JOBS WILL BE A TOP TOPIC OF CONVERSATION THIS CHRISTMAS

Banter over Christmas dinner is as big a part of the festive season as mistletoe and mulled wine. This year jobs and careers (22%) will be the top topic of conversation over Christmas dinner, following discussions about people’s New Year’s resolutions (25%) and how dry or juicy the turkey is (31%), says the Careers Advice Service today*.

Revealing what’s on people’s minds this Christmas, a survey by the Careers Advice Service shows that nearly one in five people are worried about their jobs and 50 per cent are concerned about buying presents.

The survey of over 3,000 people shows that 77 per cent of people say they feel better when they’ve talked to someone about their worries. However nearly a third of people (30%) confess that they rarely talk about things that distress them and 20 per cent saying they found it difficult to ask for help because they feel too shy or embarrassed. Over half (53%) do not know who they would turn to for help.

Although career worries are high on people’s minds this Christmas, just over a third of people (34%) admit that they would feel more comfortable seeking careers advice from a professional Careers Adviser.

Jenny Kneafsey, at the Careers Advice Service, says: “We know that people are concerned about their job and careers at Christmas, but rather than talk about it people tend to bottle up these concerns instead. It can help to talk to an independent person to get a fresh perspective on your career and the Careers Advice Service advisers are available seven days a week to do just that.”

Further survey findings show that 60% of the population are considering a career change but have put their plans on hold until next year - despite Christmas being a key time to start planning for the future. Just over a quarter of respondents (26%) said they would most like to receive advice on their careers at the moment and 60 per cent would consider training or getting a new qualification to secure their career goal.

The Careers Advice Service provides free, impartial and confidential advice for those interested in learning a new skill; who want to find information on different courses or help with finding out about funding options and ways to get started in a new career.

The Careers Advice Service is open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm. To speak to a Careers Advice Service adviser call 0800 100 900 or online:

Official Website: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice.
Twitter: www.twitter.com/careers_advice1
Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Careers-Advice-Service/202088201941
Careers Advice Media Hub: http://newmediaroom.careers-advice.org/

For free face to face careers information and advice to adults, nextstep provides help and support in updating skills, training, learning and work. The service is available throughout England. The nextstep advisers are able to provide careers information and advice based on detailed knowledge of the learning and work opportunities available locally.

For more details visit: www.nextstep.direct.gov.uk