guiding-lights-recruitment

Beginning a new job

simon.blunden@chartwelltrust.org (Simon Blunden) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:22:43 GMT

Starting a new job can always be intimidating, regardless of what level or stage you are in your career. However, you should remember that you were appointed to the role as the employer believes you have the right attributes to undertake the job and the personality which fits with their culture.

Below we have set out a few tips to help settle your nerves in your first week and to make your change to your new job that bit easier.

Have some contact before you start

You will normally have to wait a month or more, while you work your notice, before you start with your new employer. It is a good idea to get in touch with them during this time – sometimes they will invite you to the office for meetings or training before you start, or to meet your new colleagues. If they do, definitely make the effort to attend.

Arrive on time and dress to match your new colleagues

Treat your first day like an interview. Show your new employer they made the right decision and present yourself as professional, amiable, and well-informed.

Remember staff names

Draw a seating plan and list staff names in the various seats. Also make a note of the name of anyone internal or external to the organisation you will regularly be in contact with. When you meet people, greet them by name and take the time to get to know them.

Ask questions

With your manager, you should stick to questions about the business. Incidental items like the staff toilet, fire exits and coffee machine can be pointed out by junior colleagues.

Listen and learn

Try to listen and learn at all times. You may also be required to undertake mandatory training – Health & Safety, Fire Safety, Food Hygiene etc. Making good quality notes during these sessions will help you to take on more information.

Stay Focussed

Review your job description regularly as you are go along in your new job. Reflect on what you are learning and how this links to what is expected of you and how you will achieve your objectives.

If it isn’t broke, don’t try to fix it

You may have been hired to implement new processes or to change existing culture. But it is always important to respect the people in the organisation by understanding how things have been done in the past before implementing a new revolution!

Keep in touch with your recruiter

Especially if you have any questions or concerns – they can then discuss this with your manager on your behalf.

What if you are unhappy in your new role?

Do not worry if it all feels a bit alien on your first day. Take some time to see if you can settle in before raising any concerns. Definitely take a week or two before you raise any questions with your manager.

Resigning from your job

simon.blunden@chartwelltrust.org (Simon Blunden) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:19:00 GMT

How you go about giving your resignation can have an impact on your career. Following the normal etiquette can go a long way in helping your personal brand as your career develops, but if you approach it in the wrong way, this could affect your immediate future. For example, you will be relying on your current employer for a good reference to secure the new position or for future roles.

Making your decision

· List the pros and cons of your present job and the new one

· Decide if you have explored all avenues for remaining within your current company. For example, would you still leave if offered more money or a promotion?

· Think about your reasons for leaving, what was it that made you unhappy? Will it be likely to change?

· Listen to the advice of friends or family, but make sure you make your own decision.

· Do not be influenced by false promises from your current employer

If you decide to resign, the first thing to do is to inform your manager.

It is always professional in your resignation letter to show gratitude for the opportunity you have been given to work for them. Remember not to ‘burn your bridges’ as you will likely be working in the same industry in your new job and your paths may cross again.

However, once you have resigned, it could mean you have to leave the office straight away – make sure you are prepared in case you are put on gardening leave with immediate effect.

If you need more guidance on how to resign, then please get in touch with an expert at Guiding Lights Recruitment.

What to do when you receive a job offer

simon.blunden@chartwelltrust.org (Simon Blunden) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:10:22 GMT

Wondering what to do after the interview is over and you have been offered the job? Here are a few tips to help you make your decision

· Do not make a quick decision. Ask the employer to give you a time frame and stick to it. If you have a recruitment agent, speak to them, or your friends and family.

· Get real. Refer back to your target job requirements and why you wanted a new job in the first place.

· Get the offer in writing. Make sure you read your offer details thoroughly and confirm everything via email.

· Then go back in person to accept or decline the job offer. Your recruitment agent may wish to do this if you have one.

· Show your enthusiasm in accepting the job to further demonstrate that they have made the right decision.

· Always maintain a professional relationship, even if the job or organisation is not the right fit for you.

· Follow your gut instinct. Be confident you are making the right decision.

Ensure you speak to your recruitment agent if you are declining the job offer. You may want to decline an offer because the organisation said it is non-negotiable. If this is the case, discuss it with your recruitment agent and ask their advice first.

Mastering Interview Questions

simon.blunden@chartwelltrust.org (Simon Blunden) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:07:18 GMT

Competency based and behavioural interview questions are aimed at finding out whether a candidate has the required skills and qualities for a job. The employer assesses if you have proven work experience and how you will apply this in the future.

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Interview Preparation – Researching the Employer

simon.blunden@chartwelltrust.org (Simon Blunden) — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:02:18 GMT

Once you have mastered the art of job application and you have been invited to an interview, do not get complacent - be prepared. Although an interview could last only 45 minutes, you need to spend more time than this looking into the background of the company to find out what you can about them.

Are you well enough prepared?

We have listed some ideas below to help you to know what to look for.

The company’s website is an obvious starting point and can help you find the following:

· Company values, mission aims and objectives

· Social media pages can provide insight into the company culture

· Look for other information about services/products they provide and related information

· Published documents - Annual Reports, Company Accounts, Press Releases, and other Marketing documents

Look at any news stories which may make discussion points at your interview. The more information you gather, the more you can interact with your interviewer. Questions about previous initiatives and company performance reflect well on you, so look out for press releases which promote their recent achievements.

While having better information about the company will make you more confident in the interview, it will also help you to know if you are a good fit for them. The interview is a two-way process of assessing each other’s suitability.

Your recruiter will already have their own their own knowledge of the company, so ask them for some information to aid your task. They will know the organisation culture and dress code.

Finally, please ask your recruiter for help you in preparing for the interview. Get in contact with Guiding Lights Recruitment if you have any questions.

How to produce an attractive CV

pietro@avantiy.com (Pietro Saman) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:38:57 GMT

Making sure your CV is written for the role you are applying for is an absolute requirement when applying for jobs, but there are several steps you can take when writing your CV to make sure it always looks good and attractive to the employer.

How to structure a CV

Not structuring your CV is one of the most common problems faced by candidates, Please see below a simple layout for you to follow.

CVs should be tailored to each role you apply for. However you can save time by creating a generic CV to be adapted for each job application you make.

Contact information

Use your personal mobile telephone number and email address. Avoid using your work email and mobile phone number. Always respond to any invitation to an interview in a timely fashion.

Personal Profile

Ensure the first paragraph at the top of your CV is a summary of your experience and expertise, including applicable experience in relation to the job being advertised.

Skills and Qualities

Include a skills summary to catch the employer's attention by making it clear what you can offer. Include bullet points of the skills and key qualities/strengths that you have which are relevant to the role, including software programmes that you are familiar with.

Work Experience

Write about your work history and relevant experience to the role you are applying for. Highlight your successful projects and evidence your skills and experience.

· Work backwards from your most recent job and do not leave any gaps in employment dates (e.g. if you went off travelling, please highlight this)

· If you are a recent graduate without much work experience, highlight the relevant skills that you gained in your course and voluntary work placements

· List your higher education qualifications by university, course name and grade 2:1, 2:2, First etc.

· List any training courses completed and professional certificates and diplomas awarded

· Include membership of chartered institutes or relevant professional bodies.

How to get an interview

pietro@avantiy.com (Pietro Saman) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:38:57 GMT

Having a desire to get the job you want is not enough on its own these days. Thorough preparation is required in order to read and understand the person specification so that your application can be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.

Evidence your skills and qualities

Each job application should be tailored to each job applied for to emphasise that you are the right person for the job. Underline keywords describing your skills, training and experience which match with the job description. Highlight specific examples in your own career history which demonstrate you have what is required for the job.

Writing a Cover Letter

Your cover letter is an introduction to your CV and a chance to capture the attention of your reader. It should aim to demonstrate the qualities that set you apart from other applicants.

Contents

· Address it to the person named on the job advert

· Quote the job title, reference number and your name in the subject header

· Keep it to one side of A4

· Tailor the letter to each job applied for

· Consider how you will follow-up

Some jobs specifically request a cover letter, but most will only need your CV.

References

List the name of two referees who you know would be prepared to submit a reference for you. One should be from your most recent employer (even if it was only for part-time work during University or college vacation) and the other should be a personal referee (e.g. from a former teacher, lecturer, or family friend). You can state on your CV to only contact your referees upon job offer. Or you can simply write ‘References are available on Request’.

Please contact Guiding Lights recruitment if you would like some help with your CV.

If you need any guidance on this (or any aspect of your job search) then please get in touch with Guiding Lights Recruitment.

How to do well in your Interview

pietro@avantiy.com (Pietro Saman) — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 11:38:56 GMT

Interviews can be very daunting, but with good preparation and planning it does not have to be such a challenge. Interviews vary from short conversations lasting a few minutes to a full-blown interview process over several stages, sometimes with more than one interviewer. You should not be afraid of the interview – be positive about the opportunity to demonstrate your strengths, abilities, and passion.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.