Everybody has to start somewhere when it comes to finding employment. Most of us will have engaged in some part-time work as a teenager, or possibly a paper-round even younger, and most will go on to progress in other areas. But for some, these part-time positions can turn into full-time employment leaving you wondering what else you could have achieved.  
 
Equally, for people who’ve been in one job for a long time, it is easy to fall into a lull. Many will take an annual family vacation to help them feel energised again, but this method doesn’t work for everyone and in these instances suport through a coach can help determine the reasons for this and what opportunities they have the potential to realise.

If anyone has any doubts about being destined to be stuck in a job they don’t enjoy, just remember that Beyoncé swept up hair in her mother’s salon, Madonna worked in Dunkin’ Donuts, Whoopi Goldberg once applied make-up in a mortuary and Eva Mendes sold hot dogs at a mall – with a little direction and confidence, people can achieve their dream job.  
 
Here are five important tips to remember:

1. Build confidence 
What a large proportion of people lack in order to progress in their career is confidence. This is the case for graduates who may be trying to get any job at all, or an employee who feels they are stuck in a rut with their current role. Informative books, a career coach, online quizes can really help to objectively identifying your strengths, weaknesses and areas for improvement. When these are anlaysed  openly and honestly, people can take a long hard look at themself to gain a more positive and realistic approach as to which areas they’d like to change. With knowledge and acceptance comes confidence.

2. Create a strategic plan
Some people automatically have the drive and the courage to abandon their current career and head in a different direction. It’s scary and it’s not guaranteed they’ll succeed - after all, the bills don’t pay for themselves. However, where someone like a coach can assist is in heping to create a realistic plan of action based on experience, goal setting and achievements and time scales to be completed. Sometimes doing this on individually means there is little motivation to follow through, along with unrealistic targets. Dream jobs don’t come along in a week. They take research and strategy. It may sound like a lot of effort, but remember, these great jobs are for people who really want them.

3. Break the mould
The world is more equal world and where women have more rights than ever before. However, there are certain areas which are still deemed to be male-dominated. Trading and IT are just some examples where women could flourish but may feel like they would not fit in due to a heavy leaning towards male employees. Someone like a career coach can help to women identify their specific skills and build unique selling points for that market. Women who are realistically able to acknowledge their  skills and areas  for improvement are more likley to have sound confidence to go for a job that they  might not have considered in the past.  

4. Work in the saturated female market
The working industry has changed dramatically over current decades. As recently as the 1980s there were far less women opting to work, and would still traditionally concentrate their efforts towards family life. Now, there are more women working than ever, making for fierce competitive in the stereotypically female areas. Being a woman isn’t an excuse anymore for not being hired. Arguably, one of the main obstacles for women in the workplace is flexibilty and insufficient role models. Flexible positions can become incredibly competitive and the public sector (which leans heavily in women’s favour) is a good example of this. If women are stuck for ways to stand out amongst competition then seeking advice from quaified others can help.

5. Resources
As with most opportunities, it’s more about 'who you know than what you know'. Many career coaches often have solid work and management experience - many with experience balancing the business world with family life. Being concerned about returning to work after children and needing guidance, or knowing the right places to network or best courses to take to put you ahead of your competition, arev all skills career coaches usuallyn assist with. they can offer advice.

A career coach can be a sound investment for an effective career. Job satisfaction affects many people on many levels. The aim is to bounce out of bed when the alarm rings.

About the Author:
Bev James is a successful serial entrepreneur and business coach with experience in training and recruitment of business coach. Bev is also MD & Head of Training for The Coaching Academy, the world's largest training school for coaches.