Tag: career advice

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Thinking outside the Box: Graphic Design Career in Digital Signage

When you graduate as a graphic designer, the inclination is to apply for jobs in website design companies, game development companies or branch out on your own as a consultant. While these are all good options, there is one market that is so obvious yet so easily ignored.

Look around you

Have you noticed the evolution of outdoor and indoor advertising? Think about your favorite place to eat. Have you seen a change in how they display their menus and advertisements within the establishment? No? Well, you must have seen some interesting modes of advertising along the road in the recent past.

All these are forms of digital signage and it is taking over the world quite literally. The move from static signs to digital ones is a global trend with every region of the world getting in on it. As with most things, Europe and North America are leading but Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Arab world are poised to take the lead in digital signage.

What exactly is it?

Digital signage entails playing back digital content such as advertisements, menus, alerts and all kinds of information through a network of several screens called displays that are remotely controlled. The intention is to increase interaction between a business and its target demographic and is the latest and most preferred method of marketing.

What’s the link to graphic design?

Digital signage is actually a part of modern graphic design. Think of it as a larger and more dynamic version of a website. As a graphic designer for a website, you would be concerned with creating a graphic style that will be both appealing to the client and consistent throughout the entire website.

The same applies to digital signage, only at a larger scale. You will have to work with appropriate colors, fonts and shapes to bring to the fore the brand and the company behind it in a clear and appealing manner to the target audience. Further, you will be required to create a design and content that increases interaction between the company and its clientele with the intention in getting more conversions.

Get in right now

The greatest advantage of having your set of skills right now is that the digital signage market is growing rapidly and is poised to grow even further on a global scale. Everyone is going digital – from the large global corporations to the smaller local businesses. Digital signage is the future and everyone wants to be part of it.

As a result, there is an increased and constant need for the skills of a graphic designer to develop graphics and contents for digital signage. Constant because with digital signage, the content needs to be dynamic to keep the target demographic interested. This means that others may often seek you after to bring to life some new concept for a business’ digital signage.

Stick with the basics

So, as it stands, it is a good thing to be a graphic designer today. Just remember that with digital signage, the same basic design rules apply. You will have a great future as a graphic designer in the digital signage world.

Author Bio:

John Rex is a renowned expert in the world of digital signage. He has helped many companies, big and small, with digital solutions that meet their needs. Also, he knows where to get the best free digital signage.

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How to Answer the Interview Question How would your colleagues describe you?

How to Answer the Interview Question “How would your colleagues describe you?”

Explanation of the Question:

Interviewers enjoy hearing quotes, have a couple of quotes prepared from people at your previous job “David always said I was….” and use statements like: “In my last job I was always known for…”

By giving quotes from a named person can be as effective as giving the interviewer a written reference.

Example Interview Answer

“In my last company, I was always known as the person who got things done. I remember overhearing my Manger Sharon, saying ‘if you need a job doing quickly and efficiently to get me to do it”

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Career Switching Secrets

Career professionals always aspire to move forward in their career gaining promotions and all the benefits that come with being promoted in your industry.

For many though, applying for a new position is a scary thought, with many job hunters asking themselves “why would the employer recruit me?”

Today you will learn the secrets to gaining a successful career promotion, we will look at two different job sectors – Medical and Educational, but many of the tactics discussed, can be used to fit your job sector.

In truth, most career professionals, these days will have three separate careers, some in the same job sector but in higher positions gained via a job promotion and for others in new industries.

What all applicants for new positions need to understand, is employers recruiting for any positions will have a list of essential criteria they require from their new employee. If you meet these criteria (and if you can offer more) you will be offered the position.

The hard part is the application. Many employers skim through job applications and resumes making quick assumptions about the applicant. What you need to do in writing, is leave the employer in no doubt that you have the skills, experience, qualifications and personality for each particular role you apply for.

As the employer reads your application they will form a picture of you, in many cases, this created image may not be true.

You have probably done this yourself when reading a novel, the author starts to describe a character “a tall business women walk in through the double doors of the office, her expensive suit and the way she walks with confidence demanded respect” from this short description you have probably created an image of this person in your mind.

Does your character have blond or brown hair? Why? Her hair colour hasn’t been mentioned yet. This generalisation is made by employers too, they read your application and make an opinion about you, if their opinion fits with the image of the type of person they want to recruit, you will be offered a job interview, if not then your application will be rejected.

The truth is we all make opinions and generalisations every day, it is one way our mind makes sense of the world we live in. what is important in the job market is the information you present makes a positive generalisation by the employer, which is especially important when applying for a promotion or new position.

Two Career Switch Examples in 6 Easy Steps

Career Switch – Nurse to Health Care Manger

A promotion from a Nurse to a Healthcare manager is a logical step to take. Healthcare managers work in hospitals, care homes, public health organisations and consulting firms. There are some key steps you need to take to make this career switch, but first you need to ensure that the new duties as a care Manager suit your career values, as they vary a lot to the duties as a nurse

Step One – Gain Experience

Employers often look for applicants with a minimum of 3 years of nursing experience. Before you start to apply for any Care Manager positions you need to meet this essential criterion. Effective care managers need to have an excellent knowledge of nursing, as your team will come to you when expert advice is required.

Step Two – Education

A bachelor’s degree is often the most common requirement for a Healthcare manager, but employers will also require a certain skills base to go with this.  In certain circumstances, some employers will offer internal training schemes to support internal growth, as part of this programme you will most likely be sent to university on a day release scheme to gain a healthcare management degree.

Step Three – Skills

The best nurse does not always make the best healthcare manager. The duties and skills required vary much from that of a nurse. When deciding whether or not to apply for healthcare management positions your first need to ensure you possess the required skills:

  • oral and written communication skills, as you will be required to  communicate effectively with a wide variety of individuals and professional groups including senior management teams and nurses
  • listening skills; during senior management meetings you will be required to fully understand the meeting agenda  and when required to, be able to  negotiate and persuade others
  • Initiative and leadership skills and the ability to gain the trust, commitment and cooperation of others. This is key when implanting new producers or when encouraging your team to meet new targets
  • Excellent knowledge on clinical issues, including the understanding of treatments and evolving medical technologies which is where your three years of nursing experience comes into action
  • organisational skills;  to deal with a diverse range of challenges, this role will require a flexible and creative approach to  problem-solving
  • decision-making ability; being able to absorb information, analyses complex issues and understand data and trends, particularly in sensitive areas such as the allocation of funds or organising staff levels for a department

Step Four – Duties

Healthcare is a business and, like every business, it needs good managers to keep the business running smoothly.  Healthcare managers, plan, direct, coordinate, and supervise the delivery of healthcare. As a healthcare manager, you will specialise in a certain healthcare sector or department.

The healthcare sector is changing rapidly with the introduction of new technology, medication and procedures which are saving more lives than ever before. These new changes are affecting healthcare systems and legislation, which as a healthcare manager will need to implement in the day-to-day duties of the working day.

Step Five – Do The Benefits Meet Your Needs?

Once you have the experience, relevant qualifications and you know you would enjoy the working duties of a healthcare manager, you need to check if the benefits meet your career criteria.

As a healthcare manager, you will have the status that comes along with a managerial position. Compared to a nurse you will have more control of your time, you will make key decisions and the responsibility of those decisions rest of your shoulders. You can be creative and have the power to implement your own ideas. This role is financially better than that of a nurse, but more importantly, for some, is the great sense of personal achievement gained in this management position.

Step Six – Apply

If you believe that this role will meet your needs and personality, the final stage is to apply. To make a career switch from nurse to care manager is easy, first, read the job spec and ensure you fully understand the job criteria. Obvious I know, but essential.

Second target your application/resume/CV to the job criteria; what I mean here is, you may do 10 duties in your current role and the new employer has five of these down as essential criteria. Don’t waste time and space on your application by recording how you do all 10 duties, just discuss the five essential criteria to really sell yourself to the role you are
applying for. IE if you’re applying for a managerial role and record your managerial responsibilities

Finally, if you’re applying for, as an example as a health care manager and you’re currently a nurse. You can change your job title to Nurse/Manager. People make big assumptions on your job title, so if you are currently a nurse and you undertake some managerial duties use the slash icon on your job title. Now the manager will generalise and think your main duties are that of a manager.

  

Career Switch – Teacher to Head Teacher

There are several steps to take from Teacher to Head Teacher. The logical steps are Teacher, Head of Year, Deputy Head Teacher to Head Teacher. There are some key steps you need to take to make this career switch, but first you need to ensure that the new duties as a Headteacher suit your career values, as they vary a lot to the duties as a Teacher.

Recently there has been an increase in graduates becoming headteachers through schemes such as teach first. Schools are seen as businesses they have budgets and need to meet targets; these targets include student attentions, student achievements, financial targets and quality standards

Step One – Gain Experience

Experience as a headteacher is gain through the several steps you need to undertake from teacher to headteacher. With each promotion (head of year, deputy head) your managerial and head duties will increase building on your skillset and knowledge base.

This experience and skillset can then be used in your application, highlighting how you meet the job criteria.

Step Two – Education

All teachers require a teaching qualification, and the PGCE is the most common teaching qualification required in high schools.

The most common head teaching qualification is a NPQH (National Professional Qualification for Headship) which takes around 18 months to complete but is no longer mandatory.

Step Three – Skills

The role requires an ability to understand the complex workings of an organisation while also being able to resolve high school issues such as pupil attendance, pupil achievements and emotional and personal conflicts and challenges of staff and pupils.

You will need to be able to set high standards, plan how to achieve your goals and to influence others to get on board with your new procedures and ideas.

A key skill will be your leadership skills. You will work with a variety of different staff members from teachers, to pastoral workers, heads of years, plus catering staff, janitors and external workers. You will need all staff to be positive about any changes you implement.

An ability to devolve responsibilities, delegate tasks and monitor practices is key as a headteacher. This requires excellent communication skills, being able to work under pressure and a key skill in prioritisation, planning and organising

Step Four – Duties

A headteacher provides professional leadership for the school which secures its success.

You will ensure a high-quality education for all your pupils and set good standards of

learning and achievement throughout the school. As a headteacher, you work alongside the school governors to provide inspirations, guidance and boundaries to staff and pupils. 

As a headteacher you will still teach lessons, this is minimal and is really so you have a

hands-on understanding of the day to day issues of teachers and pupils in your school. A headteacher’s main responsibilities are to implement a continuous development plan to drive the school forward.

You will evaluate the performance of the school, manage the school finances and the school’s administration.  You will ensure that school policies and practices take account of national, local and school requirements.

A key role of the headteacher is to ensure that all those involved in the school are committed to its aims. And to involve all staff in meeting long, medium and short term objectives and targets.

Step Five – Do The Benefits Meet Your Needs?

Once you have the experience, relevant qualifications and you know you would enjoy the working duties of a headteacher, you need to check if the benefits meet your career criteria.

As a headteacher, you will have the status that comes along with a head of school position. You will set your own policies and mission to improve the educational results of your pupils.

Many headteachers find the head position more rewarding than that of a teacher as you have a real impact on many more pupils than a teacher. As a headteacher, you can implement ideas that can have a real effect on pupils, exam results and teachers.

This role is financially better than that of a teacher, but more importantly, for some, is the great sense of personal achievement gained in this head of school position.

Step Six – Apply

If you believe that this role will meet your needs and personality, the final stage is to apply. To make a career switch from teacher to head manager you will need to work your way up through the career ranks, from head of year, to deputy head and headteacher.

First research the school, is the school is underperforming the governors will be looking for a headteacher who can make quick and lasting changes with a direction of increasing the educational performance of the school.

Some schools will have a focus on support vulnerable students or students with disabilities. You need to ensure your application meets the values of the schools. With this in mind, don’t believe that your management abilities alone will get you the job, you need to ensure you can’t improve the schools performance and meet their values.

You will need to provide real examples of when you have met the criteria for the head position. This is why following the steps of the career from teacher to head of year, from deputy head to head will help you with your application. At each stage you will be able to met the criteria and provide real examples of how you can add added value to the school you are applying for.

Finally, many schools will want you to provide ideas and suggestions on what you as a headteacher would implement to improve the school’s performance. These suggestions need to be practical, realistic and you will need evidence of how your idea will make a real impact.

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Recently Created Careers

Recently created and future jobs belong to the STEM sector (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and the potential jobs opportunities range from the entertainment industry recruiting game designers to sound engineers, to the energy and environmental sector who are developing new energy sources from wind, sun and wave power.

Carbon Jobs

Governments from all over the world are looking at how we can cut carbon emissions to create a greener planet while enjoying the advancements we have created. Innovators are currently working on Wave Powered Electricity – creating energy from under the sea, Electric Powered Cars that can travel as fast as formula one vehicles and Planes Powered by the Sun.

Scientists from different expert fields are coming together to collaborate, creating new ideas for old problems. This scientific collaboration is proving to be highly successful. There is a massive need for innovative scientists and this sector is due to rapidly expand.

Space Jobs

STEM jobs (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) is predicted to be the growth industry of the future. Advancements in technology, computer science, health, psychology and nanoscience will increase jobs in this sector.

Predicted growth in the space industry is massive, with scientists looking at energy sources from different planets, space watchers ready to predict asteroids hitting the planet and even space holidays are not too far away.

Data Analyst/Security Jobs 

As the internet has flourished, a large amount of data is being stored on company servers, which can literally burn out the servers.  Companies like Google and Amazon collect data to use to increase profits. Big Data, Data Analyst and Online Data Security staff play a powerful part in this high

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Inspirational Mother Encourages Mums To Follow Their Dreams

Louise moved to Cornwall in 2004 with no job, no qualifications and no prospects. “sometimes you have to take the chance” Louise said after ditching her life in Manchester. Jobs in Cornwall are hard to come by even for qualified career professionals.

Louise always dreamed of a career working with children, but ended up working in shops and as a chambermaid, both of which were low paid seasonal work.

What Should I Do

By 2007 Louise had met her husband and was expecting her first child. After he was born she choose to give up work and to have another baby to complete the family. All the time she thought about how she could pursue her dream job. Louise felt disheartened, believing she would have to go back to the unsatisfying job as a shop assistant or chambermaid.

By the time the children were getting older, Louise has had enough.  “I had always wanted to work within a school setting but never imagined I could achieve this from not doing well at school and not going on to further education and now I was older with children I just didn’t think it would be possible”

She got her lucky break after researching different entry routes into careers with children. She heard about entry into university via the access course at college which is equivalent to A-Levels. “it was quite demanding, balancing being a mother, as well as studying” At times Louise felt like giving up, but her inspiration and dreams kept her going. Louise admits that the first 6 months of the Access Course was difficult “I hadn’t studied since leaving school”  Louise admits.

Some people thought it was a pointless exercise, but throughout the long nights of studying and the early morning wake-up calls by her two young boys, Louise finally passed her course.

“I was really excited, I didn’t actually believe I was going to pass” Before she knew it, she had already signed up to Worcester University for the Teaching and Learning foundation degree. Louise is the first in her family to go to University and feels that she can be a better role model for her children.

Louise now has to attend University, undertake a volunteering placement in a school as well as being a mother for two demanding children but feels this extra work is worth it. Her plan is to get a job within a school while completing the 3-year university course.

Louise wants to share her story with other mothers who may not have had the time to attend college due to being a mum or other mothers like Louise who wrongly believe that because you left school with no qualifications that you cant follow your dreams. When asked what advice would you give to other young mums who are thinking about university and careers, Louise said “Just Go For It”

Find out more about Louise on her FaceBook page here:  Louise Phillips 

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Do You Ned To Be Creative To Pass Future Job Interviews?

Do You Need To Be Creative To Pass a Job Interview? 

Recently on Virgin Blog.com, they discuss the importance of creativity for future job searchers.

Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship will be soon seen as the most desirable skills required by employers, Virgin explains. This is because employers understand that the digital age has a need for entrepreneurs. 

Inventions soon to come to light include paper-thin phones that curl up when you receive a call and self-driving cars.

STEM (science, technology, engineering, maths) jobs are on the rise. Examples can be found now with innovative scientists looking at new ways of harnessing the suns rays to provide green energy and products such as “The Life Saver Bottle” have been designed to clean polluted water, by pumping contaminated water after hurricanes and tsunamis turning polluted water into drinking water within seconds, saving thousands of lives.

Employers and business leaders understand how such innovations will change the world while making them billions of pounds. Communication and technology is the new in-demand job, employers will interview highly skilled job hunters and creativity and innovation will be a required skill without these some employees will find it hard to progress in the workplace.

   

Read the full article here: The importance of daydreaming for entrepreneurs 

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Local Labour Market UK

1.5 million Skilled jobs will be created in the coming years. Highly skilled jobs in our economy will increase, as lower-skilled jobs decline.

Globalisation has increased the number of companies operating across multiple countries, and led to a rise in demand for supporting ICT, Businesses and Financial Services.

It is in these sectors, alongside other services such as Sporting, Recreational, Cultural, Social and Personal Services, where the UK has seen the biggest gains in employment.

The Low Carbon Careers Green-Collar Jobs

The future is changing soon every industry will need “green collar jobs” As countries across the world increase their commitment to tackling climate change.

A diverse range of jobs can now enable you to “do your bit for the environment”, whether that involves helping companies to reduce their carbon footprints or designing hybrid cars.

Environmental Consultancies

Consultancies will offer information and advice on a range of environmental sectors; such as waste management, contaminated land remediation or sustainable energy.
Also assist clients in assessing the likely impacts of new installations, formulating corporate responsibility strategies or monitoring environmental performances.

Renewable Energy

Renewable Energy will produce a host of job opportunities relating to the design, manufacturing, construction, installation, management and the operational running of renewable energy facilities.

Environmental Innovation

There is a big demand for cleaner technologies, this includes; hybrid vehicles, energy efficient appliances and biodegradable materials are just some of the areas attracting new research and innovation.

Water Management

Investment in flood defenses is highly likely to increase over the coming years. Devising flood defence strategies can include; river and flood plain modeling, monitoring water levels and the planning and construction of storm drains and artificial waterways to divert excess water. Also processing domestic and industrial wastewater.

Waste Management & Recycling

Dealing with the increasing volume of waste produced in the UK is an urgent task. Recycling, treatment and re-processing waste will create new jobs over future years.

Air Pollution Control

Reducing the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere and protecting the air we breathe is of vital importance to governments across the world.

Energy and manufacturing industries have a high demand for air pollution technology; also industries such as dry cleaners, petrol stations and the cremation industry, will be investing in equipment to reduce dioxins and heavy metals.

The number of jobs in the environmental industry is set to skyrocket in the next ten years.

Life Science

The UK is a world leader in Life Sciences and is strong in Regenerative Medicine and Stratified Medicine areas-where significant growth is projected.

The life science industry generates over £23 billion a year, employing over 400,000 people.

This sector is becoming increasingly High-Tech and Diverse, needing a highly skilled workforce.

£150 Million – £1 Billion is to be invested into the life science industry to increase “innovative Medicines,” Private Investment, “Regen-Med Programme” and to promote the UK and NHS “Brand”

Life science careers include:

  • Physiology
  • Agricultural Science
  • Comparative Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Astrobiology
  • Biomedical Research
  • Botany
  • Endocrinology
  • Genetics
  • Microbiology
  • Neurobiology
  • Palaeontology

Digital and Creative Industries

The UK’s digital sector is due to grow in size and importance over the next decade. This sector includes Information & Communication Technologies, Broadcasting and the Creative Industry.

Software and IT Services are set to grow by 4-5% in 2010, Games sub sector is set to grow by 6% and TV and Radio by 5%.

Jobs for this industry can include:

  • Animator
  • Copywriter
  • Editor
  • Fashion Designer
  • Graphic Designer
  • Journalist
  • Market Researcher
  • Radio/TV Producer
  • Wed-Editor
  • Telecom Engineer
  • Risk Manager (Telecom)
  • System Annalist
  • Tech Support

Business and Professional Services

The Business and Professional Service Sector has grown dramatically over the last few decades and continues to grow as new technologies change the way this sector works.

Changes in this sector have led to a fall in Low-Skilled jobs, particularly in Administrational roles. These roles have been replaced with new Highly Skilled jobs. Paperless offices could be the future.

Once the EU Service Directive is fully implemented, it is estimated to generate 81,000 jobs in the UK.

Jobs for this industry can include:

  • Ancillary Legal Professionals
  • Licensed Conveyancer
  • Barrister
  • Solicitor
  • Chartered Accountant
  • Actuarial Consultant
  • Banker
  • Credit Analyst
  • Financial Adviser
  • Operational Investment Banker
  • Pensions Consultant
  • Tax Adviser
  • Estate Agent

The Care Sector

Over the last 10 years we have seen a rise in childcare occupations by 40% Due to the expansion of free Government childcare provision, this trend is expected to continue.

To work in Childcare, employers will be looking for level 3 qualified employees.

Care for the elderly already amounts to a high number of jobs, with a forecast of UK citizens aged 80 and above due to rise by 25% over the next decade, the increase for demand in Social Care is expected to create an additional 1.1 million jobs by 2025.

Jobs role in this sector include:

  • Advice Worker
  • Charity Fundraiser
  • Charity Officer
  • Community Development Worker
  • Counsellor
  • Homelessness Officer
  • Mental Health Nurse
  • Occupational Therapist
  • Probation Officer
  • Social Worker

Retail Sector

Recently the retail sector has suffered from a fall in customer demand over the last year and the restraint in customer spending means job growth in this sector is expected to be slower than over the last decade.

But overall Retail will remain an important sauce of employment across the country with a mixture of highly-skilled and entry level retail positions.

The Retail sector is changing with new “self-service” supermarket checkouts and “pay and the Pump” petrol station systems.

This sector provides entry-level positions that can provide valuable opportunities for the long term unemployed.

Jobs in this industry can include:

  • Fashion Designer
  • Human Resources Officer
  • Industrial/Product Designer
  • Logistics and Distribution Manager
  • Market Researcher
  • Marketing Executive
  • Quality Manager
  • Retail Buyer
  • Retail Manager
  • Retail Merchandiser
  • Sales

Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure Sectors

The UK’s Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure sector have grown over the last two decades with a real potential for continuing long-term economical growth.

As the increase of disposable incomes rises, people place a greater emphasis on quality leisure time. With leisure spending forecast to double, up to 200,000 jobs could be added to this sector over the next decade.

Jobs in this industry can include:

  • Air Cabin Crew
  • Travel Agency Manager
  • Holiday Representative
  • Hotel Manager
  • Event Organiser
  • Tourist Guide
  • Tour Manager
  • Tourism Officer
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Accommodation Manager
  • Conference Centre Manager
  • Event Organiser
  • Hotel Management
  • Public House Manager
  • Restaurant Manager

Space Sector

The government have planned to expand Britain’s space industry, creating a £40 billion business. This will have a positive in pact on Space Industry jobs, creating a predicted 100,000 jobs over the next 20 years.

The space sector is set to grow over the next 20 years; the future of the space industry is unpredictable as the fast pace of new technology can change the direction of this sector.

Space will be the earth’s eyes and ears with satellite observation and telecommunications.

Under UK plans, space-based observations will be used to monitor activity in war zones, deforestation, policing greenhouse gases. Employers will be able to monitor projects such as construction without having to leave their office.

With a high demand for high-definition and 3D television via space as broadcasting via satellites reduces our carbon emissions and is more cost effective, shows the increasing need for space communication.

The private sector is already a success story for British Industry, growing at a steady rate of 9% since 1999. It has been forecast that Britain could take 10% of the global market, which could be worth £400 billion by 2030.

Jobs in this industry can include:

  • Space Science
  • Satellite communication
  • Manufacture industry
  • Space observers
  • Satellite Broadcasting
  • Telecommunications
  • Earth Resources
  • Navigation
  • Launch Industry
  • Astronomy
  • Planetary Science
  • Space engineers
  • Support Staff

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What is a Big Data Job?

A big data analyst works with the data in a given system and performs data analysis, these results help the business to make key decisions through clear and insightful analyses of data.

You will perform data mining, data auditing, aggregation, reconciliation, advanced modelling techniques, testing and explaining results through clear reports and presentations.

A big data analyst will have a broad understanding with real-time analytic s and business intelligent platforms. You will be experienced in SQL databases, scripting languages, programming languages and statistical software packages. From the analysed data you will be able to develop new insights.

Key skills required for this position include:

·         Enjoys searching for patterns that could lead to new insights

·         Able to use very large data sets

·         Question your findings and create management reports

·         A Bachelor’s Degree ranging from mathematics, statistics, and computer science, economics or finance

·         Interpersonal, oral and written communication and presentation skills to communicate complex findings and ideas in plain language

·         Problem solving skills

·         Able to work under pressure and to meet deadlines

Jobs in this sector are increasing with a predicted 1.5 million jobs being created in the US alone. The job growth is due to the increase of data in the digital world.

Big data employees work with this large amount of data before computers literally burn out. Companies especially in the medical sector have millions of pieces of data and they have no idea what to do with it.

Graduates aren’t aware of these opportunities, which is leading to a careers gap between an increase in job opportunities and a lack of qualified and skilled applicants.

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An Introduction to Career Guidance Theory

An Introduction to the theory and models used in IAG sessions

Career Guidance Theory

Careers’ guidance theory is based often on research and provides practitioners a framework from which they can work from. Careers guidance theory is developed through best practice and allows practitioners to measure the impact of their intervention.

Without career guidance theories and research, practitioners may use dated models of IAG (information, advice and guidance) which were often relevant to their time but have now become dated.

Career guidance theory is developed and improved to be more relevant to the changes in the government policy, economy and advances in new technology. Without a framework or theory, career advisors may find it a difficult task to evaluate their practice and a lack of evaluation can lead to a lack of identification for areas of improvement, impact or good practice.

Career Guidance Research

Good theory is always based on research. But guidance practitioners have to be aware of how the researcher’s voice that the practitioner is well-read on will dominate the career guidance session, even though there is a general commonality in all career guidance models of ‘moving the client forward.’

An advisor using one model or theory, as an example “Differentialist theory” will identify the client’s interests and needs, and match these to opportunities,. A second advisor using “developmental theory” will take into account how the client will develop and change over time, and how the client will learn new knowledge and skills.

These two theories, designed to support the advisor to move the client forward, may have different outcomes. A practitioner using Egans model will presume the practitioner has a rapport with the client, whereas the later developed Hambly model, which was built on Egan, doesn’t assume anything.

Without evidence-based research, practitioners will not know, apart from through their own experiences, what the best framework for providing IAG  (information, advice and guidance) is.

In addition, as we have addressed, models and theories need to develop to meet the needs of the current time.

Practitioners of IAG, as part of their personal development, will keep up to date with new theories and models through a number of ways, one being a shift in agenda by government policies.

Theories of career choice and decision making

Theories of career choice and decision making have developed over the years building on good practice and research, starting from:

1950’s – Differentialism

1960’s – Developmentalism

1970’s – Stucturalism

1990’s – Social learning

1990-2000’s – Constructivism, planned happenstance and community interaction theory.

The Constructivist Approach

The constructivist approach (Savikas Young and Collin (1992), works on the client’s level, allowing individuals to make their own choices in the context of their own interpretation of the world, which has been referred to as the ‘narrative approach.’

The constructive approach takes into account that we all perceive the world differently through our own personal filters which generally include the client’s past experiences, their generalisations, deletions and distortions and the state the client is in.

As an example, two people thinking about a parachute jump will have two completely different internal representations, one person may feel excited while the other may become highly nervous. This is the same for when a client thinks of a certain career choice, the client may ‘excited,’ ‘bored,’ ‘fearful,’ or any number of emotional reactions.

interview prediction grid

In this way, the advisor has to be aware that they and the client will be representing the session differently and will need to ask ‘clean language’ questions to continue to build rapport and to help the client move forward.

To understand the client’s world in more detail, the advisor can ask the client what they know about a certain topic, while at the same time not imposing their own constructs onto the client.

Constructivism highlights that the teacher, which may be an IAG advisor, will need to provide sensory input so the client will construct meaning from it.

With each experience, the client will learn and their view of the world may be re-enforced or changed. By suggesting situations without adding your own perspective the client will make their own construct from this, which adds to their learning.

This learning is then internally and most likely subconsciously rather than consciously remembered, affecting future perspectives as this situation may be generalised, deleted or part deleted and distorted.

This theory is highly client-led, but can take time as the advisor cannot suggest ways forward and can only offer situations for the client to digest and then perceive in their own way, learning which each new perceived situation.

Clients can easily build up limiting beliefs that may need challenging in a constructive way, by asking clients questions on their situations and past experiences while the advisor asking situation questions do not add their own interpretation onto the client which may break rapport.

Planned Happenstance

Planned Happenstance (Mitchell 1999, Krumboltz and Lewin 2004) theory allows clients to make career choices by keeping an open mind, taking hold of new opportunities and engaging in networking.

Planned Happenstance affects all people in all areas of their lives and affects people’s interpretation of their world (constructivism.) when planning a career, clients and advisors cannot predict how politics, new advances in technology and world economics will affect their planned future career opportunities.

These unplanned events can create opportunities for people, which when grasped can open new exciting opportunities that were never predicted. Pathways are often unfolded, rather than planned, if clients keep an open mind rather than sticking to a well thought out plan, that can in some instances become a barrier rather than a support mechanism, the client may receive “once in a lifetime opportunities.”

Planned happenstance is highly effective as clients cannot know all the possibilities available to them. The advisor, to give the client the best opportunity should endeavor to build up the client’s networking skills to increase new planned happenstance opportunities.

Advisors should use opportunities to help them client reframe situations which is the opposite of the constructivism theory where advisors recognize the client’s perceived view of the world.

By increasing the client’s activities, networking opportunities and opportunities they are more likely to naturally find planned happenstance situations.

In some cases, a client may choose planned happenstance rather than sticking to a planned career path, believing that this new opportunity will suit them well or that they may miss out on a good opportunity while waiting for their ideal career.

Once in this ‘good opportunity’, clients may fall into the routine of this new position and miss out on the ideal position they could have held out for.

This means clients should way up each opportunity against their criteria making a more informed discussion rather than taking any opportunity, in this way planned happenstance is a conscious, purposeful, and on-going process that will help the client to build a more satisfying and fulfilling career.

Community Interaction Theory

Community interaction theory (Law 1981) suggests that some of the most influential factors in career choice relate to events that occur in the context of ‘community interaction’ between the individual and their social groups.

Law identified 5 components that affect people and their career choices;

  • Expectations – this can be pressure from family members to follow a certain career.
  • Feedback — ongoing positive and negative feedback and re-enforced messages from peers, family and professionals.
  • Support — reinforcement of aspirations and assistance in developing appropriate skills and strategies.
  • Modeling — can be conscious and unconscious and can be positive or negative, clients may model peers, family and professionals and can also feed into the expectations criteria.
  • Information — opportunities to find out about options that can feed into the planned happenstance theory.

The amount of information a person receives around career opportunities, LMI (labor market information) and career advice and the quality of this advice affects how the client will perceive the world (constructivism)

These 5 components can come from many sources including family, professionals, peers and friends and by exploring these 5 components the advisor can understand how external factors affect the client and can work with the client to overcome these difficulties and to help them deal with any barriers to moving the client forward.

If needed advisors can support the clients to gain more positive community interactions in all 5 components.

For an advisor working with ethnic groups, advisors need to be aware of cultural differences and cultural history and how these affect the clients. Without this knowledge, advisors may break rapport or at the worst build up new barriers.

Egans Model

Egans model of career guidance is a well known and used career guidance model. This is a 3 stage model used to help people solve problems and to develop opportunities.

The Egan model addresses 3 main questions:

“What is going on?”

“What do I want instead?”

“How might I get what I want?”

These questions can be asked and answered in one session, but will often be discussed over several sessions.

The 3 steps make it easy for both the advisor and client to know where they are what stage they will be moving onto next. Egan is easy to use and is client-focused while continuing to develop the client throughout the 3 stages.

The model is forward moving which has a positive motivation behind it, but with some clients, you may need to return to an earlier stage especially after large breaks between appointments and the Egan model does not allow this.

Unlike Hambly’s integrative model, Egan presumes the advisor already has rapport where in many cases advisors may need to build rapport up over several sessions to deal with any deep issues the client has to face.

Egans model is highly solution focus, asking in part 2 futuristic questions and also covers blind spots, feelings and potential barriers while keeping a focus on moving forward.

The Egan model uses leverage, commitment and action planning to keep the client on track and motivated with what had been agreed in the session, the action plan also allows the client to see the distance traveled.

The action plan stage often uses SMART actions and allows the client to time-bound actions asking “what will you do first?” Egan is found to be client-focused with emphasis on future action and client involvement designed to empower.

Once the endpoint has been reached, the experience of trying out can be the starting point for mentoring sessions allowing the Egan model to start again.

The Integrative Model

The Integrative model was built on Egan with a focus on career advice and unlike Egan who assumes rapport and contracting, Hambly uses stage one of three stages to address and establish these foundations.

Hamblys model, unlike Egan, allows a flow through the model allowing if needed for advisors to return to any stage throughout the model. Like Egan, Hamblys model is client-led – looking at the client’s story, has a focus on moving forward, looks for blind spots and agrees on commitment and actions for the client to move forward.

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Need a New Career?

“Find Out What You Love To Do and Get Paid For Doing It”

man in a creative search

The best career advice you will ever receive is to fully understand what you love to do, and then get paid for doing it.

One quick way to complete this task is by creating a list of all your career likes and dislikes

Career Likes (example)

• Creativity

• Working on my own initiative

• Working on multiple projects

• Giving and sharing ideas

• Seeing the end result to my work

• Receiving regular feedback

• Short distance to travel to work

Career Dislikes (example)

• Working on one long project

• Analytical work

• Working 9-5

• Being a small part of a big team

• Not being able to travel to work on my bike

• Targets

Next take your Career Likes and put them in order of preference, which is the most important like With your dislikes, ask yourself if I had all/most of my likes would I be still work in a role where I had to (add a dislike) do this for all your dislikes.

Now you have a better understanding of what is important to you, in your career. You can take this knowledge and match it against job specifications. To find job roles or new careers, re-read your list and if your key like is around “creativity” Google “creative job roles” or as an example you may love finances, so Google “financial job roles”

Research which career sector and then specific role would best suit you. The final stage is preparing your application or in some cases re-training to ensure you meet the employers essential criteria.