What is reflection? How does it relate to your career? We share how you can use reflection throughout your career to help you succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Reflection. Is it looking in the mirror? Or now when you see your own face on screen during a video call? Yes, but it\u2019s also so much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
True reflective practice enables us to consider and re-consider our actions and words, and helps us to improve in our day-to-day work \u2013 whatever we do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019ll stop talking mysteriously and start applying this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s two ways of reflective practice; reflecting IN action, and reflecting ON action. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll be doing both already without knowing it.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Imagine this: You\u2019re in a team meeting, sharing an idea you\u2019ve had for a new creative direction. Your bosses face contorts into something that resembles severe disapproval, and without him muttering a word, you find yourself back-tracking and changing direction for the pitch. As his face eases towards a smile, you know you\u2019ve hit a good thing, and eventually stop speaking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s reflecting IN action \u2013 you\u2019ve got your feedback (unhappy face) you\u2019ve reflected on your approach, and immediately edited what you\u2019re saying, to something that produces better feedback (a smile).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting ON action can be done a range of ways; training and conferences, team meetings and many more. The chance to step back from a particular situation, or your day-to-day work in general, and see it through a different perspective of a new thing you\u2019re learning, or just using some hindsight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflection can happen individually, but also team reflection can be helpful. It can help to reflect with a manager or coach who can provide an alternative approach to the same situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So\u2026 how can reflection help YOU in what you\u2019re doing NOW?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n I received some great advice earlier this year; to end each day by listing three things that went \u2018ok\u2019. Not necessarily wonderful, but three things that are good, acceptable, ok. This helps your mindset into seeking the good in each day, but also helps you REFLECT on areas of success, and perhaps then also how you came to that success, and how that could be emulated in other areas of your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflecting is a great path to answering interview questions as well. \u2018Tell me a time when you\u2026 managed a difficult colleague\/ overcame a struggle\/ had a great success\/ innovated\u2019 \u2013 all these types of questions require you to reflect on your work so you can provide some great answers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflect also about how you felt in the interview. Did they make an effort to support or intimidate you? Reflect on how you perceived the work and team to be. Reflect on if you want the job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget \u2013 interviews are two way, they just get to ask their questions first!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n When you get a job application or interview rejection, reflect on it. Don\u2019t beat yourself up, but have a ponder on what you felt were the successes and areas of improvement for next time. Ask for feedback, and reflect on what they\u2019ve said \u2013 do you agree with it? What do you want to do with it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflect on your approach to your job search:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you making the most of LinkedIn? (If not, read this<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have you had a Careers Advice Appointment recently? (If not, book here)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Is your CV tip-top? (If not, try this<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you interview-ready? (If not, try this<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reflect on each opportunity you come across too. Think about how it may help you, and what you can give, and gain from it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are some tools to help you reflect?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The STAR technique is a great way to answer a situational interview question. STAR = Situation, Task, Action, Response. As you reflect upon (and then in interview share) each of these parts in turn, it helps to contextualise your answer to be thorough and complete in sharing your experience as a complete story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another well-known reflective tool is the SWOT analysis. By working through your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, you become more self-aware, and able to consider career decisions from that basis. Perhaps you could do one about your job search?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third I\u2019ll share today, and one of my favourites, is Gibbs\u2019 Reflective Cycle. Going round in a circle you can write some notes on each area, and then go round again thinking a bit deeper if you want to! Description, Feelings, Evaluation, Analysis, Conclusion, Action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, a plug for reading. Reading helps me reflect as I consider myself, or my work, in the context of each article or book. When I read a book like \u2018The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry\u2019 I reflect on the speed of life. When I read a book like \u2018The Power of Habit\u2019 I reflect on how to make the most of embedding good habits, and also how huge corporations are already tapping into and taking advantage of societal habits. When I read a book like \u2018Eleanor Oliphant is absolutely fine\u2019 I reflect on how recently I\u2019ve had a good chat with or checked in with colleagues. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Allow yourself to be challenged and to reflect on things you\u2019ve read, watched and noticed in the world around you too.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get ongoing careers support via the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is reflection? How does it relate to your career? We share how you can use reflection throughout your career to help you succeed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":122230,"featured_media":8446,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[457],"tags":[461],"class_list":["post-9262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-z-of-careers","tag-a-z-of-careers"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"authorName":"Susannah Gilbert","featuredImage":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/careers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/506\/2021\/01\/Blog-Banners-6.png","postExcerpt":"What is reflection? How does it relate to your career? 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