Career Savvy Issue Three

Issue 3 - December 2013

ROSETTA STONE COMPETITION!

Moving to

SURVIVE THE OFFICE XMAS PARTY Dos, Don’ts and Reader Stories

Berlin

working from home DODGE DISTRACTIONS AT WORK KICKSTART YOUR OWN BUSINESS

JOB SEEKING A DVIC E | NE WS | E NHA NC E YOUR CA REER www.careersavvy.co.uk Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

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Win a FREE six month language course of YOUR CHOICE worth ÂŁ150!

Rosetta Stone have teamed up with Career Savvy magazine to offer a free online language course, normally worth ÂŁ150.

HOW TO ENTER: 1. Email competition@careersavvy.co.uk with your FULL NAME and your LANGUAGE OF CHOICE. CHOOSE FROM: Arabic, Greek, Polish, Chinese (Mandarin), Hebrew, Portuguese (Brazil), Dutch, Hindi, Russian, English (American), English (British), Irish, Spanish (Latin America), Italian, Spanish (Spain), Filipino (Tagalog), Japanese, Swedish, French, Korean, Turkish, German, Persian (Farsi),Vietnamese.

Try a 30 day demo here.

2. Register for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk to receive the magazine.

We will randomly select a winner on Monday 16th December.

Entrants must be able to provide a valid email address. Entries made after midnight on 15th December will not be entered into the draw. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the winner. If the winner cannot be contacted, or is unable to comply with these terms and conditions, Career Savvy reserves the right to offer the prize to the next eligible entrant drawn at random. All entrants must use the same name and email address that they have used to register with at www.careersavvy.co.uk. Entries that are not registered with Career Savvy will not be counted. Competitions may be modified or withdrawn at any time.

welcome back Ho Ho Ho-ly cr*p it’s that time of year already. The Career Savvy office has been a hive of activity this month: getting our Christmas edition ready, lining up some excellent reader competitions, working with our boffins to produce a bunch of coffeeenhancing mugs (they’re going free to one new ‘liker’ per week on our Facebook page) and preparing to show you just how to make the most of the festive season and line yourself up for some excellent new year career steps.

Yule be glad to know that our third issue is full of more insights to the world of work, this month showing you a day in the life of a young lady with a very enviable job, a guide to moving to one of my favourite European cities, Berlin, a rundown of Kickstarter for the more entrepreneurial of our readers, how to polish your presentation skills, and our view of what the new year job market will bring. Our top motivational tip of the month and our guide to turning negative feedback into a positive outcome are bound to keep you smiling even after the mulled wine and Christmas parties eventually taper off.

Regular features

28-29 coolest offices

Stunning views and landscapes surround Nicolas Tye Architects in Bedforshire.

4 interview blunder

One reader’s mortifyingly awkward job interview.

32 know your rights

What you should know before handing in your notice.

5 success story

A touching tale of a foster carer’s journey.

33 rewarding careers

Life as an outreach worker.

6-7 world’s most interesting jobs The ups and downs of a job as a Rollercoaster Designer.

40 enhance your career

Be pitch perfect with ace presentation skills.

14-15 a day in the life of...

Buyer for Bid Shopping TV, TingTing Lee.

41 how to...

Impress your boss. Promotion for one, please.

22-23 getting into...

Fitness and training. Feel the burn!

42 moneymaker & Thrifty Travel

Take advantage of lift sharing, while making money from your front room.

news 8 Industry update

26-27 5 things you should know about psychometric testing

9 new year job opportunities

30-31 kickstart your own business

Get your head around the increasingly popular tests employers are using.

Hot off the press: tips for a career in publishing.

Meet the entrepreneurs using crowdsourced funding to create their dream job.

Prepare for the New Year job boom.

10 month-in-hand wages

Get clued up about how your pay cheque could be affected.

32 dodging distractions at work Less Facebook and more focus.

features 16-17 resenting rejections?

34-35 surviving the office christmas party

18-19 Jobs from the movies

36-39 working from home

20 working for deloitte

lifestyle

Top tips to avoid making a donkey out of yourself at the Christmas Do.

Turn that feedback around and nail your next interview.

The less glamorous roles from the silver screen.

Rob Fryer, Head of Student Recruitment, fills us in on their latest opportunities.

Turn your place into a pad of productivity.

11 Healthy Heart = healthy career How looking after your body can boost your career prospects.

21 switch it up

Taking a different career path to your degree subject.

24-25 behind the interview process at e ngage s ciences

12-13 moving to the city

Get festive with a move to the home of the Christmas Market, Berlin.

The social media company share secrets of their recruitment process.

Season’s meetings, DAVE MORGAN EDITOR

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READER STORIES

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

It all began on a typical Saturday night at the cocktail bar I worked in. I was glad when the hellish shift was over, but as I was starting to clean, three football-loving lager louts returned to the bar. They loudly slurred across the bar ‘Have you ever worked in a bar? This is a s**t pint’. I ignored them at first, however when they told me to pour them another pint ‘wench’, something snapped. I told them they could pour their own damn pint and I hope they didn’t choke on it. The three beer monkeys were not best pleased and drunkenly sulked off.

I had recently applied for a job working as a front of house receptionist at a prestigious hotel in the area and I was delighted when they phoned the next morning to offer me an interview. The day of the interview, I was confident that nothing was going to throw me off course… or so I thought. I strode into the room with a beaming smile. However, the corners of that smile almost immediately fell to the floor only to mirror the exact expression of the three interviewers. The three beer monkeys and I simultaneously burst out laughing. I decided to stay for the majority of the interview in the name of good sportsmanship. I cannot imagine the joy it brought them asking me questions in the nature of customer service skills.

Hopefully I will be able to bite my lip next time and not harass another future boss!

KATE, 22, MONMOUTHSHIRE

Christmas is just around the corner, and the spirit of generosity is buzzing around the Career Savvy office. Which is why we’re going to give away a fancy mug to one new Facebook ‘liker’ every week! These mugs have been specifically designed to hold a quality brew, as well as bearing an incredibly clever pun on the front. We really couldn’t think of a better prize.

WIN!

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SUCCESS STORY

I had thought about becoming a foster carer many times over the years, but for one reason or another, the timing was not right for my family and I. Around three years ago, with two of our children flying the nest, my husband and I - after lots of research - began to talk seriously about fostering. The need to nurture and look after children does not disappear when your children leave home and I had an overwhelming desire to help the children out there that need some love and security.

I did a lot of online research and we decided to invite three independent agencies out to meet us. The agency that stood out for us was The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT). They are the UK’s largest charity and voluntary agency providing fostering and adoption services. They are extremely supportive and caring, and have provided us with excellent training which has been invaluable. The process took around a year before we were approved and during this time we were allocated a social worker. The process is very in-depth as it should be; no stone was left unturned but we were supported throughout by all the staff at TACT. The impact of becoming a foster carer is huge for any family: you are inviting a stranger to stay in your home and many of the children you will look after have troubles, which they obviously bring with them. My husband and I had many discussions with our children before we made the decision to continue with fostering.

If for whatever reason they had been unsure, we would

“

That is why you become a foster carer; to give vulnerable children a safe, caring and loving home in which they can one day shine.

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Maria Blamire Age: 43 Fostering Agency: TACT

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not have continued. However our children, as well as our extended families and friends, have been wonderfully supportive throughout our journey and continue to be so.

It is so important to have a supportive network around you. I would hope that this experience has changed us all for the better; it’s humbling and puts life into perspective.

My advice to others is to be realistic and honest with yourself from the start; your life will never be the same again. At some point during this career you will be in for a bumpy ride. I would firstly suggest to do lots of research: talk to lots of people and gain as much knowledge and information as possible. Secondly, it is important to be open and honest with your family. In order for this to work and become a successful career, you will need their full support.

The hours are long and some days are extremely tough, both emotionally and sometimes physically. However the rewards are what makes it all worthwhile. We take the small things for granted in our own children: simple pleasures such as a smile, a hug or singing in the shower.

But for the children you look after, these things can take weeks, months and sometimes years to surface. When you witness such things from your foster child for the first time, the joy is indescribable. That is why you become a foster carer; to give vulnerable children a safe, caring and loving home in which they can one day shine. I can 100% recommend it!

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World’s Most Interesting Jobs

ROLLERCOASTER DESIGNER Calling all adrenaline junkies! If the launch of a new rollercoaster has you rushing to the nearest amusement park, Career Savvy may have found the perfect job for you. Imagine being the creator of every terrifying twist and turn, frightening height and stomach-wrenching drop on the latest ride. Pretty amazing, right? As a rollercoaster designer you could do just this – and we don’t mean behind your computer on the latest version of RollerCoaster Tycoon. By working for companies such as Bolliger & Mabillard, Intamin or Great Coasters International, you could provide thrilling rides for real amusement parks around the world.

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The design team uses the spec provided by the amusement park to decide which exciting elements should be included in their next rollercoaster.

Responsibilities also include determining more technical aspects such as the height, length, speed and weight limits of the rollercoaster.

To become a part of the rollercoaster design team you will need to be a qualified engineer in one of the following fields: mechanical, civil, structural or electrical.

Alternatively, architectural or ‘drafting’ qualifications are also valued.

Jon Wardley, an expert at rollercoaster design, explains in a Real Science episode the thought process of creating a new ride:

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First of all we think of who it is we’re trying to entertain, what we’re trying to achieve, what sort of EMOTIONS. Once we’ve decided on what we want and where we’re going to put it, then that’s when

how we can do things in an innovated

Despite wanting to feel the fear, we also want to be safe. Thankfully advances in technology have made safety procedures much easier to conduct. Electrical engineers in the design team will be responsible for creating and maintaining the controls for the ride, as well as the computer programs that test the safety of the rollercoaster before it’s even built. Thanks to the 3D tests the computer programs can produce, designers are able to experience what the ride will look like, so they can decide whether it will be popular with the public.

It’s understandable that competition for this dream job is very tough. On top of a degree in engineering

way.

“

we start to dream up ideas and imagine

or architecture, particularly high grades and gaining some hands-on work experience in a design company will greatly benefit you and give you an edge over your competitors. The salary is comparable to that of a mechanical engineer £32,500-£47,500, but with the potential to reach much higher heights; perhaps even doubling the sum depending on your level of qualification and your years of experience.

So if you crave adventure and admire the escapism that rollercoasters provide, then why not pursue this creative career?

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Industry update: PUBLISHING Publishing is a business currently undergoing rapid change. Digital advances in the way we receive printed and online material mean that a lot of companies have had to diversify in order to keep pace with competitors.

Entry-level publishing positions will be looking for graduates, so a degree is necessary. Publishing, along with most Popular areas for publishing jobs: London, South East England.

creative industries, is very competitive; you will certainly need to embellish your CV with work experience.

Whether you are interested in the publishing of books, magazines or journals, gain some experience within these industry environments. Freelance work - either as a writer, copyeditor or designer - can also give your CV

a boost and help you build up your portfolio.

Some publishing companies offer internships for graduates. Being an intern is one of the best ways to move into permanent position, although be careful, as not all internships are paid.

Free Content Causes Crisis.

Percentage of publishing workforce London 36%

South East 14%

Free or very cheap content has, for a while now, been a threat to the publishing industry. With e-books selling on Amazon for as little as 20p, there is less money to be made from books and magazines than ever before.

As a result, targeting the mass market has become more and more difficult. The best way to reach audiences who will pay for content is to reach smaller, niche audiences that have a real passion or interest in the subject matter.

Shortage of combined skills.

South West 9%

Percentage of recruitment that comes straight from education against sector.

Book Publishing Journals and Periodicals

Similarly to other sectors, publishing is facing a shortage of technical and digital skills. Companies are on the lookout for people who can come up with creative and original digital marketing ideas. However, successful candidates should possess both traditional and digital publishing skills.

These are both necessary in order to be competent in publishing across multiple platforms: something almost all publishing houses are doing in order to diversify and thrive.

Newspaper Other

Roles/areas: Editorial

Marketing

Design

Digital

Developing and aiding the production of content. Can involve writing, copyediting and proofreading.

Publicising products through the production and distribution of marketing material. It can involve social media, press releases, book launches and more.

The creation of layouts and visuals for print and digital material. It can involve use of desktop publishing software such as InDesign or web design.

Specialising in online Sourcing and content; be it for acquiring writers websites, blogs or apps. and content for various projects.

Rights and Legal It can also involve Dealing with commissioning copyright issues, photographers and licenses and contracts. illustrators.

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Commissioning

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1 0 New Year Job Opportunities E F 0 Monthly Economy:

The New Year usually means a new start with some tough (and usually unfulfilled) New Year’s resolutions: giving up chocolate, joining a gym or… finding a job!

As the end of the financial year in April starts to loom, hiring bosses see January as the perfect time to take stock after a Christmas break. They start allocating remaining budgets to recruiting new staff, as well as having to replace employees that have decided to quit over the festive break.

According to job search engine Adzuna, the number of job vacancies is currently at its highest point in two years, with 710,859 adverts currently online. The overall job market is certainly recovering all the time – resulting in more potential opportunities for you. But which industries are helping to drive this growth?

Hospitality The hospitality industry is rapidly expanding. There’s clearly an appetite for further growth into the new year, with the number of hospitality jobs in Q2 increasing by 19% from the same period last year. The figures - reported by caterer.com - the largest hospitality recruitment website in the UK – indicate that the new year could be the perfect time to kickstart your job hunt. But with the average number of applications for each role now at 21 (up from 15 in 2010) competition is fierce, so ensure you’re prepared before you don those white overalls.

Teaching

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There is a large shortage of teachers - so now could be the perfect time to start exploring a career in this area. Last year, 30% (709) of places on PGCE maths courses were left unfilled, while there were over 300 spaces remaining in physics, design technology, chemistry and English.

Construction & IT

Elsewhere, the construction industry grew by 2.5% in Q2 2013 and was one of the biggest contributors towards an overall growth of 0.8% in the economy, building upon previous growth in Q1. The IT industry also anticipates huge growth, with an estimated one million new workers required to meet demand over the next ten years.

Hairdressing With 13,400 vacancies waiting to be filled, the hairdressing industry is set to keep growing and needs large amounts of new staff to do so. Whilst other sectors are looking to cut costs and trim staff, there is a huge demand for trainee stylists to fill a gap between demand and supply in the industry. And after all, why wouldn’t you want to become a hairdresser? With 79% of those in the profession rating themselves as happy in the job, it’s clearly a popular area to go into.

Graduate Schemes Final year students, listen up! As terrifying as it might sound, now is the time to start applying for graduate roles ready for when you inevitably have to leave university and the student lifestyle behind. Although they can be hugely competitive, graduate schemes could potentially be the perfect option for you, and this year’s batch will generally begin in and around September 2014. They are generally well-paid (not an unpaid, tea-making intern in sight here) and if you manage to secure a place, you can avoid worrying about securing a graduate job when you do (eventually) leave university. Websites such as TARGETjobs, Rate My Placement and Milkround offer a pretty comprehensive roundup of all the available roles.

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month-in-hand wage policy for new employees What is it and what problems does it cause?

I

f you have managed to get a new job recently then firstly, congratulations! But it’s worth being aware of a method of payment that employers sometimes elect to use for new employees: the ‘month-in-hand’ wage policy.

This policy is effectively withholding the wages of the employee for one month before they are paid at the end of the next month. So for example: • • • •

May 17th: Mr X joins the company.

May 30th: Mr X receives no pay.

June 30th: Mr X is paid for the work completed between 17th and 30th May. July 30th: Mr X is paid for the work completed between 1st and 30th June.

S

o why do employers do it? Well, it could be for a few reasons. If a new employee was just paid at the end of each month they worked, they could conceivably quit after being paid for the first month and would not have to give any notice to the employer. Also, this policy could ease any potential cashflow problems for the employer at the time of hiring the new worker.

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nfortunately, this method can often cause many problems for new employees. Many people may firstly confuse the term month-in-hand with month-inarrears. Being paid monthly in arrears is very common and simply involves being paid at the end of the month for the work completed in that period. It may be a shock for you if you were expecting to be paid in full at the end of the month, then you don’t receive the amount you expected. The shock could also translate to serious cashflow problems if you hadn’t budgeted for the delay in

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payment. The problem could be made worse if you have had to stop receiving your Jobseeker’s Allowance in order to take up your new role.

1 Ask your employer to clarify when you will be paid The difference between these two methods of payment isn’t all that clear to a lot of people, so don’t be afraid to ask the employer if the month-in-hand policy will apply to your employment. If you’re actually going to be paid monthly-in-arrears then there should be no need to worry. If not, there are still some options out there for you.

2 Ask to be paid in advance By simply informing the employer of your situation, it is possible that they could agree to an advance payment of your first months’ wages, meaning you would be paid monthly-in-arrears instead. Again, there is no shame in asking this as it is a widespread problem and the employer should understand the financial difficulties it could bring.

3 Inform the job centre of your situation If you have recently been on housing benefits, Jobseeker’s Allowance or anything similar, you don’t have to give them up immediately if you’re fortunate enough to find work. The Directgov website explains the available options for when you are moving from benefits to work.

You can easily explain the situation to your job centre advisor and they will be happy to ensure a smooth transition into paid employment for you. This can include financial support to ease the burden of a month-in-hand wage policy.

HEALTHY HEART = HEALTHY CAREER The key to successfully launching or advancing your career doesn’t just lie in your credentials; it’s equally important to stay fit, stay healthy and stay in a positive mindset as much as possible. Career Savvy is here to show you how to make sure you’re in the best shape possible, so you can make the most of your current career or land that ideal job.

A HEALTHY DIET Making a few adjustments to the food you eat can make a real difference to your general mood. Although you might pride yourself on being able to get up, get ready and go to work in world record time, it’s worth waking up twenty minutes earlier and putting a little more effort into the most important meal of the day. Breakfast should consist of a healthy meal which gives you an energy boost and a platform for the rest of the day; not devouring last night’s (admittedly tasty) meat feast pizza.

Following the lead of breakfast for your other meals will make you feel better about yourself, which in turn could lead to you being more productive at work and even enjoying your job a little bit more. Plus, having a filling breakfast will ensure that your mind isn’t distracted all morning with dreams of a bacon bap!

KEEPING FIT It’s amazing how rewarding it can be to keep in shape. If you’re ever feeling weary after a long day at work, or a long day sending off job applications, it’s surprising how much some exercise will actually energise you and leave you feeling much better! Visiting the gym, going for a run in the park or even playing some sport are all ideal activities to keep you fit and healthy. You can even work exercise into your schedule: instead of travelling to work by car try walking or cycling instead (unless you live an unreasonable distance away, in which case we’ll let you off ). This saves money and the environment - we’ll let you decide which one is more important.

POSITIVE DEMEANOUR Having a healthy diet and active lifestyle will naturally lead to a positive demeanour. This in turn could help your career in so many ways; an energetic and enthusiastic interviewee is highly likely to impress in a job interview for example. Having a positive mindset on a daily basis at work will lead to you enjoying your day much more than you would do if you slumped in at 8.59am every morning, having just woken up twenty minutes ago. Positivity is also bound to rub off on your colleagues, making the workplace a nicer and more productive place for everyone.

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Moving to the City: Berlin A

s it’s our Christmas issue, it seems fitting to explore a city that is renowned for its festive cheer.

Where better than Berlin? It’s the king of Christmas markets and these litter the many districts that make up this vibrant city. There really is a scene for everyone in Germany’s multicultural capital. Its geographical location, perfectly situated between Eastern and Western Europe, allows business to thrive; especially thanks to great transport links via the largest rail station in Europe, as well as the airport and internal waterways. So sit back, pour yourself a mulled wine and let Career Savvy reveal the splendour of this cosmopolitan city.

overnight stays last year, the city has seen expansion in the amount of hotels to cope with a surge of tourists.

Therefore, opportunities in hospitality are on the increase and around 275,500 Berliners are currently earning a living through tourism.

Berlin can boast a status as one of the most dynamic economic regions in Europe. The average monthly salary is €3,188 (around €38,256 a year) which is considerably more than the average here in the UK (£26,200/€31,082 a year).

Berlin is considered to be the centre of Germany’s creative economy, with this sector creating an annual turnover of around 27 billion Euros. In film, TV, radio and publishing, Berlin is Germany’s most important location. The city produces more than 300 films annually and Berlin’s importance is proven by the success of the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) – one of the most popular in the world. With around 10,000 publications produced every year and more daily newspapers based in the region than any other city in Europe, there are plenty of opportunities within the bustling publishing sector also.

The services sector dominates the city’s economy with 80% of companies operating in this industry. As the third most popular destination in Europe, tourism is of high economic importance to Berlin. After the number of tourists visiting the city hit an all-time high of 25 million

When it comes to buying or renting property in Berlin, prices vary incredibly according to districts and small neighbourhoods (‘Kiez’) within these areas. The average per square metre when buying in Berlin is currently about €1,954. Basic rent is on average €7.60 per square metre

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“

there really is a scene for everyone in Germany’s multicultural capital.

For those of you moving with a family, or with a future family in mind, then the popular area of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is a great choice. Its many cafes, restaurants and boutiques make it a popular area for shopping and socialising. Its greatest attraction for families is the multiple parks and playgrounds for children to run around in. It also houses some of the most iconic attractions in Berlin, such as the Berlin Zoo and the Olympic Stadium.

For those of you who would prefer a livelier and more affordable district, Kreuzberg-Friedrichshain will be more up your street. Young professionals enjoy its alternative scene, as well as its popular attractions which include the ‘beach’ bars and many galleries such as the East Side Gallery (Berlin Wall Memorial). For more information on the most popular districts, click here.

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(monthly), so despite being the capital city, Berlin is actually the most affordable of Germany’s large cities.

Attractions: There is plenty to see in Berlin, from famous historic monuments such as Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall Memorial, to the panoramic views from the Berlin Television Tower (Fernsehturm) and one of the most picturesque squares in Europe, Gendarmenmarkt. Click here to discover the best attractions in Germany’s capital.

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Random Facts about Berlin:

1. The first traffic lights in Europe were set up here in 1924 – you can still visit a replica of them today.

2. Berlin is nine times bigger than Paris.

3. The capital city is home to around sixty Christmas markets (25th November-31st December 2013).

4. Berlin Zoo has over 15,000 animals and 1,500 different species - making it one of the biggest in the world.

5. The world’s largest cylindrical aquarium can be found in the lobby of the Radisson Blu Hotel.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF: Whether we’re out on a shopping spree, or engrossed by the latest TV ads, we very rarely think about the process behind selecting and promoting must-have products. But someone must be behind the scenes, deciding what to tempt us with in order to persuade us to loosen our purse strings. Chloe Franchina spoke to Ting-Ting Lee, a buying manager for UK-based broadcaster Bid Shopping, and discussed the details behind this desirable job.

After completing my A-levels, I went to college to do an ILEX (Legal Executive course) as a way of pacifying my father; he struggled with the fact that I didn’t want to go to university. After a year, I realised law really wasn’t for me so I decided to find a job - after a very teary conversation with my disappointed dad. Not knowing what to do with my life, I began exploring my options.

I fell into buying as I knew someone who worked as a buyer for Harding Bros. Ltd, who own the shop concessions onboard cruise liners. I wrote to the MD, he invited me in for an interview and the rest is history.

What is the best thing about your job?

There are so many great things about my job it’s hard to name just one. It’s great seeing the products and innovation before everyone else; the fact that I’m able to influence products coming to market, in terms of packaging or even the actual product is just amazing.

Most importantly no two days are the same. I have to interact with lots of different people on a daily basis and it’s extremely busy, which I love.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

My mum told me: ‘You can achieve anything you want if you put your mind to it and work hard’.

What personal qualities do you think are essential to be good at your job?

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

You need to be a great relationship builder and communicator. You will be dealing with suppliers, your team and colleagues in different departments to ensure products are completed to the right standard. It’s also important to have an eye for trends or the next big thing and good attention to detail; otherwise selecting the right product and knowing how to present it would be incredibly difficult. Finally, you need to be someone who loves products, can multitask and can handle the pressure in a fast-paced environment.

It really helps if you know someone in the industry as it can be a hard field to get into. Make sure you study something retail related and apply for any graduate schemes early as they are really competitive. If you choose not to go to university like me, then you need to be prepared to work your way up. Regardless of your situation, work hard and use your initiative to get noticed.

Briefly, what does a typical day consist of?

I helped to start up Best Buy (American consumer electronics retailer) in the UK. I created the strategy for my categories, set up internal processes, negotiated all the supplier terms and changed the way certain products were displayed

I wake up at 6.30am – but 6am on a Monday as we have to be in early on Mondays. I’ll attend a lot of supplier meetings, with both new and existing clients.

It’ll also involve selecting product and working through the commercials. Then I’ll need to negotiate cost prices or supplier terms. I’ll attend internal meetings and be required to manage my team throughout the day. I normally get home between 8.30-10pm; my working day is technically 9am-5.30pm, but I rarely leave on time.

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What has been the highlight of your career so far?

“

YOU CAN ACHIEVE ANYTHING YO WANT IF YOU PUT YOU MIND TO IT AND WORK HARD

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

OU UR K

TING-TING LEE

@TheOnlyTing

buying manager for bid shopping

within the stores so it was more customer focused. Best Buy’s launch also drove our competitors to review their customer service and this improved for the better.

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

Closing down Best Buy stores was heartbreaking. A whole team of people spent up to three years setting it up - myself included. After 11 stores were opened they decided to pull out of the UK as the joint venture was no longer sustainable. It was challenging both professionally and personally as some colleagues were left without positions to go on to. I definitely learnt a lot from the experience.

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

This is a really tough question. I think it would be a film location researcher. I love travelling the world and it would be amazing finding beautiful undiscovered locations for film scenes.

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Resenting Rejections?

How to turn negative feedback into a positive outcome

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e’ve all been there when the dreaded email drops into our inbox:

‘Thank you for your attendance to your recent interview. We regret to inform you that, after careful consideration, we will not be taking your application any further on this occasion.’

But the important thing to remember is that we have all been there. Many of us have also experienced the infuriating lack of response, despite going to great efforts to attend the interview. A rejection always hurts, but it is when this email makes a regular appearance in your inbox that it becomes difficult to not take it personally. It is important that we respond to rejection in the correct way, especially when it comes to job hunting. As hard as it may be, responding to emails such as the above is essential in order to gain some useful feedback. For example:

‘Thank you very much for coming back to me. Naturally I am disappointed, but to help me with my future interviews, please could you give me some feedback on what I did well and what I could have done better in our meeting?’

The positive comments will cushion the blow and make you realise that the interview wasn’t all bad. The negative feedback will inform you of what you need to improve for next time. The more specific your feedback is, the more you will learn from it.

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Combat vague feedback: ‘We regret to inform you that... you lacked experience’ • If you feel this is a justified reason for you not getting the job, you must think about how you can gain some more relevant experience before your next interview. This will help you to avoid a recurrence of the same feedback.

• If you feel you have had plenty of experience, it may be that the way you articulated your experiences wasn’t quite effective.

• If you are 100% sure you did explain your experiences well, then it may have been the easy way out for the interviewer. In this case try not to take it to heart.

‘we met a more suitable candidate’ • Unfortunately, jobs are so competitive these days therefore there will often be people out there who are more qualified or have more experience than you.

• Try not to let it worry you too much, just keep updating your relevant experiences and be sure to promote these in your interviews. On the next interview occasion, you could be the more experienced candidate for the role, or the most relevant in other ways.

To achieve a positive outcome, remember: • You are not alone - jobs are becoming ever more competitive, so it’s not always about you. It’s sometimes simply the sheer number of high quality candidates.

• Learn from the experience - the more interviews you have, the more experience you’ll gain. You will also develop a vital skill in the process of rejection: resilience.

• Network - use the connection you make in an interview to help build your network. Connect to them on LinkedIn if possible.

‘your skills are not suited to the role’

• Embrace new opportunities - don’t let the rejections get in the way of your next interview. Just as you tweaked your CV and covering letter for each application, you need to prepare and treat each interview differently from the previous one.

•If you were going for a job that is different from anything you have done before, then this comment may be justified. If you really want a chance in a career you lack experience in, then you must find a way to spin the experience you have had to make it relevant; demonstrate transferable skills.

•If you feel your skills are suited to the job then this is either poor feedback, or the skills you do possess didn’t get translated in the interview. Use examples of times you have proven certain skills to make your suitability to the role more obvious.

How to embrace constructive criticism: Fight back. Not literally, as replying to your interviewer with anger-fuelled insults certainly will not help your career development! Instead look at it as a change of mindset; realise that negative feedback is a gift rather than a burden. The reality behind it is, how can you change for the better without knowing what needs to be changed? Employers’ feedback will help you to think constructively about your performance. If provided in the correct manner, it will motivate you to improve your skills/performance, bringing you one step closer to that ‘yes’ you’re dying to hear. So if you refuse to let negative feedback get you down and choose to utilise it instead, then the reason you were turned down for one job could become the reason you’re hired for the next.

TAKE IT ON THE CHIN The reality in today’s job market is that you may have to hear twenty noes before a yes comes along. The more times you try, the better your success rate is likely to be, and this is how you should proceed with the job hunt. Set yourself goals and be mentally prepared for a fair amount of rejection. The better you are at accepting the noes, the more professional and experienced you will be. So rise above them and move onto the next part of your action plan. You can also ask for feedback and gain some insights into where you might be going wrong.

Learning from your own mistakes can be very powerful; the lessons you learn will help you to become a better employee.

Alison Clements www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk

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17

Jobs from the Movies:

e ’r y e h T t a h T l l A Not . e B o t p U d e k c Cra

Stormtroopers In a galaxy far, far away, we begin with the tale of the humble Stormtrooper, who for years has cast aside all family commitments and a social life to be married to their job. We can only speculate how much of a strain this has placed upon previously happy marriages. Although their pay rate was, naturally, never discussed in the Star Wars series, Mr Vader doesn’t seem like the sort of boss who would waste valuable Death Star resources on trivial matters such as wages, as well as looking unfavourably upon the concepts of sick pay or annual leave. On top of all that, the job itself looks pretty thankless. Many of them would probably love to have an office job, rather than run the daily risks that come with fighting in an intergalactic war.

Whoever Had to Sit Through Forrest Gump’s Story It should firstly be pointed out that this is far from a slight on an excellent film. But as Forrest is relaying his remarkable tale to an innocent nurse sat on a park bench, followed by a mother and son, it would be difficult not to be instantly sceptical about the whole thing. From personal experience it can sometimes be frustrating to be befriended by a stranger at a bus stop, who elects to tell

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their life story to you in a similar manner. If that wasn’t bad enough for the nurse, she is also forced to wait around an hour for the bus to arrive; putting the quality of the Savannah bus service under serious doubt.

Double 00 Agents: In the Shadow of Bond

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the humble Stormtrooper, who for years has cast aside all family commitments and a soc life to be married to their job.

Although being a secret agent isn’t exactly a job from hell, it must grate on the other 00 agents a little that 007, or James Bond, gets all the accolades. While his fellow secret agents presumably risk their lives on a daily basis for the purpose of making the country a safer place, they receive little recognition and it’s Bond who is the star of the long-running documentary on MI6 agents.

Although they appear intermittently throughout the films, their plight could be compared to that of a footballer sitting on the subs bench, only occasionally getting a chance in the limelight and not getting any of the praise.

The Truman Show Extras While the working days of a Stormtrooper or a Secret Agent in James Bond are risky to say the least, not much can surpass the sheer tedium of playing an extra in The Truman Show. The film follows the life of salesman Truman Burbank, who is unaware that his life is actually the subject of a hit TV show. Every single day, thousands of actors must play out identical events, including things as simple as walking by Truman and greeting him at identical times of the day. What a bore! It just goes to show that acting isn’t always a glamorous business, and everyone has to start somewhere. I wonder what the extras in The Truman Show are doing nowadays?

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ver been sat watching your favourite film, dreaming of living the life of the lead character? Whether it’s the super-cool secret agent James Bond, the invincible superhero Batman or the ultimate force against evil in Luke Skywalker, there’s no shame in being slightly jealous of these fictional characters. But spare a thought for the supporting cast to these protagonists: the long-suffering Stormtroopers who don’t see their families for months, the brave crew working at Jurassic Park dinosaur exhibits or perhaps anyone unfortunate enough to meet Rocky in a boxing ring. Here’s a nod to the miserable guys in the background, doing the unwanted or mundane tasks.

y cial o

he’s a keeper!

There are often ways to avoid landing that nightmare job. Here are a few helpful tips to make sure you don’t end up like these guys:

1 Research the daily tasks involved in the job.

Prospects is a great website for general information about what a job will involve on a daily basis. If only the secret agents had such an invaluable resource to research their role.

2 Research the specific job thoroughly.

The responsibilities of a certain job are likely to vary from company to company, so after conducting some general research, look into more detail at the specific role being offered. This could include research before accepting the role and asking questions at the interview itself; there’s always an opportunity to do this! The job could seem absolutely perfect, but a lack of research could trip you up. You have to wonder whether The Truman Show extras were expecting to do slightly more than literally the exact same performance every single day…

3 Source feedback from other employees.

It might also be worth getting feedback from current and former employees to see what they think about working for the company. If you don’t know anybody personally, there’s now plenty of websites where companies are evaluated by anonymous online reviews. Glassdoor is a great resource for full-time permanent positions, while Rate My Placement covers student internships and placements. Unfortunately, there isn’t a ‘Rate My Stormtrooper’ website (yet!).

In May 2006, John Boileau applied for the vacant manager’s position at Middlesbrough Football Club after former boss Steve McClaren had left to take over England. You would do well to have heard of him: outside of a virtual reality he’s not exactly a household name. Boileau, like millions of others, is a keen player of the Football Manager PC game series and sent off a CV with accompanying cover letter to Middlesbrough, detailing his widespread achievements on the game. These included taking Nuneaton Borough to the Championship from the Conference North in eight seasons’ and Rushden and Diamonds to the Champions League final.

Outside of these in-game achievements, he even found the time to complete a degree in geography and archaeology! Impressive stuff.

But far from being tossed in the bin with the other applications, Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson found the time to write a gracious letter in reply to the bedroom-manager, commenting that:

‘you were of course the outstanding candidate… but your tenure with us would have been short-lived, as your undoubted talent would result in one of the big European Clubs seeking your services.’

A shame for John that he didn’t secure his dream job on this occasion, but fellow Football Manager players shouldn’t let that put them off. Last year a 21 year-old Swede secured a job managing a team in Azerbaijan, despite his only previous managerial experience coming in the form of the popular game.

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working for Career Savvy spoke to Rob Fryer, Head of Student Recruitment, about the opportunities on offer at one of the biggest employers in the uk.

The most prevalent reason has to be that there’s a large pool of talented people emerging from universities. It’s very important for us to ensure the future prosperity of the organisation by bringing on board some of the future business leaders. We find that graduates have the right skill set that we need, as well as the right level of enthusiasm and commitment.

What type of academic background do you look for in your candidates? Specifically, which degree subjects will lead them down certain paths?

We don’t have a specific preference of degree subject for about 90% of our areas: we recruit people from many backgrounds. Probably one of the toughest challenges we face in hiring about 1,200 graduates is that we look to engage with students from a humanities, language or science background and try to recruit them into a career in finance. There is no prerequisite to have an accounting or economics degree. If anything, it can be an advantage not to have that background. Focus groups with some of the humanities students we brought on board last year told us that the syllabus they followed tied in well with the skills required to work in an audit and consulting practice. There are some specialised areas, such as real estate, that require a relevant degree, but we recruit people from many paths - as long as they can demonstrate a record of high academic achievement.

What kind of long-term prospects can your trainees expect?

Deloitte fundamentally has only one entry route into the organisation, which is through our recruitment of school leavers and graduates. We take on around 1,700 young people into the organisation every year and our aim is to give them a sound grounding within a business

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environment. That may include a professional qualification, but it also involves a programme of activities that will help develop those individuals as business leaders of the future. They will learn how to maintain client relationships, presentation skills and leadership techniques.

At the end of the two to four years, Deloitte have such a large range of services that we provide to our clients across the globe, which allows for a lot of internal mobility.

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graduates have the right skill set that we need, as well as the right level of enthusiasm

“

Deloitte is one of the biggest graduate employers in the UK. What are the main benefits of employing graduates?

are there Any other opportunities candidates can look forward to?

Being a global organisation, we are very lucky to have offices around the world in over 140 countries. English speaking, hotter climates tend to be more popular destinations for the graduates, including Australia and the US. But we also have graduates in Moscow, India and China, performing a host of activities that help to build up their cultural awareness. After qualification, the next steps could involve moving around different service lines, specialising in a different industry sector. They also have the chance to work with some of our social innovation pioneers – a number of organisations we sponsor that aim to make a difference to the community.

Deloitte provide consulting and finance services across many different sectors including real estate, consumer business and the public sector. They offer many recruitment opportunities, such as their Bright Start Scheme for school leavers and their Scholar Scheme that covers GCSE to degree-level backgrounds.

switch it up:

consider careers unrelated to your degree not sure where to go next? Feeling pigeonholed because of your degree subject? Stick with Career Savvy as we explore the option of entering a profession that isn’t related to your degree.

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or many young graduates, the challenges of an increasingly competitive job market are growing day by day, forcing job hunters to be more flexible in order to secure work. A recent 2012 study of 2,000 graduates found that 40% of those surveyed are currently in a job that is unrelated to their degree. Far from being an acceptance of defeat or a last-ditch attempt to get a job, it is a creative move that shows young people are willing to find work and are finding different ways to do it. If you’re considering going into a profession that isn’t related to your degree then there’s a few points you should consider.

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irstly, you shouldn’t feel pressured to follow a certain career path from your degree. Seeking advice and exploring all the options available to you will ensure you choose the career that’s right for you. Most universities will still allow you to use the services of career advisors after you graduate and they will be able to give you some personalised advice about the best steps to take.

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any degrees have transferrable skills such as writing, communication and teamwork - it would be wise to try and emphasise these to employers who often look for a general skill set. You may well be able to use the experience gained in a different industry in order to break into your ideal profession in the future.

If you don’t feel you have the skills required to go into your desired career, then it’s time to go about getting them! Before going straight for paid jobs in another

industry, volunteering will show that you’re passionate about the job whilst giving you more of an insight into the profession. It’s also easy to sign up for evening or part-time courses to gain some more knowledge and qualifications on a subject of your choice.

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our next job could even come about as a result of a hobby or an interest which you would like to pursue further; perhaps you’re an amateur photographer or a budding writer with a popular blog. It’s always worth maintaining interests like these, because you never know when an opportunity will arrive to take your skills further.

Success Story Craig Sangster, 22, studied medicine at Exeter University, but he is now working as a recruitment consultant in London. He elected for a change as he couldn’t see himself enjoying a career in medicine and hasn’t looked back.

Craig was able to transfer some of the skills gained from his time at university to his new career in recruitment: ‘The key skill I developed at uni that gave me a good grounding for a career in recruitment would be communication. Talking to patients and healthcare professionals on a daily basis gave me great experience in both giving and receiving information effectively, as well as different approaches to suit each individual.’

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How to Get Into Personal Training A

rewarding career helping others to get fit and healthy beckons for those who want to enter the field of personal training. By building close relationships with people to allow them to get the most out of a bespoke fitness plan, personal trainers can reap the rewards of an active profession with varied working hours.

Josh Gibson, a personal trainer at Synergi Fitness, feels that the personal aspect of the role is the most appealing part of the job - making it a hugely rewarding career for him:

want to improve and evolve on our own understanding’ and the field is ‘always changing.’ So an ability to stay on top of the latest fitness trends and techniques is essential if you want to be a success in the profession.

‘We want to help people and make a difference to their lives. It’s about getting to know the client and doing the best we can for them on an individual basis.’

And here’s the million-dollar question: does Josh enjoy it despite the challenges? A resounding yes.

‘It’s a fantastic job and I wouldn’t change it for anything.’

What skills do you need?

It sounds interesting, but how achievable is a career in this profession? Although there’s a varied skill set required for the role, Josh highlighted one that stood out: patience, patience, patience!

‘You’re always going to get clients who think they aren’t capable of doing certain things or they don’t feel like they can make regular exercise a part of their lifestyle.

Most trainers assume that people can instantly make these changes… but people generally find it difficult to make changes and actually stick with them.’

Along with patience, you’ll need a solid knowledge of nutrition and physiology as well as a hefty dose of determination and enthusiasm.

Keep On Movin’!

It’s not a profession where you can rest on your laurels either. New studies in the field are constantly contradicting each other, ensuring that personal trainers have to be on their toes and aware of any new developments. Josh says that personal trainers, ‘constantly

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Do you need any qualifications?

Personal trainers generally start off as fitness instructors, who could be employed by leisure centres, universities or even cruise ships.

To become a fitness instructor and get on the ladder towards becoming a fully-fledged personal trainer, you will need to obtain a Level 2 certificate in Fitness Instructing (or equivalent). This qualification is available from most colleges and private training providers in the country. Once you’re qualified in that discipline, and you have a few years’ experience under your belt, you can get on the way to becoming a personal trainer. To do this, you’ll need to register with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and attain one of a variety of qualifications which will then officially change your REP membership status to Personal Trainer.

It’s a fantastic job and I wouldn’t change it for anything

What’s a day in the life of a personal trainer like?

With workdays normally starting at around 5am and ending as late as 9.30pm Monday-Friday, this isn’t a profession for the light-hearted! Since clients of a personal trainer often have to organise workouts around other commitments, early morning, lunchtime and evening sessions are commonplace. In between there is a focus on eating healthy, nutritional meals to make

sure you, in Josh’s words, ‘practice what you preach’. For example, Josh and fellow personal trainer James use some spare time in the morning to complete a ninety minute workout. After a long working week there is still time for some more sessions with clients on Saturday morning, until around midday.

Transferable Skills:

Approachable:

Energetic:

Committed:

Working in training and fitness requires you to be able to easily get along with others. You should feel able to interact with individuals and assess what is best for them. This could be different for every client you meet. A good trainer will be able to help push others to their limits at a pace that is suitable for them.

If you’re somebody with high levels of energy, not only will you excel at this career physically, but also mentally. It’s important that you’re able to motivate people day after day.

A naturally positive and optimistic attitude will make a real difference to the client’s experience, and make them more keen to work with you.

A trainer has to be able to maintain lengthy programmes for long periods of time, in order to reach the end objective. Clients may not always keep their eyes on their end goals, so you need to do this for them. If you are able to start projects and see them through to the end, this kind of work will suit you.

Useful Links: jobisjob National Careers Service National Register of Personal Trainers

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behind the interview Leading social media marketing experts EngageSciences spill the beans to Career Savvy on how to knock someone’s socks off with a great first impression.

EngageSciences is a social marketing software platform that enables brands to acquire new fans on Facebook and Twitter, engage with their followers, recognise their best fans and publish great advocacy content from across the social web. We’re a start-up company of about forty people that’s growing very rapidly. There are new faces joining every month, life is fast-paced and all employees are working towards a common objective. We’re interviewing candidates every day, but very few get through…

the organisation. Think before you reach for a suit and tie or a twin set. A good idea is to go to the offices and look at the dress of the employees who are walking in and out. You’ll get a good idea on how to present yourself on the day.

Time your arrival well

Don’t feel the need to be extra early for the interview; it can be inconvenient for the interviewer. You’d be better off sitting in a coffee shop around the corner running through what you’re going to say. However, it’s also fatal to be late and even the best excuse will rarely redeem you. So, make sure you get there with plenty of time, walk in with five minutes to go and nail it.

Go the extra mile.

So how do you pass the 10-15 second test? And if you do that, how can you then persuade the interviewer that you’re the best person for the job?

Be a reflection of the company.

Whilst we don’t want to employ carbon-copied automatons, it’s important that employees will fit into

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“

We want to employ people who have an opinion and the courage of their convictions

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hilst a lot of employers will never admit it, the result of most job interviews is decided within seconds of meeting the interviewee. Then it’s just a matter of padding time until the end or getting to know them better and re-confirming the decision, for the candidates who are successful.

Given everybody in the company lives and breathes social media, we expect prospective employees to do the same. In an interview with us, saying you use Facebook and Twitter isn’t enough. You need to show that you’re actively using them and understand how brands can use social channels to boost their fans, and drive measurable results. You can bet that most future employers will check out your different social profiles; so make sure they’re all up to date, that you’ve

process at got connections and recommendations on LinkedIn, your blog is up to date and that you’re actively tweeting.

Have an answer for: ‘What do you think of our marketing, website and social presence?’

A massive red flag is not being able to answer this question with conviction. You need to be able to talk about the company and our current range of marketing collateral.

If you think it’s not up to scratch, tell us where we could improve. We want to employ people who have an opinion and the courage of their convictions. Don’t worry about upsetting us, we’re all grown-ups and you will not hurt our feelings.

Be dedicated.

All employees at EngageSciences have never-ending to-do lists. Having offices in the UK, USA and Australia means the days can be long, with conference calls late into the night. So, be honest with yourself before going for a role in a start-up company. Whilst the long-term rewards are there, it’s a demanding environment to work in. We respect

candidates more for being honest from the outset, rather than deciding it’s not for them after the first few weeks of starting.

Be social by nature.

Whilst it’s great to have degrees and qualifications, a litmus test for many employers is: ‘Would I enjoy going to the pub with this person?’ If they wouldn’t want to socialise with you, it’s unlikely they’re going to want spend ten hours a day with you in the same office. So, make sure you’re sociable, friendly and somebody that can be relied on.

And finally, ask the right questions.

At the end of the interview, when you’re asked if you have any questions, make sure you have a few up your sleeve.

Either ask one that shows you’re really interested in the job and will make their life easier, for example: ‘What challenges keep you up at night and how can I solve them for you?’ Or ask one that addresses any final concerns: ‘Is there anything I’ve told you that will stop me getting through to the next round?’

EngageSciences employ for a variety of roles, from sales positions to technical engineers and web developers, as well as recruiting for a variety of locations globally.

To take a look at the current careers available with EngageSciences, click here for a full list of our live positions.

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five things you should know about

psychometric tests

By Alison Clements You may wonder why it is necessary for companies to ask you whether you well up during a romantic movie or prefer to drive a car rather than be the passenger. But it is surprising how questions such as these in psychometric tests are helping employers in the recruitment process. Companies are moving away from traditional forms of interviewing and are trying new methods (psychometric testing), to decide whether you are a suitable candidate for their vacancy. So to ensure you are prepared for such tests whilst you are job searching, here are five facts about psychometric tests that you should know.

Psychometrics are an important part of the recruitment process today It is estimated that around 75% of medium to large-sized British organisations use tests or questionnaires during the recruitment process.

Workplace psychometrics, or ‘occupational psychology’, typically takes the form of personality questionnaires and ability tests. These help employers to find the right people for their graduate intake and enable wider recruitment. Psychometric analysis is used in both management and leadership development. These tests can be carried out remotely by candidates online, or on paper at an interview or assessment day.

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There are two main types of psychometric test: Personality Tests have been specially

designed to identify particular personality types – extroverts, introverts, leaders, team players etc. The most common form of personality test includes statement based questions. You receive a list of statements and are asked to express to what extent you agree or disagree with each one. For example, you might receive the following statement: ‘I am confident that I will reach the sales targets set for me’. You will then be asked to specify the extent to which you agree with this statement on a scale of one to five.

Sometimes you are faced with paired items or images from which you are asked to choose a preference. For example, would you rather host a party or be invited to one? Do you like being the driver or the passenger on a long car journey?

Aptitude or Ability Tests are designed to assess

your reasoning by evaluating how you respond to certain situations and discover your cognitive abilities. They are often timed and incorporate verbal, numerical, spatial reasoning, and job-specific tests.

They are designed to assess the skills and knowledge you possess that will be important for the job you are applying for. Depending on the field of work you are in, these tests will focus on specific modes of questioning that are vital for that particular environment. For example the test for a technical job might involve specialist questioning or practical testing.

Companies know exactly the type of people they want to hire Some personal characteristics, such as teamwork skills, reasoning ability and personal empathy, can be difficult to assess in an interview. Thus employers have found that psychometric testing can be a more reliable indicator. HR departments often have the ideal profile in mind when they launch a recruitment campaign; this takes into account the role in question, the market conditions and the company’s values. Psychometric tests can be used to assess your abilities, aptitude and personality, alongside more subjective parts of the process such as interviews and presentations. So be prepared!

How to prepare for psychometric tests Personality Test: • Practice - familiarise yourself with the style and format used in the questionnaires.

• Be honest - you are only cheating yourself if you

lie (by not being yourself ) or are too busy trying to select the ‘right’ answer.

• Leave any questions that you do not understand – you will only waste time that could be used answering other questions you may find easier.

Aptitude Test: • Practise - take advantage of any online tests.

‘Practise makes perfect’ as they say.

• Research - there may be tests that are specifically designed for your career path or job industry.

• Resources - to find the best tests to practise

psychometric tests ask your recruitment agency or careers service.

Free online resources can help There are websites that enable you to have a practice run of all types of psychometric tests - some of them are even free! These cover verbal, numerical, inductive reasoning, accuracy and motivation tests. Here are some which offer tests for you to try: • • • •

SHLdirect Practice Aptitude Tests The Psychometric Institute Job Test Prep

So next time you have an interview lined up, be prepared for psychometric testing. Employers are always intrigued by those candidates who use any method available to them to stand out and make the best impression. Finally, if the company provide you with a test, remember to get a good night’s sleep the evening before. Plan to arrive in good time, with a positive frame of mind.

This article was supplied by www.simplysalesjobs.co.uk - a specialist job site for sales professionals.

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27

coo les t OFF ICE S Nicolas Tye Architects bedfordshire

In Issue two we’re moving out of the hustle and bustle of the city and relocating to the quaint surroundings of the Bedfordshire countryside, where the offices of Nicolas Tye Architects lie. they boast four UK offices and a wealth of national and international projects.

Past a ravine and through the reeds you can see the elegant, single-storey building that houses the team of designers. Barely resembling what you would normally consider a working UK office to look like, the headquarters of Nicolas Tye offers wonderful views of the Bedfordshire countryside.

Those fortunate enough to have a desk facing the all-glass exterior of the offices are afforded a daily view of the sprawling greenery that surrounds them. Better than having a stunning view of the back of John’s head, I suppose.

Their wood panelled boardroom is, once again, not your typical meeting room. It’s futuristic yet comfortable look should make that Monday 9am meeting slightly more bearable. For employees of Nicolas Tye, the sight of heavy snow tumbling down in the morning needn’t fill you with trepidation. Rather than worrying about the nightmare commute to work and the equally nightmarish commute home, these blessed architects are afforded snow-drenched views of the countryside all day long. As darkness falls, the stunning interior of the building comes nicely into view. Staying late at the office suddenly doesn’t seem like such a bad idea!

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Winter Wonderland: the HQ blends in with the snowy English

Mother Nature: a peek through the green Bedfordshire surroundings.

Deck the Walls: the wood panelled boardroom.

woodland.

Room With a View: employees gaze out onto the horizon while working hard at their desks.

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it’s easier than ever to Kicks “

How does it work?

If, for example, you’ve recently started up a company and have an excellent product to sell but just don’t have the capital, you could set up a campaign on Kickstarter with a deadline and a funding target to hit. The funds may be raised by ‘backers’ paying for certain incentives; this ranges from offering the product at a discounted price to simply keeping the backers 30

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fully informed of the latest developments of the product. The funds are only released if the target is hit and there have been varying degrees of success since the website’s inception. Here are a few real success stories, and one campaign which wasn’t so successful...

Pebble

there have been varying degrees of success since the website’s inception.

“

A recent phenomenon that has been sweeping the online world is that of ‘crowdfunding’ websites. They are set up to support and fund projects by offering backers special incentives for donating money to the cause. Artists, filmmakers and musicians have all benefited from websites such as Kickstarter, but it is an increasingly popular platform for fledgling businesses to launch from. Founded in 2009, Kickstarter is a for-profit company based in New York. Anyone can launch a campaign on the website and they range from a writer seeking funds to release a Hollywood blockbuster, to a former Star Wars hero who wants to release a documentary examining his rehabilitation from having both knees replaced.

On 11 April 2012, Pebble Technology launched a month-long campaign to fund the development and release of their 21st century watch. The watch supports apps, has a fully customisable watch face and can even connect to your smartphone to receive vibrating notifications for messages, calls, emails and social media updates - straight to your wrist. It was an unparalleled success, raising $10,266,845 when the target was just $100,000. The watch started shipping in January 2013 and you can grab one for $150 over at getpebble.com.

start your own business OUYA

In an attempt to revolutionise video gaming, OUYA launched a campaign in July 2012 to provide a low-cost alternative to the giants of the gaming industry. It became the quickest project to raise one million dollars and is currently the second most funded campaign on Kickstarter behind the Pebble E-Paper Watch. Every game released on the console must offer a free-to-play aspect, whilst a huge amount of independent and well-established titles will also be available.

Measuring 75x75x82mm and retailing for just $99 at ouya.tv, the console offers an affordable and portable console that may not rival the Xbox and Playstations of this world, but could certainly carve out a niche market of its own.

The less successful

The crowdfunding system potentially has its downsides, as evidenced by a campaign to fund a special type of Japanese beef jerky which was ultimately suspended by Kickstarter. A company entitled Magnus Fun Inc. claimed that they were raising funds to develop jerky made from Kobe beef, sourced from beer-fed Japanese cows. The campaign was a huge success, attracting 3,252

backers and $120,309 in funding; massively exceeding the initial target of $2,374. But two filmmakers who were conducting research for upcoming documentary Kickstarted, highlighted several concerns about the project which they explained in a post on Reddit.

Although the owners of Kickstarter refused to pinpoint the exact reason for the suspension of the funding, it is strongly believed that it was an elaborate scam all along!

Get Started

Hopefully you have been inspired by the successful stories of Pebble and OUYA (not the Japanese beef jerky tale!). The good news is that it’s simple to start a campaign on the website. Kickstarter’s two main guidelines for new projects are very simple: firstly it must have a clear end with something being produced as a result, and secondly it must fit into one of the many categories outlined

by Kickstarter. These categories include Art, Food, Music and more. So why not get kickstarted at kickstarter.com - your idea could be the next biggest product to come out of this inspiring website.

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Dodge Distractions at Work In an ideal world, whether we’re working from home or the office, nothing would stop the great vessel of productivity from proceeding on its journey without any delays. However, distractions in the workplace often make it a rocky journey - there’s even software designed to keep you focused on your work. If you’ve ever wondered how to avoid some common workplace distractions, then you’re in luck, because Career Savvy has it covered…

Social Media The temptation to check up on what your friends are up to is too much for a lot of people. 77% of people with a Facebook account admit to using it whilst at work, so you’re certainly not alone in the addiction.

Although there are pieces of software such as Stay Focusd, LeechBlock and KeepMeOut to try and avoid the curse of social media, you could use a more creative method.

Change your password to a random combination of letters, write it down on a piece of paper and leave the note at home; if you cannot login to your Facebook or Twitter in the first place then it shouldn’t be able to distract you!

calls and Texts Similarly, most of us get that strange sensation of excitement after receiving a text message or a call.

But it can be one of the most off-putting things at work if you feel your phone vibrating in your pocket. Even if you were entrenched in an important email, the thought of having an unread message in your inbox can be a nagging little thought as it begs to be read. Check your messages on breaks and at lunch by all means, but it’s unlikely that you’re going to be needed for anything of extreme importance; if so there are always other ways of contacting you. Give your nearest and dearest your work number for real emergencies.

Know Your Rights: resignation

Food and Drink The pack of biscuits near you, the vending machine, the kettle: whatever the temptation, eating and drinking at work tends to occur when you’re a bit bored and your mind starts to wander. But it’s not good for your work and it’s not good for you. A filling breakfast and lunch, moving snacks out of sight and having a glass of water near you all the time will all help to alleviate your hunger and thirst pangs.

Co-Workers Those pesky colleagues, always coming up to you and trying to socialise… how dare they. For the occasions that you just don’t have the time to discuss the weekend’s football or last night’s X Factor, it might be best to speak up. By letting your work mates know you cannot chat then they will understand and will cease to bother you needlessly. If you don’t feel like being quite so direct, one diversionary tactic might be to invest in a set of headphones.

This visual will indicate you don’t want to be disturbed just don’t turn the volume up too high, or else you could soon become the distraction for others.

Leaving your job can be a difficult decision to make.

Once you have made it, it’s important to take the right measures in notifying your employer. If you are quitting under bad circumstances, you should make an effort to remain professional. Sudden resignation can breach your employment contract and make you unentitled to payment which you would otherwise receive.

Rewarding Careers: outreach worker

By offering help and support to families, family outreach workers play a pivotal role in ensuring children have the best possible outcome in life. It is a hugely varied and challenging role that may not be able to offer massive pay packets, but makes up for that with its fulfilling nature.

Day-to-Day

Skills Required

A family outreach worker should expect a varied workload on a day-to-day basis. The role involves working closely with a range of professionals, in order to help families by giving them the support and information they need. Families would firstly be assigned to an outreach worker by a social worker and have any issues identified. Then, by regularly working and communicating with the family, they would aim to help families be able to provide for themselves.

Mary identifies communication as a key facet of the role:

What Makes It So Rewarding?

Mary* is currently employed as an outreach worker, and believes that the most rewarding aspect of the role is: ‘Seeing the progress families you are working with make and playing a small part in parents being able to provide better outcomes for their children.’

Evidently this is a profession where building a relationship with clients is absolutely key - both to be a success in the role and also to get as much out of the career as possible.

The Law: If you have been working for the company

for one month or more, you must give at least one week’s notice. However, it is important to check your contract in case the employer requires a different notice period. The period begins the day after you’ve handed in your notice.

Your normal employment rights should remain intact during this time. This covers things such as holiday pay, sick pay and maternity/paternity leave. Note that taking part in strike action can affect your rights during your notice period.

‘You need to be able to communicate effectively and think on your feet… it’s also important to be a good listener and be able to form relationships with families and other professionals’.

Salary & Entry Requirements Outreach workers can expect to earn a starting salary of £18,000, which may rise to £35,000 as more experience and responsibilities are accrued. In terms of entry requirements, to enter the field you would need to have already gained some experience in related areas - for example in children’s homes, nurseries or family refuge centres. A level three qualification in areas such as Social Work, Childcare or Counselling would also be a prequisite for a career as an outreach worker.

Check out some of the links below for even more information about the career: 4children National Careers Service Career Pathways

Advice: Always check your contract for notice

period requirements. To solve payment disputes following your notice, you should resort to your company’s grievance procedures. If that fails, you can request an employment tribunal.

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surviving the Office Party It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The mulled wine is flowing, the end of the year is near and the office wants to celebrate everyone’s hard work. A lot of you will be attending the office Christmas party soon, and with many companies cutting costs by organising them during the week, it has become even more important to watch your behaviour. But there’s no need to be a Scrooge! Here are some top tips that will ensure you’re not a complete killjoy, but still avoid waking up under your desk the following morning.

Attend A lack of attendance can often give a bad impression, so it’s best to bite the bullet for the sake of your career prospects.

After all, this is a perfect opportunity for you to meet senior members of the company and thank your co-workers for all their assistance throughout the year. How can you show off your networking skills if you’re not there?

Dress Appropriately

Beware of the Booze

Find out the dress code beforehand and discuss it with your co-workers. The key thing to remember is that it’s a business event, so it needs to be along the same lines as what you would wear to work.

It’s usually better to look too smart rather than too casual, as it shows you like to make an effort. If it’s fancy dress then go ahead and embrace the festive season – just be sure to check it isn’t a wind up.

Most of us have witnessed a family member on Christmas Day who’s had one too many brandies and ends up offending everyone around the dinner table. Well this is something you should keep in mind at the office Christmas party. After several drinks it’s easy to get carried away and forget your surroundings.

This can lead to awkward silences and general embarrassment. There’s no harm in having a couple of drinks to get into the festive spirit, but once you’ve hit your limit simply top up with a soft drink.

Mingle Your first port of call is to greet the boss and thank them for holding the event. For the rest of the night it’s important to introduce yourself to coworkers you don’t know, as well as socialise with those you do. Even approach that colleague you don’t see eye to eye with and display a winning smile as you wish them a ‘Merry Christmas’. The senior members of the company will recognise your efforts and will note your ability to network; a key skill for senior roles.

By following these steps you can ensure you wake up feeling refreshed, happy and perhaps even excited about new prospects that have come about as a result of your behaviour. If you have already made your blunder, then it’s best to be professional and face up to it. Apologise straightaway to anyone that may have been offended and more importantly, grovel to your boss! All in all, don’t misbehave at the Christmas party - or elf !

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it’s snow joke.

Office Christmas party blunders to steer clear of.

It’s Getting Hot in Here…

‘I’ve only ever drank alcohol at the office Christmas party once - for good reason. I had gotten myself involved in a shot contest and once I was far beyond my limits, nobody could get me off the dance floor.

Don Jon Unfortunately I was so ‘in the zone’ that when ‘Santa Baby’ came on, I started to strip. Thankfully ‘I’m one of th ose guys tha several of my colleagues picked me up, along with t thinks they ’re Brad Pitt after a fe my discarded items of clothing, and carried me w too many wines. I shou ld have restra ined myself came to the to the toilets. Work the next day was painful when it open bar at th e office Chri Not only wa stmas party. and incredibly embarrassing – I still go s I hitting on the waitresse staff, I even bright red whenever the song comes s and bar started flirtin g with the date of colleagues. on the radio…’ s and wives The final stra w up a beautifu was when I - Amy, 28, Stafford was chatting l woman at th e bar and in m delusion, I th y drunken ought the pe rf ect way to w to squeeze h in her over w er bum as sh as e excused he thing I know rself. The ne the boss’s bri xt ght red face and ordering is screaming me to be rem oved from th Turns out his e event. wife wasn’t in terested in m all.’ e at s Fancy Mes - Andrew, 3 2,Gloucester to y company is m t a n io it d a ‘A tr at the employees th st e w e n en it ir e tell th ncy dress wh fa is y rt a p s ma ns and office Christ g our reactio in e se y jo n e med they isn’t. I guess unately, I see rt fo n U . m e s on th t discovering a d e il fa are testing u d a h at ly newbie th Santa Claus te le p m o to be the on c a in ted, I turned up as so humilia w I t u b the truth, so ff o it ull my ied to laugh nks to help d costume. I tr ri d l ra e v se down ber a lot from m e m re I I decided to y sa ent. I cannot p the next u e k o w embarrassm I t c lf, but the fa ume, the night itse ill in full cost st sk e d y m er e, morning und ng down at m ri a st rs e rk o w k.’ with my cotty well I thin re p p u it s sum Bath - Derek, 41, Subscribe for free at www.careersavvy.co.uk

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working from home

T u r n i n g y o u r a b o d e i n t o a va l u a b l e w o r k s p a c e

P

eople can work from home for many reasons: you might work in an industry where going into the office every day isn’t a requirement or perhaps you’ve become self-employed and you want to avoid steep rent costs. Whatever the reason, working efficiently is crucial. It’s a good idea to make sure your workspace is clean, comfortable and allows you to concentrate. Less time online shopping or playing with the dog = higher levels of productivity. Here are a few top tips that will allow you to work efficiently in your home office.

1

Decide What You Need

2

Choose the Right Space

3

Be Comfortable

It’s no use splashing your entire budget on a swanky Mont Blanc pen if you’re then left relying on an old Windows 97 PC you found in your garage. Make a list of all of the equipment you need and budget for the items accordingly. Although it’s fine to have some decorations around the office, make sure you have enough for the essentials first.

Separating your workspace from your home space is another really important factor. Sitting in your games room (if you’re that fortunate!) with a laptop will not do - your office should be away from the distractions of your home and preferably in a separate room altogether.

There’s no need to punish yourself by sitting on the beaten-up old kitchen chair that nobody else dares sit on. You’re going to be stationary for quite a few hours each day and it’s worth investing in an ergonomically-pleasing chair that will provide the comfort you need. This seems a bit obvious but it’s perhaps something that is a bit underrated in the modern home office. It’s especially important since around half of the UK population report lower back pain for at least 24 hours at some point in the year.

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4 5

Organisation So you’ve got all the equipment, you’ve found the perfect space and you have a lovely chair to sit on.

Time to pat yourself on the back and get on with work, right? Wrong! The next important step is making sure that your equipment is well-organised and easy to access. If you have a printer it should be within reach but not in the way, whilst your notes and documents should be filed away ideally in storage shelves or a filing cabinet.

Decoration We touched on it before, but adding a personal touch to your office will really complete its look and get you ready to start work. This could set your home office apart from the company office and make working from home truly worth it - so take good care of it! Everyone has their own personal taste, but if you’re struggling for inspiration then check out some of the great ideas below.

20 Stunning Home Workspaces 25 Great Home Office Décor Ideas

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Top picks for your

3

Home office 1

2

4

5

7

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6

best of both

9

splash out

8

10

On the go

11

12

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ENHANCE YOUR CAREER:

PERFECT YOUR PRESENTATIONS Delivering a memorable presentation is always a difficult task: how do you grab the audience’s attention? How do you maintain it and then leave them inspired? By perfecting your performance you can enhance your current career, proving to your boss that you are passionate about your job, and that you are a vital member of the company.

FIVE TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU TO MAKE A LASTING IMPRESSION IN YOUR NEXT PRESENTATION: SHARE STORIES PLAN AHEAD The only thing worse than feeling unprepared for your presentation is having to sit through one which clearly has no thought behind it. If possible, view the space where you will be performing to get an idea of the size of the room. This will help you determine how loud you’ll need to speak and how large the text in your slides needs to be. Ask yourself what your focus is and ensure this is made clear by the structure of your presentation. Prepare yourself for questions and any technical issues – it’s important to have a back-up plan.

QUOTE SOMEONE Many of the best presentations include an inspirational quote because they help to make a lasting impression. The best way to include one is to either open or end your presentation with it; it grabs or reaffirms the audience’s attention. Try to find something unusual but relevant, rather than a cliché.

Most presentations need facts and statistics, but unfortunately this information is easy to forget. To make sure your points are meaningful, tell a story that relates to your topic. This will engage the audience especially if you use humour. It will also help the audience to decipher complicated concepts that are unavoidable in your presentation. Try not to use jargon or slang as this can appear unprofessional or be confusing.

CONVEY CONFIDENCE You cannot let the audience pick up on your nerves. Try to relax, keep your gestures natural and make eye contact with the audience to emphasise your confidence in your topic. Your speech can also help you to appear confident by using silences effectively. If you’re quiet in between points, your ideas will have time to settle into the audience’s mind, creating a bigger impact.

Although, maintain your pace, as allowing these silences to last too long will give the impression that you are unprepared.

PERFECT YOUR ENDING Although repeating your main points is necessary for emphasis, try to use other techniques which will make your presentation unforgettable. It’s important to let the audience know what action they can now take; you need to make it worth their while. Touch the audience’s sensitive side by posing a question; this will help them to think seriously about what you have presented. Use a surprising fact, a relevant cartoon or a short memorable statement to grab the attention of and truly inspire your audience. Whatever you decide to use, it needs to highlight your overall message.

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How To: Impress Your Boss 1: Be up to date

4: Get on With others

Get a good awareness of the industry

shows that you’ve put thought into

current threats and opportunities are.

finances, outside of your own pay

Your boss will also appreciate

you’re working in; especially what the

this and you care about company

Signing up to industry magazines,

cheque.

industry knowledge that you can use

3: Initiate everything

and ideas. Your boss will pay more

most are ones that take the initiative

from a knowledgeable viewpoint.

bosses don’t want to spoon-feed you

2: Scrimp and save

time. So don’t wait to be told what

In team meetings, give verbal

fit. Having chats with your boss to

and volunteer things you like about

websites and blogs will help you get

Employees that are appreciated

thought to your ideas if they come

to do various tasks. Managers and

spending or even further revenue

opportunities, share them with your boss. Anything with the goal of

saving the company money is certain to go down a treat. It also

“

relationships with other staff

members. If they can trust that you’ll

to suggest new company initiatives

If you spot a way to save resources,

employees that have good

work well with others, you’ll be relied upon for more tasks, such as leading

a team or training new staff. Making your boss’s working life easier will always go down well.

everything – they just don’t have the

5: Be Positive

to do and get things done as you see

encouragement and praise others,

make sure you’re on the right track

is a good idea, but in general, being responsible for your own workload reflects well on you.

other people’s suggestions. Positivity

is infectious and sparks confidence in others too. You will also come across as passionate and enthusiastic about your job.

inspirational Quote of the month

THE ONLY WAY TO DO GREAT WORK IS TO LOVE WHAT YOU DO. IF YOU HAVEN’T FOUND IT YET, KEEP LOOKING. DON’T SETTLE. AS WITH ALL MATTERS OF THE HEART, YOU’LL KNOW WHEN YOU FIND IT.

“

- STEVE JOBS

The ever-quotable Steve Jobs still serves as an inspiration to many. Although the current job market is very competitive, it’s still important to enjoy the job that you settle on for your career. It will motivate you to better yourself and to keep moving forward in your career, rather than being stuck in a profession you don’t enjoy.

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Thrifty Travel

get to work on the cheap.

Money maker

Top tips to be quids-in while looking for work.

Lift sharing

Be an Audio Typist

Or ‘carpooling’. You may feel a bit awkward with a stranger or an unknown colleague at first, but this will only improve as time goes on especially as you both realise how much money you are saving! Here are some reasons to try it:

All you need is a computer, broadband connection and fast fingers. Many agencies employ freelance home-based typists to provide transcripts and subtitles for a range of purposes: mostly film and TV.

•

By sharing the expenses you can save on any petrol and toll costs.

•

You will help to reduce emissions, as well as traffic, due to cutting down the number of cars on the road.

•

You can organise lift sharing at work by displaying a notice in the office; everyone can add their journeys and organise lift shares. You could even set up a page on liftshare.com specifically for the company.

You’ll be given a weekly workload, but the good news is - providing you get it done - you can complete it whenever you want.

Thus it’s ideal for people who need to remain flexible while looking for employment. Most transcription agencies will pay per work or per transcript completed.

What better way to prove to the government that public transport services are not up to scratch, than to avoid using them altogether?

Audio typing may not be a good option for those who struggle with spelling, as you will have to listen and type simultaneously and also proofread your work. Benefits include not having to leave your front door and flexible working times. Drawbacks include working to tight deadlines and possibly tedious tasks.

Useful links:

Useful links:

www.blablacar.com

www.take1.tv

www.liftshare.com

www.outsec.co.uk

team Savvy

next issue:

Dave Morgan Editor

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Greg Pendleton Head of Sales

• Unimaginable First Jobs

Jessica AUGARDE Designer Chloe Franchina Writer & Editorial Samantha hacker Production & Editorial Nick Harland Writer

• World’s Most Interesting Job? Courtroom Artist • Know Your Rights: Health and Safety • Enhance Your Career: Perfect your Performance Review.

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• Coolest Offices at YouTube • Job Opportunities Through 2014 • Creative Ways to Make Money Whilst Looking for Work •

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