A few weeks ago we were excited to announce our nominations for three awards at the 2018 Conwy Business Awards.

After an incredible awards dinner on Friday the 18th May at Venue Cymru, we were over the moon to walk away with the ‘IT/Digital Business of the Year’ award.

On receiving the award from Sian Shepherd (S2 Recruitment Services), Our Managing Director, Tony Smith said:We are delighted and overwhelmed that the judges selected NCC Resources as the winner of the ‘IT/Digital Business of the Year’ from such a strong line up of finalists

Our Managing Director Tony Smith, Business Manager Owen Smith and Head of Marketing David Keller, receiving their award from Sian Shepherd

Our Managing Director Tony Smith, Business Manager Owen Smith and Head of Marketing David Keller, receiving their award from Sian Shepherd

We would personally like to thank all of this years sponsors and opposing candidates at the Conwy Business Awards, it truly was a fantastic evening and as each year goes by they get better and better.

We’ve now been shortlisted for Conwy Business Awards for the past 2 years, winning our first award of what we hope to be many along the way:

The job market is constantly changing, so what are the most in-demand jobs in 2018?

If you have labelled 2018 as the year for a career change, you need to know if the job title you are hoping for is one that is in demand with employers.

Or if you are looking to take the next step in your career, you may be wondering what the best move is.

And with this in mind, we thought we could take a look at what are predicted to be the most in-demand professionals this year…

#1 Computer software engineer

It comes as no surprise that the in the thick of the digital era, that at least one of the careers listed will be related to computers, computing and the like.

In fact, when we took a look at some of the most exciting new job titles, social media guru was one of those listed, along with lifestyle bloggers, two roles that require an in-depth understanding and a relatively high level of skill when it comes to computing and the online world.

It comes as no surprise that big and small companies are looking for computer software engineers and with big changes like GDPR causing headaches for businesses and organisations, you can see why a career in computing is still a great choice.

#2 Fitness trainer

The UK, it is said, has an obesity crisis and as such, we are (slowly) beginning to realise the need to get fit and stay fit.

At one time, a personal fitness trainer was reserved for the rich and famous. More people are training as fitness trainers and as such, boot camps and individual fitness sessions are now far more commonplace than they were.

If you want to get yourself in great shape, shed a few pounds and tone up, it is not unheard of to hire your own fitness trainer or, better still, join in with a small group of other people for bespoke fitness sessions.

As well as employment opportunities with gyms and spas, many fitness instructors and trainers are starting their own businesses.

Up the stakes by running an online fitness blog and creating your own pick up a healthy lunch, and you can see the possibilities for a fantastic business.

#3 Financial and/or debt advisor

Austerity is still biting in the UK and it is not just businesses and government departments that are feeling the financial squeeze.

Even though we are told the worst is over, many people are still struggling financially. Food banks, once unheard of in the UK, are now commonplace in towns and cities across the country and who uses food banks may surprise you.

Financial advisors, including debt advisors, are now in demand to help people get more from their money and to manage debt, something that more and more people are having to manage alongside their household budget.

#4 Occupational therapist

This may surprise you to see it on the list but in some ways, it is part and parcel of the current attitude relating to work and health.

On one hand, we have reports that point to out unhealthy habits and high obesity rates but on the other, we have reports that highlight how we are living longer.

And this means an ageing population, some of whom have specific health and medical needs.

With the NHS buckling under the pressure, a more diverse approach is needed and, as a result, employers are taking more of an active role in helping their employees to be healthy and stay healthy.

Not all health concerns are related to work but with occupation health therapists in hot demand, if you fancy this line of work, 2018 could be the year to make your move.

#5 Nursing

Following similar lines is the fact that the NHS not only has a shortage of nurses but is also an entity that is always growing and developing.

In NHS England, only 1 in 400 nursing vacancies are filled and this means lives are at risk. And don’t just assume that the only options are nursing on wards.

There are opportunities to specialise in key areas of the healthcare profession and plenty of opportunities to expand your skill set which is why many choose to take on additional forms of education by completing courses like English, accountancy and psychology courses online.

 

There are other professions and job roles that are increasing in demand too, including nail technicians and beauticians too, and not just for female clients either! The job roles we see developing today are as a result of the demands and needs of the world we live – a place that looks very different from that of 20 years ago.

It’s easy to become comfortable in a job and forget about your career goals. Comfort can soon turn into a career-rut and, if this is the case, how can you get your career goals back on track without risking financial and job-security?

It was your dream job, a stepping stone to bigger things but somehow, over time you have become ‘settled’. The problem with being settled is that we stop feeling challenged in what it is we do. And when this happens, we find ourselves in a rut.

2018 is the year you will break free from this career-rut and start back on your path to the career goals that you set yourself in the first place. But how can you break free, leave ‘settled’ and ‘comfortable’ behind to challenge yourself?

#1 Re-visit your original career goals

We stop following the path we have set for ourselves when we lose sight of the destination. And this means we need to go back to our original plan and look at what heady dreams we had in store.

However, our aspirations and ambitions can change, and this is something that you need to take stock of as part of reviewing your original career goals.

What were your original plans for 2018? Was it a master plan to completely change from one career to another or were you seeking a promotion?

#2 Allow yourself to adjust these goals

Cast your mind back to when you had a careers interview as you left school – what did you say you wanted to do as a career? How you felt about your future then, could be very different to how you see your future now.

And yet, we can stick doggedly to our original plan. But here’s the thing – you can change it if you give yourself permission to do so!

Career goals change as your aspirations change but they may also need modification as life and other circumstances change. It is OK to change career goals!

#3 Consider the benefits of your career goals

Again, for many people, memories and the opinions of other constrain our career goals. It is OK to daydream and to wonder ‘what if…?’ when it comes to your own career aspirations.

For example, you may have always wanted to be a beauty therapist and run your own clinic or spa, providing fantastic services and treatments for bridal parties and for other celebrations in life. But someone somewhere may have said ‘there is no money in it’ or ‘it is hard running your own business’ or ‘to be a beauty therapist, you must be really creative’, a suggestion, of course, that you are not creative enough.

So, you got a ‘proper job’ and joined the 9 to 5 brigade. You are happy enough, it pays the bills and yet…

Is the 9 to 5, the security, the salary enough to keep you in that job? A career, after all, is not just about money but about emotional well-being, meeting our own aspirations, however, lofty others may see them.

There are many people who have taken a calculated risk and left behind ‘proper jobs’ and career to become something completely opposite. If you made a career change, what are the true benefits to you?

#4 Get into the detail

An overarching career goal would be ‘to become a beauty therapist’ but now you need to break this goal down and start to plan your journey to reach this destination.

Consider factors such as;

Breaking down the journey into smaller, bite-size pieces is also a way of ensuring you stay on track with your career goals for 2018.

#5 Create space

Making a life-changing decision is not easy. It involves many different aspects of life and other people too. This doesn’t mean it cannot or shouldn’t be done but when it comes to making a big decision such as a career change, you need to give yourself time to think.

There are some who say that making a big decision in dark times is not the right time to do so. In other words, don’t resign after one bad day and enrol on a course that sees you doing the complete opposite!

However, that approach can work, and it is because of this shifting-sands feature of decision-making that psychologists suggest taking time out emotionally and mentally when it comes to making a life-changing decision.

Do you have the time to commit to a new career goal this coming year? Can you afford it? What is driving this decision?

Taking space emotionally and mentally to consider your career goals could bring to light other aspects of life of which you are unhappy about. What needs to change first, if anything?

#6 Is it a trend?

Who would have thought when you left school or college all those years ago that there would be such as a career as ‘social media executive’? Or people creating booming businesses out of walking dogs or doggy creches?

These people have taken a chance on a career, building a business out of something that many people consider to be a trend or a fad. And we are back full circle to the debate about a ‘proper job’.

Career goals are intrinsically personal, but you also need to be confident that you are not risking everything on a trend. And that means having the ability to look forward and understanding how an industry could change in the coming years?

Ask yourself why you are considering changing careers and what is fuelling it? Is it a short-term demand with the promise of a quick payday or is it an investment in your long-term future?

#7 Learn, learn, learn

Whilst we accept that all-singing, all-dancing qualifications are not the be all and end all, they are an important consideration when it comes to carving out a new career or seeking that promotion you have coveted for some time now.

But learning is not just about formal learning, such as that you acquire from distance learning courses, although these are a great investment of time and money. Learning is also about;

Learning is about skills and qualifications, as well as the wider picture.

#8 Look inwards

Career goals may look neat and tidy on a piece of paper, and you may have planned the smaller steps you need to take on your journey… now is the difficult part: looking inward and making the changes needed to reach those goals and aspirations.

Online distance learning courses sound great – complete in your own time, no tutors chasing you to meet deadlines, manage your own learning and workload– but completing a course takes commitment, diligence and stamina, more so when things get tough.

In other words, are you really willing to make the changes to you and your habits to reach your goal? Are you prepared, for example, to study rather than do something else like socialise, watch TV or go to the gym?

#9 Making time for what matters

There are three big things that thwart our career goals;

  1. Lack of self-belief
  2. Allowing others to thwart our ambitions and dreams
  3. Shortage of time

Lack of time is a nuisance, but we need to get over this hurdle. And that means finding more time to complete the online course you have just signed up for, volunteering to get more experience at doing something or taking time to practice new skills.

Where is this extra time coming from?

#10 Don’t forget the pleasure and joy!

A complete career change is tough as is studying late at night or early in the morning to gain the extra qualification or additional skills needed to win a promotion. But don’t forget, this journey should be a joyous one too.

Make time to do things that you enjoy whether that is a run in the woods, yoga on a hillside or binge-watching box sets on Netflix every now and then. Life is about balance, after all…