take voluntary redundancy do check what this means for you before accepting it. If your workplace holds any talks for people whose jobs are going to be redundant do attend them and ask any questions you would like to know, particularly about the financial aspect. F inancial Checklist After Redundancy . If you do not already know exactly what they are you need a list of all your outgoings:- Mortgage or rent Utilities ( gas, electric, water etc)...

Emotional Considerations It is surprising how emotional redundancy can be. I was not prepared for that when it happened to me. However, in a way it is not surprising, your workplace may be somewhere you have worked for 40 or more hours each week for twenty or more years. That is a lot of emotional investment in a place. The people you know the social events the regular routine and the role you have is all important considerations. therefore do not be thrown off by having an emotional response to being made redundant. So do not worry if your initial response is one that you were not anticipating. Yes there is life after redundancy, it may even be better , but it is not an easy process to go through and you need to be gentle on yourself at this time. It is after all a form of grieving and may well have been a shock. Please read the article below to help you at this time.  Coping With The Psychological Effects of Redundancy    "Nothing can s...

After Redundancy-Keep A Routine Do Not Isolate Yourself When we get up and go to work we have a structure a basis for the way our day will go.  When you suddenly do not have that any more it can be a very strange place. We need to think of new beginnings and a new structure to our lives. "Doing nothing is very hard to do...you never know when you're finished." Leslie Nielsen 1. Keep in touch with your friends and any ex colleagues who may also have been made redundant. Make regular coffee dates so you can support each other. Not only will this stop you becoming isolated it is also an excellent support network and a network to find employment and opportunities for each other. 2. If you are job hunting make that your job. Set a plan, a strategy for each day, each week and stick to it. Get a Diary or do a Diary online and put tasks and appointments in it. 3. Get up at the same time each day. make it a rule to stay in bed no longer than 8am. If y...

Redundant - What Next? The First Steps.  Redundancy is difficult for most people. This series of posts over he next few days aims to help you through the first stages of it. Having faced redundancy myself I understand.  There can be a subtle difference whether it is compulsory or voluntary redundancy and how that makes you feel, but it is redundancy all the same. It is harsh to feel that you are no longer needed or useful somewhere you have worked and committed to maybe for a large portion of your working life, maybe somewhere you felt you had a real career path. Redundancy can cause real difficulties in terms of finances and emotional fall out as well.Anyone going through redundancy needs support and understanding. If you are to cope with redundancy you need to know that you are needed and useful, perhaps not in the same way, in the same place but with support and time you can again make a difference and live a good life. When I accepted redundancy people w...