Case studies

Case study - Lynne, 23

Boredom, lack of satisfaction and a desire for direction led Lynne to seek the help of Career Analysts.

Her creativity and her enjoyment of the visual arts led her to study architecture, and having graduated from university with an excellent degree, she set off on the employment road as a designer for a local practice.

Though she enjoyed the artistic side of her work, she felt that her job did not challenge her, nor did it offer her what she had expected.

“I’d describe my work as monotonous and repetitive,” she said to our consultant. “There’s no distinct career path for promotion or remuneration, and I have no interest in going on with the further diploma that’s expected of me. I feel trapped.”

Lynne knew that a career in architecture was not for her, but had no idea what she could be doing instead.

“I want to be a success, but my knowledge of the job market is limited,” she explained. “I want to meet more people and increase my earning potential with a more active, creative and social career.”

Working with our consultant, Lynne discovered that she had previously-unrecognised strengths and talents. Having examined her personality and her goals, the consultant’s comprehensive written report suggested that Lynne could consider a role in marketing, where her enterprising abilities and her creative skills could be combined.

Six months on, and Lynne has undergone a complete career change – she is indeed working in marketing, for a multi-national corporation, and has never been happier.

“With the guidance of Career Analysts, I am on a path I’d never before considered – and loving every minute of it,” she smiles. “I’m challenged and fulfilled, and I’m finally enjoying going to work every day.”

Case study - Mark 32

Mark was in his late twenties when he came to Career Analysts. He was working in the head office of a major food retailer as part of a two-year graduate scheme, and, having realised that the industry was not for him, declined job offers from the retailer and its competitors. He wanted to move on to a new and fresh challenge, and sought guidance on how best to achieve that.

Three years on, he runs a leading online hotel booking agency, generating a healthy profit every year.

“I wanted to run my own business in a sector that interested me,” says Mark, “and my consultation with the occupational psychologist gave me the confidence that I would be able to do that.”

After his first consultation, he spent most of the following year researching his business ideas, then trading internet stocks, before taking the plunge and starting up his own business.

“Going to Career Analysts was a major turning point for me,” he adds. “The tests and the review session enlightened me about myself, my motivations, my goals and the way I am.

“I feel that I’m now being courageous again with my life, and have set myself more challenges, both short and long-term, to enable me to get the best from myself, my time and my career.”

Deciding what A-level subjects to take is a difficult time in every student’s life. As a 15-year-old, Joe wanted guidance in choosing between four science-based A-levels and a broader range of subjects. On a friend’s recommendation, he came to Career Analysts.

At his meeting with the consultant psychologist, Joe took a range of psychometric tests, assessing his aptitude, personality and skills. He says now, “I had been concerned that four science subjects would prove too limiting for me. Then my profile showed that those A-levels would suit me well, and the consultation helped me reaffirm my real choices.”

After taking his A-levels and receiving top marks for all of them, Joe was accepted to a prestigious university, where he was awarded a first-class honours degree in Natural Sciences. At this stage, he decided that a career in law was the path for him, and applied for a law degree conversion course.

He says, “I was invited for an interview for a scholarship to fund my Graduate Diploma in Law. These scholarships are always heavily over-subscribed and I was determined to secure one of the two fully-funded places. That’s when I turned again to Career Analysts, to examine and hone my interview and presentation skills.”

Joe and the consultant worked on interview and interpersonal techniques to prepare him for the panel. “There were no tests this time – just a lot of talking, and even a mock interview just so I knew what kind of questions would await me.”

Joe was awarded a full scholarship, completed his diploma and will start bar school shortly. He says, “When I was a teenager, Career Analysts helped me clarify my thinking; now as an adult they have assisted me in developing a set of skills that are essential for working life.”

Case study - Susan 33

Susan, a Politics graduate with an MBA from Yale, had gained a full post-graduate accountancy qualification.  Her career began in local government, where she was appointed Principal Accountant for a County Council at the age of only 26.  Following her US MBA she joined a major US accountancy firm – one of the ‘big five’ - as an Associate specialising in Organisation Development and Change Management.

In 2004 Susan wished to return to the UK.  Her firm allowed her a sabbatical to reflect.  When she spoke to Career Analysts, she was concerned about a range of aspects of her work as a consultant; the work/life balance, the internal politics of the consultancy, and opportunities for promotion.  Susan wanted to take a step back and consider whether the world of consultancy was for her. 

Susan embarked on a career management programme. We reviewed her strengths and competency areas, and matched these to her preferences.  We developed a theme for her preferred role, as 

‘working with and through others to solve problems creatively and recommending solutions based on thorough analysis’

We then worked on identifying the preferred subject areas within any future role, and the sectors in which these might occur.  Next, we agreed the culture, values and style of the target organisation, and Susan’s needs for intellectual stimulus, a non-aggressive organisation providing mutual support and a caring, reflective style came to the fore.

We homed in on a short-list of ideal sectors, and these included accounting, legal, financial services, consulting, local government and health trusts.  We eventually concluded that consultancy remained Susan’s prime career focus and set about researching and identifying those consulting practices which much better satisfied her organisational culture and values requirements.  Having done this, we tidied up Susan’s CV, developed interview techniques and identified a range of job opportunities through networking.

Susan is now much happier, and is working as a senior organisation development consultant with a major and highly-regarded accountancy practice.