Career Advice
Saturday, February 18th, 2012
The days of only finding vacancies at the job centre are long gone. If you’re a “silver surfer” and new to technology, it’s ok not to know what a smart phone or iPad is and you don’t need to be on Facebook but you do need to make the most of the tools technology can provide you with in your job search. We offer you some simple Careers Advice below to help get your job search back on track:
- Always keep a soft (electronic) copy of your updated CV:- More often than not, applications can be submitted via email. Typing up your application form and CV look far more professional than a handwritten document. The days of dropping a paper copy of your resume in to a recruitment agency or potential employer have now been made redundant by email.
- Register and upload your CV on to job boards that advertise the type of jobs you are looking for. Try to get a mix of both generic and specialist websites to ensure your CV and contact details are out in the public domain so people can approach you with potential interviews and job offers. When you set up your profile on each site, it is crucial you complete your name, contact details, level of experience and desired salary accurately. These details are only available to potential employers and recruitment consultants so without knowing this information, how can you expect them to contact you?! These sites often have careers advice sections on them as well.
- Contact Recruitment Agencies:- We don’t advise you register with each and every agency out there, however if you carry out the research and recognise which agencies specialise in the industry you wish to work in, pick up your phone and ask to speak to the relevant consultant. Introduce yourself to them and give them a brief overview as to what you’re looking for (job role, salary and location) and ask if they have any suitable vacancies. They will then refer you to their website to register or ask you to email them your CV (which confirms the need for a soft copy on both occasions) which you should do at your earliest opportunity. I recommend you register with all relevant agencies and keep a note of who you have spoken with, the date and the outcome. It’s always wise to try to meet recruitment consultants for a coffee and a chat as this allows them the opportunity to get to know you as a person and recognise the qualities you can offer a potential employer.
- Don’t forget that just by searching for careers advice on google for example you will find a wealth of information.
Yes, these are only two routes to the job market but they can certainly generate more interest and increase your chances of securing a new position however you don’t need to go through the job seeking alone. For more career advice, contact TCMO, The Career Management Organisation on 0800 009 3141 or check out www.tcmo.co.uk. They specialise in Career Advice and can help you create a new CV, assist you with job boards and recruiters as well as helping you network and taking ownership of your career.
Thursday, February 9th, 2012
Who needs it?
You spend days…weeks…..months clicking and applying, nobody responds and frustration and apathy sets in….usually the day you are at your lowest point is the day you get that rare interview……..and you can’t shed the negative vibe, your interview performance is then poor , this leads to a rejection and you are on that hamster wheel again. If this is you then seeking some professional career coaching is something to seriously consider
When do you consider yourself as long term unemployed?
For some it could be a matter of weeks for others its years. Either way for career, financial and self confidence you don’t want to wear the ‘badge’ for long,.
Once you decide on taking career coaching advice then half the challenge is done, working out what type and style is the next step.
Professional career coaching should be activity focused with milestones and realistic short medium and long term goals, it should be well planned and designed around your ‘learning style’. Its needs to start with a review of what you have done to date, addressing and changing wrong moves and activities is key for you to believe that there is a positive way ahead.
You need to be open minded when receiving career coaching, it is very personal and no doubt you will need to overcome your own behaviours and perceived barriers for it to be successful
Why should the long term unemployed seek out good career coaching?
Well, from TCMO research we can prove that if it matches the above and your realistic expectations and commitment are in place then you will get to your goals quicker, easier and with more than you expected activity and attention from recruiters and prospective employers.
And……..Why not…something hasn’t worked so far? A fresh new way of career / job coaching may just tip the balance in your favour.
Where do I find career coaching providers?
Naturally online, google the key words TCMO use ie career advice (followed by your location) or career coaching or career management or outplacement support. Also try family friends and ex colleagues who may offer you a referral
Your coach should have good local knowledge, experience in ‘careers’ and testimonials / referees to give you confidence in their delivery. Face to face coaching with ongoing support
TCMO can help in all these areas and our experience with people who are long term unemployed has helped us develop results driven career coaching programmes that suit all levels and budgets .
Thursday, January 5th, 2012
Being a mother is the most wonderful job a woman can ever have. Although stressful and demanding being responsible for your own little person, it’s a lifetime of joy and happiness watching them grow into a mature adult. According to the last annual report, the average cost of raising a child to the age of 21 is now over £200,000; that’s an average of over £9,500 per year which see’s most mums return to work within 12 months of giving birth.
As female Career Managers, we understand the emotional and political challenges you face when you return to work. We understand that Career Progression and Success shouldn’t be put to one side now you’re a mum which is why we provide Career Advice to return to work Mums every day.
Consider the following points as food for thought when seeking Career Advice:
Personal Budgets – what level of income do you need to support your family and regular outgoings? Knowing the bottom line figure will help dictate whether you can afford to return to work on a full or part time basis.
Childcare – Do you have a good support system in place from family and friends who can help care for your baby whilst you return to work or will you have to pay for childcare? This will help you decide the location and salary you are looking for.
Level of Responsibility – At what level should you pitch yourself at with your current or prospective employer? If you are returning to the same role you left before maternity leave, can your circumstances allow you the same flexibility?
These are just some of the points we discuss on a daily basis with individuals like you every day to map out their priorities and what they want to achieve from their Career. With the right Career Management strategy in place, you can take ownership of your Career and achieve the right work / life balance to suit you and your family. Get more Career Advice by visiting www.tcmo.co.uk or call 0800 009 3141, to find out how our experienced Career Managers can help you with professional and realistic career advice.
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Career coaching is a service that many people find great benefit from and in the 00’s is now not just an activity of high earning executives.
If you are over 50 and in the mindset of it’s not for me then read on……
Your first hurdle is to think long and hard as to whether your age is directly related to your need or want to seek out a career coach.
If you are feeling that you are ‘too old’ to consider career planning then you are wrong, just look at the unemployment statistics at present, nearly half of the UKs unemployed are under 24…….so your skills are sought after, valid and will add value to any organisation.
At 50+ you will have worked through very tough economic times before, this is a distinct advantage to an employer……don’t forget (although against employment law) people can consider potential employees as too young! not as you may feel as too old.
Career coaching can help you parcel up your skills, experiences and positive work ethic into a very marketable product.
So, now what do you think……. your age v career feelings are just a state of mind not a barrier.
Finding the right career coach career coach for you is the key to getting effective results, the match should be on character and personality rather than price.
You will learn more and quicker with a coach that is on your wavelength and appreciates your thoughts process around career and job seeking.
Within TCMO we always match the cultural and personality fit which ensures lasting and effective results. So forget that age is not a barrier to success when it comes to looking for a career coach
Tuesday, November 15th, 2011
Redundancy is never a pleasant process to go through at any time in your career. Whether it’s voluntary or compulsory, it’s a very unsettling and stressful period. We hear the negative news that goes along with redundancy every day so when you couple this with the constant reports on rising unemployment figures, it is important you know your rights and start to plan for your next career move.
My first piece of advice to give to any individual facing redundancy is to seek career advice on every level. I would suggest this starts with your line manager as you need to know the full process. How much notice have they given you, what will be your hours or work for your remaining time with your employer, do you qualify for any redundancy packages, what about any pensions or benefits and will they provide you with any support in finding your next position? Don’t ever be embarrassed or uncomfortable about asking these questions, you need to be clear on your timescales and income as this will have an impact on every other aspect of your life.
Next step is to seek advice on your financial affairs and this could be with a financial adviser or your partner, family or friend. Take the time to sit down with a blank piece of paper and write down all of your monthly expenses. This should include everything from your mortgage to the cost of a pint down your local pub. Be completely honest and don’t leave a anything out as you need to know the minimum income you will need per month.
In my opinion, the most important advice to seek when facing redundancy is career advice. This will come from everyone in your life but I urge you to shop around and seek professional career advice. The Career Management Organisation is a Scottish based company operating across the UK, who specialise in helping individuals through redundancy and successfully guide them through a journey to success. They take the time to get to know, your current situation and what you’re looking for in your next career move.
They give you all of the advice and support you need throughout your job search and even take care of the hard work we all dread like drafting your new CV and Cover Letter. They understand the pressures both emotionally and financially throughout this period in your life so assign a dedicated team to work with you to secure the short term job to keep income coming in whilst you work with them to achieve the long term career goals. To arrange a free consultation to find out how they can help you.
Redundancy need not be the most difficult period in your life, with the relevant career advice and support you can use this as the opportunity to achieve the future you have always wanted.
Thursday, August 11th, 2011
In the current economy great career advice is hard to find, the job market has never been so competitive. With employers making cut backs and redundancies worldwide, the recruiters and HR decision makers are giving us yet more hoops to jump through before even being invited to interview. Whether this is your first job since leaving school or graduating, or you’re seeking new employment for career progression or redundancy, the basic steps of effective job seeking are the same.
The days of receiving a telephone call out of the blue offering you your dream job are long gone, it’s now up to you to market yourself in the job market and let the leading employers in your industry know that you are available for work and you would be an asset to their company.
You will need a strong CV detailing the skills, qualities and work experience (both paid and voluntary) you have to offer an employer. Always remember that your CV forms the first impression, so do make sure you have listed all of your achievements and responsibilities. Note that you will always be asked to talk through your CV at the initial telephone or formal interview stage so you must comfortable and confident with the content and be able to provide examples or further information when prompted.
Find out which career advice websites are advertising the types of roles you are looking for and ensure you’ve uploaded your CV on to these sites. You should continue to log in to these websites on a daily basis and apply for jobs that you meet the requirements for. You might hesitate about putting your personal details out there which is normal, however this will allow prospective employers and recruitment consultants the opportunity of considering you for any jobs they are unable to advertise and contact you about any suitable roles they might have available to you.
Make time to put in the phone calls and arrange a meeting with recruitment agencies and build this in to your daily routine. The purpose of recruitment consultants is to give career advice, advertise vacancies on behalf of employers and find the best person for that job. With there being so many agencies covering every sector and both permanent and interim roles, it can be hard knowing where to start and how to deal with recruitment consultants. My advice would be to look at which recruiters have been advertising the roles you have seen online and pick up the phone to speak with them. You should be confident and assertive and start the call by asking to speak to the consultant that deals with the type of job you are looking for. The purpose of the call is to introduce yourself and ask for permission to send your CV to that consultant. Key things to mention in the initial call is what type of work you are looking for (i.e full or part time, temporary or permanent) and the type of role you are looking for i.e IT Business Analyst and in which location. Be enthusiastic and don’t go into too much detail at this point as most recruiters will want to read over your CV before deciding whether they can help you or not.
Once you have permission to email your CV to a specific consultant / mailbox, draft a short paragraph reiterating the type of work you are looking for and mention that you would be delighted to drop in to their office to register your details in person, if required. If you don’t hear back from the recruitment consultant straight away, don’t be put off or disheartened by this. Give them a day or two to review your CV and if you still haven’t heard from them, pick up the telephone and chase them up. It should be a polite, friendly call simply confirming receipt of your email asking for initial feedback.
The best career advice I could give any job seeker would be to keep note of all of your activity and follow up on everything you do as this is almost as important as the submission of the application itself. Whether it be creating a spreadsheet to keep track of the job websites you have registered with, submitting an application for a position or even making a telephone call to a recruiter, always keep track on what you have done and when you should follow this up. The more efficient a job seeker you are, the more results you can develop for yourself and control your own success.
Using this great career advice will give you a real head start in a competitive market
