Your career is at a crossroads. You are not alone. As a career coach, here are some of the typical dilemmas my clients come to me with and how you could overcome them:

I want to move up but how do I become more senior?
You’d love a more senior role but it hasn’t materialised yet, so get out and talk to people. Ask your network what roles are coming up. Request a senior mentor and talk to them about their experiences. Volunteer for any leadership opportunities that come up across your organisation. Know and understand your business and where the gaps might be and sell your solutions and expertise to key stakeholders using your initiative.

I want to go freelance but how will I pay the bills?
It is important to note that setting up your business does take about 6-12 months to really get going. To shield yourself from financial stress you could use your spare time whilst in a job to research the market, network and invest in upgrading your skill set. Another option is to work out the costs of setting up your own business and to take stock of your current savings and work out how many unpaid months you can afford to invest in your consultancy.

I want to change careers but I don’t have the experience
Every career change involves an experience gap that you will have to fill. Have a look at training programmes, online learning, volunteering opportunities to cultivate a new skillset. Also find an experienced mentor who is doing what you would like to do and can share their experiences with you.

You’ve heard about a potential new job but you’re happy with the job you have.
A change may sound exciting, but make sure you compare the salary and benefits, opportunities for development and the company culture before you decide. Also, meet with your boss to discuss your current career path and whether there is room to grow without mentioning the other opportunity. Weigh up the pros and cons to see which is the best opportunity for you at this time in your life. Does it provide stability or flexibility, does it improve your skills or broaden your experience or does it provide more financial freedom?

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