Are you thinking about investing in a professional development course? It’s always a positive to invest in your career, but there are signs it’s crucial. If you have concerns about redundancy, challenging projects at work or lack the confidence to do your role well, these are just some reasons to invest in professional development.
Professional development is education or mentoring that leads to learning, which gains or maintains your professional credentials. Professional development can include academic degrees, formal coursework, online courses, conferences and informal learning opportunities in the workplace.
Redundancy and job insecurity are real, but it will take the sting (or at least the surprise) out of it if you’re prepared. If you’re in an industry renowned for redundancy, it’s even more important to be realistic about your job security.
Maintaining and gaining new skills through professional development is crucial to minimise your risk of redundancy, as you may be able to move into another role, but you’ll also be more likely to find a new job quickly.
Are there positions in your company that interest you, but you don’t have all the skills you need to apply? If so, a professional development course – even a short online course – will help you get your foot in the door. You can learn many roles while on the job, but having a foundation of knowledge will give you a competitive advantage for a promotion or career change.
If you have difficulty at work, face a challenging project, or feel overwhelmed in a role, professional development can help you.
Whether you’re experiencing difficulty with communication, leadership, time management or even public speaking, there’s a course to help you overcome any workplace challenge.
If it’s been years since you’ve learned something new, a professional development course will help you gain the latest skills in leadership, marketing, sales, communication – and many other industries! It’s a great way to feel competent and confident in your current role.
If you work in dynamic industries like digital and design, staying up to date on new developments is even more crucial. Regardless, gaining knowledge and acquiring new skills is also a confidence-booster. And let’s face it, most of us could use that in the workplace!
In many industries, change is the only constant. You must make sure you’re prepared. A professional development course in change management will be vital if you lead change. If you know what changes are on the horizon, boosting your skillset (and that of co-workers) via professional development will make the change less threatening and stressful.
Are you stuck in a career rut? If so, it’s never too late to change careers. Depending on the job you choose, you might need to upskill. Whether taking an online professional development course or enrolling in tertiary education, a commitment to study and a positive attitude will take you far.
It’s understandable to feel underqualified when you start a business. It’s a massive undertaking that requires you to wear many hats! There are so many factors that will determine whether your business will succeed. A few of the most important skills for running your own business include financial literacy, marketing and communications, time management and leadership.
Start with the most important skills you want to gain and work backwards when considering professional development courses. Because while education is an investment in your future, you need to be realistic about your budget. It doesn’t have to be a considerable expense, as many short online courses may be adequate to upskill, change careers or even start a business! Many factors will influence your decision, from your financial situation to essential requirements set by industry bodies. The bottom line – do your research, and do it well!
The war for employee talent is real! Known by various phrases like the “Great Resignation”, the “Great Transition”, and the “Great Realignment”, the current sentiment among employees is that it is time for change. Workers are leaving their jobs and making lifestyle and career changes, and others are making “tree” or “sea” changes and redesigning their lives.
According to research from Microsoft, 40 per cent of the post-pandemic global workforce have resigned or are considering resigning. Some proof of this can be seen in job advertisements. In October last year, SEEK recorded the highest number of job ads in 23 years. That was 63 per cent higher than the previous year and 44 per cent higher than pre-pandemic levels in October 2019.
In part, the labour supply squeeze comes from limited worker mobility due to border closures and the halted immigration of skilled and technical workers from overseas into the country. It may also be due to increased government support during the pandemic or because people have been able to save more while staying home during lockdowns. Many skilled workers can now name their price as the employment market heats up.
Lockdowns have also allowed people to examine their priorities, values and lifestyle choices. People have had the chance to think about the emphasis on work and what’s important to them and tap into an underlying desire to have a better lifestyle.
With the rise of hybrid and remote work models, the flexibility of working from home has also created resistance to pre-COVID-19 work arrangements. For some, paying exorbitant parking fees and travelling to and from work is not an attractive option when there are alternatives available.
Hence, local employee resistance and overseas employee shortages are forecast to be one of the highest business risks across all industries in 2022.
Businesses, irrespective of size, are now having to battle for available resources in the competitive employee landscape. For employers, it is time to rethink their decisions around the what, why, where and when of work to ensure continuous improvement and business growth.
While salary does play a huge role in attracting and retaining talent, it’s not the only factor. In the current business climate, where budgets may be an issue, organisations need to look at other tactics and strategies. So whether you are a leader, recruitment specialist or own your own business, here are some ways you can attract and hire new talent and some staff retention strategies that will help you retain that talent.
In many cases, COVID-19 has dramatically changed the way we work. One of the most significant changes has been the adaption of flexible working policies, particularly given the need for employees to work from home. Many have embraced the change and prefer it! Regarding staff retention strategies, if your business has the capability and capacity to offer this arrangement for staff moving forward, it is worth considering.
To set your employees and your business up for success, take the time to define work processes and agree on your staff’sKey Performance Indicators (KPIs). As with autonomy, there should also be accountability. Whether it’s a 100 per cent work-from-home scenario or a combination of some days in the office and some out, with the right framework, it can work. Plus, if your employees are happy and fulfilled, it will often equate to enhanced productivity.
Another critical staff retention strategy is to have sufficient mental health support in place. This is crucial as, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 15 per cent of Australians experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress over the period 2020 to 2021. Not surprisingly, there has also been evidence of heightened psychological stress during the pandemic.
As a manager or business owner, you are responsible for assisting workers with mental illness by providing changes that will support their duties more effectively in the workplace. These are known as “reasonable adjustments”. A few ways you can instigate these include:
To equip employees with the necessary skills for the future of work, developing a culture of continuous learning is essential. However, aligning training to organisational and staff retention strategies requires prioritisation and investment in diverse learning opportunities and preferences. Things to consider include developing micro-learning tools and encouraging social and informal learning.
Technology can also be leveraged to facilitate agile and innovative learning and is critical for remote workers. Digital tools like virtual reality are particularly suited to harder-to-teach skills and create powerful learning experiences. And shifting the focus on development from individuals to team-based training can help equip them for continued success and better performance.
Staff retention strategies can also revolve around employee benefits, rewards and recognition programs that you put in place. They can include:
If your career path is no longer fulfilling, embarking on a completely new career is important; however, it can be overwhelming.
You may have consulted with a career advisor who gave excellent career planning advice, you probably considered many career choices and you may have reskilled with an online education while you continued to work.
But even with a solid online education, career advice and a mountain of enthusiasm, applying for a job in a new field is hard! The fact remains: you’ll have limited work experience on your resume. So how do you get noticed? You write a winning career change cover letter: that’s how! Here’s how you do it.
Natalie Scanlon, Founder of Written Communications, says by following these five steps your cover letter won’t be left at the bottom of the pile.
This is at the top for a reason. When you are changing careers, there will be many skills that you can transfer to a new position. Review the ‘Job Tasks and Responsibilities’ of each individual role and allow this to dictate what you should or shouldn’t include in your cover letter. For example; ‘organising travel and accommodation arrangements’ could indicate that you need to be able to manage tasks for others. This is something you should explain in your cover letter and is skill that is transferable across industries.
Always remember to edit your cover letter for every job you apply for. This is a tedious task, but every role is different, and this requires some care and attention.
Don’t make your cover letter more than one-page long. In this day and age, there are hundreds of applicants for one role. The longer the cover letter, the less likely the employer is to read it!
Your cover letter and your resume are two ‘different’ documents. Use the cover letter as a tool to explain why you are the best candidate for the role; in comparison, use your resume to show your experience and education where applicable.
ALWAYS re-read your cover letter. If you have ‘pays attention to details’, or ‘Microsoft Office Expert’ listed as one of your ‘skills’ on your resume, you need to show that you know how to spell and write accordingly. Rather than telling your potential employer what you do, show them! It works wonders.
You’ll need a competitive edge to start your career according to a new report by Anglicare. Across Australia, there are now an average of 4.8 jobseekers for every entry-level job advertised (ABC News report). So how can graduates and new jobseekers give themselves the best chance of success?
Australian Online Courses spoke to Darleen Barton, bestselling author and performance coach at DIPAC & Associates, for advice on how entry-level jobseekers can increase their chances of being hired.
“Demonstrate your skills, your character and your personal value system,” says Barton. As an entry-level job-seeker you should include any humanitarian interests, including voluntary positions that you have held.
It’s also important to ensure your C.V clearly demonstrates your accomplishments and the results achieved, adds Barton. “Employers are looking for ‘action-oriented’ people who can learn fast and deliver results.”
Of course, she adds, make sure your C.V is free of spelling and grammatical errors.
If you can deliver your CV in person take the opportunity, says Barton. “First impressions count. You will be judged in the first thirty seconds of your arrival. You might as well make it positive. Make sure you’re neat, tidy and professional.”
Keep in mind that recruitment companies work with thousands of candidates, says Barton. As a new job-seeker you need to conduct your own research. Try to find out as much as possible about the organisations you are looking to work.
Barton says a social media presence is important for jobseekers, but it should reflect a professional image. “Your online footprint should be clean, issue free and professional. Establish accounts on key sites such as LinkedIn and sanitise or even remove personal accounts with sites such as Facebook that can be viewed by prospective employers.”
“Go one step further and create a mini website for yourself. There are many web-building services such as WIX, which enable you to build great websites fast and for free. Get your profile up and out in the market and ensure your site is looks professional.”
Being persistent is paramount to your success, says Barton. “If you want to get your foot in the door don’t send an email requesting an appointment. Pick up the phone and ask for an appointment to see the human resource manager, relevant manager, or person hiring. Follow up phone calls are important to ensure your enthusiasm is noticed.”
You should also demonstrate that you are reliable. “Employers are sick of no-shows and unreliable people.” They want to be impressed, which leads to the next important step – the interview.
“Arrive to your interview early and bring hard copies of your C.V and references. If necessary, bring materials to support your interview. Dress well, be considerate, answer questions clearly, use positive body language, avoid ums and ahs and overuse of the word like. Ask relevant questions and focus on the role – not how much money you will get,” advises Barton.
The STAR principal is a behavioural interview technique based on discovering a candidate’s past behaviour in a specific employment-related situation.
It stands for Situation, Task, Action and Result. You should prepare a few examples of situations that arose, the task you carried out, the action you took, and the results achieved.
As an entry level job-seeker, you can use situations from your internships, short courses, school projects, activities, team sports, community involvement, hobbies and any work experience.
“Remember with every no, your confidence must grow,” says Barton. You should learn to pick yourself up and try again despite setbacks.
She says it’s also important to monitor self-talk, as confidence comes from within. “You have just completed your study and you are heading out to get your first job – so take it easy on yourself!”
A technique she recommends is to look yourself in the mirror every day and use the mantra ‘I can do this.’ “We all started somewhere!”
When you think of career counselling do fresh-faced school leavers come to mind? If so it’s a mistake. While this is certainly an important stage to seek guidance, it’s not the only time you should seek advice with career direction, according to Principal Consultant, Simon Bennett, of Glide Outplacement and Career Coaching.
Bennet says there are many reasons people seek career counselling throughout their lifetime but the following scenarios make it a must.
Maybe you’ve realised you’ve studied the wrong degree, or perhaps you’re overwhelmed by opportunities and feel unable to make progress with any of them? A career coach can help you to consider all your options and make a sustainable, long- term choice.
So, you made a bad career choice. Rather than hitting the eject button straight away, it can be helpful to talk to an independent expert to discover whether if it’s worthwhile sticking with the job until you’ve learnt enough for it to be useful on your resume.
If the enjoyment has gone from your working day, a career coach can work with you to develop a plan to move on and find a new role to reignite your passion. They can also advise you on how to get professional satisfaction from doing something that is frankly a bit dull.
Few of us pick the right job on our first try. But if you are thinking about changing careers, you probably want to find the right career this time. If you aren’t sure where to start, career coaching will show you how to research, evaluate and apply for potential jobs before you make any life-changing decisions.
Being overlooked for a more senior position doesn’t always mean you should quit. When there seems to be a lack of career advancement opportunities in your current role, a career expert can coach you on ways to ask your line manager or HR department about how you can take on more responsibilities and advance professionally.
The idea of negotiating a higher salary makes many people feel uncomfortable: they don’t want to seem rude or greedy asking for more money, especially if an initial request has been rejected. Working with a career coach will equip you with the skills to ask for and negotiate a pay rise that matches your expectations.
The workplace can sometimes be miserable and unpleasant. When quitting isn’t an option, professional career management advice can show you how to turn a bad situation into a good learning experience and make your job more tolerable.
The professional and/or technical skills that have fuelled your success to date are likely to be different to those you need as a manager. With career coaching, you’ll discover what skills and knowledge you need to be a successful manager who achieves high performance from team members.
Many retirees want to remain in the workforce, although not always in the same role. With post-retirement career planning, you can decide whether you want to look for a role related to your previous career, investigate new career paths or start your own business.
Career coaching can provide you with expert help in developing and implementing a return-to-work strategy, especially if you want to do something different to what you did before you left the workforce. It can help you think about your existing skills, including those you’ve developed since becoming a parent, and how to transfer them to other employment options.
Career counselling helps you plan and effectively deal with career challenges. At all ages and all stages of your professional life there is opportunity to explore suitable career options. So, if you’re unhappy in your current role or are confused by career choices, you might benefit from our “Ask a Career Coach” service.
The “Ask a Career Coach” is a free service offered by Australian Online Courses where you can ask any questions related to work and careers. All questions are reviewed and answered by a career coach. Selected questions and answers will be published on the Australian Online Courses site (we respect your privacy, real names and email address will not be published).
If you’re ready to discover a new career direction explore the hundreds of professional development courses on offer with Australian Online Courses.
Your career matters to us at Australian Online Courses. That’s why flexible study timeframes, affordable prices and unmatched customer support from our administration team and tutors are at the heart of what we do.
Our comprehensive array of courses, developed in consultation with industry experts, will give you the skills and knowledge to pursue new roles and achieve your career goals.
A state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, sign up with Australian Online Courses today and get the skills and confidence to discover a career that inspires you.
The age of retirement is steadily creeping towards 70, so at 40 there are potentially 30 working years ahead of you. This doesn’t make it less daunting for those changing careers later in life, but it does put it in perspective.
According to Career Coach Elise Stevens of Age-Defying Careers adequate preparation is the key to successfully changing careers mid-life. She says the pay-off is a renewed sense of purpose and enhanced job satisfaction.
Stevens was in her 50s when she established her own online coaching business to help women in their 40s and 50s renew their career confidence.
She speaks out about ageism in the workplace and believes mid-life job seekers face many challenges. “Sometimes circumstances force people to look elsewhere for a new job or career. But for those who still have a job, even one that leaves them unhappy and unfulfilled, it can be hard to make the decision to leave,” says Stevens.
The fear of leaving their professional comfort zone, not knowing what’s expected or changing a familiar routine can be daunting, she says. There’s also fear of age discrimination and the valid concern of managing finances, according to Stevens.
Her Advice:
Spend some time working out what you hope to achieve from your new career.
Are you looking for a job that pays more? Provides you with a sense of purpose? Has flexible working conditions? A workplace that shares your personal values? Each of these goals is equally valid.
Once you’ve identified what it is you’d like to achieve by changing careers, you can then start thinking about what professions or industries fit your criteria.
Working out what options will suit you best can seem overwhelming, especially if you are already tired and stressed in your current job. If this is the case, Stevens suggests asking for help. For example, you can:
Elise emphasises the importance of setting attainable goals that can be realistically achieved. In your planning, think through details such as:
Having a clear plan and breaking it down into do-able steps will ease the pressure of preparing for your new career.
Change is unsettling, and even scary, says Stevens. So, it’s important to give yourself credit for each step you achieve and remind yourself of your end goal. Know that you can adapt successfully to change and try not to let self-doubt hold you back.
Own your career change plans. Decide on an action today. Do it. Repeat. You can make it happen if you just decide to start.
Finding a new career can be an opportunity that gives your life renewed purpose and direction.
Looking for some mid-life career change inspiration? You can’t go past Julie Misson who at 50 became a software developer following a 30-year career as a nurse.
Now in her mid-50’s she has created hundreds of software applications and is an award-winning app developer with her own business Make It APPen.
Misson says her age played a part in moving her towards her goals quickly. “I realised if I wanted to start a business I’d better get my act together. I combined my knowledge of healthcare with my passion for technology and started my business creating apps to enhance patient care.”
There was a steep learning curve in changing careers as she had to learn two coding languages to set up her business. “The Internet is an excellent resource with both paid online courses and free resources. I’m also continually amazed that people are willing to share their own knowledge so freely,” says Misson.
The main barrier to career transition was time, according to Misson. She worked full-time in healthcare and looked after her grandchildren so she was time-poor. “They say it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert. I realised I needed to give something up – so I cut back my work hours, which gave me five days to concentrate on learning new skills and building my business.”
The benefits of changing careers later in life are keeping the brain active, meeting new and enthusiastic people, getting outside your comfort zone and having a purpose, says Misson.
“People often ask if my age was a hindrance or if it put up barriers to becoming a coder – as most coders are males in their 20s – but I find my years’ of experience in healthcare enables me to speak both health and tech jargon.”
“I often say I’m a nurse by trade but a nerd by nature.”
If a change of career is on the cards for you consider a professional development course from Australian Online Courses.
Your career matters to us at Australian Online Courses. That’s why flexible study time frames, affordable prices and unmatched customer support from our administration team and tutors are at the heart of what we do.
Our comprehensive array of courses, developed in consultation with industry employers, will give you the skills and knowledge to pursue new roles – and achieve your career dreams.
A state-of-the-art eLearning platform means you can study anywhere, anytime. So, sign up with Australian Online Courses today and get the skills and confidence to make a change at any age.
Today, more than ever, opportunity in the job market is more important than job security. In fact, the job-for-life of past generations is practically non-existent with Australia’s job mobility being closer to three different jobs per decade. (courtesy of McCrindle).
And while job-hopping is more common and accepted, even a natural progression in a career, what if simply changing jobs isn’t enough? Perhaps you’ve become disenchanted with your current career. It makes sense that in a working life that potentially spans 40 years you, your lifestyle, will change. So why shouldn’t your career?
There’s no question, this is a far more challenging position to be in but it’s not as difficult as you might expect with the right guidance. According to Career and Business Strategist Kelly Kozaris there are four major setbacks career-changers experience and they’re not insurmountable.
The benefits, including greater job satisfaction, enhanced mental health and wellbeing, the potential to increase your salary, gain new contacts and learn new and rewarding skills might just be worth the effort.
“Confidence is a wonderful thing and can truly impact an individual’s career,” says Kozaris.
She says the best way to overcome a crisis of confidence is to be clear about your strengths and how your skill-set can be transferred to a new career.
When you list your current skills, you might be surprised how many can be valuable across industries.
“People are unsure of direction when they feel ‘stuck’ …, or they don’t know ‘what’s next’ for them.”
Kozaris says often people stay the course with a career simply because they are good at it and it supports a lifestyle they’ve become accustomed to. But if they no longer find it meaningful it can lead to misery and that’s when it’s time for a change.
To obtain more clarity or direction:
“Financial setbacks are a big issue when it comes to career change and ‘not having the money’ is one of the biggest excuses I hear.”
Kozaris says making time and planning a career transition is a big investment in yourself. However, it becomes financially rewarding in the future when your salary increases, or when a new business venture is formed.
Make it financially viable
“Not knowing what your future looks like … can hold a lot of people back from living the life they want or doing the work they love.”
Everyone’s personal risk factor is different, says Kozaris, and it will impact any career change decisions you make.
Kozaris says the best way to overcome each of these setbacks is through personal development to understand the blocks and obstacles facing your career change. “I recommend my clients find out what works for them including reading, writing and journaling, listening to podcasts and locking in 10 to 20 minutes a day.”
However, Kozaris warns if mental illness is a factor, speak to an industry professional prior to reaching out to a career coach for support.
If a career change is in your future why not start with a professional development course in the industry that appeals to you? At Australian Online Courses, we are passionate about helping people from all walks of life to achieve their career goals.
Considering that we spend a third of our lives at work, it’s not surprising that an unfulfilling career can lead to feelings of hopelessness, overwhelm, resentment, and even debilitating depression and anxiety. This blog aims to shed light on the signs that indicate you’re ready for a career change, a topic that could potentially transform your life, and provides a fun career quiz!
Yet, as creatures of habit, we must summon a truckload of motivation and enthusiasm to change careers. Perhaps your career path is on track, but you want to advance your skills, apply for a promotion, or move into a different department. This may be enough to renew your passion for what you do. Or maybe you’re one of many who absolutely need to head in a completely different direction right now!
Identifying with one or more of the following ‘signs’ is probably a good indication that it’s time to find a new career. Recognising you’re ready for change can be liberating, empowering you to take control of your career path.
While the initial excitement of any job wears off somewhat, if you have no enthusiasm left for your career, that’s a sign it’s not a good fit for you. So, it’s time for a change if your work life is always an obligation rather than a fulfilling activity.
Getting out of bed in the morning leaves you feeling exhausted. You muster all your strength to drag yourself into work. It’s more than Monday blues. It’s feeling tired almost every day at the thought of the workday ahead. If you experience this exhaustion, your work isn’t for you, and it’s time to change.
Over time, your skills have evolved, and your interests have changed. If you find yourself drawn to new fields or have acquired skills that don’t match your current role, it is probably an indication that you’re ready to move on to something new.
If no professional development or training is on the horizon, you most likely feel stuck. A lack of opportunity or advancement in your career can lead to frustration and demotivation. A career change can offer you a fresh start and exciting new opportunities for growth that are no longer possible in your current role, sparking a sense of hope and optimism.
If you’re irritable with work colleagues or your bad mood infiltrates your home life, it indicates that you’re ready for a change. Finding a job that feels significant and aligns with your values will lead to greater job satisfaction, feelings of accomplishment and better mental health.
If your weekends can’t come quickly enough, but you’re tired and depressed at work, blame situational depression. It’s as though you’re asleep until Friday afternoon and suddenly come alive. But come Sunday night, the dread descends in anticipation of the work week ahead. It’s called situational depression, and a career change is a must to protect your mental health and relationships.
A bit of stress is healthy, as it motivates you to push through challenging work tasks. But it’s time for a change if you have a mountain of negative thoughts that threaten to overwhelm you at work and feel stressed when you think about work.
A negative or toxic company culture significantly affects your emotional, mental and physical well-being. If efforts to improve your situation at work have failed, moving to a healthier, more positive, supportive workplace might be necessary.
Is it time for a career change? Take a quick quiz!
Take this quick and easy career quiz to get you thinking about your preferences and strengths. It’s a fun starting point for exploring potential career paths!
If you got mostly A’s, you might excel in technical and practical careers such as engineering, carpentry, IT, or architecture. You could explore technical courses or apprenticeships that allow hands-on work.
If you got mostly B’s, analytical and investigative careers such as science, research, finance, or data analysis might be a great fit for you. To start your journey, consider looking into specialised courses in your area of interest.
If you got mostly C’s, you could find your path in creative and artistic careers such as the arts, design, writing, or music. Developing your creative skills through courses or self-taught practices could open many doors.
If you got mostly D’s, social and helping careers such as teaching, counselling, social work, or healthcare might be a fulfilling option for you. professional development in these areas can provide the qualifications you need to succeed.
Please note that this career quiz is a quick and fun way to consider your general preferences and potential career paths. However, it’s not an in-depth analysis that matches your skills, interests, and values. For a more thorough exploration of your options, seek guidance from a career counsellor and take advantage of professional development opportunities. You can also take the Career Change Readiness Test for a reliable indication of your readiness to change your career.
If you’re concerned about juggling study with your busy schedule, you can talk to one of our Course Counsellors for advice. We offer flexible study options, unbeatable prices, and unparalleled student support that won’t disappoint.
Our comprehensive courses are developed in consultation with industry experts, so you can be confident that you’ll acquire the skills and knowledge required to excel in your current job, pursue new roles, or achieve your career dreams. our state-of-the-art eLearning platform allows you to study wherever and whenever you want.
So, don’t delay; enrol today and gain the skills and confidence you need to make a career change.
