Career Savvy Issue Sixteen

5

2015 …

YOU BEAUTY! Now that the blur of Christmas has been and gone once more, may I wish a very Happy New Year to all of you, and welcome you to the start of an astonishing 2015. Wipe that mince pie from your face, toss away that Baileysstained novelty jumper and embrace your biggest year yet.

5

12

26 34

Hopefully you’ll be stocked up with new work wear, stationery and gadgets to get you working towards your career goals in the year ahead. Our last issue showed you how to make a career plan for the new year, and this issue will show you how to put that career plan into action.

Our regular features are here, as regular as sunrise, among which shows a feature on my favourite-sounding city so far: Auckland. Seriously, it sounds perfect.

Don’t forget to lighten up your January by entering our mindblowing competition to win a two week orangutan conservation trip to Malaysia. The closing date is 1st February 2015, so get in there quick while you can!

DAVE MORGAN EDITOR

Regular features 4 sector insights

29 Rewarding Careers

6 your new year job hunt resolutions

30 how to get into...

8 world’s most interesting jobs

32 inside the hiring process at...

Staff from the mobile and telecoms industry tell you their likes and dislikes.

CV-Library’s tips on how to sort out your career in the new year.

The incredible working life of a landscape architect.

Help nurture nature and work with wildlife by being an ecologist.

The diverse and creative field of media, TV and film.

Historic British brand The Co-operative and its graduate recruitment.

10 routes into social care

34 coolest offices

14 your stories

43 know your rights

15 alternative team building activities

46 how to...

16 a day in the life of...

48 moneymaker

Public sector career experts at Jobsgopublic share advice on getting into social care.

Cringeworthy experiences from the world of work.

Team bonding doesn’t have to be a drag.

Spice it up with these fun suggestions!

Dietitian Rhian Davies.

news

Everyone’s favourite movie studio, Pixar, and its cool digs.

What exactly are social media policies and what do you need to know about them?

Cope with a new year increase in workload and the January rush.

Selling your old gadgets? Here are some top tips to make the most out of it.

lifestyle

5 Industry update

11 lasting until january pay day

7 could shift work be ageing your brain?

12 moving to the city

The latest from the massively expanding mobile and telecoms industry.

Some latest reports on the effects of shift work, and how it may affect you.

on the job hunt?

Money management tips specifically for January – the month that drags on!

Live on the flipside of the world with our guide to opportunities in Auckland.

Developing Your Career?

18 job search projection 2015

38 put your career plan into action

19 where to find a job

39 making a lateral move

22 standing out from the crowd

40 what does your employer value in you?

24 pros and cons of temp & perm jobs

42 how to write your Linkedin profile

26 how to make a temp job permanent

44 winter workwear trends

What are the booming sectors and growth areas for the upcoming year?

There is always more to job searching than you might think! Get some insider tips.

In the January job surge, how can you stay ahead of the competition?

Find out the benefits of temporary and permanent jobs, as well as the drawbacks.

If your mission for a new job has stalled, it’s time to get you back on track!

28 Self-employed career ideas: childminder

An insight into the rewarding yet flexible career choice of childcare.

How to take your career plan for the new year and make sure it happens!

Career progression isn’t always upwards! We look at some benefits of lateral career moves.

A look at the key factors that employers value the most in workers.

Some helpful tips for a cracking profile on the professional networking site.

The new year means new clothes, so make sure you’re on trend.

now Available to download free from

news

INDUSTRY UPDATE: mobile The telecoms and mobile industry contributes 1.5% of the world’s GDP. Approximately 80% of the world population are mobile customers, meaning it’s an expansive area to work in with lots of potential. The fastest growing aspect of this sector is data services and internet provision to a range of devices.

electronics, as well as services, installation, sales and retail. An area witnessing substantial growth is security, with an increase in fraud and similar breaches of data. Fibre optic technology is also experiencing considerable expansion, with scope for engineers and people with specialist skills.

Jobs within this industry can be found in the manufacturing of

Employers will expect their applicants to have technical skills,

but these will vary depending on the specific role. There are also a large range of degree subjects that can lead into this industry. Big companies, be they manufacturers or networks/ providers, will take on graduates from a range of backgrounds through various schemes. Average starting salaries for trained graduates are around the £26,000 to £38,000 mark.

Non-graduates start on an average of £16,000 a year.

Mobile Takes Over as Industry Adapts

7800 BILLION

TEXTS

1.5 m people are

around the

employed

last year

in the UK

were sent WORLD

in this sector

Roles • Data Engineer • Optical Engineer • Field Maintenance Engineer • Sales Associate • Network Support Engineer • Helpdesk Analyst

According to the International Telecommunication Union, there are now almost seven billion mobile subscriptions worldwide. The market in general has seen a huge surge in mobile subscriptions, meaning that the majority of calls are made via mobile as opposed to fixed-line usage.

Mobile made up 82% of calls made in 2011, a figure which is likely to have increased since. Elsewhere, changes to the market are happening as a result of increased data usage. Numbers from the first half of 2014 show that 28% of mobile revenue came from data, making it an important service for consumers.

Market Saturation Threatens Mobile Industry Growth With 1.5 million mobile subscriptions in developed nations, this means there is already more than one subscription per person across these countries. For the industry, this means that growth in this area is severely limited, as new customers are few and far between. As a result, providers are looking to developing and growing subscribe to the countries, where demand is increasing, to grow career savvy mailing their business. India and China currently have the most potential, offering the biggest number of new list here and receive the latest issues first. customers. This is down to the booming populations of these nations, as well as the industrial and economic growth of the individual countries.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

5

Regular Feature

YOUR NEW YEAR

JOB HUNT RESOLUTIONS Now you’re full to the brim with mince pies and chocolate, it’s time to consider how you’ll make a new start now the festivities are over. This is where resolutions come in. Here are CV-Library’s top suggestions for resolutions you can strive for in 2015.

I will de-stress It’s good to be focused on your job hunt, but becoming excessively stressed over it can be counterproductive.

Allow yourself to take a break when necessary – step away from your screen and do something else for half an hour. Just switching from searching job boards to reading career advice articles can give your brain a break, and will still help you towards reaching your goal.

I will give myself a makeover Aim to give your CV and cover letter a makeover within the first few weeks of 2015. Buy or rent a new interview outfit – the right clothes can make all the difference to your confidence levels. Finally, overhaul your online presence to ensure your details are up to date and your skills are on show.

I will be selective It can be tempting to send your CV out for any old job in the hope of getting a bite. But think about this: if a recruiter receives your CV for a number of jobs you’re not qualified for, they will be less likely to take your application seriously for a more suitable role in the future. Be selective about your approach, and tailor each application to the specific vacancy for maximum effectiveness.

I will meet new people If the recruiters you were connected with in 2014 didn’t help you achieve the right results, try switching things up in the new year. Go out of your way to introduce yourself to a handful of recruitment consultants who you’ve never worked with before and are specialists in your industry of interest. Also, make sure you’re using social media professionally to help you reach out to those in your desired sector.

I will get out more Career fairs and recruitment events are great places to meet potential employers and pick up tips about job hunting within your industry. View a list of upcoming career events here.

6

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

Happy New Year from everyone at CV-Library!

Search for your next job from our 100,000 live UK vacancies.

news

Could Shift Work Be

Ageing your brain?

The universities of Swansea and Toulouse have discovered a link between shift work and a reduction in the ability to think and remember clearly. Shift work refers to schedules that differ from the traditional 9-5 working day, including early mornings, late nights and alternating days.

Approximately one in five Europeans complete shift work, with nursing, retail and manufacturing being the industries where it’s used most frequently.

Shift work has been found to cause similar effects to jet The Institute for Work and Health in Canada has lag as it disrupts the body’s internal clock. Over 3000 previously revealed that shift workers are more likely to adults in the southwest of France were assessed with injure themselves at work, as well as experience mental cognitive tests; they were asked to complete tasks and gastrointestinal problems. They are also more likely such as matching symbols with numbers and to smoke, feel exhausted and drink heavily as a Ten recalling words after reading them three result of their disruptive lifestyle. Vitamin D years times. People who do more than fifty deficiency is also a possible cause of poorer or more of days of shift work a year were compared shift work has the cognitive function as some shift workers with those who have never done shift effect of aging your will have reduced exposure to daylight. It brain by an extra is estimated that 4.1 million people in the work. Those who had worked for more 6.5 years than ten years on rotating shift patterns UK do night shifts and with this comes the were shown to have lower cognitive and obvious effects of a disturbed sleeping pattern, memory scores than those who had stuck to the as well as the increased risk of obesity that a lack normal 9-5 schedule. of sleep can lead to. To combat this, it’s important for workers to try and limit night shifts to three nights in a The most harmful aspects of working shifts include row when possible and have more of a say in the shifts having to get up before 5am, night shifts, not being able they undertake. to sleep before midnight and rotating work patterns.

It is estimated that ten years or more of shift work can Monitoring those who have been doing shift work for affect your brain by ageing it by an extra 6.5 years. more than ten years has been recommended and caution Furthermore, it can take five years to recover normal must be observed when employed in a hazardous role/ brain function once you have stopped working shifts. Dr environment. Although the study could not prove that Philip Tucker from Swansea University stated: ‘The study shift work damages the brain, it’s clear that it has a shows the long term effects of shift work on the body negative effect on some people’s state of mind and health clock are not only harmful to workers’ physical health, over a long period. However, others are more suited but also affects their mental abilities. Such cognitive to this style of work and may experience less negative impairments may have consequences for the safety of repercussions. It’s about finding a working pattern that shift workers and the society that they serve, as well as suits you in order to achieve a successful work-life balance for shift workers’ quality of life’. that will help you achieve your potential.

“

“

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

7

Regular Feature THE WORLD’S MOST INTERESTING JOBS

Landscape

ARCHITECT From public squares, to golf courses, to Olympic parks, landscapes around the world capture our hearts through the sheer beauty of their design. Imagine if you were responsible for these incredible and exciting designs. Landscape architects are called upon to come up with innovative ideas for both public and private spaces, where great attention to detail is needed to create somewhere which will gain great admiration.

Your creative designs could become examples of some of the most amazing scenery in the world.

Landscape architects visit the land on which their creation will be situated and plan the design of the grounds, taking into account any existing buildings, trees, structures and any other features that may affect the composition. Their design will depend greatly on the function of the landscape (university, national park, sports venue, etc.) and its location – rural or urban. After making notes on all of these aspects, the landscape architect will also need to obtain the needs and ideas of their client, to ensure their design meets their

8

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

requirements for the space. They will then present their plans to the client in order to gain their approval before starting on comprehensive drawings which detail the shape of the land, as well as where plants and structures should be placed in order to create something impressive and attractive. A landscape architect will then work alongside civil engineers and other professionals to help their creation come to life.

Landscape architect Ricardo A. Garcia states on the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) website: ‘I wanted to do something in business that had a purpose...I learned that in landscape architecture there is a correlation between health, communities, design and human behaviour…I started developing an interest… what can we do for people to help them to be healthier… mentally, physically and spiritually?’.

Nowadays, landscape architects are becoming increasingly involved in important issues concerning

“

IMAGINE WHAT IT WOULD BE LIKE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE INCREDIBLE AND EXCITING DESIGNS

A four year bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of qualification you need to become a landscape architect, but a master’s degree will certainly help you to progress further in your career. This is a chartered profession and your degree course must be approved by The Landscape Institute. Work experience will help you significantly

in terms of reassuring landscape architecture firms that you possess the necessary skills, experience and flare needed for the role.

Essential skills include good drawing abilities (comprising computer-aided design (CAD)), great interpersonal skills, imagination, as well as consideration and awareness of environmental concerns.

“

the environment, such as climate change and sustainable living.

As The Landscape Institute explains, landscape architecture is: ‘the profession for a better future’.

Therefore as well as ensuring their designs will turn into spaces people will enjoy and admire, landscape architects must also consider how their changes affect the natural environment. They’ll need to ensure that their creations are appropriate to their surroundings; they may even be required by their client to incorporate environmentally friendly and sustainable elements throughout their design.

So if you want to make a significant impact on sceneries around the world, why not become a landscape architect and let your imaginative creations bring joy to many? As well as contributing to the beauty of our surroundings, your work could be helping to create sustainable living and protect the environment.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

9

Regular Feature

routes into social work THE PUBLIC PERSPECTIVE

Something we often hear is ‘I’d quite like to get into [insert chosen profession] but I’m not really sure how to go about it’. So we thought we’d give you the lowdown on how to get into one of the most rewarding careers in the public sector.

qualifications To become a social worker you will need to be qualified at degree level, thus you’ll need to complete a BA (Hons) in social work. Most courses last three years although there are some part-time options available. Once you have completed your BA (Hons) you will be eligible to apply to become registered with a regulatory body. The governing body you enrol with will depend on which area of the UK you want to practise in.

have a degree in a different subject?

If you have a degree in another subject, you will be required to undertake a postgraduate course, such as the diploma in social work (DipSW) or a master’s (MA).

Alternatively, there are an increasing number of graduate schemes for those with degrees in subjects other than social work. They will usually include qualification for a DipSW and a master’s, registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, as well as significant work experience.

After your qualification Once you’ve completed your postgraduate course and are registered with a regulatory body, you will be able to begin your first job as a newly qualified social worker (NQSW). Many organisations will have a set number of NQSWs at any one time, who are only permitted to undertake a limited caseload and are provided with a comprehensive support system from senior staff.

An initiative called Assessed and Supported Year in Employment (ASYE) has replaced the previous NQSW scheme and is designed to help NQSWs develop their skills, knowledge and professional confidence.

Becoming a social worker involves a significant time investment and requires a considerable amount of work. As professions go, it stands as one of the most challenging but ultimately rewarding. Most social work professionals would say that the rewards make the workload worthwhile.

obtaining the experience Work experience can take place in a variety of settings; the best experience would be shadowing a social worker and competition for such opportunities can be high.

Write to your local and neighbouring authorities and, if possible, directly address the team leader within the department you want to work in. Other options include volunteering at a care home, shelter or youth group. In addition, both undergraduate and postgraduate courses will include work placements in social work settings.

10

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

For all the latest public and not-for-profit sector vacancies, head to jobsgopublic.com

lifestyle

How to Last Until

JANUARY PAY DAY Early Christmas paydays, plus the added expenditure of buying presents, going out and generally splurging means that the wait until you’re paid in January can feel like searching for water in the desert. Luckily, we’re on hand with some money saving tips to help you make it to that glimmer on the horizon.

stagger your spending According to a recent survey, the average adult spends one fifth of their wages within the first day of receiving them. While the majority of this is probably essentials like bills and rent, we are all guilty of treating ourselves on payday. Try to avoid this for your pre-January pay slip. It’s probably the longest gap between payments you’ll have to endure all year, so it’s important not to be too liberal with it.

JAN

keep a spending diary In the run up to January payday, keep a spending log of where your money is going. This will allow you to assess where you spend most of it and where you can cut down on unnecessary purchases. It’s super easy to spend and not keep tabs on how much is exiting your bank account. You probably find that things you don’t consider to be a big expenditure, such as your lunch every day, end up totalling to quite a hefty amount by the end of the month.

support your friends You’re not alone in struggling to make ends meet during the festive season. In fact, 61% of us in the UK have little or no money left towards the end of the month.

With this in mind, members of your peer group will most likely be in the same situation, so support each other by discouraging big spends. Try taking it in turns to have friends over to save money on nights out.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

11

lifestyle

Moving to the City: auckland T

his really is a city that has it all; with fantastic cuisine and retail attractions, spectacular beaches and even immaculate rainforests. If you love nature then Auckland’s incredible scenery – which you can experience via numerous outdoor activities – will be enough to tempt you to up sticks to this beautiful city.

Ranking third in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey for three years as one of the world’s most liveable cities, you cannot deny its appeal – so why not escape the cold and consider becoming a Kiwi?

Auckland is responsible for 35% of New Zealand’s GDP and with its own rising by 2.9% each year, there’s an abundance of opportunities in a variety of industries. The city is acknowledged worldwide for its prowess in both the food and beverage and the ICT industry, both of which are seeing considerable growth and offering plenty of opportunities.

The city is commended for its highly efficient supply chain and talent force in the food and beverage sector, thus it witnesses much growth and investment. The headquarters of more than half of the top fifty food and beverage companies in New Zealand are found here

12

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

and approximately 40,000 jobs are provided for by this industry.

Auckland has a strong presence in the ICT sector and is recognised for its innovative contributions to the industry on a global scale. The industry contributes $4 billion to the local GDP, making ICT a key sector in the city.

Around 6,700 companies provide jobs for about 31,000 people, so there are plenty of opportunities to be had.

If renting, you’re looking at £805 a month on average for a one bedroom apartment in the city centre. This increases to £1,440 a month for a three bedroom apartment. To buy an apartment in the city centre, it’ll cost approximately £2,773 per square metre.

If you want to be in the thick of it, then living in the Inner City neighbourhood will be very appealing to you. It houses the major attractions of the city so you’ll have everything you need to keep you entertained on your doorstep. If you’re looking for a diverse society and somewhere that can suit your every mood, this is the best location to settle down in – just remember prices will be high.

If you’re a “ nature lover

then Auckland’s incredible scenery will be enough to tempt you to up sticks

“

If you would prefer somewhere greener with more of a community feel, the Mount Eden neighbourhood may be more suitable. Villages have been modernised so residents don’t feel out of touch, but community traditions haven’t been lost. As well as having its own restaurants and shops, those of the city centre are not too far away for when you’re in need of the city’s abundance of amenities. Prices vary greatly depending on your choice of accommodation, with both mansions and student flats available in the area.

Attractions: If you like heights then the Sky Tower is a must-see as you can take in remarkable views of Auckland from an incredible height. For animal lovers there is the Kelly Tartan’s Underwater World, and for those who enjoy all things historic, the Auckland Museum is a popular choice. To the east of the city there are a number of islands which offer fantastic sights, such as Waiheke Island and Great Barrier Island. For more attractions, click here.

5

Random Facts about auckland

1 From 1842-1865 (25 years) the city was the capital of New Zealand.

2

The highest construction in the Southern Hemisphere is Auckland’s Sky Tower at 328 metres.

3 Auckland is known as the ‘City of Sails’ thanks to one in three inhabitants of the city owning a boat.

4 Around fifty volcanoes are located around Auckland, all of which have been active in the past 600 years.

5 5.

5 There are approximately 265 days of sunshine per year in Auckland.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

13

Regular Feature

GOT

S E I R O T S R E D REA

A STO R SHAR Y TO E?

EM EDIT AIL YOUR ORIA L@CA STORIES REER T SAVV O: Y.CO .UK

WO E YO U SEN T IN YO UR WO RK TA LE S OF

O F FeIorCgiEa,S28C, AShNeff-ieDldA L G

A MraIhC, E23,SNUotRtiPngRhIaSm E Sa

at an insurance ng ki or w s a w I n Whe a y office found firm, a lady in m rns er handbag. Tu dead mouse in h ere d placed it in th a h t a c r e h t ou bag e left her hand for her when sh Not a pleasant in her hallway. surprise!

only some photocopies, e ak m to t en w I once age of my ner and find an im an sc e th en op I had to ong and blonde wig. th a in e ev St manager anner, so I der to use the sc or in it e ov m re I've no to a pile of papers. r de un it ng di hi ended up t! s discovered it ye idea if anyone ha

stEE O V ER i L A W g pin Oliver, 32, BrighSItoGn HT p o h S The s lekeday before jetting off for a two p p A we - ne hoelida y, I suddenly realised I sti ll s g ed ed to se t up an out of office auto n a Orer sponse for my emails. Unfortunately, EX-CEPTIONAL in mysha aste to get it done, I must have t a P mis spelled 'inconvList -Shopping enience'. As a result, my cli en ts re CIRCUMSTANCES lkceived the following statement inse M in re spo Apples to their emails: 'Sorry fo Andy, 39, Belfast r any incontinence caused'. It ce rt ain ly did n't I was called into a panel interview he lp my holiday blues on my re Oranges tu rn . recently, to find a member of the board was my current partner's ex-husband.

- Pasta I panicked and pretended I was meeting him for the first time, which he went - Milk along with too. Luckily, they had an amicable split, and it may have even worked in my favour!

SUBSCRIBE

To receive t

he next issu

Straight to your inbox

e

City Treasure Hunt Tour a popular UK city and race to photograph as many of its top attractions with your colleagues. You can even use photo bombs to deduct points from the other teams.

British Bake-Off We all love a bit of Bake-Off innuendo, so why not channel your inner Mary Berry and create the showstopper of all showstoppers? Soggy bottoms strictly forbidden.

Sumo Wrestling Tournament Don your fatsuit and practise some healthy competition by wrestling each other to find the ultimate sumo champion.

Flash Mob You know how in musicals everyone suddenly starts dancing and singing at any opportunity? Well, this would be just like that…only people may question your sanity.

Zombie Apocalypse

In teams of humans and zombies either try your hardest to survive a zombie attack or do your best to infect your colleagues before the day ends.

Regular Feature

Alternative team building activities

Regular Feature

A Day in the Life of...

Many of us are now obsessed with what we eat, especially when it comes to nutritional value. As a dietitian, your expertise can help people to make changes to their diet, with the aim of treating health-related problems. Chloe Franchina spoke to dietitian Rhian Davies to discover more about this rewarding career.

How did you become a dietitian? Did you need any specific training or education?

You need to be able to evaluate scientific findings and decide whether or not the evidence is strong enough to translate to practical dietary advice for patients.

To become a dietitian you need an undergraduate or master’s degree which has been approved by the Health what does a typical day consist of? and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited with the British Dietetic Association. The course involves I work full-time and my hours can vary. I’m usually up by work placements which you must pass in order to qualify. 6.30am and home again just after 6.00pm. I don’t work weekends or bank holidays, but some dietitians do. I can All dietitians must be registered with the HCPC and be found in outpatient clinics almost every day. A major provide patients with evidence-based advice only. I am part of my role is to provide dietary advice for weight a specialist dietitian in bariatric (weight loss) management. I work closely with the clinical surgery. The procedures available include psychologists and specialist nurse to ensure the gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy patients are well prepared for surgery. In my and the gastric band. In order to It is always post-operative clinics, I support patients specialise, I needed to have enough nice when a patient clinical experience. A dietitian takes time to contact you to keep in good health while they are losing weight or maintaining weight loss. may choose to specialise in other to say how grateful they I monitor patients’ micronutrient levels areas including paediatrics, are for your help and (such as vitamin D and iron) with regular diabetes, gastroenterology, support. blood tests and I advise on supplementation oncology or renal disease. to correct or prevent deficiencies. Every day What personal qualities do you think will involve paperwork, keeping patient records are essential to be good at your job? up to date, organising clinics, as well as managing You must be good at working with people. You have to emails and phone calls. be able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and work What is the best thing about your job? out the best way to help them. Team working skills Being a dietitian is a rewarding job. It is always nice are also essential: I work within a multi-disciplinary when a patient takes time to contact you to say how team (MDT) which includes surgeons, anaesthetists, grateful they are for your help and support. physicians, clinical psychologists, a specialist nurse and other dietitians. Our regular MDT meetings enable us to make the best decisions about each patient’s treatment. What is the best advice you have ever received?

Remember there is a learning opportunity in everything!

It’s important to manage your time well as every day Before you disregard a job or project which doesn’t is busy, so you must be organised but flexible in case interest you, think about the knowledge and skills you something unexpected interrupts your plan for the day. could gain and how they might benefit you in the future.

Dietitians must keep up to date with the latest research.

16

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

“

“

www.bda.uk.com

dietitian RHIAN DAVIES

What would be your biggest tip for someone looking to follow your career path?

What’s been the most challenging part of your career so far?

Make a good impression on your work placements; you may have the opportunity to apply for jobs in those departments once you have graduated. Also, voluntary work or an assistant position will help you stand out from the crowd when applying for your first job.

Being understaffed can be quite a challenge. On the other hand, this can open up opportunities to take on responsibilities beyond your job description and therefore gain skills you wouldn’t have otherwise had a chance to develop.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

If you could spend one day in a different career, what would it be and why?

Working in my current job. Bariatric surgery is the most effective weight loss therapy we have and it plays a huge role in tackling this country’s obesity problem. It enables people to live longer, healthier lives, while the NHS saves money in the long term. Our MDT really makes a difference.

Probably something creative, like flower arranging or interior design. Or perhaps something requiring me to travel and see the world!

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

17

job hunting

Job Search

PROJECTION

201 5 2014 was a pretty hectic year. Most sectors have experienced at least some form of rise in business, some seeing considerable growth – notably manufacturing, tourism, construction and IT. Looking forward, it’s time to take a glance at the industries to watch in 2015.

Oil and Energy

Construction

New drilling technologies and developments in fracking, especially in the US, mean that oil is becoming an even more important commodity.

Furthermore, research into alternative energy supplies means that the energy sector as a whole is developing rapidly. This is opening up a range of opportunities in energy and engineering fields.

Construction is expected to contribute £12 billion to the economy in the next two years, according to the Construction Products Association Autumn forecasts. They also projected that the construction output will increase by 5.3% in 2015, beating the 4.8% rise it saw in 2014. With increased demands for housing and new builds sprouting up and down the country, construction is seeing a huge surge, and it’s one that’s expected to continue over the next five years at least.

Aerospace

Accounting and Finance

With both Boeing and Airbus – the major players in aerospace manufacturing – working on new fuel-efficient jets, more airlines are investing in new fleets. This teamed with lower prices for jet fuel means that the aerospace picture is looking strong.

Increased demand has knock-on effects for engineering and manufacturing, but also the travel industry.

The picture for this sector last year looked good, with 48% of firms reportedly seeing growth.

2015 looks set to see further progression: with more jobs being created across the board, services within most companies will have to expand to cope with this. It seems that the accounting and finance industry is experiencing significant expansion already.

18

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

£

job hunting

Where to FIND A

JOB In this day and age there are a myriad of different ways to find a job. The success of one method over another is hard to measure as so many factors (industry, job type, etc.) can affect a job search. So take a look at our guide to finding a job to see which approach suits you best.

Job Boards

Recruitment Agencies

You may only have heard of about five or six of them, but there are thousands and thousands of different job boards in the UK. With the ability to refine your search by industry, job title, location, salary and more, a job board search can be a great way of finding vacancies that are specifically related to you. Unfortunately for jobseekers, some recruiters use just one job board to advertise their vacancies. Assuming the same results will crop up on a different job board means you could be missing out. To combat this, use a job board aggregator (see here) which will help you search across several sites at once.

Signing up to an agency can be a good way of finding a job: there’s less effort on your part in terms of searching for roles. There’s also the potential to be put forward for unadvertised vacancies, as some companies will go straight to an agency rather than advertising for candidates themselves. However, it’s important to realise that some of the control has been taken out of your hands, with recruiters deciding which vacancies they will put you forward for. If signing up to an agency, try searching for ones that are specific to your industry e.g. STEM or IT recruiters. This prevents you from being contacted about jobs that are irrelevant to your requirements.

LinkedIn

Speculating

If you’re not on LinkedIn yet, you are really missing out. Lots of recruiters use it to find candidates and companies will often post their vacancies in the hope of finding someone without using the expense of an agency.

The more you fill out your profile in detail, the more suggestions LinkedIn will send you when companies are using their site to recruit staff. Furthermore, connecting with relevant people in your industry helps you to network with professionals who might be interested in hiring or recommending you for a role. All in all, it pays to be on there, so get involved!

Speculative applications have the potential to be a hugely successful way of finding a new role. Some companies don’t publicly advertise their vacancies, so there are jobs out there that we simply cannot find. Sending a CV and cover letter to a company you would like to work for can lead to a few potential outcomes; the worst being that the company doesn’t process your CV. However, they might keep it on file and contact you when a relevant vacancy arises. If they like you that much, they may try and find an opening especially for you. A speculative application proves you are keen to work for that company, which gives them a great impression of you as a candidate.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

19

WIN A M a l a ys i a n

Orangutan Experience

IN BORNEO Wo r t h ÂŁ 2 ,0 0 0 !

O

rangutans, one of the great apes, are born with an ability to reason and share nearly 97% of our DNA. The indigenous peoples of Indonesia and Malaysia call them ‘orang hutan’ which translates to ‘person of the forest’.

Orangutans are ‘critically endangered’ due to poaching and habitat loss. There are only about 40,000 orangutans remaining in Borneo and Sumatra, having decreased from an estimated 60,000 ten years ago.

Career Savvy are offering the prize of a lifetime: a free trip to Malaysia, where one lucky reader will fly to the island of Borneo courtesy of StudentUniverse. The winner will also be a part of the Orangutan and Tribes Voluntour offered

by The Great Projects.

This trip involves spending two weeks visiting orangutan centres and national parks exploring the incredible rainforests and helping to conserve the natural orangutan habitat.

The winner will help carry out vital work that protects orangutans, as well as discover the descendants of its indigenous tribes.

For the chance to really make a difference and have a life-changing experience...

C LI CK TO E N T E R Closing date: midnight Sunday 1st February 2015.

Competition open to UK residents aged 18 and over only.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

21

job hunting

IN THE JANUARY JOB

SURGE It goes without saying that January sees an influx of vacancies which coincides with a flood of candidates.

With lots of companies waiting until the new year to recruit, it’s a great time to be a jobseeker. However, it’s important to ensure you stand out from the increased competition. Here are some tips to help you do so.

Tailor your CV

SEND by post

Sending a generic CV to a host of vacancies is no longer considered a good job searching technique.

Yes, it will allow you to apply to more positions, but it could be ruining your chances of actually obtaining them. No recruiter is going to follow up an application that doesn’t seem that relevant to the vacancy at hand; no doubt you will be up against candidates that have created a CV more specific to the job than yours. With this in mind, take your time with each application.

Note down the essential requirements for the role, then go through your CV checking that examples of these can be clearly found.

It might seem a little outdated, but this is all part of the plan. These days, individuals in companies receive little post compared to what they used to a few years ago. Most people getting in touch with them will do so via email. A letter is a lot harder to ignore and it’s more personal, which will help your application to stand out from the others. Make sure it is well written and that you enclose your CV for their perusal. Also, it gives you an excuse to call and check if the recipient received it, which allows you to introduce yourself at the same time. As always, be polite and courteous when speaking to a recruiter – your fate is often in their hands!

Write a Good Cover Letter

Interact

Applications without a cover letter have little chance of standing out against those candidates that have taken the time to write one. If you really want the job, you should write a cover letter even if the job advert or recruiter hasn’t directly requested one. This is the best way to show you’ve taken the time and effort to apply for the role properly. This cover letter should be addressed to the person dealing with the vacancy. If you don’t know who this is, make a call to enquire. Make sure you express your desire to work for the company, and the reasons why you would be a suitable candidate. With every point you make, give an example of how you have put it into practice to show you can support the reasons for your suitability. For more details on how to write a good cover letter, click here.

These days, you’ll be hard pressed to find a company that doesn’t have some form of social media profile.

Whether it’s getting involved with a discussion via Twitter or networking with people working at your company of interest on LinkedIn, it’s great to show you’ve made efforts to interact with the organisation in some way. A large proportion of employers check out applicants on social media during their hiring process, so if you’re found not to be following the company holding the vacancy, there’s going to be a black mark against your name. Cover all bases by making as much effort as you can to tune in to their communication, including signing up to receive their company newsletter. This in turn will help you show you have good knowledge of the company within your application.

PROS & CONS

of Temporary and PERMANENT JOBS Temporary work, where employees work a contract with a fixed end date, is becoming increasingly popular as workers strive to achieve a better work-life balance. You can work for an employer from as little as a day, to months or even years. Some use this form of work to simply pay the bills while looking for a permanent role, while others with specialist skills freelance as their services are so in demand that they’re able to secure enough temporary work to live off. So what are the pros and cons and would it suit you better than a full-time role?

TEMPORARY WORK Pros: Explore – There’s no better way of exploring different career paths than to have a taste of a variety of jobs through temping. Agencies will allocate you to assignments relevant to your skill set, therefore you could end up working in a number of different roles and working environments. As well as expanding your skill set, this may help you to realise a passion and identify a career path worth following – perhaps even for a fulltime position.

Network – Temporary contracts enable you to continuously meet new people as each role brings with it new colleagues, managers and clients. Building relationships with these people and connecting with them via professional networks such as LinkedIn will help open doors to more opportunities in the future.

Furthermore, you can reap the rewards without having to be too exposed to office politics – you can leave any drama behind you when your contract ends.

Flexibility – Unlike with a permanent role, if you don’t like a job you can simply decide not to accept similar offers in the future. Although agencies will suggest jobs which are suitable for your skill set and interests, you’re in control: you decide which positions to interview for and the number of contracts you take on.

Cons: Inconsistent – Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know how many suitable assignments are going to be available and how much money you’ll be able to earn. Therefore it’s difficult to manage your expenses and commitments. This can lead to you taking work as and when it comes, thus you could end up in jobs you dislike or which are less relevant to your career goals.

Restricted Benefits – Temporary workers enjoy less benefits (if any) in comparison to permanent employees, therefore aspects such as sick and holiday pay may be hard to obtain. It is entirely the employer’s discretion as to whether you receive full benefits or not.

PERMANENT WORK Pros:

Cons:

Security – Working a minimum of 36 hours per week entitles you to a range of benefits including sick and holiday pay, as well as assistance with your pension.

You’ll also have financial security: you’ll know exactly how much is coming in and out each month so budgeting is a lot more manageable.

Confined – If you want to move on, notice periods set by your employer can prevent you from being able to leave when you want to, thus you may miss out on great opportunities. In addition, once your hours are set you may find working to that schedule negatively affects your work-life balance.

Job Satisfaction – Having the time to build close friendships among your colleagues, work towards your career goals and make a difference to the company you work for will provide a good level of job satisfaction.

Monotonous – Seeing the same people, completing the same work and making the same journey each day can become tedious after some time.

Progression – Moving up the career ladder to more senior roles generally requires a long-term commitment to a company. Permanent roles offer more opportunities to progress to management positions as you build your reputation over a significant period of time in a company.

free monthly advice

click here to

subscribe!

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

25

job hunting

HOW TO MAKE A

Temporary Job

PERMANENT Temp-to-perm jobs often start with an initial 3-6 months and are used by organisations as an extended interview process. During this period the employer will determine whether a candidate is a good fit for their company culture and if they possess the potential to succeed in the role. At the end of the contract, they’ll decide whether they want to hire you or not. So how do you make a good impression and encourage an employer to invest in you?

If you make little effort to know and understand the business, then people will be reluctant to invest their time in you. No matter how long your contract is it’s important to at least learn the basics before you start: history, product(s)/ services, industry, main competitors and core values. Once you’re settled, make it your mission to discover how the business makes money, how the company functions, their main clients and the company culture. Your efforts will show the employer how much you care about the position and company.

COMMITMENT Just because it’s a temporary position, doesn’t mean you can be a slacker. Volunteer for extra work, give your all to every task you’re assigned to and get involved with as much as possible during your placement. Don’t neglect aspects such as punctuality and dress code; your employer will notice and it will just give them reason not to consider offering you a permanent position. If you work to the best of your ability, show energy and commitment then they’ll be less likely to let you go. Your aim is to become invaluable to the company so they will do all they can to keep you working for the business.

SKILLS

A common misplaced belief among jobseekers is that your CV will get you a job. In reality, while your CV is an important tool in your job search strategy, what gets you the job is your ability to get in front of and subsequently impress the decision maker. Success in reaching the decision maker in any organisation requires creativity, innovative thinking and the bravery to step out of your comfort zone.

Ask yourself the following questions: 1. Is the person recruiting for the position, the person who ultimately makes the decision to hire?

2. Where and when can the real decision maker be found?

Success in the job market starts by asking the right questions.

Then through observation and innovation, you can position yourself ahead of other jobseekers in full view of the decision maker.

To sign up for the latest information from Career Codex, including details of our new free online workshops covering all aspects of a successful job search, please visit http://careercodex.co.uk/#newsletter In return, you’ll receive our free guide ‘5 things successful jobseekers know that other’s don’t’.

Hh

THE SUPER SECRETS OF SEEKER SUCCESSFUL JOB



 

Hh

Harriman House

£12.99

  

SUPER

SEUCCCREESSTFSUL

SIMON GRAY

fewer g for fewer and for jobseekers fightin loyment and edge when lookinggood a With high unemp more important to get an qualifications, been experience and jobs it's never – they move. The right longer enough g letter are no that next career worded coverin nicely a and CV m! are the bare minimu how to get s explain Simon Gray in order to nced recruiter what not to do in this book, experie as crucially – explores the do and – just race. He also ahead, what to competitive job s his revolutionary win in the highly . job and divulge looking for a crowded market psychology of employed in a get noticed and techniques to this is the change career to g plannin for a job or if you are looking read! afford not to book you can't later, he 1999. Ten years in career ment business began his recruit a recruitment Simon Gray ional Limited, Simon is d Cherry Profess career advice to jobseekers. jointly founde best which adds providing the d with KPmG, ise dedicated to having qualifie areas of expert red accountant er. These two away also a Charte professional recruitdetail which he also applies a as skills to his and a sense of both call for rigouran accomplished martial artist. as from the office on BBC radio regularly quoted ers. ntator, nced comme kers and employ Simon is an experie offering tips to both jobsee and in other media, his mental he combines sful Jobseeker, of the Succes people and expert edge. psychology of in Super Secrets ant tanding of the er that all import jobseek the discipline, unders to give the job market knowledge of

SEEKER SUCCESSFUL JOB

Published author of Super Secrets of the Successful Jobseeker. Available on Amazon.

THE SUPER SECRETS OF

Gain as much as you can from the experience by focusing on developing your strengths and improving any weaknesses. Offer to help teams in other departments, ask questions about anything you’re unsure of or know little about and this will help you to expand both your industry and company knowledge. Your employer will be impressed by your determination and eagerness to learn as much as possible, as well as your commitment to your career development.

Employers are always looking for new talent and innovative ideas that will drive the business forward, so show how hiring you permanently would help them to achieve this.

Former professional recruiter, Career Codex founder and job market strategist Simon Gray unlocks the secrets to finding success in today’s competitive job market.

S

OF THE

KNOWLEDGE

FAILING TO GET IN FRONT OF THE DECISION MAKER?

JOBSEEKER

T KNOW ABOU YOU NEED TO EVERYTHING IN DIFFICULT TIMES B FINDING A JO

SIMON GRAY

Hh

Career Codex is an employability education and training company, offering a unique and innovative approach to job market success.

http://careercodex.co.uk

regular feature

SELF-EMPLOYMENT CAREER IDEAS:

Childminder These days both parents tend to work, even if they have young children, therefore childminders are very much in demand. They’re responsible for the care of up to six children under the age of eight, usually in their own home. This career is perfect for those who are great with children and looking to work from the comfort of their own home.

Duties

Skills

Education and Training

Your job is to ensure the children you’re looking after are safe, happy and entertained. You’ll prepare and provide meals throughout their stay, including bottles for babies and taking into account any dietary needs. To stimulate learning and development you’ll need to organise activities that will both keep them amused and teach them valuable lessons/skills. Trips out can also be organised such as visiting parks or nursery groups to encourage social interaction and physical activity.

Children will need to be cleaned up and nappies must be changed to keep a good level of hygiene.

Older children may need to be taken and collected from nursery or school. Working hours are often set around the requirements of your clients. What you charge for your services will depend on where you live as you’ll need to ensure your rates are competitive. On average, childminders charge anywhere between £3.63 and £5.42 per child per hour. You’ll need to organise your own tax and insurance costs, as well as money you spend on food, equipment, etc.

A passion for caring for and entertaining children is a must – looking after other people’s children is a huge responsibility so you must be prepared to do it to the best of your ability. You’ll need to be an excellent communicator so you can attend to the children’s needs and help to improve their own social skills. Obstacles are bound to arise, such as dealing with bad behaviour or accidents, therefore adaptability, thinking on your feet and patience are important qualities to possess.

To ensure you’re offering a safe and secure environment there are many issues you must have a good awareness of, such as those concerning health and safety, child protection and hygiene. In order to achieve a successful career as a self-employed childminder you will also need good written and basic financial skills to keep on top of the paperwork involved.

No formal qualifications are required to become a childminder, but you do need to be over 18 and registered with Ofsted. After completing an Ofsted application you will then undergo an examination and screening process so they can assess whether you’re an appropriate candidate for the role. There will also be some preliminary training, a health check-up and a paediatric first-aid course. You’ll also need to be cleared through a DBS check before you can work with children. Prior to your registration you can work towards a unit found in the Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce qualification, which is based on setting up a career as a self-employed childminder.

This informs you about dealing with parents, business practices and childcare regulations. There are many short courses and training sessions you can attend after you’ve registered on subjects such as child protection and educational needs. Inspections of your home and services will be carried out once every three years, however this will increase if any issues are raised.

28

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

Regular Feature

Rewarding Careers:

ecologist The environment is precious and it needs preserving so that living things can continue to reside in stable habitats. Ecologists carry out surveys to keep track of various species and ensure they’re safe and thriving in their surroundings. Your work will see you contributing towards maintaining a secure environment for all, which will feel very rewarding.

Day-to-Day

Skills Required

You’ll be responsible for conducting environmental impact evaluations which will likely focus on the area you have chosen to specialise in (marine, flora, freshwater, etc.). You’ll complete research concerning the quantity and dispersion of organisms, as well as categorising them.

You’ll then create reports on your findings and offer your suggestions on how the habitats you’re monitoring can be managed in order to best suit the living things concerned. You will need to work alongside and counsel other professionals on the sites you’re overseeing, such as site managers and engineers. Being aware of the latest news in environmental procedures and regulations is vital in order to carry out your work to the correct standard.

Once you’re established as an experienced ecologist you may also be able to present your ideas for adapting and improving current legislation, which will be influenced by the results of your research.

Most important is a passion for the natural environment and an analytical attitude towards your work. You must be able to both collect and define data effectively, as well as display this information via excellent writing and presentation skills. In order to conduct your research you’ll also need sufficient IT expertise so you can utilise specialist software, as well as project management skills so you can effectively organise your fieldwork.

What Makes It So Rewarding?

Your work is ensuring that the environment is preserved, suitable and safe for the organisms living within in it.

Clare, a research scientist, explains why she finds the role so satisfying on futuremorph.org: ‘Discovering rare or different types of vegetation, being able to use the species and vegetation types to ‘read’ the environmental conditions at a site, and advising clients on how to manage their land to improve its biodiversity.

I get a kick from simple things like identifying a plant species that is regarded as difficult to correctly identify.’

Salary & Entry Requirements Employers usually require you to have a degree in ecology, environmental science, conservation biology or similar. To achieve this you will need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including the core subjects (English, maths and science), as well as three A-levels. While obtaining your degree it’s worth signing up to the British Ecological Society Undergraduate Fellowship Scheme, which can provide you with experienced mentors, careers advice, the chance to write for their bulletin and general job search guidance. Volunteering opportunities are perfect for obtaining work experience and boosting your chances of securing a paid position, as well as determining which area of ecology you’re best suited to and enjoy the most. Starting salaries range from £17,000 to £22,000 per annum and www.britishecologicalsociety.org experience can see this rise www.wildlifetrusts.org to £30,000. Consultant www.tcv.org.uk ecologists can earn more than £45,000 a year.

Useful Links:

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

29

Regular Feature

: o t n i t e g How to

media & film

With creative arts degrees being the third most popular choice for students in 2014, the media industry is clearly a favourable one to break into. It employs just under one million people in the UK and contributes a significant amount to the British economy.

Whether it’s TV, film, animation, advertising, interactive media, radio, or digital media, the opportunities within this area are quite extensive. It’s a hugely popular degree subject, but this field is heavily reliant on experience in order to secure a position. Working or interning as a runner or any assistant position on a production/set is vital for obtaining a full-time role in TV and film.

Media and film degrees generally have a heavily practical emphasis in order to help graduates develop the technical skills sought-after by employers. If embarking on a course, ensure you have researched its structure and the amount of practical versus theoretical study it will involve.

Why Media and film?

Creativity Being able to express creativity within a job is a highly sought-after benefit for many people. Creativity is one of the biggest reasons why people choose to work in this industry, and being able to contribute to a big project is very rewarding.

Variety It’s easy to find a role within media and film which involves a lot of variety. Some roles will involve working on several projects at once, or on consecutive projects that differ from each other. With several parts and stages to a

30

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

production, employees are able to apply themselves across more than one of them. This kind of working pattern can be appealing to many.

Enjoyment Most employees in this sector are very passionate about it and the work they do. After all, it is one of the most popularly desired career routes. With its fast pace and exciting opportunities, many people want to be involved due to its high level of job satisfaction.

AREAS Filming and Production Film and TV crews – or any ‘behind the scenes’ staff – make up a huge proportion of media employees. Whether it’s a part of the actual film and set team or an editing role, there are lots of opportunities within the production process. Roles range from a runner up to a director, and can involve long hours in order to shoot and/or edit everything in time with the schedule.

Digital and Effects A job in digital media could be anything from designing the interface for a cash point, to 3D animation, to special effects. Positions in this area will generally involve technical knowledge of specific software, programs and coding.

Advertising and Marketing This involves using several different forms of media to promote a product or service. All businesses will do some form of advertising or marketing, so the demand is always rife. Whether you find a role in an in-house team or with an advertising or media agency, you could be responsible for creating the next Compare the Meerkat.

Transferable Skills

creativity

adaptability

patience

Having a good creative vision comes into all aspects of the media and film industry. Being able to bring an idea into reality and ensure things translate well on to screen, print, online or radio is essential. If you enjoy taking something from a conceived idea to a finished product, this could be the sector for you.

Working in media and film – especially in production – means you have to be able to react quickly and effectively if things don’t go to plan. Unexpected obstacles such as equipment failure, lack of staff or even the weather can affect a production and the ability to film. It will help considerably if you are someone who is able to come up with quick solutions or a plan B.

Most of the work in this industry takes a considerable amount of time – whether that’s filming, editing, set designing or working on client briefs.

There are a lot of long days, which can include waiting to get the right shot, or having a lot of footage to edit and refine. If you have a lot of time and dedication to give, this area would suit you.

Want to Read More?

• How to get into sales • how to get into real estate

• how to get into the police • how to get into teaching

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

31

INSIDE THE HIRING PROCESS AT...

A

whole family of businesses make up this ethical organisation and The Co-operative Group is always searching for innovators who will help to drive their company forward. Their graduate programmes are focused on discovering talented individuals who will respect their values, always put the customer first and strive to revolutionise the organisation. To find out whether you’re suitable for one of these schemes, check out our guide below.

There are five different graduate programmes available at The Cooperative Group: • Business Management • CIMA Finance • HR • IT Leadership • Retail Operations

in your answers. A number of highly valued abilities are displayed on the website, therefore it’s worth being clued up on these before you answer the competencybased questions to ensure you’re addressing and showing evidence of each one in your answers. The examples you provide don’t necessarily have to be from experiences in previous employment, you can also draw them from any educational or personal moments – as long as they’re relevant of course. To show what makes you unique, make sure you include Show any key accomplishments and additional evidence information that will present you in a of confidence, favourable light to the assessor. resilience and

flexibility to succeed.

There are many skills which are valued by The Cooperative Group and they will be looking for you to display these throughout the application process. You’ll need to show evidence of confidence, resilience and flexibility to succeed. Furthermore, you must have good leadership and teamwork skills as these qualities are vital to thrive on any of the schemes. You may face some or all of the following elements in various orders depending on the graduate programme you apply for.

The application form will include questions primarily focused on your skills, attitude and drive, so make sure you include plenty of recent and appropriate examples

32

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

If you face a situational judgement test then you’ll need to consider the culture of the business within The Co-operative Group. This is because you will be provided with a hypothetical situation and you’ll have to choose the response you feel is most appropriate in terms of what would fit in with the area you’re applying for.

Two forms of psychometric testing are used by The Co-operative Group: numerical and verbal reasoning.

They help assessors determine whether candidates meet the necessary standards for one of their graduate programmes, therefore it’s not about how high you score but simply that you pass them in order to move on to the next stage.

The assessment centre is your chance to exhibit the skills and qualities you’ve claimed to possess on your CV and

application form. The day comprises of four elements, including group exercises, role play, individual tasks and an interview. There will be several evaluators present who will be looking out for evidence of key skills and attributes which the schemes require, so make sure you display these clearly on the day.

Your interview will be focused on the information you’ve provided in your application form. The interviewer will also be basing their questions on the essential and preferred requirements for the programme you’ve applied for. You’ll need to clearly articulate how you fulfil the criteria by explaining the experiences mentioned on your application and how this makes you a suitable candidate.

The assessor will expect you to have a good knowledge of the company and the business area you’re applying for (food, legal services, financial, etc.), so make sure you’ve done your research. They will also expect you to ask questions so use your research to come up with some which are relevant and well thought-out.

Examples of The Co-operative Group’s Interview Questions: Give me an example of when a project of yours went wrong. How did you solve it?

How would you handle a difficult colleague?

3

interesting facts about

1. It is the biggest mutual organisation in the UK and is owned by eight million members.

2. Each member is entitled to a share of the group’s annual revenue, which is calculated via the total sum of profit made, and the quantity of money they’ve spent with the business throughout the year.

3. There are more than 100,000 employees working for The Co-operative Group.

free monthly advice

click here to

subscribe!

Why are you leaving your current employment?

What do you believe makes excellent customer service?

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

33

Regular Feature

coolest OFFICES No doubt it is many people’s ultimate dream to work for the innovatively genius animation studio Pixar, the creator behind arguably some of the best childhood films. It comes as no surprise that this hugely artistic company would have a pretty cool office to match their admirable creations.

To kick things off, outside you will find a giant sculpture of Pixar’s iconic lamp – inspired by the one that sat on John Lasseter’s desk – which has since become a character in itself.

Inside, Pixar characters really do come to life, with sculptures of The Incredibles in action saving the world as you enter the lobby. As you explore further, you come across huge murals of iconic Pixar scenery, such as under the sea with Nemo, or the ‘scaring floor’ from Monsters Inc. The high ceilings supported by beams are very reminiscent of a film studio, despite the fact that the majority of this studio’s footage is computer animated.

All in all, it seems to be a great place to work for anyone looking to step into the world of digital animation.

34

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

california, usa

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

35

SPONSORED

CASE STUDY

THE POWER OF

INNOVATION right up to university. Each year, more employees are Finmeccanica-Selex ES is a high-tech joining the business after first being introduced to the organisation and world leader in innovation, company through one of these programmes. One such with plenty of opportunities for driven, example is Stephen Hunt, a senior hardware engineer, enthusiastic individuals who are willing to whose first contact with Selex ES occurred during his learn. Selex ES offers a number of entry-level third year studying a master’s degree in electrical and schemes, such as summer placements, MEng placements, internships, graduate programmes electronics engineering (MEng) at Edinburgh University.

After some form-filling and an interview, and modern apprenticeships, at a Stephen was selected for a summer number of sites across the UK. placement at Selex ES and thrown They’re searching for people ‘I’ve been straight into an active project with strong communication with Selex team, which was busy creating skills, analytical minds and for over five a dynamic engineering solution a hunger for innovation and years and I think for a new system. He was included the opportunity for challenging projects. in all of the development meetings development will always be and prepared presentations which there – if you’re willing to Selex ES placement programmes were used to report progress to the work hard for it’ provide you with an introduction to customer. Stephen also became involved the workplace and offer the opportunity in supporting an existing product, which to work on real life projects with highly included laboratory and more hands-on work with skilled engineers. Their apprentice and graduate the product. programmes offer a great start to your career, in a supportive and friendly environment. To view all of their opportunities see here.

Selex ES has been reaping the rewards of early investment in the future generation of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) graduates through engagement programmes, which seek to maximise the potential of individuals from school age

36

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

Stephen said: ‘This was my first exposure to a real life working environment and it proved to be an invaluable team-working experience, where I gained contacts which I still use to this day. I left with a much clearer idea of where I wanted my career to take me and became confident that engineering had been the correct choice for me. This was a key turning point in my career path,

as I managed to gain experience within an engineering environment and became more engaged with engineering as a profession, as I was able to see how engineering principles could be applied to real business challenges.

I think that is one of the main challenges that you face as an undergraduate, when you are learning the basics without really understanding how it is applied within industry. This experience filled in that knowledge gap for me.’

Stephen was able to use some of the technical skills gained from his studies when he returned to Selex ES a year later to complete a master’s placement. He was offered the chance to work within the Advanced Projects Group, developing a prototype system to allow helicopter pilots to land safely in dusty conditions. Stephen was given the freedom to take control of the project, providing regular updates to the project supervisor. Once he became involved in the development and research of new technology, he began to understand the innovation behind the products.

The following year, Stephen joined Selex ES’s graduate programme as a graduate hardware engineer. Within just a few weeks he was given responsibility for the support of a radar component within AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array), a key product which is used for international surveillance missions around the globe. This role caused Stephen to be in contact with a wide range of

projects and people across Selex ES. ‘The structured activities were a really good introduction to how Selex ES brings together different disciplines into a project team. My day to day work can be very challenging and involves a lot of problem-solving, which I find very rewarding. This position has already taken me across Europe, visiting suppliers and customers. I’ve now been with Selex for over five years and I think the opportunity for development will always be there – if you’re willing to work hard for it.’

Outside of work, Stephen is committed to helping young people to become more aware of the breadth of opportunities available to them, which aren’t always made clear by school career advisors. He has already supported a robot workshop at Edinburgh International Science Festival, led a team of school pupils through their project development for the national Go4Set competition and attended careers fairs representing Selex ES. ‘Innovation is one of the most exciting things you can be involved in. I’m grateful to the people who have influenced my career development and want to make a positive contribution myself.’

www.selex-es.com

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

37

career development

PU T T I N G YO U R

CAREER PLAN

Into Action

Last month we provided you with a career plan checklist (see here) to ensure you achieve career development in 2015. But what steps do you need to take in order to put your plan into action?

Establish your priorities

Seek support

monitor development

Be adaptable

Diving in head first and trying to achieve everything on your checklist all at once isn’t likely to provide you with good results. Instead, think about which item on your list needs the most attention and/or is the most important. Make sure you finish each step before moving on to the next one, especially if your goal is to build your network which takes time. By focusing on one aspect of your plan at a time, you will have a better chance of completing each one to the best of your ability, thus succeeding in your career development.

If you’re aiming to achieve everything on your checklist on your own then that’s a high mountain to climb. There are bound to be areas where you’ll need a helping hand to reach your goal. For example, if keeping track of your progress is on your list then acquiring a mentor could help you significantly.

Furthermore, if you’re looking to take on a new project you’ll need team members to support you and help lead your mission to success. Colleagues, friends and/or family will also be able to pick you up when you feel down and boost your motivation to achieve your goals.

By checking on your progress while completing your career plan checklist you can make sure you’re aware of what’s going well and what isn’t. Make a note of what you’ve achieved so far and any issues you’ve faced/are facing that are preventing you from reaching your goals. This will help you achieve success by enabling you to iron out any problems before they get out of hand and negatively impact your career development. Furthermore, being aware of your accomplishments will give you the boost of confidence you need to continue with your plan.

Don’t be adamant on following a strict schedule in order to achieve each goal on your checklist. If you refuse to consider other methods of succeeding then as soon as an obstacle arises you will struggle to overcome it. A change in circumstances (professional or personal) can happen at any time, so if something occurs then it may have a knock-on effect in terms of achieving the goals on your list. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to adjust your plan accordingly in order to make it more achievable and realistic.

38

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

career development

M AKING A L ATER AL MOVE Many of us would love a promotion, but moving up is not the only way to progress. A move into a role which offers a salary and duties akin to your existing job (within your current company or elsewhere) can still provide you with the opportunities you need to expand your skill set and gain experience. But how do you make a successful lateral move?

RESEARCH

NETWORK

BE SAVVY

You should already have an idea of what each department is responsible for, but it’s a good idea to refresh your memory to make sure you fully understand how each sector of the business works towards making the company a success. To successfully move sideways you need to think about exactly what it is you want to gain from it, such as leadership experience or improving a certain aspect of your skill set i.e. IT skills. Next it’s time to identify the opportunities available in each department and assess which of these fit with your current abilities and your end goal.

For instance, if a department you’re interested in is crying out for a marketing professional to assist them and your expertise are in this area, this would be a good opportunity for you to expand skills you already possess by challenging yourself with performing them in a different team and working environment.

To give yourself the best chance of securing a role in another department, you need to establish strong connections with those already working there. If you can create and maintain a good relationship with at least one or two employees in your desired area of the business, you will be able to obtain recommendations which can be presented to the appropriate manager(s) of the department. This will significantly improve your chances of securing a role in a lateral position as leaders are likely to value their team’s opinions. If possible, try to also build a relationship with any senior figures and coolly ask about how things are going in their department. This will help you to subtly scout opportunities and show an interest in their goings on. By getting to know them and revealing the passion and skills you have the potential of bringing to the table, you’re increasing the likelihood of you making a lateral move.

When making a lateral move you have to be sensible in terms of who you reveal your intentions to and your behaviour in general. Don’t discuss your current department and/or colleagues with the one you want to move to – this will only make you look untrustworthy. In addition, don’t disclose your wishes to make a lateral move too soon with your boss as if they disapprove of your decision, they may take action to stop you from moving. Keep on top of the process by ensuring you know the ins and outs of your move and don’t depend on your current and new manager to help you organise it. Only once you’re fully settled into your new role should you discuss your lateral move with your colleagues, otherwise you could cause upset or even embarrassment if the deal falls through. As long as you’re professional and organised you can make a successful lateral move.

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

39

career development

What Does Your

EMPLOYER

VALUE MOST IN YOU? When it comes to developing your career, a lot of the decisions that affect your path are left in the hands of others. Be they recruiters or managers, it’s important to get to know them and their mindset in order to increase your chances of succeeding. To make sure you excel in your career, have a look at some of the ways you can show real value as an employee.

INITIATIVE

ATTITUDE Even if your ability to deliver is on point, having a negative or bad attitude is not an admirable trait in an employee. It can rub off on other people and doesn’t do much for workplace atmosphere. If an employer picks up that you have a good attitude it can make a huge difference to how they view you. Being positive, levelheaded, enthusiastic and committed are all signs of someone that has the potential to succeed.

40

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

A highly appreciated trait in employees is the ability to use your initiative.

Proactively making decisions and acting on situations without being asked is the sign of a confident and competent employee. However, initiative can involve much more, such as offering new ideas, solving problems and making alternative suggestions on how to achieve results. This quality is so valued because it’s incredibly useful in a working environment: it means your manager can leave you to your own devices and trust you as an independent worker.

AMBITION Having the drive and motivation to succeed is an admirable characteristic in anyone. Showing ambition and the desire to progress suggests that you’re willing to try hard and reach for opportunities. Ambition goes beyond staying power: it means having that extra bit of drive to not just stay but to progress too.

It can be presented in numerous ways, such as opting to take on further training and learn new skills, or offering yourself up for projects and/or more senior roles. If opportunities are lacking around your workplace, create new ones by suggesting new ideas. As long as you can validate how your suggestions will help the business, your manager should appreciate your efforts.

STAYING POWER Companies value employees that stay within the company and have a vision to work there long term. This is why most companies will reward staff the longer they stay with bonuses and gifts. Making it clear that you have visions of working there for the foreseeable future is certainly a good idea. It keeps you in the running for promotion opportunities and also helps you get involved in long-term projects from which you’ll gain much recognition. It also means a lot more to the employer – recruiting new staff can be both expensive and time consuming, as well as disruptive to the company’s processes.

free monthly advice

click here to

subscribe!

Articles you may find useful:

* Surprisingly Well-Paid Jobs * How Can I Be More Entrepreneurial? * How to Monitor Your Own Progress * Ways to Deal With Useless Bosses

career development

How to write your

PROFILE When creating your LinkedIn profile you need to keep in mind how the professional networking site will work best for you. Will you use it to create new business connections and opportunities?

To help promote your business and services? To network with your colleagues with the hope of progressing through the company? You may use it for multiple purposes, but it’s wise to establish what these are before you build your profile. Here are some useful tips to get you started.

be approachable

Be Succinct

If it’s obvious by your LinkedIn profile that you’re going in for the hard sell, people are going to be reluctant to connect with you. Including sales pitch terms or calls to action in your bio, for example: ‘If you’re looking to save money get in touch with me today’ are very offputting and best avoided. Instead, write about your role in a matter-of-fact way, such as: ‘I currently work with a range of clients, helping them to reduce their spend’. This sounds a lot more professional and less forward.

Realistically, no one is likely to sit there and read your entire profile – especially if it’s very long. If you want people to take an interest in you, write short and wellworded descriptions of what your main tasks are, what you are currently focusing on and what your contribution to the company is. This can all be done in one mediumsized paragraph. It’s better to capture people’s interest with bite-sized chunks of information rather than putting them off with endless waffle.

Be consistent

Be Selective

Your LinkedIn profile should be harmonious with the company you currently work for and the role you hold. For instance, you should include key phrases that your company uses to describe its message, products or services. This will help establish you as an expert in your field and cast a good impression on anyone who is scouting staff in this particular industry.

There’s no need to include every role you’ve ever done in your work history. It’s perfectly acceptable to select the most important ones and those you are most proud of.

However, be careful of leaving significant gaps as this can create doubt in employers’ minds as to what you were doing. It’s wise to fill in your history up to the point where you started on your career path – i.e. there’s no need to include your early jobs that weren’t very relevant to how you ended up in your current role.

42

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

Know Your

Rights

Your LinkedIn profile should be harmonious with the company you currently work for and the role you’re doing.

social media

policies Companies are well aware of the positive and negative effects that social media can have on their business, which is why most have now integrated a social media protocol into the workplace. Policies usually outline aspects such as acceptable and unacceptable use of

Complete Your Profile Conversely to the previous point, a profile mostly left blank looks pretty bad. It casts the reflection that you were either too lazy to fill it out or don’t have much to offer. Show that you’re dedicated to your career progression by taking the time to complete most of the fields. After all, people will not be interested in your profile unless they can actually find out more about you from it. Finally, make sure you add a professional profile photo as this helps potential employers put a face to a name and connect with your profile.

free monthly advice

click here to

subscribe!

social media while at work, as well as rules for what information may be disclosed on a member of staff’s profile.

The Law:

Advice:

The Data Protection Act 1988 and The Human Rights Act 1998 both protect a person’s right to privacy, specifically surrounding personal communication. As a lot of workplaces monitor social media, it’s a good idea to keep your profiles private. If personal communication is permitted in your workplace within reason, this communication should not be intruded.

Ensure you have a copy of the company’s social media protocol and that you know who to speak to about any issues that may arise. It can also be wise to suggest the policy is reviewed and updated regularly – with constant changes and developments to social media, a policy can soon become out of date.

Leather Ankle Boot Deichmann UK £44.99

High Collar Coat Apricot £55

WINTER WORKWEAR New Year. New Wardrobe.

Burgundy Beaded Collar Jumper Apricot £28

Ankle Grazer Trousers M&Co £29

Check Jersey Jacket Long Tall Sally £45

Navy Wool Coat F&F £65

Donegal Jacket Tu at Sainsbury’s £45

Split Level Crew Knit White Stuff £55

Black Renshaw Shoe Mens at Dune £85

Slim Fit Chino Crew Clothing Co. £65

Regular Feature

3. review

1. prioritise Make a to-do list and rank all of your tasks in order of urgency and importance. Decide what you need to do today and what can be left to tackle later. Set realistic deadlines to keep you focused and make sure you stick to them; don’t give yourself too little or too much time.

2. focus

Are there some tasks that you keep avoiding – is it possible to delegate them to a colleague? If not, set aside a time each week for tasks you dislike doing so you can get them out of the way and move on. You’re then free to carry out more enjoyable duties without them looming over you. You will also feel better about your abilities when the difficult tasks are completed.

How to: cope with a heavy workload

Don’t read your emails every time you receive one, especially if you’re in the middle of something important. Allocate times in the day to go through them otherwise you will never get through all of your tasks. The same applies to personal emails, calls, browsing the internet and using social media – wait until you have a scheduled break unless it’s an absolute emergency.

4. RELAX Try to avoid getting stressed over work and use your lunch break to do something relaxing, such as going for a walk or reading. This will help you to refocus and avoid the quality of your work suffering from your anxieties. Use your downtime outside of work to enjoy yourself and recharge your batteries.

INSPIRING QUOTE

SUCCESS IS LIKING YOURSELF,

LIKING WHAT YOU DO, & LIKING HOW YOU DO IT. - MAYA ANGELOU

46

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

“

“

Regular Feature

rite

ou Our fav

tweets of the month

Money maker be quids-in while looking for work.

Selling your gadgets Michael Spicer @MrMichaelSpicer

Colleague at work upset that George Clooney is married. I softened the blow by saying she has sausage roll flakes on her cardigan.

Christmas has now been and gone, and no doubt Santa left you a few prezzies under the tree. If you’re looking to make money on your old gadgets, be they phones, tablets, laptops or games consoles, now is a good time to do so.

Internet Luke @internetluke

The amount of companies offering cash for old electronics is colossal – so how do you know which ones to use?

My work day: 8:00-11:30 - Wonder what I’ll eat for lunch today 11:30 - 12:00 - Eat lunch 12:00 - 4:30 - Damn lunch was good.

Salmaningia @salamingia

Boss: you spend a lot of time on your phone! Me: you spend too much time watching me. Don’t you have work to do?

Sixth Form Poet @sixthformpoet

A sheep walks into a bar. Lots more sheep follow, the barman counts them and falls asleep, the sheep help themselves to free drinks. Genius Tommytoughstuff @Tommytoughstuff

[Meeting] *Gestures to pie chart* “Now as you can see this chart is not nearly as delicious as it sounds.”

For excellent career tips and advice

follow us on twitter @careersavvymag

48

Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

If you’re after minimum effort, it may be easiest to sell your items to high-street stores.

Chains such as CeX offer cash for old gadgets that are in a re-sellable condition. Obviously the newer and better condition the item is in, the more money you are likely to receive for it.

There are several websites that will send you a cheque in exchange for your old items, such as Mazuma or gadgetpanda.co.uk. The benefit of this is that you’re guaranteed a sale on the item and it’s usually a quick and simple process to send it off for free.

The most profitable way of selling gadgets is directly; either through eBay, Gumtree or a similar site. eBay can be effective if bids on your item get competitive, and you have the added advantage of taking the item off and putting it up to be bid on again if you are really unhappy with the amount it reaches first time around.

team Savvy

next issue

Dave Morgan Editor Jon Druitt Director sean curtis Director Jessica AUGARDE Designer Chloe Franchina Writer & Editorial Samantha hacker Production & Editorial Emma Slattery Writer Greg Pendleton Head of Partnerships Graeme asher Partnerships Consultant Graeme Dunn Marketing Manager Career Savvy is published and managed by

• How to Switch Off After Work • Valentine’s Day Office Pranks • How to Write a CV With a Lack of Experience

SUBSCRIBE

• Writing a Focused Cover Letter

To receive t

he next issu

• How to Manage a Team Workload • How Conscientious Are You?

Straight to your inbox

e

• Applying Your Skills to the Workplace

www.careersavvy.co.uk

Check out our website for: ASK THE Experts

Issues The current Career Savvy magazine, plus back issues.

A Day in

WIN!

the

A ProfesLife of...

santa csilaonal us

• how to wra • your new p up your work befo year re • how to bala job search chec christmas klis nce work & the fest t ive period

A TRIP OF A

IME TO MA LALIFET YS IA

Worth £2,000!

SECRE

T SA

N TA Gift Idea s

Got a burning career question?

Get in touch with one of our experts.

BLOG Regular career advice and tips on the Career Savvy blog.