ISSUE 1 - OCTOBER 2013
CAREER SAVV GIVING YOU THE KNOW HOW
CVS:
RISE AND SHINE!
THE GOOD THE BAD THE BAFFLING
WAKE UP TO A NEW YOU
INTERVIEW BLUNDERS
HOW TO GET INTO
TEACHING
FUNNY STORIES FROM OUR READERS
INDUSTRY UPDATE
IT SECTOR
PLUS...
‘THERE IS NO BETTER INVESTMENT THAN EDUCATION’ AN INTERVIEW WITH CHRISTINA SLADE
COPING WITH DYSLEXIA NEGOTIATE A BETTER SALARY JARGON BUSTING JOB HUNTING WHILE STUDYING AND MUCH MORE
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF:
EXPERT INTERVIEW OUTFIT TIPS
JEFF WILSON WILDLIFE TV PRODUCER
hello Welcome to Career Savvy’s first edition; we hope you enjoy it! Our magazine has been launched to provide helpful, educational and interesting advice for those of you looking for a new role, or simply to enhance your current career. We have joined forces with some of the industry’s leading experts and large-scale recruiters to provide our readers with a hand-picked selection of the best information out there. We are also featuring real-life success stories to show examples of how real people have landed their great roles. In issue one, we show you how the job market is making a comeback and how to make the most of it. We’ll guide you through the whole process: what job to go for, in which sector, how to go about it, how to ace the interviews, how to negotiate a great job offer and how to excel once you’re there. We’ll even help you out with what to wear to an interview. Career Savvy will be produced on a monthly basis, giving you bitesized information to stay on top of your game. So, keep reading, and stay savvy.
Regular features 4 interview blunders
24-25 coolest offices
5 success story
27 know your rights
6-7 world’s most interesting jobs.
30 enhance your career
Embarrassing tales from the boardroom.
Innocent give us a sneak peak of their outdoor inspired HQ.
A first-hand account of engineering success.
Recognise and deal with sexism in the workplace. Insider info on how a career mentor could help you.
Yes - you can get paid to build huge lego models.
31 how to s
14-15 a day in the life of...
Learn how to be a team player and get inspiration from the words of Michael Bloomberg
Frozen Planet producer Jeff Wilson.
22-23 getting into...
34 moneymaker & Thrifty Travel
Teaching: everything you need to know.
Top cycling tips, plus make money from your driveway.
news 8 Industry update
26-27 negotiate a better salary
The lowdown on the IT sector.
9 economy/finance news
Could benefit reforms affect you?
A diplomatic guide to getting a raise.
10 vacancies at a 5 year high
28-29 coping with dyslexia
Slow recovery sees a gradual increase in employment.
Don’t let it affect your prospects.
32-33 careers talk: Christina Slade
features
Bath-based higher education Vice Chancellor shares her advice on the importance of education.
16-17 CV s - the good, the bad and the baffling Ultimate dos and don’ts for your résumé.
lifestyle
18-19 prospects before parties
11 rise and shine
Students: get a head start before graduation day.
Stop snoozing and seize the day.
12-13 moving to the city
20 jargon busting
Living and working in Bristol.
Decoding vague and confusing job titles.
21 right suit, right impression Expert interview wear advice from A Suit That Fits.
DAVE MORGAN EDITOR 28
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INTERVIEW BLUNDERS E? A N Y B O D Y T H E Re ho rp D an , 2 8 , S cu nt
om er se rv ic e ie w ed fo r a cu st rv te in g in be as Iw nc e co m pa ny . n at a bi g in su ra tio si po nt ta ul ns co an d fe lt like it s of preparat io n ad lo ne do d ha I ro ug h, th e w el l. Pa rt way th ty et pr g in go as w left th e ro om . se d he rs elf an d cu ex er w ie rv te in aitin g fo r he r to ty m in utes of w en tw t ou ab er ft A be r of staff. It fin d an othe r m em to t en w I , rn tu re ft to go ho m e as te rv ie w er ha d le in e th t ou s rn tu left m e th ere. th e da y an d ju st of d en e th as w it r m an ag er an d attin g to an othe ch t go I , ily ck Lu pretty sh oc ke d b th ere. Sh e was was offe re d a jo late r. offic e a fe w da ys to se e m e in th e
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A STO R SHAR Y TO E?
EM EDIT AIL YOUR ORIA L@CA STORIES REER T SAVV O: Y.CO .UK
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A fte r try in g to g et into fi n a n c e fo r a lo n g ti m e w h at fe lt lik , I wa s c h u e ffe d to g et a jo b inte rv at a n a c c o u nta n cy fi rm ie w . T h e inte rv love ly a n d ie w e r s e e w e g ot o n m ed g re at. B u t when a m e of h e r te a m m ber wa lke d in a nd ha nded s h e tu rn e d h e r s o m e w o rk , liv id , s c o ld e d h im fo r n ot d o in g it c o rre ct ly a n d wa s ju s t p la in m e a n . I wa s te rr As soon as if ie d . h e left s h e in s ta ntly retu rn n o rm a l, c a lm e d to her s e lf a s if n oth in g h a d le a rn in g th ha ppen ed. at I’ d b e re A fte r p o rt in g to h e r, I d e c id to ta ke th e e d jo b . n ot
HE'S A HUGGER Finn, 21, Oldham
My last job interview was for some bar work. I nailed the questions and got on great with the
employer. It was going well until I got up to leave and the boss pulled me in for hug. As if that
wasn’t strange enough, I could hear him sniffing my hair. I felt slightly uncomfortable and more
than a little confused. I really needed the job so
took it regardless. Thankfully there has been no more inappropriate behaviour from my boss.
Success Story MECHANICAL ENGINEER CIVIL SERVICE ADVANCED APPRENTICE LIKES SEWING AND KNITTING
I’ve always been a logical person who enjoys problem solving and mathematical solutions where there can only be one correct answer. I chose chemistry and maths at A level, as well as English literature to keep my options open. Sixth form, however, didn’t really go how I expected. After being discouraged by my chemistry teacher, who told me I was incapable, I decided against going to university. When I spotted an advanced apprenticeship in mechanical engineering, I decided to apply. I had never considered engineering as an option before, but after doing some research I realised it could be a great fit for me. Before the interview stage applicants are required to pass an assessment test. This got off to a bad start when I was hit by another driver on my way to the centre and wrote off my first car. Despite my initial bad luck, I passed the initial assessment and was offered an interview, which went really well. They were particularly interested in my voluntary role as a Guide leader, and I was offered an apprenticeship. I knew engineering was a male dominated industry, but had no idea there would be just seven females out of the seventy apprentices. Initially, I found it a little intimidating. It was difficult in the workshop classes as all of the equipment was made for bigger people; my overalls were too big, there were no gloves to fit and the benches were too high (I’m only 5ft 3”!). I was persistent with my requests for change and eventually,
During my time as an apprentice I kept in touch with all of my supervisors. This worked in my favour, as I was notified of a vacancy in the area I most enjoyed: Safety Assessment and Advice. I applied for a fulltime position and was selected.
“
I had no idea there would only be seven females out of seventy apprentices.
“
RACHEL, 23
my female colleagues and I were provided with a lower work bench. We also received permission to build ourselves a lower welding bench.
After a year I was advised to apply for a promotion, which was a great step up for me. In the future I aim to become an expert in my field. I’m also being sponsored by my company to a do a part-time mechanical engineering degree. My advice to those wanting to work in engineering would be: prepare to be flexible and possibly move to where the best apprenticeships are. It also pays to be well read in new technological advances and research. Finally, pay attention in maths - you will need to know what Sin, Cos and Tan are!
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world’s most interesting jobs Legoland model builder
On Legoland Windsor’s official Facebook page Nev Smith, a Legoland model maker, advis
‘I think people who want to do thi need a broad set of design skills; t they should try to gain experience wide range of model making and d Architectural experience is useful a lot of the buildings we do, bu other things are more sculptur based.’
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Photo from http://www.flickr.com/photos/metalmac/
‘What do you want to do when you’re older?’ It’s a question we were all asked at some point in our childhood. The usual answers were given, an astronaut or a princess, as we attempted to match our future career aspirations to our interests at the time. But even as children, if you’d have told us that there was a career out there that allowed us to continue to play (and work) with Lego for a living, we may have had to question if your pants were on fire.
We’re not lying, the career does exist! Lego Model Makers get to work with the nation’s favourite toy day in day out – for a sed: living! Responsible for is job building and maintaining thus the incredible models e in a found at Legoland Parks design. and Discovery Centres, the l for role is certainly one of the ut most enviable in the world. re Openings into the career are extremely competitive, as you would expect. But if you have built on previous experience brick by brick, the colourful career is one that offers great rewards for those who stack up to the job
description. That’s all the puns out of the way, now on with the article. Unfortunately it isn’t all fun and games for the model makers; the role comes with a lot of responsibility. Each day before the park opens, model makers inspect the hundreds of models that are found throughout the park, to ensure they are all presentable for the day’s visitors. From the enormous 5.2 metre Canary Wharf Tower made from over 200,000 Lego bricks to the tiny five brick pigeons that flock around Lego Trafalgar Square; they all have to be checked. Once the checks are complete, it’s time to get inside and get the Lego out! Building the outlandish creations requires a great deal of design and planning. To help the model makers in the early stages, a special type of graph paper is used. With each square of the graph paper representing the dimensions of one standard Lego brick, model makers are able to calculate how many of which bricks will be required to complete the model. Prototypes are usually
built for those models that may prove a little more of a challenge; model makers must ensure the models work on and off the design page. As you would expect there is a great deal of competition for the career, with positions highly sought-after. Those looking to join the model making team are advised to build up a background in design and art. Although essential for the role, an amateur interest and passion for building with Lego is not likely to be enough to become a model maker. The role calls on a large number of skills, therefore a varied background is recommended. The role does come with an element of risk however; everyone knows that stepping on a Lego brick is one of the most painful experiences, so it may not be a role for the faint-hearted. If you are looking for a career that really clicks into place (sorry there was one more pun we had to use), then join the ranks of the Lego model builders!
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Industry update: IT How to get IN IT careers currently boast on-the-job training and increasing prospects in
a growing industry. Industry leaders such as Microsoft and Capgemini
are not necessarily in need of purely IT or computing graduates. Many
companies offering graduate schemes
are often interested in candidates from a range of backgrounds, as they offer relevant training programmes that
teach the necessary industry skills. While it may be harder for those
without a degree to break into the
IT industry, some opportunities are
still available. It is a good idea to take
specific training courses and exams, to prove your skills and gain experience. Graduates going into IT careers have experienced some of the most successful employment rates.
Most local colleges offer specific
courses such as JavaScript and C++. Another way to get a foot in the door, especially for the underqualified, is
e mpl oy e r s The following IT employers were awarded ‘Britain’s Top Employer’ status in 2013:
to achieve an entry-level position in
Tata Consultancy Services
Larger companies often provide
Avanade UK
data entry or technical administration. further training for employees as
many are keen to invest in the futures of their existing staff.
It is also worthwhile to look for
apprenticeship schemes, which are
especially good for school and sixth
HCL Technologies Dimension Data Fidessa
RM Education SAP UKL Ltd. TribalGroup Virtusa UK
form leavers. Receiving training and
useful links
paid can considerably increase your
cwjobs.co.uk theitjobboard.co.uk prospects.ac.uk/it insidecareers.co.uk/it
hands-on experience whilst getting prospects.
te c h ni c a lly f l ue nt
47.3%
Of IT graduates are getting roles in their chosen field.
The average salaries of jobs in IT are some of the highest when compared with other sectors.
Recently founded social enterprise Fluency (getdigitalwith.us),
is helping to tackle unemployment by teaming up digital-savvy young people with
businesses struggling with social media and digital marketing. The London-based
project offers specific training of work-ready skills that small businesses and particularly charities require to keep pace with competitors. At a time when businesses without a digital presence are in danger of falling behind, Fluency also uses its connections to deliver graduates into employment.
Average UK Salary Financial Services
£34,624
IT Services Software Development
0
Senior staff of large IT corporations, such as Deloitte, have expressed concerns that
£34,347
Construction
£29,338
Manufacturing
£28,312
Retail
s k i ll s s hortag e
£35,269
increasing amounts of their time is spent on skills development - as the UK enters a skills shortage. Although current employment is high, there is a desire for candidates that have further training and expertise in specific types of code – especially C# and C++ coding, as well as JavaScript. In other areas, an increasing demand is also set to be required for
£25,019 10,000
20,000
30,000
40000
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specialists in cyber security, which is becoming an increasing threat to businesses.
Monthly economy: benefits
IAIN’S REFORMS: A PANTS IDEA?
With the implementation of Universal Credit set to affect job seekers (amongst all receivers of government benefits), it’s advisable to be aware of any changes that may affect you.
A
s of April this year, there have been changes to the benefit system in the UK which the media are dubbing ‘the welfare crunch’. Those claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, Income Support, Council Tax benefit, working and child tax credit and Disability Allowance will still be entitled to welfare help, but it will all be rolled into one lump benefit known as Universal Credit. This will affect claimants differently depending on which part of the UK they are in. The integration will take a total of four years to completely take effect and is said to save the government £11.8bn by 2017. The brains behind the outfit, Iain Duncan Smith (who was recently revealed to have claimed expenses for his pants) says that he hopes the benefit cap will ‘drive the unemployed back to work’.
M
uch like applying for JSA, this process will be done online and paid into the claimant’s bank account. Depending on their region, new claimants may not be entitled to as much as they were preluding the benefit cap.
U
nemployed claimants in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are unlikely to be drastically affected by the reform. However, English claimants will need to contact their local council for information on their entitlement. Those worried about the effects needn’t panic yet; councils are fighting back by warning the government that cutting benefits will not drive the unemployed back into the workplace and that the economy will need to improve drastically in order to provide enough jobs to go around.
I
t’s not all bad news though. According to the Office of National Statistics, the UK is out of recession and the government would like to echo the original plans of Gordon Brown’s ‘British jobs for British people’ to ensure that British job seekers are top priority. The latest estimation from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research is that the economy grew by 0.7% in the last three months.
W
ith that in mind, a cap on unemployment benefits may lead to an increase of people taking jobs that they had not previously considered; so-called ‘job snobs’ reject work on the grounds that they feel it is below them or that they are overqualified. This means that employment is likely to increase in lower paid, manual jobs that others turn down.
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UK Job Vacancies approaching Five Year High As the British economy continues its slow recovery from the 2008 financial crisis, career savvy suggests how to capitalise on the growing number of opportunities.
G
overnment figures have offered encouragement for job seekers with the news that the number of job vacancies is at its highest level since September 2008. Competition remains fierce for the 529,000 positions currently being recruited for in the UK, underlining the importance of a carefully targeted approach to pursuing opportunities. Statistics released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight that unemployment has fallen gradually over the last year, down by 57,000 from the previous quarter to 2.51 million in June 2013. Jobs growth has been most evident in the private sector, with an increase of 740,000 positions over the last twelve months to a total of 24.06 million. Contrastingly, changes in government spending priorities have seen the public sector contract by 308,000 in the same period. But aside from being a reason for cautious optimism at a recovering economy, what practical benefits can job seekers and career enhancers take from this labour market data?
F
irstly, the growing private sector highlights the need for job seekers to become more entrepreneurial. You may wish to reflect upon how effectively you are selling yourself. Last year an American study found that nearly 90% of employers either recruited, or were planning to recruit, through social media. LinkedIn offers a valuable resource for raising your professional profile, and may offer networking opportunities and the chance to view the qualifications and experience of those people who you wish to work with or in a similar field. Similarly
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following industry experts, prospective employers and recruitment companies on Twitter may yield dividends. Think carefully about what you post on social media sites and use your profile to showcase your professional ability and creative thinking skills.
S
econdly, statistics also highlight the growing number of new business births in the UK, with an 11% year on year rise. This increasing number of start-ups presents a number of fresh, alternative posts for job seekers willing to take a chance on becoming a part of a new enterprise. Above all, government statistics highlight the importance of staying engaged with the labour market, underlining the importance of continuous professional development for those in work and taking work experience or training for those seeking employment. Unemployment figures suggest that sadly the longer someone is unemployed or not in education, the harder it becomes to get a job. So be proactive and update and enrich your CV and social media presence straight away!
JOB VACANCIES
rise and shine:
wake up to a new you Getting up in the morning is tough work - especially if you are new to full-time employment. If you’re fed up of feeling sluggish, try out some new ways to make yourself feel tippity-top in the AM.
Get up earlier A 2008 Texas University study showed that students who considered themselves to be early risers were more likely to achieve better grades. Rushing in the morning means the chances are you’ll still be sleepy when you arrive. In most cases, this leads to a bad case of the grumps. Give yourself more time to wake up and prepare for the day. Even if it means twenty minutes less in bed, you’ll hit productivity sooner when you get into work.
try not to snooze Avoiding the snooze button is sometimes too much for a human to bear. But be warned, snoozing can lead you into dangerous oversleeping territory, resulting in lateness and unbrushed hair. Recent research by the University of California suggests that it is actually healthier in the long term to get about six to seven hours sleep a night. Although the exact reason for this is still unclear, it’s certain that extra sleep on top of that is not good for you.
go for a walk Evidence suggests that exercise first thing gives metabolism an extra boost, meaning you will manage your energy better throughout the day. If you can avoid taking your car then do so. If walking to a bus stop or train station, try and take a route that will lead you through some trees or fields; anywhere where the air is fresh. Put some headphones on and embrace your morning walk as an enjoyable part of your day.
eat We’ve all been told the importance of eating a healthy breakfast. It regulates your digestive system, encourages a healthier metabolism and enables you to concentrate more. Think about how good these three things combined can make you feel. Remember that just because you don’t feel like eating in the mornings, it doesn’t mean your body isn’t hungry and in need of being nourished. A happy tummy = a happy worker.
drink Your body is always dehydrated after a night’s sleep. Waiting until you feel thirsty to have a drink is too late: you are already dehydrated. Start the day with at least one glass of water. It improves cognitive function and helps the brain receive oxygen more efficiently. It also helps your immune system, gives you clearer skin, speeds up that old metabolism (again), and makes you feel all nice and refreshed.
www.careersavvy.co.uk 11
Moving to the City: Bristol What the creative centre of the South west could offer you
B
ristol - or ‘Brizzle’ if you would truly like to blend in with the locals - is a fantastic city to live in; providing the highest quality of life in England and Wales. It is a culturally vibrant city and boasts an impressive economic growth in recent years. In fact, many are choosing to relocate from the extortionate prices of London, to the more affordable yet affluent city of Bristol, and who can blame them? With a better quality of life, a hub of creativity and industrial growth, who wouldn’t want to move to the capital of the South West? Bristol can celebrate its position of sixth highest per capita gdp in the whole of the UK, largely thanks to the growth in its principal industries: aerospace, media, financial services, IT, defence and environmental services. According
to the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (2012 Provisional Results), the average salary in the uk is £26,500 and yet the average salary in Bristol is £28,671*; the third largest in the UK after London (£34,877) and Aberdeen (£34,747). The most important industry in Bristol in terms of economic growth is the aerospace industry. Located in the area of Filton are three leading companies; bae Systems, Airbus and Rolls Royce. As Bae Systems announced this year that they will have the largest intake of apprentices in five years this industry is providing new jobs in Bristol. Bristol is known for its creative community encompassing a range of intelligent and inspiring people from the likes of Brunel to Banksy.
Famous companies include the bbc Natural History Unit and of course Aardman Animations - the founder of Wallace and Gromit. The Gromit Unleashed project that recently took place in the city is an example of Bristol’s creative atmosphere; in addition to the UK’s largest permanent street art project ‘See No Evil’. So be inspired by this creative city! For more information on the different industries in Bristol, visit: www.professional-bristol.co.uk/ working-in-bristol Deciding where to live in Bristol is a case of finding the scene that suits you best. There are many areas with their own amenities and only a short distance from the city centre. It’s important to consider value for money when weighing up the pros and cons of each area.
*According to: www.career-advice.monster.co.uk
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average rent prices in Bristol: £391 for a room in a house or flat (per calendar month): £701 for a flat (per calendar month): £930 for a house (per calendar month): The average house price very much depends on the area you choose to live in. The popular area of Clifton, with its array of bars, cafes and boutiques along Whiteladies Road, one can expect to pay £165,000 for a one bedroom flat and £450,000+ for a four bedroom house. In comparison, south of the river you will find the cheaper but still popular areas of Bedminster and Southville. There is a more diverse atmosphere with its own range of bars, cafes and shops. Here you will find prices ranging from £100,000-£150,000 for a one bedroom flat and £250,000-£500,000 for a four bedroom house. It is worth checking out www.professional-bristol.co.uk/living-in-bristol for more details on the popular areas to live in Bristol and their price range.
Attractions: Including the fantastic Bristol Zoo, the famous Bristol Hippodrome and the impressive Clifton Suspension Bridge - to name a few! Bristol hosts many popular festivals, most notably the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta and the Bristol Harbour Festival. To discover more places to see and things to do around Bristol, check out www.visitbristol.co.uk.
5 Random Facts about Bristol: 1.
The first chocolate bar was created by Bristol born Joseph Fry - his company Joseph Fry & Sons later merged with Cadburys Chocolate.
2. Blackbeard the Pirate is said to have been born and bred in Bristol. 3. Ribena was invented here - Bristol researchers discovered that blackcurrants were second to oranges in terms of vitamin C levels, which were diminishing during World War Two.
4. The dog in the universally recognised HMV logo was born and bred in Bristol - his name was Nipper. 5. The Thecodontosaurus - the oldest dinosaur to be discovered in Britain and one of the oldest uncovered anywhere in the world - was found in a quarry in Clifton in 1834.
Image: Rebecca Smith
www.careersavvy.co.uk 13
A day in the life of: Imagine you’re curled up on the sofa, with a cuppa, completely engrossed in an episode of Frozen Planet, and you think to yourself; ‘I want that job!’. But what does it really entail? Chloe Franchina spoke to Jeff Wilson, a director and producer for the BBC Natural History Unit, to find out what his job is really like.
How did you become a TV director? Did you need any specific training or education? I have a biology degree, but I’d say work experience was the best training I received. I started on the bottom rung of the ladder as a runner and it was a classic case of being in the right place at the right time. The documentary they needed candidates for was in Kenya which is where I’m from, so my tasks ranged from carrying bags to translating Swahili. I’ve worked my way up by training on the job over the past ten years. Tailored courses don’t necessarily equip you for entry level jobs; it’s those with the most experience life as well as TV - that are more successful.
What does a typical day consist of? I really don’t have a typical day! If I’m away filming wildlife, then days can consist of getting up at 3am and travelling to a certain location; this can involve a long walk/hike, plane, boat, or car journey. I’ll then sit for something like 19 hours Filming the waiting for a shot of an snow leopards animal, and head back to in the Karakoram eat and sleep. Other days may start at a more sociable Mountains of time of 9am, but involve Pakistan is my watching and cataloguing career highlight my footage for as many hours as I can bear it. This isn’t a 9-5 job so, if you like routine, this definitely isn’t the career for you.
“
“
What personal qualities do you think are essential to be good at your job? There are no set ways in this job so it helps if you are practical, a good problem solver and malleable. Being a 14 www.careersavvy.co.uk
good people person is essential, as you’re working with creative people all the time; they are very strong-willed and opinionated, so it helps to listen. Tenacity is also important because it is an incredibly competitive industry these days. Those who are able to stick at it are the ones who ultimately succeed. Many candidates are attracted by the romance of travelling and the wildlife; they quickly realise this is actually a small part of a huge process. Finally, patience. You need to be genuinely interested in wildlife (or your chosen field). Only a real thirst for knowledge will be able to get you through those days that involve being sat at a computer, researching and broadening your knowledge for hours on end.
What would you say has been the highlight of your career so far? I’d say filming the snow leopards in the Karakoram Mountains in Pakistan. As part of a team, I waited patiently for such a long time in order to catch them on film. On the last day of filming, we finally managed to capture an amazing hunt. It reminded us all that luck, karma and patience all play a big part in this job.
What would be your biggest tip for someone looking to follow your career path? The industry has changed a lot since I first started. These days there is nothing stopping you making your own film as everyone has the equipment. You don’t need all the stuff I have to produce something of quality. There is amazing wildlife all around you and if you use your imagination, research and gain as much world experience as possible, then you will ultimately do well. So start as soon as you can, expose yourself !
: jeff wilson
@jjwilson
tv producer and director.
what is the best advice you’ve ever received?
What is the best thing about your job?
‘It’s better to listen than to talk’ - a very quiet and intelligent friend of mine told me this and I’ve never forgotten it.
Truthfully, being surrounded by such talented and intelligent people. Obviously the romantic side of things is amazing, but after a while - with risk of sounding spoilt - it does become samey after so many years. But being surrounded by such remarkable people means that I’m learning something from them every day. I’m lucky that those I work with have such a similar outlook on life as myself and they’re all extremely good at what they do - they truly inspire me.
If you could spend a day in a different career, what would it be and why? This is the perfect job for me, but if I could do anything at all I would become a music composer. I’m not very musical myself, but I find it amazing the things you can do and create with music.
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CV s : The Good, The Bad and The Baffling On the surface the CV appears a pretty straightforward part of the job application process. A concise page or two, containing your previous professional and educational experiences, in which there is little to no room for catastrophic misjudgement. Yet in spite of this, the art of crafting a successful CV is one that is lost on a surprisingly large number of people. Even the slightest mistake can give an employer a reason to place you in the rejected pile and so it is vital your CV hits the mark. Some succeed, some narrowly miss the mark and some make a mockery of the ‘well, it couldn’t hurt’ approach to job applications.
Formatting Matters
So to inform as well as entertain, here are some of the best and worst things you can do with a CV to ensure you are remembered by the employer for very different reasons.
Creative Vitae
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A CV isn’t all about what’s on the page. What the page looks like is also important. The average employer usually spends no more than a minute scanning through your CV; so make sure it is easy on the eye, with all the vital information accessible at a glance. To get help with formatting your CV, consider utilising a template.
If you are looking to join a creative industry, such as media or design, you are often granted a little extra room for creativity in your CV. If you are willing to take a chance on impressing your potential employer
with out of the box thinking, then you might want to consider the alternative CV. Earlier this year Philippe Dubost, a web product manager, took the notion of selling yourself in your CV to a whole new level, with his Amazon inspired online CV. Mimicking the Amazon webpage, Philippe listed himself as the product, placing his professional details in place of the product information. This alternative approach was a massive hit and has reportedly resulted in Philippe receiving over 100 emails from prospective employers.
Hopeless Email Addresses Quite often a person’s email address will be right at the top of the CV, acting as a first point of contact between a potential employer and the candidate. First impressions count and nothing ruins a first impression quite like setting eyes on the email address lazyslacker100@gmail.com sitting atop the CV. A childish or inappropriate email address is a sure-fire way to ensure your CV is never read beyond the first few lines.
Seplling and Grammer This piece of advice is something to keep in mind throughout the entire job hunting process, as well as when you’re writing your CV. Spelling and grammar mistakes are some of the most commonly cited reasons that a CV was rejected by employers. With rough estimates suggesting that nearly half of CVs contain spelling mistakes, ensuring yours doesn’t is a great way to get ahead. A noticeable mistake is bad, but an unnoticeable mistake that reads as fact is much worse. For example: ‘My interests include cooking dogs and interesting people’ instead of ‘My interests include cooking, dogs and interesting people’. Be sure to proofread!
to set yourself aside from other candidates with a refreshingly honest approach in which you list your shortcomings; it’s too risky. In 2011 Benedict Le Gauche made the news for his brutally honest CV. Listing his previous jobs as ‘boring and disheartening’, Le Gauche also admits to hiding, pretending to be on the phone and stealing ginger biscuits; not exactly the transferable skills employers are after. Make sure you stand out for the right reasons when it comes to that all important first impression. Competition for jobs is far too fierce these days to risk being filed into the ‘no’ pile, for reasons you may have easily prevented.
Stay
positive
Experts say that using a positive mindset can actually make you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. You will think more clearly, communicate better and draw on previous experience to secure the job of your dreams. Job hunting can be a numbers game; make sure you are proactive in as many ways as possible. Use social media sites, upload your CV to the best job boards and sign up to job email alerts so you’re aware of vacancies as soon as they arise. Being ahead of the competition will make you feel more positive and keep you engaged in the job-hunting process over time. Employers will be particularly keen to employ those who can swim rather than sink in what is likely to be a few more years of tough trading.
Brutal Honesty Never lie in your CV. You will be found out eventually. Instead be honest, but not too honest. Nobody is perfect - except for on their CVs. Don’t be tempted
ALISON CLEMENTS
WWW.SIMPLYSALESJOBS.CO.UK
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Prospects Before Parties: How to stay proactive at university You’ve chosen your university and course, moved in, met your flatmates, survived the trials and tribulations of fresher’s week and now it’s time to settle into your degree. But as most graduates will warn you: graduation day will come around a lot sooner than you think. With roughly 370,000 graduating each year and the average graduate job receiving in the region of 100 applications, competition is fierce. Taking the following proactive steps towards your future career whilst in university is a great way to stay one step ahead.
Work experience
Take on a part-time job
Talk to a careers advisor
One of the most effective ways to improve your career prospects is to find some work experience during term-time or holidays in a company relevant to your career aspirations. You can learn new skills and gain an insight into what it’s like to work in the industry. Experience looks fantastic on a CV as it shows great initiative and commitment. It is also a great way to build up invaluable contacts.
Aside from supporting you financially during your studies, a part-time job can provide you with some key professional skills that can easily transfer into your future career. It also shows you have a strong work ethic which, from an employer’s point of view, is always favourable. If you are attentive (and a little lucky), you may even pick up a job in the industry you aspire to work in on a full-time basis.
Another valuable resource, and one often overlooked by students during their time at university. A visit to the careers advisor will give you a better insight into the options available to you come graduation day; some of which you may never have known existed. As well as offering advice, careers advisors can also aid you in developing skills; such as interviewing practice through mock interviews.
Joining a club or society
Talk to your tutor
start applying
It isn’t just on a work experience placement that you can build up professional skills. Universities are full of societies with enough variety to tickle all fancies. Joining one is a great way to boost your social skills and gain confidence by operating within a large group of people. Clubs will often appoint the more senior members of the club into administrative positions; such as treasurer or event organiser. Managing the club is a great way to gain a wide variety of skills in the process.
As well as helping you through university life, tutors are also a great source of advice on life after studying. Many will have experience and knowledge of industries relevant to your course; some may even have connections they are willing to share with you.
The early bird gets the worm and the early graduate gets the work. Don’t wait until you’ve thrown your mortarboard in the air to begin searching for jobs. If you are nearing the end of your course, then start looking - strike while the iron’s hot.
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And finally... Get your degree! A degree isn’t everything in the world of work, but you’ve made the commitment to study now; so ensure you fulfil your potential by achieving the grade you want. Try and find that perfect balance between living in the moment and preparing for the future, and you will be in a great position to begin your desired career come graduation day.
make the most out of
Work experience I
ndustries such as media, charity and fashion to name but a few, are notoriously difficult to get into in any other way than unpaid work. More often than not prospective employers will favour those with an impressive body of work experience and references, over those with various higher education certificates. Benefits of work experiece can include; great references, useful contacts and sometimes – a job. Once you’ve secured a placement, don’t think that the hard part is over. You’re obviously job-fodder for the company, but these top five tips should help you to stand out. If you play your cards right you may land a job and if not, you can secure yourself some excellent experience as well as a glowing reference.
A
sk questions. If there is a person whose job is your dream, put that person on a pedestal and ask them how they got there, what qualifications they have and (without being a pest) ask for plenty of advice. If you’ve got the drive, show it. They will appreciate your admiration. They won’t appreciate a brown-nose though, so be tactful.
B
e patient. There is a chance you may be saddled with tedious or mundane jobs that seem to have little relevance to your learning. Be enthusiastic and cooperative, anyway. You helping them will make their lives easier and they will be grateful for that, and will remember it in the future.
B
e brave. Most places are likely to offer to pay your expenses. If they don’t offer immediately, diplomatically negotiate. They were likely in your position once upon a time, so they will understand and probably respect you for it.
S
how dedication. Even though you’re not getting paid, act like you are and that your entire livelihood depends on this job. It’ll drive you to display your skills and motivation. Individuals who don’t take it 100% seriously do not prosper.
B
e yourself. It sounds cheesy, but you can only keep up an act for so long. It’s not a crime to be nervous, and it will soon pass.
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Job title Jargon Currently, more and more companies are trying out new, fancy job titles for their employees. While the advantages mean that their staff come across as more impressive to potential clients, there are plenty of confused job seekers out there. The annoying reality is that sifting through cryptic and vaguely titled job ads can be a minefield. Luckily, the Career Savvy team is on hand! We have decoded and dispelled some of the job title jargon that job seekers commonly fail to grasp.
advisors
operatives
The word operative in a job description generally means you’ll be physically doing something. Yes
that’s right; it’s time to get out of that leather swivel office chair. An operative role in retail would most
likely be stocking shelves and carrying out warehouse duties. In a manufacturing setting you’d be working
on and maintaining machinery. It’s a good key word to use in your search if you are not one for sitting at desks. Think of all those calories you could burn.
This role does what it says on the tin. You will be
expected to give expert advice within the field of work
you are in. Advisors can be found in all kinds of sectors and it is important to discover which industry you will be working in when applying for these jobs. Common
roles like Customer Advisors and Sales/Retail Advisors generally entail helping or dealing with the public in some manner. Retailers need their employees to be
knowledgeable about all their products, but specific job titles would imply a limited knowledge and make the recruitment process far harder; plus ‘Toaster Advisor’ would look pretty comical on a name badge.
officers
coordinators A good one for all you logical thinkers out there.
A popular word for events and management roles,
it’s arguably a succinct way of saying ‘someone who sorts stuff out’. Often admin related, a coordinator
role hints towards a higher ranking position than an
assistant role and often some increased responsibility in terms of organisation and planning. A dictionary
definition goes as far as saying a coordinator ensures that work runs ‘harmoniously’; so keep logistics and preparation in mind when applying for these roles.
our top five confusing job titles
Another term that follows job descriptions around
like a faithful dog. This word may conjure thoughts of donning military uniform and standing in line whilst a drill sergeant shouts inches away from your face.
But stick it on the end of another job title and you’ve got something different entirely. An Administrative Officer, for example, can be responsible for
1
Creative
2
Fresh Replenishment Colleague
Someone who works in the Apple Store. Stocks chilled foods in a supermarket.
Concierge
overseeing most of the admin process. Likewise, a
3
transactions for their organisation. Between different
4
Food Runner
5
Doughnut Processing Team Member
Financial Officer will be in charge of overseeing all
companies levels of responsibility and pay will differ; much like the quality of the tea bags or how nice the person on the desk next to you is.
20 www.careersavvy.co.uk
A seller of mobile phones. Waits on the tables at Pizza Express. For Krispy Kreme. Does not involve eating.
Right Suit, Right Impression CAREER SAVVY TEAMED UP WITH TAILORING COMPANY A SUIT THAT FITS TO HELP YOU FIND THE PERFECT SUIT AND MAKE A GREAT ALL-IMPORTANT FIRST IMPRESSION.
What style should you go for? It’s important to get the style of your suit right. Either a two or three-piece works for an interview, but the addition of the waistcoat for men helps create a more professional (and dapper!) look. Women can opt for a trouser or skirt suit and it often depends on the industry you are applying for as to which you prefer to wear. Many women favour a trouser suit when they are interviewing for a male dominated business. In terms of colour, charcoal grey and navy are current yet professional tones.
How can you tell if it fits? men
women
•The length of your jacket should cover your seat. Arm
•The length of your jacket should finish on or below
length should finish in line with your thumb knuckle; there should be around half an inch of cuff on show. •Buttons on your shirt should not pull and there
should be little or no extra fabric around the waist and shoulders. If you have either of these issues, then the shirt is too big. The arm length should finish around your wrist joint.
your waistband.
•A blouse or a top under your jacket should not be too low cut. Keep any print on the top to a minimum.
•A trouser suit shouldn’t drag on the floor. With a skirt, straight or pencil is always appropriate. Keep it just on or below the knee to make it look professional.
Accessorise for Success men
women
•Ensure your tie width is the same width as the suit
•A few key accessories such as a bracelet, necklace or
you stay looking super sharp.
just one or two pieces.
lapels; this will balance the outfit. A tie pin will ensure
scarf can often enhance your outfit. It’s best to stick to
•A pocket square is the only accessory that is acceptable
•Less is more when it comes to jewellery - so have
don’t go too bold.
necklace then wear either studs or no earrings. Make
in a contrasting colour to the rest of the ensemble - but • Make sure your shoes compliment your suit and that they are clean and polished!
a feature piece. For example if you have a statement
sure any piece you decide to wear is appropriate - big gold hoop earrings may not be the best choice.
Overall, making a great first impression is not as hard as it sounds with the right attire. Confidence is key, so as long as you look smart and are comfortable in what you are wearing, you should feel like you can conquer the world. A Suit That Fits tailor bespoke suits at affordable prices, and offer the luxury of a style advisor. If you are currently looking for the perfect suit and feel you need a little more assistance, then visit asuitthatfits.com. www.careersavvy.co.uk 21
how to get into Teaching T
he phrase ‘It’s never too late to...’ is frequently applied to many aspects of everyday life, as people are persuaded to try new things and experiences. One of the phrase’s most common manifestations is within the world of work. Although overused, the phrase ‘It’s never too late to change your career’ has rang true with many who find they itch for change. Changing career is a great way to bring a refreshing challenge to your professional life.
Teaching can be one of the most rewarding careers in the world; it provides you with the potential to influence hundreds, possibly thousands, of lives for the better. But as with most things careerfocused, the decision to change your career needs careful consideration. The market can be incredibly competitive and there is substantial training required before you can take the lead in the classroom. However the training programmes, available either side of a degree, are well established; they provide tried and tested career progression routes for those who wish to teach. Joining the world of teaching is a great way to share and refresh your existing knowledge of an academic subject, as the saying goes: ‘to teach is to learn twice’. But it isn’t just previous academic experience that can
Useful Links • www.education.gov.uk/get-into-teaching • www.prospects.ac.uk/teaching_advice_where_to_ start • www.tes.co.uk 22 www.careersavvy.co.uk
be successfully transferred across to a career in teaching. There are a multitude of key skills, already possessed by the majority of professionals, which will lend themselves very well to the day to day responsibilities of teaching. We spoke to Elizabeth Thomas, a secondaryschool geography Teaching takes teacher from South Wales, about her multitasking to a new decision to change level and there is never career. Switching from a career in a dull moment. engineering, Elizabeth has found equal parts challenging and rewarding in the classroom:
“
“
If it’s a challenge you are after, you will be hard pushed to find a more demanding, yet rewarding working environment than the humble classroom. ‘Making a difference’ is often found at the heart of peoples’ career aspirations. To pursue this positive feeling many people have turned to the world of teaching and, continuing in the earlier vein, it is never too late to join them.
‘Teaching takes multitasking to a new level and there is never a dull moment. Keeping up with the trends and keeping your delivery current is key to engaging with the pupils - even Twitter has a place in the modern day classroom! The hours are long but there is nothing better than seeing that look on a child’s face on results day, after a light bulb moment in the classroom; or on fieldwork trips when you’ve given them the opportunity to experience something they may never have otherwise had the chance to.’
Key Transferable Skills
Are you an organised person? Can you manage your time and plan ahead for both short and long-term tasks? Teaching requires a great deal of organisational skill and time management, both inside and outside of the classroom. You will need to ensure lessons are structured and the pupils’ work is marked and returned on time.
Are you capable of communicating in an open and engaging manner? Are you comfortable with writing and editing written work? Communication is a virtue in the world of teaching. You will need to be able to communicate often complex ideas and practices to students of varying academic levels. This will need to be executed in an intuitive and accessible manner. You must be equally comfortable communicating on paper; you will need to provide constructive feedback on pupils’ work and write up coherent lesson plans.
Are you a problem solver? Can you adapt your methods in line with feedback? Teaching as a career is ultimately one big problem solving exercise. Working on feedback from a number of sources, including the pupils themselves, you will constantly be striving to address any problems that may be hindering you getting the best out of your classroom.
How can you get into teaching? You will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS) and to do so you will require a solid academic background. This will entail: Achieving a minimum grade C in GCSE (or standard equivalent) of English, mathematics and a scientific subject. Undergraduate Initial Teacher Training (ITT) courses generally take three to four years full-time study. These courses are aimed at those who have not yet achieved a degree.
Or if you have completed a degree independent of any teaching experience, then a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), is a great way to develop vital teaching skills. This generally takes one year full-time. Fees for both ITT and PGCE courses vary depending on when and where they are studied. However, both have a variety of funding options available for those looking to take their first steps towards a rewarding career in teaching.
www.careersavvy.co.uk 23
coo les t OFF ICE S
During your lunch break, do you get to chug smoothies on picnic be pseudo-garden complete with bunting, fake grass and even a class telephone box? Nope, we don’t either. Get an inside peek into fruit dwellings of innocent smoothies. Innocent™ was founded in 1999 by three former students; Richard Reed, Adam Balon and Jon Wright who sold their own brand of smoothie at a music festival. They tested the success of their product by placing two bins in front of their stall, one saying YES and the other saying NO and asked their customers to vote accordingly. By the end of the festival, the YES bin was overflowing and the next day they quit their day jobs. The company is now 90% owned by Coca Cola and the three boys are doing rather well for themselves. In 2004, the company also set up a UK-registered charity called the Innocent Foundation, which donates grants to NGOs (non-governmental organisations) and various charities. They donate 10% of their net profit to the foundation and have donated over £4m in the last nine years.
images courtesy of www.innocentdrinks.co.uk. All rights reserved
So what are the perks of working some pretty awesome ones)
1. Unlimited supply of smoothies. Obv 2. Potential annual bonuses. 3. Annual scholarships awarded to the
each, to spend on a project that they
If this sounds like your kind of place then innocentdrinks.co.uk/us/careers for furth
fruit towers HQ London
enches in a spacious sic English red towers, the
Green and pleasant land: Fruit Towers (version two) stripped out its carpets in 2002 and replaced them with astroturf.
for innocent? (and there are
viously.
three highest-flyers worth £1000 y’ve always wanted to undertake.
n visit their website at her details.
our story: Innocent have an entire wall dedicated to their history and growth as a company.
picnic lunch: ‘The Chill Out’ is a staff room with a difference with an outdoor, Great British summertime theme.
How to Negotiate a Better Salary Salary negotiation is an important part of your career and an essential skill to possess; whether it is at the start of a position, during pre-contract signing or within a current role. Broaching the topic is a difficult one and it is rarely on the top of our to-do lists. Often we avoid this important conversation due to fear of jeopardising our current position, or affecting our recent job offer. But if you feel that you should be paid more for your skills, it is essential to voice your reasons effectively . Matt Comely from directorappointments.com advises us on the best and worst things you can do when trying to negotiate a better salary.
The Best Ways to Get a Pay Rise:
1
Research salaries in your field
Be aware of exactly what is going on in the market place. Many websites are now dedicated to salary comparisons, salary monitoring and providing the results to salary surveys (e.g. www.prospects.ac.uk). It is vital that you are in tune with current practices and are up-to-date with real time information; it gives you leverage for comparison with your own position.
2
talk about salary as a skills exchange
3
be flexible
Your salary should be a true representation of your skills, and compensate you for what you bring to a company. When presenting your case, talk about exactly how you will earn that salary; what additional and beneficial skills you will bring to the role.
4
think about your experience
5
be prepared to evidence your successes
Undertake a thorough personal skills-audit. This will reveal your experience to date; your progression, successes and strengths. Once you have really considered and analysed this, you can compare it to current peers with similar levels of expertise and experience. This will enable you to juxtapose your current salary with theirs, and see the difference.
An employer would never dream of hiring someone if they couldn’t prove what they have done in the past; getting a pay rise is no different. Why should your current or potential employer listen to your case if you have no evidence for it? Be prepared to prove your case, and highlight exactly why you deserve the rise you’re asking for.
Flexibility is vital in any business negotiation and is no different in this scenario. Work out what figure you would be happy to drop to and where your base point would be – start high, with a view to accepting a lower figure that both parties are happy with.
26 www.careersavvy.co.uk
The Best Ways to Get nowhere: compare yourself to your friends
1
Your friends may earn a significant salary, but they may not have the same job, environment, work culture or funding that you have. Never compare yourself to someone who doesn’t do the same job or works in a different field to you. This will only lead to you being disheartened, disappointed and laughed out of the boardroom.
2
be rigid
It is important to know what salary you want, but you cannot expect your boss to just hand it over. You should be prepared for some room to manoeuvre.
4
be confrontational
5
Go with a pessimistic attitude
It is quite obvious that a hostile attitude will get you nowhere in a salary negotiation. There is a difference to being confident and strong to being confrontational and boisterous. Maintain composure no matter how frustrated you may feel.
Accepting failure before it happens is not the way to get a pay rise. Pessimism may well be subliminal and can be sensed by others. You need to be positive about your case; if you don’t feel confident about your reasons for a raise, then why should your boss?
talk about how much money you need
3
Talking about what salary you need to live is never a good way of starting a case for a pay rise. Money should be representative of what your skills are, not to what your lifestyle is like. This will not win your boss over.
Know Your Rights Advice
The Law
Keep a diary and record any incidents of sexual discrimination, abuse or assault – make a note of times, dates, possible witnessess.
The Equal Rights Act (1970) The prohibition of favouring male employees in regards to pay, working standards, pensions, holidays, bonuses and so forth. This was repealed in 2010.
citizensadvice.org.uk acas.org.uk
The Equality Act (2010) An amendment covering all areas of workplace discrimination including gender, age, ethnicity and religion.
sexism In the wake of the recent Twitter scandals involving sexist death threats sent to a number of highprofile career women - including classicist Professor Mary Beard and MP Stella Creasy - a revision on human rights is very much needed. Common cases of sexism range from derogatory remarks, being sidelined based on gender, through to cases of harassment and serious sexual assault. All of which can go ignored despite being reported. These incidents are frequent, extremely distressing and have a huge impact on the mental health of the victim.
coping with Dyslexia WHAT DO RICHARD BRANSON, ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL, AGATHA CHRISTIE, ROALD DAHL, WALT DISNEY, BILL GATES, STEVE JOBS, STEVEN SPIELBERG, JOHN LENNON AND ALBERT EINSTEIN HAVE IN COMMON? THEY NEVER LET DYSLEXIA HOLD THEM BACK. Dyslexia affects 10% of the British population, 4% of which have severe cases. It makes daily tasks like studying, emailing, taking messages and reading for pleasure extremely difficult and can be very damaging to the individual’s self-esteem. Crippled confidence caused by learning difficulties can often result in the sufferer not fulfilling their highest potential. Laws have been put in place to protect sufferers from discrimination within their job. In 2010, the Equality Act was revised and tailored to include all manner of employment discrimination to be illegal, including dyslexia.
useful info www.bdadyslexia.org.uk www.employ-ability.org.uk www.dysthelexi.com www.easyreadsystem.com 0845 251 9002
(British Dyslexia Association helpline)
28 www.careersavvy.co.uk
what is dyslexia? Dyslexia, along with dyspraxia (impairment of the organisation of movement) and dyscalculia (difficulty comprehending numbers) can affect anyone, regardless of their IQ level or education. It is a development disability that results in the sufferer struggling to read and write fluently, and in some cases can affect vocal language. Adult sufferers tend to be able to adapt to being a competent reader, but can often still struggle with spelling, grammar and deciphering nonsense sub-languages such as abbreviated text talk or shorthand.
If it’s identified early in a child’s education, it is considerably more manageable in adulthood.
ONLINE TESTS
awareness
If you’ve never been officially diagnosed with dyslexia but struggle with reading, writing, note-taking, giving speeches/meetings etc., there are online tests you can take to help you determine whether you are dyslexic or not, and to what level.
Dyslexia Awareness Week (14th – 20th Oct) will be focusing on the lesser known effects of dyslexia and how it complicates tasks throughout the average day.
The British Dyslexia Association is a brilliant online society that aims to aid and advise dyslexic people and raise awareness of the struggles that accompany it, as well as conduct research into the disorder. There is no known cure for dyslexia but the site lobbys to discover better coping mechanisms for sufferers.
A lot of adults have gone undiagnosed because, up until the last decade or so, dyslexia has often been disregarded and misconstrued as stupidity or put down to poor education. Only since the turn of the 21st Century has it finally started becoming integrated into society as the learning disability it is, and like all learning disabilities, it can be combatted.
Dyspla Festival, London, is an arts festival that showcases dyslexic playwrights, writers, poets and performers. It encourages dyslexic students across the country to help organise the festival. Ninth British Dyslexia Association International Conference, Guildford (27th – 29th March 2014) has a range of keynote speakers and will be covering research and up to date methods for supporting both children and adults affected by the disability.
practice
technology
confidence
The best way to face a problem is to do so head on. It’s tempting to hide away and avoid reading and writing unless you absolutely have to. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away. Read every evening, even if it’s just the newspaper. Avoid anything in Old English; it would be like trying to learn English by reading French. If you make reading a habit, your brain will become more and more familiar with language. Whether it’s pronunciation, vowels, grammar and punctuation, or silent letters/ misleading words you struggle with, identify which one holds you back the most and work on them.
Take full advantage of the digital era. Thirty years ago, dyslexics would have had great difficulty becoming journalists or authors as employers and publishers were rarely fanatical about investing in them. These days, the sky’s the limit.
Anxiety is said to exacerbate any learning disability, so tasks that involve reading and writing on a daily basis can cause a spiral effect. If you panic about the mispronunciation of a word in the middle of a PowerPoint presentation, allowing it to bother you will make you lose focus and you are likely to make more mistakes. Speak slowly and breathe. The triumph of the Paralympics 2012 proved that a disability doesn’t prevent people from achieving success. So if you suffer from dyslexia, fight for your gold medal by applying for that dream job you’ve always wanted.
Smartphones should not be overlooked either. There are several dyslexia apps you can download for free including Cool Reader, Go Read, Vocab Builder, Spelling Bee and Dictionary.com (all available from Google Play).
www.careersavvy.co.uk 29
Enhance your career: mentoring A career mentor can give you expert advice on aspects of their career. The idea is that the mentor acts as a role model, offering a different perspective on the mentee’s career by using their own experiences.
exactly what you want to get out of career mentoring, you are taking your first step towards knowing where to look for your mentor, and the sort of person that will suit your requirements.
Career mentoring can exist between two people who work in the same industry, or individuals may seek mentors/mentees outside their company. You can even have more than one mentor. A team of mentors can offer expert advice on many different aspects of your career, giving you a wider perspective of it. Just make sure you have enough time to spend with them all!
A career mentor will need to be somebody you admire, otherwise why would you want their advice? Find someone who is good at their job, who has a senior position and shares similar personal values to you. Most importantly, make sure they are respected within the company. You don’t want to associate yourself with someone who has a bad reputation; this could damage rather than enhance your career. Look for someone who you feel could challenge you to achieve more, who will be able to stretch your capabilities and encourage you to impress them. Also, keep in mind that not everyone can teach. The person you select may be very good at their job, but perhaps they don’t feel confident in their ability to advise others. Thus you must prepare yourself for rejections and try not to take them personally.
Have a clear idea of what it is you need to achieve, otherwise your mentor will not know how to advise you. Do you need advice in career development or performance? The former includes advice on career progression: changing career path, reaching your career goal, facing redundancy, etc. The latter concerns how to improve your current role by dealing with your responsibilities: developing leadership skills, dealing with conflict, running a department, etc. By establishing
How can you find a career mentor? If you are not confident about asking someone within your company to be your mentor you can visit: www. mentormatchme.com/mentoring/career. Jan Murray, Marketing Director for MentorMatchMe, stated why she thinks their site has become so popular in the past year: ‘Over the last 12 months we have seen a marked increased in the number of visitors to our website looking for a career mentor. At a period when many organisations are cutting costs by slashing training and career development budgets, many people are realising that to develop their career they need to take greater control themselves. More and more individuals are now realising that investing time and money in their career can pay off tremendously, in terms of career progression and job satisfaction.’
30 www.careersavvy.co.uk
NEW YORK CITY MAYOR
“
YOU DON’T NEED A GRAND PLAN. WHATEVER YOU DO PLAN IS PROBABLY GOING TO CHANGE 100 TIMES BEFORE YOU’RE 30. AND YOU DON’T NEED TO BE AN EXPERT IN SOMETHING TO TRY IT.
“
l Bloomber h ae
g
Mic
motivational Quote This quote is especially relevant if you’ve ever felt pressured by teachers and tutors constantly reminding you of the need for a longterm plan in your career. You’re unlikely to have enough knowledge and expertise to make a serious commitment to a career when you’re young. So it’s best to keep your options open and keep looking for a job that you’re sure you would enjoy and would excel at.
How to: be a team player Step 1: Get Motivated. A positive outlook and optimism when faced with a team task will make the task easier and improve the finished product. Get excited about the project and let your excitement be known to others. Your fellow team members will appreciate your attitude and gain confidence from the positivity you bring to the table.
Step 2: Follow the Leader. Life coach Brian Tracy claims that democracy ‘only gets you so far’. A leader needs to take the reins and push the project along. Whether you agree or disagree with the leadership, accept that constant debate and
deliberation stalls progress and hampers productivity. Be prepared to compromise on details for the sake of the task.
Step 3: Be Kind. Although business can be competitive, it’s a risk to act selfishly in a team exercise to grab all the glory. Coming across as self-centred or nasty can make your people skills look terrible. A more attractive trait to employers is diplomacy and the ability to get on with others.
Step 4: Communicate.
a particular field than others, it is your duty to put them to use. Don’t let your voice be drowned out by others with less expertise but bigger personalities.
Step 5: Get Stuck In. Don’t wait to be told what to do. Show initiative and begin a project by offering up the tasks you’d like to be involved with. Not only will this make you look proactive, it will allow you to work on the areas you’re passionate about; as opposed to being stuck with any task.
If you’re not pleased with what’s going on – speak up. If you have more experience or qualifications in
www.careersavvy.co.uk 31
PROFESSOR CHRISTINA SLADE VICE CHANCELLOR AT BA
“THERE IS NO BETTER INVEST
Professor Christina Slade was born in
Adelaide, Australia in 1953. She studied at the Australian National University where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree
and PhD in Philosophy. She is trained
specifically as a Philosopher of Language. Leaving Australia in the mid-seventies,
she has studied and worked in a number of places across the globe, including China, Mexico, Pakistan, Italy, Beirut, Africa, New York, and Brussels, before finally
settling in England, where as of January 2012, she became Vice-Chancellor of
Bath Spa University. Before that she was Dean of the School of Arts and Social Science at City University London.
Her commitment to Bath Spa started
with a £70 million development at the
university’s Newton Park campus which is due to be completed in 2014. A new
academic building will provide first-class facilities for students, as well as more
on-site halls of residence. She also aims to
help the university promote its reputation, both at home and abroad.
32 www.careersavvy.co.uk
Anyone who has the exceptional drive to carve an impressive career combined with travelling the world, would benefit from sitting down with Professor Slade for some good stories and success tips. Her career perks rival that of most rock stars and politicians combined. Although, she probably speaks more languages than most rock stars and definitely most politicians: she has an impressive arsenal that includes Spanish, French and now mostly forgotten snippets of Arabic, Dutch, Urdu and Swahili. As a young child, she dreamt of becoming an archaeologist. However, as adolescence descended this goal shifted into an interest in Asia: ‘Upon enrolling into the ANU (Australian National University), I was interested in studying Chinese. Unfortunately, it turned out that I didn’t have much of an ear for the language, as Chinese is very complex and requires learning vocal tones as well as just the standard vocabulary. I felt very much behind in terms of advancing at the same pace as my fellow students which resulted in my leaving after four weeks and going back into pure mathematics! That is the only thing that qualifies as a regret in terms of my career.’ A lot of 18 year-olds enrol into a university course they feel will pave the way for a life-long career in that particular area. When we’re 18 we believe that we can conquer the world, but when we enter the real world, it can often be a different story. ‘It is important to follow your heart and study something you’re passionate about, but it’s also good to gain as many skills as possible to open other doors, should your life take a different course once you’ve graduated.’ Some people deride the value of degrees, particularly in subjects such as English literature, film studies, history/geography and even philosophy. Professor Slade is living proof to the contrary: ‘Degrees are always important and are often life-changing, regardless of subject. For international students and UK students looking abroad, studying also develops networks and experience. There is so
ATH SPA UNIVERSITY
TMENT THAN EDUCATION” much more to get from a degree than just grades.’ Tuition fees increased threefold in 2011, which has heightened A-Level students’ anxiety as to whether that amount of debt is worth it. When asked whether she thinks these new fees will have an adverse effect on students potential careers, as well as perhaps having a long-term effect on the economy, Professor Slade said: ‘No, I don’t believe that is the case. Despite increased fees, higher education in this country is still a wonderful thing that is available to anyone. When I worked in Mexico City, students who studied at public universities had to work for the government for free for two years once they graduated. As for the economy, it is true that we are yet to understand the long-term costs of the student loan fund. My own view is that investment in education is extremely important for individuals and for states.’ Professor Slade has spent her life on the move. She first moved from Australia in 1975 to live in Beirut for a year, which was considered quite unusual at that time. Nowadays it’s almost second-nature for students to travel. Professor Slade also won a scholarship to Oxford which was an extraordinary experience. What are the achievements she is proudest of ? ‘All I have achieved has involved working with others. I enjoy working as part of a team and seeing projects come together. I have led a €1.25m seven nation EU-funded project over the last few years. That was a significant team achievement which I was proud to be a part of.’ Finally, does Professor Slade have any advice for those A-Level students ambivalent about whether to go to Uni or not? ‘I’d say that if you are able to go to university, do. It’s an opportunity in terms of obtaining new skills, developing your critical thinking, as well as an incredible way of gaining lifelong friendships. I’d also urge you to think long-term about the benefits of Master degrees. I believe there is no better investment than education.’
www.careersavvy.co.uk 33
Thrifty Travel
Money maker
get to work on the cheap.
Top tips to be quids-in while looking for work.
Cycling
Rent out your driveway
This is obviously a super option because it’s free. You may worry about your safety or the temperamental nature of the Great British weather, but there are ways you can erase these doubts in order to utilise the cheapest way to commute. Here are the benefits if you do so:
There’s money to be made literally right outside your front door. Potentially up to £200 a month could be made by letting someone park on your drive or in your parking space.
After the initial expense of buying a bike and safety equipment such as high-vis clothing and a helmet, you no longer have to worry about costs. Depending on your budget, your equipment should last you a significant amount of time, reducing the every day costs of your commute. Is your employer part of the government’s cycle scheme? If so, then they will help you to buy a bike (and sometimes even the accessories) and you can pay them back in monthly instalments. Riding solo lets you benefit from not relying on anyone else to get you to work on time.
Useful links: www. sustrans.org.uk/cycletowork
Rates are bigger the closer you live to a city centre. However, you can also benefit if you live close to a train station, airport, tourist attraction or sports ground. Sites like www.parkatmyhouse.com, www. yourparkingspace.com and www.parklet.com are free to list your space on, but generally charge a fee for each rental made. You will also be taxed on the money you make, but will profit overall – especially considering there’s minimal effort involved! Alternatively you could privately advertise your space on www.gumtree.com or similar ‘free ads’ boards, but be willing to sort all the admin and payments yourself. Do some research into what the rates are in your area – offering a good price will generate more response to your ad.
Useful links: www. yourparkingspace.com www.parklet.com www.parkatmyhouse.com www.gumtree.com
34 www.careersavvy.co.uk
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