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Tag: Job search

  • Increase your employability through solid applications

    Patrick Crowder

    If you’re on the search for a new job then you most likely have a method to cut through the madness, but it is important to double check your approach for common errors and missed opportunities. 

     

    Employability skills are essential to landing a job, but the approach you take to applications and interviews is equally vital. The office furniture company Furniture At Work has spoken to career experts to find out the most important things to do, and what not to do, to give yourself the best possible shot at your dream role.

    Never Lie

    An obvious yet often disregarded rule is to be honest, both on your CV and in your interview. Sure, exaggerating your skills or experience may give you a slight edge, but if you are found out then your credibility could be gone forever. A key trait of employable people is honesty, so as career coach Matt Somers explains, lying really isn’t worth it.

    “Just don’t do it. Ever,” Somers says, “Rather than wonder if you can get away with a small lie on this CV or that online application, just resolve never to lie. That way you’re never under pressure at an interview to remember what you lied about. Interviews are stressful enough as it is!”

    Don’t insult your former employer

    Just as you wouldn’t talk about an ex-partner on a first date, you also shouldn’t insult your former employers in an interview. Not only could that cause a potential employer to worry about how you will talk about them, it adds unnecessary negative energy to the conversation which could reflect badly on you. If you had a serious issue with a former employer which you feel must be brought up, then do your best to lay out the situation dispassionately and professionally.

    Don’t undervalue your employable skills

    An important thing to remember about a ‘dream job’ is that often, to those in the field, it’s just a job. This means that there is no need to act like they are doing you a favour by considering you for a role. If you’re qualified and confident, then why present yourself as lesser than what you are? Simon Roderick, Managing Director of Fram Search, explains why confidence is key.

    “The first thing about applying for your dream job, is to actually apply instead of holding yourself back and worrying! Have the confidence to think ‘If not me, then who?’ Back yourself and you may be surprised at the outcome,” Roderick says.

    So, we know that lying, smack-talking old bosses, and letting nerves take over are never conducive to landing a job, but what should we do?

    Personalise your CV

    Amanda Augustine, career expert at TopCV, believes that personalising your CV to the target role is paramount. Not only does it show that you’ve done the research to find out what the role requires, but it allows a potential employer to see only relevant information. Imagine you’re going through CVs – aren’t you more likely to interview an applicant who has already made your job easier? Augustine also emphasises that a good referral can make all the difference.

    “You’re 10 times more likely to land the job when your application is accompanied by a referral,” Augustine says, “Use your personal and professional connections and social media platforms such as LinkedIn to find and connect with people in your target field and industry.”

    If your personalised CV with a solid referral are enough to land an interview, it is important to prepare. Friends and family can help you run a mock interview, and they may ask a question that you don’t have a ready answer to. There’s no denying that ‘winging it’ can work, but why take the chance?

    Send a follow-up

    If all has gone well, the interview is complete, and you’re playing the waiting game, there is still work to be done. Always send a follow-up email after an interview. Don’t spam them of course, but a quick email thanking them for their time and expressing your enthusiasm can’t hurt.

    Advice can be extremely useful, but when all is said and done, it comes down to you. You write your CV, you apply online, and you sit in the interview chair. Therefore, have some confidence when applying. Don’t just skim your CV but read it and look at all you have accomplished. And why not go for that dream job? After all, you’ve made it this far.

     

    Read more about how the world of recruitment is changing here:

    2022 Highlights: Computer says no – should we welcome AI in recruitment?

  • Watch out for these CV ‘red flags’

    Finito World

    If you’re on the hunt for a new job, you’ve probably thought a lot about your CV. According to the online platform CV Maker, the average hiring manager only spends six to eight seconds looking over that much agonised over piece of paper before deciding if it goes in the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ pile. Therefore, it is vital to make sure that there is nothing in your CV which could give a recruiter reason to disregard your application.

    The biggest mistake you can make on a CV is also, thankfully, the easiest to correct. Typos and spelling/grammar errors can show a potential employer that you do not pay attention to detail (and even if you do normally pay attention to detail, a spelling error sends a bad first impression). A minor error shouldn’t get your CV thrown out by any fair recruiter, but if there are many mistakes then you should probably consider re-sending your CV with a brief message explaining the mistake. The best way to prevent this uncomfortable scenario in the first place is to use a spellchecker and have a few trusted friends or family members read your CV before sending it out.

    Another easy correction which can save you all manner of embarrassment has to do with your email address. It is always best to make a new dedicated email address for your job search, rather than relying on an old address. If your email is a bit unprofessional, or at worst outright vulgar, then your chances of landing the job are very low. The standard formats of ‘firstname.lastname@…” or “firstinitial.lastname@…” tend to work well for this purpose.

    A large gap in your employment is more difficult to correct. After all, if you have an employment gap then there’s not much you can do about it now, and it is certainly never a good idea to lie! However, there is a solution; just be honest. Particularly now after the pandemic, employment gaps are not rare and no fair employer should disqualify an applicant solely based on their employment history. If you can effectively explain your employment gap in a cover letter, that will help massively, and you should be prepared to offer a good explanation in an interview setting.

    If you have a number of relatively short, sub-one-year-long roles on your CV, this may raise some red flags with a potential employer. As with employment gaps, if you have a number of short-lived jobs then you can’t change the past, but a good explanation can go a long way. Try to stick to concrete reasons for your departures from previous roles, such as a lack of career advancement or recruitment by another company, rather than vague statements such as ‘needing a change’ which could cause some employers to believe you are unreliable.

    Including too much personal information on a CV can stray into the unprofessional realm, so keep things brief. Showing a bit of personality through your hobbies and interests can be good, but make sure they pertain to the job role in a positive way. Your personality will come through automatically through your accomplishments and the more detailed accounts of your skills, so there’s no need to overdo it.

    There’s a lot to think about when constructing a CV, and it can be overwhelming. However, a bit of proofreading and careful consideration of content can make all the difference when going for that dream role.

  • Small businesses value personal skills over qualifications, survey finds

    Patrick Crowder

    Job applicants often worry a lot about their CVs. What qualifications to list, experience in the field, and university degrees are common considerations for job-seekers and companies alike, but if you feel that your CV may be lacking, there is another option. A survey from the London-based Fintech company iwoca shows that formal qualifications and experience are not the top priorities for small business owners when considering new hires.

    49% of small business owners surveyed say their top desirable trait in a candidate is honesty, which was the most popular response. Coming in second is a good personality, at 38%. Experience in a similar position was essential to 37% of respondents.

    Undergraduate degrees are not a priority at all for most small business owners, with only 6% saying that a degree is a necessity. For people who feel they have the skills for the job, but are also lacking on paper qualifications and experience, small businesses offer a way in.

    Not only do small business owners consider a wider range of applicants, they also face the same staff shortages as large companies, which in turn drives recruitment. Vacancies in small businesses have increased by 72% since last year, coming to a total of 575,000 positions which need to be filled.

    Iwoca CEO Seema Desai highlights why a small business might be the way to go if you’re worried about a perceived lack of formal qualifications.

    “Small businesses employ over two thirds of the nation’s workforce. Some of the perceived barriers to applying for a job, such as having a degree, might not be as high as some job seekers think they are,” Desai says, “Our research reveals the importance of strong personal skills when applying for roles, and the importance of hiring to the future growth of any business.”

    https://www.iwoca.co.uk

  • LinkedIn profile tips for job seekers

    Amanda Brown

    Whether you are entering the world of work for the first time, looking for a new position in the same field or considering a complete career change, refreshing your LinkedIn profile is one of the most important tasks you’ll need to complete to ensure your professional experience is seen in the best possible light by prospective employers.

    After all there is a limit to how much can be included on your CV or an online application form. An optimised LinkedIn profile which showcases your expertise is important for applying directly for vacancies listed by companies as well as for appearing in search results carried out by recruitment firms who are seeking the ideal candidate to fill their clients’ roles.

    Here are a few tips which you can put into practice right away.

    Take your time

    Your LinkedIn profile represents your personal brand. It is one of the elements which makes up your online reputation that you will manage throughout your career.

    Consider this quote from Warren Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway:

    “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

    If it only takes a few minutes to ruin a reputation then a few hours invested in your LinkedIn profile is time well spent. You will want to communicate to the reader not only your experiences, skills and qualifications, but also compelling reasons for them to shortlist you over your peers.

    Add an up-to-date profile picture

    Having a current profile picture is particularly important when it comes to the interview stage of a job application. There is something disarming when you see a photo online which doesn’t match how they look in person. Does your photo show you off accurately?

    LinkedIn also allows you to add a banner image. My advice is to research a few of your contemporaries to see which banner images resonate and then to select one from the wide range of free, royalty-free websites, such as www.pixabay.com.

    Enhance your profile picture

    The #OpenToWork photo frame should be used with caution if you are currently employed as there is a risk that your employer will see your intention to change jobs. LinkedIn states that this ring will only be seen by recruiters, if you select that option, but they do not guarantee it will not be seen by other members.

    Personalise your headline

    Your LinkedIn headline is more than just a job title. It is important to add phrases which show your specific expertise or the field in which you wish to become known. For example, “Financial adviser specialising in pensions and investments with a particular interest in ethical funds.” For a recent graduate, “Chemistry graduate from Bristol University seeking opportunities in the manufacturing sector.”

    The About section

    The About section is your time to shine and is where recruiters discover what makes you tick and where you are able to communicate more about the roles which you are seeking and the reasons you should be considered. Write in the first person as if you are speaking directly to your ideal employer.

    Avoid using generic language, such as “hard-working”, “driven”, “effective”, without evidence to back up these claims.

    Start by introducing yourself, your current position and the value you bring to your current organisation. List your recent achievements, qualifications, skills and experiences, either in a list or in a short paragraph. There is no editing function on LinkedIn so use numbers or a dash to serve as bullet points.

    Include activities out of work where they are relevant to your job search. For instance, you may be a member of a sports team which requires you to be a good team player and an excellent motivator with an ability to adapt to different situations.

    I advise including your contact details at the end of this section.

    The “Featured” section

    This section on your profile allows you to include images, documents and links which provide readers with more in-depth insights into your achievements. It is a place to include a portfolio of work

    Complete every section

    In order to appear in searches the LinkedIn algorithm favours profiles which take advantage of each and every section. The Core sections are: education, positions and career breaks.

    In the Recommended include licenses and certifications, courses and recommendations. Additional information adds even more personality to your profile, including:

    Volunteer experience
    Publications
    Patents
    Projects
    Honours and awards
    Test scores
    Languages
    Causes
    Custom LinkedIn URL

    At the top hand of your profile, there is the “Edit public profile & URL” link. Edit your LinkedIn URL so that it is easy to remember when you share it. Add it to your CV, to any personal websites you have and to your email signature.

    Add keywords and phrases

    Once you have completed the first draft of your LinkedIn profile, add keywords and phrases which recruiters are likely to be using to discover ideal candidates. This is particularly important if you are in a highly technical profession where certain qualifications or skills are a prerequisite for applying for a specific position.

    Read through several job descriptions of roles you are interested in and very quickly you will see a theme running through the experience and skills being sought.

    Ask for help

    Writing a professional LinkedIn profile which is compelling, concise and communicates your professional experience and aspirations for the future is challenging. Once your draft is written, ask a friend or family member to read it through or use the services of a LinkedIn profile writer to review it for you. Perfect each section, as recruiters may only glance briefly at your profile and you’ll want to create the right first impression.

    Following a diverse corporate career, Amanda has been advising individuals and businesses on the effective use of online communications, specialising in social media and, in particular, the set up and management of LinkedIn for brand positioning and marketing. She provides job seekers with LinkedIn profile writing and coaching on how best to use the platform to find the ideal position to apply for. Her long and varied experience working with clients across a wide range of sectors, means she is ideally suited to helping clients communicate their message with clarity.

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajanebrown/

  • New year, new job – navigating the market amid a flood of first quarter applications

    Patrick Crowder

    Is finding a new job on your list of resolutions for this New Year? Research from the staffing firm Robert Half shows that, for many, the holiday season was a time for polishing CVs and considering new roles.

    The pandemic has given people time to reflect on their priorities not only in the workplace, but in life in general. The holiday season is also traditionally a time for reflection, and this year’s resolutions included finding a new job for many people.

    The research shows that 21% of UK employees planned to look for a new role before March of 2022. UK Managing Director Matt Weston explains why so many people are choosing to look for new jobs right now.

    “Holidays are typically a time for people to take stock and assess their priorities in the year ahead,” Weston says, “it’s why we usually see a jump in activity in Q1, and after the summer holiday period in Q3.”

    Taking some time away from a role can provide the break needed to continue on with it once the vacation period is over, but increasingly it also allows employees the chance to long for something better. Coupled with the pandemic, this has created the perfect conditions for a flood of new applicants.

    “With the uncertainty of the pandemic, many employees were holding fast until the situation was a little more secure,” Weston says, “Even with the rumours of a fresh lockdown approaching, many are now tired of waiting and keen to take the next step in the careers.”

    59% of employees surveyed said that they planned to update their CVs over the holiday period. In response to this, Robert Half published some recommendations to make your CV stand out and avoid the rejection pile.

    They suggest a more personal CV – one free of jargon, and that is written in the employees own voice. Rather than formulaic entries about “being a good problem solver” or similar, they maintain that examples of an employee’s use of such traits in the field is a better way to highlight their abilities.

    Additionally, they state that short, to-the-point CVs are more likely to be considered by potential employers. By saving something to talk about during the interview, the uncomfortable process of parroting information to an interviewer which is already on your CV can be avoided. Also, by listing your biggest, most relevant achievements first rather than relying on a chronological structure, you can be sure that the most important information about you as an employee is considered.

    The high volume of applications will certainly mean higher than usual competition, but Weston explains why this particular new year provides some attractive opportunities.

    “For those thinking for taking the leap, there couldn’t be a better time to look for a new role,” he says, “Companies have been hiring to back-fill roles and take advantage of the economic rebound, which left 1.2 million vacancies across the UK without the candidates to fill them. As a result, the best talent will be able to command healthy salary packages from potential employers.”

    The switch to a new role can bring many challenges, and plenty of people are happy with the stability that staying with their current employer provides. However, if the prospect of returning to that old job feels more daunting than usual, now may be a great time to dust off that CV and look for a better fit.

    Credit: www.roberthalf.co.uk