Issue 8 - May 2014
Jobs for
AVID TRAVELLERS to the Moving
Making a
Life Plan
• inside the hiring process at the bbc • 4 steps to a healthier lunch • online business networking • how to get a pay rise
City
RIO
JOB SEEKING A DVIC E | N E WS | E NHA NC E YOUR CA REER www.careersavvy.co.uk
36
summery
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With our favourite season of the year just a sniff away, the theme for this colourful May issue is…Summer. This month we’re showing you what life is like working on a British beach, offering a few tips on making a healthy lunch to keep you firing on all cylinders throughout the day and, if you want love to be in the air for you this year, you may want to read this month’s feature on one of the world’s most interesting jobs: a professional matchmaker. If all of that summeriness still isn’t enough to keep you going in the UK, you may want to look at what it’s like to live and work in Rio de Janeiro, or read our article featuring five jobs for avid travellers. Sigh. In other exciting news, Career Savvy have now partnered with awardwinning job board CV-Library.co.uk, who will now be providing their huge audience of 7.3 million jobseekers with access to our insightful content. We’re only eight issues into our jobboosting journey, and are delighted to see our readership blossoming at such a whopping rate already. Keep reading – it’s only going to get better from here on in.
DAVE MORGAN EDITOR
Regular features 4 your stories
Office banter and interview blunders to chuckle at.
5 industry update
The latest in the law sector, plus tips on how to get in.
6-7 world’s most interesting jobs We’re playing cupid with professional matchmakers.
28-29 inside the hiring process at...
One of the most respected British institutions, the BBC.
30-31 coolest workplaces
How cool would it be if your workplace was the beach? Dude.
33 know your rights
We address the monitoring of emails and web usage at work.
40 how to...
41 enhance your career
26-27 how to get into...
42 money maker
The Police. Be a bobby on the beat!
news 8 Jobs news with CV-library
The latest job market news from top UK job board.
9 wage inequality on the rise
How does the pay gap between high and low earners affect you?
How to make that transition from team member to leader. Obscure yet easy ways to make and save cash.
lifestyle 11 making a life plan
How to assess and achieve your long-term goals.
12-13 moving to the city
Life’s a carnivial in Rio. There’s great job prospects too!
10 The intrusion of work emails The issue of working hours and how the French combat this.
features 16 glorified job titles
Job titles that beat around the bush a little bit.
17 five jobs for avid travellers
Roles that can take you all over the globe.
23 rewarding careers
Making a difference as a speech and language therapist.
24-25 become a tact foster carer
Change a child’s life with help from a top UK fostering agency.
32 boost your productivity
How IT skills can help you to whizz through your workload.
18 sector switch
34-35 online business networking
19 postgraduate study
36-37 4 steps to a healthier lunch
Advice on moving from the public to the private sector. Discover your potential with a postgraduate course.
20-21 cv formats
Use the right CV for the right role with our handy guide.
22 signs you need to change jobs Realising when the daily grind becomes just too much.
Click to read
Get yourself a pay rise. Time to be quids in!
14-15 A day in the life of...
Sue Plant. Do you know what a phlebotomist does?
Download issue 8 and read on the go
A guide to building your network base without leaving your desk. Turn your midday meal into superfood.
38-39 lunch in style
Lunchboxes that you NEED to have.
Click the Share icon in the toolbar above, then choose ‘download’
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g Jack, 27, Liverpool n i p p Sho thIswas in a job interview for a role in lelawe accounts department of a large p p A firm. It was in quite a hig h rise, e inng er scity office block and n a be Or interviewer was a glass wall. Wehindwethree DONUT TOUCH MY THINGS pa rt away through the interview t s a P Steph, 32, Leicester and I was givList -Shopping ing my answer, when th e lar kgest seagull I've ever seen It was my birthday a few weeks ago, so iwlstr M fle Apples aight into the window be I was chuffed to see a box of doughnuts hind th e interviewers head. It th on my desk when I walked in. When I en preceded to slide down th - Oranges opened them, however, I found that e glass wall. It's safe to say I was th somebody had printed out a picture of rown off my point. - Pasta doughnuts and stuck it underneath the plastic film, making - Milk it look like the box Free monthly was full. It was empty with 'ha ha' career advice, written inside. I was gutted. Click here to subscribe!
L
egal roles can see you working in a private legal practice or within a company’s in-house legal team. Law is the second most popular degree subject in the UK, meaning it produces a high volume of graduates wanting to get into the profession. Don’t let this put you off, however, as a degree is just one step in the direction of becoming a solicitor working in a legal practice. A large proportion
of law employment is in the public sector, for government organisations and services. Areas include criminal, family, environmental, commercial, corporate, intellectual property and structured finance.
conversion, which is a great way to get into the profession. A-level law isn’t necessarily needed to get onto a law degree – however you should always check the entry requirements for each course you consider applying to. There are law degrees available that include Law is certainly a career path for more qualifying as a solicitor within them. academically orientated individuals, as For graduates, a training contract excellent written skills are essential. within a solicitors needs to be taken This is why a lot of English students in order to complete the qualifying choose to do a post-graduate law process.
Legal Sector Strives Towards Diversity
In 2012
165,971 Solicitors on the roll in the UK Roles • Commercial Lawyer • Conveyancy • Family Laawyer • Legal Cashier • Legal Executive • Legal Secretary
Law is traditionally an industry dominated by white, middle class males. More recently, much more emphasis has been placed on attracting the most able candidates from an array of backgrounds. In recent years, the Law Society has reported record numbers of women entering the profession, as well as 18% of those qualifying coming from a minority background. As of 2011, 46.7% of solicitors on the roll were female – a statistic that is only likely to have increased since. These figures provide a good sense of ease for anyone who may feel put off by the law sector or holds preconceptions of it being non-inclusive.
Growth For UK Law Sector As with the majority of UK business sectors, the previous year was on the whole positive for the legal sector. This is excellent news for law students or recent graduates, as more business inevitably brings about more job opportunities. From 2009 to 2012 the number of deals being completed rose by 10.1%. From 2012 to 2013, the number of deals rose by 12.4%. The increase in business being carried out suggests an increase in the longevity of business contracts, which in the long term means an increase in revenue.
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5
World’s Most
INTERESTING JOBS «
•
PROFESSIONAL
•
Matchmaker
A
h true love…a dream for many of us who long to find the one. But as many of you who have experienced the modern-day dating world will know, it’s tough out there! What if you could offer a helping hand and be responsible for proving that true love is not lost? If you are a good judge of character and passionate about bringing happiness to those around you, Career Savvy has discovered a career that could be your perfect match. As a professional matchmaker, you could spread the love by building on your reputation for finding Miss/Mr Right. This career is booming: people are always searching for love therefore your services will always be required. Professional matchmakers meet new clients every day by attending specific events so they can meet potential clients and/or matches for their current members. Potential clients are assessed on their relationship history, their suitability for the agency and whether they have realistic demands. Professional matchmakers set up an interview with each new member to gain a better understanding of their personality and needs before they begin searching for possible matches.
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provides for their members, the more their business will flourish. For instance, weddings and families can be born out of their hard work and such success stories can provide flattering testimonials. Although qualifications and experience are not essential to break into this industry, having them will improve your chances of success – particularly if you want to start your own dating agency. For example you have experience in business management, your ability to handle spreadsheets and manage a budget will set you in good stead for a position as an agency director. Gaining counselling qualifications will help you to deal with your clients’ emotions on a daily basis. You’ll also need communication and interpersonal skills to support and motivate your members when they feel frustrated with their situation. Salaries depend on how you pursue this career. If you work for a dating agency screening clients and helping to make matches, your salary will include commission and can potentially reach £60,000 a year in a high profile, successful agency. Professional matchmakers often offer their services in the form of annual contracts, where the client will pay anywhere from £3000 to £10,000 for a contract which offers the matchmaker’s dedication to finding the perfect match. Once a good reputation is established, you may also charge clients a generous fee to join your agency.
What if you could be responsible for proving that true love is not lost?
Therefore it’s not simply about making the match: clients need continual support via advice and guidance. This involves providing tips on how to make a good first impression, boosting their self-confidence and teaching general dating etiquette. By acting as a go-between, matchmakers ensure their clients have the best possible chance of experiencing a successful date that has a strong chance of leading to a prosperous relationship. The more dedication and assistance a professional matchmaker
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Genevieve West, a professional matchmaker, explained her reason for choosing the profession in an interview: ‘I believe that singles who want love can find it and that broken relationships can be avoided. My heart is for helping to equip singles so that when they do find themselves in a relationship with a wonderful person, they won’t get in their own way and sabotage themselves’.
If you’re a true romantic and a sucker for happy endings, then this could be the perfect career path for you. So put your great communication and business skills to good use and spread the love as a professional matchmaker!
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Every quarter CV-Library, the UK’s leading independent job board, produces a job market report based on the activity seen on its website. Here are the findings for the first quarter of 2014.
A Positive Start to 2014 for Jobseekers The UK job market witnessed considerable growth during the months of January, February and March 2014, according to the latest CVLibrary Job Market Report. The report found impressive growth across key performance metrics: CV registrations, job searches, job applications and advertised jobs. Key findings demonstrate a strengthening market, with job seeking activity and employment opportunities increasing by substantial margins during Quarter One (Q1), when compared on both a quarterly (vs. Q4 2013) and a yearly (vs. Q1 2013) basis. The stand out findings regard the number of advertised jobs, with Q1 celebrating more jobs than the previous quarter and the same period last year. In both cases, the rise was evident across all major employment sectors. This clear desire to hire, which exemplifies a strengthening economy, is complimented by increases in job searches and job applications. The report found that there has been notable rises across these two metrics when comparing Q1 with the previous quarter and the same period last year.
Job Opportunities Up Across All Industries The most encouraging findings regard the number of advertised jobs – of which there were 22.25% more between the end of 2013 and Q1 of this year. The top five industries, according to growth, were leisure and tourism (+91.98%), management (+49.91%), medical (+32.92%), art and design (+32.18%) and construction (+31.64%). The industry with the smallest increase, yet still showing positive growth and more jobs, was retail (+7.1%). Findings also reveal substantial growth year-on-year, with all industries now advertising more jobs. Construction has seen the biggest increase (+118.36%), again reinforcing the message that the job market is going from strength to strength, and that this is a good time to be a jobseeker!
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You can read the full Q1 Job Market report here.
Wage Inequality on the Rise According to the Trades Union Congress (TUC) the pay gap between high and low earners has increased significantly since 2000. This trend can be witnessed across the country, with the capital experiencing the widest gap. But what does this mean for our economy and what can be done to prevent the gap from expanding further?
The lowdown
What can be done?
When the pay gap between the top and bottom 10% of earners is compared, wage inequality has risen by 4.5% in the UK since 2000. When contrasting different areas of the country, London’s pay gap is evidently the worst with a rise of 14%. The average wage for the top 10% in London is £82,000, compared with the average of £18,000 or less for the bottom 10%. The broader area of the South East, however, is not far behind with the gap widening by 9%. Meanwhile the West Midlands has also seen a rise, with an increase of 7%. On the other hand, both the South West and Wales have experienced a decrease in the gap between high and low paid earners. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that low earners are feeling the benefit of this, as this decrease is probably due to the top earners not earning as much as those in other areas of the country.
Last issue we discussed how important it is for the minimum wage to reach the living wage in order to help people out of poverty. This would also help to tighten the gap between high and low earners, as well as higher wages being offered in sectors that can afford to raise their salaries. If policies were introduced to raise the minimum wage to the living wage then people would have more money to spend, thus the economy would improve. TUC have just completed their Fair Pay Fortnight which combined a variety of activities and events to bring the decline in living standards to light. It included a petition which people were encouraged to sign in order to convince the party leaders to include realistic fair pay measures in their 2015 election manifestos.
Why is it important? Those who fall into the top 10% or are relatively high earners may think wage inequality doesn’t really affect them. But the reality is, if the gap continues to widen between high and low earners, then the whole economy will suffer. For instance, it certainly played a part in the financial crisis when many banks lent the savings of high earners to those in the middle bracket, so they could maintain their standard of living. This is why it’s so important that fair pay for everyone is introduced in Britain, to ensure that it’s not just the high earners that benefit from the recovery of our economy.
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9
Working Hours:
THE INTRUSION OF WORK EMAILS The new edition to France’s labour laws has caused a stir as it prevents companies in the digital and consultancy industries from contacting staff during out-of-office hours. This has been introduced as a way to combat the intrusion technology can cause and reduce pressure on employees to work longer hours. But would switching off our smartphones really improve our work-life balance?
O
ut-of-office hours are considered to be between 6pm and 9am and France already have laws in place that prevent companies requiring night shifts from their employees, unless the job is socially beneficial or has a significant duty to the economy. But the French believe these laws are endangered by the extensive use of smartphones. They argue that the pressure employees feel to respond to work emails means that they are unable to switch off. Michel de La Force, chairman of the General Confederation of Managers, has stated that out-of-office emails would now only be permitted in ‘exceptional circumstances’. But what about the UK? Weekly working hours are considerably more in this country, with British workers able to work up to 48 hours a week in comparison to the French 35-hour week. And yet employees in the UK are experiencing the same type of intrusion of their home life, with many workers admitting they receive and respond to emails between the hours of 6pm and 10pm. It appears that it is not only French employees that need protecting. This is why the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has argued that the Working Time Regulations in the UK need to be updated, in order to include protection from out-of-hours emails. The problem is, there will always be exemptions when it comes to the enforcement of this law. Jobs where employees are required to manage their own time arguably require the most protection, but would it be fair
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to offer no protection to blue-collar workers whose fixed contracts have the potential to be breeched? Another issue is actually enforcing this law: would companies find a way around it? Would employees feel comfortable reporting their employer? In contrast, some argue that out-of-hours emails are less intrusive than a phone call, which is what preceded smartphones. Furthermore, some believe the ability to be contacted outside of the office means that they can leave work earlier, which frees up their time to pick up their children from school, make it to the gym or take up a hobby. Perhaps employers simply need educating on providing a work-life balance, instead of introducing laws to dictate how strict working hours should be. Whether you agree or disagree with the new French labour law, it cannot be denied that the progression in technology has led to employers increasingly interrupting the home life of their employees. Therefore, as the TUC have argued, it does seem that the protection we already have in place in the form of the Working Time Regulations needs to be updated. The truth is, it’s important for employees to be able to switch off in order to be at their best the following day. By allowing their employees to truly relax when out of the office, companies will benefit from improved productivity and the positive atmosphere this would inevitably create.
Making a
life plan
There’s nothing more frustrating than discovering what could be the perfect job for you, only to realise that you lack the qualifications, experience or other necessities to achieve it. Consider making a life plan to help you achieve your ideal career.
Long term goals. It’s far easier to map out your career path if you have a vision of where you would like to end up in ten or so years’ time, then mark out the steps you need to take in order to get there. Don’t just think about the job you would like to have when you graduate/qualify/leave school, but the role you can see yourself settling into when you’re older. This helps you to identify what you should be doing now: maybe you need a degree first, a few years of training, or to get some years of solid experience behind you. A great way of planning this out is to talk to people that already do your dream job and find out how they got there. You can do this by being set-up with a business mentor, through sites like mentormatchme.com.
Make Yourself Adaptable. Someone once said that if plan A doesn’t work out, then there are 25 other letters in the alphabet. It’s not unusual to fancy yourself going down a few different routes, rather than having one single vision of your future. In which case, make a note of all the different routes you can see yourself enjoying. Chances are, one will look more realistic or more appealing to you at this stage, and that will be the one you pursue. However, if in the future you have a change of heart and wish to do something else, it’s always a good idea to have something to fall back on. Along your journey, it’s essential to pick up skills that make you employable and transfer between different sectors and positions. The bare bones of these skills involve written and numerical skills, as well as IT and office-based skills that are up to date. Putting all your eggs in one basket could leave you out on a limb in years to come if things don’t go so well in your specialism.
Remember it’s never too late. However much you plan for the future, unexpected things do happen. It’s important not to get too bogged down on one career path so that you feel unable to do anything else if it doesn’t work out. If you miss out on university and then discover you need a degree, you can always go back as a mature student. There are also plenty of options for distance learning, evening classes and further training, regardless of your academic background. This is important to bear in mind when planning your career path, as you do not have to decide right now how you want to spend the rest of your life. Unless of course you want to!
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Moving to the City: Rio de Janeiro B
razil’s second biggest city will see the 2014 FIFA World Cup commence next month, as well as the Olympic Games in 2016. Thus all eyes are on Rio de Janeiro as its tourism sector and economy in general continues to flourish. The city sits between the largest urban forest in the world and a gorgeous coastline, so if you’re searching for the best of both worlds, the hustle and bustle of the city set in beautiful surroundings, then Rio is the choice for you. Known for its culture and cheerful people, Rio is able to provide its residents with an enriching lifestyle, so why not take the plunge and discover the benefits of this Brazilian city for yourself?
Rio, nicknamed ‘The Marvellous City’, is one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere thanks to its famous carnivals, beaches and historical attractions. Rio’s tourism sector continues to blossom as the city attracts roughly 2.82 million visitors a year. The Rio Carnival and the New Year’s Eve celebrations are able to attract hundreds of thousands of people to the city every year.
Thriving industries in Rio include the financial services and tourism. The average annual salary here can vary greatly due to the significant class divide, so it can lie anywhere from £5,760-£25,200.
For a one bedroom apartment in the city centre, the average rent is 2,086 BRL (£535) per month, increasing to 4,333 BRL (£1112) a month for a three bedroom apartment. If buying an apartment in the city centre then per square metre the average price is 10,827 BRL (£2777). Specific costs for each district are difficult to determine so below is an idea of how accommodation in each district compares to the average prices mentioned above.
With the banking and financial markets providing considerable amounts of business for Rio, the service sector dominates the city’s economy. Furthermore, the financial sector is an important contributor to both Rio’s and Brazil’s economy. There are many banks which have established a reputation in the region, such as Citibank Rio de Janeiro and HSBC Bank Rio de Janeiro. It is also home to the second most dynamic stock market in Brazil, the Bolsa da Valores.
If you’re looking for luxury and you have money to spend then Leblon is by far the best area to live in. Its beach is fantastic and only a short distance from those of Copacabana and Ipanema, plus its restaurants are arguably the best in the city. As well as an array of boutiques and cafes there is Shopping Leblon, one of Rio’s most popular malls consisting of 200 upmarket shops, restaurants and cinemas. Beautiful surroundings and upper class living has a hefty price tag, so rents and
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“
If you’re searching for the hustle and bustle of the city set in beautiful surroundings, then Rio is the choice for you
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house prices are well above average. A more reasonably priced area is Botafogo, where attractions are aplenty and accommodation even has the potential to offer views of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain. Two of the largest shopping malls in the city as well as a collection of great bars and restaurants can all be found here. This area is increasing in popularity therefore it’s best to get in here quick before prices begin to soar above the average!
Attractions: As one of the wonders of the world, Christ the Redeemer attracts many tourists to Rio de Janeiro. Other attractions include the beautiful Jardim Botanico (Botanical Gardens), the Tijuca Forest and of course Sugarloaf Mountain. Sport fans will love the Maracana Stadium where the last match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be played next month. Click here for more information.
5 about rio: Random Facts
1. Rio de Janeiro translates as ‘River of January’
and this is due to the fact it was found by Portuguese explorers on 1st January 1502
2. It was the capital of Brazil for nearly two centuries
before it changed to Brazilia in 1960.
3. There is more than 74km of bicycle pathways in Rio, primarily stretching alongside the beaches.
4. Brazil’s famous Samba music, with influence from Africa, originated in the streets of Rio.
5. With roughly 160,000 inhabitants, Copacabana
is one of the most highly populated places in the world.
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13
A Day in the Life of... When we’re unwell we rely on those in the healthcare sector to care for us and help us to recover. Unfortunately, there are many roles within this sector that we have very little understanding of. Chloe Franchina spoke to Sue Plant, a phlebotomist (blood nurse), to discover what this rewarding and very important job really entails.
How did you become a phlebotomist? Did you need any specific training or education? I started out as a cadet nurse, but I slipped a disc therefore I wasn’t able to carry on with nursing. I’ve always been very patient-orientated so I did some research, which included inquiring at local hospitals about the opportunities they offered. They were just introducing the role of what was then called a venepuncture technician and is now known as a phlebotomist. When I became a phlebotomist 38 years ago, I was only the second phlebotomist they were employing! Venepuncture technicians have evolved into phlebotomists and as our responsibilities have increased, so have the skills and requirements. When I started in phlebotomy the only training you needed was ex nurse training and qualities such as being a caring person. But now you need an NVQ in healthcare and they prefer it if you have some form of nursing qualification.
What personal qualities do you think are essential to be good at your job? You’ve definitely got to be a people person and have good communication skills as you’ve got to be able to put people at ease. It’s important to be able to comfort your patients as soon as they enter your care because obviously it’s not a nice procedure. You need to help them to relax so the experience is as stress-free as it possibly can be.
What does a typical day consist of? What it entails is taking blood samples of patients so that doctors can diagnose quickly and ensure they provide the correct response as soon as possible. Responsibilities have increased over the years so we’re now responsible for
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cannulation: inserting the cannula (tube) into the body to drain fluid or administer medicine. Hospitals prefer phlebotomists to work part-time, roughly seven or eight hour shifts, because of the high level of concentration needed for inserting needles continuously. However, I always worked full-time (12 hour shifts) and now this can be on days or nights: night shifts have been introduced to relieve pressure from night practitioners. During shifts you take blood off a number of patients, making sure you explain the procedure and reassure them throughout. You then label samples and deliver them to the laboratory, after which you complete their records by entering the correct data. You’ve got to start the day with a positive attitude, believing that you will be able to bleed all of your patients and put them at ease.
What is the best thing about your job? Definitely meeting people as there is lots of patient interaction, which I love. It’s also great to have the ability to bleed people with the least pain possible.
What is the best advice you have ever received? When I’m training people the best advice I give is to enjoy the job. In life that’s the main goal: to not go to work because you think you’ve got to, but to go because you enjoy it. At the end of the day you spend the majority of your time at work so you have to enjoy it!
What has been the highlight of your career so far? Highlights in my career have been whenever the consultants have praised me because I’ve done a better job at obtaining the blood than the doctors! I have to admit it’s a wonderful feeling when a doctor cannot get a blood sample and they call for you and you get it first time – it is pure job satisfaction.
phlebotomist
sue
plant
What’s been the most challenging part of your career If you could spend one day in a different career, what so far? would it be and why? It has to be when I had to do the paternity cases. This involved bleeding babies and children to prove their lineage. It’s horrible because they just don’t understand. Plus you become involved in the dramas of the parents’ private life which can be an unpleasant situation to be in.
I really don’t think I could be in another career because I just enjoy this job so much. I retired for three years and then went back to work part-time because I really missed the patient contact and the job satisfaction.
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Genius: Nope, you don't need to be a member of MENSA to be afforded this grand title, and in this case it's not merely self-appointed. The clever clogs who will fix your computer problems in Apple stores are fortunate enough to be granted this status; whether it's deserved or not we'll leave up to you.
Passenger Assistant: With personal specifications such as having ‘a natural flair for going the extra mile’, ‘excellent communication’ and being ‘physically fit’, you wouldn't immediately think that the role of a bus conductor is being described. But it is. Clearly somebody at the jargon-loving Go-Ahead Company also has a natural flair for going the extra mile when writing a job advert.
Glorified Job Titles Don’t beat around the bush…
Replenishment Assistant: Never has the occupation of a shelf-stacker sounded so glorious. I wonder if there's a Replenishment Manager? Or perhaps even a Director of Replenishment?
Sandwich Artist: This particular title throws up grand visions of creative minds fine-tuning what may well turn out to be the perfect sandwich - which isn't far from the truth. Employees at Subway are the lucky ones holding this title, and anyone who has ever polished off a Meatball Marinara would agree that it's entirely justified.
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Jobs for
AVID TRAVELLERS
Have you caught the travel bug? Career Savvy has discovered a list of jobs that allow you to have the best of both worlds. Satisfy your thirst for seeing new places and earn a living at the same time! So it’s time to pack your bags and jet off on a new career path.
1. Cruise Ship Employee Ok so the pay isn’t the best and you will have to work long hours, but if you’re truly passionate about seeing the world then this could be a great option. Due to receiving expenses, which often cover your food and accommodation, you can save the majority of the money you earn. Furthermore, with cruise ships continuously growing in size, staff are constantly required to run them. The roles available on a cruise ship are endless: engineering, hospitality, entertainment, medical, child care and cleaning. To find vacancies, check out allcruisejobs.com.
2. Exploration Geologist If your passion extends to the environment then this could be the perfect choice for you. Exploration geologists discover sites for extracting natural resources and new sources of energy. The locations of these sites are often in remote areas, thus you will have the opportunity to see places very few people have ever been before. You will need a minimum qualification of a degree in geology, but once you’re qualified and have gained some experience, you could be earning an extremely decent salary of £75,000+. Check out the latest jobs available at: indeed.co.uk.
3. Travel Writer/Blogger For those of you who are less concerned about the salary and are looking to express your creative side, travel writing could be the answer. You can either work for a specific publication or freelance, either way you get to visit fantastic locations and write about your
experiences. What you earn from your writing may just cover your travel expenses, unless of course you gain a great reputation - in which case you’ll be able to earn a considerable living. Here are some helpful tips.
4. English Teacher English is one of the most popular languages around the world, and there is an influx of people who want to learn the language. This is where you come in. To teach English abroad most countries require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or a TEFL qualification. However, some request only that you are a native English speaker. Once your contract is up in one country, you can arrange another one somewhere else to make sure you’re seeing as much of the world as possible. Perks of the job can include free accommodation, time off to explore the country you’re living in and teaching people a valuable skill. For more information about TEFL, check out: tefl. org.uk.
5. Tour Guide What better way to discover the ins and outs of the greatest tourist attractions around the world, than to help other budding tourists to discover them? Good people skills are a must and learning every detail of your location is also extremely important. Learning a language (or several) will improve your prospects no end, and you’ll be able to really immerse yourself in the culture of your location. The salary isn’t always great, but it’s possible to earn tips – so the more enthusiastic and inspiring you are, the more you earn. For more information, check out: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk.
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Sector Switch: Moving from public to private
Extensive spending cuts in 2012 saw the public sector workforce decrease by almost 7% with 270,000 positions being demolished. This has resulted in an influx of public sector workers looking to make the challenging transition into the private sector. This can be a tough task as each sector prioritises different aspects of the working world. So if you’re having to make this transformation and you’re not sure how to approach it, Career Savvy is here to help.
aMend that Mindset
Learn the Lingo
This will allow you to embrace the culture, ideals and objectives of the private sector. The public sector is more focused on delivering a service, whereas the private sector is more concerned with financial performance. A change of mindset will help you to make a smoother, more successful transition and fight off the fierce competition you’ll undoubtedly face.
To ensure your CV and cover letter are up to scratch, you’ll have to be aware of the difference in terminology between the public and private sector. The best way to do this is to search for similar jobs in each sector and compare the descriptions. By making the effort to assess your language, the employer will become aware of how serious you are about this move: you’re prepared to take the time to understand the differences between the two sectors.
Adjust your Approach
Embrace the Environment
How closely the job relates to your aspirations and the salary offered still need to be considered, but more importantly you need to focus on the transferable skills you’ve gained. For instance, try to highlight times when you met deadlines or were given and completed targets. This will present you as a resultsdriven candidate which is crucial for this transfer to the private sector. Giving examples of any entrepreneurial skills will benefit you – have you ever envisaged an idea and pursued it until it became a success? Make sure all of these skills and similar are highlighted on your CV.
Rather than being judged as a department (common in the public sector), you will be assessed individually, therefore you need to be prepared for this increase in personal responsibility. Furthermore, the private sector is a faster-paced environment with projects and contracts being more short-term. Unlike the public sector where you will likely spend a significant amount of time in the same role within the same department, commercial careers involve a lot more change. Thus you must show the employer that you are adaptable and able to cope with this dynamic environment. On the plus side the frequent changes in the company, as a result of competition and new challenges, means that there are plenty of opportunities.
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DISCOVER YOUR POTENTIAL:
Postgraduate
Study
As the number of people achieving undergraduate degrees increases, many students are opting to complete a postgraduate qualification to increase their chances of obtaining a job. Although postgrad study can provide you with the skills and knowledge you may need to get ahead, it also comes with a lot of hard work and a hefty price tag. So how can you benefit from taking on postgraduate study?
Enhance Your Prospects
Change Career Direction
Pursue a Passion
Completing postgraduate study shows great dedication and commitment to your career, whether you take a taught or a research course. Research degrees such as a PhD require independent study and extensive research and employers will admire this ability to work autonomously towards a goal. Taught courses such as a master’s degree prove your capability to absorb new ideas and skills at a significant level. Employers will value the in-depth knowledge and experience you will have undoubtedly gained through your postgrad study. This admiration can lead to you being entrusted with greater responsibilities than you would have received if you had applied as an undergraduate. Furthermore, starting salaries may be similar, but over your career you will likely earn more than an undergraduate.
Perhaps you completed your undergraduate degree some time ago and now you have found yourself in a career that just doesn’t feel right. Now you’ve realised what career you truly want, you can start researching your postgraduate study options. For example, a master’s degree can often work as a conversion course if you want to enter a different sector. So even if you want to pursue a career in a different industry, postgrad study can make this dream a reality. Furthermore, you can even complete a course part-time so you can fit your study around your current job. Therefore postgraduate study can help you to pursue your dream career even if you have already left university and/or are currently in employment. However, you must be prepared to prove your passion for this career change in order to be accepted onto a course.
You may not be entirely sure what career you want to pursue, but was there a particular subject you enjoyed/excelled at? If so, this could be the opportunity to explore this passion and the opportunities it offers. Talk to your tutor or relevant members of staff for more information about possible master’s degrees in the subject you’re interested in. Remember, just because the university you attend now may not offer the right course, another one might - so make sure you do your research! It’s inevitable that your career prospects will soar if you’re pursuing a field that you have a real passion for, as you will end up doing something you love.
As long as you take the time to research exactly how and if a postgraduate course could benefit you, postgrad study can give you the opportunity to boost your career prospects. The efforts you will have taken to enhance your career by completing further study will be admired by employers, thus helping you considerably in the tough job market.
CV Formats:
Which one should you use? Many jobseekers strive to create the perfect CV for their job hunt and the key is to use the best format. But the reality is that the right format very much depends on the job you’re applying for and your experience. This is why it’s best to explore your options and create several versions of your CV, to ensure you are giving your application the best chance of being successful. Take into account your current situation: are you a student/graduate with little experience? Are you undergoing a career change? Try out the following examples and see which format suits your skills the best.
Performance CV
Graduate/Student CV
If you’ve already created a CV then, whether you did so consciously or not, this is likely to be its format as it’s the most popular structure. The opening ‘Achievements’ section grabs the employer’s attention straight away by dazzling them with your many accomplishments which set you apart from other candidates. What follows is your work history in a reverse chronological order: this emphasises your previous job titles and gives you the opportunity to detail your responsibilities beneath each role. A performance CV format is best suited to those who are continuing along the same career path as it emphasises your career development. However, if you’ve worked in a variety of jobs, have gaps in your employment history or you’re looking to change careers, then this format will not suit your application. Here’s an example from the National Careers Service.
If you’ve just finished or are currently in full-time education then it can be difficult to know how to create your CV due to a lack of experience. If you’re a graduate who has spent many years achieving your degree then obviously this achievement needs to be mentioned. However, you cannot rely simply on this qualification to persuade the employer to hire you. For example, if you’ve completed any work experience, voluntary work or extra responsibilities whilst at college or university (e.g. SU representative), then these must be highlighted. If you haven’t completed any, then think about the skills you have already developed during your course: research, communication, time management, IT skills, etc. Here is the National Careers Service’s example.
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Functional CV
Alternative CV
If you are looking to change careers, particularly if you’re planning on switching sectors, you will need a CV that highlights your transferable skills and experience. The aim of this CV will be to convince the employer that not only are you serious and passionate about this career move, but that you would excel in the role they’re offering. It involves creating three to six sub-headings or ‘functional headings’ which promote your skills and achievements. Beneath these headings you are able to describe in more detail how your skills and experience is relevant to the job on offer. If you’ve completed any work experience (paid or unpaid) or extra responsibilities, then be sure to include this. Aside from those of you who want to change careers, this CV format is also suitable for those of you who have gaps in your work history or have worked in a number of different jobs. However, it’s important to be aware that this is not a common format therefore employers may not necessarily be familiar with it. Furthermore, the fact it enables you to cover up gaps in your employment history may cause the employer to be cautious as it makes it more difficult for them to discover where you have previously worked. Therefore take care when using this format, try not to omit important details and be prepared to address any gaps if you receive an interview. Here’s an example from the National Careers Service.
For those of you with creative flair, you could try your hand at creating a CV with a difference. Particularly if you’re applying for a creative job this can be the perfect opportunity for you to lay your skills right before the eyes of the employer, whilst at the same time ensuring your CV stands out. No one can tell you how to structure an alternative CV as the idea is that you can decide on an original design. Just make sure that all the important information you would typically include in your CV is included. Think carefully about whether or not to use this format as preferably you want to have an idea of how the employer would react to it. If you’re applying for a managerial role or one in an industry irrelevant to creative/artistic skills, then it’s best to avoid this method. Here are some of our favourite examples of alternative CVs to inspire you. So when it comes to creating your CV don’t just choose the easiest or most popular format, do some research and discover which one will suit your career aims the best. Create multiple versions to give yourself a clear idea of the pros and cons of each format. Remember that your CV should emphasise the information that is going to persuade the employer that you are the right candidate for the job. By taking the time to choose the right format you could ensure your CV captures the eye of employers, thus increases your chance of success.
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Signs
U O Y T A TH
D E E N hange t o cu r J o b Yo
Underperforming
You’re strangely quiet
You could do much better at your job and you probably know it. But there’s just no motivation to improve. You might fulfil the daily tasks of the job, just about anyway, but you rarely go beyond the port of call. Whether that’s because you’re bored, overqualified or just not enjoying yourself, this is a clear sign that you’re unhappy in your job.
Outside of work you’re happy, confident and outgoing. But as soon as you set foot inside your workplace you’re reserved, withdrawn and go into your shell. If you don’t feel confident being yourself at work then it suggests you don’t work well with your colleagues and that you’re not exactly thriving in your work environment.
Mornings are a battle It cannot be a good sign if you often feel pinned down by your mattress and unable to move with a crippling bout of work phobia. Whilst you’re part of an elite if you bound gracefully out of bed on every miserable Monday morning, if you enjoyed your job a little more, then the increasingly aggressive scuffle with your bed probably wouldn’t be a daily occurrence.
On your marks…
The Window
As your co-workers dutifully stay behind to finish off some extra work, you’ve taken up the position of an Olympic sprinter right by the exit to the office. As 5 o’clock ticks by, the gun in your head goes off and you disappear out the door - a tiny hint that you might not like your job that much.
Making the most of the glorious view of another nondescript office block and reminiscing about the day you could see a window cleaner, suggests you have little interest in what you should actually be doing at work: work. Busy, happy workers don’t have time to look out of the window!
Lengthy toilet visits It’s 10:21am and you’ve just been to the toilet for the third time. You didn’t even need the toilet on any of those occasions. All you do is walk around aimlessly and check your messages from a year ago. If that’s not a sign that you’re not entirely happy at work, then what is?
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The Clock As much as you convince yourself that the last rotation of the clock was slower than the one before, it definitely wasn’t. And why are you looking so closely at it, anyway? It’s not going to make it go any quicker, we can promise you that.
Rewarding Careers:
Speech & Language
Therapist Your skills as a speech and language therapist could greatly improve the quality of your clients’ lives as you help them to overcome their difficulties surrounding communication and/or basic skills such as eating. The motivation and understanding you provide for them will enable you to witness great improvements in your clients, guaranteeing a rewarding career.
Day-to-Day
Skills Required
Tasks include getting to know clients, monitoring them and conducting tests to evaluate the difficulties they face. Once assessments are completed, individual programmes can be developed to aid with progression, combating the challenges clients face. Continual support and guidance is given throughout the completion of programmes, particularly if changes need to be made to react to any issues that may arise. The role requires frequently working as a team as communication with teachers and doctors is needed in order to provide the best care for the clients. Offering guidance to parents, guardians and carers on how to provide speech and language therapy at home is also necessary.
Exceptional communication and listening skills are central to this role as you’re responsible for improving those of others. It’s important to be able to encourage and motivate your clients through treatment and this will demand creativity when providing therapy for children. Patience is an important quality as clients may become frustrated during their programme and require some encouragement to continue with the therapy.
What Makes It So Rewarding? An illness, learning difficulty or injury could be responsible for making your client’s life difficult to manage, therefore your help and support will be greatly welcomed. Marnie, a Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, told Bradford CareTrust in an interview: ‘Even though you might not be able to make that longterm issue go away…by doing some of that intervention… you can actually make them happier people and I think that’s a really fantastic thing to be able to do for somebody’.
Salary and Entry Requirements Salaries are calculated via the Agenda for Change system in the NHS. Those starting a career as a speech and language therapist will be in band five where salaries range from £21,388-£27,901 a year. Once you qualify as a specialist, you will enter band six where the salaries increase to £25,783-£34,530, rising again to £40,558 a year in band seven for an advanced therapist. You will need to achieve a degree in speech and language therapy or human communication to pursue this career. If possible, gain some work experience where you shadow a SLT or complete some form of experience in the field as this would greatly benefit your CV.
Useful Links: www.nhscareers.nhs.uk www.indeed.co.uk www.rcslt.org
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become a TACT Foster Carer W
hen people are thinking of changing careers, there is a good chance they might not have thought of becoming a foster carer. We believe they might be missing the chance of a lifetime. At TACT, the UK’s largest charity provider of fostering and adoption services, we see our foster carers as an integral part of our professional team. As a TACT carer you will be responsible for giving children in care a loving and secure home and family. In return, you’ll receive a generous salary along with payment to cover expenses. You’ll also receive holiday and festival allowances. Becoming a foster carer can be a life-changing decision: it’s certainly not an easy one. Our foster carers consistently tell us that their job challenges them every day, but that it is also the best and most rewarding thing they have ever done. Our foster carers are also ambassadors for the organisation, with 96% saying they would recommend becoming a TACT carer to friends and families. There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ foster carer. Whether you’re single or a couple; whether you have your own children or not; whatever your ethnicity, sexuality or gender, fostering could be for you. We have carers in
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their twenties and carers in their sixties. As long as you’ve got a spare room, some experience with children, as well as the time and energy to devote to a child, you could be who we’re looking for. We know that for a child in care to succeed, it is essential that their foster carers are given all the help and support they need. Before you start, you will be given extensive training covering all aspects of being a carer. You’ll have a TACT social worker who will visit you regularly and you will be able to contact us 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for help and support. We have offices across England, Wales and Scotland so you’ll have a personal relationship with your local office, with support tailored to your needs. As a TACT foster carer you can experience many opportunities for career development. Some of our foster carers receive training to become specialist carers. For example, you can become a remand carer, who provides a home for young people who are, or are in danger of, becoming involved with the criminal justice system. Child and parent carers offer placements to a young parent and their child. Meanwhile, some of our carers specialise in offering homes to children with disabilities.
“
You can also vary the length of care you offer. Some of our carers prefer to specialise in short-term emergency placements, usually for when a child has had to be taken into care for their safety and a long-term placement is being sought. Many carers like to look after children for as long as possible, to help give them the best start in life. In England, when young people leave care at 18, carers can become ‘Staying Put’ carers, allowing the young person to stay with them until they turn 21. Similar schemes are coming into operation in Scotland and Wales. At TACT you’ll also have plenty of opportunity to get involved in our work. You might want to join a carer support group, or become a foster carer representative for your local area. We put on events and activities for our carers and young people, so there are plenty of opportunities to get to meet and share experiences with other carers.
“
If you become a specialist carer, you will receive additional payment to reflect this.
We have fostered with TACT for over 12 years now and, through thick and thin, they have People become foster carers for all listened to us and sorts of reasons. Some carers come to supported us because their own children have left us home. We also have carers who started
with us after becoming redundant in a previous career, while others have left their old job to find something more fulfilling. Many carer families are even able to mix foster care and other employment. Whatever the reason, as a TACT carer you will have the opportunity to provide a new loving family for a young person in care. TACT foster carers may come to us for many reasons, but they stay with us because we help them do the most rewarding job in the world. While we welcome all enquiries, we are particularly interested in hearing from people who might be able to offer a home to a teenager or to siblings, or who have worked with children previously. If you have a spare bedroom and think you might be able to transform the lives of these, or other young people, we cannot wait to hear from you!
For more information, call 0808 2719421 or email foster@tactcare.org.uk. Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk
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HOW TO GET INTO... The police force is a popular career destination for graduates and school-leavers alike. In terms of formal qualifications, there are no concrete requirements. There is also a range of different roles you can go into. If you’re interested in finding out if you could take on a role within the police, discover your options below.
Main roles within the police force:
you may be out and about on the beat, or at a desk...no two days will be the same
Police Community Support Officers A section of officers whose role is to build bridges with the public. Their street presence is intended to help deter crime and have a positive effect within the community. To apply for these roles you must be over 18. It can be a good way of getting a more senior/officer position in the future.
General factors that may affect your eligibility for the police force include not being a British or EU citizen or not having the right to work in the UK. As you might have guessed, having a criminal record can make you ineligible. Superficial factors are also more important in the police, including tattoos and piercings, which need to be covered up or removed.
Police Officers For this role, there can be some academic requirements, these are usually A-levels or a Level 3 NVQ qualification. This is because the role involves some admin and written work.
There is also a variety of office or station-based positions that support the officer and constable roles. The hiring process for an officer role or similar begins with online eligibility screening and questionnaires. If these are passed, the next stage involves an assessment centre visit. Successful candidates will then be invited to attend a second interview. There is also a vetting and background check procedure to ensure you would be a good fit for the force.
Special Constables Special constables work on a voluntary basis, often doing a minimum amount of hours per month. Contrary to common belief, they do have the same powers as regular police officers. Voluntary roles are also a good way of getting into the force in order to move into a full-time position. Although eligibility and competency checks are centralised, each police force operates its recruitment on a local level. This means that specific entry requirements will differ depending on which force you are applying to.
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Why The Police? Salary: Starting salaries can begin at ÂŁ22K for a role in the Metropolitan Police. Salaries outside the capital may be lower, but still above average, especially for a graduate or school-leaver. There is also a final salary pension on offer, which provides a good amount in proportion of what you have earned with them over the years.
the police Diverse: Yes, there is paperwork and admin associated with police work. However, not all of the work is office-based. This kind of working pattern is attractive to many – you may be out on the beat, attending emergency call outs or at a desk – either way, no two days will be the same.
Rewarding: Working with the police will allow you to benefit the community, engaging with the public and safeguarding fellow civilians. You will be carrying out essential work that has a directly positive impact on others, which makes job satisfaction levels high.
Transferable Skills
Responsiblity:
Communication:
A role in the police isn’t for you if you shy away from responsibility. If you are a sensible person who people trust, you could put this to good use. You need to be able to lead by example, and it will help if you have been in roles of responsibility before. This could be from volunteer work, such as helping to run youth clubs or sports teams. These will also look great on your application!
This is a job with lots of challenges and being a good communicator is key. You may have to deal with people who have been distressed or traumatised, people who are inebriated or perhaps unable to speak English. You need to be able to give clear instructions to civilians and colleagues in a variety of situations.
Literacy Skills: Accuracy and solid literacy skills are needed for lots of police duties, including recording details of events and taking statements. Being able to handle reports and paperwork effectively helps officers to get through their workload more efficiently and with ease.
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INSIDE THE HIRING PROCESS AT…
the BBC
As the largest broadcaster in the world in terms of employees, applying for a job at the BBC will see you facing extremely tough competition. The launch of its Careers Hub last year has made their application process much smoother as jobseekers can create a profile and target relevant jobs. This guide will help you to survive the process for graduate roles (click here for non-graduate roles) so you can work for one of the country’s top employers.
• Business and Support • Commercial Ventures • Content Making • Journalism • New Media and Technology Each division has a variety of roles you can apply for, from audience researcher to assistant producer. Click here to search for roles. The application form is accompanied by two competencybased questions about the role. A maximum word count of 800 applies to both and your answers will need to stand out amongst thousands of applications. Save your assessors time by keeping your answers succinct. Your personality needs to shine through because of the increasing importance of cultural fit. Successful applicants will receive an invitational email to complete the BBC’s psychometric test. A variety of tests are used to examine your ability to handle the job on offer as well as your cultural fit.
• Abstract Reasoning Test You’re asked to select the correct pattern that either follows on from or is missing from a sequence. These test your ability to interpret and recognise how a variety
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of ideas relate to one another without prior knowledge of the subject.
• Numerical Test
“
you face extremely tough competition but incredibly rewarding results if successful
These involve a variety of multiple-choice questions which must be answered quickly: usually twenty questions in twenty minutes. You will face a range of numerical data, including ratios, graphs and statistical tables.
“
There are five different divisions you can work in:
• Personality Questionnaire You must either agree or disagree with a number of statements. Your mindset is assessed in order to establish the likelihood of your success in the job on offer.
• Situational Judgement Test You’re presented with a hypothetical scenario that will be specific to the role you’re applying for and judged on how you react to this to uncover your intellectual abilities and personality. For instance you’ll have to confirm what action you would be most and least likely to take.
• Verbal Reasoning Test Twenty questions which get progressively harder have to be answered in a short space of time. It involves reading
a passage and answering a question which is relevant to the text. Finally, you’ll face the assessment centre where your interview will be conducted and you’ll complete a group exercise, presentation and perhaps some further psychometric testing. The interview is competency-based, typically lasting 45 minutes and carried out by two senior HR staff at the BBC. Throughout the day you must present the BBC’s core competencies: • accuracy and attention to detail • analytical skills • excellent written and verbal communication skills • flexibility • resilience The group exercise: You’ll be given one hour and thirty minutes to solve a problem and present an answer in a team with ten other candidates. Four assessors will judge you whilst you work, concentrating on how you present yourself within the team and whether this conforms with how you’ve expressed yourself on paper and in the interview. The presentation: Now you’re judged as an individual. The task will depend on the role applied for and you need to prove you can handle it by showing your interviewers how you would help them to solve a problem. The psychometric test: This will be considerably harder and on paper rather than online. Your answers will be compared with your online results, so practice both versions to ensure your success. Check out Glassdoor for responses from real candidates applying for jobs at the BBC.
Examples of BBC Interview Questions: • Why do you want to work for the BBC? • What are your strengths and weaknesses? • What do you consider your greatest achievement and why? • Where do you see yourself in five years? • Tell me about a time when you’ve worked in a high stress situation.
Five Facts About the BBC 1. The British monarch appoints the members of the BBC Trust, an independent 12-member panel, governed by a chairman, that oversees day-to-day operations.
2. After just becoming the first broadcaster in the world
to provide a regular TV service in 1936, all programmes on the BBC grinded to a halt at the outbreak of war in 1939.
3. BBC radio launched the first radio programme dedicated to women in 1946.
4. The London Olympic Games 1948 were the first ever to be televised by the BBC despite only 100,000 homes having a TV set and the screens only being 25 by 20 centimetres.
5. They provided us with the first ever live coronation
with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II being televised in 1953, attracting more than 20 million people across Europe.
Image courtesy of the BBC
coo les t wor kpl ace s British Beaches
Saunton sands newquay
porthcurn
When it comes to the daily grind, many would relish the idea of gazing out onto the open sea rather than sitting opposite the office clown. Well, beach bums and surfer dudes up and down the country do get to spend their days attending to the Great British seaside. lifeguards, ice cream vendors, fish and chip shop owners, arcade staff and many others are fortunate enough to have the seaside as their place of work. Some of this lucky bunch get to work at Porthcurno Beach in Cornwall – voted one of Britain’s best beaches. The rocky cliffs and secluded coves make you question whether this could possibly be in England. We also quite fancy working at Watergate Bay in Newquay, where surfboard wax and wetsuits fly off the shelves, especially when the weather heats up in the summer. Then there’s Saunton Sands, where you will not question where the name originates - sand is in abundance! This popular holiday spot would make a nice backdrop for hospitality staff, running the quaint B&Bs that line the seafront.
o
Porthcurno
Saunton Sands
n a c ow
H
IT Skills
BOOST YOUR
PRODUCTIVITY? Getting down with technology is an essential part of the modern-day workplace. You don’t necessarily have to have the same skill set as Bill Gates, but basic IT skills are pretty important. So where to start? Whether you fancy yourself as a bit of a boffin or a complete technophobe, we’ve done some research into what the most important work-based IT skills are, and how you can make sure yours are up to scratch.
Data
Software
Dealing with data and keeping records comes into almost any job, even the ones where you’d think paperwork would be avoided. As with everything these days, technology is the new way of managing this. In order to be a conscientious worker, it’s essential that you can handle records, data and your workload with care. Being familiar with how to use databases, spreadsheets or any program favoured by your workplace, will help you to keep track of things.
Most companies have specific software set up for their operations that you will probably be unfamiliar with. While there isn’t a lot you can do about this until you arrive at the company, a good grasp of IT will help you to pick this up in double the time. A good start is to be familiar with Microsoft Office products. Chances are you learned these in school, but don’t just assume that your knowledge of these will stay as it always has been. Without regular use, it’s easy to forget how to use certain features within these programs. While your colleagues will be happy to help you, it saves you and them buckets of time if you can just crack on by yourself.
Another basic workplace IT skill is file management. Keeping your own and shared files in an organised structure enables everybody to find documents with ease, saving time and avoiding any unnecessary hassle. Getting into the habit of keeping your personal files superorganised will help it to become second nature.
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Tip: Microsoft offer free online tutorials on most of their products which cover basic features. For more in-depth tuition, consider lynda.com where you can watch live tutorials by an expert, however you do have to pay a subscription fee.
The Internet A great way to boost productivity is to be able to cut a few corners when using the web. The internet is a brilliant thing, full to the brim of information, but at times finding what you’re after is stalled by a lot of irrelevant pages and search results. There are plenty of features to help navigate the web a lot more efficiently which you may not know about or use. For example,
Know Your Rights:
email and internet
preceding your Google search with ‘Site:’ followed by a particular website, searches within that site specifically. For an overview of Google’s useful features, click here. Moreover, Google Scholar is an entire resource that sources academic journals and papers that are relevant to your search.
Data monitoring, web usage and cyber slacking are all fairly recent issues to the workplace. The modern employer understands that sitting at a desk staring
monitoring
at a screen doesn’t necessarily mean their team is
The Law:
Advice:
Data protection laws do not prevent the monitoring of emails, calls or web usage at work. They do, however, restrict it to some extent. For example, you can only be monitored if: • The reasons behind it relate to the business. • The equipment being monitored is used for work purposes. • You have been informed that monitoring is carried out in your place of work.
Within these checks, employers can check for unauthorised use of the internet and email communications – i.e. for personal use. Be aware that you can be reprimanded for personal use of the web at work. When it comes to monitoring, it’s a good idea to clarify why the monitoring takes place. This will help you to identify the parameters of what is acceptable and what isn’t. If you’re unsure about whether you’ve been informed about monitoring, it may have been outlined in your job contract so have a look back through it.
hard at work. So where do the parameters lie with being monitored in the workplace?
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A Guide to Online Networking By establishing an online network you can enhance your career as the connections you make can provide you with industry advice, introductions to relevant contacts and/or an insight into an industry or company you’re interested in. This guide will provide you with the necessary steps to master online networking so you can boost your career prospects.
Have a Target in Mind Before you dive in head first, take a moment to really think about what you want to achieve through online networking. Do you simply want to make contacts in your industry? Are you seeking a new position in the same or a different sector? You need a clear idea of what your end goal is and how you’re going to use online networking to achieve this. Otherwise you may get overwhelmed and find that you have lost sight of how this is going to develop your career. Think about the sort of people you need to target as well as particular industries and companies. Your network will only benefit your career if you connect with the right people, otherwise they will not be able to provide you with the relevant advice and contacts you need to really progress. LinkedIn is a great online networking tool as it allows you to follow companies and interact with its employees. As well as capturing the attention of significant people by contributing to discussions and debates in Group and Company pages, you can stay updated with the company’s latest news. Facebook and Twitter also have company profiles where the latest job vacancies are often announced, therefore it’s worth following the companies you’re interested in working for.
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Establish and Nurture Relationships
Build Your Personal Brand Another step you should take before you establish your network is to make sure your personal brand is sending out the right message. Are all of your social media profiles up to date, professional and set to the correct privacy settings? You don’t want to spend time and effort reaching out to significant contacts only to put them off with unprofessional photos or statuses. Once your social media profiles are covered, turn your attention to creating a blog. This is a great way to get your voice heard and establish yourself as an expert in your industry, as well as attract followers who may be able to support you and connect you with important people. As long as you keep your content relevant and concise, your blog will be able to boost your chances of networking with people in your industry. Another way to build your personal brand is to create your own website where you can include a bio, display your work and your blog. Make sure all of your social media profiles promote your website and encourage people to read, share and respond to your content in order to get your name out there. Keep an eye on the people who are interacting with your content and assess whether they would be good contacts to reach out to.
You shouldn’t be too forceful when it comes to setting up a relationship. For it to be successful you need to have just as much to offer someone in return. When using LinkedIn, don’t just join groups to demand help from other members. Instead, take time to contribute to the group to show your interest and display your skills. It’s also important to ‘like’ and comment on discussions started by other members, to establish yourself as a significant member who’s worth connecting with. The same actions can be taken on Twitter and Facebook by retweeting, ‘liking’ and commenting on relevant posts to get your name out there and attract those you’re trying to impress. The next step is to reach out to people who have stood out to you or perhaps are interacting with your contributions already. Be clear about what you’re asking for (a contact, an introduction, an interview, etc.) and don’t forget to give them a way out in case they’re uncomfortable with your request. Once you’ve established your relationship with somebody online, try to develop it into an offline relationship as soon as possible. Suggest meeting up for a coffee or lunch so you can discover exactly how you can help one another and get to know each other better. If you make an effort to stay in touch with everyone you connect with, even if it’s just an email to check whether they need anything/how they are, you will develop your network to the best of its potential.
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4Lunch Steps to a Healthier
Lunch. Our favourite meal of the day - keeping you chugging through the rest of your working hours. Regardless of your job, the importance of getting the right goods down you in your midday break cannot be emphasised enough. Letting hunger get the better of you can lead to feeling irritable, and it lowers blood sugar levels – having a negative effect on cognitive brain function. So how can you make sure you’re eating the right things?
Plant-Based Foods Dr Colin Campbell, a nutritional scientist at Cornell University in the U.S, is just one advocate of the effects of plantbased foods. After carrying out revolutionary studies on the effects of food as medicine, it was discovered that a plant-based diet could reverse and sometimes eradicate several diseases. Whilst we are not suggesting you switch to veganism immediately, it has been established for a while now that plant-based foods are high in antioxidants, therefore adding more into your lunch can have great long-term health benefits. This, coupled with the government’s new guidelines of seven portions of fruit and veg a day (up from five), means that the effects cannot be disagreed with. Eating at least seven portions of fruit and veg decreases the risk of cancer by 25% - an impressive amount.
Tip: Plant-based foods also include things like nuts, which are a great source of protein and energy. Swap a bag of crisps for a few handfuls of nuts – preferably unsalted.
So Long, Sugar
Little and Often Research surrounding this topic can be conflicting. Are small portions really better for us, or do they have little impact on our metabolism? It is widely agreed that our bodies are naturally built to expect food in smaller portions more frequently. This means that three meals per day that fill you to the brim are a bad idea. Eating a smaller portion at lunch can be wise for many reasons. Eating over 800 calories at midday can start to make you feel sluggish – which isn’t something most people want to experience when you have another four or five hour’s work ahead of you. Aiming for about 600 calories is a good way to manage your portions for a midday meal. It also means you can feel less guilty when snacking after lunch because it’s food your body needs.
Tip: Foods high in protein, such as fish and eggs, give you more energy and are also low in fat. Make sure your lunch contains at least one protein source a day.
Fresh Not Processed A processed food is anything that’s altered from its natural state. It also includes anything that wasn’t a natural food in the first place. The problem with these is our body just isn’t built to digest them. Unlike fresh or natural products they don’t contain enzymes, which gives the body a tough time breaking them down. The results of this will leave you with less energy. Foods rich in enzymes include fruit, vegetables and meat – all fresh of course. Avoid anything with large amounts of chemicals listed on the packet. If you’ve no idea what it is – don’t ingest it!
This may come as a shock, but sugar is bad for you and in more ways than you think! When you eat sugary foods, the sugar (glucose) gets absorbed into your blood stream through your gut. This causes a release of insulin that gets to work carrying this glucose to your muscles ready to be used, giving you energy (what can be known as a sugar rush.) The problem with this is, the bigger your sugar rush, the more your energy levels deplete if your sugar levels aren’t kept up – making you crave even more sugar. That can of pop at lunchtime might make you feel better for a short while, but you are setting yourself up to feel rubbish later on. Avoid eating more than 90g of sugar per day, and try to avoid eating it all at once. Pacing your sugar intake throughout the day helps maintain energy levels.
of what is contained most in the product. If key ingredients are far down on the list, this is a quick way of telling lots of additives have been included.
Tip: Fruit smoothies appear to be healthy but are
As with any major life change, talk to your doctor
packed full of fruit in excessive amounts, which means you are overeating and taking in excessive sugar. For a truly healthy drink with your lunch, stick to water.
if you are considering vast changes to your diet.
Tip: Food labels always put ingredients in order
However, a few small adjustments to your weekday routine can have great health benefits, as well as leaving you feeling fit, fresh and raring to go.
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LUNCH IN
STYLE Spruce up your midday meal with a wacky lunchbox
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1 - red apple lunchbox, koziol-shop.uk, £6 / 2 - bicycle rider’s luncheon, dotcomgiftshop, £4.95 / 3 - salad, nuts and fruit lunchbox, Hunkydory Home, £7.95 / 4 - lego lunch box, ellie ellie, £14 / 5 - Vintage Ivy Lunch Bag, dotcomgiftshop, £3.95 / 6 - Human Organ Lunch Bag, the gift oasis, £9.99 / 7 - Pomme Green Yumbox, Yumbox UK, £24.95
How To: Get a
Pay Rise Research Knowing what your role is worth is your initial port of call. Before you quiz any of your colleagues on what they earn and get into trouble – take a more tactful approach. Reed.co.uk’s salary calculator is a great way of finding the average salary of your role. Also, have a look on some online job boards. Search for roles similar to yours and have a look at the salary ranges on offer. Make sure you look at roles that ask for the same level of experience or qualifications that you hold, and in a similar geographical region (if you work in a rural area, you shouldn’t expect a city slicker salary, for example).
Prepare Come readily equipped with examples of times when you’ve benefitted the company – especially financially. Bringing in more revenue is the best argument for a pay increase. If you have taken on additional responsibility in the form of leading a team, training other staff or similar, these are all actions that usually come with an increase in pay. Be prepared to evidence this.
Ask If you’re sitting and waiting for a pay rise to happen, be prepared to wait for a long time. Sometimes, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. You cannot necessarily rule out the
possibility that your salary is an issue your employers have put on the back burner, rather than ignored. Sometimes a bit of nudging can bring it to the forefront of their minds and help them to re-assess.
Negotiate Using your research and evidence of your achievements puts you in good stead to negotiate a figure rather than going blindly into a discussion. If you could be earning more elsewhere, this is information your employer should be made aware of, else they may experience problems retaining staff. Remember to be open to negotiation as it will encourage your employer to do the same. If there are limitations in terms of salary, you can bring other factors into the negotiation such as extra annual leave, a change in working hours, etc.
Set Targets Your employer may not simply be able to increase your pay at the moment. This doesn’t mean, however, that you cannot plan for one in the future. Sit down with your employer and discuss how you can strive for one. For example, if you can hit certain targets or achieve tasks in say six months, your pay can increase by a percentage. Devising a plan this way can give you great motivation to become even better at your job.
“If your dreams don’t scare you
They’re not big enough”
ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF
Enhance Your Career
Become a
Team Leader If you’re too comfortable in your job and you need a challenge, then taking on more responsibility could be the right move for you. Haven’t been given a promotion yet? Well the good news is you don’t need a fancy job title to become a leader. A true leader is someone who inspires others to support them in their new ideas through loyalty, and are then often recognised by employers and handpicked for promotion opportunities.
Ooze Confidence If you appear confident, people will assume you know what you’re doing therefore they’re far more likely to trust what you’re doing. This is how you will gain the responsibilities and respect that comes with being a leader. You cannot expect to lead others if you don’t encourage them to believe in your ability to get the job done.
Become an Expert There are always going to be things you don’t know, but simply accepting you don’t know and doing nothing to rectify this will not help you to become a leader. If you repeatedly don’t have the answer then your colleagues will soon lose faith in your abilities, no matter how confident you appear. Make it your job to discover the solution. If you do this every time an issue crops up, you can develop your knowledge enough to be considered an expert in your field.
Be Decisive Do you always end up taking control and making a collective decision when you’re with friends? Then you’re a leader! Transfer this to your workplace by identifying and taking control of situations to reach a solution. This
will involve taking risks and not being afraid to take on tasks that everyone else avoids. You will also need to handle the consequences when things don’t go to plan. Being a leader is not about being a dictator, you also need to know when to take a step back and listen to the ideas and feedback of others. This doesn’t mean accepting all of their ideas over your own, but discussing them to reach the best solution. If you refuse to acknowledge their value to the company, you will soon lose your position as a leader: title or no title.
Top Qualities: Excellent communication skills: You need to inspire people to follow you by enabling them to see your vision for the company or task in hand. Eagerness to help others: For a team to be successful, all members need support from a leader to achieve their goals. Take a leaf out of your own book: There’s no use trying to lead others by insisting your team behave in a particular way and then not following your own advice. This will quickly lose any respect and credibility you have worked towards.
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ou Our fav
tweets of the month
bigmouthedwoman @bigmouthedwoman
Postal van now abandoned outside my house. Is this how people become postmen? Am I a postman now?
Bella Thorne @Bellathorne
“Be strong” I whispered to my wifi signal
Daily Inpiration @AdmireMyInspire
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely
Stephen Fry @stephenfry
Nothing in this world is at it seems. Except, possibly, porridge. John @sarcasticapple
A study says that teens are more stressed than adults. Relax, kids, it’s not important unless it affects the ENTIRE REST OF YOUR LIFE!
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Money maker be quids-in while looking for work.
sell your items Got stacks of shiny DVDs you never watch? Clothes with the price label still on? If you’re a little strapped for cash, there can be a few bob hiding in your cupboards in the form of stuff you’ve already bought. So how can you transform these bits back into cash? Car boot sales are a great way of getting some cash in. You can sell a range of different items on one stall and you’re guaranteed people traffic thanks to droves of bargain hunters especially if it’s a sunny day. You might even pick up a bargain or two yourself whilst there! Wait, no, that’s a bad idea. If you’ve got a track record for being a bit of a clothes horse, or your wardrobe contains items that are no longer a la mode, ASOS Marketplace is a great place to sell stuff that’s in good condition, but perhaps not to your taste anymore. If you’re a keen gamer, you may have stacks of games you’ve completed that cost you nearly £40 a pop. It’s worth being aware that most major retailers, including supermarkets such as ASDA, offer store credit in return for used games. The newer the game, the more you’ll get for it, but some you can trade in for around £20, which you can then use to buy your groceries. Winner! And then there’s eBay, where you can get money for old rope. We’re not even joking.
£
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• Knowing Your Worth: Salary • A Day in the Life of a Sports Lawyer • Graduation Checklist
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