How to kick-start your career

If your current job has lost its sparkle or you feel like it's time to start all over again, this advice from HJ's Take Control of your Career special is for you. 

Other Take Control of your Career topics: Skills that benefit your personal and professional life | How to get more out of your job | How to add more strings to your bow

How to get your dream job

John Lees

John is author of How To Get A Job You'll Love

Find out more: www.johnleescareers.com

"Would you like your work to be more exciting? Look at the blocks you put in the way of having a great career:

• 'It's pointless looking for a job at the moment.'
  
  Yes, the market's tough, but there are still jobs being filled and organisations looking for talent. Say why you should be appointed, not why you need a job.
• 'Everyone's in the same boat.'
  
  Another job myth that will happily keep you in a career rut. Even in good times, many people are miserable at work - and in a downturn, there are people who enjoy every minute. It's all a question of learning to think differently about how you think about work and how you choose to look for it. 
• 'The job search is a lottery.'
  
  But only if you make it so by following the herd and applying only for advertised jobs. Tell everyone you know what you're looking for - up to half of jobs are filled by word of mouth. Find ways of talking memorably about your work as a stylist.
• 'I get interviewed, but I don't get the job.'
  
  Remember that in the hairdressing industry you get 30 seconds to win over a customer, and 30 seconds to sell yourself and what you're good at to a decision maker. Match yourself point-by-point against every job you apply for, and show, using stories of satisfied clients, how you can add value.
• 'I don't have anything to shout about.'
  
  Get a firm grip on what you have to offer - your skills and experience, your knowledge, your attitude to work. Don't hesitate to talk about skills you have picked up outside paid work - employers like any evidence of commitment.
• 'I don't know what kind of work I would find exciting.'
  
  What really motivates you; what skills do you love to use? List your achievements - times and places where you have made a difference. Talk to real people in real jobs to find out what really happens in a role rather than trying to second guess what different jobs are like.
  
  "Start to take control of your career. Becoming more motivated and committed is not only a better use of your time, it also makes you far more employable."

How to make a fresh start

Marie Taylor

Marie is a transformational life coach, who focuses on career and business training. Her Living Right Now programme helps address work/life balance.

Find out more: www.marietaylorconsulting.com

"People leave their jobs for all sorts of reasons, from getting fired to simply wanting a change of scene. 

"First things first; if you're having an awful time at work, and you want the situation to change, be open about it. Speak to your boss - or if it's a problem with a colleague, tell them. Explain that you really want to stay, and ask them what you can both do to improve the situation.

"However, if you're tired of your salon and want to go elsewhere, target the places you would like to work. Visit to get a sense of how things work, either making an excuse - like booking an appointment - or being up front, and asking to see the manager.

"Tell them you love their salon, and would like to work for them someday. Ask if they will spend five minutes showing you around. If you get an interview, make sure that you present yourself, and your work, in a way that appeals to them and their customers."

How to achieve work/life balance

Marylou Lousvet

Marylou is director of training solutions Wisework.

"Be clear about what work/life balance means for you. Be honest with yourself about your personal objectives.

"When you set up a business you are likely to be working a 60-hour week, but ask yourself if working such long hours is becoming a habit - and whether you're allowing yourself time to recharge your batteries.

"You have to be self-disciplined and focused when you're running a business - or you will go out of business - but discipline is as much about taking time off as it is about the job. There may never be a right time to take a holiday - and so you don't take a break - and then a pattern gets set up and you become burnt out. Keep in mind the following points."

• If you love work, you can tend to socialise with people at work, talk about work and then your work and personal life become mixed. Be aware of work becoming your social life.
• Don't use your work phone in the evenings. Be self-disciplined so you're not tempted. If you have to check emails at the weekend, read them and delete the junk mail. 
• Don't take paperwork home with you in the evening if you have a family. If you have to bring work home, then don't do it every night, but perhaps set aside three hours on a Saturday morning, or stay on an hour later at the salon to finish.  
• Hairdressing is hard work, on your feet all day; it's a tough physical job. Listen to your body and recognise the health warnings - for example, it might be a headache, a backache or a sore throat - which may be triggered by your stress levels. 
• Your personal life won't intrude on your business, so don't let your business bleed into your personal life. Set boundaries. Decide what pattern works for you and stick to it. Police those borders.

Other Take Control of your Career topics: Skills that benefit your personal and professional life | How to get more out of your job | How to add more strings to your bow

Looking for a change of career? There are hundreds of hairdressing vacancies on the HJi Jobs platform.