Are You Meant to Be a CEO or to Run Your Own Show?

Despite summer coming to an end, thousands of graduates and school-leavers are still left wondering where to take their career. Is it worth fighting tooth and nail for that unpaid internship? Or would it be better to work towards setting up your own business like 63% of current undergraduates? May be something in between?

It is a tough decision to make and one which is bound to influence the next few years of your life. But would you believe it if I said that by looking at your personality and skills you can find out what suits you best? Yep that's right! Read on to find out where you fit.

Would you ask someone directly why they are unhappy with you? Are you confident in making decisions based on your intuition? Is it you who always manages to convince your group of friends that it really is a good idea to go out tonight? Yes? Then you are an entrepreneur through and through. You confront situations head-on, are willing to take a risk and believe strongly in your ideas.

Pumped up to start your own business? First, research your industry thoroughly and try to get as much feedback as possible. You may also want to write a business plan and ask a successful entrepreneur to tell you whether it is feasible or how it can be improved. Don't forget to create a strong and professional online presence for yourself and your business idea - you never know who is Googling you!

Not you? Well then do you make important decisions based on your own research of the issue? Do you enjoy meeting new people and sampling the local cuisine when on holiday? Are you often reliant on mutual friends to approach people and make contacts? If this is you then you've got the ability to be your own boss or become a CEO. Perhaps you've got leadership potential but may lack expertise in certain areas.

In this case, the best thing to do would be to work for someone else to gain the necessary skills and knowledge before launching a business. At the same time you could work on your idea outside office hours. Another option to consider is climbing the career ladder - CEOs are great leaders which make important business decisions and reap great rewards without the stress of running their own company.

Don't fit in these two categories? Perhaps you are not a fan of confrontation and prefer lounging with a book on your holiday. Do you find making important decisions stressful and time-consuming? Believe that it's easier to go with the flow rather than convince people to go your way? Don't worry - you are a dream employee! You are secure in your relationships which makes you the perfect colleague. Having control over your working life is key for you which enables you to rise up the ranks.

So what's next? Avoid getting stuck in your current position by establishing clear goals and asking for feedback. If you are not progressing as quickly as you think you should be look for other companies that will reward you for your dedication.

Either way, both - entrepreneurs and CEOs - earn top dollar (think millions) and there is no right or wrong answer. Of course, not everyone is successful. Both career paths involve hard work and sacrifices. But would you rather do something you enjoy or feel miserable for the rest of your working life? No? I didn't think so. May be it is worth a shot to try out something new... something that fits your personality and skills.

How to Fight Against Career Depression

As the time for graduation approaches, many university students are starting to feel anxiety, panic and desperation engulf them. It's not the loss of friends, carelessness and ridiculous dress up parties that is the cause of these feelings. No, it's the bleak prospect of finding a job that torments them.

We've all been told how hard it can be to find a well-paid job we love. Yet, this does not make the job hunting process any easier. In fact, more often than not many begin to feel discouraged, if not depressed, after sending tens of CVs and attending as many interviews without securing a job.

But if we want to live 'the good life' (a.k.a. independence and money), we've got no choice but to keep on trying. So here are some tips and ideas how to avoid 'career depression' and keep yourself motivated until you get that dream job.

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• First of all make sure you know who you are and what you want to achieve in life. As spiritual as it may sound to you, it is often the case that many graduates leave university not quite sure what they are passionate about and what path they want to take in life. Investing some time in developing your 'identity capital' will pay off in the future. To make this search more career-oriented begin by asking yourself these questions: What am I good at and how can I use my natural abilities to their greatest effect? What do I really want from a job and what field of work genuinely fires me up? What sort of work environment would work best for me? Would I be happier starting up my own venture, or would I work best connected to an existing organisation? Reading, watching and listening to inspirational stories, such as the Ted Talk I mentioned in another post, can be of great help.

• Once that is out of the way try to set specific goals in your job search process. Figure out the best way to break into your industry of choice, be it (paid) internships, speculative job applications or additional training. Decide when and how often you will apply for jobs. Sometimes quality is better than quantity. Surprise your prospective employer with a hand written cover letter or a short video attached to your email application. Be realistic - applying for jobs takes time, especially if you want to impress, so start with smaller goals, such as applying to two companies this weekend, and increase them gradually.

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• Of course, sending your CV and cover letter is only half the work. It's easier to secure a job if you have contacts within your preferred sector or company, because they will speed up the selection process by referring you to the right people. Making contacts can be done through networking. We've heard that many times but how do you network exactly? The Guardian says that "It is possible for graduates to find connections everywhere, from university alumni to your cousin's friend's mother." Find out where key people from your industry meet to network - both online and offline (LinkedIn groups are a good place to start). Attend career and industry related events and bring with you basic, but professional-looking business cards. It's the best way to make sure people remember your name and contact details. Browse through your existing contacts and your university's alumni list to see if anyone has connections to your preferred industry or organisation. If you are a shy bird, you can use Twitter to connect with potential employers. A little goes a long way.

• If all else fails, do not despair. Don't underestimate and undervalue yourself. You spent time and money on education and you deserve a decent job. As the job hunting process stretches over time, be creative and look for other ways to fill in your time. If you don't have the luxury to sit in your mama's house and wait for that dream job, try taking up a part time job or looking for work in companies within your chosen industry but not in your preferred department. Rumour has it that starting in admin/reception positions could lead to promotions and opportunities to move to other departments within the company. If you have the time and resources you can also try to come up with a small scale enterprise idea which will bring you some quick cash and loads of business skills.

So there you go. These tips are just a starting point. Each person will have a different approach to things based on their situation and preferences. Remember to keep your head up and keep on trying.

*This blog post was inspired by Grads.co.uk, a brand new, cool and exciting jobs site dedicated solely to graduate and student recruitment.