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Choosing the Right Career - A Model Based on Psychology and Career Coaching Experience

We've come a long way since the days when men were expected to follow in their fathers' footsteps and women were expected to be homemakers. But with so many opportunities now open to us, and the expectations of friends, parents and society to consider, people can often find it difficult to choose which career would be most suitable for them. Fortunately, research from the fields of positive, personality and work psychology can provide a good framework to guide us in making these difficult, and important, decisions.

A general definition of personality provides a good starting point; "personality is made up of the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings and behaviours that make a person unique". This definition highlights three important points. Firstly, the way that you think, feel and behave is clearly going to have a significant bearing on determining the career that you are most suited to, so understanding your own personality is an important part of any career decision. Secondly, our personalities are very complex. They comprise many different attributes and are often not straightforward or easy to understand. And thirdly, we are all different. Each of us has a unique personality and therefore each of us is suited to a career with a unique set of characteristics. It may seem obvious, but it's worth emphasising that what works for one person may not work for another, however similar they may appear to be. Advice from friends and family can be useful, but ultimately each of us has to choose our own career because no-one else understands our thoughts and feelings as well as we do.

So what is the most helpful way of assessing your personality in the context of choosing a career? There are a number of different theories of personality and various psychological models, which can be helpful in varying degrees, but I have developed a simple model, bringing together the most important of these, that makes it easier for you to choose the career that best matches your personality. My Career Personality Profile model has four elements; Interests (what you enjoy doing), Values (what you find meaningful), Strengths (what you're good at) and Environment (where you feel most comfortable). Taken together, the first two elements, Interests and Values, incorporate Martin Seligman's theory of Authentic Happiness, Tal Ben-Shahar's Happiness Archetype and Kennon Sheldon's research on self-concordant goals to show that we are happiest when doing things that we enjoy while pursuing goals that we find personally meaningful. The third element, Strengths, reflects Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's theory of Flow, in which we are most likely to achieve a state of optimal experience and optimal performance when the difficulty of tasks that we undertake matches our skill level. Another way of viewing this is that we are most likely to feel good about ourselves when we are using our strengths and avoiding using our weaknesses. The fourth element, Environment, recognises that the way that we feel and behave is going to be strongly influenced by our environment, reflecting research by Peter Warr and others into the influence of environmental factors on the happiness we experience at work.

How do you build your Career Personality Profile? When I work with clients, I use the Birkman Method® behavioural assessment and coaching techniques to develop a really deep understanding of the four elements, but it is possible to develop a simple profile for yourself. Basically, you need to reflect on each of the four elements in turn and write down the things that are most important to you. For Interests, what do you enjoy doing, both at work and in your spare time? For Values, what gives meaning to you work, or what do you want to achieve with your life? For Strengths, what are you good at, not just in terms of practical (hard) skills, but also in terms of behavioural (soft) skills, such as relating to people, dealing with change and making decisions? And for Environment, where do you feel most comfortable? What size and type of organisation, what management style, what kind of daily routine? It's best to do this exercise at a time when you are relaxed and unlikely to be disturbed. Also, try to think of examples for each point that you come up with and remember how you felt at the time.

Once you've considered each of the four elements, write down all of the key points on a single sheet of paper to give a profile of your ideal career. You can now use this profile to guide you as you consider different careers. Compare each career that you're considering to your profile and see how well it matches. Which one is the best match? Or if none of them seem to match very well, can you think of something else that would? The closer the match between a possible career and your profile, the more likely you are to both enjoy it and succeed at it. If you feel that you don't know enough about a possible career to make a meaningful comparison, then you need to further research that career to find out more about it.

I hope that gives you a good idea of the best way to approach career choices. The reality for many people is a lot more complex than this simple illustration would suggest, but my experience as a career coach has shown it to be an extremely effective way of helping people to focus on the right things. Obviously, when I work with clients I go into great depth and help clients to understand aspects of their personality that are not already clear to them, but the overall approach is exactly the same. The most important thing to remember, is that you need to start by understanding yourself. If you don't do this, then you're unlikely to choose the right career.

I am Dr Roger Todd, co-founder of The Right Career, a career consultancy based in London, UK. We specialise in using personality profiling and career coaching techniques to help clients identify the career that will work best for them. Sign up for our free email course at http://therightcareer.co.uk for a more detailed step-by-step guide to Choosing the Right Career.

Franchising Career Coaching Enterprise - Enjoy Benefits Galore

Starting a franchise in career coaching is the right thing to do for a person with experience in career coaching. This is a lucrative field and is attracting more and more people. Starting a franchise in career coaching is considered as a wise business move. How do you define a career coach? He is some-one who tries to help people with their careers, that is he helps them to start a meaningful career or to change tracks from one field to another. The work also includes helping the clients with their retirement, layoff, job termination or a change in career. Whenever an individual shifts his career or wants proper career counseling and guidance, they usually turn towards a franchise in career coaching for advice. An individual, not part of a career coaching enterprise can also perform the function of a career coach.

Franchising of a business is an important step for anyone wishing to start a reputable business. According to the statistics offered by the U.S State Department of Commerce 62% of all business that are not franchised close down within a period of six years. The reason for the failure of these non-franchised businesses and the success of their franchised counterparts is due to the fact that franchised businesses have a wide network of products and support to aid them. Therefore any individual wanting to start a successful career coaching enterprise would be well advised to franchise it. The process of franchising comes with a fee that is on the higher side; therefore most individuals avoid it not knowing that the benefits that are obtained by them far out-weigh the money spent in franchising it.

The best way to jump start a career as a career coach is to start a franchise in career coaching. This would ensure their success. Most individuals do not make proper sense of a franchise, usually associating it with big business like burger king. The concept here is the same for different businesses. Franchising of a business gives a company the right to market or sell specified services and products of the business under a brand name, which can be used in marketing strategies and advertisements. Agreements are drawn between all respective parties to make it profitable for everyone involved.

A franchiser provides for the support and services needed to get the business up and running getting royalties in return. The franchiser make sure that a new business makes it big, as it is profitable to him in accordance to the old adage ' you scratch my back, I scratch yours'.

Abhishek is a Career Counselor and he has got some great Career Planning Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 71 Pages Ebook, "Career Planning Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Career-Guru.com/769/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Career Coaching - Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Big Career Change

Are you considering a big change in your career? Do you feel let down, bored, burned out? Maybe you think there is something bigger and more meaningful that you are meant to do. Perhaps your company downsized you into this predicament. Regardless of the reason, there are some common mistakes to avoid while you evaluate and select new career options. Avoid these pitfalls and you can stay motivated, keep your balance and move forward successfully.

Mistake #1 - Making Decisions in Haste

Tempted to just quit and wing it? Everyone is now and then, but unless you just can't stand your current situation another day, resist! Instead, write down everything you hate about your current situation, then one by one, look at the most intolerable issues and see how you can turn each around to make it more tolerable for the present moment.

It is easy to get so excited about the future that you decide to forge ahead without a plan and hope everything naturally falls your way after that. It will require more energy to sustain your new career and make it work well for you than it will to identify and start it. It is better to come from a place of higher energy and stability than to start out already burned out or worried about how you will pay the bills. Consider seeking the help of a qualified career coach, life coach or career counselor to help you identify your next career path. An objective, trained third party can help you strategize and phase it in for the best results and the least amount of heartache.

Mistake #2 - Ignoring the Finances

"I can't stand this any longer! I would rather eat dog food than put up with this another day!" Whether you are pursuing a new career voluntarily or involuntarily, you must pay the bills. Do pursue your dream. Do look for the career that brings out the best in you. If you have plenty of savings, good for you! Resist the temptation to go through it and be left without. If you have a dream, by all means hang on to it! But if it won't realistically get off the ground for three years, find another way to earn a living in the meantime. The need for income is a reality you cannot ignore.

Mistake #3 - Filling Your Head with Negative Stuff

What do you read? What do you view on television or the Internet? With whom do you spend free time? When you're looking at making big life and career changes, you need lots of positive energy around you. If you spend time with negative people or fill your mind with anything that isn't useful, guess what? It fills you with negative energy. Instead, surround yourself with people and things that give you positive energy and encouragement. Read books that motivate and encourage you. Go places that inspire you. Do everything you can to be what you want to be like after you land the next great career opportunity, and you will be more likely to attract it into your life!

Mistake #4 - Getting Bogged Down by Decisions

If you're an intelligent person who has enjoyed any measure of success, chances are there are a lot of different choices you could make in your next big life or career change. Clients often tell me they are overwhelmed by all of the thoughts and ideas that keep running through their minds. And as the overwhelm sets in, it is very easy to just shut down. As we work together, I remind clients when making tough decisions to ask themselves, "Is this going to move me forward?" If the answer is yes, proceed. If the answer is no, either revise the decision or drop it entirely.

Mistake #5 - Not Having a Plan

There are two reasons this is important. First, life is unpredictable and it is dangerous to relinquish security before the next career arrangement is lined up. Second, changing careers is a lot like dating. You are always more desirable when you are unavailable. You are more attractive to a prospective employer if you are already working. And if you have already lost your job either voluntarily or involuntarily, it is even more important to have a plan so that you are then more likely to achieve it. If you see success, you will be successful. (Conversely, if you don't have a plan, how will you know when you've succeeded?)

Mistake #6 - Ending your Preparation Too Soon

All I can say here is, prepare, prepare, prepare. If you're looking at several possibilities, don't immediately drop one when another looks good. Think about all of the big tests you have taken in life (college entrance exams, finals, certification exams) and how you prepared for those. Did you study way in advance and take a big, long break before taking the test? Or were you still reading the material as you walked in the door on test day, wondering if you could still be better prepared? When you're embarking on a new career or life change, give it all of your available energy, skills and attention. If you have a goal in mind, resist relaxing when you think you almost have it. Prepare and stay sharp right up until the day you start. This will help keep you from losing confidence at the last minute.

Mistake #7 - Getting Discouraged Too Easily

Does this happen to you when you face hurdles in the midst of your goal? Instead of giving in to the pain, pay attention to what specifically is making you uncomfortable and make adjustments to get you through. For example, if you're in career transition and you find that it is painful to go through the tedium of making phone calls, sending resumes, going on interviews where the competition is tough, etc., find the formula that gives you a break without stopping the process. Try devoting an hour or two each morning to these tasks and letting it go for the rest of the day, or only making a certain number of phone calls or interview appointments per week so that when you're finished, you can feel good about giving yourself some time off. Don't stop. Adjust.

Remember, a career change is a life change. You didn't arrive at your current level of education and experience overnight, and don't be disappointed if you don't immediately uncover "the thing" you want to do next. Allow yourself time and space to explore and make an educated decision. Get the help you need along the way (i.e., career coach, career counselor) to help you do it strategically, not emotionally. If you avoid these mistakes you are much more likely to end up in a new career that complements and fulfills your life.

Gwen Jewett is a Life and Career Coach and Selfgrowth.com Guide to Career Coaching, living in the Dallas area. After 14 years as Executive Director of a 12,000-member national healthcare association, she voluntarily left to pursue a more balanced life. Since 2001 she has helped many clients make their career and personal life stop working against each other and instead work in complement.

[http://www.coachgwen.com]

Career Coaching: Is It a Good Idea to Take a New Career Path?

When it comes to a career it can very difficult to know what lies ahead. For many different reasons people can find themselves at a life changing crossroads. This is where career coaching steps in to help.

Deciding to change career can be incredibly risky. Most people will feel that sacrificing a steady job in favour of something completely different is a scary idea that will be met with resistance from family and friends and will lead to a whole range of obstacles in the job market. While these things are definitely worth considering, people should also be aware that most of us will make at least three significant career changes during their working lives.

There are many different reasons for choosing to change career and even if people don't understand your reasons, it does not mean that they are not important.

It could be that you want to change to a career that better suits your lifestyle. When people embark on a career when they are younger it is not always clear what direction your personal life will take and while a career that requires long hours, lots of travelling and even more pressure may seem enticing at 21 the reality may well lose its appeal after a few years leaving you wondering how to slow things down but still maintain a career.

The situation could also be that you feel you are ready to set up a business of your own having gained enough valuable experience to make you confident enough to know what you're doing but not really sure how to go about getting started.

Or, of course, it may just be that you are unhappy in your current career and find yourself wondering how you can successfully change career with little or no experience in your new chosen field.

One way of helping to overcome the perils of a career change is to get professional advice from a career coach. A professional consultant can talk you through the best ways to overcome the obstacles that you are facing in the new field that you are heading into.

A career coach's job is to understand exactly what you want to do and your reasons for doing so and will offer information and advice no matter what stage you are at in the transition. They also recognise that you have invested in qualifications and experience and will take care over exploring related options as well as complete changes.

A career coach will help you to identify your key strengths, specialist knowledge and transferable skills as well as helping you to assess your personality and what you are driven by and what career options are most suitable to you.

Once there is a clear direction a career coach will then give you a plan for your long-term career direction and show you how to change paths and move your career forward. They will also guide you on how to highlight your transferable skills and knowledge in your new career.

Most of all, career coaching can give you a push in the right direction and the confidence you need to embark on the career you have always wanted.

If you are considering changing career, then Career Balance can help. Our experienced Career coaches and consultants can help you to make an informed decision about your change of career direction and advise on how to prepare you for a career change. Find out more about how we can help you with changing career at http://www.careerbalance.co.uk.

Career or Life Coaching - Six Career Situations in Which Coaching Would Be an Excellent Investment

Over the past decade, the job market and virtually every industry has been transformed.

Many workers have struggled and continue to struggle with downsizing, mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and job searches that last more than a year. Ten years ago, most workers could handle their own job search with perhaps some assistance from a resume writer or an outplacement firm. Now the job search industry is a multi-billion dollar industry and coaching is major aspect.

Despite the changes in the job market and job search strategies, many job-seekers are afraid to admit that they may need some help and guidance from an outside career professional. They think of asking for help as a sign of weakness or a sign of defeat. Or they are deterred by the price of such services. A professionally prepared resume and career coaching may be beyond the budget constraints of many individuals, especially since many job search career specialists (particularly in major cities) do market themselves to those at the executive level.

Despite the cost, using a career coach or a life coach could be the smartest decision a job-seeker makes. Coaches can offer new directions, perspectives, and ideas, as well as expand thinking and encourage brainstorming. In smaller cities and on the Internet, there are coaches who charge what many job seekers would consider reasonable prices.

So who might benefit from coaching? Career or life coaching may be a valuable investment for "workers" in the following six career situations.

1. Getting no results in current job search

Workers (employed or unemployed) who know what type of position(s) they want but are getting no results in their current search would do well to make use of a career marketing or job search coach. These coaches offer short-term services to help individuals develop, implement and manage a job search campaign. This type of coaching focuses on defining objectives (e.g., type of position, type of industry, geographic preferences, salary requirements, quality of life issues) and then developing a step-by-step job search action plan. With this plan the job seeker is better market themselves, optimize their networking, and be held accountable for completing each action step they have set.

2. Concerned About Being Downsized

Short-term career counseling would also be beneficial to employees who are concerned about being downsized in the future, as it will help them develop job-search-action plan ready if or when the downsizing occurs. Having a plan can be a major stress reducer.

3. Changing Career Direction

Some career coaches are now specializing in career management. The career management coach focuses on broad issues related to an entire career - the past, the present and the future. The support is long-term and comprehensive, often focusing on personal and introspective issues. A prime candidate for a career management coach is an individual who, for whatever reason, wants to change his/her career direction and is uncertain about his/her objectives. These individuals need to explore, discuss and evaluate their value, their skills and where they want to be in their careers.

4. Moving into Management

An individual moving into a management position may also be a good candidate for a career management coach as a career management coach can serve as confidante, adviser and career strategist.

5. Career Planning after 50

Working with a career management coach may also be of value for an individual over 50 who wants a plan for how to continue working in a meaningful job until they are READY to make the retirement decision. Some career coaches are trained to help people with "ReCareering". (a late-in-life career change that is not just a job change, but a move to a completely different career path to pursue a passion, make a lifestyle change, make more money, launch a business, or transition to retirement)

6. Burnt-out, Unhappy, or Frustrated with the Job

Those who are burnt-out, frustrated or unhappy in their careers may want to work with a career or a life coach. The burnt-out, frustrated, and unhappy include those who:

- have lost their enthusiasm for their career,

- are stuck in a career they never wanted in the first place,

- have discovered that their values and their employer's values do not match,

- feel their job is meaningless; that they are nothing more than a cog in a giant machine,

- have been passed over several times for promotions.

- feel overworked, overwhelmed or overburdened

- are considering starting their own business, because they are frustrated with employers

Life coaches and career coaches are known for the ability to ask the powerful questions. Insightful and challenging questions accompanied by encouragement and empathy may help individuals take action on these work-life issues.

Mary Ann is a Career/Life Coach, Resume Writer, and college instructor. She is the owner of Career Development Services, http://www.career-development-services.com and has a new website http://www.MyLifeMyWorkMyWay.com which addresses the career issues of those over 50.