Starting or changing your career in a pandemic is new for all of us living today.
You don’t need to feel overwhelmed.
Instead, you can arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make the most of how work and workplaces have changed.
The suggestions below on how to do that were part of a talk I gave recently to Western Sydney University business undergraduates who are preparing to start their careers.
2. Uncover the career strengths you’ve gained since the pandemic started
Make a list of all the things you’ve learnt about yourself and how you operate under pressure.
Include the strengths you’ve noticed you possess, that you may not have been aware of in the past.
What are you taking from your COVID-19 experience that makes you a more valuable employee to an organisation that’s still adapting to the new world of work?
Here are some of the strengths the seminar participants discovered when they went through this process:
While researching for this talk, I put together this list of the changes I see as being positive for anyone ready for a career start or a career change:
More flexible work options are on offer
Alternative business models are emerging
You could be working anywhere, for anyone, anytime
New management styles put the focus on outcomes, not visibility
Employers are increasing their support for mental health and wellbeing of their employees
Organisations are looking for ways to withstand future shocks and this means workplace values, culture, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion are getting more attention
BSc MHRM FIML
Susan Rochester has been managing director of Balance at Work since 2006. Susan has a natural tendency to balance analytical thinking with an optimistic outlook to set direction and solve problems. She is an effective facilitator and constantly creates new and more effective ways of doing things, motivated by helping others to achieve their goals.
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- Christopher Cachia, CEO and Principal, CCA Financial Planning
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- Manager, National NFP
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- Executive GM, People and Culture
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Chris Bulmer - National GM Learning and Development, ISS Australia
"The leadership team at Insurance Advisernet engaged Susan from Balance at Work to run our leadership development survey and learning sessions. Susan was very professional in delivering the team and individual strengths and opportunities for growth. Susan's approach was very "non corporate" in style which was refreshing to see. I can't recommend Balance at Work more highly to lead employee and team development sessions."
