ShiftSurgeries
Your career problems answered by the professionals.
Our resident Shift Doctors are here to answer your career problems and put you back on track.
Previous questions answered
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Due to the level of questions we are receiving at the moment we cannot guarantee that we will be able to answer all questions, but we'll certainly do our best!
Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 11 March 2008 at 19:52
After graduating I fell into a role as a trainee broadcast journalist, and now am a freelance journalist on the radio...I feel very frustrated and bored! I'm realising the world of TV is very shallow...I'm just lost as to where I want to be.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Rosie Walford at The Big Stretch on 8 April 2008 at 21:36
The key to my advice today is your comment that TV is feeling 'shallow'. It suggests to me that you would be fulfilled by work which felt as though it was somehow contributing to the greater good, or tackling subjects that are important to you...Here's an exercise for you...
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 13 March 2008 at 17:43
Should I take voluntary redundancy now, even though I do not yet have a clear plan of what to do in the future?
I have some ideas of areas I might be interested in but I need to get a far better idea of the reality. How do I do that?
ShiftDoctor answer
By Sarah Cooper on 25 March 2008 at 09:41
Self confidence builds through action. Prioritise the career areas you are interested in and go on a fact finding mission. The best way to do this is through an incredibly useful technique called "informational interviewing."
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous
I have a talent for inventing devices, creating new methodologies and just generally having novel ideas in lots of areas (not just science). I'm interested in so many areas, but I need to make money!
ShiftDoctor answer
By John Williams on 26 February 2008 at 14:06
The key to success for you is to find a way to focus your time and energy on what you're best at - creating new stuff - and collaborate with others who will keep you tuned into the market and find you funding to leverage your creations.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 13 January 2008 at 16:21
When I look up jobs everyone wants experience. I need to know how I can transfer my skills and move into another career path - surely my qualifications can help me to pick up something more than a job on a supermarket till.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Toby Buckle on 11 February 2008 at 23:01
Think of your experience and qualifications as a set of ingredients that can be used to make a variety of roles. Identify which ingredients you would most enjoy to use and pursue roles that can use these...
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Careershifter question
By angeorge on 4 January 2008 at 16:20
I'm 55, I've been working with the same employer for 33 years. I'm ready for a change in career and there is a good retirement package on offer, but I lack confidence in my ablility to find a new job. I don't know where to begin looking.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGregor Johnson on 17 January 2008 at 00:08
I am not surprised that you have little joy scanning the job websites. We can only become enthused about what's on offer once we have become excited about what we are looking for...So Instead of trying to match your current skills to another job, reconnect with your interests - your passion and purpose - and go from there.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 5 December 2007 at 01:00
I'm very unhappy in my job but feel trapped!...My biggest worry is my responsibilities. I currently earn a good wage, have been married and am expecting my first child. If I did not have a mortgage I would happily either go back to Uni or start a career at the bottom.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Toby Buckle on 20 December 2007 at 22:01
The trick is to find ways in which both these motivators (i.e. the desire to pay your way, and the desire to enjoy a job) can work together, rather than seeing them as mutually exclusive
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 25 November 2007 at 15:18
My 'dream' opportunity has presented itself, but pursuing this opportunity means potential negative impact on my wife - she is more sensitive to change and leaving the stability we are fortunate to currently enjoy.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGregor Johnson on 4 December 2007 at 21:55
Change by its very nature is scary. There is always an element of us that likes to maintain the status quo, even if we know intellectually that the change could be good for us or someone we love.
I am reminded of a client who took the risk and went for the dream with many of the same trepidations as you. Ultimately his partner had flourished in the light of his happiness, had been drawn forward by his fulfilment.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 25 November 2007 at 15:18
My 'dream' opportunity has presented itself, but pursuing this opportunity means potential negative impact on my wife - she is more sensitive to change and leaving the stability we are fortunate to currently enjoy.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Jessica McGregor Johnson on 4 December 2007 at 21:55
Change by its very nature is scary. There is always an element of us that likes to maintain the status quo, even if we know intellectually that the change could be good for us or someone we love.
I am reminded of a client who took the risk and went for the dream with many of the same trepidations as you. Ultimately his partner had flourished in the light of his happiness, had been drawn forward by his fulfilment.
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 15 November 2007 at 16:24
I want to totally change career and am looking at more creative careers. I have the money to re-train but want to know how and where I do this and where I start once trained.
ShiftDoctor answer
By Sonia Lakshman on 28 November 2007 at 22:07
It is a matter of doing your homework and research. This is such an important stage in any career change as the more thoroughly you investigate the profession, its training and potential employment opportunities, the less likely you are to spend your valuable training funds unwisely. So where to begin?...
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Careershifter question
By Anonymous on 10 October 2007 at 00:00
My dream is to be a full-time artist. The plan has always been to pursue my art career in my free time, and the idea of getting a permanent job does not appeal, as I think it would be like quitting and accepting that my artwork is going nowhere. Please help! I'm lost...
ShiftDoctor answer
By John Williams on 1 November 2007 at 16:32
This is not a question of "Should I be an artist?" but "How do I make this work for me?". So the question becomes what do you do in order to be able to create your art and make a living - even if the two things have to be separate at first?
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