So the holidays are over, the new year has begun and we’re back to work/academia.  For some there will be renewed energy, either in their current work, or to make that change that they’ve been putting off ad infinitum.  There are lots of articles focusing on those people. For many of us though work will seem more a less of a trudge, the same-old-same-old, that … Continue reading Keep on keeping on

At a recent informal managers’ forum I noticed that the discussion wasn’t around strategy, tactics, achievements or success, it was about coping.  The discussions were around managing within the maelstrom of stuff that happens in our VUCA world.  And what were they aiming to achieve?  Happiness? Self-actualisation? No, something that “would do”, that was “OK”, that they were “content” to accept, that were the results … Continue reading Coping to Achieve Contentment

On Wednesday I was in the audience at a conference when my excellent colleagues, Dan & Sarah, presented how Henley Careers helps post-graduate students achieve their career goals.  One of the pillars of the strategy they talked through was Enabling Professional Readiness. But what is Professional Readiness? Is sitting at your desk, twiddling your hair & watching last night’s Love Island on your PC professional? … Continue reading Ready for anything

There are lots of people starting, or about to start, new jobs in new employers.  For some it will be a first job, or at least a first ‘real job’ – which just means the first job on a career path, rather than just a job that pays.I’m mentioning this because the other day I heard someone say that they wouldn’t mix with the receptionist, … Continue reading It’s who you know that counts – who = everyone.

“I wouldn’t have panicked and took the first opportunity that came my way” was the response a current placement student gave me this week when I asked him what he would do differently with respect to his placement year. This is really important advice at this time of the year, and not just for those students at the end of the 2nd year undergraduate degree … Continue reading Don’t Panic

“Please can you look at my CV?” is the phrase that careers consultants hear the most, and if we aren’t careful we’ll think “Oh no, not that again” – but it’s worth considering why it’s the most prevalent question. It could be that that’s the only thing our clients think we do – it’s not, so maybe we need to work harder on messaging. I … Continue reading Oh no, not that again

I’ve always been a bit of an idealist.  Added to that I believe that a policy is there to be complied with.  As a result I’ve often found myself at odds with more pragmatic and non-compliant colleagues – why am I telling you this?  Well, it because of the news yesterday that Gary Cohn has quit his very important job at the White House seemingly because … Continue reading Worth Dying in a Ditch For?

To celebrate National Poetry Day we’ve written a little limerick: Links   Continue reading National Poetry Day