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Happy new year!
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And a happy start to your ‘new year, new career’ aspirations! Now that the turkey, wine, cheese and chocolates have disappeared, it’s time to formulate and realise those career plans for 2014 – it’s going to be a fantastic year for us all. The new year is an excellent time to kickstart a new career, with many employers rolling out huge recruitment drives and expansion plans, but be warned that many jobseekers and career enhancers will all be jumping on the bandwagon. So, have a good read of our top tips to stay ahead of the competition. In this issue we show you how the job and hiring trends are likely to pan out this year, whet your appetite for change with insights into the booming green jobs and travel industries, and teach you the best ways to deal with modern-day interviews over Skype (or the good ol’ phone). We look forward to seeing you throughout the year – let’s make it a great one! DAVE MORGAN EDITOR
Regular features 4 Readers' first jobs
The best of the worst.
5 success story
Teaching assistant Rich shares his ambitions to make a difference.
6-7 world’s most interesting jobs
Meet the court artists who capture iconic criminals on a regular basis.
26-27 inside the hiring process at...
Facebook. Take a look behind the scenes of their application process.
30-31 coolest offices
A peek into the retro charm of YouTube HQ
33 know your rights
Elf and safety at work.
40 how to...
Recover from mistakes. We all make them!
14-15 A day in the life of...
41 enhance your career
24-25 how to get into...
42 money maker & thrifty travel
An assest protection manager for an oil firm in the Middle East. Green jobs - they’re sprouting up all over the country.
news 8 Industry update
The soaring prospects up for grabs in tourism and travel.
9 hiring trends in 2014
A look into the year ahead.
10 job sharing
Perfecting your performance appraisal.
Obscure yet easy ways to make and save cash.
lifestyle 11 Four resolutions to stick to
New year, new opportunities and a new you.
12-13 moving to the city
In true Dick Whittington style, head to where the streets are paved with gold.
Is job sharing the new part-time?
features
23 Burgeoning industries
Careers worth considering as demand for them rises.
16 misleading job titles
28-29 skype and phone interviews
17 Finding the right job
32-33 contemplating your contract
Jobs that should be cooler than what they are in reality. Step-by-step guide to help you discover the perfect job for you.
Top tips for getting you through the modern day interview. How to read between the lines, before you sign.
18-19 blog your way to a new job
34 salary vs job satisfaction
20-21 Endless opportunities in...
35 rewarding careers
How the modern jobseeker can stand out from the crowd. Engineering: REngineeringJobs share their insights.
22 alternatives to uni
Explore and weigh up your options.
The pros and cons of achieving both. Life as a special educational needs teacher.
36 office etiquette
Navigate your way around the office dos and don’ts.
READER STORIES
FIRST JOBS
GOT
A STO R SHAR Y TO E?
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TH E WO RS T OF TH E WO RS T
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T I R A E B T ' C A N , 22, Leeds Jenna
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HOLEY HELL
John, 41, Plymouth My first full-time job was as a porter at a children's hospital. I found myself having to clear up things that weren't for the squeamish. What redeemed the job was that the hospital got visits from famous people, most notably Princess Diana. I was asked to hold the door open for her, which I was very excited about. However, on the day of her visit I wore a jumper with a hole in it, so somebody else was picked to do it instead.
Shopping List CHEESED OFF - Apples Luke, 27, York - Oranges I used to deliver pizza from my moped. It was all fun and games until I came off one Pasta day on a busy roundabout. Not only did I P I T H O F F hold up the traffic, I coated the road in Becky, 23, N ewport - Milk pepperoni and cheese. I used to w or
k in an orange until I got c anned. Yeah juice factory, , they put squeeze on the me, said I c ouldn't conc You know, sa e ntrate. me old boring rind over an again. When d over I quit they beat me to It was the a pulp. pits.
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OOPS!
SUCCESS STORY Richard faulkus Age: 22 role: Teaching assistant Random fact: I know british sign language I feel where some people have serious mental or physical incapabilities, my true calling is to work with them. It wasn't long after university that I realised this. I became a teaching assistant because I wanted some experience that would elevate me into a career where I could work with and help people, such as social work. Working in a school is always something that looks great on a CV so it's the ideal experience.
Looking forward, I would absolutely love to start afresh in America as I’m starting to feel slightly claustrophobic in England. I love a lot about American culture and would love to try it out! I'm making contacts out in California and am hoping to get some advice about this and some potential work experience. If I'm advised to get a social work MA then I will have to do so, or I may get onto a graduate scheme instead. Ideally I'd like them to sponsor me to travel over there and pay for my education. That may well be wishful thinking.
you have to think ideally about what you want to present on your CV and then make it happen.
In terms of getting my foot in the door, I simply applied for the job and had a great interview. I was one of five candidates for the teaching assistant role. Candidates had to be observed in a classroom scenario before being interviewed by three of the school senior employees. It was a half an hour interview that I managed to overcome. Two days later I got a call where the business manager of the school told me they'd like to offer me a different position, as a one to one teaching assistant with a specific student. I jumped at the opportunity
If you want to go into working with people; areas such as social work, social care, counselling, teaching etc; experience is the key. If you have a spare hour a week you can get involved in mentoring or something similar. Volunteering is proof that you are someone who is passionate about helping people. Like in all areas of work you have to think ideally about what you want to present on your CV and then make it happen. Ideally, I’d like to be earning more, but the vast experience will get me where I want to be and that's what matters the most.
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Interesting Jobs
Court Artist Would you love to capture a moment in history? If you’re a budding artist with a passion for the law, then a court artist could be the perfect career path for you. Despite the demand for this job coming into question recently following discussion over permitting cameras into trials, it’s still very much an important role – particularly in high profile cases. It can involve a large amount of responsibility: as the only one permitted to depict scenes in trials involving celebrities or high profile criminals, you’ll realise the incredible value of your work. Court artists arrive early to select a seat with the best view of proceedings – some courtrooms even provide a designated seat. They decide which scenes are worth representing to the public, such as the reading of the verdict or the response of an emotional witness. British court artists are often not permitted to sketch during
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trials because it’s deemed as a contempt of court. Therefore they possess the amazing skill of sketching from memory or very few notes. Deadlines are tight so speed is essential; sketches must be drawn whilst images are fresh in their mind. A court artist focuses on the general mood, facial expressions and the gestures of those involved in the case. Using pastels, graphite pencils, chalk or coloured pencils, a vivid representation of the proceedings is sketched. Priscilla Coleman, a prestigious court artist, told us: ‘I love the variety and surprise of my job. I also love that I can look at fascinating faces and draw them for a useful purpose. It’s a visual aid to tell the story and very necessary for television and newspapers.’
a
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I love the variety and surprise of my job.
Image by Priscilla Coleman. MBmediasolutions
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Trials can last weeks or even months, and court artists must attend as much of it as possible to capture the majority of events. However it may only last a day, so this isn’t a career for those who require a strict routine. This job is also not for the faint-hearted, as court artists will see and hear every gruesome detail in criminal courts. These details are repeated throughout and can concern details of horrific crimes. You would need to be tough and not let it distract you. Skills in caricature, life and portrait drawing are beneficial as they develop your ability to depict the human form. In addition, practising the capture of movement is important: try to sit in open court cases and practise memorising events. Then decide how you would represent them on paper. Recent developments in the regulations
of the courtroom have resulted in more cameras entering trials, meaning demand for this job isn’t likely to increase – but don’t let this put you off. High profile cases often ban cameras therefore the talents of court artists are still required. It’s common to have jobs on the side such as drawing portraits, restoring fine art, sculpting, etc. Plus you can sell your drawings to private buyers or media companies after the trial. Salaries depend on your experience and how high profile the case is. Competition for this job is high due to the number of qualified candidates outnumbering the number of roles, meaning your talent will be what helps you stand out to employers. So if you have creative flair and an interest in the law then this career could be the answer. Your drawings could offer the public a vivid depiction of crucial moments in the courtrooms of our country.
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industry update: travel & tourism By Alison Clements
If you love travel, this sector is for you! Degrees favoured by employers hiring travel consultants include tourism, geography, travel management, business, hospitality and public relations. Some large travel firms run apprentice programmes and graduate schemes, providing on the job training One in 11 people in the UK
are working in the tourism and travel sector
and promotion prospects if apprentices are successful. Other useful qualifications include BTEC, City & Guilds, and NVQ/SVQs in related subjects. This is a sector where a gap year spent travelling will look good on your CV, and if you’ve clocked up experience as a holiday rep or tour
guide along the way, even better! The typical starting salary in the travel business is around £18K (see below for a handful of the typical roles available), while those in team leader and junior management positions can expect to earn £22K-£30K per annum.
UK will see strongest ever inbound tourism in 2013 The tourism spend in 2013 reached record levels - some 11% above the first eight months of 2012. The amount spent by overseas visitors has reached a new milestone, with £20 billion spent in the last year alone. This will likely escalate further this year when the rules around visas for Chinese visitors are relaxed, opening the floodgates for wealthy Chinese tourists. We are now starting to see visitor numbers breaking records too, with holiday trips breaking monthly records for the fourth consecutive month, and the UK welcoming more inbound holiday visits in August (up 19%) than any previous month.
Sixth largest
industry in UK
Tui Travel seeks 1,500 extra staff for summer 2014
Two thirds of
graduates are
employed in this
sector six months
after graduation
sector roles • Travel consultants • Telesales professionals • Reservations staff • Business travel • Consultants • Holiday reps • Hotel staff /hospitality • Staff tour guides
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Holiday giant Tui Travel has various tour operating brands that need to attract candidates for over one hundred different job roles across nine different countries. Tui Travel plc is the parent company of several market-leading holiday brands and airlines including Thomson, LateRooms.com and Crystal Ski Holidays. It currently employs nearly 54,000 employees around the world. In a move away from its previous practice of recruiting by individual brand, the company has brought eight of its brands under one roof with a single website: tuitraveljobs.co.uk. This will handle recruitment for customer service roles in Thomson, First Choice, JCA, Sunsail, Travelbound, Crystal Ski, Ski Bound Holidays and Flexiski. Applications have opened for summer 2014 for the most popular roles, such as overseas customer advisors and childcare, with the aim of getting all 1,500 staff members on resort by 1st April next year.
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Information supplied by traveljobsearch.com
Monthly Economy Report: Hiring Trends in 2014 OK folks, it’s that time of the month again. Yes, it’s time for Career Savvy’s monthly economy report. this time, we’re getting the crystal ball out to try and predict some of the hiring trends over 2014, with a little help from our friends over at Broadbean. As always, it’s designed to try and give you lot the edge in the job hunt. So without further ado… Good news, everyone!
Time to dig a little deeper
The overall picture of the job market is looking good. According to figures released at the end of October 2013, both permanent and temporary vacancies increased for the second consecutive month, by 10.2% and 13.9% respectively.
The three industries reporting the biggest monthly growth in permanent vacancies are utilities (27%), building and construction (18%) and transport and rail (13%). The year on year growth for the utilities (27.5%) and building and construction (35.9%) sectors were also impressive.
Unfortunately, the increase in temporary work isn’t a trend you would expect to see continue into 2014, as companies such as Sainsbury’s, Amazon and Royal Mail have all taken on thousands of extra staff purely for the busy Christmas period. However, Sainsbury’s alone expect to keep on 2,000 of the 16,000 temporary staff recruited, which will give a nice little boost to the permanent recruitment figures as we head into the new year. But the increase in vacancies isn’t just down to the Christmas and new year recruitment rush. Permanent job vacancies have increased 6.4% from the same period last year and temporary vacancies have increased a huge 14.4% year on year. This suggests that the job market as a whole is looking a lot rosier than this time last year. Hooray!
The growth in the utilities sector supports predictions made at the start of 2013 by Prospects editor Luke Berté, who commented that; ‘thousands of new jobs are likely to appear over the coming years’. Although a degree in a related field will help kickstart a career in the profession, other degrees can still lead into marketing, sales or management roles within the utilities industry.
And finally… Broadbean also reported that salaries had increased by an average of 0.3% in the last three months. It’s all looking to be on-the-up, and translates to an extra pint on payday at least!
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Job Sharing One of the offshoots of the modern-day job market is the increased potential for employees to benefit from a job share arrangement at their company. Whilst in the 70s and 80s it was generally considered as a solution for housewives looking to move into employment alongside other responsibilities, it has since become a popular option for both men and women. Job sharing can be done on a daily or weekly basis, with each employee alternating whenever it suits both parties. There are many reasons to job share and, if done correctly, employers and employees alike can reap the rewards.
Pros
Cons
• The tasks and responsibilities of a full-time position are retained even if the hours are not. Through job sharing, somebody who wants to switch from full-time to part-time hours wouldn’t necessarily have to move into a profession where they are potentially overqualified and unfulfilled.
• Because at least one of the people sharing the role would not be physically present at work, there could be some issues with getting in touch with whoever is absent from the office. Therefore the person in question may have to make themselves contactable even during their time off.
• Working out a job share arrangement with valuable employees to retain their services could turn out to be a handy compromise for both parties. It could also be used as a strategy to attract top candidates who are unwilling to commit to full-time hours, but may be tempted to share those hours with someone else.
• The two employees sharing the role would also have to make sure they communicate effectively in order to distribute tasks fairly and manage their workloads accordingly.
• It ensures that there is a wider and more varied skill set across the two employees - which in turn could mean higher productivity.
• Communication is also important in terms of ensuring that other full-time staff are aware of when the two employees are due to be at work, so that any potential problems can be avoided.
Despite the potential downsides, job sharing can potentially be a fruitful endeavour if done correctly. Employees sharing a role should have no problems motivating themselves either - by job sharing they have both found an arrangement that suits them perfectly therefore they will be thankful for this opportunity. If a job share is something that would suit you, it’s worth approaching your current employer to see if it’s something that they would be open to. It is increasingly an option for modern, progressive companies and by pointing out the potential benefits to the employer, some firms may welcome a job share arrangement if it means getting the best out of current employees.
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four resolutions you need to stick to With the New Year comes new opportunities and hopefully, a new you. Which resolutions should you be trying out in order to boost your prospects this year and, more importantly, how do you stick to them?
to
do list
line te cv - upda contacts on p by 2pm i e - mak or internsh ndar f a le - apply deadline ca social medi e d - mak e website an t a d p -u
Be organised This is most likely to be on a lot of people’s resolution lists. But when applied specifically to your career, it’s easy to see how being organised can help you enormously. First of all, put all of the entry deadlines for any schemes, internships or mass recruitment opportunities in your diary. Then you can prioritise applications in order of what needs to be sent off first. Secondly, be the first to apply for spaces at job fairs throughout the year. Researching and mastering all of these dates will mean you never miss out on an opportunity unnecessarily.
Figure stuff out It’s natural to not know what you want to do with the rest of your life. But if you can figure out what you want to do with this next chunk of it, your job search will be so much easier. This will resonate with anybody who scrolls through job boards with absolutely nothing jumping out at them. Do some work experience, volunteer work, anything. If you enjoy doing something for free, think how much you will enjoy doing it when you’re getting paid.
Get into a routine There’s a big difference between living an unemployed lifestyle and living a jobseeking lifestyle. The latter involves being much more proactive. Live like you might have to start a new job tomorrow, regardless of whether that’s true. That means getting up early, preparing, planning, applying or practising your interview techniques. Plan the next day before the current one is over so that you’re never at a loss as to what to do.
Save the pennies Another one that probably appears on most people’s resolution lists – control your spending. It’s unrealistic to deny yourself a social life. But if you can put some money away every week or month, you will build up a good wodge of cash that will help you out if you need a train ticket or new outfit for an interview. It’s always worth having some emergency funds that you can put to good use when a job opportunity crops up.
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Moving to the City: London T
he new year encourages change. So instead of promoting a city that’s a cheaper alternative to London, this month we’re taking the plunge and revealing why our capital is the land of opportunity. London may be known for its high prices and bustling crowds, but as one of the most influential cities in the world in terms of business and culture, it’s an inspiring place to live. The capital is brimming with opportunities and its abundance of attractions mean you will never have an excuse to be bored. So if you’re looking for a change of scene in 2014, why not embrace the hustle and bustle of London?
base and well-entrenched commercial culture to their advantage. The headquarters of some of the major financial institutions are situated in London such as the Bank of England and the London Stock Exchange. Around 315,200 people in London are employed in the financial services sector.
London has many influential and successful industries, most notably those of finance and media. The latest results of the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings revealed that the average UK full-time employee earns £26,200, yet in London it’s £35,188. Although the higher salary is needed to cover greater living expenses, it’s reassuringly far above the national average.
If you think of any major media organisation in this country you’ll find that it’s most likely based in London. In fact, the capital boasts one of the largest media industries in the whole of Europe. This sector experiences growth year on year and around one fifth of all the people working in London are involved in this industry in some way. With the BBC (the world’s largest broadcaster), majority of television studios and a whole host of radio stations and newspapers all based in the capital, it’s easy to understand its economic importance to the city. Check out further information about London’s major industries.
For centuries London has been recognised as the UK’s financial hub. Its status as a leading international business and trade centre, as well as its strong libel and trust laws, has drawn foreign businesses to the city. Businesses are able to use London’s financiers, strong networking
Finding somewhere you both want to live and can afford in London is tricky. But if you prepare yourself for the high prices and consider your current living situation (young professional or family), it will be easier to find the right area.
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the most influential city in the world in terms of business and culture, it’s an inspiring place to live •£688 for a room in a house or flat •£2,502 for a flat •£3,766 for a house A popular area for young professionals is the Docklands with its modern apartments, new shops and great views over the river. Of course this doesn’t come cheap, with one bedroom properties costing around £1,599 pcm and two bedroom properties around £2,238 pcm. Those of you with a family or who are thinking of having one soon should consider Battersea. Many young professionals also like this area as the transition into parenthood can be made smoothly here. Its market, parks and nice cafes target families, and its great bars and restaurants are perfect for young professionals who need to let off steam. You’re looking at £1,713 pcm for one bedroom properties and £2,391 pcm for two bedrooms. East Dulwich is a more affordable family friendly area, that’s still only a stone’s throw away from the city centre. One bedroom properties cost around £1,101 pcm and two bedrooms £1,500 pcm. More information about the popular areas to live in London.
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Average rent prices in London (per calendar month):
Attractions: London has plenty to keep you occupied. Favourites include the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, the beautiful views from the London Eye, the impressive Tate Gallery, as well as the historical Tower of London. The city is also home to Europe’s biggest street festival Notting Hill Carnival which attracts millions of visitors each year. Discover more about the top attractions.
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Random Facts about London:
1. Over 300 languages are spoken in London – more than any other city in the world. 2. Buckingham Palace was originally the site of a notorious brothel. 3. London is the largest city by population in the European Union. 4. The London Underground built in 1863 was the first ever metro in the world. 5. Covent Garden is a spelling mistake – the area used to be the market garden for a convent.
A DAY IN THE LIFE OF:
Overseeing protection of oil and gas pla Jobs in security are often pursued by those who regard the safety of others as more important than their own, and we are extremely lucky to have such people to protect us. Chloe Franchina spoke to Dave Smith, an asset protection manager for an oil and gas company, to find out the skills and responsibilities involved in this remarkable career.
I spent 22 years in the army, therefore it was a natural progression when I left to fall into a role within the security industry. I completed a master’s degree in security and risk management and also a health and safety course – both of which are important for this job. I then worked in security related jobs for three to four years, mainly in East Africa and Eastern Europe, until I was offered this job about eight years ago. My ability to speak Arabic was the main reason I was offered this particular role as the oil and gas company needed someone to work over in Yemen.
What personal qualities do you think are essential to be good at your job? Definitely flexibility and adaptability. The internal political security problems in Yemen and their current situation with the Arab Spring, means that there’s a lot of security issues that change and evolve on a daily basis. Therefore you’ve really got to try and be one step ahead.
What does a typical day consist of? I work 28 days on and 28 days off, 7:30am until 8:309:00pm, although my shifts are technically 12 hours long. I often work late because my daily report cannot be sent until the end of the day in case anything changes and this has to be sent to my company overseas; I have to consider the time difference. My day starts with calling the guys that work out in the field to find out where their issues have been overnight. Then I’ll put together and send off reports, after which I’m likely to have management meetings. About 60% of my work is office-based as I manage the whole security function which involves
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dealing with budgets, security contracts, etc. The other 40% of my day I like to get out and about: I’ll meet with other security people to get updates on what’s happening in their areas. Every day often depends on what’s happened the night before.
What is the best thing about your job? Every day is different! This is obviously due to the current security situation we’ve got in Yemen. It would be totally different if I was doing this job in the UK where I would likely be doing the same tasks every single day.
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We had a terrorist attack in 2006, so we had to increase all our security What is the best advice you to meet the change of threat. have ever received?
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How did you become an asset protection manager? Did you need any specific training or education?
My dad always said: ‘If a job’s worth doing, it is worth doing properly’. If my boss is paying me a decent wage and giving me a good standard of living then the least I can do is provide them with a good job in return.
What would be your biggest tip, for someone looking to follow your career path? Especially if they’ve left the army like me, gain as much experience as you can, as commercial security is completely different to the army. Use your experiences to decide which career path or industry you want to pursue. It’s not about taking the best job, but taking the job that will provide you with the best experience in the long run.
AN ASSET PROTECTION MANAGER
ants in the middle east from terrorists
What has been the highlight of your career so far? The responsibility of managing a $12 million security upgrade project over all our sites in Yemen. We had a terrorist attack in 2006 so we had to increase all our security to meet the change of threat. It involved deciding what we needed to meet this threat and then getting hold of the relevant companies to provide us with quotes and cost estimates. I issued contracts and managed this upgrade until completion.
What’s been the most challenging part of your career so far? The past two years with Yemen going through its own equivalent to the Arab Spring – it has been very challenging both in terms of a security and political aspect. To keep everyone safe and secure I’ve had to put together a very detailed crisis management and
evacuation plan. Again, it’s trying to keep one step ahead of the situation in hand, which unfortunately is just impossible sometimes.
If you could spend one day in a different career, what would it be? If I had stayed in education rather than leaving for the army at 16, then I would have loved to become a vet very different I know!
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Mask designer ader
District Beaver le
A glorious leader of beavers on a regional level? Well, sort of. Rather than managing a team of obedient dam-dwelling rodents, District Beaver leaders are instead likely to be overseeing the tasks of six to eight year-old Beaver Scouts. No dam building then. Damn.
g n i d a e sl
Mi
Exactly which sort of organisation would want to hire a mask designer is unclear; but it’s not actually what you might think. In real life the responsibilities of this role would include designing templates for electronic components, such as circuit boards, with an average salary of around £65K to go with the cool job title.
Job Titles
Don’t get too excited…
nager
Erection engineer Admit it, you giggled at this one! The unfortunatelytitled erection T EN NT engineer is in fact a O TC UL D highly responsible A role and is someone who oversees the planning, finance and implementation of largescale building projects.
Modelling analysis ma
Whilst analysing real-life models, or even managing those who do the analysing (sounds like a real feet-on-desk job), appears to be a dream profession for a large percentage of men out there, the actions of a pesky PR officer have given false hope to thousands. In actual fact this job is all about using mathematical models to analyse risk for a business.
THE JOB ADVERT YOU WILL NOT FIND ON JOB SITES… The Secret Intelligence Service requires an experienced and fearless individual to represent the UK on special missions abroad. This varied role will require high levels of personal fitness, significant experience with firearms and willingness to be out of the country for indefinite lengths of time.
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Tasks will include:
Desirable
• Elimination of attributes: dangerous targets • Unafraid to • Driving fast cars negotiate and/ • Regular use of a wide range or ‘deal with’ dangerous of firearms and newly-invented individuals • Mysterious and/or gadgets interesting back story
Essential attributes:
• Experience with weapons and adaptability to work with new technology • Suave manner and appearance
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The successful candidate will benefit from health and life insurance packages, performance-related bonuses and a selection of complimentary tuxedos.
Finding the Right Job: Step-By-Step The process of getting a job can be complicated and even intimidating for a lot of people. But do not fear, for Career Savvy is here to guide you and make it a lot easier for you to find that perfect job.
B
efore jumping straight into the murky world of job hunting, it would be wise to firstly consider which profession is best suited to you in terms of skills and what you’re likely to enjoy. Prospects offer a detailed breakdown of many different jobs, including specifications about what each involves on a daily basis, the skills you require and advice on how to break into the profession. Targetjobs provides similar information on a wide variety of careers from midwives to music therapists.
T
hink about the skills you have, perhaps even make a list of them, and start trying to match them up with some appealing careers. Is there a website which could help me to do this, you ask? Fortunately, there is: Targetjobs have a handy career planner to try to match your skills and experience to suitable jobs. Although you shouldn’t take automated programs to be 100% accurate, as they can sometimes throw up some strange results, many can still give you a decent idea of what you might like to do in the future. Just don’t take it too much to heart. If you’re a budding writer, but the career planner tells you a fishmonger role would suit you better, then feel free to disregard it.
N
ow you’ve decided on your ideal job, something you have the skills and qualifications for and you feel you would enjoy, it’s time to start searching for current job vacancies. This is where the murkiness of a job hunt can often set in; job sites throw up so many results that refining your search to find the right ones can be difficult. There are a few ways to avoid this.
from company to company, meaning there could be ads that your search isn’t throwing up. A better way of looking for your job may be to use a keyword search instead.
P
utting this into practice, Jobsite have an advanced search function to really narrow things down. If, for example, you’re seeking an entry-level role in marketing, you could use the advanced search to include terms such as ‘marketing’, ‘coordinator’, ‘executive’ or ‘assistant’ in the job title. Then try searching for some of your skills in the job description; if you feel you’re a fit for marketing then ‘writing’, ‘communicating’ and ‘sourcing’ are all typical keywords used in this profession. A quick search on Jobsite using just the keyword ‘marketing’ for a role in Bristol threw up 210 results, whereas refining that search in the same way as mentioned above cut the list down to a more manageable list of 73 vacancies. Much better!
By following these steps it could transform the process of a job search from a stressful, time-consuming and occasionally infuriating experience, to one which is quick, easy and ultimately rewarding. Here is a roundup of the websites listed in the guide, as well as a few more for good measure. prospects.ac.uk targetjobs.co.uk jobsite.com monster.com indeed.co.uk
T
ry researching the possible job titles of your preferred role. However, lots of titles differ slightly
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Blog your way to yo
Food, fashion photography and writing are some of the most popular topics blogged about on the web. Successful bloggers have gone on to have books published, get headhunted or make money from advertising on their site. You don’t need to be an expert in web creation either, as sites like Blogger and Wordpress are free and easy to get started on. On top of that, creating a blog related to your desired career path allows you to develop your knowledge of your selected industry. In order to produce up-to-date content, you will need to do extensive research to develop your expertise. Furthermore, posting several times a week will improve your writing tone as well as your general writing skills, thanks to regular practice. Setting yourself deadlines such as a certain number of updates a week will also prepare you for the pressures of the world of work. Once again, the importance of networking must be addressed as blogging is another example of how you can do this effectively online. Seek professionals in your field of interest on both blogging websites and LinkedIn. Invite them to view or interview for your blog and
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ensure you are interacting with their blog if they have one. By making such an effort to reach out to those working in your desired industry, you are showing your determination to break into this field; just make sure you remain professional. The aim is to try and establish that all important contact that will help you to get into your dream job, by connecting you with the right people. Nowadays visibility online can seriously improve your job search, as shown in Career Savvy’s social media article. If you regularly add to your blog you will inevitably succeed in improving both your visibility and searchability. Make sure you promote your blog on all of your social media accounts and even include it on your CV and/or cover letter.
“
Nowadays visibility online can seriously improve your job search
Even if you included the link to your blog in your application, don’t assume that the interviewer has seen it. By taking an example of your work to an interview, you can create a great topic of conversation. Talk about how your blog has allowed you to express your passion for the industry, develop your knowledge and connect with like-minded people. Anything you can do to prove your interest in the industry and company will help you to convince the employer that you’re the perfect candidate for the job.
“
Y
ou may have preconceived ideas that blogs are essentially online diaries, and a decade ago you would most likely have been right. However, more recently blogs have become a tool that can help jobseekers stand out in the highly competitive job market. A focused blog, dedicated to search for work or a subject you’re passionate about, can help you to be recognised for your passion and talent, as well as helping you to make an impression in an interview.
our next job Things to remember: - Keep it professional. By all means share your thoughts on important topics concerning your related field, but steer away from personal responses which could offend people. Also make sure you do a spelling and grammar check – you don’t want potential employers to be put off by silly mistakes that can make you look careless.
- Focus on your related field. If you are using your blog to increase your chances of achieving a job, then updates about what you ate for dinner or what band you went to see last night aren’t going to help you. Instead focus on relevant experiences or events you have attended recently and keep people informed of your efforts to find a job.
Blogs to Check Out: • • • • •
Briar rose The majesty of smallness 50 a year eat like a girl maketh the man
new
learn something
Taking up a hobby or learning something new will give you a new lease of life, and could also add to the experiences you talk about in interviews. It can be related to your work or something purely for fun – a language, a musical instrument, martial arts, poetry writing, wine tasting. Learning new things broadens your mind and brightens your outlook, therefore you will be ready to take on the world.
ALISON CLEMENTS
WWW.SIMPLYSALESJOBS.CO.UK
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Engineering: Endless Opportunities By Craig Bines
T
o say that engineering is a vast and diverse industry would be an understatement. In fact, many of us are unaware how much of our daily routine is affected by engineering. From the car that we drive, the house that we live in, the food that we eat and the TV programmes we watch – engineers have a part in all of this. Unfortunately, people often don’t realise the opportunities that are available in engineering. It’s still got an outdated image of hard hats and construction sites.
Where can it take me? Specialist job board REngineeringJobs has at least 40,000 vacancies advertised at any one time. These span the full breadth of the engineering sector, in areas such as: •Manufacturing •Aerospace •Environmental •Power & Energy •Nuclear •Building Services •Automotive •Utilities •Marine •Highways & Transportation •Defence •Medical & Pharmaceutical
What roles are available? Software engineer: Specialises in finding creative ways to solve problems. They’ve made it possible to do all sorts of things, from shopping online to helping planes to fly safely. Electrical engineer: Designs, builds and maintains electrical control systems, machinery and equipment. You’ve got them to thank for everything from your mobile phone to theme park rides. Civil engineer: Responsible for planning, designing and managing a variety of construction projects. They often work alongside structural engineers on housing schemes, sports stadia, hospitals, roads, etc. Structural engineers ensure existing structures remain safe and fit for purpose.
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Design engineer: Involves researching and developing ideas for new products and the systems used to make them. They also work to improve the performance and efficiency of existing products. They often use computer packages to do 2D and 3D modelling. Quality engineer: Ensures that company products meet national and international quality standards. They might also help to set up and manage quality control systems for businesses. It’s not just about technical roles either: engineering firms often need their own marketing, finance, HR and administrative teams too.
Salaries - what are they like? Naturally these are dependent on many factors such as location, complexity of the role, etc. As a general guide, you’d be starting in the industry on around £20-25K, rising to around £35-45K once you have several years of experience. You could even be receiving over £60K in management positions.
home or abroad? Engineering is very much a global market, with opportunities available in pretty much every country.
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REngineeringJobs has at least 40,000 vacancies advertised on the site at any one time.
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UK Great opportunities exist here to work with brands like Dyson, Rolls-Royce, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and Boeing. Be part of a team such as the one who worked on the Shard in London or help to build a sustainable future by working on a wind farm in Scotland. USA and Canada In the US you could work in the oil industry in Texas, as a software engineer in California or hone your aerospace skills at NASA's headquarters in Washington. In Canada you could take on a quality assurance role in the nuclear sector or work as a stress engineer testing aircraft. Middle East Traditionally offering many roles in the oil industry, nowadays you could find yourself working on the World Cup Stadia project in Qatar, part of the hotels or highways development in Dubai, or working as a health and safety advisor in Saudi Arabia. One of the incentives of working here is a tax free salary. Australia Opportunities range from working with Bombardier to keep the trains running efficiently, to advising companies on minimising their impact on their surrounding environment as a land conservationist. Other options are maintaining naval ships, or working as a stimulation engineer on a project to produce carbon efficient fuels. South America This region is experiencing engineering growth with roles now including a systems engineer working on secure radio communications for the military and government
in Brazil, as well as a field engineer in Chile working on a water supply project. South Africa Current roles include: head geologist for a diamond mine, cost estimator at a petro-chemical refinery and structural technologist creating 3D models of planned new buildings.
Skills If you have an interest or background in science, technology or maths, then engineering could well be a good career choice for you. Specific skills vary, but an interest in problem solving, an analytical mind, a keen eye for detail and the ability to explain things to nontechnical people are all key traits of this sector. Many roles have a project management element so qualifications or experience in this would serve you well. Languages would also be useful given the international nature of engineering. Being fluent in another language would widen the opportunities available to you and help you command a higher salary. Given the need to attract more people into engineering there is much support from the government and major employers at the moment to help both those just leaving education and those who would like to retrain to get into the industry. So if you have some of the skills mentioned above and feel that you would be good at some of the roles outlined, then why not explore a career path in engineering?
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Alternatives to University A recent poll conducted by The Student Room, found that three quarters of 4,000 current and prospective students feel that they are expected to go to university; whilst the rest feel they have a lack of understanding over the alternatives. Whether you didn’t quite get the grades you wanted or you just don’t think university is right for you, luckily there are still plenty of viable options.
1 Gap Year
3 Vocational Qualifications
Sometimes it’s best to take a step back and assess your options before moving forward again; at such a young age there’s still so much time to decide on what career is best for you. Taking a gap year is an increasingly popular and accessible option. Sitting at home playing Grand Theft Auto V for a year may seem appealing now, but universities and employers might not be so impressed. It can be a great opportunity to get some work experience, earn some money or go travelling abroad whilst thinking about what career you would like to pursue.
If exams aren’t for you, or perhaps you want to focus on learning some workplace skills, getting an NVQ or BTEC qualification could be the option for you. NVQs may typically be offered alongside an apprenticeship and are all about acquiring the skills relevant to the job. BTECs are slightly more theoretical as well as practical, and they are also more likely to lead into university degrees. Both of the qualifications can provide more direct access into certain professions, and are available at most local colleges.
2 Apprenticeships
4 Work
Modern apprenticeships are more varied than ever, with Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships offering a route into fields you might have thought required degrees: such as IT, accounting and law. Apprenticeships can offer on the job training in many professions and could get you earning within a year. Five A*-C GCSEs will get you a place on most Advanced or Intermediate Apprenticeships, whilst Higher Apprenticeships usually require at least two A-levels.
Of course, many young people may just want to go straight into employment and never set foot in a classroom again. That’s fine! Education isn’t for everybody and sometimes your long-term prospects could be better served by sidestepping it after finishing your GCSEs or A-levels. Many jobs that don’t require many formal qualifications have excellent progression opportunities that could be well suited to you.
Useful Gap Year Links: Projects Abroad i-to-i
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apprenticeships and vocational qualifications: All About School Leavers Not Going to Uni
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jobs for school leavers: School Leaver Jobs Careers4Students
Burgeoning Industries:
Careers You Might Not Have Considered If you’re unsure of the industry you want to break into, or are considering a career change, it’s handy to know which industries are flourishing. So here’s a rundown of the five fastest growing professions in the UK, with some more information about the jobs themselves.
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Paramedic With the number of paramedics doubling between 2011 and 2013, it is currently the fastest growing profession in the UK. The traditional route of entry has changed in recent years. In the past, you would typically join the non-emergency Patient Transport Service and then qualify as an ambulance technician before becoming a fully-fledged paramedic. Nowadays there are several degrees that offer a route straight into the profession. How to become a paramedic
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Psychologist
A 52% increase of psychologists in the last two years makes it the second fastest growing profession in the country. Many roles require a GBC qualification, which an accredited psychology degree offers, but there are some jobs in the field where a degree is desirable rather than essential. In addition there is also the option of doing a postgraduate conversion course. Kent University’s guide to psychology
3 4
Graphic Designer
Freelancing careers in graphic design don’t necessarily require a degree, but if you’re applying for full-time positions you will certainly need one. Just as important as a qualification is having a portfolio to present to employers; this would showcase your previous work. With a 47% growth in the number of graphic designers in the last two years, it could be the perfect time to get a foothold in the industry. A career in graphic design
COmpany Secretary Most people in this role have a degree in fields such as law, accounting and business. However, it is open to all graduates and has also seen a 47% increase in its workforce. The role itself is an important one, as secretaries are responsible for ensuring that companies comply with various financial and legal practices. Company secretary job description
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Community Support Officer Community Support Officers play an important role in helping to clamp down on minor offences and anti-social behaviour; though they do not have the same powers and responsibilities as a police officer. No formal education is required, salaries start at £16K and the number of CSOs has also shot up by 47% in the last two years. Police Community Support Officer Information
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How to get into… S
ome job sectors are seeing a decline in the number of roles available. While most jobseekers experience the harsh realities of this, they forget to focus on the areas where vacancies are heading upwards - green jobs being one of these.
Environmental jobs have come into the forefront within the last decade or so, as sustainability has become a bigger priority for the UK government. This is good for both candidates and employers alike. For many companies acting as green as possible saves them money and, in some cases, gets them increased funding from the government. The last few years have seen the UK try to drastically increase its use of renewable energy sources, creating more jobs surrounding the provision of these sustainable alternatives. Furthermore, requirements have been placed on all new buildings to be as energy-efficient as possible, creating more job opportunities in sustainable construction and engineering. It’s safe to say the green sector is vast. Other areas calling out for new talent include: hydrogeology, wildlife conservation, construction, waste management, air pollution and many more. With new opportunities breaking through all the time it’s certainly worth considering this industry.
Why go green? One of the great things about environmental or sustainability roles is that they stretch across all sectors. With that in mind, you could use your degree/training relating to the environment and end up working in a buzzing field like the media.
Go outside A lot of green positions will involve fieldwork, giving you a chance to get out the office and feel the fresh air against your face.
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environmental or sustainability roles is that they stretch across all sectors
“
It’s easy being green
One of the “ great things about
Make a difference If you can do a job that you enjoy – great. If you can do a job you enjoy that actually makes a difference to the planet, even better! A rewarding career is bound to bring job satisfaction on a daily basis.
Salary Government support, as well as incentives for big corporations to be as sustainable as possible, mean that average salaries for a green role are high. Salaries are dependent on experience, but some junior roles can often reach £25K–35K.
What types of organisations would I work for? The main providers of green jobs: • Research institutes - including universities • Charities and independent organisations • Government agencies • Consultancy firms • Energy providers • Manufacturing companies • Civil service
Green Jobs What do I need? A degree will be required for most entry level positions. Subjects that lend themselves well to an environmental career, asides from an environmental studies degree, are sciences: particularly chemistry and biochemistry. There
is also a lot of potential for graduates of engineering and maths. Generally, if your degree has covered fieldwork, research, problem solving or data gathering, you should possess practical skills that will be attractive to employers.
Transferable skills
Teamwork:
Problem solving:
Communication:
Ecological work will most likely see you being part of a team that’s working on a particular project. You need to be able to initiate ideas and listen to those of others. People who usually thrive at teamwork are proactive, positive and dedicated.
Analytical skills that can assess trends and correlations are great for this type of work. But better still is the ability to devise solutions for problems that arise. This would require you to be logical and practical in your approach. Considering all outcomes of potential solutions and thinking ahead are both skills that employers will value.
Green jobs involve dealing with a lot of technical terms, jargon, acronyms, things that only your colleagues will know well. The ability to translate technical and scientific information into understandable points is incredibly useful; especially if you’re presenting findings to others. Communication is also a crucial part of teamwork, making sure that you and your colleagues perform well on the project you are assigned to.
useful links: Green Jobs The Woodland Trust Environment Agency
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In s id e t h e H ir in g P r o c e s s at… Facebook…ever heard of it? Chances are it’s open in one of your tabs at this very moment - and you wouldn’t be alone, since there are over one billion registered users all over the world. If it was a country it would be the third biggest, behind India and China. But what would it be like to apply for a job at Facebook? Software engineering, marketing, legal and HR are some popular roles Facebook recruit. The company, which received 250,000 job applications in 2010, offers perks such as free meals and access to hot tubs in conference rooms. It’s little wonder that the employees here attract an unhealthy level of jealousy. Fortunately, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on the whole hiring process from the first application form, to the final verdict - with a few little extra bits of info thrown in (because we’re nice like that).
According to Facebook engineer Carlos Bueno, applications generally begin with an email or phone call from a recruiter. They could have discovered you online (maybe on Facebook!), you could have applied directly or it could have been as a result of a friend’s recommendation. The recruiter will conduct a brief screening to see if you are able to pass ‘the basic hurdles’. If you’re successful then it’s time for the next leg of the journey.
Step 2: Phone screening A 45 minute phone screening follows the initial chat, where Facebook will look to set you up with a potential co-worker who is an expert in your area. The conversation depends hugely on the role you’re applying to, but for an engineer you would most likely be sent a series of coding exercises to complete.
Step 3: On-site loop interviews If you’re fortunate enough to make it past stage two, you’ll be invited for a face-to-face interview at the Facebook office that you’re applying to - they’ll even pay for your airfare if need be. But it’s not just a single interview; it will be a series of them over the course of the day with the hiring manager and a group of potential co-workers.
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The whole group – peers included – come to a decision on your application based on your skills and whether you would be a cultural fit for the team.
Step 4: The verdict
We look for “a healthy level of enthusiasm, curiosity and motivation.
Finally, with the whole process taking up to two months, you’ll find out if you can join the team behind this internet phenomenon. According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a software engineer is $117,880, so you better believe it’s worth it if you do happen to be successful! In a Facebook post (naturally), Carlos Bueno gives a glimpse of what the recruiters are looking for in a candidate: ‘Fit: We’re looking for your ability to understand and explain complex ideas. We look for a healthy level of enthusiasm, curiosity and motivation.
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Step 1: How it begins
Generalism: We need many kinds of specialists, but we also look for people who can fill other roles in a pinch. This means understanding the “stack” above and below your area of expertise. Architecture: Can you arrive at an answer in the face of unusual constraints? We want to see how well you can visualise the entire problem and solution space.’
Examples of Facebook Interview Questions: • How would you design a railway track? • What do you see as Facebook’s biggest challenge in the next five years? • Use basic operations to create a square root function (don’t worry – this one’s just for the software engineers!)
Tips
Five Fun Facebook Facts 1
There are around 1 billion Facebook users and 4,000 employees of the company - that means each employee affects an average of 250 million users. No pressure then…
2
CEO Mark Zuckerberg is far from a recluse: the Facebook recruiting team meet with him on a weekly basis. One commented that: ‘You cannot not meet/see Zuck’.
3
Facebook was named the best place to work in the world in 2011 and 2013 by Glassdoor.
4
About 20% of all the photos taken in the world this year will go on Facebook.
5
Facebook’s famous blue colour scheme isn’t just a cosmetic thing. Mark Zuckerberg partly chose it because he is colour blind and blue is the colour that he sees best.
Carlos Bueno goes on to give some handy tips about how best to prepare for an interview at Facebook: ‘Take your time preparing. Do code katas and practice interviewing with friends. Try solving the interview questions on our site. See our tech talks to get a feel for how we do things and the scale of problems we’re trying to solve. More generally, skills on your resume are fair game. If it says “expert in X”, we will try to schedule you with a proven expert in X, so be prepared. If you are not, leave it off. I’d rather have a short list of the things you’re awesome at than pages of everything you’ve ever done.’
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TOP TIPS FOR
skype interviews
T
he internet has had a revolutionary impact on the jobseeking world, with online adverts and applications taking over. Now the wonder of technology is even influencing the interview process as many companies are using Skype; particularly for first stage interviews. The benefits are had by both employers and candidates in terms of cutting costs and saving time. So what are the rules of a Skype interview?
worth considering the lighting in the room: if it’s too bright or too dark the interviewer will struggle to see you.
Dress appropriately
Testing out all of your technical equipment (microphone, webcam, headphones, etc.) and becoming familiar with how to use Skype is essential before the interview. Staging a practice interview with a friend an hour or so beforehand can help you to test the internet connection and quality of the call. It’s also worth checking your Skype name is an appropriate one (i.e. your full name) and your profile picture is a sensible photo solely of you.
Despite the interview taking place in your home, you should wear the same attire as though you were attending it in person. You may feel strange, but this is something the interviewer will use to judge how seriously you’re taking the interview. Also, don’t think you can get away with only wearing smart dress on your top half. If at some point you need to get up or lean over your desk, the interviewer will not be impressed if they spot you wearing your favourite pyjama bottoms.
Set the scene Make sure the room you’re situated in is tidy and clean: the interviewer doesn’t want to see your dirty washing piled up in the corner or drunken photos of you plastered on the walls. If possible have the computer facing a blank wall so as not to distract the employer. You may want to feel relaxed, but sitting on your sofa or bed will look unprofessional. Place your laptop on a desk or table and seat yourself at a comfortable distance: ensure your head and shoulders are fully visible. It’s also
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Inform all family members or housemates that you’re not to be disturbed to avoid embarrassing interruptions. Ensure the TV and radio are switched off and your mobile is on silent; the slightest distraction could cause you to lose your train of thought and knock your confidence.
Test run
Behaviour during the interview The best tip we can give you is to look at the camera. Think of how important it is to keep eye contact during a face-to-face interview and this will help you to concentrate on the camera during your Skype interview. Fidgeting, playing with your hair or drumming your fingers will all be picked up on; so try to keep still otherwise you’ll portray your nerves. Don’t check your emails or Facebook during the interview: no matter how discreet you think you look, your interviewer will notice you’re not giving them your full attention. At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask about the next stage and to thank them for their time and the opportunity.
TOP TIPS FOR
phone interviews P
hone interviews have been the norm for many years now. That’s not to say they’re any easier, as many candidates still find them slightly anxiety-producing. As with all forms of job interview, there are guidelines worth sticking to to ensure it goes smoothly.
Prepare! You’re not meeting the interviewer face-to-face, but you should be just as organised as if you were. You will still be expected to know about the company even if this is a first round interview, so make sure you complete your research fully. This will also help you to feel more confident if you know you’ve put in the groundwork. Review the job description and make notes on how you match the criteria. Look up typical questions asked in phone interviews and plan your answers. Also consider some questions you would like to ask – although remember this is a first stage interview, so don’t ask about the salary or hours of the role.
Set the scenE It’s important to remove any distractions from the room: whether this be children, housemates or pets make sure everyone is aware of when your interview is taking place and that you’ll need peace and quiet. You may want to dress smartly despite the fact it’s on the phone as this can help you to feel more professional; which in turn will help you to sound more professional. Rather than slouching on your sofa as if you were chatting with a friend, it’s best to sit at a desk or table with your CV, notes and laptop with the company’s
website up in front of you. This means you will have all the relevant information to hand in case you need to refer to anything during your interview. It’s best to avoid eating or drinking because noises will be picked up over the phone and your speech will be affected. However, it’s a good idea to have a glass of water beside you in case your mouth becomes dry.
Test run If you have experience of speaking on the phone in a professional manner then this will seriously benefit you. Therefore if you lack this or are nervous about how you come across, stage a practice run with a friend or family member. Their feedback will help you to perfect your performance ready for the interview. You could even record yourself and play it back so you can do your own analysis: are you audible? Do you need to slow down?
Behaviour during the interview It can be easy to forget who you’re talking to and start speaking informally. When you answer the phone make sure to answer it professionally: ‘Good morning, John Smith speaking’. Listen carefully, stay calm and give yourself time to think about your answers; it’s perfectly fine to pause between questions. If you need time to think simply notify your interviewer that you’re reflecting on the question for a moment. Also, remember that just because the interviewer cannot see you, doesn’t mean they will not pick up on the fact you’re distracted. If you start flicking through Twitter or making your lunch they’ll be aware of your divided attention. Also don’t forget to say thank you for the opportunity before you end the call.
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coo les t OFF ICE S youtube london
This month we’re admiring the workspace of online giant, YouTube. Their ultra-cool London office mixes chic, futuristic designs with 60s-esque, quintessentially British touches to make for a damned cool place to work. We’re unashamedly jealous – and you should be too after getting a load of this office. Ultra-modern TVs line the walls, conference rooms are like something from the future and individual offices likewise - what you would expect from the YouTube HQ, right? Well that’s exactly what you get, right until you notice the drinks cabinet, curtain and furniture underneath a huge widescreen telly. Yes, it appears to have been transported straight from the set of Only Fools and Horses, complete with knock-off Nomad telephones, a tiny television and knackered holdall to boot. It’s this cool combination of retro and modern that makes the offices so unique. The brainboxes responsible for the design are PENSON, who completed the HQ in August 2012. Here’s a selection of snapshots…
Open Plan: staff discuss things over wooden benches.
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Simply Red: YouTube's flagship shade
Shaken not stirred: Del Boy's famous cocktail bar.
e of red lines the rows.
Lovely Jubbly: staff enjoy coffee in the replica Only Fools and Horses set.
Rule Britannia: the patriotic decor of YouTube’s UK HQ, complete with Womble.
Hold Your Horses! Contemplating Your Job Contract After months of applying for jobs, attending interviews and dealing with rejections, it can be difficult not to bite the arm off the interviewer that offers you a job. Rather than accepting straightaway, it’s best to take a step back and think seriously about the offer that has been made. After all your hard work it would be unfortunate to end up accepting a job that isn’t actually right for you. Career Savvy is here to help you know what questions to ask yourself before signing your job contract.
Are there any benefits? A good benefits package can seriously increase the value of a position. Benefits can include contributions towards life insurance, holiday and sick pay, income protection and your pension. If you are able to take advantage of any of these benefits, then even if the salary offered is lower than you expected, this job may still have enough perks to make it a sensible choice for you.
Is the salary sufficient? Most likely you will have done some research on the average salary for the position you’ve applied for. Does your offer coincide with your research? If the salary isn’t enough to cover your bills, or it’s insultingly low, then it’s worth attempting to negotiate with your potential employer. If a higher salary is not possible at this time, then find out whether there is any potential for it to increase at a later date; once you have passed your probationary period and gained more skills.
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What’s the company culture like? It can be difficult to get an idea of what a company is really like just from an interview. But written contracts often take time to compose, so if you start under a verbal agreement, try to pick up on the office vibe during your induction days. Do people go to lunch together or make coffee for one another? Is there a strict policy of silence or a friendlier atmosphere? You want to make sure that you will feel comfortable in this environment – if your gut feeling is a negative one, then you might want to reconsider.
Are the details of the job itself what you expected? If these details aren’t included in the contract, then it will be worth asking for a copy of the job description. It’s important to be aware of the hours you are expected to work, what your role entails and whether it involves any travel. Also consider whether the job will help you to expand your skills and whether there is potential for progression within the company.
Your employer will most likely provide you with a written contract, but be aware that they don’t have to. If you’re subject to a verbal contract then it is perfectly acceptable to ask for a written statement which details the main terms of your contract. To discover what terms must be included in your contract/written statement, refer to this checklist.
So try not to let the excitement of a job offer distract you from making the right decision. The employer would also prefer you to make an informed decision, even if this means you having to turn down the offer. They will appreciate it if you’re honest; this means they can avoid replacing you a month down the line when they discover you’re unhappy. The more comfortable you feel in your job, the more potential you will have of becoming successful.
Know Your Rights: health and safety In recent years, health and safety is an issue that has become increasingly tied up in legislation. It doesn’t help that the average employee is faced with endless adverts and cold calls from injury advice lawyers promising large amounts of compensation. Thankfully, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for the UK has set up a Myth Buster to dispel some of the ‘health and safety gone mad’ folklore that has spread like wildfire.
The Law:
Advice:
It’s your employer’s responsibility to take all necessary precautions to make the working environment as safe as possible. It’s your responsibility to ensure you follow the correct training when using equipment/facilities. Incidents at work should be reported through the HSE at hse.gov.uk. The Health and Safety Act of 1974’s regulations apply to every workplace environment. Raising the alarm of malpractice shouldn’t and does not affect your employment rights. Thus employees who have serious concerns about harmful practices in the workplace are fully entitled to report it to the HSE.
Your first port of call for any health and safety concerns or queries should be to your employer. Be sure to present your concerns in a sensible way and point out what could be done to improve the matter. If this is ineffective, you can raise a complaint with the HSE.
£
£
y r a l Sa I
£
vs.
£
Job
Satisfaction
t’s an age-old debate and one which seems to throw up a different answer every time the general public is surveyed: what’s more important, a high salary or high levels of job satisfaction? Is it possible to have both? Are the two dependent on each other? Being able to answer this question can really help you to advance your career and get the most out of it. Let’s take a look at the arguments for both sides and see what conclusions can be drawn.
Why job satisfaction?
Why salary?
Firstly, it depends on what stage you are at in your career. A graduate looking to get a foot on the career ladder is unlikely to be able to walk into a high salary job, especially in the current financial climate. Companies can afford to demand a greater skill set and seek candidates with a wealth of experience, which graduates are unlikely to have. Similarly, there is less demand for a high salary whilst people have fewer outgoings and responsibilities. If a recently employed individual doesn’t run a car, doesn’t have a wife and children and isn’t paying a mortgage, then there isn’t a huge need to earn a large salary.
With more experience, more skills and more responsibilities later in life, there is likely to be a greater emphasis placed on salary for older members of the workforce. If you have been in a certain profession for a number of years, growing increasingly skilled in it, then earning a higher salary could serve as a great motivational tool. It may make the employee feel more valued by their employer and could lead to greater productivity in the workplace.
But it is not solely younger people who would view job satisfaction as the more important factor. Some people may choose to remain in a low-paid profession for a longer period of time, even as their outgoings increase, due to the job itself being more rewarding than others. This is why it is so difficult to reach an accurate conclusion to the original question! It can often depend entirely on the individual and their reasons for choosing a certain profession.
But it can sometimes be the case that young employees view salary as the more important factor and attempt to break into more money-motivated industries. With many young graduates burdened by thousands of pounds of debt from student loans, this can place extra pressure on earning more money and being able to pay off their debts as soon as possible. The links between job satisfaction and salary now become clearer. Just as high levels of job satisfaction could lead to an improved salary, earning more money could certainly help to increase job satisfaction.
So is it possible to say one way or the other which factor is more important? As we’ve seen, it can differ depending on the individual and their situation, so much so that there cannot really be a definitive answer to the question posed. However, as a general rule it may be fair to say that salary grows ever more important the older you get: in order to cover the extra outgoings at that stage in your life. Try and think about which factor you see as being the most important and your career will see the benefits as a result.
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Rewarding Careers: Special Educational Needs Teacher
DAY-TO-DAY The role involves working specifically with children and young adults who find learning more difficult than others, to aid them with their subjects as well as personal development. These individuals could include those who are physically disabled, emotionally vulnerable or have behavioural or speech difficulties, amongst other disabilities.
WHAT MAKES IT SO REWARDING? Meghan Mathis explains why being an SEN teacher can provide even more job satisfaction than a typical teaching job: ‘Often the students are not sure they are capable of learning. When you help a student who thinks they can’t learn to achieve things far beyond what they ever dreamed possible – you feel like you can fly.’
Skills Required A genuine interest in both the education and welfare of disadvantaged learners of many ages is crucial. Without this you could negatively affect the future of your pupils, but on the flipside, with passion and enthusiasm for the role you can make a really positive difference to the lives of young people. You will need to manage large classes, organise suitable lessons and deal with challenging behaviour. This requires plenty of patience, warmth and, importantly, a sense of humour: being able to connect
with your pupils is a key aspect of the job. Depending on your particular role, you may also be required to work individually with specific pupils.
Salary & Entry Requirements Salaries range from £21,588-£31,552 a year depending on location, for example in central London the range is £27,000-£36,387. As well as a postgraduate qualification and significant work experience, to qualify as a SEN teacher you will need Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). To achieve this you need to study for a Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. Or you can qualify through TeachFirst: a graduate scheme which offers a twoyear placement at a school whilst you’re studying for a PGCE. Finally, it’s often essential to possess more than two years postqualification teaching experience before taking up a SEN teaching role.
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make a really positive difference to the lives of young people
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The role of a Special Educational Needs (SEN) teacher is extremely varied, requires specific training and tends to throw up different challenges on a daily basis. However, the high level of job satisfaction could prove to be a more than adequate reward for the groundwork needed to obtain this career.
Key differences in responsibility between teacher and SEN teacher: • Conventional teaching methods are adapted to suit the needs of pupils. • Specialist equipment is used to stimulate interest in learning. • Frequently liaising with fellow professionals such as educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, as well as parents of the pupils. • In some cases, where the teacher is adequately qualified, the role could also involve teaching Braille or sign language.
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The Dos and Don’ts of Office Etiquette Over the years most companies have made a conscious effort to improve the environment of their offices to satisfy their employees and improve productivity in the workplace. Now we can enjoy lunchtime challenges over the pool table and the sociable atmosphere of open-plan desk space. But is this relaxed environment causing some of us to forget our manners? To make sure you’re on your best behaviour, Career Savvy has composed a list of dos and don’ts for the workplace.
DO
DON’T
• Be punctual
• Be loud
If you’re frequently late you will give the impression that you don’t care about your work. Without an apology and a concrete excuse, you will struggle to redeem yourself.
An Australian study recently found that more than 50% of the workers in open-plan offices around the world were frustrated with the lack of sound privacy. Try to keep noise levels to a minimum to avoid distracting those around you.
• Wear appropriate clothing
• Interrupt/disturb others
Even if your office doesn’t have a strict policy it’s still important to project yourself in a professional light.
By all means get to know your colleagues, but don’t distract them when they’re busy.
• Tidy up after yourself Whether you’ve jammed the printer, spilt coffee, or your desk looks like a bomb site – clear up. It shows consideration and respect.
• Admit your mistakes Your colleagues will appreciate it if you’re honest and take responsibility for your mistakes. If you try to shift the blame onto somebody else, you will soon lose friends as well as respect.
• Be polite to everyone Make an effort to be friendly to everyone you meet at work. This will help you to create a good reputation.
• Give credit where it’s due If you make the effort to recognise the good work completed by your colleagues, you will present yourself as a team player.
• Help new employees to feel welcome We were all new once – be the friendly face a new colleague can rely on.
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• Gossip about your colleagues Avoid talking disrespectfully about other colleagues; it will reflect badly on you.
• Be unhygienic A suprisingly common issue! Make sure you’re squeaky clean and if you’re ill, try not to cough or sneeze over everybody.
• Be misled If the behaviour of your colleagues is inappropriate, then don’t follow the crowd to try and fit in. You will only damage your own reputation.
• Steal This may sound dramatic, but using things from someone’s desk without permission or eating something from the fridge that isn’t yours is stealing. You wouldn’t appreciate it if your stuff kept disappearing.
Winter
work wear trends
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MB Ways to wear
monochrome
for her
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5
3 4
1 - panel printed dress, a-wear, £55 / 2 - diamond cocoon coat, F&F at Tesco, £50 / 3 - block colour jersey top, principles, £38 / 4 - bow front skirt, lashes of london, £40 / 5 - shoe boot, m&s, £29.50
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Blaze of glory 4
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for him 6
1 - men’s watch, rotary, £189 / 2 - bertie aston navy brogue, dune, £85 / 3 - tie, river island, £8 / 4 - blue shawl jacket, austin reed, £299 / 5 - jacket, river island, £60 / 6 Jacket, river island, £60
How to: recover from mistakes Own up
Make amends
If you did something wrong, don’t do another wrong by lying about it. You’ll almost certainly be caught out, which is embarrassing for you and your employer. Honesty is a desirable trait, and you will prove that you’re a trustworthy person. It’s also best that you tell somebody what the mistake was before they end up finding out themselves.
Making mistakes is human nature. What you cannot do is expect others to fix things for you. Taking proactive steps to sort out the problem is the best thing you can do in this situation. If you need help, ask for it, but not in such a way that you are depending on somebody else to actually do the work for you.
Take responsibility
After something goes awry, it’s always wise to put preventative measures in place to stop it happening again. Have a chat with your manager or team about ways you can do this. Suggest new organisational systems, partner up with another employee and check each other’s work, or ask for further training on a particular aspect of your job.
Similarly, blaming others for what happened will only make you look worse for doing so. Take responsibility for what you did and say no more. Employers don’t necessarily want their workforce to throw each other under the bus whenever something doesn’t go to plan. The mature thing to do in this instance is to explain what happened very clearly.
Learn a lesson
Show you care While you shouldn’t beat yourself up about a genuine mistake, acting nonchalant as if it doesn’t matter is frustrating for those around you. Showing remorse and concern about what you’ve done will prove you take your job seriously and really care about your work. By ensuring you have the right attitude about slipping up you will dramatically change the way you are treated afterwards.
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inspirational Quote of the month IT’S FINE TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS BUT IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO HEED THE LESSONS OF FAILURE -BILL GATES
Rather than grumbling about a failed job application, looking at why it failed is much more valuable. If necessary, politely ask the employer why you didn’t get the job on this occasion; you might receive some really useful feedback on how to improve in the future. This will ensure that you’re better prepared for next time and as your application skills advance, so will your career.
Enhance Your Career:
Perfect Your Performance Appraisal The announcement of your performance appraisal can remind you of all those dreaded school reports. No matter how well we may have done since our last review or since we started our new job, most people will be apprehensive. Career Savvy is here to help you view the performance appraisal more positively and to reveal how making the most of it can help to enhance your career.
P re par at io n • Don’t let the fear of the unknown get the better of you. Simply doing some research behind why employers conduct performance appraisals and what they typically ask will help you to gain more understanding, decreasing your nerves.
• Consider any mistakes or issues you faced during the same amount of time; this will prepare you for your boss bringing them up during your appraisal. If you are aware of your mistakes, you can show a willingness to improve by making amends for them.
• List everything you’ve achieved either since you started your job or your last review. It’s best to think of specific examples that prove you’re doing your job successfully.
• Jot down any questions you feel the need to ask. This will be the perfect opportunity to address any concerns or gain information on areas such as future prospects, the reviewer’s expectations, etc.
D u r in g your r ev iew • Bring the notes you made in preparation with you, as well as any documents that can back up your achievements. This will help your reviewer realise that you’ve prepared for this appraisal and that you’re serious about getting the most out of it in terms of your career development.
and discuss a plan to avoid them in future. If you disagree, then use your list of accomplishments to point out your positive contributions. If you stay calm and stand up for yourself politely, then you’ll avoid sabotaging your appraisal and instead show your boss you can handle criticism in a dignified manner.
• It’s important to remain professional, even if you feel you are under attack from your boss. Admit to any genuine mistakes, explain how you’ve learned from them
• Remember to ask questions, including ones you prepared beforehand. It looks far better than seeming as though you have nothing to add.
Af t e r you r r ev iew • The sooner you develop a plan on how to address any of the issues raised in your performance appraisal, the sooner you can start to achieve these goals. • If you believe the criticism you received wasn’t constructive, arrange a ‘follow-up’ meeting with your reviewer to discuss it further. Although be sure to do this after you’ve had some time to think objectively about it.
• Make sure you thank your boss for conducting your performance review; after all it has provided you with important information and given you an insight into how to develop your career. Who knows, the improvements you make as a result could lead you to additional responsibilities, an increase in salary, or even a promotion.
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Thrifty Travel
get to work on the cheap.
Money maker
be quids-in while looking for work.
choo-choo-choose trains:
Buy and Sell Unclaimed Luggage:
For those of you who have no choice but to commute by train, here are some tips on how to considerably cut the costs:
Instead of throwing away unclaimed baggage, most airlines will auction it off to the public. The bags remain unopened so there is no way of knowing what they contain until they have been purchased – it’s a lucky dip!
• Railcards can take up to a third off your fare. With the majority costing only £28 per year or £65 for three years, they can save you a significant amount of money. • Use savings available through season tickets. Make sure your ticket isn’t covering you for stops you don’t need access to, for example: ALL Birmingham Stations instead of Birmingham New Street. Ensure you don’t buy a season ticket that covers you for a longer period than you need it for. If you cannot afford such a great sum in one payment, it’s worth asking your employer for a season ticket loan. This will enable you to borrow the money and pay your employer back in more manageable monthly instalments. • The TicketySplit app enables you to split your tickets. As long as your train stops at the station you have chosen to split your season ticket at, then you can use this method.
There is potentially lots of money to be made. Many people travel with valuable clothes, jewellery and beauty products, all of which could be sold on eBay. It should be easy to make a profit on what you paid for the bag, but think tactically. If you bid on an old, worse for wear looking suitcase, there’s a good chance it could just be stuffed with old socks. Also, remember you can sell the suitcase itself too, so consider anything by a designer or made from a quality material. The baggage that gets sold has no identification on it, and also will have been kept for at least six months before the airline is allowed to dispose of it. Think of it as recycling things that otherwise would be incinerated. Start by contacting local auction houses and ask about airport baggage. Most cities with an airport will sell their luggage locally. Useful links: wellersauctions.com dnfa.com
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“We foster. You can too.”
Think you won’t meet the requirements? Don’t rule yourself out. You need a spare bedroom, plenty of time, energy and a commitment to be there for as long as it takes. Action for Children will support you every step of the way with our 24-hour helpline, training, fees and breaks.
Call now for your FREE information pack on 0845 200 5162 or visit actionforchildren.org.uk/fostering
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