Beginners Guide to Online Job Hunting

Beginners Guide to Online Job Hunting The internet has revolutionised the job-hunting process over the last decade; instead of pounding the streets with a stack of CVs and spending days hunched over a well-worn phone book, many of us can now apply from the comfort of home, altering cover letters to suit each employer and editing the CV at a moments notice. The job market has been transformed too, with most positions now advertised exclusively online easy enough to find for the computer literate, but what about those new to this form of job-hunting? To help you out, weve put together a guide to the most common ways of finding a job online. Get your CV up to scratch and read on to find out where to get started: Recruitment Sites Recruitment agencies are a long-standing institution of the job market, but as more and more launch online services theyre arguably a lot more helpful than they once were. The process can be a lengthy one, but the more you put in, the more youll get out an adage which strongly applies to all forms of job-hunting! As well as uploading your existing CV, youll probably be required to fill out the same information again for each agency you sign up for this is so that they can digitally categorise you into the right sector, depending on what your skills are and the positions youre looking for. Once youre signed up, your relationship with the agency will be somewhat mutual agents receive commission from employees when you get a job, so you both stand to benefit from a successful application. While the agency will endeavour to contact you with jobs that suit your requirements, youll also be able to browse their listings and automatically apply to vacancies. If you do see one you want, look to see if the company is advertising on its own site before applying through the agency, as youll look more proactive you can always mention the agency in a face-to-face interview later if you want to. Personal ads While job listings from websites like Gumtree and the Friday Ad are in no way comprehensive, they are always worth checking, as excellent opportunities can often pop up from small businesses, and if you do find a job you like its far easier to make direct contact with the person in charge of hiring. You can e-mail employers via these sites, but it seems to be more effective to call. Expect an impromptu phone interview, and have your CV to hand in case you need to refer to your work experience. Attempt to make a face-to-face appointment frame your call around organising an interview rather than just inquiring and talk in terms of what you can bring to the company. Ask for a personal e-mail for your contact too, so that you can send your CV and cover letter in advance. Employer websites If youre looking for a position in your local area, its a great idea to take a look at the company websites of your nearby shops and services. Large national stores will often throw your CV away if theyre not looking for staff, so rather than wasting your time and money dropping CVs off everywhere, apply online. This is also a great way of grabbing those companies who choose not to advertise through recruiters for example Wren Kitchens have their own careers site, which they use instead. Applying directly through an employer makes you look far more interested in the company rather than what the role can offer you. In many cases, it may also be worth calling their head office and finding out the name of the person in charge of hiring, so that when you submit a cover letter you can address it to the right person. This will make your application stand out more, giving you a far better chance at landing an interview. Social media One of the first things you should do when looking for a new job whether for a CEO or sales assistant position is to set up a LinkedIn account. LinkedIn allows you to create a professional profile online, and connects you to other people who work in your industry and in your area. Its particularly useful if you have friends in the sector you wish to work in as you may find that they are connected to companies you wish to apply to, giving you an instant personal contact. It also means that your work history will be one of the first things that come up when an employer searches your name far better than your Facebook or any other non-professional site! You can also ask previous colleagues and employers to leave recommendations for you, which potential employers can read when they visit your page. In recent months, Twitter has become an informal network for professionals. The benefit of Twitter is that you can follow anybody whose posts interest you, allowing you to choose daily updates on your industry, including job vacancies and upcoming businesses. You can also make direct contact with somebody at the top, as most business owners run their own accounts just ensure your own feed is professional and relevant, to make an excellent first impression! Author:  This is a guest post by Katie Jones, who has had a keen interest in interior design for years and wants to help more people get into the creative industry.

Nursing Resume Writing Help - How to Get It

Nursing Resume Writing Help - How to Get ItNursing resume writing help is easy to find on the Internet. There are many sites dedicated to providing advice, tips and assistance in order to boost your career. If you do your homework and take advantage of the resources provided by many companies that are willing to share their knowledge with you, you will be able to boost your chances for success.Your resume is one of the most important documents that you will ever write. This is also one of the things that you will never remove from your file as you will always need it when you interview. All the questions asked are going to be based on this resume, and if you leave it on the table for an interview, you better have a great excuse for why you left it at home. That is why you need to be as prepared as possible when you write your nursing resume.Since this is your opportunity to express your passion for nursing and your ability to interact with patients, make sure that you include all you r personal information such as your name, the dates of employment, the duties you performed, and the responsibilities that you took on to help the company. It is important to state that you worked closely with the company's medical staff to ensure patient care and provide good documentation that will help you in getting the job. You need to be prepared when you choose the right company for yourself.Writing a nursing resume takes a lot of time and research, so if you take your time and write as well as you can, you will be able to write the best cover letter possible. Include the type of position you want, the specific duties you performed and the training you received. Include all of these when you create your resume.There are several things that you should do before you begin writing the resume to give it a head start in the game and to prepare for the things that you will have to write and the good things you will need to say. You should have prepared a list of the things that you want to include in your resume. When you begin to organize your resume, you need to work through the list of items in order of importance. Once you have everything organized, you will have a nice clean resume.When you are looking for nursing resume writing help online, be sure to choose companies that offer samples for free. The internet is full of many websites that offer free information, but when you are signing up for a program, you are agreeing to give up some of your privacy. This is the same way that you would give up your email address when you sign up for a service. You should make sure that you are receiving sample resumes and samples of the types of things that you can expect to see when you are applying for nursing positions.Another thing that you should do is pay attention to the details and leave out the important information. When you are filling out the job application, look over the description carefully and make sure that it is accurate. If it is not, then you nee d to double check your work. Remember that the nursing resume writing help that you get should be usable for your needs.The resume you have written should be easily readable and should contain the correct information. When you go to get nursing resume writing help, take the time to really look at what is there. Ask for help where it is needed and try to become more organized by looking through sample resumes.

Should I graduate with a BSc or an Integrated Masters degree

Should I graduate with a BSc or an Integrated Masters degree… This is a question that an increasing number of undergraduate students are asking careers consultants and personal tutors as a result of the increase in tuition fees in 2012. Integrated Masters programmes are enhanced undergraduate degrees and according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency, they have significantly increased in popularity (particularly in the natural sciences) but are they worth the extra year of study? What is the value of an integrated Masters over a BSc? In an era where postgraduate study did not attract funding, a 4th year of undergraduate study funded through student loans and leading to a Masters level qualification was appealing and perhaps partly explained the surge in applications for integrated courses. Could the recent government announcement however, that up to £10,000 can be borrowed to fund postgraduate study, lead to those who are considering this option to question whether an MSc/MA offers better value for money? Do employers make a distinction between applicants with an Integrated Masters and BSc degrees? Anecdotally at least, it would appear not. “In my opinion and it’s only my opinion”  says Peter Laflin, a Chief Data Scientist with the Bloom Advertising Agency,  â€œthe BSc is ‘enough’ to show competence and suitability. I always recruit the person â€" but would use the degree classification as a way of screening out applications before interview. I’m always on the look-out for extra-curricular activities as well as the degree and would value, for example, society involvement over an MSc if the candidate has relevant work experience alongside BSc study, possibly from a year out or a sandwich course. We interview based on a point system which is relevant to the specific job you apply for â€" if you get enough points across a set of criteria, you’ll get an interview.” Mott MacDonald, also suggest that in their recruitment, a Masters isn’t a specific requirement and doesn’t therefore offer any distinct advantage. Their graduate recruitment adviser Holly Savage highlights a tangible difference however, that the Integrated Masters is typically accredited and will meet the academic requirements for registration for approved status within an industry or profession for our engineering students, Masters are very important to us, as it is a requirement for chartership. Of course, your decision to undertake a fourth year of study may be motivated primarily by your passion for your subject, your interest, enjoyment and intellectual curiosity. On the other hand, if you are taking a more pragmatic approach, the networking opportunities, professional standards and leadership for example, that chartership infers, may be a highly motivating factor underpinning your decision to graduate with an integrated masters qualification. If recruiters do not differentiate between the two degrees why are Masters level undergraduates more successful? Universities are required to collect data on the destinations of their students 6 months after graduation and here at the University Warwick, the number of integrated Masters science faculty students who are employed in graduate level employment or who are in further study, is consistently slightly higher than BSc graduates. This is a pattern also evident in the HE sector as a whole according to Charlie Ball, the deputy director of research at the Higher Education Careers Service Unit. (1) Higher levels of graduate employability and participation in further study for integrated masters students may contradict anecdotal feedback from employers but it is a trend that may be attributable, at least in part, to the higher number of 4 year students who achieve a first class degree or high 2:1 and who are therefore more likely to progress to doctoral and postgraduate study. So is the 4th year of study worth the investment? As with every career decision, it depends on your perspective and expectations.  An integrated masters can develop your subject understanding and underpinning knowledge at a deeper level but you cannot assume it will automatically elevate you above other candidates with a BSc. Presenting these enhanced skills and achievements in a convincing way to an employer, in a way that highlights their transferability to the specific job role, may on the other hand make an impact. If you have decided to undertake further study and want to apply for a PhD, the 4 year degree may demonstrate your potential and suitability for research in a compelling way and for Jon Duffy, Associate Professor in the University of Warwick’s physics department the MPhys is definitely the established (and the normal) route into doctoral research. To return to the original question, there is no definitive answer and it does depend to a large extent on the career and sector you would like to work in â€" if you are a STEM subject student for example, the Integrated Masters may add value if you are targeting job roles requiring high levels of analytical, problem-solving and research skills. Realistically, if you would like to pursue doctoral research, the Integrated Masters is effectively a requirement for the more competitive PhD programmes. If the most important consideration however in your decision to graduate with a BSc or Integrated Masters, is whether it will make a difference to an employer (particularly those recruiters who do not require specific degree disciplines) Roz Lawrence, a campus engagement manager with PwC is unequivocal …it makes no difference, all candidates go through the same application process and graduate training programme whether they have a masters or an undergraduate degree. References (1) Times Higher Education Supplement July 31 2014

How to Find A Graduate Job

How to Find A Graduate Job Whether you’ve just graduated or you’re returning from a fantastic gap year ready to launch yourself into the working world, it can be difficult to find work.   Finding graduate jobs in London can be easier if you know where to look.   This article will give you some top tips for finding graduate jobs in London which can help you get on the path to your dream career.   Armed with this knowledge and a willingness to succeed, you can soon find yourself in your ideal role in the big city. Make Sure Your CV is Up to Date Having a CV which is up to date and correct can be the most important step to finding your dream job.   Make sure that you list of all your skills, your previous experience as well as any achievements from your university days which can help demonstrate to employers why you’d be right for the role.   Don’t lie on your CV â€" it might seem like a harmless thing to do in order to get the job of your dreams but you’ll be easily found out once you prove yourself incapable of doing the role. Download these two free resume templates to help you. Download Free CV Template 32.54 KB | 25527 downloads DetailsDownload CV Template Take a Look Online Looking online for graduate jobs in London or elsewhere such as personal assistant or receptionist jobs can be a great way to get a feel for what’s available as well as get an idea of the kind of skills which are needed for these roles.   Use multiple job websites to find jobs to apply for in order to get the widest search possible. This graduate job search guide  might help yoy. Download Graduate Job Search e-guide 945.29 KB 485 downloads This guide is written to help students across Universities to create a better strategy... Keep Track of Applications When looking for jobs, whether through recruitment agencies or online, you should always keep track of your applications.   Make a note of the date you sent in your application, the salary and what the job involved, along with the closing date and the outcome.   If you find that you haven’t heard anything after a couple of weeks of submitting an application, it won’t hurt to get in touch with the company in order to find out what the situation is. If you were unsuccessful in your application, they might be able to provide you with feedback. 4.Decide Where You Want to Work A great way to find graduate jobs in your desired field is to make a list of related companies you’d like to work for.   Go through the list and see if any of them are hiring â€" they may not all advertise through recruitment agencies.   You can always send them a CV and ask them to keep you in mind for any future positions that arise. Consider Temp Jobs in London Temporary recruitment can be a great way to find work and get your foot in the door.   Even if a job only lasts a couple of weeks, the skills and experience you’ll gain will be extremely valuable, and could even lead to a long term position in the future.   Employers looking for temporary staff want people who are flexible and available, so if you’re planning on going down this route, ensure that you can be available for work at short notice. Post Credit: Finding graduate jobs in London is not as daunting as you may think, and using the tips above you should be in a much better position to find a graduate job.   Attic Recruitment are one of the leading graduate recruitment agencies in London and are experts at placing new graduates. 4 How to Find a Graduate Job What is a Graduate Job? Liverpool John Moores University defines Graduate Job as follows: Traditionally a graduate job has meant a job or career path for which a degree is the required entry level qualification. But today it might be more appropriate to define a graduate job as a job that a graduate does. In the UK the top employers have different entry schemes, e.g.: entry level schemes and experienced hires. The names themselves are dead give-aways of the minimum requirement to participate in the scheme. Graduate Jobs are the entry level to an organisation. If you have internship/work-experience, then some recruitment agencies consider that as experience, and you can apply to some direct entry jobs, although the chances of that are very rare. How to Find a Graduate Job? Finding a graduate job is time-consuming and difficult. But it is not impossible. The Graduate Job application process is like a new team entering Formula 1 (F1). You will make mistakes in the beginning, it will be an uphill task, but thankfully, that is the only way you can improve your chances of getting a job. The task of getting a job also includes tweaking and considering many factors. Factors include: Time of application Understanding and improving answering technique Having good information about keywords for the job application Practising  psychometric tests (post-application I stage) Preparing/Researching for first interviews (II stage) Final Assessment / Interviews (III stage) The last three points (or the first three post-application stages) have a lot going for them and only the fittest survive. Applying for Graduate Jobs Timing is Important Most of the top employers have a strict and early application stage. Usual format is September January (some stretch to March) are the first application stages. Vacancies are high in numbers and most of the schemes are open Some of the organisations open some schemes for a few positions later on, around May June Can I Get Help with my Graduate Application? Most of the applicants think they are on their own when dealing with these applications. But that is not the case. The internet has vast resources on graduate employers and what they like and what they dont. Two of the main resources that I have found to be useful are Wikijob The Job Crowd You can also visit your Careers Service at your University. Most Careers Services provide help to graduates even after they have graduated from university. Make use of them: print out your applications and they can review it for you, if you ask nicely! (Image: Dutton Moore) 3

Small Business Customer Service and the Minimum Wage - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Small Business Customer Service and the Minimum Wage - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Conservative and progressive economists continue to debate the impact on small businesses of increasing the minimum wage. Conservative and progressive politicians continue to argue the issue to chart their political futures. While they all drone on, a significant number of low wage employees struggle to make ends meet while being asked to bring a positive attitude to the workplace, engage in teamwork with their co-workers, and always serve customers with a smile. Yet, if those employees earning the current minimum wage are struggling to make ends meet, the stresses have to impact their ability to provide the highest levels of service, both to the company’s paying customers and to their co-workers. There is no doubt a lot of factors go into employees’ abilities to show up with the right mindset to fulfill their job requirements at the highest levels. But research continues to show employee engagement is at significantly low levels. This means there is a disconnect between an employee and their desire to fulfill job requirements at the highest levels and look for ways to contribute beyond the basics. In a lot of situations this may not be due to a lack of caring or desire, and may be an issue of focus and distraction. If employees are stressing over making ends meet and need a second or third job to fulfill their financial obligations, how engaged can an employee be in any moment on a job? Billions of dollars are spent on customer service training each year. Yet, for employees who do not feel positive about the company they work for, or if they do not have a minimum level of certainty about being able to make financial ends meet, customer service training is a waste of resources. It is also very disingenuous. Employees will see through the hypocrisy of spending resources for customer service training, and asking employees to serve company customers at ever higher levels, yet, do not feel the company is serving them at the highest levels. For small business owners paying minimum wage, expecting anything more than minimum performance is a fantasy. A small business’ most important customers are their employees. Take care of the employees and the employees will take care of the business.

Personal Brand Buzzkill Snarky LinkedIn Comments - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

Personal Brand Buzzkill Snarky Comments

Research your recruiter, you never know what youll find

Research your recruiter, you never know what youll find 4 Flares 4 Flares Every now and then, a candidate will come along and surprise a recruiter.  Sometimes in a bad way, and sometimes in a good way.  On Friday, I was surprised in a good way. I was making my last call of the day on Friday, and had just started a phone screen.  Right after explaining what the screen would entail, the candidate quickly jumped in with, am I looking at you here on this Corn on the Cobor Job?  I kind of smiled a bit, and wasnt sure exactly what to say.  I explained that I have a job seeker blog that I run and that its focus is to help job seekers in their job search.  We talked about the blog for a minute, and then we carried on with our business. Now, most job seekers know to research the company, position, industry, etc, but its rare to see a candidate actually research the recruiter or person handling the phone screen/interview.  You never know what youll find out about the person on the other end of the line, and as we all know, its all too easy to find out information about each other.  As a job seeker, you can find this to be useful if youd like to bring up a talking point, or break the ice with something.  The recruiter may be impressed if youve done extra homework and showed interest in the interviewer. What I dont suggest is adding that recruiter or interview to all of your social networks.  Youll use common sense, I know you will.