The Candidate host ‘Get Off the Shelf and Onto the Ladder’, in conjunction with Bloom North

The Candidate were delighted to host a fantastic event in collaboration with Bloom North, a women's professional network based in the North West, aiming to impart some useful tips for how to take steps towards reaching your career aspirations. At the event our Managing Partner, Brian Matthews, gave the audience the lowdown on how he’s managed to develop over 40 individuals from the bottom of the ladder all the way to the top! With this experience under his belt, we thought it was safe to say he knew a thing or two about the subject.

If you missed it, don’t worry. We’ve gathered the key points and put them together in this blog for you, so you can get off the shelf and onto the ladder too!

Firstly, it’s ok to be on the shelf! 
Don’t panic if you are, if the shelf is where you feel comfortable and where you’re happy, you don’t need to change that.

Get a mentor
Whether on the ladder or on the shelf, Brian highlighted the importance of having a mentor. Having someone who you respect to listen to your ideas and give you feedback is something he has found fundamental for success in both his own career and the candidates he has recruited. If you do not have someone in your life you would consider a mentor, Bloom North offer a mentor programme which has proven very successful!

Remember to be SMART!
Another significant step towards reaching your career goals is setting yourself milestones for success. These can be as easy as setting small targets or deadlines or can be as complex as setting yourself SMART objectives, (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). Setting objectives in this way ensures you don’t aim unreasonably high too quickly and have solid direction for what you want to accomplish.

Map your route
Before jumping onto the ladder, it is necessary to have a plan if you want to succeed. Map your route and don’t be disheartened if it takes a little longer than you expected. Brian insists, ‘when you know where you want to go, there will be roadworks and there will be bumps in the road. Just remember, you’re still going to the same destination.’

Hopefully these tips will be helpful for both those on the shelf and on the ladder. If you’re about to make the jump, good luck! If you’d like our help finding a new role, give us a call on 0161 833 1044 or send us an email to [email protected].

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