Pretty Successful Careers

Well this is going to be a different kind of blog today, a real – raw – and vulnerable one. A reminder that we are all human And taking opportunities is always absolutely worth it!   The opportunities I’ve taken this year have reminded me that I am a strong… Read more

Please do not make these common SCS mistakes (cos you’ll probably fail)   If you are searching around for Strategic Case Study tips and advice, especially because the new pre-seen has come out. 📝 I wanted to write a useful SCS resource for you.   I’ve coached hundreds of CIMA… Read more

You don’t need a tutor to pass your SCS exam.   Why…   In today’s revision blog I’m going to tell ya!   Caveat – of course the tutors are important – I’m not saying you never need them! But hear me out.     It took me 6 years… Read more

What’s the difference between a tutor and a coach? I hear you say!    No it’s not the start of a hilarious joke! Knock knock…. 😜   I’m a coach (just in case that wasn’t clear… I’m not a tutor!)   By the look of some of my DM’s… you… Read more

Your Number 1 revision tool   Yes If you’ve seen me on Linkedin you know the answer…   But I’m gonna repeat it again for you. Your number 1 revision tool is …. Drumroll….   📝 A revision Plan! 📝   An actual plan to how you are going to… Read more

🤓How my experience can help with your exam success!   In today’s blog I’m being vulnerable and explaining how my experiences have not only made me a better coach, but directly support my CIMA Students.   Let me start with a power statement! 👇🏻 THIS 👇🏻 I want to help… Read more

Let’s rebalance your work study tasks 😎 The biggest struggle I see students make is procrastinating for weeks and then panic mode cramming just before exam day! And when new students come into my Inner Revision World I hear them say “I don’t know where to start Helen!”   I… Read more

On last week’s blog I wrote about 3 of my amazing students (who’s name’s all begin with an L!😜😇) And this week I wanted to share some things about me! Get to know me: Loves & dislikes!   I love blogs like this (is it nosey – nah!!) and as… Read more

Revision coaching: how to revise your way I wrote a post last week about courses I’ve bought in the past and how frustrated I’ve gotten when they don’t teach me HOW. The post has gone around and around in my brain quite a lot so I knew it was a… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? ​ On the 1st day of 2021 my client said to me … “I don’t know what revision to do or how to do it?!” ​ Throughout 2021 I have shown up, coached and shouted about revision tactics! I have listened, got to know you, learnt, sympathised,… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? On the 3rd day of 2021 my client said to me “I miss read the question! “ Does it ever feel like Mr CIMA or Mr ACCA is talking in a foreign language?! It might as well be French – cos it’s completely in-understandable! One of the… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? ​ On the 4th day of 2021 my client said to me “I don’t know enough” ​ Part of my job as a Revision Coach is to ? Pick you up ? Empower you ? Focus you, and ? Encourage you ​ It’s also a key part… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? On the 6th day of 2021 my client said to me “If I can’t pass the fundamentals, I must be rubbish!” I’m throwing out another analogy today. ? All about building a house! ? If the foundations are not strong ‘enough’ then the house is weaker and… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? On the 7th day of 2021 my client said to me “I’m so stuck, I don’t know what to do! Feel like I’m going backwards!” One of my clients L is struggling and I know she’s not the only one. One the surface she (and her life)… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? ​ On the 9th day of 2021 my client said to me “Drumroll please …….. “ ​ On results day this is my favourite phrase when I Whatsapp my clients!   Let me share some of my many clients ? drumrolled answers!   L – “Passed F3, oh… Read more

? #twelvedaysofchristmas ? On the 10th day of 2021 my client said to me “Helen, you have repeated that already!” Well, I’m not going to lie guys, when I read J* email I was a little bit upset. I’ll be super real with you (as always) so don’t judge me… Read more

#twelvedaysofchristmas On the 12th day of 2021 my client said to me “I’m dyslexic, can you still help me?!” J* came to me in the Summer, whilst he was finishing his Masters and wanted help to start his CIMA journey. His 1st exam was Management Case Study (MCS), and as… Read more

I speak to a lot of students and hear a lot of the same things. And alot of words! Some of these words make me roll my eyes … opps … should I not admit that out loud?! ?   My three least favourite words are …. Wait for it,… Read more

I bang on about a 4-6 week revision phase allll the time! No, not because I want to extend your exam journey. It’s mainly because I want you to become a smart, confident Accountant.   I speak to qualifying accountants every day, I hear your struggles and I know exactly… Read more

The difference between Study VS Revision is very simple Let me explain …   I will warn you in advance for the blog, that I get quite passionate when it comes to revision advice. I won’t apologise for my revision passion, mainly because my students love it and when I’m… Read more

  Planning gives you a smarter response. In your case, it gives you a smarter exam answer.   If you don’t plan your answer, then you are missing out on marks!   This week’s blog is relevant if you are sitting your CIMA case study or ACCA Students specifically any… Read more

I love that I am a resitter! I love that I failed some of my exams! I love that I am now a coach and can really speak to and help resitters to give you the tools and techniques you need to be able to resit with confidence!   Of… Read more

I’m not sure about you, but at the start, working from home for me was enjoyable and I was able to work less but get as much work done and being in the comfort of my beautiful home (with Spencer my dog) made it stress-free and dare I even say… Read more

I am super proud to be writing this blog on my website for YOU!   Sometimes in life you must shout about your achievements. This achievement is one of mine – so far in 2021 – But I am sharing because it’s all for YOU!   I have published my… Read more

  If I could shake you and give you one thing that I know will make a huge impact to your exam success … it would be …   CONFIDENCE   You know that feeling when you are ready and prepared, with a great big smile and your head held… Read more

    As you may (or may not) know I am CIMA qualified and I didn’t pass all of my exams 1st time. My ‘Diaries of an oddball accountant’ is me sharing my highs and lows to the emotional but very rewarding Accounting rollercoaster qualification that I know you guys… Read more

My ‘Diaries of an oddball accountant’ is me sharing my highs and lows to the emotional but very rewarding Accounting rollercoaster qualification that I know you guys are on. Read and use it as a confidence booster (to know you’re not alone) – a motivational story (to prove it’s worth… Read more

My ‘Diaries of an oddball accountant’ is me sharing my highs and lows to the emotional but very rewarding Accounting rollercoaster qualification that I know you guys are on. Read and use it as a confidence booster (to know you’re not alone) – a motivational story (to prove it’s worth… Read more

As you may (or may not) know I am CIMA qualified and I didn’t pass all of my exams 1st time. My ‘Diaries of an oddball accountant’ is me sharing my highs and lows to the emotional but very rewarding Accounting rollercoaster qualification that I know you guys are on.… Read more

I know I say this all the time – but it’s TRUE. I know exactly what you’re going through right now.   I was nervous & moody before my exams (sound familiar?!). I’d study for weeks, reading my text book over and over. I’d spend days and days writing long,… Read more

When I was 8, my teacher asked me “what do you want to be when you grow up?”. And I answered brightly “an accountant!”.   Yes, really. I was an odd child (and yes, feel free to laugh at me!).   But I saw an accountant as a professional career.… Read more

  Ok. I’m going to be frank here.   This year was meant to be the year you pass and/or qualify. Right? Finally get your CIMA or ACCA letters & step up into the job you deserve.   That job you KNOW you’re ready for. Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head… Read more

Well – it really hit home this week, that ‘traditional’ revision doesn’t work for everyone.  The pages & pages of notes aren’t much fun. Maybe that’s you?   The truth is that there are loads of different ways to revise. Many that you might not have come across before (they… Read more

Why exam failure never stopped me (and why it shouldn’t stop you)…     My Grandma is in hospital right now. It’s the weekend – and as I type this, I’ve come down to Devon to visit her. I’m staying at her house and last night, I found a letter… Read more

I pride myself on my planning and organisational skills, not because I’m arrogant or a show off, but because they work for me and the amazingly successful results I want out of my life. For example, a few years ago I set some yearly goals – to have £4,500 in… Read more

Hi guys!   I have nearly 5000 Linkedin connections (If that’s not you – why not ? – just click here to connect). And I have been asked may times over the last few months to ‘What I do’ and ‘Can I teach the syllabus’ to you. I wanted to… Read more

Asking the most important question of all – ‘Why?!’   One of my coaching styles is to ask quite a few questions, especially at the start of a new client relationship. This really helps both of us to understand so much! One of my aims as a career coach is… Read more

Hello! Here you will learn how to give the perfect handshake… keep reading! 🙂 Over on my social media I am shouting about the A to Z of nailing your career strategy. I have talked about A to G so far (you’ll have to go on my Facebook or Instagram… Read more

How to get your CV noticed (if a recruiter had 10 CV’s- why would they pick yours?)   Hello! How many times have you wondered how do you get your CV noticed? I use an analogy (which is often true) which makes my clients focus and have a real life… Read more

Hello! I’m Helen Pretty – your Career Coach and Mentor – Bringing you your next blog – ‘Top 3 tips for an amazing personal statement’.   Thank you for taking a step forward to your job search. Your personal statement is that section of your application (normally found on your… Read more

I bet you want to know how to find the motivation to search for a new job? Thank you for taking an interest in your career! I want to share with you some ways to build your toolkit. This blog is about how to find the motivation to search for… Read more

Hey, Here is my career journey… so far! If you commit to a mentoring package with me, then I ask you to discuss your career journey and how you got to where you are today! I thought it would be a great idea if I shared the same discussion with… Read more

Setting SMART goals and Objectives!   So you want to have a new job? And you know what area you want to work in. But you have no idea how to do it and get there? You’re reading this blog for a reason – firstly thank you! Secondly – I… Read more