In May, the ONS reported the largest quarterly decrease in unemployment since 2015, which is a great sign for UK job hunters. If you’re eyeing your next role, there’s no better time to spruce up that CV and any online professional profiles to make sure you’re getting noticed and presenting the best version of yourself to prospective employers. How to write a CV Even if some companies favour a different approach to applications, many still insist on the traditional CV format, so knowing how to write a CV is key. You may have a tried and trusted document, honed over the years and full of fantast ..read more

Whether you’re between jobs or employed, the job-finding process can be a long haul, leaving applicants feeling stressed and burnt out. When you add the worry of the pandemic and the effects of being stuck at home for a year, it’s no surprise that some jobseekers are feeling the strain. One positive thing is that there are still plenty of roles being advertised across many sectors, despite the effects of Covid-19. But finding a new position can take time, effort and a series of knock backs before you get that call you’ve been waiting for. In this post, we’re highlighting warning signs to look ..read more

Thanks to Covid-19, workers across the globe have had to get used to doing their jobs differently. It hasn’t been easy for everyone, but it has led many to reassess their priorities and consider possible new career paths. In fact, research from jobs board Totaljobs in December 2020 showed that more than 8 out of 10 workers were actively looking for new roles. If you’re one of them, now is a good time to identify new skills to help you get where you’d like to go. Read on for some ideas for upskilling from home. Expanding your skillset ‘Upskilling’ means adding relevant competencies to your exis ..read more

In an economy that’s been beset by coronavirus restrictions, sickness in the workforce and monumental changes in consumer behaviour, it’s encouraging to see that job opportunities in the UK appear to be bouncing back this autumn. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Jobs Recovery Tracker showed that the number of jobs listed in the week of the 14th of September was the highest it has been since the beginning of March 2020. (Remember March? Is it just us, or does that seem like years ago?) It’s an undoubtedly tricky time, with redundancy looming large in many sectors and some st ..read more

Due to recent events, many people across the UK are facing the prospect of looking for work. So, we thought we’d gather our thoughts on how to calm nerves before interview. Perhaps you’re well used to the interviewing process. Or maybe it’s been years since you’ve had to think about it. Either way, it’s natural to feel a little nervous. Remember, if you stumble on a few words or speak a tad too quickly at times, it’s entirely normal. But the calmer you are, the easier it will be to process questions and formulate the clear responses that show you’re a top candidate for the job. With redundancy ..read more

According to a survey by Office Space in Town (OSiT), a successful Covid vaccine would encourage 95% of employees to pick working in an office over remote work. But the majority would also like to see more flexible working conditions than before lockdown. The survey showed that only 5% of employees were keen on a permanent shift to full-time home working. The benefits of working from home, such as the lack of commute and more time available to spend with family, sit alongside all sorts of negative repercussions. These include back and neck pain caused by unsuitable home working spaces, feeling ..read more

With home working here to stay for the foreseeable, virtual meetings have become a standard part of many employees’ lives. Managing workloads against a backdrop of family members, housemates or curious pets can be tricky anyway, let alone if you’re required to spend much of your day on camera. Need some pointers? Take a look at our top virtual meeting tips. 1. Write a clear agenda Creating an agenda is a quick job – write a few bullet points and distribute them ahead of time. (If you’re not the meeting host and the call is over 30 minutes long, ask the organiser whether they can provide an age ..read more

If you’ve managed to secure a new role mid pandemic, take a look at our top tips on starting a new job working remotely. We’ve been pleased to see many employers continuing to actively recruit during this strange period. But many workers starting a new job during lockdown may find their first weeks or months are home based. Here’s how to approach that tricky first day and week when you’re joining a new team without meeting anyone in person. 1. Sort out your tech and workspace Starting a new job while working remotely, with the uncertainty of the coronavirus outbreak hanging over you, may be on ..read more

How will the coronavirus affect your job search? We all know that this is an anxious and unsettling time. The UK is still in the early stages of the coronavirus and there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding its impact on the nation. This includes uncertainty regarding how businesses will operate over the coming months. Of course, any business disruption may naturally have an impact on recruitment plans – which may also directly affect your job search. So what should you be doing and considering at this time? First things first… We hope this would go without saying, yet your health should remain ..read more

Do you believe you’re fulfilling your career potential? What the latest findings say about the nation’s confidence levels… A recent City & Guilds survey of 5000 working-age people has revealed a number of concerning trends. Firstly, only just over 1 in 3 employees (33%) feel ‘positive about their future career prospects’. 60% say they have skills that are not being used ‘at least half of the time’. Furthermore, only 53% have had any form of training at work within the past three years. 34% of the group has never received any training at all or their last training took place more than fiv ..read more