Getting to know yourself

Every person is unique but we can also, broadly speaking, slot into personality types. Learning what traits you possess will help you discover how you can improve your confidence

Work through the following questions. They're designed to get you thinking about where you are now, where you might be in the future and how you could get there.

1. What sort of person are you?

We're all individuals, so there are an infinite number of answers to this question. The following suggestions will help you think along the right lines: Are you outgoing or do you tend to be reserved? Can you motivate and discipline yourself? Or do you need external influences to keep you focused? Do you welcome change and adapt? Or do you prefer to stick with what you know? Do you enjoy collaborating? Or do you operate most effectively alone?

Think about these questions and consider any questions you may want to ask yourself. Understanding your personality will help you consider your strengths, weaknesses, hopes and where you could be sabotaging yourself.

2. What are your strengths?

Think laterally
Consider not just your obvious strong points, but look deeper to discover hidden abilities and aptitudes.

Be inclusive
Write down everything, no matter how insignificant it may seem to you at the moment.

Maximise on your strengths
Bear in mind which of your strengths you really enjoy applying. Siobhan Hamilton-Phillips, a senior consultant with career Psychology suggests, "Identify parts of your job that use your strengths then try to do more of those tasks."

If you're particularly adept at communicating, you could seek out more face-to-face client work. Or, if you excel with numbers, you could volunteer to spend extra time settling accounts or checking balance sheets.

Take the initiative
Don't wait for it to happen, really go for what you're good at.