My Story

I have included this as you may recognise similarities in your own circumstances, or feel that the change I went through could help you.

I have successfully changed and re-focused my career many times.

I can help you do the same.

I started my career after University as a Chartered Civil Engineer. As a result there are a number of bridges around the UK, that I both designed and built.

However, after a few years I realised that to progress within the organisation, it would take some time before senior members of staff retired.

I also realised that my strengths were not so much in design, but rather in leading the teams who were designing the bridges - to coordinate their skills, understand how we could be more effective, and to put processes in place to deliver improvements and drive down design costs.

I therefore started to look at how these skills could be used to best effect to develop my career further and help my personal growth.

I found the process difficult - not really knowing enough about what I really was good at; what I wanted to do in the future; or how I could position myself in the job market most effectively.

I searched for help and found a company focused on Career Change. They took me through a structured process, which analysed all aspects of my strengths and personal abilities.

Over the next few weeks, I took a number of profiling tests which re-inforced my own thinking but also provided new insights into my skills. I also produced an engaging CV that would stand out and would impress prospective employers.

The most enlightening part of the process, however, was how to achieve a successful and increased network of contacts. This network helped me refine my thinking and helped me understand what I really wanted out of a career. It also helped me meet a number of people, some very senior positions.

As a result, and primarily through my new Networking approach, I focused in on becoming a Management Consultant, where I was sure my transferable skills would fit well, and I could build a second, more rewarding Career.

Again, through my new focused networking approach, I was introduced to an MD of a new Consultancy start-up and, after a couple of meetings and a presentation to the Senior team, I was offered employment as a Consultant - this was to be supported through on-the job training and a part-time MBA. This was the breakthrough I was looking for!

This was a successful and very enjoyable part of my career - I was fitting in well, working with dynamic people and delivering improvement work for Clients.

This spring-boarded me into a new Career in Consultancy, where over the next 30 years I worked for some of the larger Management Consultancy companies in the UK, many in senior roles.

I worked in both the Private and public sectors; in Manufacturing; Financial services and within HR and Recruitment. Most of my more recent roles have been in the Private Sector for HM Government.

Throughout my Career I have been offering advice and guidance on Career Planning, Career change, Interview Practice and Personal Development; I would like to help you.

My experience of Career Change and my knowledge of the techniques for Career progression can help you address your own challenges - make the first step and give me a call.

Contact me by email

david@careersolutionsltd.co.uk

email link

Contact me by phone

07972 560 939

phone link

David Hilliard

Career Solutions Ltd is a Company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 12836056