Blog

  • Getting help with your CV

    When writing a CV it can be a bit of a minefield with plenty of websites listing lots of do’s and don’ts but not making clear what a good CV should look like.

    The hard part is that really the detail in a CV needs to be tailored to each job that you apply for so it would be difficult to design a specific template that would be useful outside of the basic headings and layout structures.

    So where can you get help with your CV if your struggling?

    There are companies on the web who will (for a fee) write a CV for you, all you need to do is provide them with the details such as qualifications and job history and after having a consultation with you they will produce a relevant CV that reflects the skills you’ll need for your new role. As you can imagine this is quite a costly option and may not be necessary.

    The government have a careers website to help with CV writing that gives clear comprehensive advice and even has a free phone number where you can speak to an adviser if you are stuck.

    So before forking out for a ready-made one maybe check out the .gov website and see how you get on.

  • Taking a temporary contract

    With the rate of employment at an all time high over the last few years, many people have had to take up short term or temporary work contracts. For many people this is not ideal and the thought of having to go through the whole recruitment process again in 3 months time can be daunting.

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    Unfortunately there are times when this may be your only option but you should not get to disheartened about it as often there are opportunities that arise from a temporary position. If you work hard and prove yourself to a company they may try and find you a more permanent position or will at least contact you should anything arise in the near future.

    Temporary jobs are also a great way to trial a new career to see if your are suited to the industry and if you believe you may have a future in it.

  • Using a recruitment agency for the first time

    If you are in the process of looking for work, then you may have considered using a recruitment agency to assist you.

    Recruitment agencies offer a number of different services to help you find a job that suits your circumstances and skill set. If you have never used one before then it may be worth spending a little bit of time researching a few local companies to find out what kind of reviews and success they have.

    Many agencies will not charge you to sign up with them but will take a percentage of your wage to cover their costs. Other agencies charge the employer rather than the employee for their service. Remember to always find out this information up front and carefully read through any contract or terms and conditions they require you to sign before going ahead and registering with them. Do not feel pressured in to signing up with them there and then, you have every right to ask to have a think about it and take the documentation home with you to read through properly.

     

  • Is it time for a change in career?

    Changing a career can have a massive effect on your work and personal life. Very often at some point in your life you may feel it’s time to try something new and start training in another industry. There are some things that you will need to carefully consider before jumping ship to another career.

    Depending on what job you want to apply for, you may need to return to education, either college, university or some other form of further training. If this is the case, it is possible that you will have a period of time when you are out of employment. You should make sure that you are financially secure and that you would be able to support yourself (and possibly your family) during this time.

    Always have a backup plan in case the worse should happen and you are not able to complete a course and need something to fall back on. If you are unsure of the qualifications you need and what places offer the training for a new career, talk to the job centre or a careers advisor before making any rash decisions.

  • Applying for an internal position

    Applying for an internal position can be quite daunting. You may be concerned about how your current manager will react or what will happen if you are not successful. You shouldn’t let either of these points put you off, as legally there is nothing a company can do if you want to apply to move to a different department, your current job should not be affected. Below are a few ways that you can prepare yourself for applying for an internal job.

    1)      Find out about the structure of the company: Find out what the other departments are, what they do and who are the leaders within them.

    2)      Search for jobs: Have a look on the company website and any notice boards, as all vacancies should be offered internally first before advertised elsewhere. If you find a position, check to see if you have the required qualifications and experience to apply.

    3)      Improve your current performance: If you have not been giving your job you all, you need to quickly pick up your game. Applying for an internal position has the advantage that the company already knows a bit about you, but if you have not been performing well recently, this may also be your downfall.