Karren Brady’s career advice from being burned out to finding the perfect job
APPRENTICE star and vice-chairperson of West Ham FC Karren Brady answers all your career questions.
Today she shares her best advice with a social worker who feels burned out due to the pandemic and helps a woman who is struggling to get any news from a job interview.
Q) I used to be a children’s nurse and then completed a second degree to become a health visitor.
At first I loved my new role, but then our job descriptions were changed to become more like social workers. We have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and now I feel completely burned out and disillusioned.
I don’t know how best to use my qualifications to do something else – I just know I can’t carry on doing this for both my mental or physical health.
Do you have any advice?
Linda, via email
A) Firstly, a big thank you for everything you and your NHS co-workers have done during the pandemic. We really don’t know what we would have done as a country without you and the unrelenting effort you have put into your role.
I am sorry you feel burned out – which happens when you have reached your limits mentally, emotionally and physically – and it’s not surprising you are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by your job.
So if you are going to stay in your role, it’s important that you have someone you can talk to, whether that’s family, friends or work colleagues. Exercise can boost your mood and energy, and eating well is vital, too.
Then you need to try to make your working situation better. Have you shared your current difficulties with your manager?
I bet they’d be horrified if you told them that you’re contemplating a career change. It also sounds as if you would benefit from talking through options with a qualified and experienced careers adviser.
The National Careers Service is a free resource for adults (). These are testing times, but with a vaccine programme now being rolled out, in the future your role may change again to become something you enjoy.
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Q. I’ve been applying for jobs recently and I was lucky enough to get an interview, then a second and a third in the final few months of last year.
The process was through a recruiter, so I emailed them before Christmas to ask for an update, but all they said was they still hadn’t heard any news.
I’m finding it hard to move on and think about other jobs until I get some closure on this one. Could the process really take this long, or is it time to forget about this position?
Kate, via email
A) Yes, it is possible the process could take this long, especially with the delays both the pandemic and the Christmas holidays have brought.
But it’s also important to consider other opportunities while you are waiting to hear about this role.
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If you start applying for other jobs, then hear you have got the job you want, you’ve lost nothing. But if you wait and never hear back, or eventually find out you’ve not got the role, you’ll have lost weeks of valuable job-searching time.
My advice is to start to look at what jobs and opportunities are out there and apply for any you’re excited by and have the skills to do. But also chase the recruiter regularly.
If they don’t respond, contact the person who interviewed you directly. This will give you the chance to tell them how interested you still are in working with them. Good luck!
- Got a careers question you want Karren to answer? Email [email protected]
Compiled by: Claire Frost
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Karren can not answer emails personally. Content is intended as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice.
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