Ruth's guide to a tip-top career

Apr 21 2008 By Carla Callaghan

I have put together my six steps to success in your career. They are the ones I used so well 16 years ago to put me on the path to doing what I do best, helping my readers!

When I left school all I wanted to be was a scientist.  I went to university and fulfilled my dream by working in a lab night and day.  At 24 and being pregnant with my first child I decided that I needed a change.  I had always done voluntary work and enjoyed helping people.  Of course my psychic senses always came in handy and when I started my first job, as a personal development counsellor I realised that science wasn’t really me.  Now 16 years on I am glad that I took that first braves step to change my career.  It wasn’t easy and for long enough I was filled with self-doubt.  Now in my job as a psychic agony Aunt I get many letters and see many clients who are in jobs they are miserable in.  Or I see people who are in jobs that they should be getting promotions in.  “Stuck in a rut” is a phrase I hear so often, but it doesn’t have to be that way.  I have put together my 6 steps to success in your career.  They are the ones I used so well 16 years ago to put me on the path to doing what I do best, helping my readers!

SIX STEPS TO GETTING ON AND CLIMBING THAT CAREER LADDER

1) REALISE THAT YOU ARE WORTH MORE THAN YOU ARE GETTING.  IF YOU SEE OTHERS GETTING ON WHEN YOU AREN’T THEN THINK ABOUT WHY THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING.  IS IT A PERSONALITY CLASH OR ARE YOU IN THE WRONG JOB.
2) IF YOU ARE IN THE WRONG JOB THEN DECIDE WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO.  SET REALISTIC ACHEIVABLE GOALS THAT CAN BE DONE.  FOR EXAMPLE IF YOU NEED TRAINING CAN YOU AFFORD IT.  IS THERE A WAY YOU COULD WORK AND STUDY AT THE SAME TIME. 
3) IF YOU ARE UNHAPPY IN YOU’RE CURRENT JOB THEN CONSIDER A MOVE TO A DIFFERENT COMPANY.  YOUR SKILLS WELL BE WELL USED IN A DIFFERENT CLIMATE AND REMEMBER TO COMPOSE A GOOD SUCINCT C.V.
4) DON’T MAKE EXCUSES ACT NOW.  BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR LACK OF CAREER PROGRESSION WILL NOT GET YOU ANYWHERE.  YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN CAREER. 
5) IF YOU ARE RETURNING TO WORK AFTER MATERNITY LEAVE THEN DON’T PANIC.  MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET UP TO DATE WITH ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED WHILE YOU WHERE AWAY.  IF YOU HAVE MISSED TRAINING OR NEW PRACTICES THEN GET IT ORGANISED FOR ONCE YOU ARE BACK.  THE ONIS IS ON YOU NOT THE EMPLOYER.
6) DREAMING ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO AND IN FACT DOING IT ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.  ONE WILL GET YOU SOMEWHERE, THE OTHER WON’T.  THE CHOICE IS ALL YOURS.

Once you are in the job you want it is important to make the most of it.  That means knowing in your career plan where this part of your career life is taking you.  Having a forward plan is always a good idea as it lets you know where you are going and keeps you focussed.  Training is also so important in career development.  It allows you to have an edge in the jobs market at the same time it will increase your confidence.  Ask your employer about training opportunities it always make you look enthusiastic.  If however training doesn’t appear on the horizon then you may have to do it of your own back.  Remember to treat this as an investment in your career and parting with your cash won’t feel so sore.
Finally maybe you are just one of those people who don’t know what on earth they would like to do with their lives.  I would suggest then that you contact your own local career service.  They have a great database, which you could use to see what would suit you.  It is not just for teenagers and the service helped me out 6 years ago before I changed career.  Don’t just sit their moaning do something about your career and reap the rewards later.  Oh and remember my help when you become a rich person!