Some people say that we only have one career which is made up of a range of experiences including work, learning, personal development, interests and activities outside work. Given the current economic climate with rising unemployment and a lack of job security, I have to agree with this concept of describing your career. In fact, the truth is that you will perform better at an interview if you talk in these terms rather than struggling to try and explain why you have changed career as this implies that there is only one way of having a career.
More and more people are turning to a ‘portfolio’ career which enables them to create the right work life balance.
“Great for those who can afford it!” I hear you say,
“What about those of us who have to stay in the job we have because we have bills to pay?”
I can understand how some people may feel that they cannot reshape their career because of financial commitments but think for a moment about where you are in your career right now; what your aspirations are and where you see your current work taking you (feel free to request a career check-up).
Next, challenge yourself to look at any career issues you may have; do you have to work long hours? Is your job stressful? Are you really being paid
what you are worth? Do you have enough time to spend with family and friends or to do the things you enjoy? Are you spending all your time working towards achieving someone else’s goals rather than your own? Answering these sorts of questions may produce some eye opening results!
Look at your skills and strengths; are you putting them to good use and does your current job allow you to grow and develop these strengths and skills? (Need help in assessing your strengths and skills? Then drop me an email anne@power-to-change.eu to find out how I can help).
Your skills and strengths will be transferable and perhaps the answer is a portfolio career; one that allows you to embrace choice, freedom and purpose.
It does mean moving away from the conventional idea of a typical 9-5 job Monday to Friday and toward perhaps working 3 days in one area you are interested in and 2 in another – it’s now all about choice’ the choice to work when and how you want and with whom.
A portfolio career is a bit like having one or more part-time jobs; it’s a win/win for employer and employee and there was an interesting article in the Guardian newspaper that you can read here, http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/jun/15/part-time-job-portfolio-career
Making a portfolio career change is much harder than changing jobs. You will have to step out of your comfort zone and you will need to have a very strong CV and good interview skills. You will also need a lot of confidence (this link provides details of how I can help, http://www.power-to- change.eu/career/how-to-sell-yourself/ ).
