Seven of the worst pieces of advice you could give to a jobseeker

Seven of the worst pieces of advice you could give to a jobseeker by Amber Rolfe Unfortunately, not all jobseeking advice is actually going to help you… Whether it’s coming from a friend, family member, or online â€" some (unintentionally) misleading tips will do anything but help you get hired. In fact, following them could be the reason you miss out on your dream position.To help you understand what you shouldn’t do, here are seven of the worst pieces of advice you could give to a jobseeker:  1. ‘You don’t need a cover letter’ No matter what you hear, you should never neglect your cover letter.Because although it might seem like a CV is enough for an employer to gauge your suitability, a cover letter is where you have the opportunity to actually sell your skills and put them into context. So why wouldn’t an employer read it?Additionally, if you’re up against a number of similar candidates, your cover letter could be what sets you apart from the competition.And if no one reads it? You won’t lose any points by submitting one, which is something that can’t be said if the tables were turned.How to write a cover letterFree cover letter template  2. ‘Just apply for as many jobs as possible’It might seem like that job hunting is a ‘the more you put in the more you get out’ kind of gig, but ‘more’ doesn’t necessarily refer to actual numbers (you know, unless you’re an Accountant).In fact, employers are far more likely to be impressed by carefully tailored applications that relate back to their role and company, than someone who submits the same CV and cover letter to every job.Because not only does this compromise the effort you’re able to put into each one, it also means you might be applying for roles that aren’t actually suitable.So step away from the ‘apply’ button, and spend more time on searching for the right roles, doing your research, and tailoring your application.Job search: Dos and don’tsSix ways to make your CV stand out from the crowd  3. ‘Your CV should include everything you’ve ever done’Newsflash: your CV isn’t an autobiography.Although it should include aspects about yourself (e.g. your skills, education, and work experience), you should only cover what’s relevant to the role. This means cutting out the extras, and focusing on what the employer is really looking for.How? Read the job description thoroughly, and adapt your CV in line with the organisation’s requirements â€" whilst also ensuring it doesn’t run over two pages.That way, a recruiter will be able to see if you’re suitable, without having to wade through pages of irrelevant information.Which parts of my education should I include in my CV?Should I include hobbies and interests in my CV?How to write a CV  4. ‘Lie’Exaggerating on your CV or cover letter is a risky game.It might feel like a great way to stand out from the crowd and enhance your application, but at what cost?Well, aside from causing a potential awkward moment when you’re asked to discuss said white lie at the interview you could also be caught red-handed if you’re hired and can’t follow through with your claims.After all, probationary periods are a thing; and employers aren’t afraid to use them.Eight myths about CVs  5. ‘Just wing it’OK, so you don’t have to turn up at an interview with a set script. But you should always prepare for the different types of questions that might come up.After all, interviews are designed to make you think on your feet and assess your personality which isn’t going to be easy if you’re flustered and completely unprepared.Instead, pick out your most relevant skills and experience, and think of real examples that you can use to back them up. And always ensure you have a look at a few sample questions before the big day.That way, you won’t be under pressure to think of something on the spot â€" meaning you can keep all ‘ums’ and ‘errs’ to a minimum.Common interview questions and answersFive interview questions you sh ould stop being scared of  6. ‘Big yourself up’So, to a certain extent, job hunting is about you. But it’s not all about you.In fact, the purpose of an employer recruiting for new staff is to solve a problem or gap they currently have in their business. This means that your pitch should aim to solve their problem; not yours.So before you talk about how much you want the job, ask yourself: what skills could you bring to the business? How does your experience prove you’d be good at the role? And most importantly, do you actually know what they’re looking for?Thorough research is key if you want to stand out to an employer, and knowing about their business and the role they’re hiring for is a great way to demonstrate that.In other words, bigging yourself up is fine (just as long as you make sure you big them up too).  7. ‘Something will turn up’If you haven’t heard back from a recruiter, it’s easy to become disheartened.What you shouldn’t do, however, is become co mplacent. That doesn’t necessarily mean you should apply for another hundred roles and random. But adopting a ‘plenty more fish in the sea’ attitude will only be successful if you put in the legwork.This means continuing to search for relevant roles, tweak your CV, and tailor it to every position you apply for. And it also means learning from any mistakes you might have made in the past â€" something which you can do by asking recruiters for their feedback.Even if you don’t want to talk on the phone, following up after every application or interview to thank them for their time and ask how to improve could be just the thing to lead to your next role.So stop waiting by the phone, and be productive. It’ll only increase your chances of success.Four ways to follow up after an applicationWhy haven’t they called? The importance of asking for feedback    Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs nowFind a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Ca reer AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the terms and conditions applicable to our service and acknowledge that your personal data will be used in accordance with our privacy policy and you will receive emails and communications about jobs and career related topics. Features How to start looking for work

Money, Money, Money University of Manchester Careers Blog

Money, Money, Money University of Manchester Careers Blog Growing up I was always taught not to talk about money… Well, sorry Mum Dad that’s exactly what I’m going to do in this blog post. Salaries are something we get asked about a lot on the information desk so I thought I’d spend a bit of time answering the most common queries. What is a ‘competitive salary’? I’m sure you’ll have come across this term in job descriptions before and been a bit confused as to why the employer is being evasive. Well, there a couple of reasons why. Sometimes it may be because they’re waiting to see what you expected to be paid (more about negotiating salaries later), but more commonly it is because they do not want their market competitors know what they are willing to pay employees. Basically if an employer is offering a ‘competitive salary’ it’ll be equal to the industry average for similar roles.   A little bit of digging and you should be able to find out what that might be. Look at the job profiles on the Prospects website and research more industry specific websites. How can I negotiate a salary? Most salaries will be fixed by HR departments but there might be some instances where you are able to negotiate a salary or when an employer will ask what your expected salary is. The honest answer might be ‘as much as possible please!’ but in reality that really isn’t going to work! You need to be realistic.   There are a few things you’ll need to consider and take into account before deciding on a figure. What is the going rate for that role in that location? Do you have considerable experience in the sector or highly specialist skills What other perks come along with the role (if any) How much do you really want the job? For further information on negotiating salaries check out our blog post on the topic. Will I be able to live on that salary? When you start working chances are you’ll be better off than when you were a student, but with a larger bank balance comes larger numbers of bills and taxes.   Certain deductions will be taken before your monthly pay goes into your account including income tax, National Insurance pension payments and student loan repayments.    NatWest have created a salary calculator which enables you to calculate after all of the typical deductions are made, what you take home salary will be. You’ll then need to take into account rent, Council Tax (something you were exempt from as a student) food, travel costs and things like phone internet contracts. What’s left will be your disposable income that you can choose to spend however you want (in my case shoes!) All Careers advice Graduate Postgraduate Undergraduate

Safety Manager Job Description - Algrim.co

Safety Manager Job Description - Algrim.co Safety Manager Job Description Template Download our job description template in Word or PDF format. Instant download. No email required. Download Template Using Your Template Follow these instructions to use your new job description template Step one: Fill out all details in your job description template using the provided sample on this page. Step two: Customize your requirements or duties to anything special to your workplace. Be sure to speak with team members and managers to gauge what's required of the position. Step three: When the census of the team has agreed on the description of the work, add in a Equal Employment Opportunity statement to the bottom of your job description. Step four: Check with your legal department, management team, and other team members to ensure the job description looks correct before creating a job advertisement. Choose a job board that's specific to your needs.

Earning While Studying - A Perfect Balance - Career Geek

Earning While Studying - A Perfect Balance - Career Geek Working to study and working to earn money are two completely different things. But what if you woke up one day and decided that you wanted to do both?   Be honest, writing a thesis while keeping up with a deadline is no piece of cake. Having a job while being in school full-time can be a bit challenging, but it certainly doesn’t mean that it cannot be done! Do you need help with balancing your work and your studies? Here are a few things you can do: Separate Your Work Work in a compact but spacious area  where your studies and your work are neatly separated. As they always said, you need to know how to “separate work and play”. In the same sense, you must know how to separate your studies from your job or else things can get pretty chaotic and the only one that’s left stressed is you. Believe me, and I speak from experience when I tell you that you shouldn’t undermine working from home. It may sound glamorous, I will agree, but it takes just as much effort and sometimes time just like a regular day job! Avoid Temptations I understand that it’s so easy to give in to the power of the television (or even just your bed, to take naps) when you are a busy student trying to finish a thesis and meet deadlines for work, too. One of the most tempting things to do is kick back and relax. But trust me, they are like tricksters in disguise! Once you sit in front of that TV and get hooked on whatever it is you’re watching, you can be sure to lose not only minutes but several hours. Get Out Once in a While I’m sure you will understand that claustrophobic feeling that I will talk about if you’re used to working in a tight space or a specific room in the house all day. Being stuck in a small place for too long can be very stressful not only to your body, but your mind as well. So do yourself a favor and step out of your house once in a while â€" soak up some sun, meet some friends for coffee or go out to watch the latest movie playing! When you are not stressed, you work better and it can greatly help you adjust with working while studying. Get Some Free Time for Yourself Obviously, juggling two different things at the same time is not easy. Make a list of the things that you need to get done for work and school and put the ones that you feel that are most important at the top of the list. Set aside time for each of those tasks and make sure to follow it (remember, avoid temptations!). Distribute your tasks within the day in a manner that will not leave you burnt out by the time the day ends. Keep Yourself Motivated Doing two things at once can be very tiring and when you are, it easily shows in the way you put out work. That’s why it is also equally important that you do something for yourself to help keep your enthusiasm alive. You need the drive to be able to do something greatly, and since you are working WHILE studying, you need twice the amount. So don’t forget about yourself and do something for your enjoyment, too.   Meet up with friends, go walk outside, nature is a very good source of inspiration! The choice is really up to you.

Cost For Resume Writing and LinkedIn Rewrite

Cost For Resume Writing and LinkedIn RewriteAre you looking for cost for resume writing and LinkedIn rewrite? If you are a freelance writer who is trying to break into the writing business, you need to be asking yourself how much time you are going to be spending on this part of your business.You may think that you will only be doing this once a month but you really should be thinking about making it a regular part of your business. This is going to be a factor in your productivity because you are going to be spending all day just trying to do this, when you could be earning a bit more money. You will probably find that it takes a lot longer to write resumes that you would like to write.There are many advantages to using LinkedIn to rewrite your resumes. You will probably find that the times that you get to have the time to write about what you want to write is not as much as what you would like. When you are writing resumes, they have all the information that you need in order to lo ok professional. The use of LinkedIn should be considered by anyone who is hoping to make the transition from a freelancer to a full-time employee.What is also a great advantage to using LinkedIn is that you can post about the job that you are currently working on. Most of the time when you are doing this, you will be meeting up with other individuals that are going to be interested in what you have to say about a particular project. You will find that these people are willing to help you out and give you valuable information that you will be able to use when it comes to making a resume.You will also find that you will be able to save money on your search because there are going to be many people who are going to be offering you the right opportunity for them to have a conversation with someone. You will be able to sell yourself and get to take the advice that you want. When you are looking for a freelance job, you will be able to get to know someone very well and find out exactly w hat kind of skills that person has.Using LinkedIn to rewrite your resume's is going to be a great way to build trust with those people who you are looking to work with. You will be able to build a relationship with these people, which means that you will be able to learn about the skills that they have that you might not be aware of. When you are looking for a freelance writing job, you are going to have to put your best foot forward in order to get the best deal. Using LinkedIn will give you a chance to show off your abilities in order to get a job.Using LinkedIn to rewrite your resumes will also allow you to meet with people who are going to be looking for the kind of work that you are capable of doing. When you are looking for a job, you are going to meet with several different companies that you will want to get the most experience out of so that you can stand out from the rest of the crowd. This is one of the reasons why you should consider using LinkedIn to rewrite your resume s.As you can see, the benefit of using LinkedIn to rewrite your resume's is not just going to be going in your favor. It is going to be helping you to get a bigger pool of jobs in which you can work with. It will also be allowing you to build a positive reputation with the companies that you are dealing with.

COTJ Reviews FlexJobs Flexible Job Search Website

COTJ Reviews FlexJobs Flexible Job Search Website 35 Flares 35 Flares The Problem: You really need a telecommuting, part-time, flexible, or  freelance job, but have absolutely no idea where to even begin searching.  Once you come across a few positions that you think match your needs, its hard to tell whether the positions are junk/scam or real jobs.  Its a mess, its time consuming, and its frustrating the hell out of you. The Answer: FlexJobs.com What is FlexJobs? FlexJobs is a website for anyone looking for flexibility in their work.  An example could be someone thats simply looking for part-time work, or it could be someone that absolutely needs a telecommuting job.  Youll also find freelance and flextime jobs posted on Flexjobs. Flexjobs is currently listing over 4,000 jobs from over 1,800 companies.  Thats such an incredibly high number, especially because Flexjobs researches out the positions and screens companies and job descriptions to make sure its what the user needs. FlexJobs Does The Research For You Its already been mentioned, but it needs to be said again.  Finding a flexible job on the internet isnt easy.  Many flexible jobs youll find online are scams or fake jobs, which is incredibly frustrating as a job seeker.  FlexJobs understands this problem, and makes sure to spend a boat load of time researching and finding the jobs that you crave.  What exactly do their researches do? The FlexJobs team goes through hundreds of online job resources everyday, including industry blogs, employer sites, job boards, and more.  They go through these jobs to ensure they are professional, legitimate, and offer some level of flexibility. When they find promising jobs, they then research the company to make sure that too is legitimate.   If the company passes, they add the job description and helpful information about the company to FlexJobs. SAVE YOU TIME!  You know how people say that looking for a job should take 40 hours a week?  Well, its true.  FlexJobs does the research so that all you need to do is spend an hour or two per week looking for interesting jobs that fit your flexibility requirements. What Do You Get With FlexJobs? The Top Benefits of FlexJobs Zero scams or fake jobs: I cant stress this enough.  This alone is reason to sign up for FlexJobs today! Best variety of professional and flexible jobs: FlexJobs already has over 4,000 flexible jobs, and that number is only going to increase everyday.  While most of the positions are in the US, they have jobs posted from all over the world. Easy to use website: From being in the industry for a while, I can flat out tell you that most job boards try to be simple, but fail to do so.  The FlexJobs website is easy to navigate while also including a ton of cool features.  Its easy on the eyes, simple, and atheistically pleasing. Spend less time searching: Their researchers have screened out the companies so you dont have to.  Instead of spending 5 hours a day, just spend a couple hours on Flexjobs and feel confident about where you send your resume. You get what you pay for or you can ask for your money back: FlexJobs has affordable monthly or annual pricing for job seekers.  When you become a member of Flexjobs, your time searching for flexible jobs is immediately reduced and you now have access to thousands of positions that meet your flexibility requirements.  And if for some reason you arent happy with FlexJobs, just cancel your membership and ask for a refund! Why Pay for FlexJobs? You might not be used to paying to search for jobs, and I understand if youre a little bit confused.  Before I talk about the monthly or annual subscription price, let me explain why a job seeker would want to pay: GET TAKEN SERIOUSLY If you apply through FlexJobs, a company will know you are serious about your job search and your resume and application will be viewed.  We all talk about how job seekers never hear back when applying on big name job boards, right?  Well, thats because its free and companies receive thousands of resumes for every position.  With FlexJobs, youre instantly taken seriously and your information will be viewed. FlexJobs Cuts Your Search Time in Half Seriously, do you want to spend 20, or even 40 hours a week searching for flexible jobs and then researching the company?  Let FlexJobs dot his for you.  That alone is worth their very reasonable price. Subscription Plans $14.95 for a month  If youre thinking youll just need a short job search, than go with this option.  Or maybe you just want to try it out before springing for the year subscription. $49.95 for a year Youll save over $120 by going with this option.  Perfect if youre anticipating a more long-term job search.  This is great for freelancers or those continuously looking for opportunities. FlexJobs Testimonials I have wasted a lot of my time applying for jobs that are nothing but quick scams.   I have even lost money in some cases.   Thats why I signed up for Flexjobs.   The monthly fee is so minimal.   I had access to many professional jobs and some of the best part-time jobs.   It was nice to apply for jobs without the worry of who might be looking at your personal information.  From a user who found a job in  just 2 months on FlexJobs Excellent site! Thanks for helping me find a position where I can work from home! I had applied for quite a few jobs online and received no response. Just when I was about to give up my online job hunt, I was thrilled to land a job on FlexJobs.com. I found a job that is exactly what I have been looking for and it fits with my previous work experience. If I could tell people one thing, it would be to not give up. There may be something in store for you! Thank you, FlexJobs.com!   Kristin Chandlee, Minnesota I am very grateful to FlexJobs! I have been searching for a work from home opportunity that would provide steady income and the flexibility I need while I care for my children during the day and run a successful consulting business. I am looking forward to the opportunities this position will bring. It was definitely worth the small subscription fee!   Kinyana Holmes, Illinois More on FlexJobs Press on FlexJobs Awards that FlexJobs has won for being awesome Meet their team Check out the FlexJobs blog COTJs Final Word Since learning about FlexJobs Ive been impressed.  Its pretty refreshing to find a team that understands its hard work to be successful in the jobs business.  Researching positions and companies takes a lot of time off of the job seeker, which to me, is the #1 reason why someone would want to sign up for FlexJobs.  Oh, and it doesnt hurt that the website is fantastic, easy to use, and their are over 4,000 flexible jobs.

Why Winter Doesnt Have To Be a Tough Time of Year for Job Seekers - CareerAlley

Why Winter Doesnt Have To Be a Tough Time of Year for Job Seekers - CareerAlley We may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners. Winter is reportedly the hardest time for most people to find a job, as many have just finished up with Christmas temping jobs, or are looking for a new job to start the New Year with. If you think that you have no hope finding a job in winter think again! People stop looking, because they think its hard The good thing about winter is that a lot of people will actually put off looking for a new job for several months. They think that it is too hard to find any type of work and continue with temping or in their current employment until spring. This actually gives you an advantage when it comes to looking for that perfect career during the winter months. Dont be put off by the lack of responses at first; the recruitment agents may just be surprised that someone has taken the initiative to find a job during these months! The whole key to job hunting in winter is to keep at it, and dont let a lack of responses get you down. You will soon get plenty of offers for interviews and call-backs flooding through your door. Companies launch new opportunities for the New Year After the winter break, many companies will start looking for new staff again in the New Year. A lot of businesses will put off trying to employ anyone over the holidays as it is far too busy to try and train new employees. You will find that a whole load of new jobs are advertised as soon as companies open up again for the New Year, so keep your eyes and ears peeled throughout January and February. Larger companies are especially keen to expand in the New Year, so these are the ones to look out for. Depending on the type of industry you want to work in, you may have to wait a little bit longer for them to start recruiting new staff. Teaching is a prime example of an industry that doesnt start advertising until later on in January. more Company Career Sites Look for short term jobs If you want to work in a particular industry, such as teaching, see if there any short term or temporary jobs available throughout the winter. There could be opportunities due to maternity leave, staff shortages and so on. It may not be the perfect role for you; however it will give you the experience needed to apply for something better when more openings become available further on in the year. If money is not an issue then take a look for volunteering opportunities instead, that will also give you experience that will look great on your CV! more Temporary Jobs When hunting for a job in winter, dont give up just because the first few employers havent got back to you. It may be a tough time of year, however that just shows how resilient you are and will impress potential employers even more! Camilla McKeon is a recruitment agent that specialises in teaching and training. She enjoys reading and writing, as well as sharing her wisdom. Camilla recommends Academics as a place to find teaching jobs, even in tougher job seeking climates. This is a Guest post. If you would like to submit a guest post to CareerAlley, please follow these guest post guidelines. Good luck in your search. Visit me on Facebook What's next? Ready to take action? Choose the right tools to help you build your career. Looking for related topics? Find out how to find the opportunities that help you grow your best career. Subscribe and make meaningful progress on your career. It’s about time you focused on your career. Get Educated Contact Us Advertise Copyright 2020 CareerAlley. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy + Disclosure home popular resources subscribe search