Take the stress out of career progression by taking these simple steps to prepare yourself for the job you want. Firstly, you need to prepare prior to completing an application to any job. There are a number of things that you need to clarify which may help you to start the essential preparation that will kick start your career progression wherever you are currently, in terms of jobs, training, or position.

Goals: It is important to know where you want to get in life, is this new step going to take you where you want to go or is it someone else's goal? If it's the right job for you, really go for it!

Planning: Plan your work, work your plan! What do you need to do to get this job? Make a plan and ensure you review if it is working.

Self discovery: You are not an empty vessel; we all have a story to tell of our experiences and knowledge, write out your story and do not forget the interesting bits, then review it and see what aspects of what you have written meet the requirements of the job documentation.
Prediction exercise: Complete this simple questionnaire and allow your true aspirations to come through:

Where do you want to get to in the following time frame?

1 month

6 months

5 years

10 years

How ambitious are you and what is getting in your way? Do not be modest about it and try to take responsibility about what things you have or have not done to get where you want to be.
List your achievements

Chart your career journey:

Chart your successes using a time line. Look at what contributions you make in the world at large, to your family and friends, at work. Think about what you would like to contribute in your chosen field. Be aware of your strengths

What am I to you?' questionnaire:

Select 5 of your friends and ask them to describe your strengths and attributes by listing them using one or two word descriptions only.

If this is too scary, you should list 5 of your attributes and strengths and write them down. Then get a dictionary and look up the definitions of the words you use to describe yourself. Get a Thesaurus and look up the synonyms. Spend some time seeing if you are comfortable with the descriptions.

Finally, all of this work will have given you useful information about your self that you can write about, speak to and build on; it is really about you as a person, not as an invention but grounded in reality. You will now also be aware of the areas you may need to develop in order to meet your goals and aspirations. You may have highlighted areas which you need help with where for example a mentor or coach can help you with. Remember though, take on your own goals and make sure you stay on track and go for it!

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In this modern society we all need to be encouraged to make significant changes in how we manage and deal with stress, to raise the profile of the effects of stress and offer each other information and advice on how this might be done. As a Social Worker I believe workers need a chance to feel powerful, relaxed and nurtured by participating and having access to the appropriate facilities which would aid stress management and relief.

Unfortunately there is an astonishing disillusionment in the profession as well as a sense of helplessness.

The pressures and demands of being a Social Care Professional can at times be intolerable and relentless. Professionals have to become involved in peoples lives and this can be scary and daunting. We often feel unsupported and overwhelmed by the nature and enormity of our tasks. Some are blamed and scapegoated, others feel powerless compared to others in our own or other professions.

The almost probable certain future of the continuation of this is that workers will

1. Get more and more frustrated about the lack of positive outcomes from their hard work

2. Continue to take on blame for cases that go wrong.

3. Leave the professions due to limited job satisfaction

4. Less people will join the professions

5. Vulnerable people will not get their needs met adequately

6. Our society will loose some of the most dedicated workers that we have.

Key things which are required to counteract this poor outlook:

Caring Professionals need to have rewarding opportunities to breathe and be nurtured in a caring environment. This would promote and protect the physical and mental health of those who require is so that they can continue to meet the needs of dependent and vulnerable people in their care and in the community.

Celebration and support for Social Workers carrying out their roles in the communities is crucial. By celebrating the role of Social Workers we would acknowledge their importance in our communities and organisations.

The Education and training to workers and employers on strategies to deal successfully with the effects of stress by raising awareness, offering advice and information is underdeveloped and must evolve as it is in other professions.

Retention of Social Workers and Foster Carers, qualified and unqualified workers, paid and unpaid workers in the communities will be a by- product.

Helping those facing difficult circumstances to deal with stress will actively counteract the feeling of disaffection and demoralisation in front line Caring professions.

We can then engender a positive impact on new people joining or considering joining the profession so that they receive a positive recommendation that Social Care Workers, Social Workers and Foster Carers are looked after, valued and supported.