Career crisis

Got a career crisis? Before you throw yourself into the paper shredding machine, take a few moments to read and get your on-the-job drama sorted.

Nightmare #1: "My boss is pulling me in one direction, but it's not where I want to go".

Five-minute fix: It's very flattering when a manager sees potential in you. However, you need to find the balance between where they believe your talents and abilities can take you, and where, ideally, you see your career heading. According to Val McCrae, a counsellor and director of Reinventions Personal Life Coaching, the first question to ask is, 'Do I trust and respect this person's opinion?' Yes? Then listen to what they're saying with an open mind. If you can talk openly, be clear about your real ambitions and ask for their help. If not, talk to someone who's landed your dream job. How did they get there? Are you on the right path? What do you still need to do?

Also keep in mind the importance of continually reassessing your career objectives, especially as your skill-set grows. Kate, a 26-year-old-chef, always knew she wanted to work with food, so pursued nutrition upon direction from a careers advisor. The only problem: "It wasn't what I expected. The subjects were like chemistry class — a subject I hated at school!"

If the crisis persists ... For Kate, once she realised her dream job wasn't the perfect fit, she redirected her ambitions to becoming a chef and hasn't looked back. The lesson: Set realistic job targets based on your dreams, raw talents and tangible skill-set. Take into account your strengths and weaknesses as they become clear in the workplace and the opinion of professionals in your field of interest.

Nightmare #2: "My friends' careers are taking off and I feel left behind, still waiting for the big break".

Five-minute fix: Judging your success by your mate's can be a double-edged sword. "Yes, it's a great motivator," says McCrae. "But it can also be a huge confidence-deflator if your achievements aren't up-to-scratch." The solution: While it's necessary to compare yourself to others, you need to temper it with your own values and expectations. If your only measure of personal success is based on how well the gang is doing — that's a very shallow perspective.

Also, keep in mind that different professions will vary in their promotion strategies and staff structures. If you're worried, talk to your manager about how they see your career progressing within the company or seek a more challenging role. If this whole 'left-behind' thing is just a little comparisonitis gone wrong, move on.

If the crisis persists ... Devise a vision for your future outside of your peers' ambitions and achievements. "Think about it. Were you happy before you started trying to keep up with your friends?" asks McCrae. "Not everyone finds job satisfaction in aggressively climbing the corporate ladder. In fact, current research shows that increasingly more people are settling for less money to do work they enjoy."

Nightmare #3: "There's a promotion available. I really want it, but I'm not the obvious choice. How can I convince them?"

Five-minute fixM: Your look-at-me efforts need to be both performance- and communication-based. "Firstly, focus on demonstrating yourself practically through work," suggests career counselor Sally O'Keefe. "The standards that you set for yourself and the results you achieve will be noted. Then, talk about your desires for more responsibility." In a larger firm, where career paths are often mapped out, ask to discuss their progression plan. In a small business, talking to the owner directly about evolving your role may be more affective. "If you've got what it takes, get out there are tell the relevant people," says O'Keefe.

If the crisis persists ... When Jody, a 26-year-old sales consultant, missed out on a promotion she thought was in the bag — she was devastated. "I stormed into my supervisor's office, who just told me straight the areas I was lacking in. Now I'm pursuing those skills so next time, the job is mine." If you can't see your way forward, a career counsellor or recruitment service can provide advice.

Nightmare #4: "Help! I have the same workload as my colleagues, but I'm always staying back to finish it."

Five-minute fix: If you're a time management and organisational no-show — you know who you are — we have good news: "A wide variety of resources are available to teach you these skills," says McCrae. Think life coaches, work mentors, self-help books, the Internet, and, of course, technology such as electronic organisers. McCrae also suggests writing down everything that's on your mind — it's a natural sorter.

If the crisis persists ... The solution may be more complex than buying a watch. "When people are chaotic at work, it may be a reflection of what's going on inside their head," says McCrae. First question: Are you coping with your stress levels at work? For Jacinta, a 25-year-old personal assistant, it wasn't until she started yoga that she realised she had no release from a hard days work. "As the week progressed, I'd just get more and more up-tight, fatigued and inefficient. Yoga just helped me chill and be calmer through my workdays. A friend of mine who runs says the same thing — exercise really clears your head." And, if you're already down with some extra-curricular activities, think about whether there are outside pressures affecting your focus. Getting out of that dead-end relationship could be the key to your organisational success.

Nightmare #5: "My work is my life. If it went, I'd have nothing.

Five-minute fix: Firstly, you're not a freak. These days, launching a career is an all-consuming operation. It takes over-time, networking, team-building and extra-curricular education ˜ which in day-to-day terms, leaves very little time for a life. However, when your work is everything, it's very difficult to distance yourself enough to assess your progress and make considered career decisions. "Everyone needs balance. Yes, work can be very stimulating. But you need those other support systems and interests so that when something changes at work you have a coping mechanism," says McCrae.

So, how to regain some equilibrium? "Imagine your ideal life. What are the details? Now, set goals and develop strategies to see this 'ideal' life start taking shape," suggests McCrae.

If the crisis persists ... Are you sure you're the innocent victim? Kate, a 27-year-old lawyer, was always working over-time. But didn't realise — until a good friend pointed it out — that she was hiding under her workload. "I hated being single and took on all these extra cases to avoid dealing feeling all lonely-hearts-club on the weekend. Especially Sunday, that was a killer." All those icky sticky situations get put in the too-hard-basket while you conveniently work all weekend. So, what's a girl to do? "If you want your life back, confront these issues and move on," says McCrae.

For Kate, it was about learning to love her independence. "I got back in touch with my group of friends who'd I'd been drifting away from because a few were these happy couples that made me feel like a loser. They're great people and I'd let my insecurities almost ruin the friendships. Plus, I took up a few interests, like netball. Now, I hate working on the weekends because I have a life again."

By Brooke Le Poer Trench