SUMMER REFLECTION

Its no secret that the recruitment market is seasonal and its self evident that the summer months can slow down interview processes and sometimes less abundance of job opportunities (although not seemingly at the moment !!) With this in mind you might decide to down-tools on your job search and take a more introspective approach during the summer and address some career planning objectives that you hardly ever get time for…

Here are a few ideas that you might like to row in to your ‘Summer Reflection’ period that are still key to helping you find that ideal Career Pathway

• Complete a Career Audit - https://www.charteredaccountants.ie/CA-Support/I-need-help/Student-life/Career-planning/News-item/page/2
• Do a personal SWOT analysis based on your annual trainee reviews.
• Examine whether your personal networking is up to speed perhaps decide to connect with 10 new LinkedIn connections each week for the summer working in a company or sector you are interested in.
• Enhance the ‘interests & hobbies’ section of your CV - why not get involved in a charity or volunteer for a board level role.
• Review the CPD and diplomas listings in the institute and perhaps learn a new skill or sharpen an existing one.
• Refurbish your CV and create a few flavours / versions.
• Browse LinkedIn profiles of ACA members who are several years ahead of you in their career path to see what routes and moves they have made.
• Select an industry or sector that deeply interests you and become expert in it over the summer eg sustainability/renewable energy, pharmaceutical, technology, health care.
• What things would improve your working life? Assess their attainability. This could be : a better work life balance, part time work, promotion, internal move, better commute etc.. Set some simple goals around these for yourself.
• Read : The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People or an equivalent self improvement publication - there are many available through the institute. https://www.charteredaccountants.ie/docs/default-source/Publishing/publishing-mini-catalogue-2019.pdf
• Do a Psychometric / Personality test / self-assessment test EG –
• https://www.psytech.com/Assessments/FifteenFactorQuestionnairePlus
• Set some goals outside of work eg - exercise or travel
• Improve your LinkedIn profile – Join Groups and comment – Raise your profile & brand.
• Come a better public speaker by joining toastmasters
• Join a ‘business networking group’ like Venture or BNG and attend their meetings each month
• If you are entrepreneurial why not in your spare time during the summer start a ‘side-hustle’ mini business around something you are passionate about.
• Become a leader in a local organization you like EG. Treasurer of a local GA or Golf Club.

The recruitment drive always goes up a gear each September and the summer is never as long as you think it's going to be but perhaps it is worth considering taking a break from scanning the jobs market to focus in on a few of these suggestions in the sunny weeks ahead and as always your Chartered Accountants Ireland Careers team is available as an impartial sounding board whenever you need us on any of the above.

Dave Riordan

Career Coach & Recruiter

Chartered Accountants Ireland Careers Team