Infinity Recruitment

Blog

  • Returning to work after a break

    There are many reasons why people have to have a break from work. It could be that they have to take on a caring role for children or elderly parents or that they have had an illness which has resulted in them having to have some recuperation time at home whatever the reason returning to work after a break can be difficult. Although returning to the workplace can be demanding the advantages of collaborating with colleagues as a team can be beneficial mentally and the financial rewards are often welcome.

    If you are returning to a post that you have previously held it could be, depending on how long you how been away, that some of the systems and routines have changed. If this is the case you should expect to be retrained before taking up the position fully.

    If you are applying for a different role it may be necessary to update the qualifications that you hold to widen the choice of jobs that can be applied for. This may involve undertaking a college course or even going to university which can be an exciting prospect. Many universities encourage mature students to apply for their courses and offer family friendly timetables for those with childcare responsibilities making it possible for many more people to see this as an option.

  • Should I use a teaching agency for my next role?

    For some teachers, working in one school permanently may not be suitable, perhaps because they want to be able to choose their own days of work because of family commitments or they only want to work part time and there are no part time roles available. Working for a teaching agency is a valuable route into teaching and it has many benefits.

    There are many agencies specialising in teaching roles to choose from and it is important to check the terms and conditions of the agency you are applying to before you sign up. One of the main things to check is that the rate of pay is comparable with the pay scale that is offered by the local authority. Agency pay could be less than working for the local education authority but should still reflect the professional status of a qualified teacher.

    One of the main attractions of working for a teaching agency is that they find the work and then put you in touch with the school or arrange the dates and times that you are required to teach. This saves a lot of time on your part filling in application forms and getting enhanced checks that are needed for you to work in school as the agency will organise all these things when you sign up.

  • Is taking a gap year the best choice for you?

    Some youngsters after finishing doing A levels at school or college decide to take a gap year before embarking on a degree course at university with the idea that they want to experience real life out of an academic setting but career wise is this a good idea?

    After spending most of their time in school from the age of five to eighteen many students at the end of this period want to earn some money and possibly travel so it is hardly surprising that taking a gap year is so popular. Depending upon the experiences that they gain during this time, a gap year can in fact make a young person more attractive to potential employers as they may have gained skills that can be utilised in the workplace.

    Gap years that involve working abroad can be incredibly important as they enable the young person to see how other countries economies work and give them the opportunity to learn another language, a skill that is much easier if you are working and living in the country whose language you are wanting to learn.

    Even taking a gap year working in the UK can have benefits as it will allow the student to build up an amount of money which can be used towards tuition fees and living expenses thereby reducing the amount of money that will need to be borrowed as a student loan.

  • How to make working from home, work for you

    There has definitely been an increase in people working from home in the last two years and many companies have continued with this model even after offices reopened. The benefits to businesses have been that they no longer need to rent as much office space for their employees which means the cost of heating and lighting the office has reduced and staff absences has fallen. For employees, the benefits of working from home can be seen as they will spend less time commuting, with the associated costs, and may feel happier working in familiar surroundings.

    In order to be really productive when working from home it is essential that you have a dedicated workspace so that you do not feel that your work life is encroaching on your home life. Even having a desk or table in a corner of the living room will be enough if it is not possible to have an entire room to use as a home office. Adhering to set work hours can also help to define work and home time so that you do not feel that you are always at work and taking regular breaks during the day for lunch and coffee will prevent your blood sugar levels dropping mid-afternoon.

  • Are you the newbie at work?

    If you have recently started are about to start a new job, then you may worry about being the newbie again. It may be that you have been in your previous role for some time, or this is your first job so are not really sure what to expect. It is important to remember that first impressions make a difference, and it is hard to change someone’s opinion of you once they have made their mind up. For this reason, try and go in showing everyone your best side. Be sure to be punctual and polite and that you dress smartly, especially if you are in an office or retail environment. No one expects you to know the job inside out straight away, so it is fine to ask questions. Often people prefer it when you ask questions as this shows that you are taking an interest and trying to learn.

    If you are going in to a management role then you need to be sure that you have authority but don’t go in too heavy handed on the first couple of days as you may make some enemies. You can be a great boss whilst also being friendly and approachable, it is all about getting the balance right.