How to Reinvent Yourself for a Successful Career Change

Posted on May 17, 2013 by

Meet George – He is in his late 30s. He has been in his current position for almost four years. He was very enthusiastic about his job during the first couple of years. He doesn’t feel challenged anymore. At the same time he can’t see any opportunities for promotion. He has lost interest and the whole situation has an negative impact on his mood. He has been thinking of a change for some time now.

When I asked him what he would like to do in the future, George responded “This is the problem. I don’t know.” When I asked him what his strengths are, he stated a long list of weaknesses. The only thing he was clear about is that he can’t afford to take a pay cut to start something new.

Like many people, George is dissatisfied with his current job. He wants to make a change but he doesn’t really know what direction to take.

For those in a similar situation, here are some tips to consider:

  1. Don’t run away. If you are unhappy with what you do at the moment, figure out what is wrong and fix it before you decide about your next steps (e.g. build your confidence, act on constructive feedback, repair broken working relationships). Running away will not solve the problems. Similar ones may appear again at your next job.
  2. Find out what your strengths are. This step is very important. Even if you think you know them, take the opportunity to reflect once more. Observe how you deal with situations and think what you are doing well and what you need to improve.  You may want to do some psychometric tests (search online to find personality tests that fit your needs). Some simple things like asking friends and colleagues for feedback might also give you a different perspective. If you can’t articulate what you are good at, how are you going to convince others when you will be looking for another job?
  3. Explore what you want to do. This is the most difficult phase and the reason is
    Career Change

    You won’t find out what you want until you try it

    simple; our interests and career aspirations change over time.  What seemed appealing in our 20s might not be in our 30s. It is possible to have multiple careers during our working life. Make sure thought that you are the one who defines your career direction. Remember: if you don’t take control of it, nobody else will.

  4. Try things out and learn. When career paths look appealing, test them before you make any decisions. Talk to people who work in that field, volunteer for short projects, take relevant courses if specific skills are needed, etc. Experiment first. Then reflect whether you still want to pursue this path. A step-wise transition might work better than a drastic change.
  5. Make a career plan. When you have clarity on your career goals, make a realistic plan. Are there gaps in your skills and experience you need to address? Do you need to retrain?  Can you do an internship? Make sure you ask potential employers what they are looking for in a candidate. If you plan to set up your own business, develop a business plan and talk to other entrepreneurs who have gone through this journey.
  6. Develop a network. Relationships matter to your career. Invest time in developing and strengthening relationships in the sector you want to move in. They can be a key source of information and support.
  7. Plan your finances. “Do what you love and money will follow’ is not a good advice. In case you plan a significant career transition, start saving as much money as you can. Things will be easier when you don’t have to worry for the everyday needs at least for a period of time. Also, do you have a Plan B in case Plan A doesn’t work out?
  8. Manage your emotions. Be prepared that fear and self-doubt will creep in at some point. Fear usually comes  due to the unknown. At the same time, there is no risk-free career plan. There will always be risk involved irrespective whether you stay at your current job, you change companies or you decide to do something different. The best way is to do your research, explore the available options, understand their trade-offs and then make informed decisions.

The bottom line: If you are unhappy with your job, do something about it. Don’t expect things to happen to you. Make them happen. Do nothing is not a risk-free option anymore.

Have you gone through this type of experience? If yes, what worked for you?

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, consultant and speaker. She has worked in senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her b4iapply blog is recommended by The Guardian for professional development. This article has also been published in Huffington Post.

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How Undergraduates Can Improve their Job Prospects

Posted on May 8, 2013 by

Korina Karampela talks to Gary Argent – the Director of Careers at City University London – about how students can enhance their employment prospects upon graduation.

At a time when graduate unemployment rate is at record high levels, many employers struggle to recruit skilled university-leavers. What is the reason for this mismatch?

I think there are a number of reasons.  Sometimes students find it difficult to articulate their skills, and they don’t realise that employers are looking for a range of experience and competencies in the graduates they hire.  Some of this experience will come from the course, but often it is the broader experience that they have gained outside of their studies that makes a difference – so it is important to consider that as well.

The difficulties can also be on the employer side.  Some companies find it hard to know how to market their vacancies and a university campus can be a very crowded and confusing place early in the autumn term when many recruiters are looking to advertise but can struggle to stand out from the crowd.  A good careers service will help employers to overcome this challenge by helping them find the best way to be seen on their campus.

What is the most common misconception that students have about their job search?

How students can improve their job prospects while at university

“The broader experience that students gain outside of their studies makes a difference” says Gary Argent

That a 2:1 or a first is all you need.  Employers look for a whole range of skills and they want you to talk about what you have done outside of your course, as well as academically.

Part time work, internships or placements, clubs and societies, a mentor in your chosen industry and getting involved in volunteering are all great ways to build experience, and give you different examples which you can use on your CV or when you are being interviewed.

What universities can do to help undergraduates become more employable?

The Careers Service should be a hub for a whole range of activities which take place before, during and after a student’s time at university.

We provide information about graduate destinations which help pupils make informed choices about what to study.  We connect students to a range of activities that they can get involved in alongside their studies, especially during the first and second year when the course load might not be quite so heavy.

Once you have got involved in those activities, a good careers service will help you to reflect on the experience you have gained, think about how those skills are applicable to the industries you might want to work in, and prepare your “story” – so that you know how best to articulate these skills to an employer.

And, of course, we will help you connect to those employers – here at City University we have hundreds of firms on campus every year, all eager to meet our students and hear their stories.

What are the 3 ‘Dos’ and 3 ‘Don’ts’ university students who want to improve their job prospects upon graduation need to be aware of?

The Do’s are:

  1. Do make sure you come and meet your careers service early when you have more time to act on the advice we will give you. 
  2. Do take the time to get involved in lots of extra-curricular activities alongside your studies. 
  3. Do try to think about things from the employer’s perspective before you meet them.  If you can appreciate how you (as a potential future employee) look from their standpoint you can make sure you present yourself in the best possible way to catch their attention.

The Don’ts are:

  1. Don’t assume that a good degree grade is all you need – it is just the first step to catch the recruiter’s eye. 
  2. Don’t put off your career search until your final year – you’ll have too much on your plate by then with lots of study deadlines, and your fellow students will have a head start on you as well.  
  3. Don’t assume that there are no jobs out there – they are, you just to have to work hard to find them.  And that is where a great careers service can help you.

The bottom line: Employers are looking for a range of skills. Undergraduates who want to improve their job prospects need to get involved in many other activities than simply being good academically.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, coach and speaker. She is the author of “b4iapply to uni” and “b4iapply to college“. She has worked as senior pharmaceutical executive for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her blog b4iapply is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

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Apprenticeships: Should We Value Them More Highly?

Posted on April 24, 2013 by

Korina Karampela talks to David Way – Executive Director of National Apprenticeship Service – about the value of apprenticeships.

  • An increasing number of school leavers consider doing an apprenticeship. What are the reasons behind this trend?

Apprenticeships appeal to young people because they can earn while they learn in a real job, while gaining a real qualification.  With apprenticeships available at three different levels and across a range of different industries, young people’s options have been significantly expanded.

Evidence shows that apprenticeships lead to great future prospects. Recent research among employers has found that qualified apprentices are considered to be significantly more employable than those who have taken another route into employment. Doing an apprenticeship also significantly increases a person’s lifetime earning potential.

  •  If you were able to make one change to improve the quality of the apprenticeships offered, what would it be?

    Apprenticeships

    “Apprenticeships appeal to young people because they can earn while they learn” says David Way

Apprenticeships are already high quality and lead to nationally recognised qualifications. However, we are always looking for ways to improve the options available to young people.

Higher Apprenticeships are a good example of how we are achieving this – these apprenticeships are equivalent to a foundation degree, and we are continually expanding the range of them on offer. With a Higher Apprenticeship, a young person can work their way up to a degree, gaining specialised and advanced skills, while earning a wage.

The government has also announced plans to extend apprenticeships to offer even more advanced options – in future, apprentices will be able to work their way up to Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree level. I believe this will be key to ensuring the continued growth of apprenticeships.

  • What is the most common misconception that people have about apprenticeships?

When people think of an apprentice, they perhaps picture a mechanic or an engineer, and therefore have quite a narrow idea of what doing an apprenticeship means. Whereas the truth is that apprenticeships cover a wealth of subjects and job types.

Currently, more than 100,000 employers in England offer apprenticeships in over 170 industries and 1500 different job roles. As well as traditional industries such as engineering, apprenticeships are available in areas such as marketing, business, accountancy, veterinary nursing, community arts, hospitality and catering, child care – whatever a person’s interests or skill level, there is likely to be an apprenticeship to suit them.

There can also be a misconception that doing an apprenticeship is second best to taking the traditional academic route to university, but with Higher Apprenticeships on offer that is absolutely not the case.

  • What are the 3 ‘Dos’ and 3 ‘Don’ts’ young people who consider doing an apprenticeship need to be aware of?

The Dos are:

  1. Do use the Apprenticeship vacancies website to search and apply for apprenticeships. There are up to 17,000 vacancies available at any one time, and it’s simple to create an account, set your preferences, search and apply. You can also use the new AV Search app for iPhone and Android.
  2. Do find out more about the employer and job before applying for an apprenticeship. This will help you prepare your application and feel sure the vacancy fits what you want to do.
  3. Do clearly identify your skills and interests clearly when applying – do not assume the employer can read between the lines. Make sure your application is professionally written, and allow your personality to come out.

The Don’ts are:

  1. Don’t use the same CV and covering letter for each vacancy. Tailor each application so that you emphasise the skills that the particular employer is looking for and how yours fit their specific needs.
  2. Don’t just send in an application and then forget about it – be proactive and follow it up with a phone call, to make sure that your CV is top of the pile.
  3. Don’t give up! Apprenticeships are sought-after, so expect some competition. If you don’t get onto an apprenticeship with your first try, keep putting in your best applications and you’ll eventually find one that’s right for you.

The bottom line: There are many good options available to young people if they don’t want to follow the traditional university route. An apprenticeship is an alternative way to gain a qualification while they earn a wage at the same time.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, coach and speaker. She is the author of “b4iapply to uni” and “b4iapply to college“. She has worked as senior pharmaceutical executive for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her blog b4iapply is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

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Higher Education: Let’s Face the Facts

Posted on April 18, 2013 by

Here’s the paradox. On the one hand, young graduates can’t find jobs. On the other, employers complain that they can’t find candidates with the necessary entry-level skills.

At the same time, tuition fees have increased considerably at both sides of the pond and graduate unemployment is at record highs. The outcome?

Students end up with a university degree (most of them),  a significant debt (almost all of them), and the painful realization that their degree may have limited employment prospects (many of them).

Nevertheless, the advice we continue to give to pupils is the same as the one we received ourselves 20 years ago; get a university degree if you want to be better off.

When the topic of employability is raised, many oppose to the notion of connecting higher education with career advancement although there are subjects that suffer from overabundance of young graduates (Supply far exceeds demand so unemployment rates are high).

What worked well in the past cannot help us prepare for the future. The most basic task is to question our own assumptions and assess whether these widely-held beliefs are still justified. “When the facts change, I change my mind,”John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) said.  “What do you do, Sir?” 

The facts about higher education have changed;Higher Education: Let's face the facts

  • its cost has increased considerably,
  • a university degree does not guarantee a job any more,
  • job prospects vary across subjects, and
  • the quality of education on offer varies significantly.

Isn’t it about time we also change our minds?

The dilemma that most pupils face is not whether to go to university or not (although the latter might be a better option for some). The dilemma is what to study, where and how much it will cost.

Every year thousands of graduates make a painful discovery: far from taking the first step towards a great career, they’ve just wasted their time and money on the wrong degree. They wish they had done more research before they applied. They didn’t though because we didn’t encourage them.

The world is changing rapidly and new challenges call for new strategies. We simply cannot hang on to the nostalgia of our university experiences. It might have been an ideal place for us to discover ourselves but now this benefit comes with a considerable price tag.

Pupils need to invest their time in finding a career path that suits their strengths and interests and then study a relevant degree. In this way,  they will be able to take advantage of the university resources to become truly great in the field they have chosen so that they can be ready to compete with the world’s best.

Our role is to empower them to evaluate their options and understand the trade-offs before they apply.

Employability is not simply only equipping yourself to get a job. It is about choosing a career you are passionate about and you can excel in. Being practical doesn’t mean forgetting about passion – it’s all about combining the two and equipping yourself for work you’ll love.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, coach and speaker. She is the author of “b4iapply to uni” and “b4iapply to college“. She has worked as senior pharmaceutical executive for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her blog b4iapply is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

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University Isn’t Right for Everyone

Posted on April 11, 2013 by

Korina Karampela talks to Rachel Johnson – the General Manager of notgoingtouni.co.uk - about what options are available to those who don’t think the university route is the right one for them.

  • The number of pupils who has second thoughts about going to university is on the rise. What other options do they have?

There are some fantastic options out there including apprenticeships, sponsored degrees, foundation degrees, diplomas, national vocational qualifications (NVQs), gap years, volunteering, distance learning or even going straight into entry level jobs.

  • What is the most common misconception that people have about these alternative routes?
University isn't the right option for everyone

“There are some fantastic options out there, if you don’t want to go to uni” says Rachel Johnson

I think a lot of people – pupils, parents and teachers – think that particularly apprenticeships are only for those who can’t get the grades to get into university. In fact, higher apprenticeships are an equivalent to a degree qualification – you are simply getting there via a different route. Large blue chip employers in particular are beginning to recognize the need to acquire the talent of the future both at a school leaver level as well as graduates because they see more students look for other options than the university route due to fees and unemployment rates. The number of new school leaver specific programmes is increasing all the time.

  • If you were able to make one change to improve the quality of careers advice and guidance at schools, what would it be

I’d like to see schools focusing on helping pupils to find what route suits them best to fulfill their career aspirations instead of focusing on achieving their targets on getting pupils to university even when it is not the right option for them. For this change to happen, schools need to get aware of what alternative options are available and unfortunately this knowledge varies across schools.

  • What are 3 ‘Dos’ and 3 ‘Don’ts’ young people who are uncertain about going to university need to be aware of?

The Do’s are:

  1. Do as much research as possible into all your options. You can find a lot of information at the notgoingtouni website.
  2. Do ask yourself the following questions: a) What do you enjoy doing? b) What career would you like to have? c) Is full-time education for you? d) Is the cost of university worth it? e) Are there alternative ways that will enable you to achieve your career objectives?
  3. Do use the people around you for advice. Bounce ideas with friends, parents and teachers. Remember though that this is ultimately your decision.

The Don’ts are:

  1. Don’t be swayed in your decision by peer pressure – it’s your life and you need to base your decision on what will give you the most successful outcome.
  2. Don’t take the easy option unless it is the right one for you.
  3. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply for the route you want.

The bottom line: University is not the right option for everybody. If it is not for you, don’t despair. There are other options available to help you achieve your career aspirations. Explore them.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, consultant and speaker. She has worked in senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her b4iapply blog is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

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What Does Your Handshake Say About You?

Posted on March 28, 2013 by

Do you remember the last time you shook hands with somebody who had a very weak grip? What did you think about this person? Would you hire him? Would you feel comfortable to do business with him?

A lifeless handshake is usually interpreted as a sign of passivity, insecurity or even disrespect. A bone-crushing one doesn’t get positive points either.  In general, a warm and firm handshake helps establish trust between yourself and the other individual.

Do you know how others perceive your handshake?

Really, have you ever thought how you come across to others especially when you meet them for the first time?

No news is not always good news. Don’t expect the people whom you just met to tell you if there is something wrong with it. At the same time, even the people who know you well may be reluctant to break the news to you in case they hurt your feelings.

So, what can you do?

The best way is to practice your handshake with your friends and colleagues. Ask them whether it is too strong, too light or just fine. In this way you will be able to deliver a positive impression every time.

Here are some tips:

  • Stand up when you shake hands. If you stay seated, it diminishes your presence.
  • Be prepared to offer your hand first. It shows confidence.
  • Use your right hand, keep your palm vertical and match the other person’s grip. This allows your handshake to be on an equal basis.

    The power of the handshake

    The power of the handshake

  • Match the other’s person pressure. Remember though: it is not a power contest.
  • Make sure your palm is dry and warm. This is highly important. Nobody wants to hold a sweaty or cold hand.
  • Have plenty of eye contact and smile when you shake hands.
  • Know when to let go. If you remove your hand too early or keep it for too long, it may end up creating an awkward moment. Three seconds is usually ideal.

The bottom line: Your handshake says a lot about you. Make sure it conveys the messages you want. The best way to achieve this is to practice with your friends and colleagues.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, consultant and speaker. She has worked in senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her b4iapply blog is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

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Does Careers Guidance at Schools Matter?

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Korina Karampela talks to Johnny Rich- the Managing Director of Push and leading expert on higher education and careers- about the importance of careers guidance at schools.

  • There is a lot of information available online about university choices and possible career paths that prospective students can easily access. Is this enough?

In terms of information, there is plenty. We could do with more data, more information, but without helping people understand it, information is just noise. What we need is more advice and guidance. 

Advice is when you put those facts into a context, such as, “The average national drop-out rate is about 17%. The students who drop-out may end up with no degree and significant debts”.

And guidance is when the advice is applied to the individual, such as listening to someone’s concerns about whether they’ll be able to stick out at university and talking to them about the broader context concerning dropping out. And this really matters.

  • If you were able to make one change to improve the quality of careers guidance offered at schools, what would it be?

    Careers Guidance at Schools

    Johnny Rich talks about the importance of careers guidance at schools

More funding, of course! But maybe ‘more funding’ is not a helpful answer to your question. In that case, I would say that careers guidance needs to be more about helping people make a life and not just a living.

It is miserable to think that people spend their entire working lives wishing for the two days a week and the three weeks a year when they don’t work.

With inspirational guidance – which may be little more than the right few words at the right time – a career can be about fulfilling your potential, contributing to the society, gaining reward and recognition for how you spend the every minute of your day.

Doesn’t that sound like fun? And if a rewarding career is fun, why isn’t that always reflected by careers advice and guidance?

Careers advice has a reputation for being dull, for waking people up to harsh realities. It should be the opposite: careers advice should be about raising aspirations and showing the path to achieve them. Sure, you need realistic expectations along the way, but it should not be about putting up barriers.

  • What is the most common misconception that young people have about higher education?

A key misconception is that they don’t understand the diversity on offer. Every student is different and they should embrace their differences when looking for a university that suits them. University league tables are an insidious distraction that end up creating the impression that one-size-fits-all when it comes to student life, and if you haven’t made the grades in terms of their notion of ‘best’, then you are a second-class citizen.

Perhaps it’s also worth mentioning that students often have the misconception about what university can do for them. It is not a magic conveyor belt that spits you out as a fully employable graduate. Higher education is a process in which you must engage and milk it dry of all it has to offer. It’s something you do, not something that happens to you.

  • What are the 3 ‘Dos’ and 3 ‘Don’ts’ young people who aspire going to university need to be aware of?

The Do’s are:

  1. Do choose the university and the course that suits you as an individual.
  2. Do your research to work out which that is. Obviously, you can check out Push, BestCourse4Me, Which? University, Bright Knowledge and loads of other great resources out there. But better than those is to visit universities for yourself.
  3. Do plunge yourself into what student life has to offer whether that’s the academic adventure, the CV-pumping extra curricular activities or the horizon-broadening social life.

The 3 Don’ts are:

  1. Don’t feel you have to go, if it’s not right for you right now.
  2. Don’t live anyone else’s life. It’s your choice.
  3. Don’t be put off by the issue of debt. Yes, it’s bad. But it’s endurable and, if you make the right choices, for most people the rewards outweigh the downsides.

The bottom line: There are many career options available out there. It comes down to good advice and guidance – and research on the part of individual. But it also comes down to living your own life.

Korina Karampela is the founder of b4iapply, author of 2 books, consultant and speaker. She has worked in senior positions in the pharmaceutical industry for 12 years and has an MBA from MIT Sloan. Her b4iapply blog is recommended by The Guardian for professional development.

Posted in b4iapply to college, b4iapply to uni, Career Advice, Higher Education, Link education with career | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment