Author(s): James Reed

Business Finance Management

By the time you retire you'll have spent a third of your life working. That's far too long to be stuck in a job you hate or even just tolerate. You want one you find rewarding - in head and heart, as well as wallet - but where to start?

The good news is the future lies in your hands. With the right actions and attitude you can power ahead with a career you enjoy. To grasp this opportunity, you'll need to challenge your existing thinking and approach the world of work with new eyes, but you won't be doing it alone. This book will show you 12 proven ways to fast track your career, so when you leap out of bed every Monday morning you'll be ready to take on the world.

The book is written by James Reed, Chairman of REED, Britain's best-known recruitment brand and employer of over 3,500 people. Over the past 25 years he has helped millions of people to find jobs, and in doing so has talked with countless job seekers and thousands of recruiters as well as his own business network. This has given him a deep insight into what makes some people successful in building a rewarding career, while others are stuck in the confusion and frustration of not landing the job they want.

Through these multiple observations and conversations, James has learned that there are 12 key ways to build and sustain the career you want:
· Look in the mirror . . . (ask 'who am I?', 'who do I want to be?' and 'how am I going to become that person?')
· Go to parties (embrace the magic of invitations and conversations)
· Play Poohsticks (find the fast-flowing water and locate your career in that)
· Be selfish (do what you enjoy and you'll perform well at it)
· Kick start some good habits and kick out some bad ones (the things you do every day are the ones that make the difference)
· Pick your targets (make sure you are where you are because of the choices you've made)
· Think in days and decades (focus on the immediate present and dare to imagine the unforeseeable future)
· Be powerful, be prepared (planning and preparation are essential for a great career)
· Showcase your work ethic (work hard, learn from your mistakes - and show it)
· Ask for help (this is something too many people find difficult)
· Find a boss you can learn from (the more and faster you learn, the further you'll travel)
· Change your job and change your life (if you don't enjoy your job, keep looking until you find one you do)

As it happens, there's never been a better time to create the career you love because today's job landscape allows you more freedom to carve your own path than ever before. Along with this, however, comes the responsibility of shaping your mind and actions to make your career work for you. This book shows you how.