Sources of job opportunities
Now that you are clear on what you really want to do with your career, and have a sense of purpose, here are a number of things you might want to consider when deciding where and how to find that elusive ‘ideal work’. Firstly, does it have to be your ideal location: are you willing/able to relocate? Major finance and insurance companies tend to be located in London at the present. If you need to commute then what is the longest commute you’re willing to take? And can you rely on public transport to get you to work? Do you prefer rural work? What about a Hebridean island? Don’t rule anything out until you’ve considered it carefully.
Secondly, how much do you need to earn? That will depend on your personal and family circumstances as well as the level of your ambition. There’s plenty of information available to help you to find out what the average earnings levels are in your preferred field, but travel costs or additional family commitments can eat up a new salary very quickly.
Thirdly, think about the hours of work – do you want to work full time, part time, flexibly, job-share? All of these will have an impact on where and how you start to look for work.
Your job is finding a job
If you are unemployed or faced with the prospect of losing your current role, there are significant psychological and practical issues that you will face. It is essential that you stay totally focused on the hunt for your next job; here's how.
Where to look for your new job
There are many different ways in which you can go about looking for a new job. Here are some detailed ideas of where to start and how to approach it.
Working freelance
Somewhere between employment and running your own business, freelancing is an option that some people choose as their preferred way of working or as a temporary stop-gap. There are clear advantages but also some very real drawbacks. Would your circumstances and attitude to work make it the right choice for you?
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