Where Next?

[bettylou]

Since I last posted (Having Trouble Fitting In), things have quietened down in the office and I haven't had too much hassle for a while.  I met with the council's employee counsellor who has offered to meet with the director - I haven't taken this option up yet.  I also sent a letter to Occupational Health outlining the treatment I'd received in case I ever need it in the future.

I read through the responses to my posting again to remind myself of the reasons why I should leave.  I have been looking in the paper for vacancies but my heart's not in it.  My confidence has taken such a bashing - I fear I'm losing my nerve.   Also I'm not sure about exactly what to do next - I'm considering part-time work (although logistically tricky as we've just got rid of our second car) so I can spend more time in a voluntary work. I also wonder if I should look at moving into a different line of work altogether (if so, what? and how do I get there?).  It is really unlike me not to know exactly what to do and I find myself asking What do I want? a lot (no answer forthcoming yet).  This is all getting me down.

Does anyone in the UK know of a service that can provide good career advice or perhaps one of those life management gurus I've read about?

By the way, I would like to put in a good word for Flame - a recruitment company who advertised at Creme.  I picked up their pack and the suggestions on writing CVs and doing interviews were really top notch.  

Look forward to hearing from my cyber friends,

Bettylou

[Jackie G]

Bettylou

First of all, I'm glad to hear things have quietened down, and I can totally understand that your confidence has taken a jolt with this.

You sound like you're at a total crossroads, unsure of which way to go.  

Career counselling - there are certainly lots of good people out there but they cost a lot!  A life guru might be an option - specially if you can find one who's in training as they always need folk to practise on (if you don't mind being a guinea pig).  I will have a think and see if anything springs to mind.

Glad to know you got some good advice from a Creme exhibitor too!

Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator

[countrigal]

Another option to the career counselor is to start a list.  As you think of things that interest you, write it down.  And don't think only in terms of jobs or careers, but duties.  Do you like computer work, typing from dictation, filing?  Look at some of your duties, see what you liked or enjoyed and write them down.  Even if you decide to go with a career counselor, this list would be helpful in giving directions for your discussion.  As you write the duties down, start watching folks around you.  Do you see anyone in a position or type of job that you think you'd like?  If so, write it down too.  This might get your mind re-activated on looking at what you want from life without being so dramatic as hopping in straight away.

If you're feeling unsure of yourself, find ways to perk yourself up.  Do you have a feel-good file?  I keep one, where I keep notes, e-mails, and such that co-workers, supervisors, and others have given me through out my career.  Then when I start to doubt myself, I look through these.  I'm also a database developer (in Access) and since hardly anyone else on the facility knows anything about Access, I can normally do something in it, show someone and get some positive re-inforcement.  Especially if it's updating or changing an existing database for someone and making it easier for them to use or allowing them to do something new.

Keep your head up, and keep thinking positive thoughts.  You are important and good at what you do.  Let us know how everything goes.

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[beaintheuk]

Regarding Flame recruitment, I also has a good experience with them.  They really kept in touch with me every week when I was looking for a job, it was the best agency I had signed with, even though they didn't find me the job I am in now!

As for those life management gurus, I think some website offer some services similar to what you may be looking for.  I am not sure which it was but if you look on some recruitment website, they may have a section about giving advice....  Try reed.co.uk or monster.co.uk, etc.

Good luck
Bea