December 2021

More than 6 million people in the UK now choose to work part time in their career. A flexible, yet high-earning role is much easier to achieve these days.

Overturning traditional employment concepts, CEO’s, senior lawyers, directors of finance and others are choosing to go part time. It is becoming more normal for senior management to expect flexibility. Although often the extent of that flexibility is not publicised to their colleagues or outside the organisation.

Flexible working for mums has been evident in the economy for many years. But the shift in working patterns is not just working mums these days. Karen Mattison MBE, the founder of Timewise, a recruitment service specialising in part-time skilled jobs, says: “More than a third of our candidates are not mothers, and that figure is growing. Many are fathers; high-earning individuals who can survive comfortably with a reduction in salary”.

“Having children is just one of the reasons people may decide to work part-time. Some want to start their own business, go freelance, or need time to care for elderly relatives. For some, it is a lifestyle choice,” says Ms Mattison. “People are willing to forego the extra 25 per cent of salary. They would prefer to enjoy the time.”

The Covid 19 pandemic has also had an effect. Senior workers have been asked to go part time by employers trying to reduce costs. This has made it easier for these workers to make the change they were already considering. And it has allowed businesses to reap the benefits of cost reductions.

Ms Mattison expands: “It enables employers to retain their senior staff in tough times. Growing or cost-cutting businesses can still access high-level talent on a part-time basis, which otherwise would be unaffordable.”

However, those part-timers might prefer that their colleagues do not know their situation. According to a recent study, around a third would not use the word “part-time” to describe their work and 15% prefer to let their fellow workers believe that they are still full time, working from home. Employees can feel that they are not taken as seriously as full-timers, and this has negative connotations. The suggestion of ‘part time’ can also mean that clients feel that their needs aren’t being met 24/7.

But times are changing, and businesses are seeing the benefits of part time roles, particularly in senior positions. This creates opportunities for some to pursue a career change. They can reflect on their lifestyle and work/life balance or mentor young ones and school leavers. At the same time, they can allow businesses to benefit from their knowledge and experience whilst reducing costs.

Are you damaging your own career?

A recent survey showed that over 80% of us have made a serious blunder that had adverse repercussions on our career.  

It doesn’t have to be one big mistake. A few small ones over a period, or a poor attitude, can seriously affect your chances of a future promotion, an increase in pay or achieving the next step up in your career.

So, are you in danger of harming your own career? Here are some of the common ways you can damage your career prospects without realising.

Promises, Promises…

If you are promising big but essentially unachievable results, you are piling additional pressure on yourself for the future.

You may think that you’re going beyond the call of duty in your career, but if you don’t deliver on your promises, you are going to disappoint your manager, yourself and those around you.

So, set realistic career goals and you’ll end up looking better than if you promise more and deliver less. The art of career management is knowing how much you can do within a set time – and then delivering it successfully. Failure to achieve it will disappoint your managers, your peers and you. Ultimately it will cost you the progress you want in your career.

Complacency

When did you last learn a new relevant skill? Or think about making your work more efficient? Or look for a way to progress your career? Are you resting on your laurels?

If you let life pass you by, trudging on with your everyday routine, not thinking about your career progression, then don’t be surprised when you start to wonder ‘what am I doing here?’

Career opportunities do not fall into your lap. You have to go out and get them. Be proactive. If you’ve already been in your career for some time, waiting for a promotion but regularly being passed over, it may be because you’re not showing the initiative your company expects from you. Make your career development a priority and see what happens!

Fear of change

Are you afraid to move on in your career? You may be restraining yourself by being too scared to move forward in your career. It can be worrying, applying for a new role or making the frightening leap of a complete career change. Even learning a new skill requires some courage.

It’s normal to be hesitant when considering a career change. You may doubt your abilities or experience anxiety about making the right career choice. Fear of failure or the unknown can hold you back in your career. However, knowing your personality, skills and motivations can give you the confidence to make the right career choices now.

Your 20’s are a formative point in your career. New career choices made now will have a profound effect on how the rest of your career will evolve. Those in the first decade of their careers will face alternatives that will affect the rest of their lives.

In this changeable economy, it is ever more complicated to know what career is right for you, let alone achieve it. Yet, with many facing student loan repayments soon, it is crucial that you make your career choice as soon as possible.

Like many people in their 20’s, you’re probably wondering ‘how to choose my career? The question is complex, but the process to answer it is relatively straightforward. A career analyst can provide career guidance to direct you to the right career for you.

Career analysts focus on constructing a psychological profile of you. What are you interested in? what would suit your personality? what would be in line with you values and beliefs and what would you be good at? These are the important factors to consider when choosing your career. They uncover these using psychometric tests.

Psychometric tests are mostly multiple-choice questionnaires. When the results are analysed by a qualified career analyst, they reveal a profile of you which can then be matched to success and fulfilment in your ideal career.

Are you considering a Career Change? Do you feel that your present career doesn’t really achieve what you want? Maybe your values or circumstances have changed.

As you move into your thirties and beyond, it is important to re-evaluate your career path and ensure you are still on course in your career.

Ask yourself these questions to understand if your present career is still the right career for you.

• Am I really happy in my career?
• Am I doing as well as I expected to?
• Is my career fulfilling my needs?
• Am I working at the level that’s right for me at this stage?
• Are new opportunities coming my way?
• Have I got the right work/life balance? Is my quality of life good?
• Am I making the most of my talents, abilities, experience and qualifications?
• Have I gained the respect of my colleagues and bosses?
• Is my career progressing as it should?

If you answer NO to some of these, then maybe the time has come to think seriously about whether you are in the right job. Consider this carefully as you don’t want to end up in another career which is no better than the one you’ve got!

A Career Analyst using psychometric tests will help you find your ideal career

A career analyst using psychometric tests will help you find your ideal career

Sometimes you may think your job is boring; that’s not uncommon. However, that’s just transitory. More importantly, is your career path the right one for the rest of your life?

So, the big question that follows is: If this isn’t the best career path for me, then what is? How do you figure out what career is right for you?

A career guidance counsellor using psychometric tests is a good start. They are called career analysts and they are usually qualified Occupational Psychologists. They use career tests to understand what makes you up. They look at your personality, values, interests, motivations and abilities so they can match you up with the best career for you.

So, if you are seriously thinking about changing careers at this stage of your life, find a good career analyst. They can point you in the right direction.