Career Development

What a year!!!!

What next….

Preparing for your next career move has never been so important. With fewer commercial job opportunities and more competition it is imperative you plan carefully what you want out of your career. Having short, medium and long term goals can help you focus on what is important for you and your future.

Think about…

• What is important to you – e.g. money, location, work life balance, challenge?
• Do you want to set up your own business eventually?
• Do you want to stay in Practice, Industry, Public or Private Sector?
• Would you relocate for the right opportunity or travel abroad?
• What are you good at? Do you enjoy financial or management accounts or both?
• Are you a strong technical accountant and enjoy analysing to an advanced level?
• Do you enjoy working independently or as part of a larger team?
• Could you manage a team of accounts staff or do you need to gain more experience in this area?
• What areas personally would you like to develop – perhaps presentation skills, networking skills, technical capability, management expertise, client facing skills, business development skills?
• Would you like to specialise – e.g. Corporate Recovery, Tax, Corporate Finance, Industry, Management / Financial Accounts, Business / Commercial Analyst, Banking?
• What is your current network of contacts and how can you use these contacts for career advancement?
• Who do you admire in your sector – would they mentor you?
• Are there any areas friends and family would feel you could improve on. Family and friends tend to give honest advice.

The key to development is considering the above and then deciding what you are prepared to compromise on. Having a wish list is good but what if a job opportunity falls short of all your expectations? Remember your next job is unlikely to be your last job. It is a stepping stone to help you get to where you want to be. Firstly decide where you want to be in 5-10 years’ time and try to make career choices which will help you move in that direction.

For personal career advice, please feel free to contact Sara McKinty or Paul Coulter