Most of these people are unhappy with the actual tasks they are doing in their job. The only way they will be happier is if they do something totally different – i.e., take a different career direction. The same goes for a lot of people who are made redundant.

These people have a choice, stay with the career they are or were in, or change it. The biggest thing preventing you from getting a career you love… believe it or not… is YOU!

Many people are simply not prepared to put in the effort needed, preferring to take the easy way out and accept second best… or maybe even whatever seemed like a good idea at the time. They do what they had the points for in their leaving cert or what their parents did/told them to do. Or they come up with excuses such as financial restraints.

It’s important to realise that choosing a career (or changing careers) is right up there with getting married, having kids, and buying a house. It is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life! For a few decades you will spend 60 odd hours out of 168 each week working and travelling to and from work.

And what happens at work, whether it’s good or bad, affects ALL the other aspects of your life – your health, family, finances, relationships, self-esteem and so on.

Choosing a career is NOT something that can be done in less than five minutes, but unfortunately, that’s how much thought some people put into it. Then 5 years later they are still on the factory floor, or answering phones at a call centre, selling door to door or in the same office doing the same every day.

Choosing a career involves much more:

1. Looking closely at yourself
2. Researching jobs which might be suitable
3. Being able to make a decision, and
4. Acting on, and being happy with, that decision.

The first of these steps in finding a career you love is “self-discovery”. It looks at such things as:

* The things you like and dislike doing
* The things you are good and bad at doing
* The skills you have or need to get
* Your achievements to date, and what you want to achieve in the future
* Your attitudes, values and personal style.

A thorough, honest and realistic self-assessment is vital if you are to gather the necessary information to make a good career decision… if you are to find a career you might love to do! If you want to find a job that is not work anymore!

That’s where my I come in with my career coaching package. While people can just opt for a new CV or interview technique sessions, I encourage a broader view on how to choose a career or change to the career you always wanted.

First the client and myself look at what makes them tick, what their core values are, what needs to be in place for them to be happy. This can range from family to faith to competitiveness to control to joy. We then use these values as a benchmark for career identification.

Then we look at the clients existing skills, strengths and character traits. They might be skilled at talking or problem solving, their strength might be a natural sense of humour and their character may be Loyal and Supportive.

We then explore the client’s interests, hobbies and favourite things. What is their favourite pastime? What do you read books on? How do you like spending a Sunday afternoon, if you won the Lottery how would you spend it etc…

When we have the results of all the exercises and work done, we match all of these with the ideal role in the ideal industry for the client.

Once this work is completed we start the actual practical work of skills gap analysis, CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation and job searching. Another USP is that I always personally follow through until the client secured a job or is satisfied with the progress made. This is done on a 1 to 1, confidential basis with the client’s agenda as the only one in town.

So ask yourselves and those around you the question if they want to get what they really want from the rest of their career or if they want to settle for second best? If you or them want to stop dreading Mondays, please get me their number so I can call them for a no charge consultation.

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, your career coached 1 VIP at a time.

Every week I professionally help prepare people for interviews so I thought I would share some basic tips on how to prepare for them with you. For a sevenfold increase of chance of success I would still recommend going to a professional career coach like myself. In the mean time enjoy the article below.

Interview preparation

Understand the employer – This is the key to interview preparation. You need to know the employer and what they want. Only then can you focus your interview preparation. Also who is going to interview you? It is OK to ask or find out.

Identify how you meet the job requirements and how to use your exprience as an example– Listen this what the employer will want to know from the interview. You should also prepare examples and achievement to back this up. Your answer is example – benefit based.

Know your CV – What if the first question you are asked is when did you do your Leaving Cert and you fumble to get an answer. This is just to prove a point. If you do not know yourself how do you expect the employer to know you.

Research the company – Expect to be asked the question – “what do you know about us?” Research the company shows you are prepared BUT also interested.

Interview questions – There are a number of questions that you can be certain that you will be asked. Having said this if you get the above points right you will be fine.

How to get information on a potential employer.

Internet – This is the obvious port of call. Most organisations have a website which will provide most of what you need.

Employees – do you know anyone working in the company? This can be a great resource. If you don’t know anyone directly can your network of friends, work colleagues or family help you?

Marketing Material – The company may have brochures or other marketing material that you can request. To be honest this has been replaced by the internet but still can add value.

Competitors – What information can you get from the competition about the employer or as importantly about the competitor as this again can help you differentiate from other interviewees.

Patrick Mercie – 4ward 2 Success – 12th of June 2010

00 353 83 3008963 – patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

4ward 2 Success are delighted to announce Patrick Mercie’s seminar, to be held in the wonderful Absolute Hotel on Sir Harry’s Mall in Limerick. www.absolutehotel.com

Saturday 15/05 1000-1300 Seminar. ‘It’s your move next.’ Here Patrick will deliver a 3 hour high energy interactive talk about the how to and benefits of taking full responsibility for all your actions, thoughts and feelings. You will hear how you can take a level of control of every situation you face and empower yourself to deal with them YOUR way. Patrick uses examples from his own journey of self development to enhance the experience.

Your investment in this seminar is €25.

Testimonials for Patrick’s recent workshops:

‘I recently had the pleasure of attending Patrick Mercie’s Goal Setting workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the content was exactly what was required to get me started implementing specific goals and it was delivered with energy and enthusiasm’ – Laura Scanlon, Impressive Impact E-Brochures, Sixmilebridge – laura@noelscanlon.com

‘It was the first occasion I have ever written down my goals and I found the exercise very interesting. Patrick made the event fun and a very comfortable forum for all. I look forward to implementing my action plan.’ – Eugene Ryan – Qualified Financial Adviser, Limerick City eugeneryanqfa@gmail.com

Profile: Patrick graduated and qualified as a Personal & Business Coach with the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ILI) in 2007 and has this Diploma accredited by the Life & Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI). Patrick has been successfully coaching people from all walks of life towards taking responsibility for their future by acting on it today. Patrick’s style of working is interactive, motivational, energetic and above all positive minded. Patrick has been described by his clients as ‘infectious’ in positive thinking and attitude.

 Book NOW by contacting Patrick @ 083-3008963 or patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

Your Life Coached 1 VIP at a time!!

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, 083-3008963.

The next of these interactive modules is a ‘Career Guidance’ workshop which will now take place on Thursday the 29^th of April, from 1900 to 2130 PM, venue Absolute Hotel, Limerick.

The workshop is ideal for unemployed people, people who were recently made redundant or people who would like to change career.

This workshop covers and delivers the following for all participants:

1) Assessing your current position and using it as a start for your future career. At the end of this section all participants will know what is essential for their future career and what skills they have to offer.

2) Career Identification. How do you go about finding that career for you? Goal Setting for your career. All Participants will be able to establish in what field where their ideal career lies.

3) How to increase your chance of landing that job you always wanted. The bulk of the workshop will be spent on this. Here the participant will be shown the do’s and don’ts on how to write company specific CV’s and cover letters; as well as how to perform at interviews.

4) Patrick will share what resources the participants can use in their search for the next step in their career. From people to online resources, he will show you what is out there for you.

Profile: Patrick graduated and qualified as a Personal & Business Coach with the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ILI) in 2007 and has this Diploma accredited by the Life & Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI). Patrick has been successfully coaching people from all walks of life towards taking responsibility of their future by acting on it today. Patrick’s style of working is interactive, motivational, energetic and above all positive minded. Patrick has been described by his clients as ‘infectious’ in positive thinking and attitude.

Your investment in this workshop is €35.

To book one of the limited places on this workshop you need to contact Patrick Mercie by emailing him on patrickmercie66@hotmail.com or calling him on 083-3008963. Deposits will be asked for to guarantee your place.

1. ’Desire is the starting point of all achievement’ (Napoleon Hill). What is the reason for the goal? What is the desire? Develop that desire.

2. Believe you can achieve it! Really believe you will do it!

3. WRITE it down in detail. Make it tangible by putting it on paper!

4. Make a list of all the ways YOU will benefit from achieving it.

5. Take the time to analyse where you are right now in relation to the Goal and accept your starting point without blame or worries attached.

6. Set a deadline for the goal, a fixed date. This helps as a motivator.

7. Make a list of all the obstacles that might occur on your path towards achievement. Then list what you can do about them if or when they happen. This ensures you know what to do at that moment.

8. Identify all information you need to get, where to get it from and when you will get it.

9. Make a list of all the people you need to assist you. Also think of what you can do for them.

10. Prepare a detailed action plan with all steps, time frames, people, information etc…

11. Visualise the achievement. Either see yourself achieving it in your mind or use pictures of it and hang them around your house or workplace.

12. Make the decision to NEVER give up! You are probably nearer to achieving it then you think.

‘Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.’ Elbert Hubbard

This ‘Goal Setting’ workshop will take place on Thursday the 8th of April, from 1900 to 2100 PM, in the Absolute Hotel in Limerick. For directions check http://www.absolutehotel.com/directions

What is unique about this workshop is that it is interactive and will yield individual results for ALL the participants. It will also give them concrete goals to work towards for themselves afterwards.

The workshop consists of four integral parts:

1. Goal identification through value based exercises
2. Reality check using the SMART checking system
3. Golden tips for enhanced success on goal achievement
4. Design of your own action plan.

Testimonials for this workshop:

‘ I recently had the pleasure of attending Patrick Mercie’s Goal Setting workshop. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, the content was exactly what was required to get me started implementing specific goals and it was delivered with energy and enthusiasm’ – Laura Scanlon, Impressive Impact E-Brochures, Sixmilebridge – laura@noelscanlon.com

‘It was the first occasion I have ever wrote down my goals and I found the exercise very interesting. Patrick made the event fun and a very comfortable forum for all. I look forward to implementing my action plan.’ – Eugene Ryan – Qualified Financial Adviser, Limerick City eugeneryanqfa@gmail.com

Profile: Patrick graduated and qualified as a Personal & Business Coach with the Irish Lifecoach Institute (ILI) in 2007 and has this Diploma accredited by the Life & Business Coaching Association of Ireland (LBCAI). Patrick has been successfully coaching people from all walks of life towards taking responsibility of their future by acting on it today. Patrick’s style of working is interactive, motivational, energetic and above all positive minded. Patrick has been described by his clients as ‘infectious’ in positive thinking and attitude.

To book one of the limited places on this workshop fill in the form below and send with cheque or bank draft for €35 to 4ward 2 Success, 35 Meadowbrook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick.

For more info on the workshop or 4ward 2 Success programs email Patrick on patrickmercie66@hotmail.com or call him on 083-3008963.

Book a Place on the ‘Goal Setting’ Workshop in Limerick on 08/04 from 1900 to 2100 for me please:

Name: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Address: …………………………………………………………………………………

Mobile: …………………………………………………………………………………..

Email: …………………………………………………………………………………….

Please enclose cheque or bank draft for €35 and send to:

4ward 2 Success, 35 Meadowbrook, Mill Road, Corbally, Limerick. You will be contacted with confirmation of your place at this workshop.

These workshops and seminars are all flying under the same banner of ‘Taking responsibility for your own life!’.

More details as well as booking opportunities will be coming your way very soon but here are the dates and topics to wet your appetite:

Thursday 08/04 1900-2100 Rerun on demand of the popular ‘Goal Setting Workshop’. All participants will walk away with goals set and action plans made.

Saturday 17/04 1000-1300 Career Coaching Workshop. Through practical exercises and golden tips all participants will be taken through the do’s and don’ts of career identification, CV preparation and interview techniques. A great morning for all the unemployed and redundant people of the area or the people who want to change career.

Thursday 06/05 1900-2100 ‘Effective Communications’ workshop. You will become more efficient and successful in your relationships at home and in the workplace if you learn how to communicate effectively. This workshop is highly interactive to promote intense learning.

Saturday 15/05 1000-1300 Seminar. ‘It’s your move next.’ Here Patrick will deliver a 3 hour high energy talk about the how to and benefits of taking full responsibility for all your actions, thoughts and feelings. You will hear how you can take control of every situation you face and empower yourself to deal with them YOUR way. Patrick uses examples of his own journey of self development to enhance the experience.

I hope you agree this varied schedule should have something for all to look forward to. More details to follow in the coming days!! Have a fantastic Day.

Patrick Mercie, 4ward 2 Success, 083-3008963.

On the bright side we are delighted to announce that on demand the popular Goal Setting workshop will be rerun in March, date to be confirmed very shortly.

Also a Career Coaching seminar will be held in March, date to be confirmed shortly, stay tuned. At this seminar we will touch on all aspects of 4ward 2 Success unique career package from Career interest profiling to career assessments, Skills profiling, Training gap analysis, CV rewrites and interview techniques.

Keep an eye on this blog for the dates as well as on our LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook pages.

Have a great day

Patrick Mercie

4ward 2 Success

083-3008963

The man was stuck by the apparent futility of the task. There were far too many starfish. Many of them were sure to perish. As he approached the person continued the task of picking up starfish one by one and throwing them into the surf.

As he came up to the person he said, “You must be crazy. There are thousands of miles of beach covered with starfish. You can’t possibly make a difference.” The person looked at the man. He then stooped down and picked up one more starfish and threw it back into the ocean. He turned back to the man and said, “It sure made a difference to that one!”

I publish this story so that you can ask yourself the questions: ‘What can I do this month to make a difference? Who can benefit from what I have to offer? When can I give of my time for others? Where can I help?’

Now that you have answered those questions, go to the beach and rescue some starfish!!! 1 at a time!

Please find below the details of the workshop:

Improve your personal and professional relationships!

Who is the workshop for?

Professionals, managers, parents, sports coaches, families, spouses, YOU!

What is the purpose of this workshop?

As with all 4ward 2 Success workshops you learn by actively taking part in exercises, role plays, games & group discussions.

As a result the purpose is individual learning and results in:

• Improving your communication skills
• Building better relationships
• Reducing stress at home or in the workplace
• Becoming more effective and productive as part of a unit/group
• Improving your problem solving abilities

The workshop will in a proactive way provide you with an understanding of how we communicate, how to use your tone of voice and body language, how to listen to more than what is said, how to ask the appropriate questions at the appropriate moments and how to understand and use your own interaction style to your benefit.

Booking is required and can be done @ 083-3008963 or by emailing patrickmercie66@hotmail.com

Your investment for this 3 hour workshop is €40.