how to change careers

Are you tired of being stuck in the same job? Do you feel like a career change is the right option? We have the advice just for you! Whether you’re looking to switch careers at 30, 40, or 50, in this article, you will learn how to change careers. We’ll explore the reasons for changing careers, the pros and cons, and provide you with a step-by-step roadmap to make a successful transition. 

What Is A Career Change

A career change is when someone wishes to seek different professional pathways outside of their current job. Changing careers doesn’t necessarily mean having to change industries entirely;  it can also involve exploring opportunities within your existing field if a different company culture or management style aligns better with your career aspirations.

People choose to change careers for various reasons, and these motivations can range from the desire for a more flexible work schedule to the pursuit of advancement within an organisation. Some switch careers to secure a higher salary, while others seek to reduce or increase their work-related travel. A career change might involve working under a different leadership team or shifting roles to mitigate stress and find a more appreciative work environment.

Additionally, taking online career courses can help you on your pathway to finding a different job. Not only does it demonstrate commitment to your new career direction, but it also equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in your chosen occupation.

Reasons For A Career Change

Deciding to change careers is due to various reasons, whether it be personal, financial, professional, as well as others. Whether you find yourself hitting a professional plateau or yearning for a fresh challenge in a different setting, the reasons for pursuing a career change are as diverse as the career changers themselves.

One common desire for a career change is for a shift in scenery or schedule. Perhaps you’ve grown weary of the daily routine and want more freedom that self-employment can offer, allowing you to better accommodate other commitments in your life. For instance, if you are a content writer, you may opt to do self-employed work on People Per Hour instead, where you will be approached to do freelance projects instead.

Certain professions are attractive options for career changers. Fields like teaching and law often welcome those from diverse backgrounds, making them particularly appealing to those with prior experience in unrelated sectors. These careers offer the opportunity to leverage existing skills and knowledge in new and meaningful ways.

It’s also important to be aware of the emotional challenges that come with changing careers

How to Switch Your Career Path

change careers man and woman shake hands

Here’s a step by step guide on how you can successfully change career paths without the concern of ruining your financial independence.

1. Determine Your Current Job Satisfaction:

Start by assessing your job satisfaction. This could include recording your daily feelings about your current role. This will help you understand your ideal work environment, your comfort level with your daily tasks, and if your management style aligns with your professional growth.

2. Review Your Interests, Core Values, and Skills:

Reflect on your achievements both academically and professionally, whether in volunteer roles, work experience, or academic projects. Identify your interests and how they can be leveraged in your new career.

3. Considering Other Career Options:

Outline what potential careers that you may wish to go into. This can be both within and outside your current industry. Compile a list of potential careers, both within and outside your current industry. Be sure to also seek advice from friends, family, and your professional network. If you need more ideas, consult with recruiters or career counsellors.

4. Seek Job Prospects:

Explore opportunities on job search websites to get insights into available positions that match your career interests. Maintain a varied list of potential careers to keep your options open.

5. Create an Action Plan:

Set clear goals and milestones for your career change. By now, you should have narrowed down your desired occupation through research. Consider factors like education, certifications, skill development, and industry experience. Developing a timeline of your career up to the present will help you to calculate where to go next.

6. Personal Rebranding:

Before applying for new jobs, refresh your personal brand. Revise your resume, cover letter, and social profiles to align with your new career goals. Personalise your materials to showcase how your existing experiences make you a strong fit for your desired role. Update business cards, personal websites, and contact information to reflect your new brand. It is also important to write a personal development plan and write the perfect CV here so that you are well prepared for your next interview and justify why you desire a career change, no matter your age.

7. Interviews:

Connect with professionals in your desired field or target companies, using platforms including Facebook and LinkedIn. Request informal interviews to gain valuable career advice and insights. Their experiences can provide inspiration and guidance as you navigate your career change.

8. Job Shadowing:

Consider shadowing professionals to gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. Shadowing experiences can vary in duration, from a few hours to a couple of days a week, depending on the employer’s policies.

9. Pursue Freelance and Volunteer Opportunities:

Changing careers doesn’t have to be related to paid work. You can also gain practical experience through freelance or volunteer opportunities related to your desired career. This is especially beneficial in creative fields with a demand for freelancers. Volunteering with local nonprofit organisations can enhance your skills and contribute to your community, and will also show your willingness and dedication to working even during your freetime.

10. Education and Skill Enhancement:

If further education is required for your career change, explore night or online courses for degrees, diplomas or certifications. Attend local seminars, workshops, or webinars to acquire specific skills. 

11. Skills Enhancement and Industry Transition:

Gather the skills that you have learned from your current career and see how these can be transferred to your new path. Identify areas for skill improvement through discussions with your line manager and colleagues. If you plan to stay with your current employer but change roles, express your interest in learning new skills or taking on different tasks.

12. Search Within Your Current Industry:

Consider open positions in your current industry that align with your skills and long-term goals. Shifting to a company or branch location that matches your aspirations can provide a smooth transition. 

How to Hand in Your Notice

change careers handing in notice

Once you’ve secured a new job offer, it’s time to resign from your current position and hand in your notice. Here’s how you can smoothly hand in your notice with your current job.

Craft a Formal Resignation Letter: Begin by drafting a formal letter of resignation. Address it to your line manager, expressing your intention to leave your current position. Keep the letter simple, positive, and respectful. Include your planned date of departure, which typically aligns with your notice period. The notice period duration varies but is usually at least two weeks. However, it may be shorter during probation or longer for senior roles. Refer to your employment contract for specific notice period details.

Prepare for the Conversation: Be ready to discuss your reasons for leaving with your manager. This conversation could lead to various outcomes. You might receive an offer to stay with additional incentives, or your employer may request a longer notice period than expected. In some cases, especially if you’re joining a competitor, you might be placed on gardening leave. This involves suspension with full pay while serving your notice period, and you may be asked to leave your workplace immediately.

Receive Your P45: By law, your employer must issue a P45 document after you’ve handed in your notice. The P45 provides a record of the tax you’ve paid during the present tax year.. It consists of four parts, with one part kept for your records. The remaining parts are divided between His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and your new employer. For additional details, refer to GOV.UK’s PAYE forms section.

Leave a Positive Impression: After your notice has been accepted, focus on making a lasting positive impression. Maintain good relationships with your colleagues and managers during your remaining time. Provide relevant handover notes to facilitate a smooth transition for your replacement. Leaving on good terms increases the likelihood of receiving a positive reference for your next employment opportunity.

Career changing courses from NCC: 

With the surge in mental health issues being reported on a regular basis, in addition to the lack of capacity in the NHS, you could consider a career in counselling. Here at NCC we have created two 2-course bundles that could help you achieve this with ofqual regulated qualifications at a discounted price:

  1. Counselling and Mental Health Level 2 RQF 
  2. Counselling and Mental Health Level 3 RQF

The government’s plan to expand funded childcare for working parents will mean a huge shortage in an already oversubscribed service. You could either plan to work for yourself and use the Preparing to Work in Home-based Childcare Award RQF course provided by NCC as an evidence of knowledge to further qualify local government applications. 

Alternatively, we offer a Diploma for the Early Years Workforce (Early Years Educator) Level 3 RQF which is a regulated full and relevant qualification that counts towards the Level 3 staff-to-child ratio in the childcare sector.

You may be a young parent wanting to go into a profession that enables you to have school holidays and better working hours to support your young family. Should you wish to embark upon a career as a teaching assistant our Supporting Teaching and Learning in Schools Award Level 3 RQF would enable you to demonstrate relevant knowledge and distinguish yourself from others when applying for a role within a local school.

Another industry sector in the UK that is struggling due to overcapacity and staff shortages is the Care sector. A CACHE Level 3 Award in Health and Social Care RQF or a CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Preparing to Work in Adult Social Care RQF would be a perfect starting point for a career within this sector.

FAQs

How do I drastically change my career?

To make a career change, define your new goals, acquire necessary skills, network in your desired field, update your resume, and apply for relevant positions.

How do I move from one career to another?

To move from one career to another requires self-assessment, acquiring skills, networking, resume updating, and applying for entry-level positions or internships in your target field.

Is 55 too old to start a new career?

Age shouldn’t deter you; consider health, finances, and industry preferences. Leverage your experience, seek open-minded industries, and align with your interests.

How do I change my career successfully?

Set clear goals, research your new field, build a network, gain relevant skills, customise your application materials, and maintain persistence and adaptability throughout the transition.

Sources

People Per Hour (n.d.) Homepage. [online] Available at: https://www.peopleperhour.com/ [accessed 24/11/23]

Liu, J., (2023) 7 Emotional Challenges To Manage When Changing Careers. Forbes. [online] Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/josephliu/2023/11/09/7-emotional-challenges-to-manage-when-changing-careers/?sh=6c99f8f2f7c1 [accessed 24/11/23]

GOV.UK. (n.d.) PAYE Online for employers. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/paye-online [accessed 24/11/23]

GOV.UK. (n.d.) P45, P60, and P11D forms: worker’s guide. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/paye-forms-p45-p60-p11d [accessed 24/11/23]

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…

Other people do it – writers write, bakers bake, chefs create tasty culinary creations – they successfully follow their passions, turning it into a thriving career. But how did they manage to do so? What skills do you need to turn your passion for photography into profit?

Skill and Business Acumen
In order for anyone to run a thriving business, they need to have a developing sense of business acumen, and understanding of how to turn what they do into something people want and thus, turn a profit.

vintage camera

There is no magic formula. What works well for one person may not yield the same results. It depends on the market, the customer demographic, the need and desire for your products or service and the state of the market and economy at the time.

It takes hard work and commitment, all of top of your passion and skill as a photographer. But there is a market for photography and professional photographic service from wedding portraiture to commercial photography.

1)  Start Small
Take a moment to read about successful solo entrepreneurs or those that now run successful companies and you will notice a common theme. They started small, with some solopreneurs starting their business alongside their full or part-time employment.

It takes time to build a customer base too and within photography, it is about building a solid reputation for delivering quality images and a great service.

Key Points

2)  Be Prepared to Say ‘No’
When you start any business, it is tempting to accept any offer of work that comes your way. But not all potential clients, for example, will understand how long it takes to find the right location, set up a shot as per the skills honed across various photography courses; in their minds, they “only want a photo or two” and that can’t be that difficult, can it?!

There are times when these ‘small’ jobs end up becoming monsters, but your pay doesn’t match. And that means you are giving away time and expertise for free.

Business acumen means understanding how you time is involved in every photo shoot or commission. Is it just a case of one or two shots or is it a lot more involved?

Key Points

3)  Have a Plan
ALL successful businesses, including photographic giants and successful solo photographers, are driven not only by passion and skill but by a plan. A strategy gives your business a direction. There will be twists and turns, and you may end up somewhere different than you intended, but understanding what you need to run a successful photography business is key to success.

Key Points

4)  Push Photographic Boundarieslandscape photography
Photography has evolved so much in recent decades. From developing film to the digital revolution to photoshop and software development, many of us think that we have what it takes to become a professional photographer.

If you have the passion and the skill, why not look to develop your skill-base further by continually updating your abilities and knowledge with photography courses? It could be learning to create different photos in a distinctive style, expanding your portfolio as a result.

Trends come and go too in all genres of photography, from wedding photos to commercial photos. For example, businesses are using 360° photos of their products and by offering this facility at the right price to the right people, you could be swamped with commissions.

Key Points

Commercial photography, as well as artistic photography displayed in art galleries and studios, do have a market. But do you have what it takes when it takes to turn your passion into profit?

Teaching Assistants (TAs) are valued members of a school’s staff and an amazing resource in any classroom. With vacancies across the education sector (including primary and secondary schools, pupil referral units and colleges) there are many opportunities to become a teaching assistant.

Schools and colleges are increasingly looking for TAs that are both qualified and experienced. Employers welcome applications from people who have experience in other work sectors and industries, as they bring valuable knowledge and skills to the classroom.

But how do you get started?

What Does a Teaching Assistant Do?
Teaching Assistants support the teacher and the students. We associate TAs with working with under-achieving children or pupils with additional learning needs, but TAs are also used by classroom teachers to challenge gifted children.

The role that a TA fills will vary from one school or college to another:

Essential Skills
As a TA, you will need to show a range of diverse skills:

How to Get a Job as a Teaching Assistant

#1 Get Qualified
There is no requirement for a TA to be qualified, so it may seem strange to suggest starting with this point.

However, schools and colleges are increasingly aware of the very complex needs of some of their students. They are also aware that in order to provide a high-quality education that is accessible for all of their students, they need to offer a range of educational experiences. TAs are an important part of this big picture.

Being a qualified TA means that the school or college has confidence in your abilities and your skills, and they trust in your professionalism as an educational provider working within the establishment.

There are many TA qualifications that show employers that you have the ability to work with children and young people. These include:

A Level 2 Teaching Assistant Certificate or a Level 3 Teaching Assistant Diploma both cover the basics of being a TA in an educational setting. The average duration of the Level 3 Diploma is 200 hours of study, with NCC providing expert tutor support for 12 months.

The level 4 HLTA Qualification course shows an employer you are capable of facilitating small group work sessions and delivering work prepared by the classroom teacher. This course is 240 hours of study over a timeframe that suits you. To support your learning on this course, volunteering in the classroom will cement your knowledge if you don’t already work in a school or college.

As well gaining qualifications as a TA, you can expand your skill set with awareness raising or specialist qualifications, such as working with children with speech and language needs, and behavioural issues as well as mental health issues, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). There are also courses that help with understanding autism and other similar issues and illnesses.

By holding these specialist qualifications, you show potential employers that you have the abilities and skills to help all children access education.

#2 Secure a Placement or Volunteer
Being a TA is an active role. It can be demanding, and even though you may think you are only working 9 until 3 pm (hours will vary!), those six hours are full of non-stop activities.

Employers look for an understanding of the educational setting, and so volunteering or arranging a placement in a school or college will strengthen your applications. Most schools welcome volunteers and will be happy to provide you with a short reference at the end of your time at their school.

A short placement or a term volunteering is valuable if you lack the practical experience of being in school. If you have not been in a school or college for a long time, you will be amazed at how much the lessons have changed.

#3 Search for Vacancies
TA posts are regularly advertised in different places, depending on the employer;

Before applying, it is important that you thoroughly research the TA post. Because TA roles vary so widely, you need to be confident that you know what is being asked of you. For example, TAs who work with disabled students can be responsible for their personal care during the day. Other schools amalgamate many duties into the role of TA, such as First Aid.

Schools and colleges are different, and each has a different ethos and style of education. Before you apply, you need to assess if the school, college or educational setting looks to be an environment you would want to be a part of?

#4 Submitting Your Application
HINT – don’t leave the application process to the last minute. Take the time to work on the application form, covering letter and your CV so that you respond to a job vacancy with a strong application that secures you an interview.

You will need to follow the application process as laid out by the local authority, school or college. Some now encourage applications online, as this reduces costs of paper and postage and streamlines the process. Read through the application process notes thoroughly before applying.

#5 The Interview
The interview is a chance for you to shine and show the interviewing panel that you have what it takes, professionally and personally to work as a TA.

The most important preparation you can do for any interview is to research the school, what if offers, how it is offered and the role that a TA would play in school life as a whole.

Why Study with NCC Home Learning?
NCC is fast becoming a leading online provider of courses, including high-quality Teaching Assistant courses online. With fantastic courses and expert tutor support, we have helped hundreds of students to gain the qualifications and skills they need to bag a promotion or change the direction of their career completely.

The beauty industry in the UK is worth £17 billion a year – and it is growing. Many surveys that suggest that many women spend up to £450 a year keeping their nails looking their best.

Nail Art – Not a Modern Invention
Painted nails in Ancient Egypt were a symbol of someone’s social standing

Humans have been painting their nails, fingers and toes for millennia. Ancient Chinese and Egyptians are thought to have been amongst the first to get creative with their nails.

The Chinese would apply an enamel to their for a delightful pink finish, whilst the Egyptians used nail colour to denote social status. The higher classes wore deep, rusty reds with an overtone of luscious gold. The colours were derived from the juices of crushed berries including the henna plant.

The Inca civilisation decorated their nails with art, using eagle prints as their preferred artistic pattern.

Painting nails remained part of many cultures for centuries, but it was in the 19th century that manicures took off as a must-have feature of a lady’s toilette.

With the Industrial Revolution came new techniques and substances, including automobile paint. It was a French make-up artist who first used small amounts of car paint to create shiny, painted nails, and from this idea came nail polish. In fact, this early example of nail polish helped to launch the Revlon cosmetics company in 1932.

As the decades past, the colours became a symbol of the changing society, and by the 21st Century statement nails coloured to fit a mood, outfit and occasion became the norm.
The must-have nail polish colour for this summer is
Palm Tree Green, an intense, moody green
And this is where you come in! Nail art is no longer just about a block colour. It is about fun designs, elaborate detail and patterns, with many stunning examples of 3-D nail art coming to the fore.

With more women (and men!) taking care of their appearance, your skills as a nail artist will be in demand. That said, completing a nail art course is one thing, but running your own business is another.

With these hints and tips, you can supercharge your career as a nail artist and enjoy a fantastic income as well as varied career. But how?

Part 1 – Nail Art Qualifications
There are some who say that with nothing more than a creative flair and artistic talent, nail artistry is something that you start immediately, but most experts agree that you need formal training to succeed.

Maybe your skills are already in demand. Friends and family may turn to you for help in beautifying their nails for special events and nights out.

Offering your services on an informal basis to family and friends every now and then is all well and good, but when it comes to offering your services for payment to members of the public, you are entering a different arena.

Artistic flair should be combined with recognised qualifications and public liability insurance cover so if anything does happen (adverse reaction to chemicals used or a cut finger) you are covered.

Customer Confidence

As well as insurance cover, having a recognised qualification means that your customers will have confidence in your abilities and that you can deliver the services and products that you say you can.

Nail Art Techniques

As demand for nail care has increased, nail technicians and companies have developed an increasing range of products to satisfy demand. With your creative outlook, you can create stunning and unique nail art designs for clients.

Possibly the most popular form of manicure is the gel nail. Gel nails involve the application of a special gel polish to the nail, which is then set using UV light. There is a growing range of colours and designs.

These have a faster curing time than gel nails and have been the staple of the beauty industry for decades. A mix is applied to the natural nail and then shaped. Hardening when coming into contact with air, acrylics make the ideal hard surface to paint and create amazing nail art.

Creating nail art is about pushing the boundaries of creativity, and foil nails are the ideal eye-catching nail art design. Anything that glitters is sure to attract attention and these foil transfers are the perfect solution. Hard wearing, the foil transfers are cut to shape and then applied, held in place by special foil glue. Once applied, the top layer is peeled away and a protective layer of clear nail varnish is applied.

Nail piercing has been pushing the boundaries in recent times. A small hole is made in the tip of the nail (usually acrylic or a gel nail, but can also be natural nail tips too) and a small decorative accessory inserted.

Nail art is advancing all the time, which is why so many people want to be nail art technicians. Nail art pens are a handy device that allows images, patterns, colours and textures to be applied with ease. As a nail art technician, this means that you can create completely unique nails for your clients each and every time.

We have already mentioned the current trend for 3D nail art, and we think it is here to stay. Miniature accessories are being made and added to nails, raising the flat designs to 3D ones. Beaded nails are common, with some people adding feathers and other accessories to elevate the drama.

Part 2 – Practice and Expand Your Skill Set
Nail art is a skill, and for anyone who is creative, you will have no shortage of ideas. That said, it takes practice. The canvas on which you work – the individual nail, natural or otherwise – is small.

As well as practising your art, you also need to practice your people skills. The good news is that with family and friends, there will be no shortage of volunteers for your services.
Using black as an accent colour in designs is a hot 2017 trend – try orange nails, slashed with a line of black for something different.

As your confidence grows, you can take steps to start your business. This takes time and effort, as well as a little, know how.

Part 3 – Start Your Business
Many nail artists and beauticians offering various treatments and therapies find that their skills are in high demand. Whilst this is great news, it can mean that many nail artists can undercharge for their services.

This is why it pays to spend some time formulating a business plan. As part of this plan, you will need to do the following:

In Summary
Nail art is a dynamic and ever-changing trend that shows no sign of fizzling any time soon. New patterns, styles and techniques come to the fore on a regular basis.

As a qualified nail artist and technician, you have the keys to a supercharged business that adapts and changes to what your clients want.

Getting yourself organised before you start any home learning courses is an essential study skill. Being methodical in your study approach helps to keep procrastination at bay, but also helps to keep stress levels low and the end in sight.

So, what do you need to know to stay organised?

A Place to Study
Finding a suitable place to work and study is a challenge for most people. You may find you just can’t work with the background noise of the radio, catchy cartoon jingles, or your kids arguing with each other.

We can all become rigid in the ‘right’ places to study, probably as a result of many years of sitting at the same desk in the same classroom at the same school. However, in recent years, the art of studying has become more relaxed with a wider understanding that sometimes, being seated at a desk for hours on end is not the right place for some students.

You need to understand what works best for you. There may be a quiet space at work you enjoy in which could grab an hour or two every now and then. Public spaces such as libraries are also great for quiet study. Even snatching 20 minutes reading an article or surfing the web for research on your daily commute will help you fit in your studies.

IMPORTANT – maintain a flexibility to your approach to your place of study and recognise that no matter where you study, you are still working hard and gaining a valuable qualification.

3 Key Questions

The Study Environment – The Practicalities

The ‘where’ of studying has many practical and personal considerations, but it is important that you have space to spend time on your studies. At times in your course, you will need to submit assignments or coursework for marking. With a looming deadline, you will need to get your head down in order to complete the work.

But there are some practical considerations;

3 Key Questions

When to Study
Part of being organised is knowing when to take advantage of time, and that means working at a time that suits you, but that also allows you access to the place where you study best.

Some students draw up a timetable. This can be a monthly timetable or a schedule that lasts for the duration of a module or course unit.

It identifies the core times that you know you can work without distraction and that fits with work, life and family commitments.

By organising your time and schedule, you also organise your workload. This means you prevent the stockpiling of work before a key date or deadline, spreading your work and studies out across a wider timeframe.

When the volume of work becomes too much, it can seem like an unconquerable mountain. This leads to procrastination, and this can lead to you not completing your studies. By organising the place you study and organising your time, you can manage your studies more effectively.

3 Key Questions

Support Network

Studying is a challenge, but when you get your certificate through the post, earn the promotion or start the first day of your new job, the rewards are worth it.

With our range of home learning courses, all students get 12 months of expert tutor support. Our best tip is this: tap into this support and use the expert knowledge of your tutor to enhance not only your studies, but your organisation of your work.

Accountancy suffers from a reputation as being a dull profession.

People imagine accountants shuffling figures around a page, organising sums in columns and being up to date with complex tax rules and regulations. These dull tasks are essential but make for a less than exciting occupation.

That said, accountancy has changed. Driven by a new generation of accountants and the digital age, accountancy has taken on a more exciting vibe.writing in notebook with glasses and calculator on desk

If you are considering a career in accountancy, you need to know what opportunities it presents. This is the guide that you need to super-charge your career in accountancy, whether you are thinking of being self-employed or bagging your dream job in the field.

Why Become an Accountant?

Being an accountant means working in a fast-paced and dynamic industry. You can work with small businesses and start-ups or large global corporations.

There are many opportunities to specialise in tax regulations and other specialist finance and accounting areas.

There are numerous benefits to being an accountant;

As an accountant, you will have many employment opportunities, from running your own business as a sole trader to creating a burgeoning accountancy firm.

You can also work in an employed capacity for larger firms, as well as benefiting from exciting career opportunities in The City (the financial district of London). Many Chief Executives of banks, financial firms and retail groups began their career in the finance and accounting sector.

Accountants are known to be meticulous, with an eye for detail, as well as possessing many planning and forecasting skills that make controlling finance easier.

Accountants will never be short of clients who need help with their accounting procedures. Alongside businesses, private individuals will often consult with an accountant in relation to self-assessment tax returns or more complex issues.

The ways in which HM Revenue & Customs collect information relating to tax are changing. The new digitalised system means that from June 2018, businesses will be able to submit their accounts online every quarter.

As a result, businesses may need to make changes to how they maintain their accounts. The accountant will be at the forefront of helping businesses leave behind ‘shoe box accounting,’ and become a part of the new streamlined, digital accounting era.

As an accountant, there are many well paid opportunities for you to explore, from overseeing your own business to becoming a well-paid financial executive of a large company.

These well-paid opportunities are not limited to the UK. You can work in markets and businesses around the world. Accountancy skills are some of the most versatile skills that you can possess.

Don’t necessarily need a degree

As a profession, not all accountants need a degree. With various specialist courses to choose from, you can build your knowledge base whilst progressing in your career. This is just one of many reasons that it is a popular profession.person doing their accounts

There are many opportunities to progress in the field of accountancy, and this is why this guide is important. With so many opportunities, you can quickly super-charge your career and reach the heights you always dreamed of.

Accountancy Opportunities

As with many professions, you need to seek out and actively create opportunities in order to give your career in accountancy a boost.

This means knowing what steps to take and when.

#1 Get the RIGHT qualifications

Although you don’t always need a degree, as an accountant you are expected to be able to show potential clients and employers that you have a broad base of accountancy-related qualifications under your belt.

This means getting the qualifications that professional bodies and employers recognise, so bear this in mind when checking out online accounting courses.

However, along with qualifications that show your skills and abilities to deal with financial information, you also need a range of soft skills that make you the ideal candidate for the job.

#2 Asking questions

As we grow ‘older’, we lose the art of asking the ‘right’ questions. Small children engage in the world around them often by asking ‘why?’ type questions.

But as we age, we often assume that asking questions is a sign of ignorance or weakness and that our superiors will see us as ineffectual and weak. However, Socrates tell us that the only true wisdom is knowing when we know nothing.

This doesn’t mean being over-effusive and asking questions just for the sake of it. Demonstrate your skills by framing questions in a way that shows you have done some preliminary research; you have an idea, but you need some information clarified.

Which sounds better? – ‘I know a little about Sage but can you show me how the company prefers to use this feature etc.?’ OR ‘what the hell is Sage?!’

#3 Positive, positive, positive

When you start a new job, you can create a good impression by being 10 minutes early, well-dressed and friendly. The longer you remain in a post however, the deeper you fall into your comfort zone and that can mean that you stop correcting your bad habits.

If you are employed and want to progress with the company in the accountancy capacity, you need to show that you do take your role seriously. That means not only committing to a company and sticking with it, but also remaining positive and working within the values and ethos of the business.

If you are applying to a new role, you need to be aware of the company culture and how your behaviour and attitude fit with this.working surrounded by notes

#4 Hone your communication skills

An accountant will deal with many people on any given day. From stakeholders to senior partners and executives, you will be expected to give financial information clearly and concisely.

There are many other pieces of information and data you will need to communicate, as well as receiving information yourself.

Some business experts believe that effective communication is a key business acumen for any candidate looking to super-charge their career in any profession, not just accountancy.

The finance department of most major corporations and organisations can sometimes operate in a vacuum. Decisions are almost clinical, based on key facts and financial figures. This can mean the emotion of a decision and its impact are removed.

This is no more is this clearly illustrated than in the NHS (or another health care setting). The decision to cancel operations that can save thousands, but the implications for patients and staff is far bigger than the costs saved.

As an accountant, even though the figures tell a story, it is only part of the story. The key to super-charging your career and forging ahead is clear communication, listening and relaying information.

#5 Know your business

Accounting in the health sector and accounting in the retail sector are different. One is fast-paced and dynamic and deals with people’s lives, and the other, whilst also dynamic and fast paced, is all about profit.

As an accountant, you need to know the business world in which you operate, understanding and working within the confines of your industry.

You need to understand how the market operates and what is considered valuable, as well as being able to forecast the market and its performance.

Understanding the world in which the business operates makes you a valuable asset to the company. Keep your finger on the business pulse, with one eye on the future and predict changes.

#6 Prepare for leadership

Every business wants a dynamic accountant with excellent communication skills, an in-depth knowledge, and a measured approach to accounting and financial control.

Take a look at many of today’s CEOs and you will see that they started out in the world of finance. You could super-charge your career to heights you never thought imaginable, but only if you equip yourself with the right skills and knowledge.

This means preparing for leadership both in a soft skill sense, but also gaining leadership skills through courses and practice.someone annotating graphs

#7 Go digital

The face of accounting is changing. With the digital era dawning at HM Revenue & Customs, more companies are turning to online cloud accounting and software to streamline their business finances.

As an accountant or as part of the finance team, you are expected to explore and suggest which of these programs is right for the company.

There are many options to choose from, from QuickBooks for small to medium sized firms, to advanced Excel skills.

Seven Points, Seven Great ways to Super-Charge Your Career

Get qualified, stay relevant, know the business and the markets, stay positive, communicate well and engage. These are seven great ideas that, when combined and put into practice, really can be the catalysts that will make your accounting career soar.

 

We’ve all been there. The five minutes before the exam room door opens, our palms are sweaty and our mind suddenly goes blank.

And then there are the tough assignments. The questions that tie us in knots, the equations that we don’t know how to solve because we just don’t know where to start.

When we are faced with difficult learning situations, there are many options we can choose from. We can say ‘it’s too hard’ and shy away, or we can look at the challenge, accept it and do our best.

As you stand at the precipice of a new course, you probably have mixed feelings. On one hand, you are excited to be learning something new and wondering where it will take you. You may also have feelings of deep trepidation – what if you fail? What if you just can’t do it? What if you cannot learn anything new at all?

Mastering Tough Topics – 4 Ideas

Whether it is learning a new language or delving into science, you will face many in your course.

When it comes to mastering tough topics, we have to understand how we learn and how our negative thoughts and experiences impact on our ability to grasp new.

Thinking Skills

You may have come across the term ‘thinking skills’ within education settings.

How we think impacts on the level of information we absorb.

Focused thinking is when we have an ingrained mental path for solving a problem. You may use this form of thinking as your default setting – it is often how we are taught to learn in school. It means focusing on the problem in hand.head with a puzzle piece cut out of it

Your brain quickly attempts to find the solution to the problem.

Diffused thinking is when you are faced with a problem that you have not come across before. Your brain may jump from one idea to the next.

This is a form of thinking that happens subconsciously. For example, when you need to work out how to solve a complex problem that your have not come across before, you can benefit from diffused thinking. You know you have the skills to solve it, but you cannot work out how to apply these skills to get to the point where you know you need to be.

Consider the problem and then go and do something else. Go for a walk, have a nap, do something else where the brain is not ‘focused’ on the problem, but is instead ruminating on it in the background. Chances are, you will hit on an idea and you’ll find that with renewed energy and a different way of thinking, you solve the problem.

You need both modes of thinking to be able to learn effectively.

1.   Spaced Repetition

Your memory is complex. There is a common learning misconception that the more times you do something, the more likely you are to remember it.

This is true to a point, but it isn’t all that helpful when it comes to mastering tough topics. Spaced repetition can be much more helpful.I Believe in Me

Instead of spending a long-time memorising something, spaced repetition uses a short amount of time. This has been proven to help lock things into the memory.

2.   Fight Procrastination

Procrastination prevents learning. It is the act of avoidance, and it is something that many of us do, especially when faced with a problem or topic that we find difficult.

Getting through the wall (as some people refer to it) takes willpower, but this is insufficient on its own.

The Pomodoro technique can be helpful in combating procrastination:

3.   Tackling Niggling Self-Doubt

How many times have you heard someone say, ‘I’m not good at maths,’ ‘I never could do physic,s’ ‘I’ve never been able to knit.’ These are all examples of negative self-talk.Man With Head on Laptop

For many of us, it seems that these things are proven – you ‘failed’ Maths GCSE, or you didn’t understand physics with poor feedback from your teacher, or the scarf you knitted is riddled with are holes.

Dealing with self-doubt means understanding why we say or act in this way, acknowledging that our doubts are there, but understanding that these experiences do not define us.

This means changing thought patterns, and this is where neuro linguistic courses and even mental health courses can come into play. By changing how and why you think and act, you can equip yourself with new tools to master the topics you find tough.

How do you tackle learning challenges?

Are you lacking in motivation? Are you looking to achieve a goal, but it feels like it is slipping further away? Does life get in the way of your study and career plans? Do you feel like giving up?

Maybe you have already given up?

Many of us are familiar with a lack of motivation – and getting it back can be tough.

In this two part article, we will look at what motivation is and what influences it. In the second part, we will round up six things that successful people do to get and stay motivated, even in difficult times.

PART 1 – What is motivation?


carrot dangling from a string

 

Motivation is defined as the ‘process that initiates, guides, and maintain goal-orientated behaviours.’ Motivation is the ‘thing’ – the carrot – that causes us to act.

It is the driving force behind all kinds of action, such as the need for a glass of water to reduce our thirst, to reading a book on how space flight is achieved in order to gain knowledge.

Motivation involves biological, emotional, social and cognitive forces that activate and drive behaviour. In everyday terms, motivation is used to describe why a person does something.

Why do you go to work every day? Why do you go the gym? Why do you run?

There are various theories of motivation, but for anyone with a big goal in life, they will soon discover that the simple desire to accomplish something is not motivation enough.

Running a Marathon

Let’s consider the decision to run a marathon. For 26.2 miles, your body will take step after step. You may complete this feat to raise money for charity, or to get fit, to achieve a personal best, or just to say that you have run a marathon.

These are all desires. Motivation is the ‘thing.’ It’s the reason – or the carrot – that compels you to train for the marathon, it’s what moves you off the sofa on a dark, windy night to run a 1-mile training run.

To achieve your goal of running a marathon, you will need to persist through obstacles, enduring many difficulties and challenges.

Three Components

There are three components to motivation, and in part two, we will look at how successful people put these in action

PART 2 – How successful people get and stay motivated


snail stuck in a gap
Finding your motivation and hanging on to it can be tough, especially when it seems like obstacles and hurdles come at you one after the other.

Successful people seem full of vim and vigour, turning negative situations into positive without seeming to question or lose their self-motivation.

So, what is the secret?

SSSEEE or 3s,3E

This is the magic formula you need…

     I.        Set Goals

We are told that setting goals is essential in our careers and our lives as a whole. Set your mind to something, keep it in sight and go for it.

Your goal to be fit and slim by summer is all well and good, but how come plans to squeeze into a smaller bathing suit go out the window with the first whiff of chocolate?

Your goals are not lofty enough. Radical motivation thinkers believe that goals need to be audacious, almost untouchable and unachievable. And yet we are told not to aim too high. So, which is it?

Motivation experts point to entrepreneurs that have achieved lofty ambitions that at the outset many would have said were impossible to reach. Look at Elon Musk and his stellar career thus far… now do you see what we mean about BIG ambitions and goals?!

    II.        Share Goals

So, you are running a marathon? Tell others and you will soon be amazed at how many people offer to run with you as you train.

Completing an online accounting course? Friends and family will offer to look after the kids for an afternoon, or they might have a book that you may find interesting.

The power of support is essential in achieving your ‘lofty ambitions,’ even though they may laugh at first, they will step up when they see your determination and motivation. If they don’t, then this is no great loss, as detractors are demotivating.

   III.        Serve who?

The final S in the series of three is to look beyond yourself and to who else could benefit from you reaching your goal.

It may be the people close to you – training for the marathon will make you fitter, leaner and less stressed, all known benefits of exercising – and your family will love the ‘new’ you.

Your career goals primarily focus on you, but if you do bag your ideal job, your nearest and dearest will also benefit – maybe you will be earning more money, working better hours and taking them on grand holidays.

There can also be philanthropic benefits to your goal. Musk, for example, wants pollution-free cars. This will mean that the whole planet will benefit, even those people who don’t drive or own a car.

The feeling of serving something bigger and greater than ‘little old you’ is part and parcel of motivating yourself to remain on the path to your goal.

  IV.        Eat

Successful and motivated people have lots of things in common, and the 3Es will illustrate this.

The first is E is eat. Eating healthily means your body is fit for purpose. Those high-fat, calorie laden takeaways are all well and good as a treat, but if you are eating them daily because you don’t have the time/energy/motivation to cook or to eat well, then your whole physical being is compromised.

Eat healthily and look after your body, which brings us to the second E…

    V.        Exercise

If you look at the likes of Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg and others, you will see a lifestyle that you may associate with the rich and famous. You might think, ‘of course they have time to visit the gym for two hours a day’ – but they didn’t get where they are today by being a couch potato.

To achieve their lofty ambitions and goals, they worked towards them constantly. That meant late nights and challenges, but in order to maintain their businesses and their motivation they eat well and exercise.

It doesn’t have to be an air-conditioned gym. A half hour power walk round the block will do just as well.

  VI.        Energy management

Nope, this doesn’t mean switching your TV off – you should be doing that anyway – but managing your own energy.man asleep at desk

There are times when burning the midnight oil is essential in pursuit of greatness. You have an assignment to complete and you need to focus without distractions, so working on it at 10pm when everyone else is in bed makes sense.

Productive sleep is about a sleeping pattern that suits you, so that when you wake up, you feel invigorated and well rested.

If you don’t, you may need to take a look at when you sleep and for how long. We are taught to sleep through the night in a large block of time, usually between seven and nine hours. But there are other sleep cycles that can work better for some, so check which sleep cycle might work better for you.

Round Up

To get and stay motivated, you need to understand what motivation is and where it comes from.

Once you have a greater understanding of what motivates you, you can swing into action, just like successful entrepreneurs and academics across the world.

You need a goal that feels just beyond your grasp, and you need to share it. It is also helpful to understand who else will benefit by you reaching this goal. You need to eat well and exercise to keep your body in peak physical condition.

You also need to manage your energy levels, and that means getting the right amount of ‘productive sleep and rest.’

If it were easy, we would all be doing it. We have to accept that at times, some of the challenges we face will dent our motivation. We may lose all sense of where we are going and why for weeks at a time, but we need to get back up and focus on the goal.

This is why we constantly need to assess and review goals, where we are and what we are doing. We need to look at the people that surround us and understand their impact on our lives and our motivation.

What motivates you? What destroys your motivation?

Picture the scene…

Rain is hammering at the window. The fire is ablaze and you are snug on the sofa with fluffy throws and soft cushions. You are enjoying a cup of hot chocolate with a chocolate brownie, oozing with chocolate, decadence and calories…?

Image result for chocolate brownie

Have you noticed that all the things we love to eat are either stacked high in calories, fat and/or sugar? It can make dieting and cutting down on calories much harder.

We often assume that to eat healthily, we need to cut out every pinch of sugar, salt and ingredients such as chocolate but, it is possible to have a chocolate brownie that is not so laden in sugar or high in fat.

Healthy eating courses can show you how to adapt recipes, making it easier to make healthier choices.

The chocolate brownie – hints and tips for making it a healthier option

Our recipe includes;

Chocolate

Chocolate is the ultimate comfort food, the sugary snack we turn to when we feel we need a quick pick-me-up.

A chocolate brownie should contain a high-quality chocolate, and with scientific research suggesting that dark chocolate is the best chocolate to opt for, it seemed only right to include it in our recipe.

Mineral rich, in a Finnish study dark chocolate was found to reduce the likelihood of stroke. In other research, dark chocolate helped with circulation, reduce cholesterol and was good for skin.

However, the findings were also clear that the better quality the dark chocolate the better, and like everything, moderation of consumption was also key.

Quality dark chocolate has more cocoa solids in it. The higher the percentage stated on the packaging, the more bitter/less sweet it will taste. Bear this in mind, because if you find the brownie doesn’t taste ‘sweet enough’, you may be tempted to add more sugar the next time you make it.

Butter

You may recoil from butter, assuming it’s high concentration of saturated fat makes it a no-no. However, nutrition experts believe that in moderation – there’s that phrase again – butter should not be off the menu. As it is a high-quality product, with no salt added, the butter in our recipe provides a lot of flavour, meaning that you use less of it.

If 100g seems too much, cut it down to 75g – but be prepared that the brownie may be crumblier in texture.

Sweetener, sugar and honey

Even if you don’t think you have a sweet tooth, you will miss the sugar when it isn’t in something. Swapping refined, granulated or caster sugar for a mix of sweeteners will make a difference.

Natural sweeteners such as honey have additional beneficial properties. Manuka honey from the Manuka honey bee in New Zealand have anti-bacterial properties, as well as being deliciously sweet.

Unrefined sugar, such as brown sugar can also sweeten a chocolate brownie without adding a sickly-sweet taste and artificial alternatives can also add the zing of sweetness you need. Create your own perfect combination of these three ingredients.

Eggs

If you have high cholesterol, limiting your weekly egg intake is important thus 4 eggs may sound a little over the top.

Eggs are lightly whipped before being added to cake or brownie mixtures, as it is the air in the whipped eggs that add height and lightness to the mixture.

You could have the eggs in the mixture by separating two eggs and whipping the egg whites to a light froth. Use the egg yolks to bind the rest of the ingredients. Add the egg whites to the mixture and using a metal spoon, with figure of eight movements, combine the whites and mixture together, taking care not to knock the air out.

Don’t over whip the eggs, as this will make the mixture rise too much. Lightly whipped egg whites help to lift the mixture and providing it is not over-baked, contribute to the lovely gooey texture.

Make your brownies

With healthy eating courses you will learn all about substituting ingredients with others, making additions that expand on the taste of a dish or your favourite baking recipes. And chocolate brownies are no different.

All you need to do now is mix all the ingredients together, making sure they are well-combined. Spoon it into a 15cm square, or use a greased and lined baking tin. Bake for around 20 minutes.

Don’t over-bake and allow creation to cool a little before slicing into 24 pieces of delicious, not-overly-sweet chocolate brownie. Dust lightly with icing sugar and enjoy.