19 minute read
Time for a change
The BIG shift
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The way we work and the way we go about both recruiting and job-hunting has changed enormously. As we emerge from a global crisis we need to think di erently to succeed.
The past two years have brought about massive change and for many people the area most affected has been their way of working. For some, the sudden shift to working from home was a welcome change and offered a chance to address a long-misaligned work-life balance; for others it created a huge challenge. Being cut off from colleagues and collaborative ways of team working was not easy for everyone, and pretty much every industry and employer was forced to adapt to accommodate the new normal. Though many industries have embraced these opportunities to evolve, let’s not overlook the catastrophic impact the crisis had on others – destroying businesses, bringing hospitality to its knees and crippling the arts and culture sector.
The most recent updates to regulations mean that for most people, most industries and most workplaces, life can pretty much go back to how it was pre-Covid. But having had change thrust upon us, not everyone is keen to return to the old ways. Experts predict that 2022 is going to see huge upheaval in employment, which is unlikely to show any sign of stopping for years.
Careers were already moving in a very different direction to where they were a generation ago. The concept of a job for life is almost unheard of, dabbling in multiple industries is encouraged and establishing a portfolio career has become the norm. Even as the pandemic robbed people of wotk or part of their income, it also gave birth to opportunities, creating flexible and remote jobs. Talent pools are no longer restricted to the radius of an office. A combination of Brexit, Covid-19 and the push to achieve net-zero emissions means the pace of change in the jobs market is predicted to pick up over the next decade. For workers, this brings both chances and challenges, with those willing to upskill and make pay-enhancing job moves being the most likely to benefit.
Spot-on advice
Jacqueline Baxter, director of Jobspot Recruitment based in Nantwich, which recruits for both permanent and temporary roles across Cheshire, Staffordshire, and Shropshire, said talent shortages are currently putting jobseekers in the driving seat. “This reflects findings by the Institute of Employment Studies, which estimates there are still 600,000 fewer people in work than before the pandemic. For employers, this means their biggest challenge will be retention as employees dip their toe in the water to see what’s out there, and in some sectors are aggressively headhunted.”
The media has named this period ‘The Great Resignation’, with almost a third (29 percent) of UK workers considering moving to a new job this year. The sectors most likely to be affected are legal, IT and telecoms, sales, media and marketing.
“For employers, this means they need to look to the future, and invest in talent, technology and training, with policies and practices creating a culture that demonstrates they value their employees. However, remote working also allows employers to recruit the best individuals from a larger pool than is available in any given county or even country. It’s also possible we will see a shift towards more temporary work, with people being hired to deliver specific projects rather than the traditional job-based structure.”
Jacqueline Baxter of Jobspot
Digital fi rst
For Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012), who are digitally aware and don’t know life without a device, this is unlikely to faze them. Being skilled at social media and the digital marketing space, not surprisingly Gen Z are looking for career roles that use these skills. They want to generate, manage and analyse social media for companies; to gather the data and use it to produce new strategies.
Jacqueline continued: “As a recruiter this means Gen Z won’t come knocking on your office door to drop in their CV – the entire process has to be able to be done online
Gen Z expect to use their digital skills
DID YOU KNOW? Nearly 1 million new reviews of businesses are posted on Trustpilot every month.
within their digital space. Many Gen Z look to Instagram for potential vacancies, and it is likely that TikTok will increasingly become a place where companies will need to recruit for new talent. As a business your digital presence and reputation matters. Gen Z are adept at researching everything about you within the digital space. Your website, your social media channels and reviews by employees of your company in places like Trustpilot will all be under scrutiny.”
However, what appeals to Gen Z when it comes to careers isn’t so different to previous generations: salary is still important. People are dealing with an increased cost of living and rising taxes.
Jacqueline added: “As 2022 remains a period of great change within the jobs market, the outlook is most positive for people who are adaptable, creative and willing to learn.” Visit www.jobspotrecruitment.co.uk or call 01270 310203.
Going it alone
For many, embracing the workplace revolution has meant ditching their job altogether and taking the plunge by starting their own business
As we emerge into a bright new future, it might seem a good time to follow your dreams, shake off the shackles of employment and launch your own venture. But think carefully before you take the leap, and make sure you choose a path that has a good chance of success. Every month, 7,800 Google searches are made in the UK using the phrase ‘how to start a business’.
With one in every five start-up businesses failing, Cashfloat researched which industries in the UK have the most successful new ventures. Discover what they found over the page…
Top tips for jobseekers
If you’ve decided it’s time for a change, or been forced to look around after the pandemic’s impact on your career, Shire can help you get it right
We all know that looking for the right job, in the right area, at the right level, for the right pay, on the right contract, with the right hours is a challenge, to say the least. But experts think 2022 is going to be a bumper year for jobseekers and will put them back in control, so there’s no better time to take the plunge.
We spoke to Sarah Ellwood at Supertemps, which has bases in North East Wales, Colwyn Bay and Bangor, about the best way to secure your dream job. We also took some advice from Lorna Davison, founder and chief executive of Redwigwam, a recruitment company covering the North West, Cheshire and Liverpool. With these experts on board we think Shire’s top tips to getting your dream position will help you make the move…
New skills
Once you’ve a clear idea of the Redwigwam’s Lorna Davison direction you want to head, it’s vital to have the right skills for the role or you’ll fall at the first hurdle. Lorna said: “I’d recommend checking out sites like HubSpot, which has great programmes that offer the course, an exam and a certificate. Look at job ads similar to a role you’d like and see if any skill consistently crops up that you don’t have. Then look for a course or online seminar and learn more about it. Now when you have an interview, you won’t dread them bringing it up.”
Do your research
The first step is to check out the industries you’re interested in and make as many contacts as possible. Lorna said: “Networking is key. If you’re still not on LinkedIn, run to your app store fast. Apps like this are a great way to meet relevant people, you can join major conversations and connect with professionals in your desired field. It’s also perfect for showing off your skills. Fill your profile with every certificate you have. List upcoming projects. Brag! It’s a chance to show employers the real you. I’d recommend connecting with companies you’d want to work for, then you can keep checking whether they have any opportunities. Keep yourself in the loop.”
Think about broadening your search too. “Finding out what you like – and more importantly, what you don’t like – is essential, and exploring different industries has never been easier,” Lorna said. “I recommend using a temp recruitment agency, one where you can take on short-term projects from field marketing to warehousing, to office admin roles. That way, there’s no commitment, and you can ‘try before you buy.’ Working in different industries is brilliant for your resume and gives you a variety of skills that are sure to impress prospective employers.”
Application, application...
Once you’ve singled out jobs you want to apply for, you need to make the right first impression. Sarah said: “Your CV is the most contact you’ll have with many recruiters. Screening and interviewing are becoming more intuitive in our digital age, but many human
resources professionals maintain that a conventional CV holds an important place in securing a job, and there are simple ways to get it right. In your personal profile, lead with attributes that someone reading it will want to see. Citing your communication skills is a big plus, as well as attention to detail, strong work ethic and ability to work efficiently and independently. A recruiter will only have a few minutes to spend on it, so short, bold statements will help them tick their mental checklist. Write a first draft including all the relevant information, then return to it later with the pruning shears, editing the non-essentials.”
Once you’ve got the right information together, make sure your CV looks the part too. “Use a template that makes it attractive and easy to read, and stick to one font. Helvetica and Calibri are good; Times New Roman is a little dated. Spellcheck your CV before sending it off and ensure the grammar is correct. Ask someone else to cast an eye over it too, as we often miss things we’ve been staring at ourselves,” Sarah added. Sarah Ellwood of Supertemps
Your cover letter is another opportunity to make a good impression. Laura said: “Add a letter to each application, tailored to that specific role. It helps to write a standard one for the industry you’re interested in, so you just have to tweak a few things each time.”
But be careful not to set yourself apart in the wrong way, as Sarah explained. “We’re sure you have a glittering personality, but resist the urge to be quirky. In some industries – creative ones maybe – this can be appropriate, but err on the side of caution and maintain a professional tone. No photos, ever, and leave off hobbies. But include personal achievements such as a second language, first-aid training or a UK driving licence.”
Don’t be afraid to say it as it is
DID YOU KNOW?
e-learning increases your learning retention rate by between 25% and 60%, says course creator SH!FT
The elephant in the room
For many people, losing your job mid-pandemic or realising you need a new role in order to feel fulfilled will be a major factor in joining the great job hunt of 2022. The pandemic has changed things for all of us – so don’t shy away from saying that in your CV or covering letter.
Sarah advised: “If you have been furloughed or made redundant, address this. People who explain a work gap on their resume have a 60 percent increased chance of getting an interview over those who don’t.
“If you have a gap, have you learned anything that shows you’re dedicated to upskilling yourself? Engaged in a webinar series, taken a course, for example? If it’s relevant, include it. It may be that Covid-19 has taught you relevant skills too: if you worked at any time during the pandemic, think about how you may have implemented new services or strategies to adapt, and formulate that into a bullet point that articulates your achievements. It shows readiness to jump into a role where there are likely strict guidelines in place that will require you to be adaptable.” >
Start-ups making a splash
Cashfloat analysed the survival of more than 3 million new businesses to discover which existed the longest, looking at incorporation date and dissolution date. Start-up companies in the water industry (including water engineering, water and wastewater plant construction) are the most successful, with an average survival rate of 2,718 days. Second are those the gambling industry (2,315 days). Start-ups tend to fail quickest in the food industry, after only 905 days on average.
The top 10 industries came out as follows: 1. Water (7 years 4 months) 2. Gambling (6 years 3 months) 3. Research (5 years 6 months) 4. Broadcasting (4 years 7 months) 5. Business & financial services (4 years 2 months) 6. Pulp and paper (4 years 1 month) 7. Transport (4 years) 8. Cultural (4 years) 9. Electronics (3 years 6 months) 10. Telecommunications (3 years and 6 months)
Smile, you’re on web camera…
With video conferencing more important to business than ever, it’s no surprise that virtual interviews are an increasingly popular method of hiring people. Love ’em or hate ’em, your job search is probably going to need you to do at least one.
DID YOU KNOW? 88% of hirers agree that an informed candidate is a quality candidate, says job site Glassdoor. So read up!
Once you’ve submitted your CV and the responses start flying back, you need to brace yourself for the new normal of recruitment – the video interview. Even though meeting in person is now an option, firms are increasingly using video calls to screen candidates as a way of shortlisting for physical interviews or further assessments.
With remote working positions also growing in popularity, hiring via videolink gives the recruiter a chance to gauge how you are likely to fare as a home-based worker. Sarah Ellwood from Supertemps gave us her top tips for making your online experience a success.
1Test your tech While you can’t account for internet drop-outs, doing everything you can to make sure the interview will go smoothly will give you peace of mind. It will be one less thing to worry about! Make sure you know which videoconferencing app you will be using, check it’s installed and test it with a family member or friend. Make sure to check audio and video and that you understand how to screen-share, as a minimum.
2Set the scene and minimise
distractions
Check the background. Your interviewer will notice what’s behind you! Plain is best, and remove things you’d prefer not to be seen. While it’s possible to blur backgrounds with some video apps we recommend not using this setting as sometimes if you move away from your webcam it can blur you too.
3Spread the word Make sure that any other members of your household know you’re busy on an interview video call. As well as not interrupting you and keeping the noise down, you don’t want anyone hogging your bandwidth by watching a 4k movie on Netflix. 4Prepare as you would for
any interview
Do your homework. Learn about the organisation and its current projects or areas of expansion. Think about your relevant key skills and work successes. If you’re applying for a remote role and have skills or experience of working remotely, make sure you mention this too.
5Practise but don’t memorise
or script
It can be so tempting to prepare answers in advance and have them written out on little key cards. Don’t! When you watch newsreaders on the TV, people who’ve been talking to camera for years and years, you can still see their eyes reading the lines on the autocue. If they can’t hide it, neither can you!
6Check your body language Try to imagine the interviewer is in the same room as you. You wouldn’t sit with your arms folded or your feet up on a table. Sit upright, be alert and open to questions.
7Dress for the occasion We’ve all heard the lockdown jokes about video-conferencing from home in your PJs, only dressed smartly from the waist up. Don’t be tempted. You simply don’t know what might happen, so why take the risk? Dress as you would for an in-person interview. You will also feel much more comfortable and confident.
8Make a connection Just as you would in a regular face-to-face interview, try to make a personal connection to the interviewer. Perhaps you share a hobby or passion? Sometimes you can connect when talking about personal values. A video interview can put a barrier between people, so making that connection could be the one thing that makes you stand out from the other candidates for the job.
Try to forget the camera is there and connect with the person behind it
9Be yourself Again, coming across well in a face-to-face interview is fairly straightforward – via video it can be more challenging. At first you may feel a little awkward. This is fine, don’t panic! You will find yourself relaxing as it progresses. Be yourself. Don’t put on an act for the camera. Try to forget it’s there, except –10Smile for the camera! Remember to smile now and then – it relaxes you and the interviewer. It’s worth remembering they might be out of their comfort zone too.
Whether you are successful or not, ask for feedback on your application and in particular your video interview. How did you come across? Does the interviewer have any advice for you? Take constructive criticism in the spirit it is meant and learn from your experience.
At fi rst you may feel a little awkward. This is fi ne – don’t panic!
A caring career?
Inspired by the impressive performance of our medical heroes through the pandemic, you may well be considering a career in nursing, and an innovative training partnership in Wrexham might be just the place to make that happen…
When it comes to recruiting the nurses of the future, an innovative partnership between Coleg Cambria and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board is leading the way. Sixteen learners from the college’s Yale site in Wrexham are on a two-year placement at the town’s Maelor Hospital. Blending time in the classroom with one day a week on different wards and areas of care, the ‘nurse cadets’ have enjoyed the first few weeks of the pilot initiative and are gaining valuable experience alongside trained medical staff.
Claire Williams, Cambria’s curriculum director for Health, Social Care and Childcare, said the union will give the students a flavour of real-time hospital life and working practices.
“Over the course of the next 12 months they will work in three areas of the hospital; that rotation allows them to specialise in different fields and expand their skillset while finding out which suits them best – which discipline they might like to pursue as a career. They will then proceed to the second year, where there is the potential to work flexible shifts at the hospital.”
Vicky Edwards, the college’s vice principal of Technical Studies, added: “BCUHB has fed into the curriculum and tailored these placements to meet the needs of specific wards and the types of patients they’ll be caring for, so the nurse cadets will be learning the same processes on this course that they would use in their day-to-day jobs. That means together we are training the next generation of nurses and helping to meet demand in the sector at a critical time, given the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and recruitment nationally.
‘This first cohort have already immersed themselves in the programme, showing resilience and an appetite to learn and help people. It’s the beginning of an exciting journey for them.”
Gill Harris, BCUHB deputy chief executive and executive director of Nursing and Midwifery, said: “As a hospital providing care for local communities, we are delighted to be able to help support and influence the career pathways of the nurse cadets.”
For more information, visit www.cambria.ac.uk or email enquiries@cambria.ac.uk. Alternatively, call 0300 30 30 007.
The nurse cadets spend one day a week on the wards in their first year, and four days in the classroom
