unleashr logo new colour
unleashr logo new colour

career that makes sense

When should you change career, when should you change job?

by
career change

Due to the ongoing pandemic, it‘s maybe not the best time to change your job or career. There is a lot of uncertainty out there at the moment. However, the current situation brought along time to slow down, to mull things over. Is this the time to get prepared for the long–overdue career change or job change? Indeed, things can‘t stay still forever, so use the time on your hand sufficiently to get a step ahead when things get going again.  

Is it time to change career?

So, there comes a day when you wake up just to realize that you really don‘t want to get on with work and go to the office. Is it the people or your work? Maybe you are  completely fed up with the décor in the office? For a brief moment, you would even consider changing your career. Probably not. If you feel that way, the first thing to do is pause and identify what really is at the bottom of feeling like this. 

Human beings are capable of a lot more than they think they are. Their likes and dislikes lie in many places, half of which are left undiscovered. Similarly, when we talk about the aspect of job and career, the choices are unlimited. An engineer may find that the best use of their capabilities is when a city has to deal with flooding, or a doctor may suddenly find the fashion industry very appealing to create a niche for herself.  

To uncover the area of interest, it is important to undergo career change and job change. Career change opens many new doors for us. It introduces us to subject matters which we may have never heard of before but have our best interests in it. Furthermore, it widens our pool of knowledge.   

As exciting as it may sound, career change is not an easy route to take. It calls for a lot of thought. A quite a bit of time is invested in knowing what is best for us. Our lives and within it, our belongings and the things we got used to as part of our lifestyle are at stake.  
There are always implications being attached to our decisions. Things may not always go in the same direction we‘d like them to go.   

Best time to change career or change job  

While taking such a big step, it helps to research the options well and have a thorough think about the potential scenarios. You should know the pros, cons, and implications of your decision. Nothing should be done hastily. Here are a few instances when you should change your career and when you should change your job.  

  • When your goals have changed, and you don’t find it exciting to get up for your work any longer. You keep on running away from your job and find yourself procrastinating more than ever. In the end, you may leave everything to the last minute and lack enthusiasm.  
  • Your values or vision does not resonate with the values or envisioned future of your workplace. Things keep on changing for the worse around you, making you uncomfortable and difficult for others to work with you, or the other way around makes it challenging for you to work with your colleagues.  
  • The beliefs or values of your colleagues create distance between you instead of bringing you together. You face recurring confrontations, and you find it difficult to put forward your views.   
  • There is no long-term growth expected in the job, so you find your motivation gradually diminishing.  
  • Loss of excitement may also happen when the work lacks innovation or development.  
  • With your priorities changing, you want to explore new fields of work. It could be a low–paying job, a start-up, or anything new which may not yield the best results for you in the beginning, but you cannot keep yourself away from it.  

Conclusion  

A specific job, your entire career, or a chosen profession have us dedicate a large chunk of our lives. It is the source of our livelihood, and it shapes our future and helps us develop as human beings. It would help if you dedicated the attention, so it is not to be in vain. You have to consider your options carefully and with due thorough planning. Change can be difficult. Still, the journey to your growth and development will make it worth your efforts in the long run! 

Photo by Andy Makely on Unsplash

How to become an entrepreneur – What videos don’t tell you about developing an entrepreneur mindset

by
become an entrepreneur

Becoming an entrepreneur is no mean feat, despite what is being projected to us on social media. This article is all about enabling entrepreneurs and expertise-business owners to maximize their business’s performance & potential and be more confident & compromise less on their journey to greatness.

Firstly, let us define entrepreneurs

Who do we call entrepreneurs? What are our perceptions of them?

An entrepreneur is someone who runs a business or businesses to generate profit—simple definition enough. Many run a business but cannot be called entrepreneurs, though.

Let me give you an example. Some consultants are freelancers yet run businesses but work in a similar setting as employees, even though with differences in how they manage their work delivery. 

An entrepreneur generates profit by selling products or services, not their time, or through investments.

The locus of control

For sure, entrepreneurs need to have an internal locus of control, which means they believe that they greatly influence how their lives evolve.
They need to be comfortable taking risks, being independent thinkers, and establishing rapport with a wide range of people.
Entrepreneurs are innovative and should be able to recognize business opportunities. With an entrepreneurial mindset, you often need to make quick decisions and take responsibility for the consequences.
You are on a continuous journey of improving your skills, learning and moving on from your mistakes, and acquiring new skills as you go along on your business journey.

In some sense, it is similar to anyone working as an employee, although the level of risk-taking and the combination of the traits and skills I mentioned will be different; because the challenges are different.

Overnight successes and the reality

These traits and characteristics are usually not visible when ‘overnight successes’ appear. If you believe that overnight success is realistic.

Typically, you don’t see what may have gone on in the background: the struggle, the sleepless nights, and the vast amount of work that, eventually, resulted in success.

The image of a duck comes to mind: you don’t see their little feet work frantically underwater as they glide forward on the surface, seemingly effortlessly.

If you haven’t been in business before, the things you have heard made you form a picture in your mind of what it could be like to be your own boss. This idea may be missing the crucial transition process and the experiences you need to become an entrepreneur.
Unless you were born into a family of entrepreneurs, you have to learn how to be one. I am not talking about reading a few popular books. Sure, books help a lot. At the same time, you have to work on yourself, and that transformation or transition will last for years … guaranteed until you become that entrepreneur version of yourself that you dream of.

So, how do we transform from employees to the makers of our own business success?

When you decide to make your move from working for someone else to make your own dream come true, you first go through a pretty exciting phase. During this initial sparkling period, you decide things like business name, how to start, and what you plan to do. It’s all so exciting and fancy, and, gosh, you are a business owner!

Once you are through this thrilling initial phase, there come some pretty weighty decisions about business strategy, the products or services your business will offer. This is the point, usually, when reality hits and the width and depth of knowledge that is required to run a business is starting to dawn on you.

You need to master things like marketing, operations, sales, finance, and so on. You dive into the world of online courses and webinars, networking events and may also subscribe to numerous newsletters. Also exciting stuff. Exhausting too.

Each teaches you something useful. You learn to see that free stuff rarely gives you the secrets that truly make a difference, and you learn to differentiate the value of products and services you pay for.

Being the captain of the ship – becoming an entrepreneur

From the beginning, you may have some helpers, such as virtual assistants or a team around you. Even so, being an entrepreneur may feel like a lonely place to be, and you may feel isolated. Why? Because at the end of the day, you are the captain of that ship. The people you work with help you progress, and you pay them for it. At such times, friends become more important than ever. Sometimes you become friends with people you surround yourself with. Some even become your business partner.

Even so, there will be such a weight on your shoulders, which can break many people and cause them to quit.

Now, before you run for the hills, I am telling you about this because I want to show you the other side of becoming an entrepreneur. And, make no mistake, being an entrepreneur is terrific; the freedom, the limitless opportunities bound only by your talent and skill.

Each job has its specific features, so does being an entrepreneur. The picture that is being painted on social media about entrepreneurship is rather fancy.

Entrepreneurship is fancy

And, yes, of course, there is a fancy side to it all: you are the one calling the shots, have the flexibility of hours, and so on. It is very appealing. However, we must not forget the responsibility of it all.

As an employee,  you went to work, did your job, and got your salary. When you become an entrepreneur, you cannot be sure of getting a paycheck at the end of it all. Even if you do a great job, the market is a tricky thing, and there are so many moving parts.

You live in a more intense world: you must work well at all times, communicate well who you are and what you are on about, and all of this has to be designed to be sustainable while remaining true to yourself.

Furthermore, there are various business strategies that you may want to adopt as you start off. For example, to respond to market demand or to shape your offering. Alternatively, you perhaps have a set direction based on your previous experience and need to validate your direction by checking that there is demand out there for it. This is quite a decision to make at the beginning of your quest to become an entrepreneur.

Let me pause here for a second. There are, of course, other avenues you could take after quitting your job. For example, you could decide to become a freelance consultant.
Would you say it falls into the entrepreneurship category? I am not minded calling freelance consultancy entrepreneurship. Many freelancers got themselves a business, but the business model is very similar to being an employee for many.

Going back to becoming an entrepreneur.

  • How do you make all these individual puzzle pieces of various business knowledge come together?
  • How do marketing, sales, operations, thought leadership, customer service, finance, product development, and working with suppliers and vendors come together? Not to mention the everyday tasks and the focused project management that you need to maneuver through in addition to all of these?

So, the things that you are not told is precisely what I’ve just mentioned. Additionally, it is the transformation you have to go through to change your mindset and thinking, which effectively will change how you make decisions.

Profound mental change

Videos and articles that talk about being an entrepreneur don’t say much about fitting the pieces together and process the myriad of information in your mind within a short space of time. There isn’t much mention about the development that you go through mentally and spiritually when you become an entrepreneur.

Let me give you an example. I have worked with expertise-business owners who started their companies as a way out from the 9 to 5 world. Some did it out of necessity as they lost their jobs. In their case, the transition from being an employee in a corporate environment was slower, and it did slow down their business development. There was a constant internal battle between seeking the lifestyle and customs and paving the new path.

Even though this process itself is natural, its pace, and how difficult it can be, make all the difference.

Naturally, you might say, it is a decision to make. Once you decided, you behave the new way; however, the lingering and memory of the security clashes with the new business’s uncertainty and volatility.

So, even if you are determined and decided on the required behavior alignment, it will take time.

These expertise-business owners have read popular books and even shared their findings and AHA moments on their thoughts about money and wealth; however, they couldn’t internalize the new knowledge until we learned how to turn the switch. Also, adaptability and flexibility evolve in the process.

When you become an entrepreneur, you have no other solution but to move on and get back up after a blow – it’s not an option; it’s an absolute must.

Moreover, you need to recognize that you are the heart and soul of your business and must treat yourself with love – you need to look after yourself mentally and physically. If you are not sound, then your business will suffer.  So, look after yourself to be able to look after your business and make your dream come true!

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Are Women Supporting Each Other at Work?

by
Are women supporting each other at work

I feel that we need to raise awareness about women supporting each other in the workplace. To my mind, women helping women is an unused resource. A resource that, if we all utilize, can further the company we work for and us.

So, how can things get better with collaboration amongst female professionals? 

Before we jump in, let’s take a step back. Discrimination against women in the workplace is, unfortunately, an old story. Women face multiple barriers from getting the job to earning promotions. A lot has been written about how hard women have to work to prove themselves and achieve higher positions. The term, breaking the glass ceiling, was first coined to focus on the hardships women encountered in a male-dominated workplace.  

However, we missed out on how women treat other women. 

Nowadays, various research pieces are also being conducted on how their own tribe members mistreat females. Women are accused of bullying, ill-treating women, and competing with each other.  

Simultaneously, a different set of studies show what females can gain by supporting each other at work. Let us study this latter motion and find out how to move towards a better future — a future where women supporting each other is more widespread. 

 The emergence of women power 

The situation was very tough for the first wave of female executives. They were treated unfairly and had to face disparity in pay packages and other forms of discrimination. Despite these setbacks, women advanced to key leadership positions. They steered up changes that were welcomed by all. And the result? More and more women felt the motivation to join the workforce.  

People, who believed the problem of discrimination would be alleviated by introducing more women into the workforce, were proven wrong. Sadly, most women imitated their counterparts’ leadership style and came across as harsh, mean, and demanding. At the time, it appeared natural, as these women were the first generation of female managers and leaders. They were working in a male–dominated setup and trying to find their foothold. 

Women against women – the other side of discrimination 

The less known side of discrimination is that women bring on almost 40% of workplace bullying. It might feel like the wild wild west of the modern working environment. In some cases, they have a sour relationship with their female colleagues and subordinates. These relationships are devoid of trust and the ability to rely on each other. They often refuse to accept new ideas proposed by their female colleagues. Other females envy the achievements of women. Their same gender colleagues can ridicule women with bold ideas and firm beliefs communicated with confidence. Often derogatory words are used against ambitious women, and their success is attributed to unfair means. In a nutshell, some women are not supporting each other at work. Furthermore, it‘s startling that most women believe this and try to stay away from female colleagues. Some women depend more on their male counterparts than their female co-workers. It‘s a gloomy picture, right?  

 Women competing with women in the workplace 

Well, the good news is that despite all the barriers and hurdles, the participation of women in the workforce is increasing. According to a recent study, 49% of our workforce is made up of women now. They learn their own authentic ways to shine a light on their results and professional expertise and strive to prove the value they create. At the same time, they face another challenge, the challenge of women supporting each other. 

Competition in the workplace is not a new invention. Although, you will hear plenty of stories of women competing with the mindset that they need to bring each other down. This competition is unhealthy as it makes one win by making the other lose. It is also known as covert competition or indirect aggression. Some women find it challenging to see other women getting promotions, experiencing pay hikes, or being recognized.  

What else? Jealousy is another emotion attached to covert competition. A woman may like another woman‘s presentation skills, but they would feel envious of the recognition the other woman receives after the meeting. She may feel threatened by the other person‘s popularity.  

Let‘s take a minute or two to think about why that is so. 

The general belief among people has been, for a while, that women are not supporting each other at work. What if the situation was different? Just think about the numerous initiatives, organizations, projects, or networks women started, seeing women collaborating and helping other women grow. 

Everybody gains when women support each other 

There is great power in collaboration! Women supporting each other not only make us feel great but also increase our chances of success. There is power with the pack, and the more women realize this, the more changes they can bring to the equation. Situations that seem hostile or negative can be turned into positive and encouraging if women support each other at work. 

Then there is a bigger question of gender equality at work. How can we achieve that if we have women bullying women? Collaboration over competition will help women to fight misogyny and overcome gender–related difficulties.  

Benefits of networking and women supporting each other 

According to a Harvard Business Review study, both men and women benefit from having a network of peers. Besides, women stand to gain more in terms of finding better job opportunities and higher pay packages. Women face bias in various forms while trying to climb the ladder of leadership. But having close contact with other women helps them to deal with these hurdles easier. They can benefit from the experiences of women who have already faced bias. You can make better decisions, dare to ask for what you are worth, and offer your unique talents to align with the organization’s goals. 

That‘s right – building your own circle of girls, and having each other‘s back is a great feeling. Having strong professional relationships with peers and supporting each other could help women to advance their careers. Women act as sponsors and mentors to each other, which, in the long run, is beneficial to them as well as the organization. 

Move beyond connection building  

When we attend conferences and training sessions, we also aim to build connections with like-minded people. But what are connections? A stack of business cards? Remember, for long-lasting growth and support, you need relationships and not mere connections. Women need to get out there and create strong working relationships with females from other groups. All this would be possible if you shake off your insecurities and reach out to peers.  

The power in relationships when women supporting each other 

We all know that relationships are powerful in creating feelings of security and dependence. Based on shared interests and goals, these unique connections could propel you to be even more successful at work. Imagine the reassuring feeling you get when you are in an environment where you can meet other women, share your experiences, and expand your horizon. It‘s a lot of fun and an opportunity to release stress, something that women professionals desperately need. Thus, women leaders must encourage relationship building with other females. Mentoring, coaching, and networking are tools that can promote healthy relationships between female co-workers. 

Build each other up  

This is an excellent idea! When you help others to rise, you shine. Building each other up is a way of promoting a friendly environment where people get their due credit. When someone does a great job, congratulate them, share it with others, and encourage others to try harder. When you build each other up, you motivate even more women to join and strengthen your tribe. This is the best way to fight gender–related difficulties and ensure your work is seen and appreciated. Together, you can ask for transparent policies, equality in pay packages, and other benefits.  

Collaborate, don‘t compete with each other 

Why do women compete with other women? When good opportunities are scarce, if a woman fears that her efforts will go unnoticed or she will not be compensated for her hard work, she will try to compete hard and grab the ‘prize.’ However, when you look at it from the opposite point of view, you will see abundance and not scarcity. Collaborating will make it easier for you to get the coveted position. Working together has other benefits, too: creating a better workplace environment, developing relationships based on trust and dependence, and enjoying your work. 

Grow along with others 

I have mentioned above how the first generation of women leaders imitated their male counterparts in leading teams and delivering results. It was observed that the subsequent women leaders moved away from this practice and used their unique skills to motivate others. They are more empathetic, value work-life balance, focus on teamwork, nurture talents, and are strong communicators. Women leaders can handle crises well. They panic less and are good at multi-tasking. These qualities make women leaders more successful and contribute to the growth of organizations. Having leaders who collaborate will have a positive effect on the work culture. Companies that have more women leaders at the top have a positive brand image in the market too. 

Women supporting each other 

It sounds great to have friends at work, doesn‘t it! When you know you have someone to turn to or ask for advice, you become more self-dependent. Collaboration, a friendly atmosphere, and fewer gender gaps bring out the best in employees. So, start seeing the change when women supporting each other becomes more frequent and see how you move ahead towards your goal collectively. Bring about the change, be the change, and find the world changing around you! 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Are Professional Women the Victims of our Society?

by
Are Professional Women the Victims of our Society

Women of society are bringing glory to the nation. Still, it is striking to see how professional women have been marginalized in some vocations, ignoring the benefits of gender diversity. Do social roles determine who we are and what we can achieve in life? Could it be that external factors limit our ability to live our lives the way we want to? We are looking to answer these questions and shed light on some of the hurdles professional women may come across.

Gender Equality and Professionalism

‘For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts’– cited from a former president’s second inaugural speech. The world is still contemplating these words quite a few years later.

This question of equal pay for all has been a debatable issue for some… And an eye-opener for many in the past few years. Many countries have been democratized, and they granted equal right to vote to everyone, irrespective of their gender. Still, somehow, the same rights are not given to everyone at the workplace. And nothing can be more disappointing for the countries than failing to recognise the effort of all members of the society equally.

In a report by CNN, US soccer claimed that it would not pay women soccer players equally because being a male player requires more ‘skill and responsibility’. Although American women have had far more success in football than their counterparts, the team has been subjected to this ‘sexist stereotype’. Unsurprisingly, professional women could relate to this, no matter what job they have got.

This example is just one situation where professional women have been subjected to gender discrimination. Also, people may have questioned them about their ability to perform, instead of benefiting from promoting gender diversity. However, this is not the first time that this has happened. Reportedly, far more troubling cases of discrimination, violence against women has happened around the world during the past few years. In contrast, the world remains quiet about these atrocities.

The hurdles of professional women

When we talk about professional women, we usually don’t look at what goes into achieving that status. Competition for these women is not limited to the test exams and interviews. It goes far beyond those lines: fighting social stigma, societal boundaries, family pressure, discrimination, and the stress of being a woman.

Is This a Man’s World?

Success is a complex word, apparently biased towards the male gender in most cases. We could all name men being famous and popular the world over. But can you, as easily, think of professional women being praised for their achievements on such a large scale? For one, have you heard of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf? Although she left a mixed legacy behind, she has undeniably helped to maintain peace in Liberia. She also promoted the improvement of livelihoods and safeguarding of women of her country. A victim of domestic violence, an international bank executive, and a Nobel prize winner.

In some cultures, people consider a woman’s prestige only when she keeps quiet and nods at every decision that the man makes. When she raises her voice against injustice and tries to put up against the dominating male the perception changes. When she voices her powerful opinion, she becomes an arrogant, selfish, and vindictive woman.

Nevertheless, although this has been a challenge for women, you will find them protecting their voice and rising to the trials that it brings. Undoubtedly, this is what makes them gain respect, love, and admiration at a much broader level. Professional women in such cultures may make efforts to overcome patriarchy, societal boundaries and the limitations placed on their talents. They will step up as powerful, strong women who are ready to take on the world. Women has proved this strength on many occasions.

Professional Women and Responsibility

Professional women have always been an inspiration to grow, thrive and achieve. Think of India’s Lakshmibai, Pakistan’s Malala, America’s Michelle Obama or Finland’s Sanna Marin.

The extra load that the boss wants to be done by the end of the night… The child whose homework has to be submitted the next morning… And a husband who is tired after a day’s work… These challenges rarely make a woman stumble. And before you know, she’s done with her work because that’s how they are made to function.

Professional Women and Responsibility

Photo by Philip Toledano

Indra Nooyi

Indra Nooyi – Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty Images

Indra Nooyi, an Indian American Business executive and former CEO of PepsiCo, has continuously ranked amongst the top 100 most powerful women. Nevertheless, in an interview, she told of an incident. It occurred with her mother after she had been declared the President of the Board of Directors. Her mother said that the moment she enters the house, she is a wife, a mother, and a daughter-in-law and that she should leave the crown in the garage.

This incident brings out one of the biggest challenges that professional women face: no matter what women’s role ultimately comes down to managing the household.

What Does it Take to be a Professional Woman?

A woman’s sacrifice often goes unnoticed by society. In fact, a woman’s whole life may revolve around sacrifices. Furthermore, after a certain point, the difference between happiness, choice and sacrifice becomes a blurred line, until only sacrifice remains.

Leaving the home that she grew up in to create a new nest with someone else… Giving up on dreams just because the family disapproved… Letting go of a job opportunity because it demanded time and she had to be home… Resigning her job because she has a child at home to look after. Sacrifices that no one acknowledges and which may go overlooked.

Living the Life of Professional Women

We have talked about successful, professional women and their role in society. Many others have achieved similar heights or are capable of achieving something outstanding with some support and means.

Trying to work as an independent person, supporting the family or just for pursuing a passion has never been easy. The struggle is real for every woman who is trying to create an identity in the world… For women who are set to bring about a change in this society and make it a better place for all women. For example, women may not get a job just because it is presumed that they would not be able to invest themselves entirely in their work. This discriminating, stereotypical belief may pose challenges to most professional women, irrespective of their field of expertise. 

Despite these shortcomings, you will find professional women who work 18 hours a day, professional women who did not marry to pursue their career. The fight against biases and discrimination is endless; although we have come a long way in this race of equal rights, we still have a long way to go.

The responsibility 

At the same time, you must remember: we all are the makers of our own faith. Therefore, we must take an active role in deciding how our life unfolds. It’s our choice what we allow and what we decline to be part of our journey. We must recognise that the way we choose to live our lives affects the lives of the generations after us. So, finding our inner strength and voice is not only a potential but a far-reaching RESPONSIBILITY.

Empowered Women

Women are one of the main pillars of society and its existence. It is time that you wake up to your dreams, overcome your fear and defeat the demons that are trying to hold you back from achieving the heights of success.

The moment you give up your fears, the moment you embrace your womanhood in all its glory, you give way to a life that you have always dreamt of. Remember, the moment you decide to step up to what you believe in, you will find help from all walks of life. There is always help and support out there. It may just help you find an easier way out of these situations with the right tools and mechanisms.

The moment you decide to help yourself, you will find strength and power to grow and motivation to live the life you have always wanted. You are not alone in this battle; there are millions of others on this planet who are going through the same transformation. Help, support, and justice are just a few courageous steps away.

Speak, talk, let others know of how strong you are, and maybe your story can become someone else’s inspiration. If we all unite in this battle of rights, we can make this world a better place for the next generations. Remember, it is our responsibility to live a life that is based on our own decisions and preferences as empowered, strong, professional women, and not to fall the victim of society.

Photo by Mateus Campos Filipe on Unsplash

Beat the 4 factors which make many professionals leave their jobs

by
decision-makin techniques article cover image

If you are working in an office environment, you will most likely agree that building a career is not just about expertise in your professional field. Personal and social skills increasingly weigh in.

We are working in teams and maintain sometimes virtual relationships with others across the pond. Additionally, various leadership styles influence the company culture differently.

We can all read about which leadership behaviours team members are looking for. When we building a career  all we want is 

– to be valued,

– have the opportunity to grow, and

– and to keep a healthy work-life balance.

According to a study involving 30 countries, the leadership practices of an effective leader include:

– Providing guidance and defining objectives

– Communicating the expectations often and with clarity

– Listening to ideas and new approaches

– Openness to change their minds

– Helping team members to grow

These leadership practices influence the areas, where leaders can fall short according to studies, including one summarised in the Harvard Business Review years ago. Such as not

– giving clear direction;

– securing time to meet employees;

– recognising progress and achievements, and taking credit for others’ work;

– offering constructive feedback or criticism.

Even though the study was concluded years ago, the progress has not much been visible in the recent years.

But how is this all related to building a career? Great question.

For one, you may also be a leader, perhaps in the near future.

The reason I decided to highlight these factors is that most of us start as team members and we develop our professional skills, meet the expectations of our leaders and do our work in the environment shaped by the leaders, too.

Being on the other end of

– the lacking attention, or

– favouritism,

– slogan culture, or

– lack of follow through on commitments or promises is not a pleasant place to be. Also, it won’t help building a career in any industry.

However, understanding the potential reasons for such behaviours can help you help your leader and yourself to move your career forward. Knowing the reasons, you will be able to decide on and implement a corresponding action.

Lack of attention and listening

How lack of attention can block building a career?

– The boss doesn’t talk to you often, or not at all. Yes, it is true, there are managers out there who prefer emailing or instant messaging to their team members instead of talking to them, even on the phone.

– Your line manager sparingly shares information relevant to your work with you.

– The line manager does not listen to your opinion.

– You receive new tasks one after another, but there is no recognition of the results.

Potential reasons your boss acts like this.

– Your boss does not understand what information you need to know.

– The line manager struggles to handle the complexity or the office politics around them, become overwhelmed and spend most of their energy to keep afloat.

– They feel more secure making the decisions themselves.

What you can do

You cannot change the political games or the complexity when you are building a career, but can reduce it at your level. If your boss needs support and you have the information and insight, your boss is going to listen. All you have to do is to make it relatable for your manager.

Many line managers choose to avoid risks. That includes giving a chance to their team members in high visibility projects. Naturally, ambitious professionals are hungry for such projects.

Get involved in smaller projects and prove yourself in the field, show your capabilities gradually to your boss.

Favouritism

How do you know your boss has favourites?

– One or some of the colleagues at work are subject to little or no scrutiny for their low or lower performance.

– Your boss does not comment on the lack of adherence to the dress code, or if one team member is late from work repeatedly, while others receive feedback.

– The best projects go to the same person or people again and again.

– There is an open-door policy for some.

– Professional development or participation in networking events are exclusive to some.

Potential reasons for favouritism

– There is a well-oiled machine already in place, a smaller group of team members have been working in the company for long together, the boss has not adapted to the new situation and did not figure out how to involve the new ones yet.

– Or there is a friendship or family ties between the boss and the “favourite”.

– Company culture allows it.

What you can do

In case you work in a culture which tolerates, or even encourages favouritism, the best is to decide whether you want to accept it or you look for another job.

If you join a team where members formed close relationships, there is a chance for you to integrate. Such a team proved the members can relate to each other. Once you learn the rules of the team, you can choose how to align to those informal rules and with time you are going influence the rules, too.

Family ties are different and even though sometimes family members might agree with each other to show care and keep the peace, no business owner works against their business and no manager prefers solutions that do not help them achieve their goals, so you have a good chance to convince them about your ideas and work toward the position you aim for.

Favouritism is one of the frequent reasons talented professionals leave teams and companies.

But the situation is not hopeless. If you decided to join a company, you most likely did not plan for two months and wanted to add and get value out of your time there.

– Concentrate on your performance and development. Do not let favouritism have a negative impact on you. Behave normally.

– Communicate both your results and your ambitions to your boss. Define what you want to achieve, so it becomes clear to both you and your boss what you are aiming for and working toward. This way it will all be measurable, and commitments will also be clear from the beginning.

– Build relationships. Leave your bitterness out of the equation because results will serve you, if not in that specific team, in another. Every effort you make is for your own good and professional progress. Read more about why supportive relationships are enablers to a more successful life.

Working in a slogan culture

What is a slogan culture?

Managers are using slogans in their communications more often than you would think.

To ensure people align with the business strategy, organisations introduce phrases to represent core messages. Such phrases can become slogans.

Add to this the slogans coming from the management literature and you will understand how difficult it is for professionals to avoid speaking in slogans.

Slogan culture is a step beyond repeating messages that flow top-down in the company. It means the organisation tolerates people repeating popular buzzwords and the lack of performance or low performance. Living on slogans has another impact. As a new idea comes along, another slogan becomes popular. The organisation can end up changing projects regularly and confusing people.

Potential reasons behind a company supporting buzzwords and failing to concentrate on results

Initially, I must tell you that no business can survive on buzzwords.

Perhaps, particular teams or leaders tolerate one or more individuals to keep afloat parroting for a while, however such a behaviour has an expiry date. Falling numbers surface rapidly.

Slogan culture can find roots in a team because of leadership behaviours. As a root cause, there is potentially a disconnect between the company strategy and execution, or the company is not clear on the direction, or its place on the market.

What you can do

– Find the core message behind the buzzwords and act according to the spirit of the messages. There will be mentors who look for the performance.

– Be yourself and think about your long-term goals. You are not a leaf flying in either direction depending on the wind. Flexibility is important because there will be changing priorities. But a business’s direction does not change monthly. Look for the patterns.

– Buzzwords have a place in communications but not in the world of actions. Action means, there is a tangible outcome. Go for achieving results and making an impact.

– Remember, if your gut tells that you are a misfit, you are one for sure. Think about alternatives.

Failing to follow through

Lack of proof of performance

That becomes most visible. Lack of results or the outcome coming together slowly. You can also recognise there are many projects running parallel without even one showing results.

Team members talk a lot about such projects, one meeting follows another but there is no output. There is no measurement of the progress or definition of quality and expectations.

People do not feel inspired even though the atmosphere is pleasant.

You want to proceed but there is always another hoop to jump through. Decision making is slow. Even though slow decision making is not a direct cause of the lack of follow through, it can suggest people in the organisation struggle to take risks and responsibility. In such an environment, delayed tracking of progress appears more often.

Potential causes of not following through

– Lack of direction from the leadership and lack of attention to running the business overall.

– The business is performing really well because it has a superb product or service offering and operational problems are not efficiently handled because the focus is on sales.

– They do not motivate your line manager or the supervisory layer of the organisation to drive performance.

– Your manager, potentially most of the leaders are so overloaded with work, they cannot simply follow up on everything.

What you can do

– Concentrate on your performance, your deadlines, and your delivery. You work for your own progress and not to please your boss.

– If your boss is not motivated, find out how you can help them find that mojo again. Of course, it is not your responsibility to motivate your line manager, but helping them will help you, too. Also, think about your motivation, so you can avoid burnout.

– Find other mentors in the organisation and align yourself with high performers.

From the above you see, there is no limit to your progress when you building a career. Once you are clear on the problem, you can decide on the action and will find a solution. Show tenacity and you will succeed.

Click to read more about how women keep their career on track.

8 Careers at Which Extroverts Excel

by
8 career paths for extroverts

When thinking about the career paths for extroverts, you must consider your academic qualifications, the compensation you are seeking, and the future job outlook for your chosen career. Most people forget your personality is always a consideration. 

It is very important for you to consider whether you are an introvert or an extrovert when thinking about choosing a career path. To find out click here: How different personality types can help you be more successful.

This will get you a career that fits and one in which you will not only be comfortable but also excel.

Career experts indicate the level of confidence you have at your job affects your productivity and your satisfaction at the job. Good career paths for extroverts would be where they must interact regularly with the public. Outgoing people can give speeches and network with other business professionals. Introverts are much more comfortable with solitary positions that keep them out of the public eye.

The following is a list of 8 career paths for extroverts.

1. Event Planner

Event planners are responsible for organizing events. They are responsible for planning, organizing, and managing the entire event from conception to clean-up and conclusion. They make various events happen, including corporate conferences, weddings, celebrity shows, and meetings. In addition, they coordinate with many other professionals from hospitality and transportation, among others, to make the event fruitful. It is the job of the event planner to talk to their clients and get a picture of the expectations they have for the event. It is then the planner’s job to bring that vision into reality.

Once the event is in motion, an event planner has a lot of coordination to do to make sure all the guests are taken care of during the event. Food, music, and equipment are a few things event managers must oversee during events. Therefore, this job is ideal for extroverts because it requires extensive contact with the public. Furthermore, extroverts are also better at negotiating with clients and vendors to make sure the event goes off without a hitch.

2. Public Relations Specialist

As the name suggests, the work of the public relations specialist is to mend or preserve the image that the public has about an individual or organization. It is their aim to ensure the public has the best image of the client. They do this through media and communications. Public relations specialists may work in the government, the financial sector, healthcare facilities, or any other industry that focuses on presenting a positive public image.

You can tell this job has a lot of interactions with different people from diverse backgrounds. This can be well done by extroverted people, owing to their ability to communicate effectively with diverse groups of people. This can be a good career choice for you if you are an extrovert.

3. Human Resources Specialist

The human resource department deals directly with company/employee relations. They do all the hiring and terminations. They manage any employee benefit or retirement programs. If an employee must be reprimanded, it’s the human resources department that handles it. The experts in this field play an important role in running the company or the organization. Since they deal with people, extroverts are the best fit for this job. They can apply their ability to communicate to understand the best candidates for job placements. They can also communicate well with employees, owners, and managers.

4. Teacher

It is important to be able to establish a connection to people if you are in the teaching field.  This is the one thing that extroverts are good at. Extroverts make great teachers because of their ability to communicate information and ideas to students. If you want a career where you can show off your personality, teaching may be ideal for you.

5. Nurse

The primary trait nurses exhibit is the ability to interact with and ensure the comfort of their patients. It is their responsibility to give care to patients, not only in hospitals but also in many other places. You can make a good nurse if you are outgoing and ready to initiate communication.

6. Financial advisor

The financial sector is one of the great career fields for extroverts to work. Working as a financial advisor, you must have a thorough understanding of the finance industry. This includes understanding how investments, taxes, and insurance work. If they do not have a thorough understanding of the industry, they cannot effectively advise clients. Their works involves working closely with clients and managers to explain their findings and advise appropriately. Good communication and the ability to answer questions are some skills required here, besides having analytical capabilities and being good with numbers.

7. Physical Therapist

This job involves working with patients whose sickness or injury has made them less mobile. A physical therapist is trained to help patients restore movement and reduce the pain they feel. It can take significant time to achieve this goal; they must be able to relate with their patients first. This is important since the patients can be different ages. Unless you are good at breaking the ice, you cannot be a good physical therapist.

8. Lawyer

Do you have a passion in legal matters and believe you can argue your points effectively? If you are an extrovert, then becoming a lawyer should be among your career choices. Your work would include representing organizations, government agencies, businesses, or individuals in a court of law. You will give your clients legal advice when they need it. You also must be prepared to defend clients in court if they face prosecution or need to sue someone. Extroverts make great lawyers.

There are a wide range of career paths for extroverts. They can fit in the most sought-after fields of medicine, finance, communication, law and many others. Because they are good at handling themselves in public and have excellent interpersonal communication skills, they can quickly adapt to most social situations; this helps them advance more quickly in their chosen career fields. Before choosing any jobs above ask these 8 Questions to ask yourself to know which career fits.

If you’re an extrovert share with us which career field did you find your job? How being an extrovert helps you to excel in this field? Leave your reply below.

Curious about jobs for different personality types? Read 11 Top Jobs for Introverts.

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

Changing your career – This isn’t me, but what is me then?

by

3-min read

Find the career right for you in 4 steps

Would you believe if I told you that in the UK 47% of people considered a career change according to a survey involving 1000 people, conducted a couple of years ago by the London School of Business and Finance?  55% of the survey population working in London planned to switch careers in two years.

According to a report published by the U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics this year, the median number of years that workers had been with their current employer was 4.2 years in January 2018. This number suggests that workers may switch jobs at least 10 times during their lifetime.

Naturally, not all of these job changes lead to a career change, and although changing careers has its benefits, people tend to wait at least one or two years before making the decision and the necessary steps.

Some consider a career change due to financial necessity, or because they feel burnout, others realise that the professional field they work in no longer gives them the job satisfaction they are looking for. Recognising the lack of appreciation or that something is wrong is the first step and usually, the easiest one to take. That doesn’t mean it is easy, it only says that introducing a change of that magnitude requires more thought and effort.

When job dissatisfaction can be linked to circumstances in the workplace, often the real reason is the misalignment with personality or the passion that drives one forward. Finding the work that makes us happy is the mission if we wish to see our mission in a job. Answer these 8 Questions to know which career fits to you to help make your choice easier.

We all know that a job that enables self-actualisation increases the level of engagement and commitment. Although self-actualisation means something different to each of us. And because it is so different, the way how people choose to switch careers is also different.

Recognising that we are not in the right place at the right time is indeed not a pleasant experience. The doubts, disappointment over the lost time and opportunities can be exhausting, and it takes time to recover and start planning. It feels like getting back to the drawing board.

Now you can imagine, what it is like sitting at your desk or at a table in your favourite cafe in front of a blank sheet of paper.

What can you do? You already know that the job you were or are still doing is not you. It is just not you. What direction should you take?  Such a decision will have an impact on your life for many years to come.

  • Should you be cautious or more adventurous?
  • Should you jump right into the job ads and look for the job that sounds the best or should you research various professional fields?
  • How will you be successful in a job interview in an area you are not familiar with?
  • Do you need time for a transition or should you leave your job right now and search for the new one?
  • Should you make the decision or ask your friends and family? What will your family say? Will they be supportive of you or will they encourage you to stay in the profession you already know?

These are just a couple of questions you may ask of yourself in such a situation. Even though others’ opinion can be distracting, it is worth asking around and gather information. Increasing your knowledge about the labour market in fields you feel close to you is excellent preparation.

It is not the first step I would suggest though.

Based on conversations with people from all walks of life in various industries, I can tell you that the very first step to take is to look into yourself.

#1 Find out what makes you tick

Is it helping other people, or generating ideas? Is it making things work better or analysing information and summarising the conclusions? Is it giving advice to decision makers or making the decisions yourself? Do you like to oversee multiple processes and steps or to focus on a single area and dig deep so you can be an expert of that particular field?

Do you prefer working with people or systems? Are you a team player or an individual contributor who excels at generating results and enjoys reaping the benefits alone? Do you feel charitable with your time and efforts or get excited when you imagine counting the money coming in.

#2 Find out which jobs give you the shivers

Understand the labour market information and make a list of all the roles that tick the boxes. You already know what you are looking for, you just don’t see the matching job title yet. Look for job ads and information about the various professional careers on the internet. Talk to your friends or find new friends and connections in the area of your interest. Engage in conversations which help you better understand the characteristics of the jobs you are interested in doing in the future. Find a community of people thinking about a career change. Talk to a career coach.

#3 Build your path

Once you have a list of at least five roles that tick the boxes, list what education, skills and capabilities are needed. Find out what the entry level requirements are for that professional field and gather all your existing experiences, knowledge and skills. Select the transferable skills and list them. Find out how you can use these transferable skills to balance any educational requirements.

Make a decision on what you have and what you need to develop and plan time for developing the necessary knowledge and skills.

  • Do you need to start a new school?
  • Can you afford it?
  • How long will it take?
  • Do you think you have the strength to pull through years of education or will you go for a course and build yourself up from there?

#4 Walk your path with confidence

By now you know what your passions are, you know more about your personality and what fits in your life and with your style. You planned and made calculations. You had your milestones and predicted the challenges.

Now comes the journey. Believe in yourself and celebrate every little success when you get the chance. Keep your eye on the ball and prepare to be adaptable to the changes that come into your way. But most of all be true to yourself along the way. For keeping yourself on the road check these Ways how self-awareness helps your career progress.

Visualization techniques – 5 ways how visualization can help you to advance your career

by
Visualization

Visualization techniques are powerful tools you can use to combat stress, anxiety, and anger. They can help you learn how to channel and change negative emotions into positive ones. Visualization techniques can also help you reach your career goals because they help you to keep focused and to recharge your batteries. They also make you more aware of how you feel about certain events in your life. Furthermore, these techniques increase your confidence and improve your interpersonal skills. The good effects just keep on coming!

So, how do you visualize?

The steps of visualization techniques can be quite simple. First, you need to feel relaxed. Find a comfortable place to sit or to lie down and close your eyes. When you close your eyes, you block out all the visual information that your brain is receiving. As a consequence, you can concentrate on what is going on inside you.

Focus on your breathing for a couple of minutes. While you inhale, imagine that positive energy rejuvenates you and makes you feel awesome, as your breath is entering and flowing through your body. As you slowly exhale, imagine all stress and negativity from every part of you, leaving your body. Try not to think about anything other than the good energy you breathe in and the negative thoughts you breathe out. When you feel you can’t take in any more positive energy and have let all negativity leave your body, open your eyes.

The next step of the visualization technique is to picture success. Think of an accomplishment that you desire, for example, a promotion or finishing the IRONMAN competition. Or, getting your accountancy certificate, or perhaps saving enough money to travel to Miami, or change your life completely and start a new career.

When you are picturing your success, you may want to close your eyes again. Imagine your way to achievement as a journey. Picture in your mind the situations which have already occurred and also those which may occur in the future with your career leading to the success you desire.

See the challenges ahead of you and select one which you would like to deal with today. You may find useful at this point looking at Ways how self-awareness helps your career progress. Imagine in your mind how the challenge will present itself, and also picture yourself going confidently through the day ahead. How are you going to come up with a solution to solve the problem? Imagine yourself as you solve it, or as you direct others to execute your idea. See the project completed and feel the pride of success. This will help you act more confidently in the real world.

The final step is to open your eyes slowly. Continue being aware of your breathing. Hold the peace and calm you achieved applying the visualization techniques. Keep in your mind the focus on success that you are manifesting in your life. Hold these two things with you as you navigate your day.

You may repeat this quick relaxation and visualization until you solve the situation. Then concentrate on meeting the next challenge until you feel you achieved the success as you defined it for yourself.

How to use visualization techniques to help you to advance your career

  1. Visualization helps focus your mind

Visualization techniques can help you focus your mind. Take your time to visualize your goals and determine what you need to do to meet them. Take a few moments each day and sit quietly. Clear your mind. Focus on your breathing and relax. Once you feel relaxed and calm, begin to visualize what you need to accomplish that day.

Think about the beginning of your day and decide what you will do right after waking up in the morning and what you will do next. If you are fed up with writing lists, and feel overwhelmed during the day, find a quiet corner, sit down, calm yourself. Imagine then all the tasks you have to accomplish during the afternoon as little bubbles around your head. You can color them the way you want and decide what their texture should be. The more important ones may be larger than the others, and the more urgent ones, perhaps orange or even red in color. Concentrate on the large and red ones and put the rest into a basket for tomorrow. If you think you have too many large or red bubbles, you need to think your life and accountabilities over, because you probably have taken on more than you can bear.

  1. Visualization gives clarity to your day ahead

If you apply visualization techniques before work, it can help you focus clearly on the tasks ahead for the day. This can help you figure out in advance what you need to do to handle those duties most effectively and most efficiently. Your effectiveness at work should improve, and you should feel much calmer and less anxious because you have already anticipated what was to come and made a plan to address each challenge. Relaxation and visualization can greatly reduce your stress level at work.

  1. Visualization techniques calm you when you are stressed

Use visualization techniques to calm yourself when you are at work, and things get stressful. Just take a minute and sit at your desk. Close your eyes. Clear your mind and think of being somewhere relaxing. This place can be where you spent your holiday last summer, or a place you dream of traveling to. Or it can simply be a bench in the park near your home. Stay there for a moment or two. Open your eyes, and you will feel calmer.

This is a quick exercise you can do at your desk in 5 minutes. Afterward, you will find your mind clear and focused. You will be seen as being cool, calm, and collected under pressure. Your line manager will notice it, and you may find promotional opportunities opening up for you.

  1. Visualization helps prepare for important meetings

This is the same visualization technique that is used for focusing your mind but applied slightly differently. You still sit, close your eyes, control your breathing, and clear your mind. Now, do your presentation in your head. You can also do this by reading it aloud. Try to look at it as if you heard it, not read it. If it does not make sense, make changes, and adapt your presentation. The presentation should go perfectly well when you imagine it, and everyone will provide you with positive feedback and helpful guidance.

Now open your eyes, remember the positive feeling about a successful presentation. Think about what you did right in your visualization, and keep that in mind during the presentation. You will go into the meeting, feeling calm and confident in your success.

  1. Relax and visualize before confronting another employee

When things get stressful at work, avoid making an emotional reaction in front of your bosses or colleagues. Take a moment to calm yourself. If someone has said something to upset you, take three deep breaths, in and out, or count to ten slowly. To me, it works when I start the count at ten and decide that by the time I am reaching one, I will be calm again.

Close your eyes and think about what you would like to say and how you think the discussion will go. At first, even this imaginary discussion may get heated in your mind. Next, think about what you would like to achieve. Then select those parts of your pictured discussion which help you achieve what you need. Try to determine the best outcome. Open your eyes, breathe slowly; it will help you be calmer, and address the problem rationally rather than emotionally.

As you adopt this practice into your daily life, you will find your general attitude begins to change. You will act and feel more self-confident. You will be more organized and more efficient at work. Furthermore, you will be able to reach your goal quicker because you have really taken the time to think about what you want to accomplish.

As things in your career develop and change, so will your goals and plans. Visualization techniques are flexible. You can use them in all aspects of your life to help you stay cool, calm, and collected. You will have the skills necessary to be flexible to change the course of your life, step by step. The next step to take is The psychology of positive thinking.

Photo by Tiago Felipe Ferreira on Unsplash

11 Top Jobs for Introverts

by
jobs for introverts article cover image

What are the best jobs for introverts? The belief that you need to be an outgoing entrepreneur and good at public speaking to make it in the world of business is a thing of the past. This is not to imply that having such attributes will not get you places. The point is that it is not a necessity.

Introverts are making strides in different careers. All you really need to survive in the workplace are some good customer service skills. Also, be able to contribute to a team effort. Who are introverts? How different personality types can help you be more successful – The introverts I.

Introverts enjoy having time to themselves. When they need some time to work on a creative solution to a problem, they may prefer doing that on their own. Networking and being good at public speaking can come later. You do not need those attributes up your sleeves to make it in today’s workforce.

Here are 11 jobs for introverts:

1. Laboratory technician

Most of the time you will find yourself in setting up experiments, or collecting and analysing samples. You will also be recording and presenting data and ordering and controlling stock. You could work in areas like forensic science, scientific analysis, the health service and education. Furthermore, you could help diagnose diseases, measure pollution, develop products or use specialised medical techniques. Most lab work is solitary or requires minimal interaction with others. A place an introvert can feel right at home.

2. Accountant

If you are interested in business, have a solid understanding of math and good organisational skills, accounting can be just the job for you. You will spend the better part of your day dealing with figures and invoices rather than people. Accountants check and maintaining the financial records of the organisation, examining financial documents or dealing with tax issues. You will be in your office, either in an accountancy or at home, most of the time. You have less time to interact with others if you are an accountant.

3. Film or video editor

The video editor works behind the scenes and makes sure that the final production, movie or video is a coherent project that incorporates the storyline and work of the actresses and actors. You may read the scripts to understand the storyline. You will work together with producers, actors and the crew regarding the script and director’s goals.

Sometimes you do not even need to work in a studio; you could set up a home office and work from there. You will probably spend most of your time with your computers and editing software. This work will require a quiet room and solitude to perform one of the best jobs for introverts.

4. Social media manager

Unlike the common belief that introverts are not social, they thrive in social media platforms. Virtual socialization is more comfortable for introverts than physical interaction with others. As a social media manager, you will manage social media marketing campaigns, including day− to− day activities such as creating content, monitoring or responding to users in social media. Furthermore, if you have such skills, you could do well as a social media manager and make a lot of money while you are at it. This is a very rapidly growing career field and social media managers are in high demand.

5. Technical Writer

There are jobs for introverts, if they are good at distilling technical information from the internet, consider a career as a technical writer. This will mean that you may be involved in the design and implementation of instruction manuals, journal articles or other supporting technical documentation, or in the translation of complex technical information for others. You may also gather and disseminate technical information among customers, designers and manufacturers, and will spend a significant amount of time surfing the internet, conducting research and coming up with conclusions.

6. Graphic Designer

When creativity is coupled with being an introvert, you can make a good graphic designer and the opportunities are endless. Even as a junior graphics designer, you can be involved in the creation of posters and leaflets, social media design, web banners or communications materials. You will need to find ways of bringing together different designs and colours to produce what clients need. Through your communication with the clients you will aim to understand their needs. However, after that, it will be you with your computer and talent doing what you well.

7. Animal Care Assistant

If you have a love for animals and would like to be around them all day long, you may consider working as an animal care assistant. Such jobs are available in pet stores, animal charities and shelters or in veterinary hospitals. With dedication and willingness to learning, you may even become a veterinary assistant or a veterinarian. Working with animals can be very rewarding and at the end of the day you will feel energised.

8. Librarian

Next on the jobs for introverts list is a librarian. Many introverts have found their way by reading lots of books. This may lead to a growing love for books and, if that is the case, you may want to work in a library. Being a librarian will challenge you to improve your organisational skills. Also, you will learn how to manage your own time effectively and prioritise work. Your job will mostly be placing or packing books as well as offering them to readers. In addition, while you may need to interact with a few people, you will play an important role in helping people love books more.

9. Court Reporter

Although court reporters work in the midst of other individuals, they don’t have to interact with many. People don’t notice reporters who sit in the courtroom, spending most of their working hours attending court sessions and listening carefully to everything that’s said. Their main role nowadays is to supervise the recordings made by technology. We all know that technology isn’t always reliable, therefore they need to read the transcripts through to correct and edit any mistakes and produce a final copy after the court session. This amounts to an overall responsibility of ensuring that records exist and can be easily read and understood in the manner in which it was originally spoken.

10. Data Entry Analyst

Data entry involves almost any data and the emphasis is on the work; your interaction will cover the understanding of the job itself and the deadlines. Moreover, your client or employer will provide you with the data and information that should be entered and will measure your performance based on the work delivered. Data entry activities can be performed from home, which might be very helpful if you struggle to keep your work− life balance or juggle home, work and the kids. One of the best jobs for introverts.

11. Market Research Analyst

If you have strong analytical and IT skills, the creative ability to make data interesting for people who aren’t experts, problem− solving skills, accuracy and attention to detail, you may excel as a market research analyst. Also, your daily tasks will include collecting data and checking the quality of the information collected. Furthermore, identifying and applying various research methods, analysing the data using statistical tools and techniques, spreadsheets or computer models, and explaining findings to other experts or the clients through talks, written reports, graphs and tables.

Introverts enjoy relationships and interactions with other people, even though they may not feel energized by social encounters but by solitary, often creative pursuits.

We encourage our introvert clients to find careers that make them comfortable, so they can be more productive and feel recognised even in environments which are full of buzz from extroverts around them. Finding these jobs for introverts may not seem easy at first, especially if you are not aware or confident about your strengths. Before choosing any of them, answer these 8 Questions to ask yourself to know which career fits.

Here at unleashr we offer various free techniques and tools as well as guided methods to discover your true strength.

If you’re an introvert, share with us which career field did you find your job? How being an introvert helps you to excel in this field? Leave your reply below.

Cover photo is from Unsplash

Read about 8 careers at which extroverts excel.

3 Methods successful women follow to keep their career on track

by
methods successful women follow

We bring many habits and beliefs from our childhood, but it would be a mistake to believe that only those beliefs influence us, even at later stages in our lives. There are good practices we can learn from successful women who already made it.

 

 

Also worth to check these 9 Ways to improve your self-discipline.

Some grow up in a family where setting goals is a natural part of kids’ lives from their early age, while other parents let their kids discover the way of planning their life and tasks on their own. One method may work as good as the other.

We bring many habits and beliefs from our childhood, but it would be a mistake to believe that only those beliefs influence us, even at later stages in our lives. There are good practices we can learn from women who already made it.
Let’s see a couple of examples:

Plan your life as you would plan a project in your work.

When you are working on a project in your job, you need to plan resources, assess risks, consider limitations and make sure the project is going to deliver the benefits you or your stakeholders expect.

  • Why would you accept anything less?
  • Why would you care any less when it comes to your life?

If you think about your career as a journey from the “Where have you been” through the “Where you are at the moment” on your way to the “Where you should be”, you are going to focus on what positions, tasks, experiences and skills take you there. And that is precisely the focus you need.

Fear not to say no

Over your lifetime many opportunities will come your way. Some will look particularly great, while others you need to let go.

You heard the word “no” many times in your life but when it comes to saying it to someone else, especially to a person who may be able to influence how your career develops, saying no might not be the most natural thing to do. We are all inclined to say yes now and then; when we should say no.

Think about it that way, every time you say yes when you should say no, you take time and opportunity away from yourself. Every time you say no you create space for something that works for you better.

Work with mentors

Setting goals is easy when you have a clear idea of what you want and a sense of purpose, but it becomes slightly fuzzy when you are not sure what direction to take. If you are in this situation right now, just know that you are not alone. Many people, at some point in their lives, will reach a turning point when they realise they have to change their ways.

Our parents or grandparents had probably worked for the same company for decades, while changes these days are constant in the majority of business sectors; and professionals need to adopt new practices more often than not. Whenever a change, affecting your career progress happens, it also creates an opportunity to think about your life overall.

In the middle of changes and the daily grind, your ability to see the bigger picture is different, and it is advised that you find a mentor who either had a similar situation in her or his life or has already achieved what you want to accomplish.