Month: January 2017

Ok, so you’ve spent hours weighing up your career options and found a job you just know would be perfect – now you’ve just got to get it!

First things first- your CV, despite the fact that this may seem the most gruelling task it is probably the most crucial, forget the interview, this is what will make up employers minds on whether you even get that far!

The trick is to make you shine, but how?

Step 1: Presentation

When structuring your CV, remember recruiters plough through hundreds every day, so if yours doesn’t make the right information easily accessible it will go straight to the bottom of the pile.

  • Always have your name and contact details at the top, followed by your qualifications.
  • Invest time to tailor your personal summary specifically for the job you are applying for. This is your primary opportunity to highlight your strengths and previous successes.
  • Keep the font to one standard type and size.
  • Do not write in the first person. Beginning each sentence with ‘I’ is a common mistake; unfortunately, it is not the way to create a compelling CV.

Step 2: Check, check and check again – no typos!

Poor spelling is a pet hate for most HR departments and a definite way to make a mockery of your perfectly presented CV. Ensure that you look up any words that you’re not certain of, making sure that you don’t rely solely on spell check; Americanisms should be steered well clear of- after all, it’s a CV you’re writing, not a resume!

Step 3: Make your CV role specific

Make sure you tailor your CV to suit the job you’re applying for. It’s very tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV, but it is unlikely you’ll get away with it.

Always read the role’s exact requirements and re-word your CV accordingly.

This will involve you doing your research so you know exactly what the employer is looking for, it may take a bit of effort, but if it puts you one step closer to your dream job so it’s well worth it!

Step 4: Stick to the truth!

You must be able to support the statements made in your CV.

Avoid unnecessary exaggeration as any untruths will probably come to light during any reference checks.

Once you are convinced that your CV meets all the job criteria and portrays you in the best possible way you are ready to search and apply.

So you have an interview, congratulations, you are one step closer to securing your next job. Now, preparation is key, so follow our step by step guide to maximise your opportunity.

Step 1. Know what you’re wearing – dress for success!

First impressions last, so what you wear for an interview is essential.  Make sure you are aware of the company dress code before you arrive, some businesses prefer their staff to dress formally whilst others take a more casual approach. If you are in doubt over what to wear then always err on the side of caution and dress smartly. It is better to be overdressed for an interview than underdressed.

Step 2. Practice your performance

If you were an actor you wouldn’t go to the opening night of a big performance without having learnt your lines. Treat your interview in the same way; we advise rehearsing with a friend or family member the night before so you are fully prepared for being put on the spot.

Step 3. Do you know about the company? Research, Research, Research

There is nothing worse for a hiring manager than a candidate who knows nothing about his or her company, it demonstrates either a lack of care or regard for the job or just pure laziness.

Before you go to the interview make sure you have read the company website and taken the time to understand the size of the business, its services or products, history and mission statement. It is also worth printing out any material that could be of particular interest.

Know who you are meeting, search the company website and LinkedIn to get as much information about your interviewer as possible.  This will help you to anticipate what he or she will be looking for in an employee.

Step 4. Where are you going and how will you get there?

Always check the route and how long it will take, then plan on arriving early. If you are using public transport make sure you buy tickets in advance to save cost, time and hassle on the day of your interview. If you are driving, find out where you will park; having to walk miles unexpectedly could make you late and appearing flustered will not create the best first impression.

Step 5. What to take with you

At advance we recommend our candidates take three items with them to any interview:

  • A copy of the job description, use it to refer to during the interview.
  • Two copies of your CV, this demonstrates organisation and could assist the interviewer if they do not have a copy to hand.
  • And finally, a notepad and pen. Ask if you take notes, this demonstrates interest, shows you are eager to learn and take the job in question seriously.

Step 6. Questions and Closing

Prepare 10 questions.

This is where most people get caught out. Don’t be afraid to challenge the interviewer on why you should join their organisation.  If appropriate ask why they joined the company.  This demonstrates that you value your own worth.

And finally…

Ask the interview panel if they have any reservations about your capabilities, this gives you the opportunity to address any concerns they may have.

Good luck!

Know what you are looking for

Before you begin you need to know the position you are seeking and what titles these roles will be found under, be aware that the same job can be labelled differently. For instance, a Project Manager may be referred to as a Programme Manager.

Make sure you know exactly which sector you want to work in, where you want to work, how far you are prepared to travel, whether you are interested in permanent or temporary employment and the salary or rate you are prepared to accept.

If you are unsure of anything such as your market value then talk to a recruitment expert in your sector.

Searching for a Job

Use search engines to search for specialist recruiters in your industry. These specialists will have relationships with the key companies and employers; they will also have live jobs that are ready to be filled.

Advance-TRS are specialist recruiters with experience of over 40 years, they are preferred suppliers to the majority of employers within the rail sector.

Big online job boards can be useful, however, many allow a multitude of agencies to have access to your CV. This can result in mass CV mailshots by inexperienced recruiters to unsuitable employers, which may tarnish your professional integrity.

Preparation

Before searching for jobs make sure you have your CV prepared in case a role becomes immediately available.

Ensure that your Facebook settings are set to private! Many employers use social media to check up on candidates so any lurid pictures and expletives should be deleted and your LinkedIn profile kept up to date.

The decision to take a job abroad is a big one, so before you bite the bullet and begin the international recruitment process, carefully consider all the facts. Read our checklist to make certain you’re fully prepared for a new venture overseas.

Culture

Accepting Differences

Adjusting to a new culture could be a challenge. If you don’t agree with local attitudes to women and or children, racial, political or religious beliefs then perhaps you’re considering the wrong place. A new system of values will almost certainly affect your life, so do your research and make sure your location suits all your living requirements before you take the plunge.

Language

Learn the language. If you can’t speak the native language and the locals can’t speak yours then finding work will be tough!

Health

Healthcare entitlement

Some countries may have government funded health initiatives; however, most will require you to take out your own private cover. If you do need insurance be prepared for all eventualities; get it factored into moving costs and in place before you set off.

Children and family life

Partner/spouse

If you’re moving with your other half, what career implications will the move have for him or her? Dual career relocation is double the challenge.

*The most common reason listed for overseas assignment failure is a lack of partner satisfaction.

Know what you leave behind

When you emigrate overseas, I doubt you’ll be taking everyone you know along with you. How do you feel about that? How often do you plan on visiting home? Will visiting be financially viable? Leaving loved ones behind is tough, consider this realistically, especially if you have ageing or poorly relatives or rely heavily on your family support network.

Education systems

Schooling systems vary dramatically from country to country, so if you decide to move to France in the middle of your child’s A-Levels he or she will most likely find the French bachelorette system difficult to adjust to! However, international schools are available so do your research to limit any disruption.

Finance

Is the salary or rate in the chosen country acceptable for you?

Taking a job abroad could mean taking a pay cut and although the cost of living may be less, this could make visiting home a very expensive trip. Alternatively, your salary could be rising, if this is the case don’t be caught out;  investigate the true cost of living in your chosen location.

Work permits

Do you need one and can you meet the necessary requirements? Check out the local embassy regulations before you get your hopes up. Once you have obtained your visa make sure you know your rights of employment and are fully aware of the regulations under which you have been allowed to reside.

Counter-offers are becoming increasingly commonplace in today’s competitive skills market. The noticeable skills gap plaguing the engineering sector makes finding replacement staff an arduous and expensive task for employers. Not to mention the time it takes to find suitable candidates, interview them, negotiate terms and wait through their notice period, all before they can even start.

Understandably employers want to hold onto their best people and nobody can complain about a pay rise, so why should you think twice about accepting a counter-offer from your employer?

Our Guide:

  1. Firstly, there must have been a reason you were looking for a new opportunity in the first place. Take a moment to think over your current situation. Are the original reasons you wanted to leave going to be resolved if you accept? Remember, over 50% of employees who accept a counter-offer end up switching jobs within the next 2 years anyway.
  2. You may be planting a seed of doubt into your employer’s mind if you accept a counter-offer. They might privately question your loyalty or wonder if you’re still on the market for another opportunity. In time to come, you might find that you’re passed over for promotions or could even find yourself near the top of the list if the company makes redundancies.
  3. You might be burning bridges with your prospective employer and your recruitment agency. Your chances of ever landing a job with them in the future will be slim to none and going forward you’ll probably find the recruitment agency will be hesitant to pass your CV onto other clients.
  4. In more extreme circumstances, a counter-offer might just be your employer’s short-term solution whilst they find somebody to replace you. The increased cost of your salary in the short-term is a small expense compared to weeks of an empty chair at your desk. Whilst it might seem a little far-fetched, it has certainly happened to many people.

If you decide to decline the counter offer, be sure to keep your bridges intact by being polite and thankful to your employer. Assure them that you’ll do as much as you can to make the transition to your replacement as smooth as possible by providing a suitable handover. Send a thank you note around a week after you start your new job, it may just be the olive branch you need if things head south in your new role.

In the UK alone, more than 10 million workdays are lost each year as a result of work-related stress. In comparison, just over 4 million workdays are lost each year as a result of work-related injuries. Stress is the frequently overlooked silent killer of the workplace, chipping away behind the scenes, often with no visible symptoms or indicators.

Check out our top five tips to combat stress!

1. Eat well.

It can be quick and easy to pick up processed foods or ready meals but you’ll be lacking that vital nutrition that comes from fresh meat, fruit, and vegetables. Aim to eat five portions of fruit and veg a day and steer clear from short-term energy boosts such as caffeinated drinks. Caffeine blocks the neural signal that tells your body that it’s out of energy, leading to that late afternoon crash.

2. Get active.

Exercising for just 20 minutes per day can reduce stress and depression, simultaneously boosting self-esteem, energy and sleep quality. Not only that, but regular exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer, by up to 50%!

3. Plan your day.

Prioritising your workload is essential to combating stress at work. Ensuring that you get the most important tasks finished first will go a long way to putting your mind at rest. If you can’t get everything done in your work hours, take solace in the fact that what’s left is less important than what you’ve accomplished.

4. Switch off.

The UK has the longest work hours in Europe and workers are commuting longer than ever before. This means people are spending less time doing the things that they enjoy. Take a couple of evenings a week to ignore your emails and spend time doing the things that make you happy.

5. Get social.

A problem shared is a problem halved. Having a supportive network of friends, family, and co-workers to discuss troubles with has been proven to reduce high levels of stress.

Competition is rife; the current job market is flooded with candidates who could stand in your way to securing that perfect next career move, so how do you make sure you come out on top?

Andy Ridout, Managing Director of the recruitment agency, Advance TRS, gives us an insight into what employers are really looking for…

Get your CV in shape

Over the course of my career, I have read hundreds of thousands of CV’s and can safely say that employers have too, this is why it is so important to present yours correctly.

Presentation

We are looking for CV’s that reflect professionalism and to achieve this, presentation is key. A good CV should begin by listing your educational attainment, followed by your most recent, relevant jobs with dates of employment; underneath each job include a short summary of the responsibilities and duties you were given whilst in the role highlighting your achievements strengths and expressing your ambitions.

Make your summaries to the point and relevant, this will ensure we can quickly access your best features and match you to a role as fast as possible.
It can be very easy to get carried away with fancy fonts and italics but in my experience, this rarely looks professional. I would strongly recommend that text is kept to a standard size (10/11) and a professional and clear looking font (Calibri is a favourite of mine)

Read the job description

Unfortunately, all too often we receive CV’s from candidates who have not read the job description correctly; an absolute pet peeve for employers. So, before you apply, please make sure you have all the necessary qualifications and experience; if you don’t we will not send your CV to our client.

Make your CV role specific

Once you have established that you meet the role’s requirements make sure you tailor your CV accordingly. It can be tempting to try to cut corners with a generic ‘one size fits all’ CV but unlikely you’ll display your abilities to their full capacity or get the intended response. Do your research; know the company and re-word your CV to demonstrate that you are the right person for the job.

Go Niche

I have made a successful recruitment career from understanding the specifics and technicalities of the Rail industry. At Advance TRS, we deal with jobs in 4 different sectors, making us specialist recruiters in Rail, Property, Construction and Water. This allows us to be the first point of call for candidates who require a recruitment team who understands industry jargon and has solid relationships with the top employers in their field.

The interview

Once Advance TRS have secured you an interview we will do everything we can to help you through the process.
Interviewers are looking for people who will fit in with the company’s current employees as well as the professional image and reputation they wish to portray. It is essential that your clothes, body language and conduct reflect this since first impressions definitely last.

It is a good idea to stage the interview with a friend or family member the night before. This will give you the opportunity to practice being put on the spot and allow you to prepare your answers to any tricky questions, undoubtedly boosting your confidence during the actual scenario.

Remember, the service we provide you with is free, we don’t get paid unless we find you a job so, if you suit our client’s requirements we will do our best to help you secure your dream job.

For your next career move get in touch with a member of the team at Advance TRS on 01483 361 061.