Start Your Job Search Submit A Job

UK unemployment remains low – flexibility needed

The UK’s unemployment rate has remained at 3.8% – its joint lowest level since early 1975, according to official figures.  New figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, reveal UK unemployment fell by 16,000 to 1.29m in the three months to December and the number of people in work rose from 180,000 to 32.93m over the quarter.

Total vacancies rose to 810,000, the highest since the quarter to September 2019, with total earnings growth including rising by 2.9%.

The new figures suggest that we have a UK job market that is growing in confidence, that remains buoyant and is placing record numbers of people in work.   Those organisations that took a more cautious approach during the recent years of political and economic uncertainty, are now putting into action ambitious recruiting plans.

A candidate’s market?

Whilst the employment figures tell a good story, 41% of business leaders remain concerned about their ability to attract and retain the best people.  Talented candidates are often juggling multiple job offers at a time.

Employers really do need to think differently about how they attract the right people.  The best organisations are reviewing remuneration packages, benefits and working environment in order to make sure they attract good candidates.  Flexible working, regular high quality training, good working conditions and employee wellbeing benefits are actively being sought by candidate’s keen to bring a more balanced approach to their working lives.

They say there is nothing as constant as change and UK businesses are certainly operating in a new dynamic environment where there is not much certainty around.  A more flexible approach around the working environment and employment conditions is fast becoming a vital strategy for UK business.

Speak to the team at First Base if you would like to know more how we can support your recruitment plans and help you attract the right people. Contact Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

 

 

Dealing with a bad manager

It is often said that people don’t leave their jobs; they leave bad managers.  That is certainly our experience based on feedback from many job seekers.

Depending on which piece of research you read, between 50% and 75% of employees quit their jobs not because of the job itself or because of lack of opportunities, but because of their boss.  Maybe you work for someone who never seems satisfied, shows no appreciation for the work you do or is never around – the list of bad boss behaviours is seemingly endless.  Working with a bad boss is frustrating at best and emotionally draining at worst.  It can impact on work performance, home life, relationships, self- confidence, health and well-being.  A bad boss can make being at work the last place you want to be.  Many do quit a bad boss – but before taking the nuclear option, there are tactics you can adopt to help you and your boss.

An employee’s relationship with their boss is just like any other relationship.  It needs to be nurtured and worked on.  The relationship doesn’t just depend on doing a good job.  Being fully appreciated and treated well can be affected by a miss-match in communication style, personal values or expectations – all things that a boss might not recognise no matter how good you are at your job.
Even if today your boss is a “good” one, you should acknowledge that the future of your work relationship is more about connection, communication and cultural fit than it is about the work itself.  This doesn’t mean you can do a bad job and get away with it – it means doing a good job AND working on the relationship.

Seek first to understand

Try walking in your bosses’ shoes. What targets have they been given? What pressures are they under? What are their goals and objectives?  The more you understand things from their perspective the more you can take these things into account and support them.

What about their communication style? Do they prefer regular updates and let you get on with it or are they sticklers for deadlines? How do they like updates to be delivered, by email, phone or face to face?

Look out for trends in their behaviour.  What seems to upset them and what keeps them off your back or generates a thank you? If you identify themes you begin to understand what is most important to them. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with their aims, just seek to understand them and adapt your behaviour in a way that will give you some influence with them.

Seeking to understand your boss and then adapting your style to meet theirs, could change the workplace dynamic for you.  Maybe you don’t want to use these tactics, and you think it’s up to the boss to change for you – that’s not a wrong perspective; it just might mean that you do need to start looking for that next job.

Before you take that final step, consider the power that you might have to move the entire relationship with your boss to a more positive one.

If you would like to know more about how the First Base team could help you if you decide to make a career change, call Tricia Hay on 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk.

 

How to avoid working for a bad boss

Having a difficult boss is quite often the reason we are given for why some people are looking for a new job.  A manager with poor people skills can easily make a workplace unbearable. 

Some bosses do it without realising it, while others openly manipulate their employees and use them as instruments for their own success.  Regardless of their methods, bad bosses are bad for your well-being, slow down your career progress and can create unnecessary stress. I’ve worked with over 600 management teams all over the world and have found that toxic bosses exist across all sectors.  Public bodies, charities, companies small and large all have their share of managers with poor people skills.

The teams I have worked with worked with often use the same words to describe the bad managers they have worked for.  They include:

•  Self-oriented 

•  Stubborn 

•  Overly demanding 

•  Impulsive 

•  Micro-managing

•  Bullying

In my experience many bosses aren’t surprised by the words used to describe them.  A recent CIM study found that 64% of managers admit that they need to work on their management skills.  When asked where they focus their efforts, managers overwhelmingly say, “Bringing in the numbers”; yet when they are fired, it is often due to their poor people skills.

Avoid working for bad managers

Whilst you might not be able to change your old boss, there are some questions you can ask at interview to ensure you are not about to end up working for the same character with a different name. 

1.  How long has your present team been in place?

You want to find out if there is a high turnover of staff and if possible, why.  If the interviewer avoids being specific it might be a sign that there is more conflict than is healthy. 

2.  How would your team describe your management style?

Difficult bosses will often use this question to tell you about their attitude to managing people.  If the answer is all about their own opinion and ignores the bit about what their team think, it can be a sign that they are overly self-centred. 

3.  Who are your favourite authors on leadership?

Check out what, if any, management books you can see in the interviewer’s office.  Managers who don’t read about leadership may never have been properly trained or potentially think that the know it all.  If their favourite book is “Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun” or “Management and Machiavelli” – be warned!

4.  How would you describe the team culture?

Make sure their reply genuinely makes you a good fit for the organisation. If it makes you feel uncomfortable at interview it will be ten times worse if you join a culture you end up hating. 

5.  How does the appraisal system work here?

If you get a roll of the eyes and a reply that suggests proper feedback is just a paperwork or HR exercise, the manager might not provide the support you need to make progress. If they say that they will make sure you and everybody else will know if are not doing well – take that as a big red flag.

6.  How does the team celebrate success?

Look out for hints about attitudes to work-life balance, culture and rewards other than the usual pay and benefits. “Success will keep me off your back” or lack of a fluent answer might suggest a boss who likes to take all the praise. 

Body language and tone

Non-verbal clues often say more than words so be aware of the interviewer’s body language when you ask a questions.  Do they pause just a bit too long; do they seem uncomfortable or irritated at being asked perfectly reasonable questions?

Know what you want

Every one of those 600+ teams I’ve worked with not only knew about bad bosses, but could also describe the sort of boss that they loved to work with.  Make sure you are clear about what you want in a boss, think about the qualities you have admired in good managers that you have worked for (or would like to work for).  

Finally, ask around about the organisations reputation as an employer.  Do some subtle research personally and on social media. Check out sites such as Glass Door where previous employees leave their views and LinkedIn where you can view the profile of your interviewer.  Do they make comments or write posts that give you clues as to what they really think?

A good employer will never be concerned about being scrutinised and after all, it’s your life.  The better informed you are the easier it is to make the right decision.

If you would like to know more about how to avoid toxic bosses or asking questions at interview, call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

22 Top Tips to Help You Make a Great Impression at Your Next Interview

Over the past 22 years, we have helped over 14,000 great people to find their dream job. We’ve learned a lot about what employers are looking for when they interview candidates.

Here are our 22 top tips to help you make the best impression at your next interview.

1. Research the company and industry

Knowledge of the company and industry will impress an interviewer.  It will also provide you with information to prepare one or two insightful questions beyond what the pay rate is. Showing genuine interest makes a real difference.

2. Prepare for common interview questions.

Every “how to interview” book has a list of a hundred or more “common interview questions”.  So how do you prepare – even for the dreaded “Where do you see yourself in 5 years” Think about which questions you’re most likely to encounter given your background and the job you are applying for.  Then prepare your answers so you won’t have to fumble for them during the actual interview.

3. Anticipate the interviewer’s concerns and reservations.

There are always more candidates for jobs than there are positions available.  Interviewers look for ways to screen people out that don’t immediately match their expectations.  Put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself why they might not want to recruit you (“I don’t have this,” “I’m not that,” etc.).  Then prepare your response: “I know you may be thinking that I might not be the best fit for this position because [their reservation]. But you should know that [reason the interviewer shouldn’t be overly concerned].”

4. Clarify your “selling points” and the reasons you want the job.

Prepare to go into every interview with four or five key selling points in mind, such as what makes you the best person for the position.  Have an example of each selling point and be prepared to tell the interviewer why you want that job, including what interests you about it and what abilities it requires that you possess.  If an interviewer doesn’t think you’re really interested in the job, they won’t give you an offer.

5. Prepare questions for the interviewer.

Go to the interview with some intelligent and insightful questions for the interviewer that demonstrate your knowledge of the company.  Interviewers always ask if you have any questions, and no matter what, you should have one or two ready.

6. Practice out loud.

It’s one thing to come prepared with a mental answer to a question like, “Why should we hire you?” It’s another thing to say it out loud in a confident and convincing way.  The first time you try it, you’ll sound garbled and confused, no matter how clear your thoughts are in your own mind!  Like the best presenters – do it another 10 times, and you’ll sound a lot smoother and more articulate.

7. Be on time!

It should go without saying, but it is never acceptable to be late to an interview.  This is such a common standard that some employers will refuse to interview a candidate if they are late. Sadly, some candidates still fail to realise that there is a basic requirement to be on time.

8. Make the right impression in the first five minutes.

Some studies indicate that interviewers make up their minds about candidates in the first five minutes of the interview – and then spend the rest of the interview looking for things to confirm that decision.  So what can you do in those five minutes?  Go in with energy and enthusiasm, and express your appreciation for the interviewer’s time.  Remember they may be seeing a lot of other candidates that day and some will have sapped their energy.  Be the one to brighten up their day!

9. Be assertive and take responsibility for the interview.

Perhaps out of an effort to be polite, some usually assertive candidates become overly reserved during job interviews.  Being polite doesn’t mean you have to be reserved or passive. An interview is like any other conversation – it’s a dance in which you and a partner move together, both responding to the other.  Don’t make the mistake of just sitting there waiting for the interviewer to ask you about how impressive you are.  It’s your responsibility to make sure they walk away knowing your key selling points.

10. Make your selling points clear.

Don’t bury your selling points in long-winded stories.  Instead, tell the interviewer what your selling point is first, then give an example.

11. Be on the same side as the interviewer.

Some interviewers see job interviews as adversarial.  Your job is to transform a potential “tug of war” into a relationship in which you’re both on the same side.  Look at things from their point of view and make it clear you understand how important it is that they find the right person.

12. Think and behave positively.

No one likes a whinger, so don’t dwell on negative experiences during an interview.  Even if the interviewer asks you point blank, “What did you like least about that previous job?” don’t answer the question as it’s been asked.  Instead, say something like “I liked my previous job quite a bit, although now I know that I really want to make a career change”

13. End on a positive note.

Let the interviewer know that you’d really, really like the job, that you were excited about it before the interview, that you are even more enthusiastic now and that you’re convinced you’d like to work there.  If there are two equally good candidates at the end of the search – you and someone else – the interviewer will think you’re more likely to accept the offer, and thus may be more inclined to make an offer to you.

14. Take a copy of your CV to every interview.

Have a copy of your CV with you when you go to every interview.  If the interviewer has misplaced their copy, you’ll save a lot of time (and embarrassment on the interviewer’s part) if you can just pull your extra copy out and hand it over.

15. Make the most of the “Tell me about yourself” question.

Many interviewers begin interviews with this question. So how should you respond?

As well as an ice breaker, this question is a way for the interviewer to gain some insight into your personality.  They also want to determine your fit for the job and the organisation.  The interviewer doesn’t want to know everything about you – your answer needs to be a careful balance between declaring too much and making them wonder why you aren’t being more open with your answer.  The interviewer wants to know that you have the sort of well-rounded personality and outlook that will fit well with their culture.  Your research should, of course, include finding out about the culture of the organisation that you are hoping to join.

16. Don’t worry about sounding over-rehearsed.

Some people are concerned that if they rehearse their answers, they’ll sound overly polished or glib during the interview.  Don’t worry. If you’re well prepared, you’ll sound smooth and articulate, not “canned”.

17. Speak the right body language.

Dress appropriately, make eye contact, give a firm handshake, have good posture, speak clearly and be well groomed.

18. Be ready for “competence-based” interviews”.

One of the most common interview styles today is to ask people to describe experiences they have had that demonstrate behaviours and competencies that the company thinks are important for a particular position. You might be asked to talk about a time when you made an unpopular decision, displayed a high level of persistence, or made a decision under time pressure and with limited information, for example.

Step one is to anticipate the behaviours the recruitment manager is likely to be looking for.

Step two is to identify at least one example of when you demonstrated each behaviour.

Step three is to prepare a story for each example.

19. Send thank-you notes.

Write a thank-you note after every interview. Type each note on paper or send them by email, depending on the interviewers’ preferences. Customize your notes by referring specifically to what you and the interviewer discussed. Handwritten notes might be better if you’re thanking a personal contact for helping you in your job search.  Whatever method you choose, notes should be sent within 48 hours of the interview.

To write a good thank-you note, take time after each interview to jot down a few things about what the interviewer said.

20. Don’t give up!

If you’ve had a bad interview for a job that you truly think would be a great fit for you don’t give up! Maintaining a high level of motivation throughout your job search will mean the difference between securing a job sooner rather than later.  Staying positive and motivated are the best qualities to keep you going and it will be worth it once you come to start your first day in your new job!

21. What do employers really want?

We’ve spent time with recruiting managers, HR directors, CEO’s and business owners.  We’ve recruited for short term temporary contracts, part time admin roles to senior management position. When it comes to the people organisations want to hire, the story tends to be the same.  All employers want the same things.  They all want the ‘best’ candidates to apply, they all want to attract ‘great’ people.  Good people shouldn’t be hard to find but you might be surprised how rare it is for candidates to see things from the employers point of view.

Check out this blog to remind yourself about seeing things from your potential employers point of view.

22. Make sure you keep the First Base interview checklist to hand!

If you’d like to know more about how the team at First Base can help you with your next career move call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

Avoiding those back to work blues

When you have experienced the ecstasy of switching on your ‘Out of Office’ notice – thoughts of what will be waiting for you when you return after that long awaited holiday seem a long way off.

Hopefully, as you switched on the out of office, you also switched off your business email and social media accounts and committed to taking a proper break from all work related activities. You’ve made sure you are not joining the two in three people who report that they worked whilst on holiday!

With proper preparation you can set off on you holiday, recharge your batteries and avoid those back to work blues and worries of mounting emails, incomplete tasks or important meetings scheduled for when you return. Here’s some tips that might help.

1. Start with a positive mind-set

Holidays give us time to think about issues that we often put to the back of our minds when we are at work. Careers, relationships, workload and other deep seated issues come to the surface when are away from the day to day hustle and bustle. After the dream of taking early retirement, not going back or a finding a new job on some exotic island gives way to reality, some people will start to dread the thought of going back to work. This can lead to a spiral of negativity which can cancel out all the benefits of the amazing holiday you had and will inevitably be noticed by colleagues. Moods are contagious, so don’t take a bad one into work!

When you are thinking about your first day back at work, instead of focusing on the negative (your full inbox or a daunting customer meeting), think about those elements within your role that you enjoy. Focus your mind on the things you are looking forward to about returning to work.

Take time on holiday to read a book or listen to a podcast about the advantages of a positive mind-set. You might find you learn new life skills that make a big difference.

2. Accept that you will return to a full inbox

Before you return to work, accept that your email inbox will be bulging and there will be lots to catch up on. However, you can reduce the immediate pressure by setting your email expectations within your “Out of Office” message. Make it clear when you will be returning to the office and maybe think about adding an extra day to give you a buffer on day one of your return.
On day one, avoid scheduling lots of meetings and calls, instead, schedule time in your calendar to work through your inbox. Start by focusing on the emails which you know are a priority or have been sent by key colleagues and clients.

3. Help yourself to quickly re-adjust back to work

The steps above will improve your mood as you prepare to return to work after your break. However, there are also some more practical steps which you can take to help you get ready for the first day back. Before you leave for your holiday, make sure you have everything in place that you will need for work when you return. Clothes, uniform, work bag and even ingredients for lunches can be pre-prepared to avoid any last minute panics. A little advance organisation will help ease you into you work routine.

4. Personalise your workspace

According to the Association for Psychological Science, creating a tidy and more personal workspace can improve your mood. Try adding simple touches such as a treasured photograph (maybe a snap of your recent holiday) or plants which will give you an instant lift.

5. Think about how you can make useful changes

Holidays give you time to think and sometimes thoughts can turn to everything that you would like to change about your job. Rather than dwelling on everything you feel is wrong about the organisation, spend some time working out how you could improve things for yourself and your employer.

Fix a meeting with your line manager and make positive suggestions about your own area of work (not what you would do to change everything about the place!) and how it would help you to be even more productive. You might be surprised about the influence you gain on wider issues when you suggest changes you can personally make that affect your own role.

Do you have deeper issues? – make a plan

The steps above can be quick solutions to ensure your return to work is more bearable in the short-term. However, they are unlikely to solve bigger issues that might cause you to dread going back to work. During your holiday, try to establish exactly what it is which is making you feel so down about returning to work. By identifying the bigger problems, it will make it much easier to create a plan of action to solve them. What parts of your job are making you dread going back to work? Maybe you no longer feel challenged and don’t feel valued. Perhaps a lack of support from your boss has seen you turned down for a promotion. Maybe you can’t see a clear career path with your current employer. Perhaps you are struggling with an increasing workload that causes a high levels of stress.

If you haven’t previously made your manager aware of the problems, they can’t know that you need help. They won’t be able to put measures in place to help put things right. The first step is to have an open and honest conversation with your manager. When you meet, discuss the ways in which you can work together to address the issues you are struggling with. Resolve to deal with things when you get back from your holiday and you can spend the rest of your time away knowing you have a plan. Then you can get on with your your well-deserved break!

Is it time to look for a new job?

Have already tried talking to your boss about the issues you’re facing but feel as if nothing will change? Perhaps it might be time to follow your instincts and consider finding a new position.
Spend some time during your holiday thinking about the type of job you would like to find and your career goals. Think about the network of contacts you already have that could help you – this will give you something positive to focus on and a plan of action for kicking off your job search when you return.

It’s important to remember that most people will experience some degree of back-to-work blues as they think about returning to work after a great holiday. These feelings can creep in before they’ve even packed their suitcase. Resolve to take some practical steps, make a plan and enjoy your break!

If you’d like to know more about how the team at First Base can help you when you are considering your next career move, call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

5 ways to stay motivated during your job search

You’ve researched endless job listings, tailored your CV and personal profile, attended career fairs, updated your LinkedIn profile, sent in your job applications and met with a few potential employers. When you are searching for the right job, there can be good days and not so good days. Sometimes it can seem as if you are not making much progress. Maybe the job offers you have received are not quite right for you, maybe you are still waiting to get some feedback following an interview or you might have just missed out on a job offer after being shortlisted.

How do you stay positive and focussed on your end goal of finding the right job for you? We got the First Base team together and came up with 5 things you can do to stay motivated while you search for your dream job.

Remember that the situation you are in is temporary, it won’t last forever and soon enough you’ll find the role you’ve been searching for. It can sometimes seem as if you’ll always be in this situation, but this isn’t the case, you will find something.

1. Start your day off on the right note

The way that you start your day often defines how the rest of it will go. After a good night’s rest to recharge your batteries, set an alarm so that you can make the most of the higher levels of productivity that you will have in the mornings. Try to establish a daily routine including start times, job search sessions and breaks so that you can quickly settle into a routine. Make sure you prepare well for interviews and keep up to date with what employers are really looking for.

2. Set yourself some daily goals

Every morning, think about what you want to achieve that day and list your goals and actions in a ‘To do’ list on paper or using the reminder feature on a smart phone These can then be checked off and provides you with a structure to keep you on track towards your end goal of securing your job. Remember, you don’t need to stick to these slavishly, if something isn’t working then adapt it and reprioritise the actions you need to take.

 3. Stay Positive

If you encounter a setback, remember that some of the reasons could be beyond your control. You are not alone, a lot of people are seeking new job opportunities and there will inevitably be some rejections. If you get a rejection it is often because someone else that applied is considered to be a better fit. Keep in mind that when you do get the job offer you want, someone else will have received a rejection.

If you receive a rejection try to turn this situation to your advantage by asking for feedback. This will help you to identify the things that you need to work on in time for your next application. If you are having a particularly quiet day in terms of positive responses, it could be that you need to alter your strategy. Think back to your most recent successes and ultimately remember that the right job is out there for you and keep going.

4. Make the most of your support networks

If the search becomes slightly overwhelming, take some time off with your family and friends who will be able to support you and offer advice on how to move forward. Friends who are also going through the same thing will also be able to share tips with you or could perhaps put in a word for you if their organisation is hiring. If you are working with a recruitment consultant, ask for their honest feedback and advice.

Check out our advice on building your personal network to boost your career opportunities.

5. Work smarter!

Register with a recruitment agency and take advantage of all the help and advice available to you from your consultant. We can help you with your CV and put you forward for opportunities where we feel there would be a good fit. When we introduce you to an employer there is much higher chance that they will interview you. Call us, register on line or pop in to meet us, you can be sure of a warm welcome!

Remember starting the search is a challenge but maintaining a high level of motivation throughout the search will mean the difference between securing a job sooner rather than later.  Staying positive and motivated are the best qualities to keep you going and it will be worth it once you come to start your first day in your new job!

Check out our website for current job listings and resources to help you with your job search, call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attending a careers fair over Summer? Make sure you follow up

Going along to a careers fair can be a great way to meet and get introduced to businesses and recruiters that may be able to help in your job search. They just give you a job, right ?

Wrong. Having ran and taken part in many events over the past 22 years I can count on two hands the number of people that made a (really good) lasting impression.

While career fairs serve up great introductions to companies, recruiters, and career paths you may choose to follow, it’s still up to you to create the right first impression which could take you closer to landing that dream job.

Whether you’re looking for your first job, to change career or develop your network in your current role, being prepared and asking the right questions is key.

Make sure you take along your cv and or/business cards and show genuine interest in the people in attendance.  You cannot learn about a business or engage with someone that may be able to help you if you don’t fully engage with them. I see so many people who are brazen about continuing to look around the room for more interesting people – whilst still in conversation ! …….and we all know those who rush in, survey the room, barge in to conversations, take a call and rush out.

Put some real time aside and be present. Make eye contact and ask questions. Ask what the business does, what their ambitions for the future are or who their competitors are. No one expects you know all of this.. but they will appreciate your wanting to learn.

Then, follow up.

After the event, take time to connect with people online and to drop them a quick note to say thank you for their time.

So what do you say to make yourself memorable? Use these super easy tips to craft a perfect career fair follow up email.

Open your message in a courteous and professional manner: For example “Dear… “ or “Hi… “ If you felt you got on particularly well with your new contact. You don’t want to sound flippant or too casual by using “Hey….” Or “Yo….” (Is that old hat?)

At this stage you are trying to impress and show you have taken on advice or gained some really useful insight into what they do and how they could help you. If in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of formality. “Dear Ms./Mrs/Mr…..”.

Be professional and keep it simple.

Try this template to follow up with anyone you’d like to show interest in and remember that you should follow up quickly. It’ll take a little time for recruiters to go through their email when they get back from an event but make sure you’re top of mind and in their in box waiting for them (send a follow up within 24 hours). I promise this set you apart from a high percentage of attendees who just went along for the freebies.

“Dear Mr/Ms/Mrs Green” / “Hi Lucy”

“Thank you so much for your time at [name of event, and location] this morning/this afternoon/yesterday/last week”.

“I was really interested to hear more about the work you do/marketing/sales/your new product [make it personal where you can] and would highly appreciate it if you’d think of me when you’re next looking to recruit/meet with candidates/hold an open day” [again, make this relevant to the conversation you had on the day].

“I’d love to stay in touch and would be really interested in talking more about the opportunities you have/may have on offer in the future”.

Thank you again for your time.

Kind regards/Yours sincerely

Tricia Hay

Keep it light and remind them that you were present and interested.

No need for war and peace here. Keep it simple and to the point (recruiters whether internal or external have very busy in boxes). Thank the recruiter for their time and express an interest in keeping in contact with them. As a final tip, don’t forget to attach your cv if you didn’t give them a copy at the career fair.

If you’d like further help in putting a follow up together, please feel free to contact my team and I at enquiries@first-base.co.uk

What do employers want?

We have worked with clients ranging from SME’s to Partnerships, Global Corporations, Charities and the Public Sector.

We’ve spent time with recruiting managers, HR directors, CEO’s and business owners. We’ve recruited for short term temporary contracts, part time admin roles to senior management position. When it comes to the people organisations want to hire, the story tends to be the same. All employers want the same things. They all want the ‘best’ candidates to apply, they all want to attract ‘great’ people. Good people shouldn’t be hard to find but you might be surprised how rare it is for candidates to see things from the employers point of view.

Initiative

You see this in job specifications all the time – we want people who can use their initiative.

It’s reasonable to expect some good induction and training when you’re new.  That doesn’t mean you can’t be considering early on how you can do things a bit better, do a bit of creative problem solving or deal with unusual situations on your own initiative. Don’t overdo it and take care about going beyond your authority, however, most employers would love to have people turn up the initiative dial a bit.

Ownership

Employers and managers are looking for people with a can-do attitude, who can be relied on to get the job done. They want people who will take ownership of their work. In all sectors, managers are busy and have conflicting multiple priorities to deal with. Having employees they can trust is really important.

If you want to stand out, make sure you can demonstrate that you take ownership of a job and that you are the one who gets things done.

Communication  

Another thing you’ll see on most job specs is the requirement for good communications skills.  It’s not just about speaking clearly or good grammar – it’s about communicating appropriately for the situation. Understanding which communication channel is the right one for the situation is increasingly important in a technological, social media-driven world.

Energy

Most people want to come to work to be energised by the people around them. Managers avoid negative people because they know that over time it drains everyone around them and it reflects poorly on their company brand.  Don’t be the person who people avoid!

The fundamentals

Turn up on time, be courteous, say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’. Don’t be a moaner, present yourself well, respect colleagues, be trustworthy and be authentic. Everybody can spot a colleague who goes a bit overboard with initiative, ownership, communication and energy!

If you’d like to know more about how the team at First Base can help you with your next career move call 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

 

Writing a personal profile for your CV

A candidate recently asked whether she should write an introductory paragraph or personal profile at the beginning of her CV. Great question we thought, so here’s our view.

Whilst a cover letter tailored to the specific job you are applying for will do a lot of the talking for you, a short well written personal profile really helps your chances of standing out. A personal profile is a short paragraph that sits at the top of your CV. Its aim is to effectively and concisely sum up who you are and your skills and strengths relevant to the job role and career aims.  It is similar to a cover letter; the main difference is you will be selling yourself (the main purpose of your CV) in four or five sentences rather than a full page. A good personal profile added to your CV will grab the recruiter’s attention.

And grabbing the recruiter’s attention is vital. Many roles are in competitive fields and can attract dozens if not hundreds of CV’s – and that means you need to provide a short sharp reason for them to read on beyond the first few lines. You risk a recruiter flicking past your CV unless they spot reasons to put you forward pretty quickly. Help your recruiter to help you!

Your profile provides an ideal way to grab the recruiter’s attention and continue reading your CV because you are telling them in the first few sentences why they should consider hiring you. A personal profile can be useful if you are uploading your CV to a job board such as CV-Library. It provides you with an opportunity to outline your career objectives and can help put your CV into context. It also helps recruiters to match you with the right job for you and gives them some direction as to what sort of working culture would be the right fit for you.

A profile is best included when you are fairly sure what type of job you want or where your skills suit specific sectors. If you aren’t sure then consider leaving it out. A profile that is too broad risks giving the impression you haven’t done your research or that any type of employment will do. Not the best impression to give

Structuring a personal profile

The most important thing to remember is that your statements should around four or five sentences – between 50 and 200 words. Some people like to write in the first person (I am, my skills include…) or the third person (Sales professional seeking, skills include…). It really doesn’t matter as long as you are consistent with your grammatical style.

We suggest dividing your personal profile paragraph into three sections.

If you’re writing a more general personal profile, be sure you include key achievements that make you stand out. For example, if you’re looking for a position within graphic design and you’ve got extensive Photoshop experience working on a major campaign, not only can you claim you have these skills in your personal statement, but you can back them up as well.

Leave out the buzz words

You may well be a highly motivated team player with excellent communications skills and extensive administration experience but these buzz words don’t really provide any evidence (and a recruiters will have read the same words a thousand times).

Try to highlight real, relevant skills and back them up with evidence to make your personal profile strong.

Do

Don’t

Employers and candidates tell us that First Base is their first choice for help with their recruitment requirements and their personal career progression. If you would like to know more about how the First Base team could help you, contact us on 01453 755330 or email tricia.hay@first-base.co.uk

To upload your CV follow this link!

Working parents – how to avoid feeling overwhelmed

So how does your ‘master’ to do list look? Does it include a never-ending list of job deadlines, parenting responsibilities and domestic chores? The reality is that working parents have a seemingly endless and ever-growing to-do list or even multiple to-do lists. No wonder that research confirms that most working parents can end up feeling tired, in a constant hurry and stressed. For some, managing multiple priorities can seem overwhelming.

Technology has given us access to the tools we can use to organise our professional and personal lives but somehow these tools serve to remind us of the fact that we might not be getting enough done and may not be in control as we sit in bed scheduling meetings, phone calls, social media and business deadlines alongside school events, holiday activities and family commitments. We’ve all had that ‘stop the bus I want to get off” moment.

Our problem isn’t that we aren’t actually in control – it’s more about how the human brain functions. It is normal to feel overwhelmed when there seems to be so many multiple priorities to deal with.

The good news is that there are well established and simple techniques that every working parent can do to feel calmer and in control of those ever-present to do lists.

Begin with the end in mind

Good managers know that organisations work well when there are clear strategic, operational and tactical goals. There are targets that, when achieved, can be celebrated. Knowing where the organisation or team is headed they can be confident in decision making and enjoy the motivation that comes from working towards their destination.

Working parents don’t always do the same.

Too often we are working to get through what can often seem a daunting day ahead. Our heads go down as we ‘get on with it’ making our lives potentially seem relentless and stressful. It can feel as if those to do lists and schedules are in charge of your life rather than the other way around. Constantly feeling that we have too much to do can be exhausting.

If we take a leaf out of the good managers’ book and start thinking about the end results of being good parents and good in our professional lives you can put yourself back in charge. Knowing that your goals are to contribute to the success and growth of your organisation whilst raising healthy, independent, successful children provides a sense of confidence, motivation and self-determination. YOU decided on the goal and it is your goal you that you are getting closer to every day. And remember they are YOUR goals, not necessarily the goals of other parent’s. It’s achieving your own life and career goals that will motivate you when times seem tough. The more specific your goals are the more likely they are to motivate you.

With a clear view of what you are working towards you can rid your to-do list and schedules of anything that does not contribute to achieving your professional and family goals, focusing only on those things that matter, spending time and energy on those things driving you forward.

Keep an ‘it’s done’ list

It was when our very own David Tovey was speaking at a ‘Dealing with Multiple Priorities”  event in Sydney that he was introduced to the work of Russian psychologist Bluma Zeigarnik. The Zeigernic effect states that people tend to remember and over fixate on uncompleted or interrupted tasks significantly more than finished ones. Outstanding tasks take up a lot of mental space and create negative emotions that can leave us feeling anxious. As a working parent, the list of outstanding tasks can lead to a great deal of anxiety.  Whilst that to do list is necessary, it only fuels any stress we feel.

In Sydney, David met one person actually putting completed tasks, not originally on her to do list, on to the list so that she could put a line through it, showing it as completed. Why? Because it gave her a positive feeling of closure. Capture all those completed projects and remind yourself of how far you’ve come, how much has been accomplished in your professional and family life. Look back on the list from time to time to remind yourself of your achievements. At the same time keep all those ‘well done’ and ‘thank you’ work-related messages as well as fathers, mother’s day, birthday etc cards (especially the handmade ones). They have the power to bring a smile, a warm glow and remind yourself why you do what you do.

Take a digital detox

Smart phones, apps, email and social media provide great tools BUT also can contribute to a feeling of never being off duty. Promise yourself that sometime in the next couple of days you will set aside a minimum of 30 minutes for a digital detox at home. With that time commit to focusing on yourself and/or your family. Have a ‘no phones’ at meal times rule when the kids are telling you about their day. You have work commitments, yes, but even the highest powered execs can switch off for 30 minutes without the world ending.

Just 30 minutes can make a real difference. Stress ebes away and you are back in control having made the decision to detox and executed it.  Those schedules and to do lists are there to help you achieve your career, life and family goals. They don’t rule you, you rule them.

Employers and candidates tell us that First Base is their first choice for help with their recruitment requirements and their personal career progression. If you would like to know more about how the First Base team could help you, contact us on 01453 755330.