http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/ Professional Career Coaches in London - Professional Consultants CareerBalance Ltd 2012 http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/how-can-i-restart-my-career-following-maternity-leave.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/how-can-i-restart-my-career-following-maternity-leave.php Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:56:38 UT http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/can-lawyers-change-careers.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/can-lawyers-change-careers.php Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:17:47 UT http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/welcome-news-for-small-businesses.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/welcome-news-for-small-businesses.php Mon, 05 Dec 2011 09:56:26 UT Thinking of starting your own business? Theoutlook might be brighter than you think. According to new research frominsurers Simply Business (link www.simplybusiness.co.uk), 62% of Britain'ssmall businesses expect to increase profits over the next year - despite thebleak economic climate. Thispositive outlook chimes in with our experience at CareerBalance. As the job market contractsmore and more, peopleare turning to running their own businesses - and making a success of it. Becoming your own boss is an exciting prospect, but many would-beentrepreneurs fall at the first hurdle because they haven't adequately thoughtthings through. The first thing to do is research your market. Ask yourself, who are my potentialcustomers and how will I sell my product to them? Check the costs ofmarketing, particularly on-line marketing. These costs can be high. A Google Adwords campaign is likely to startat around 250 per month. You'll also need an effective website, whichshould be search engine optimised. Banksare being much stricter about lending and will want to see a thorough businessplan. The advantage of this is that it forces you to produce a well-constructedplan based on real figures. It will alsomake you stand out against your competitors: more businesses thanyou might expect don't have a proper business plan. Once you've completed your businessplan, you'll either get a rude shock as you realise your business model isn'tgoing to work, or a pleasant surprise with the realisation that it's going tomake money. After that, do some more research into what the competition is offering. Small businesses are providing avital chink of light in an otherwise depressed economy, and I'm glad to see thegovernment is renewing its commitment to the sector http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15937366 I also hope the banks will match government support with more competitive lending. Withloan rates to small businesses at almost 10 percent whilst the base rates is 0.5percent, there's plenty of room for thebanks to give small businesses a bigger helping hand. Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/is-now-a-good-time-to-change-career.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/is-now-a-good-time-to-change-career.php Mon, 21 Nov 2011 15:24:24 UT Simon Broomer, Director of CareerBalance talks about the state of the UK jobs market. Despite the recession, there are lots of jobs out there. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/protest-in-the-city.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/protest-in-the-city.php Mon, 21 Nov 2011 12:30:03 UT I have some sympathy for the protesterscamped out at St Paul's. Billions of pounds have been poured into ourdefective banking system, yet bankers continue to enjoy high salaries and largebonuses. Bankersmay argue that they contribute to the exchequer. But big banks likeBarclays pay very little UK tax relative to their earnings, and Goldman Sachs hasbeen let off 10m in interest on unpaid tax. Small businesses, meanwhile, are routinely hounded by HMRC for latepayments and charge interest daily. . Andthose very same banks have also played a very large part in the economiccollapse which is still being played out in the Eurozone and beyond. TheVickers proposals won't be fully implemented until the end of the decade. With the long-term economic forecast bleak, it's possible there'll be anotherbanking crisis just around the corner.. Thedemands of the protesters are often dismissed as nave and confused, but theposition of the bankers is revealed as equally incoherent in a recent Church ofEngland report. TheSt Paul's Institute report finds that around two-thirds of financial servicesprofessionals think that people in their sector are overpaid. Yet about thesame percentage declare that salary and bonuses are their principal motivation atwork. In other words, a sizable number are only in it for what theythemselves recognise to be over-inflated rewards. Thedouble-think doesn't end there. A majority of those asked also believed thatderegulation resulted in less ethical behaviour. But when was the last time youheard a banker speak out in favour of extra regulation? The report argues that therehas been a breakdown in the ethics in the City since the Big Bang of 1986 movedtrading from face-to-face agreements to the computer screen. Perhaps it's just as well, then,that the protest against the banks has been in the form on such a tangiblehuman presence. Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/finance/supporting-----not-squeezing-----small-businesses.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/finance/supporting-----not-squeezing-----small-businesses.php Thu, 17 Nov 2011 09:01:00 UT Small and medium-sized businesses willbe the engine of Britain's long-delayed economic recovery. With the publicsector hammered bycuts, and the banking and finance sector in retreat, weneed to give more support to UK's small businesses. Yet the banks seem remarkably unwilling togive smaller firms the lifeblood of credit. The Government's Project Merlin,launched in agreement with major banks - was supposed to deal with this. Judging by the latest figures, however, Merlinis not delivering the goods. Gross lending to small and medium-sized companiesactually fell by 1.7bn in the third quarter of this year. Withthe base rate now 0.5% HSBC has just quoted me 9.9% for a business loan - andthey want a personal guarantee on top! Analysts at Citigroup agree, LINK:http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/8889611/Project-Merlin-fails-small-business-lending-test.html saying Merlinhas failed to achieve any "genuine overall improvement in the availabilityand cost of credit for small firms." So what's going on here? Ask a banker offthe record and he'll most likely tell you that offering credit to smallbusinesses is risky, hard work and the pay-offs aren't always that great. Derivatives and other exotic financial products offer bigger short-term profits. Clearly, more needs to be done if we'regoing to get the British economy back on a path of sustainable growth. Mervyn King has called for thebanks to be persuaded to lend more with new fiscal incentives. LINK: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/oct/25/mervyn-king-bank-incentives-lend But should such "bribery" really benecessary? Even the failed banksare still handing out large bonuses totheir staff which collectively amount to billions of pounds. At present, thegovernment seems obsessed with the problems of the big beasts of the bankingand finance world. It's neglecting the needs of the small businesssector, where people are working incredibly hard and being innovative. There needs to bemore competition between the banks and more lines of credit available to smallbusinesses. Let's hope the Chancellor's Autumn Statement, due at the endof this month, will offer some fresh thinking. Posted by Simon Broomer Managing Director & Founder @ CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/city-photo-of-the-week.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/city-photo-of-the-week.php Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:36:17 UT http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/olympic-opportunities.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/olympic-opportunities.php Tue, 04 Oct 2011 23:19:05 UT Getting a job associated with the 2012Olympic Games could be the chance to share a moment of history on the globalstage. Just make sure you enjoy working to tight deadlines. Ajob with the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games & ParalympicGames is an opportunity to help deliver one of the most complex, high profileand deadline-driven events ever staged. Itcertainly sounds glamorous, but can you cope with the pressure? How about beingthe Arrivals and Departures Terminal Co-ordinator, based at Heathrow Airport?You'll be responsible for ensuring that 50,000 accredited clients arrivingalong with their accompanying baggage (yikes!) for the Games Games have asmooth transfer from the airport to their accommodation, and back again.Clearly this process is crucial to the Games as it "creates the first and lastimpression of the Games", according to the job spec. There'sbound to be something you'd like to do - because the total workforce needed forthe London Games will reach 100,000, according to Adecco, the officialrecruitment services provider for London 2012. Staff are currently needed infields as diverse as interpreting, civil engineering, architecture, aerospace, hospitalityand tourism, retail, marketing and advertising and beauty. Whicheverway you look at it, the Olympic Games is a world-class name to add to your CVand might be a once in a lifetime experience that could open up someinteresting opportunities and take your career in a new direction. TheLondon organising committee is aiming to recruit 15 to 20 per cent of it totalworkforce from the six host boroughs. Current jobs up for grabs include ProductionManager - Video Projection and LED Screens, who will manage and co-ordinate theprojection, screens and LED elements required for the opening and closingceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/proper-pay-for-fsa-regulators.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/proper-pay-for-fsa-regulators.php Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:02:26 UT The Government needs to get realistic on pay for competent regulation of the banking and financial services sectorsSensible regulation of the financial sector has got to be a good thing. No one wants a repeat of the 2008 crash.But one thing worries me: the way the Government insists on greater regulation but seems unwilling to pay the going rate for the people to do it. Unless the new regulatory regime is properly funded with salaries that are competitive with the private sector, it ain't going to work.After all, what investment banker worth his salt is going to turn poacher turned gamekeeper when it amounts to a drastic cut in salary?Headhunting firm Hedley May estimate that the Financial Services Authority would need to increase its budget by more than a third to attract and retain quality staff. We're finding the same problem at CareerBalance. People are interested in going into the regulatory sector. But if it means taking a major pay cut in already rocky economic environment, they feel they can't afford to do it. The right pay for the right people isn't just an issue for the FSA. Governance, regulation and risk management in sectors such as law and accountancy call for the very best minds to prevent fraud and ensure businesses avoid reputation-damaging investigations, costly litigation and hefty fines. Employers unwilling to pay the very best salaries are ultimately shooting themselves in the foot, as we have seen in the case of Barclays, Goldman Sachs and PWC. It's understandable that in a time of austerity the Government feels the need to bear down on public sector pay. But if new regulation proves ineffective and the financial rewards stay stacked in favour of risk-taking, the British economy won't prosper in the long term. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/the-outlook-is-bright-for-engineering-graduates.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/the-outlook-is-bright-for-engineering-graduates.php Mon, 12 Sep 2011 12:14:48 UT If you've finisheduniversity and you're looking for a job, you might be forgiven for feeling atrifle glum. After all, we face the highest levels of youth unemployment in ageneration But as ever with these situations, it's a question offinding the chinks of light amid the leaden clouds. And the opportunities definitely exist -especially, it seems, for those studying traditional subjects like engineering. Science and engineering subjects tend to be harder work atuniversity than arts subjects. But therewards are there for those willing to persist. So-called "glamorous" jobs in media, fashion and PR havebeen hit hard by the recession, with long unpaid internships and sluggishgrowth in pay. With the current lull in consumer spending, there's a newemphasis on manufacturing and industry, and engineers are in demand. Sir John Parker, chairman of Anglo American mining group,reckons that for the UK to rebalance its economy towards industry, 10,000 moreuniversity-qualified engineers will be needed each and every year. So it's heartening that British students are turning awayfrom easy options like media studies which don't impress employers and optingfor traditional "hard" subjects like maths and sciences http://ow.ly/6rFmz. It'll pay off for them in the long run. Those still in education who are wondering about their optionsshould definitely consider maths, science and engineering. And it won't meanboxing yourself in forever. Thesesubjects are widely respected for their academic rigour by employers outsideindustry, and could lead to a challenging career in business, finance or theCivil Service. Posted by Simon Broomer Managing Director & Founder at CareerBalance Ltd. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/short-courses.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/short-courses.php Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:42:50 UT A short course lasting between 2 days and a few weeks, mightbe all you need to set you on an alternative career path, nail that dream job -or even change your life. Sometimes a short course can circumvent the need for asecond degree. Award-winning TV presenter and trainer Sally Gray MBE,founder of PresentersInc.co.uk, always knew she wanted to be a TV presenter.After her degree in Media Studies, she started as a secretary at the BBC andtook a one-day course in television presenting. Business schools offer short courses that don't demand longperiods away from work and can also work as stand-alone modules of MSc courses.The farm manager of Elveden Estate, which produces vegetables and grows some ofthe UK's finest Christmas trees, attended an MBA style short management courseat Cranfield Business School in 2009 and called it "life-changing". The London College of Communciation has just launched ashort course in Personal Ethics for Media and Design - which could hardly bemore timely. Birkbeck's short courses range from Arts Management to OrganisationalPsychology, while the LSE has a range of short courses in Human Rights designedfor professionals in the law, government, public policy, business and civilsociety. CareerBalance founder Simon Broomer attended a two-daytelephone sales course early in his career, which gave him precious persuasiveand selling skills which he has used in a variety of roles. "A short course can be a little key to a door," says SimonBroomer. "Even if you do it for fun, it shows discipline and commitment on yourCV. It's a way to dip your toe in the water and sample something you want tolearn about rather than diving into a demanding course. Short courses tend tobe practical and you often meet like-minded individuals who can make good newcontacts and give you information about potential work in this field." Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director at CareerBlalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/regulating-career-professionals-----careerbalance-gives-its-view.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/regulating-career-professionals-----careerbalance-gives-its-view.php Fri, 29 Jul 2011 10:35:23 UT The government wants to turn career guidanceinto a regulated profession. CareerBalance backs this initiative. Simon Broomer,CareerBalance's Managing Director gives his view: Backin November last year, skills minister John Hayes announced government plans tointroduce professional regulation for career guidance, as well as plans for anall-age career service. CareerBalanceis absolutely in favour of moves to raise the standards of career guidance inthis country. We also agree that people of all ages should have access to careersguidance - an approach which encourages bringing the non-active population backinto work. This should cover school leavers through to adults approachingretirement. Thegovernment appears to be dragging its feet about implementing its plans, withone policy advisor recently claiming the current situation risks a "widespreadcollapse of careers help for young people"*. Let's stop talking and let's startto make it happen. Hereare five suggestions to help John Hayes make the programme work: 1. Currently, anyone can become a career coach. If somepeople do a bad job, it brings down the industry as a whole. A professional codeof ethics and good conduct is now needed. All career professionals need to showevidence of experience in specific occupations or sectors, and an understandingof the individuals and organisations they are trying to help.2. A minimum level careers qualifications requirementshould now be developed for all careers professionals - be they careerscounsellors, educators, coaches or advisors. 3. A commitment to regular supervision and continuingprofessional development and supervision are pre-requisites for independentcareer professionals.4. The government needs to ensure that a body is createdto police what they are proposing. *Professor Tony Watts for Careers England Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director at CareerBlalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-gender-pay-gap.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-gender-pay-gap.php Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:45:20 UT We think that women in the UK have come a long waysince the suffragettes fought a century ago for the right for women to vote. However,reports from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Office for NationalStatistics confirm that women are being paid between 16.4% and 12.2% less thanmen. Perhaps we need another health dose of Suffragette-inspired fightingspirit. The Davies Review - 'Women on Boards' - published inFebruary this year, found that since 2008 the number of women in top jobs at UKFTSE companies has plateaued at 12.5 per cent. While women in Europe and the USrepresent an average of six out of 10 university graduates, and form 46% of theUK's economically active workforce, men hold 941 out of 1076 directorships inFTSE companies, while women occupy just 135. The report predicted that at the current rate ofchange, it would take 70 years before we see gender-balanced boards in the UK. Italso outlined a new code of conduct for head hunters and employers to helpshatter a ceiling evidently made of glass. A lack of visible corporate female role models wascited in the report as a challenge, despite women's prevalence in fields suchas media and the public sector. Critics, including City superwoman and mum of 6Nicola Horlick, are calling for legally binding quotas of women on boards, ashas been implemented in Norway with some success. Lord Davies called for a goalof 25% of women on FTSE 100 company boards by 2015. Perhaps 21st century women should take aleaf out of the book of Alan Sugar's feisty right hand woman and former West Hamvice-chairman Karren Brady. Aged 6, she offered beauty treatments from herbedroom and aged 23, she was managing director of Birmingham City FootballClub. And while these women are at it, can we please change the word chairman? Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/new-career-paths-in-jewellery.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/new-career-paths-in-jewellery.php Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:22:27 UT Ever thought of working with your hands or wanted to see your designs gracing a red carpet? Two major initiatives are transforming career options in the British jewellery industry. New career pathways are opening up in the jewellery industry and some career changers have already seen their lives transformed. When 42 year old Sarah Herriot left her IT job in the City to take a course at Holts Academy of Jewellery, she could never have known that six years later she (and her Twisted Egg ring) would be the recipient of numerous industry awards.The British jewellery industry dates back 500 years. But now a skills shortage and fierce competition from China mean its future is unclear. While more than 5000 Chinese jewellery manufacturers each employs between 300 and 3000 workers, one of the UK's largest manufacturers only employs 100.There's good news though. Thanks to both the Holts Academy of Jewellery and the Goldsmiths Company, new career options abound. Holts Academy, in state of the art premises in London's diamond district Hatton Garden is catering to burgeoning demand. Its pioneering jewellery diplomas, NVQs and (from 2012) and BA-equivalent qualifications accommodate four career tracks - jeweller or goldsmith; retail; designer maker; computer aided design. Holts also offers business support, mentors and subsidised workshops and gallery space. Meanwhile, this autumn the new 17 million Goldsmiths Centre opens its doors at a restored 19th century building at the cusp of the City. It's about to have a huge impact on a much smaller number of people - eight teenage apprentices and six postgraduates. It will also have workshop space for craftsmen just starting out, plus 19 workshops for established businesses. If this sounds up your street, also check out this book - The Case For Working With Your Hands: Or Why Office Work Is Bad For Us And Fixing Things Feels Good.Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/lawyers-turned-frozen-yoghurt-sellers.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/lawyers-turned-frozen-yoghurt-sellers.php Mon, 09 May 2011 21:09:39 UT Thefounders of Notting Hill and Islington-based FRAE yoghurt decided there wasmore to life than a career in the law and instead chose frozen yoghurt. While studying and training as lawyers in Scotland and later working aslawyers in the City, Donald Murray and Martyn Pollock dreamed of founding a business that wouldbe the next big thing. In 2008, in their late 20s, they discovered frozenyoghurt in New York and grabbed the opportunity to bring the concept to London. In 2009 Pollock left his job at McGrigors and Murray left his atCMS Cameron McKenna. With75,000 of savings, they started two London frozen yoghurt shops calledFrae. Currently self-funded, they're preparing for future international expansionand potential franchising, with offers for funding occasionally come from enthusiasticcustomers. As well as appearing at school ftes, FRAE has also garnered a celebrityfollowing (including Keira Knightley and Ruby Wax), possibly thanks to poppingup at a sprinkling of London celebrity events, such as a fashion show sponsoredby Vogue. Thepair's biggest challenges have included telling their families the news oftheir career switch. "It's never easy sitting your parents down to tell themyou're turning your back on a highly paid City job to sell frozen yoghurt," quipsDonald Murray. "Martyn and I were never particularly interested in the law andspent many years looking for concepts before starting FRAE. When starting fromscratch, comfort and security are first to go out of the window. You have to be100% convinced you want to leave law and even more convinced your idea willwork." Theplan seems to be working. FRAE is selling well throughout the year according toMurray. "My proudest moment so far came when meeting a well-known Britishretailer recently in Switzerland. After mentioning I owned a frozen yoghurtcompany he said he loved frozen yoghurt and that FRAE was his favourite. Thatwas a peach." Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/work-life-balance-----a-perennial-question.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/work-life-balance-----a-perennial-question.php Wed, 13 Apr 2011 16:19:33 UT The seemingly elusive answer to work lifebalance can be found in small, subtle changes, apparently. In a recentsession at The School of Life on How to Balance Work with Life participants wereasked to write headlines summing up their lives. Responses included 'Pressurised Manager Desperate For Dating Time' and 'Professional Hits The Wall Due To DeadlinePressure'. Soundfamiliar? NickSouthgate - a philosopher cum advertising consultant who has advised thegovernment, the BBC and Lucozade, teaches The School of Life courses How To Balance Life With Work, How To Find a Job You Love and How To Be Cool - regularly meets peopleexperiencing "an employment version of the seven year itch". His successstories include people who have decided to take time off to travel or to discoverwhat they really want, and an IT manager who realised he needed to love the jobhe has. "They looked happier, younger and more relaxed," he says. - At a 2010 Technology, Education & Design conference in Sydney, advertisingCEO and author of Fat, Forty and Fired,Nigel Marsh called for individuals to take responsibility for their quality of life."There are thousands and thousands of people out there leading lives of quiet,screaming desperation where they work long hard hours at jobs they hate inorder to buy things they don't need to impress people they don't like," he saidto applause and knowing laughter. So here'sthe good news. Both Southgate and March agree that very small changes are oftenall that are needed for transformation. In Southgate's experience, sometimes weproject our unhappiness onto our jobs. "You may be in the right career, but youmay need to fall back in love with it," he says. Marsh's Eureka moment camewhen he read a story to his young son and put him to bed only to be told: "Thishas been the best day of my life." www.theschooloflife.comwww.ted.com/talks/nigel_marsh_how_to_make_work_life_balance_work.html Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director & Founder at CareerBalance Ltd. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-good-news.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-good-news.php Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:20:48 UT The averagetime it takes to find a job is longer than it used to be. But here's the goodnews. The state of the UK job market is far better than most people think, saysSimon Broomer, Managing Director of CareerBalance Ltd, the Career Planning& Job Search specialists. The latest Labour Market statistics from theOffice for National Statistics show that there are 29.16 million people inemployment in the UK. "Why should we be disheartened?" asks Simon. "Even inthe public sector, there are plenty of jobs around," says Simon, who hasrecently spotted advertisements for the position of Black Rod in the House ofLords, a Lawyer at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, a Print Manager in theHouse of Commons, and a Head Of Childcare in a London Borough. For publicsector vacancies Simon advises checking the web sites of specific governmentdepartments, The Guardian, and the back page of the Sunday Times. "My clientsare finding jobs. Today, around 30 to 40% of job hunters find jobs online, 10% throughrecruitment consultants, 7% via newspapers and another 30 to 40% via theinvisible job market, which involves careful research of target employers and networking. "Many private sector companies find new staff through their existing employeesand through the career section of their own web site. They will advertise jobson Internet job sites or in newspapers only as a last resort," says Simon, whoadvises regularly checking the websites of your favourite companies. There areother gateways to finding jobs, although they're not without limitations. 'LinkedInis a good way to raise your visibility with potential employers, but publicizingthat you're interested in new career may not go down well with a currentemployer. Specialist sites where you post your CV can be a bit hit and miss,but putting your chips on the casino board is the only chance you have of winning,so I encourage them," says Simon. OneCareerBalance client spoke to a recruiter who didn't deal with jobs in herchosen field. But the recruiter put her in touch with someone else and a monthlater she was offered a job. Meanwhile, a lawyer who came to see Simon fourmonths ago has now landed herself two good job offers. Her only problem now iswhich one to take! Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director & Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-nation-of-small-businesses.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-nation-of-small-businesses.php Mon, 21 Mar 2011 18:26:21 UT Thanksboth to advances in technology and the recent economic turbulence, the way wework is undergoing radical change. A growing number of people are deciding togo it alone. Aquick online search yields a multitude of services offered by sole traders andsmall companies - from virtual assistants, to PR consultants, editors, coaches,interior designers, recruitment consultants and bespoke tailors. Across thecountry, the explosion of networking and breakfast groups like NRG and SpeedNetworkingis testament to the increasing number of self-employed people ranging from digitalmarketeers to defence experts. "Weare becoming a nation of small businesses and independent workers. We're acountry of ideas, with few natural resources, a dearth of manufacturing and arecovering financial sector. So why isn't the government helping us more?" asksThe Guardian's appointed career consultants CareerBalance Ltd. "Whilehigh street banks charge small businesses interest at 12% to 15%, the Bank ofEngland has reduced the rate it charges to banks to a mere 0.5%. The governmenthas been propping up irresponsible failing banks with huge rescue packages,whilst little is done for small businesses. Banks like Barclays pay minisculeamounts of tax on their UK profits - a mere 114m on profits 11.6 billion."This is absurd when most small businesses are paying 25% corporation tax," saysSimon Broomer of CareerBalance, who is guiding an increasing number of hisclients through the process of starting to work for themselves. Thenew government-backed Business Growth Fund plans to lend money only tobusinesses with a minimum of 10 million turnover, which excludes thousands ofsmall businesses in the UK. Broomerhimself has experienced first hand the reticence of banks and the government tostand up and take note of the talent and economic potential of smallbusinesses. "I never see my relationship manager at my bank. On two occasions whenI pitched for a public sector outplacement contract, a large company securedthe contracts and I received no feedback on my application," he says. Broomeris unequivocal. "The government should now focus efforts on offering mentoring,business advice, local authority subsidised business centres plus meaningful taxbreaks for people prepared to take the risk and set up on their own," he says. Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director & Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/there-is-life-beyond-partnership.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/there-is-life-beyond-partnership.php Wed, 02 Mar 2011 21:47:35 UT Manylawyers in their 40s face a difficult predicament. Aspartners, they are typically earning well. But between the demands of meetingfee targets, managing and inspiring people, long hours, taking risks and bringingin new business, their responsibilities are unrelenting. Against a backdrop of fiercecompetition, firms are being forced to take on more work for less money. For lawyerswho are not passionate about what they do, the job can be even more stressful. Manylawyers love their jobs. But many others want to break free and crave morefulfilment. One 40-something lawyer we recently saw at CareerBalance sat downand said: "If I don't stop, it will kill me". Somelawyers have never been particularly happy in the profession and now feelimprisoned and isolated within it. They're also reluctant to share theirfeelings with colleagues. Whilean in-house role or a job in the public sector would offer less pressure, thefinancial fallout may offset the benefits. Experiencedlawyers have built up expertise which they need to hold onto. They're not trapped;they just need to explore the opportunities open to them. AtCareerBalance, we act as an objective sounding board. We help many clients intheir 40s who are earning well, to think through their options thoroughlybefore leaving the law. We also open their eyes to alternative careers as theyapproach retirement from the firm. Asa result, some have made big changes, including opening up their ownconsultancies. One lawyer is successfully running a virtual law firm, taking onwork on a project basis, while another has established a charity to promote thework of new artists whilst raising funds for needy causes. Others have gonein-house, and one has become the dean of a law school. Some of our maturelawyer clients are now pursuing non-executive directorships or roles in not-for-profitor educational bodies. Witha thorough understanding of your transferable skills and the wider job market, CareerBalancecan show you what options are available to you and give you the confidence andpractical help to make that important career move. Posted by Simon Broomer Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/at-a-crossroads--take-control-of-your-career.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-change/at-a-crossroads--take-control-of-your-career.php Mon, 21 Feb 2011 21:21:18 UT Therecomes a point in every lawyer's career when they look around and wonder ifpartnership is the right path for them. Lawfirms are typically eager to know who will progress to partner and who won't. Establishedlawyers have built up sound knowledge and technical skills and want to berewarded appropriately. Still, a lifetime of being on call at the weekend,helping another bank ink yet another corporate finance deal, and being interruptedat dinner by another client who has been served a writ, is hardly an alluring prospectfor everyone. Whilesome forward-thinking corporations offer flexible working hours and careerbreaks while guaranteeing to hold your job, City law firms are not alwaysamenable to women with a family focus. Perhaps this explains why womenrepresent 50% of trainee lawyers but just 10% of City partners, according to CareerBalancefounder Simon Broomer. Manylawyers feel demoralised once it emerges they don't want a partnership role, andcomplain of being sidelined. One fit and healthy woman who visited CareerBalancerecently confessed she feels constantly exhausted. Another who regularly bringsin new business to her firm, described her City law firm as a gentleman's clubwhere she felt pushed aside. Some lawyers CareerBalance has seen have beensigned off with depression and feel unable to confide in anyone at their firm. Soif you find yourself at a similar crucial crossroads in your career, don't letit pass you by. If you're being pushed to your limits, set boundaries and makesome changes. Think - what's best for me given my priorities within my careerand outside it? How appreciated do I feel by colleagues and clients? AtCareerBalance we know it's hard to set aside time to make your next career movea reality. An initial career questionnaire lets us know all about our clients'job satisfaction levels before we even meet for our first session. We specialisein helping lawyers take the future of their career into their own hands. Maybewe can help you too? Posted by Simon Broomer, Managing Director and Founder at CareerBalance Ltd http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/newly-qualified-lawyers-have-choices.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/newly-qualified-lawyers-have-choices.php Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:26:49 UT Haveyou started the New Year feeling overworked, worn out and unconvinced about yourfuture in the law? If so, you're not alone. While firms that expandedrapidly during the boom have been laying off staff, they've also been burdeningthose left behind with piles of extra work, longer hours and the pressure ofbringing in new clients. A decade ago, young lawyers achieved partnership bytheir early 30s. Today equity partners eager to hold on to their slice of thecake for longer are drawing out this process - many lawyers now only becomepartners in their late 30s. In the meantime, many live with the frustration ofserving as a small cog in a very large wheel. Employee Rewards, Benefits and Savingssurvey by Mercer's recently found that employee engagement amongst lawyers ison the wane. http://insight.badenochandclark.com/legal/30/11/2010/employee-engagement-waning-for-those-in-roles-such-as-legal-jobs-survey-shows/4599/ Butthe good news is, lawyers have choices. You're not tied to being a lawyer justbecause you qualified as one. AtCareerBalance we're finding that despite both the fragile economy and the500,000 to 1 million salaries partners can expect to earn, many young lawyersare now putting their quality of life first. After careful consideration, someof our newly qualified lawyer clients have either secured in-house or trainingand development roles, moved to smaller firms where they are part of the biggerpicture, switched to a business career, or taken time out to travel or tradeshares. Some of our clients are moving out of the law completely - doing anMBA, a Masters in War Studies before returning to law, or embarking on a careerin speech and language therapy. Ifyou're considering making a career change and you're in your early 30s, now is besttime to start preparing. We firmly believe there's still work out there - goodpeople are finding jobs. At CareerBalance, our strength lies in showing you theoptions and rewards available to you. Happy New Year! http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/just-call-me-boss.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/just-call-me-boss.php Tue, 01 Feb 2011 13:45:16 UT Against a backdrop of severe job and budget cuts, redundancy is opening the door for many to entrepreneurship, says Claire Adler.In this difficult time for the job market, some of the country's finest entrepreneurial minds are kicking into gear - channelling redundancy money into start-ups and choosing a path they hope will offer more control over their destiny and quality of life.While the government has made a new easier to access programme of grants, advice and subsidies available to new businesses via Business Link, it is also encouraging bank lending to small businesses."Running your own business is becoming increasingly attractive," says Careerbalance managing director, Simon Broomer. "Some employers are choosing self-employed consultants over permanent staff. Older, experienced people who can't afford or aren't interested in retirement, or find themselves priced out of the market by younger unpaid interns, or struggling with the switch from the public to the commercial sector, are now starting their own businesses or consultancies as a viable alternative."Somtimes, entrepreneurship offers a buzz like no other. In 1995 Sahar Hashemi co-founded Coffee Republic - but not before approaching 20 bank managers to secure a loan. "I'd never thought of myself as an entrepreneur, but once I found something I was passionate about and decided to pursue it, I became one," says Hashemi, a former lawyer who fell in love with a New York coffee shop. In 2007, brothers Nick and Giles English left their City jobs at PWC and Williams de Bro to start watch company Bremont, in memory of their pilot father who died tragically in a flying accident. Within two years, Bremont was in Harrods, Watches of Switzerland, and Barneys New York and customers included the US Navy. While studying and training in Scotland and later working as lawyers in the City, Donald Murray and Martyn Pollock dreamed of founding a business that would be the next big thing. In 2009 with 75,000 of savings, they started Notting Hill and Islington frozen yoghurt shops Frae. They're currently preparing for significant expansion. "Working alone without the interaction and structure of an office environment can be daunting, so a partnership is the answer to some. Be prepared for a modest income at the start and construct a detailed business plan," advises Broomer.To get an expert view on your current career options and/ or your job-hunting tactics make an appointment now to see one of our Career Specialists. E-mail consultants@careerbalance.co.uk, or call us on 020 3051 1054. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-new-retirees---winding-up-for-retirement.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/career-balance/the-new-retirees---winding-up-for-retirement.php Tue, 11 Jan 2011 10:47:59 UT Increasing life expectancy, coupled witha new law axing enforced retirement at 65 from next October, suggestretirement will soon look very different, says Claire Adler.One Sunday morning earlier this year in a packed church hall inBloomsbury, innovation expert Charles Leadbeater gave a secular sermonfor The School of Life about ageing. He began by pointing out that everyday we live, grants us another five hours of life expectancy."Ageing invites us to re-think work," he preached. "Instead ofseeing articles about hot young things in their 20s, I'd like to see alist of 70- somethings at the top of their game, who've only been in aspecific field for 10 years."Leadbeater has a point, and it's one being addressed at City-based career consultancy CareerBalance.In 1980, a 65 year old Englishman had a one in 1000 chance of livingto be 100 years old. Just 30 years later, this figure has increased toone in 100."Many of us cannot afford to retire and even those who do retire inour sixties won't want to spend the next 30 years or more on the golfcourse," says Simon Broomer, CareerBalance managing director.Broomer is now pointing his most mature and experienced clients inthe direction of trustee, non-executive and advisory roles including laymembership of Health Authority Trusts and regulatory financial bodies.This baby-booming generation of new retirees is tackling ageistthinking in the workplace, according to Broomer. "Many people believemobility and employability reduces after 50, but that's untrue. It isdown to the individual to deal with these objections, sell the benefitof their experience and the value of their skills and knowledge," hesays.Activists from Age UK recently welcomed the government announcementaxing enforced retirement at 65, hailing it as a victory against ageismwhich would benefit both people over 65 and the economy as a whole -thanks to older workers' precious skills, additional tax revenue andincreased buying power."From a frustrated senior lawyer now working in employment healthand safety, to a partner in a City firm now considering deanship of alaw school or becoming a charity CEO, I'm increasingly talking toclients who far from winding down are winding up for retirement," saysBroomer.To get an expert view on your current career options and/ or your job-hunting tactics make an appointment now to see one of our Career Specialists. E-mail consultants@careerbalance.co.uk, or call us on 020 3051 1054. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/new-career/looking-for-a-career-in-recruitment.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/new-career/looking-for-a-career-in-recruitment.php Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:57:40 UT The definitive guide to Graduate Recruitment and Development Professionals earnings and aspirations in 2010 is launched today. Here are Its key findings:The average salary for a graduate recruiter is 27,000 (down on last year)The average salary for a head of graduate recruitment is 71,200If you get to the very top this will mean a six figure salaryBonuses are down across the sector this year with 38% of respondents receiving no bonus or not having access to a schemeBonuses of 20% and above of salary were only available to Head of Graduate Recruitment and/or DevelopmentTraining and development is widely available to professionals but more needs to be done to make it specifically relevantRecruitment can be rewarding, but you need to be prepared to work long hours and often under pressure. Recruiters often need to call their candidates before or after work which is why the recruitment industry often starts earlier in the day than many other industries and finishes later. However, there is often a buzz at recruitment firms with a lively good humoured atmosphere around the office. If you are highly ambitious, have a good sense of humour and you like working under pressure, than recruitment may be the career for you.The data contained in this article is courtesy of Napier Wolf - specialist recruiter of in-house recruitment professionals, provider of key market data http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/work-life-out-of-balance.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/work-life-out-of-balance.php Tue, 10 Aug 2010 11:16:38 UT I'm not a luddite, but I ambeginning to wonder where all this technology is taking us. It seems that we are allunable to step outside the office for a real break. On my way to work I passpeople who no longer see where they are going, and on the tube I sit next tocommuters who are scanning their e-mails on the journey to work, or whenreturning home. What's happened to real relaxation, a time to reflect on theday, to dream about tomorrow? It seems that for many of usour phone has become a comfort item, and we feel lost without it. We are allcaught up in the race for the newest technology. In the last quarter of 2009Apple managed to sell 8.7 million iPhones. Many of our clients at CareerBalanceare complaining of longer hours, and are feeling the stress of having to be 'oncall' out of hours, including during vacations. The technology designed tospeed things up and to make our lives easier is also imprisoning us. We often help our clients toset clearer boundaries between their work and their home life. For this reason some have chosen towork on a freelance basis or take on fixed term roles which require lesscommitment to the organisation. In or programmes we encourage you to look notjust at how you want your career to progress, but also what kind of home lifeyou would ideally like. We ensure that better quality time with partners,children, friends and wider family is an important part of the career planningequation. What would it be like if youcould throw your Blackberry away? I recently had to do without mine for a coupleof weeks and found the experience very liberating. Once again I had time toread for fun, to make plans for tomorrow, and to dream a little of how lifeused to be. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/redundancies/axe-to-fall-on-public-sector-jobs.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/redundancies/axe-to-fall-on-public-sector-jobs.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:34:38 UT It is clear that the new government is going to make significant cutsto the public sector and do what Gordon Brown did not have theinclination or the courage to do. The job pages, which over the pastyear have been kept full by pubic sector appointments, will now belooking a bit thinner. At CareerBalance we are already offeringconsultations to public sector employees whose jobs are at risk. Therewill also be downward pressures on public sector pay, which has risenvery strongly for some roles at both local and central governmentlevel. The previous option of moving to another government departmentmay no longer be there for many. Individuals who have spent theirentire careers in the public sector will have to look at new careers inthe private sector. We are also seeing a spill-over into organisationsin the charitable/ not-for-profit sectors which are dependent ongovernment funding. Some public sector employees may need to radicallyrethink their career plans, and possibly re-train for new occupationsand industries. Those who can adapt to this new career landscape andhave an eye out for where new opportunities will be created willsucceed in landing new roles. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/looking-to-change-career-at-40s-and-50s.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/looking-to-change-career-at-40s-and-50s.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:10:02 UT Increasing numbers of our clients in their40s and 50s are looking to change career direction - sometimes quitedramatically. Most of us will be working until well into our 70s so amid-life career change could set you on a new path for the next 20 to30 years. Accelerating economic, organisational, social and technologicalchanges mean that many jobs and careers are disappearing whilst newones are being created. Those who can adapt to these changes, gatheradditional skills and knowledge, and seek out new opportunities indifferent sectors will be able to find rewarding and fulfilling newcareers. At CareerBalance we help our clients to take a long-term view oftheir careers, so they know what they must do now to move in thisdirection. It takes courage to change direction, but with greaterself-awareness, a good understanding of modern careers, and a focusedapproach to your job search you can have a career which up until nowyou have only been able to dream about. And without taking a cut inpay. Our guidance and support also covers setting up your own businessor consultancy. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/a-career-in-banking-finance.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/banking/a-career-in-banking-finance.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:51:38 UT Reading the national press, you mightconclude that this is the worst possible time to be looking for a jobin banking or finance. The collapse of Lehman Brothers, two years ofcredit crunch, and a stream of pictures showing newly laid-off bankersleaving their office for the last time, cardboard box in hand, have allcontributed to the impression that these are sectors in decline, withplenty of well-qualified people competing for a handful of jobs. Well, think again. London is still the world's top-ranked financialcity (together with New York) and there is an enormous amount ofeconomic activity going on. There are thousands of banking and finance jobs out there, and evenmore non-financial positions available in financial institutions. Manyof our clients have made the move into these areas successfully, evenover the past year. However, you need to know where to look and what tolook for. The place to start on your career search is the banks' own websites.Thanks to the internet revolution, banks rely less than they used to onrecruitment agencies to attract personnel and are also reluctant toadvertise on job websites because they do not want to be inundated withapplicants; adverts on major job web sites or national newspapers areoften a last resort. That said, one need only glance at the major industry recruitment websites - such as http://bankingjobsuk.co.ukto see just how many serious adverts they still carry and how vibrantthe sector clearly still is. Look closely, and you will see aparticular abundance of jobs available in retail banking, marketing,financial planning, project management and other such areas. This is partly related to the economic upswing and greater sense ofconfidence recently felt in the City; the 11.5billion takeover ofCadbury's by US food company Kraft, for example, generated hundreds ofthousands of hours of work and other, albeit smaller, such deals takeplace all the time. Another factor is the government's hard push for greater regulationof the banking, investment and financial services industries and moreanti-fraud controls. More staff are needed to monitor compliance. So there are plenty of new career opportunities. And here at CareerBalance, we have helped many clients worried about moving into thefinancial sector to find rewarding (in both senses) new jobs. Our role is to help our clients realise their own potential byidentifying their transferable strengths and figuring out how to applythem to a new role in a different sector. Very often, clients do notrealise just how broad a range of skills and knowledge they have pickedup in previous workplaces, and how widely these can be applied. Ourwork with our clients can open up a world of new opportunities. We also encourage clients to open their minds to jobs they may neverhave previously considered, but could turn out to be highly suitable.For example, increasing numbers of jobs in banking and finance arefixed-term contracts. Many people are reluctant to even consider them,but they can be excellent for building experience and contacts, andoften turn into permanent roles. So if you're unsure about a career in banking, now is a good time to reconsider. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/cv-advice-for-mid-life-career-changers.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/cv-advice-for-mid-life-career-changers.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:49:28 UT Wefrequently get asked for advice on CVs for people who have been in thework place for several years. We recommend a maximum of two to threepages in your CV. Say more about what you have achieved in the last 10years of your career. Highlight the value of your significantexperience and don't draw too much attention to your longevity.Unfortunately age discrimination against older employees is still aproblem in spite of legislation to outlaw it..Want to have your CV review for FREE by one of our Senior Career Specialist upload your CV here:http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/professional-cv-writing.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/cvs-and-interviews--getting-it-right.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/cvs-and-interviews--getting-it-right.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:45:00 UT Having a presentable CV and preparingproperly for an interview are a given. Often I see inadequate CV'sriddled with spelling errors and with the 'tracked changes' highlightedin red. Once you have carefully checked your CV, converting it to a PDFformat which will avoid later errors slipping in, and will preventsomeone seeing the track change comments..Personal statements at the start of the CV can be really effectiveif they are well written. Too often people use generic, clichdadjectives such as "enthusiastic self starter", "highly motivated", and"excellent team player." A good personal statement should be no longerthan about two sentences and demonstrate your key strengths and sectorexperience. Think about what you would say about what you can do tosomeone you really wanted to work for and use that..You need to check your CV every time you send it out and make sureit's relevant for the specific role you're applying for. Gettingsomeone else to review it is also a good idea. Send a hard copy andcovering letter in the post, especially if you're approaching a companyspeculatively. This can give it more prominence than an email..There is no excuse not to do your research if you've got aninterview. See what other people have to say about the company: look atcompany reports, articles in the trade press, Google the intervieweeand make sure you have as much information as possible..Always ask for a job description and person specification. Writedown the questions you want to ask beforehand. Include some which showyou have researched and understood their business. What sorts ofdevelopment opportunities are there? What's going on in theorganisation? Show initiative. Have clear examples ready which showyou've got what it takes to do the job. If you've never managed a largeteam at work but are football captain of your local team, then you candemonstrate your leadership skills that way. Make sure you know yourkey selling points and show enthusiasm..Finally, remember that an interview starts the moment you walkthrough the door. Good interpersonal skills, a strong handshake andgood eye contact are just as important as what you say in the interview..Need help with your CV/ Cover letter? Uploaded your CV now in ourHomepage (www.careerbalance.co.uk) for a FREE review by one ofCareerBalance's Senior Specialists. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/redundancies/choosing-an-outplacement-provider.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/redundancies/choosing-an-outplacement-provider.php Wed, 09 Jun 2010 11:37:23 UT Choosing an outplacement provider can seemlike a daunting prospect - and often needs to be done in a hurry.You've got to find someone who can deal with all levels of people fromjunior executives to senior managers and someone with some knowledge ofyour business and sector. If you engage a provider right at the startof the consultation process you're less likely to experience problemslater on, and can get their guidance in handling sensitive issues andstaff who react badly. Unfortunately lots of companies don't handle redundancies anddownsizing very well and are poor in communicating with the peopleinvolved. Making someone redundant is not something that anyone enjoysdoing. In these circumstances, having a neutral and experiencedprovider to offer a bit of guidance and support can be a big help. Lotsof HR people are quite rightly terrified of being taken to anemployment tribunal, and we understand that job cuts need to becarefully thought through. Redundancies can affect existing staff just as much as those who areleaving. You've got to leave a good impression. Some people have workedfor the business for many years and have been loyal and committedemployees. Others may have been enticed away from other jobs and arenow in a role that is now being made redundant. In these sorts ofcases, it's really important to handle employees with sensitivity andgive them the right career guidance and job-hunting help to findanother suitable role. We have six main consultants with experience in a number ofdifferent industries, such as law, banking and publishing and we offerexpertise in lots of different areas in the form of one to onecounselling & coaching sessions or small group workshops. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/women-outnumbering-men-in-the-workplace.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/uncategorized/women-outnumbering-men-in-the-workplace.php Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:20:31 UT The Economist this week makes quite an issue of women outnumbering men in the workplace in the USA for the first time: "We did it!". What is so remarkable about this? In many societies, including several in Asia, women have been the main breadwinners for hundreds of years. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/law/i-m-a-lawyer--get-me-out-of-here.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/law/i-m-a-lawyer--get-me-out-of-here.php Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:17:16 UT Despite the recession it's been a busy fewmonths for most of us. The long hours haven't gone away they are justless profitable. And this means for many the pressures of work haveincreased and job satisfaction is moving in the opposite direction.There is less time in the day to practise the law amongst all our otherresponsibilities, and clients expect more and more for less and less. So when you do grab a moment to reflect on things in between themince pies and relatives this festive season, will the prospect ofreturning to the office jungle in the New Year be an exciting one fullof challenges to be overcome and prizes to be won? Or will it feel moreakin to chewing through a meal of antipodean creepy crawlies? Are you missing your colleagues and clients already? Or would you cheerfully send them all into a pit of snakes? We work with many legal professionals who, given a brief respite to consider the future, draw the conclusion .. "I don't know if I want to be a lawyer any more. If partnership is as good as it gets, get me out of here!"The first problem many confront is that they often don't have anyoneto talk to about this - someone who really understands the issues andoptions open to you. Colleagues and HR directors in the firm presentobvious issues in terms of confidentially and ongoing workingrelationships. Family members are supportive but, particularly if youhave reached partnership or a senior role in your firm, can often offerlimited practical advice. Recruitment consultants often want to putsquare pegs back into square holes. One way to overcome that anxiety and be confident in regainingcontrol of your career direction is to talk to a specialist careercounsellor experienced in the law. Having worked with manyprofessionals in this position, we can quickly pinpoint the issueswhich are causing you unhappiness or frustration and provide you with aplan for moving forward. Our starting point is to help clientsunderstand: Your values - what is important to you in your career and outside work Your strengths - technical legal expertise and skills but alsoyour management, commercial and leadership qualities and potential Your key achievements - personal as well as work-related and whatthese reveal about your strengths, motivators and personality Your career needs - what do you want most? What kind of environment do you prefer? And finally, What are your future goals?It is important to remember that the grass is not always that muchgreener on the other side. Training often teaches legal professionalsthe value of caution, and this is a great asset when considering yourfuture. The reality is that the law is a well paid profession in whichyou have invested a lot of time and effort. Do you really want to godown "a few rungs" in the seniority and rewards stakes to start againin a new field? Are you willing to give up aspects of your lifestyleyou currently enjoy? Are you prepared to retrain and take furtherprofessional qualifications? Because of this caution people often feel they have few options butreturn to camp in January and face the next round of bush tucker trialsand avoiding being voted out. But it is important to be positive inyour outlook in reality there are many options open to you: 1) A change of jungle - Practising the law in a different environmentWe do come across individuals who come to us seemingly at the end oftheir patience with the legal world, but who, after an initialdiscussion, clearly do want to stay in the law but simply need to movefrom their existing environment. In an industry which is so diverse interms of the personality of different firms and the roles on offer, thekey to a fulfilling career is often about knowing what kinds of peopleyou want to work with and where you will thrive. The recession hascreated new demand in areas from debt restructuring to divorce.Regulation is increasing in financial services. Getting advice on whatother markets may exist for your legal skills can be the first step toa successful change. A wide range of options also exist to move to a different size ordifferently structured firm, or to find a fresh challenge through amove "in-house", into the public sector, into advocacy or even to thebench. Within some of these fields the degree of change is also vast.Some in-house counsels spend around 95% of their time handling legalissues, others may have a more mixed role spending as little as 25%practising the law. Alternatively you may want the freedom of starting up your ownpractice or reducing your hours. Technological advances mean that youcan work more flexibly, including keeping your career going whilebringing up a young family. 2) Using your legal skills and knowledge to work in a related industryAreas as diverse as banking, publishing and academia offeropportunities to benefit from the skills, experience and even contactsthat you have built up, whilst achieving a significant change in careerdirection. We have successfully helped, for example, a StructuredFinance Partner move to an in-house debt restructuring role with amajor bank and similarly a Head of Litigation in a City law firmtransition to Dean of a Law School. To make this kind of a step strong interpersonal skills, experienceof managing processes and people within organisations, and ademonstrable interest in the new field are musts. We spend a lot oftime helping clients understand exactly what a move to a different butequally demanding role would be like, and whether they a suited to this.3) Get me out of here!If you want to make a complete break the starting point is to build areal understanding of what you do want to do and then look at whetheryou have the skills needed, or the potential to develop it.Psychometrics are useful but more so is the evidence from your workingand personal life to show you can achieve the new challenges. Mostpeople we see can make a significant change in career direction. Itsnot so much about ability, its doI have the will to do this and to go through what it will take to movefrom where I am now to a fulfilling and remunerative job in anothersphere. And when I get there will it be as intellectually stimulatingas legal work?If you are thinking twice about so radical a change what else canyou do? It's not uncommon to feel "trapped" by a difficult situationand not be able to see how to change it. Particularly if you are stilldeveloping your career, it is worth taking time to openly discuss yourcareer issues and thoughts and decide your next steps. . We have helpedclients find a more satisfying and meaningful role in their currentfirm or to buy the time to plan and make a move in a new direction. Thesense of relief they have felt when they can see a way forward waspalpable. The pace of change in the legal sector shows every sign ofcontinuing in the first six months of the New Year. Concerns over joblosses and caution about moving will be common. However the demand forlegal skills will still be there and our clients are getting interviewsand moving into new roles. And so if you really do feel that its time to walk out of the jungleand face Ant and / or Dec, have a think about what else you would liketo do. Don't be frightened to dream. We strongly advocate change in theright circumstance and can equip you with the passion and determinationto become king or queen in a jungle of your choosing in 2010.If you would like to arrange a consultation to discuss your options in2010 please contact Simon Broomer LLB in confidence on 020 3051 1054.Simon is a qualified solicitor who now specialises in careercounselling and career planning for lawyers. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/job-losses/city-job-vacancies---the-true-picture.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/job-losses/city-job-vacancies---the-true-picture.php Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:14:28 UT The Financial Times regularly features a survey of job vacancies produced by the recruitment consultants Morgan McInley. Their latest figures show that new vacancies in the City in September were 3,843, some 8% lower than the August figure of 4,158 vacancies. If you look at the way Morgan McInley reach these figures you will see that they extrapolate them from the vacancies they hold, based on the proportion of the City recruitment market they believe they have. At CareerBalance we contend that the real job market in the City is much more positive. Recruitment consultants only handle around 25% of the available jobs in the UK. This means that the true level of vacancies in the City right now is around 20,000 jobs. The hidden or unadvertised job market is alive and kicking. http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/say-what-you-mean.php http://www.careerbalance.co.uk/blog/cvs/say-what-you-mean.php Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:13:08 UT We have recently been asked to review CVs for several clients. A common failing we come across is vague wording in the CV, particularly in the achievements listed under different jobs the CV. It is not clear what the person did or what the benefits were for their employer. Be concise and precise in your CV so that it is immediately obvious to the reader how you have made a difference. So, instead of "Assessed at management development centres in the UK." put "Used competency-based frameworks to assess over 150 junior managers from business units across the UK to identify future leaders for the company's management development programme." This tells the recruiter not just what you have done but how you have done it, what knowledge and skills you used, and the outcome.