In the 100th episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast (that's right - 100... woohoo!!!) and today we are focusing on "8 ways to dive into your career which will improve your life and make your career journey more fun". 

At Your Career And Future, it's my mission to support students and graduates on their journey from education to employment (and entrepreneurship) in a spirit of fun and optimism, not fear and overwhelm. 

That fear and overwhelm on the journey to employment can be a result of uncertainty, confusion, fear of 'failure', denial and and even just the lack of interest and engagement when it comes to career development.  

So - what can improve the feelings around the early career journey. How can it be more fun, interesting and impactful? 

Listen to this episode to work out how really immersing yourself on your career discovery journey can make it so much more fun! There are 8 ways in which you can do this and through listening to the episode you'll hear all about the below with full explanations and examples. 

1. Be self-reflective
2. Be curious
3. Start researching
4. Take action
5. Recognise the proximity principle
6. Fail forward
7. Recognise your life has chapters 
8. Be kind to yourself 

If you are a student or graduate and haven't yet subscribed to this podcast - do so now! 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Hello. Helloooooo?! Anybody there?! If you are a subscriber / regular listener to the podcast (and huge thank you if you are!) - you may have been knocking on my podcast door and asking this question. It has been over a month since I published my last episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast. Not great (says my inner critic) for someone who intends to publish one podcast episode per week.

But (she says, determined to turn lemons into lemonade) - what better time to talk about this week's topic: Finding joy in creating content and your personal brand.

When it comes to career development, I am a HUGE advocate of actively creating your personal brand and an integral part of that is publishing content online.

Think about it:
- Do you have a favourite beauty TikToker?
- Do you know which LinkedIn contacts talk about opportunities for international students? Or social mobility? Or diversity, equity and inclusion?
- Which instagrammers in your world create awesome travel on a budget content?
- When you are ready to pay attention to your finances, which podcasters or YouTubers do you turn to? 

Content creators often carve out a niche of sorts - for which you can depend on them. I hope that the Dive Into Your Career podcast here is one of the places you turn to when you are focused on your career progression.

When you associate a certain person with a topic or specialism (or even personality trait - such as a content creator being funny) - that person is successfully building a personal brand. This is something that can make you positively stand out.

... and where else it is useful to positively stand out? Yup - that's right - when you are applying to jobs.

Be yourself - loudly! Whether you want to publish content about sports, marketing, social impact, entertainment (music / film) , travel or anything else - you are engaging with something which is of interest and potentially brings you joy.

So - whether you know you can regularly publish weekly or fortnightly or whether you are a bit adhoc (falling off the map like I did for a month) - get started. You can even warm up with LinkedIn (such an important platform) before potentially going down the road of a blog, podcast or YouTube channel.

As well as any awesome work experience and internships - you can highlight your uniqueness through sharing what you choose to be known for online - and let this be a jumping off point for building relationships and positioning yourself well for job opportunities.

If you are not yet convinced remember, you can revisit episode 077: What is PERSONAL

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

How do I figure out what I want to do with my life?

This is a big, important question that many students and graduates grapple with on their journey from education to employment. Sometimes, the magnitude can result in overwhelm, uncertainty and even shame - none of which are helpful in moving forward positively.

So  in this episode of the Dive Into Your Career career coach Gina Visram recommends 5 ways to approach what can be a big question, in a more purposeful, meaningful way. Dive in...

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

"Whether you think you can or think you can't... you're right." This quote from Henry Ford is one of my favourites and is a brilliant embodiment of "mindset" - the focus of today's podcast episode. 

In my experience of working with 3000+ students and graduates and indeed in my experience as a human being(!) - I have recognised the importance of mindset on the process towards achieving any goals we set for ourselves.  

Paying attention to your attitude, your thinking - whether it is positive or negative - all of this has a massive impact on our experiences going through life and stretching ourselves in the direction of what we want to achieve... what we want to be / do / have. 

Mindset. 

In this episode you'll hear some insights from psychologist Carol Dweck and fixed and growth mindsets - which are always a good reminder. 

There's a solid chance that listening to this 12 minute episode of the Dive Into your Career podcast may be exactly what you need to hear today... so check it out and be sure to share it with friends if it resonates. 

You've got this! (See that... mindset!)

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Ever found it tricky to secure work experience? Difficult? Ooooh.... "impossible" you say? If it is feeling like you are not having any success finding work experience, this  episode - "How to secure work experience when you have given up hope"  is for you.

I'm Gina Visram - a career coach and consultant who wears multiple careers support 'hats' in varying settings. Head of Careers in a secondary school. Freelance Careers Consultant at a University. Careers content creator, workshop facilitator, coach and (soon to be digital product creator) at Your Career and Future (part of Limitless Coaching).

I have had over a decade of supporting students and graduates with their careers - including the oh so important element of work experience and this is truly one of my favourite topics to come back to again and again and again.

Why?

Well, because it is that important. Work experience (and indeed volunteering) truly has the potential to be a game changer on your early career trajectory. The earlier you engage with it the better (some schools offer work experience from Year 10) as before you know it, when you are applying for apprenticeships, part time jobs and graduate jobs - you may get stuck in that frustrating "need experience to get experience cycle".

So - whether you are tuning into this episode as a 22 year old or a 15 year old - I sincerely hope today's topic - "How to secure work experience when you have given up hope" is helpful for you. The 5 main tips given today include:

1. Our mindset and words are powerful: change your tune
2. Take stock of what you have done - and remember to follow up where relevant 
3. Approach organisations which are less hierarchical than big corporates
4. Remember all work experience is good work experience: Be open minded 
5. Be tenacious: Keep going

If you have found this useful, please share it with at least one friend so they too can be motivated to stick with it and secure their next opportunity.

In the meanwhile, previous episodes about work experience include:

• 066: 3 steps to finding work experience 
• 057: How do I find work experience? (10 top tips)
• 017: Where can I find virtual work experience? 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Got an interview coming up?

Chances are there will be some "competency questions" as part of the interview process. 

What is a competency question? 

You have come to the right place to find out all about this popular method of asking interview questions... and indeed about the STAR technique / method - the recommended way to answer questions of this nature. 

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career - you will continue to build on your interview skills through learning some of the fundamentals in relation to interview techniques. 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Got an interview coming up? Congratulations! 

What sort of questions might they ask you?

While it isn't beneficial to  prepare excessively - to the stage of being inauthentic and overly rehearsed, it is also essential to do your homework ahead of any interviews so that you can truly shine.

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, I talk to you about 7 common interview questions and explore some of the ways you may answer them. 

There's much more coming on interviews shortly so stay tuned and subscribe  now so you don't miss out.

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Do you get in your own head about interviews? Tell yourself that you don't enjoy them? Or complain that it's a stupid process? You may even have told yourself "I'll never be good at interviews".

That thinking is unlikely to get you the job or opportunity you are seeking because as per one of those famous Henry Ford quotes "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't - you're right."
 
Why ruin before your chances before you even start due to that sort of thinking?

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast - we take a look at how to "Embrace the mindset for successful interviews." There are 5 very clear recommended thought processes here and implementing some of them could be an absolute game-changer for you when it comes to navigating through the recruitment process.

This episode is one of many "interview tips" episodes coming up in this season of the podcast so be sure to stay tuned for more (and don't forget to share the link to this episode with friends if you find it useful).

While waiting for some of the upcoming new interview tip episodes - check out this one below about different types of interview. 

Episode 007: Let's explore different types of interview
https://diveintoyourcareer.buzzsprout.com/977632/4875905-007-let-s-explore-different-types-of-interview 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

What GCSEs should I choose? 
What if I make the wrong choices?

The stage at which you choose your GCSEs is often the first (of many) choices you will be making and it can feel daunting! 

Check out this episode to hear more about some of the elements which can help you with these choices! 

(And good luck - you've got this!)

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!

Students and graduates... Do you want your career to be a happy one? (If your situation is one in which you are working to be able to earn... That question ultimately equates to saying, "Do you want to be happy in your day to day life?!") Not sure I know anyone who would answer "no" to that question - yet jobs and careers can often slip into unsatisfying and mundane territory. 

In this episode of the Dive Into Your Career podcast, we explore how you can make your career an enjoyable one. A joyful one. Yes... seriously! In the week of recording this episode, I was writing content for the new Your Career And Future website. I thought about what some of the foundations of the career coaching and support I provide are and came up with 8 essential ones. While I suspect that may increase to 10 before the site is actually published - I knew that you would benefit hearing about how the existing 8 can have an incredibly positive impact on your career trajectory - so here they are. 

Check out the podcast to learn more about how these values and notions can bring you career joy and excitement. 

• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Confidence 
• Collaboration
• Chapters
• Mindset
• Fun
• Inclusivity 

Intrigued? Good. Enjoy listening to the episode and please share it with at least one friend if it resonates with you. 

Do feel free to engage with this topic (or indeed with me) at any of the below:

• The Dive Into Your Career podcast page of the Your Career And Future website where you can also leave me a message suggesting a careers-related topic for a future episode
• Follow Your Career And Future on Instagram and TikTok
• Via "Gina Visram" on LinkedIn (where they may be a post with a link to this episode where you can contribute some wisdom / reflections)
• Sign up for the mailing list (for students and graduates... a list for their supporters will follow)
• E-mail me on [email protected] with any queries

Also - are you a job seeker early in your career?
Download the checklist: 25 UNMISSABLE TIPS TO SKYROCKET YOUR JOB APPLICATION SUCCESS RATE

You've got this!