Latest Stories from Dan
Question – How do I learn my strengths and weakness in a field?
Wondering how to determine which specific parts of an industry you’re best in? Our career coach gives some advice on how to work out where you fit in a workplace. Question: When you have little professional experience, how can you figure out what your strengths and weaknesses are in a particular sector? It’s a great question and a really important one for people who are just starting out. Here are some ideas. Figuring...
Question – Should I prioritise values over career advancement?
Our career coach gives some advice on whether you should prioritise company values or career prospects when choosing a place of work. Question: How important is it to work for a business that shares my values, vs. one that will advance my career? My take is that it’s more important to work for a business that shares your values, for three reasons: It’ll be hard to maintain your motivation working for...
Question – How should I approach an intimidating boss?
Are you struggling with a difficult or scary superior? Our career coach gives some advice on how best to tackle a potentially sticky situation. Question: When taking the first steps into a career after leaving university, how should I deal with an intimidating boss when I have little experience but am eager to learn? I’m going to start this answer by distinguishing between intimidating and bullying. Intimidating is definitely a suboptimal management...
Question – What’s the best way to quit a job smoothly?
Looking to leave your current employer but don’t want to kick up a fuss? Our career coach gives you some solid advice on what you should and shouldn’t do. Question: How should you handle the process of handing in your leaving notice to make the situation as comfortable as possible? Great question. Leaving a workplace can feel really weird! It’s usually a strange mixture of positive and negative emotions. Here’s a list...
Question – How many jobs will I have before I’m fulfilled?
Our career coach breaks down how to approach job fulfilment and gives some guidance as to what’s realistic and what you should expect. Question - How many businesses am I likely to work for before finding a company culture that I find fulfilling? How many? One answer is that you are likely to be doing a lot of job hopping anyway! According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median tenure...
Question – How long should I stick to a job I don’t like?
Our career coach gives some top advice for those who find they’re not loving their new job. Question - If I am immediately unhappy in a role and do not see myself staying at the company long term, how long should I stick it out so that my next potential employer doesn’t see the length of my previous employment as a red flag? I know of one person who left...
Question – How long does the hiring process really take?
Question: How long does the interviewing, task and trial process typically take before securing a full-time role? Is it worth taking up a job in retail/hospitality to support me during the process after leaving university? Chloe, France This question is a good opportunity to think about the process from the hiring organisations’ point of view, which is not always well understood by students. For an ‘immediate hire’ vacancy (the vacancies you...
Transitioning from education into the workforce
Our career coach gives some insight into the tricky shift from university or school into the world of adult work. I’m a recent graduate and I’m one month into a 12 month internship in the health and fitness sector, but it’s really not working for me. I’m not enjoying the unsociable hours or lack of structure. I enjoy business and I’m looking to get into the real estate industry in...
Question – Should I broaden my career focus?
Our career coach gives advice to those who are questioning their career aspirations as they enter the workforce. Question: I am currently completing a master’s degree (in enterprise and entrepreneurship) at the university of Leeds, and I’m looking to get a job in September 2022. Since I was about 14 I have always aspired to work in the finance industry and have work experience in the sector as well...
Question – Should I be upfront about my location when networking?
Getting contacts for potential work can be a tricky enough business on its own, but what happens when you’ve a preferred place to work? Our career coach gives the run down. Question: I’m taking an MBA, and I want to go into consulting afterwards, which means a change of industry, function and location. My preference would be working in the Middle East. When networking and interviewing, is it better to...
