Cathedral Appointments’ recipe for career development

Career development needn't be complicated – nor should it be limited to just one or two approaches.

Grab your apron, and let's get started!

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Ingredients

• 250g drive and determination
• 175g willingness to learn
• 2tbsp passion (optional)
• 1tsp open-mindedness
• 1 long-term vision
• A handful of short-term goals
• A pinch of self-confidence

This recipe is free from:

• The limitations of your comfort zone
• Judgement from those around you

Method:

STEP 1:

First, lay out your short-term goals alongside your long-term vision. For this recipe, preparation is key, and before you begin it’s important to make sure that these two ingredients work well together. Don’t be afraid to adjust your short-term goals to ensure they align with your long-term career aspirations. Once you’re satisfied, add them to a large mixing bowl and stir thoroughly.

STEP 2:

In a separate bowl, combine your determination with your willingness to learn. Career development doesn’t happen on its own, and you’ll need to put in the hours if you’re to see the results. There are countless professional training courses online, as well as books and free webinars, which means you can learn in your own time and at your own pace. Take full advantage of them!

STEP 3:

Next, combine the two mixtures. Consistency is key, but don’t worry if it’s a little lumpy at first. Keep going, and eventually they should come together. Patience is a virtue! But if things still aren’t going to plan, then this is where passion comes in. You will always achieve the best results when you’re genuinely invested in what you’re doing, so don’t be afraid to add a generous helping.

STEP 4:

Lastly, add in the remaining ingredients – open-mindedness and a little self-confidence. Don’t worry if you don’t quite have enough! Try reaching out to your colleagues and other industry professionals to see if they can recommend any networking or mentoring opportunities for you. You’d be surprised at just how much of a difference this can make.

STEP 5:

Carefully pour the mixture into a 20cm cake tin, and place into a pre-heated oven for approximately 25 minutes. How do you know when it’s ready? Trust your instincts – there’s no rush, and it’s not the end of the world if you make a mistake. When you’re ready, serve and enjoy… that’s the most important part!