Career Archives - Useful Tips

When Is It Time to Quit Your Job?

To say that people quit their jobs for all of the same reasons would be pointless. For every person there’s a different reason why they were led to quit their job. Some people quit to start a business, while others quit because they need more money and the job they’re in doesn’t allow advancement or pay increases for whatever reason. Sometimes you just can’t effect too much change in the place where you work, so it might be time to move on.

When do you know it’s safe to quit your job? Well, in truth you have to realize that it’s never going to be safe. However, life is all about risk management, and that means making sure that you have everything you need to really ensure that you don’t have too many worries when you do quit.

First and foremost, if you’re not going to leave and start a business, you will naturally need to make sure that you already have work lined up. If you can’t do that, then you will need to have a plan on how the bills will get paid while you look for work. Unless you live at home with your parents, you’re going to have bills. This is even more important if you’re not single and you have a family that’s counting on you. It’s very important to ensure that your family’s life isn’t affected by a snap decision. Quitting a place can take a lot of emotional energy, but if you really feel that you can move on to bigger and better things, then you definitely want to do that.

Networking with people that can tell you about word of mouth opportunities is definitely good — but don’t wait till you’re fed up to do it! Far too often people get into a job and stay there for a few years, only to find that they really didn’t want to be there in the first place! So they wait for the right moment to jump ship, which never really comes. Why? They didn’t take the time from the beginning to build themselves a network that they can fall back on.

Ensure that when you do leave your job, that you leave on good terms. You never know what life will bring to your door, and that means that you might have to be eligible for re-hire. It can be difficult to go back to the place where you used to work, but it can be done. It just depends on how you left. If you don’t give two weeks notice, then you won’t be eligible for re-hire. In addition, if you badmouth everyone on your way out, then you’re not going to be welcome back at the company — even if you are technically eligible to work at the company again.

Overall, these tips should serve you well in your search — why not get started today?

Overcome an Aggressive Supervisor At Work With These Tips

By admin

It’s every employee’s worst nightmare: a boss that’s really, really aggressive. It’s not always their fault — just as they’re putting pressure on you to perform at work, they’re getting pressure from their supervisors to have a well-oiled team of hard working employees. These days, people are looking for any measure that they can scale out so that the entire organization is more profitable than it was previously. Does that mean that you have to put up with an aggressive supervisor? Not really. Here are some tips on how to deal with it.

First and foremost, you will have to realize that you have to be cautious. Some people feel that standing up to their boss is something that could never have unintended consequences, but that’s not the case at all. Managers tend to have long memories, and that means that they will remember the way you approached them when it’s time for the next round of promotions. If they feel offended, you’re not likely to get a raise or a promotion. Some bosses have been known to push people out of the door unless they agree with them a hundred percent, but thankfully this a trend that’s dying out as more people become assertive and learn their rights as employees.

The best thing that you can do is just talk to your boss. See where their perspective is really coming from. If they have hard numbers and performance metrics that indicate that you really aren’t doing as good as you should, you shouldn’t go on the defensive. Instead, include your supervisor in a plan to raise your metrics through a strategic plan. Yelling or getting emotional about it isn’t going to help the supervisor see you in a new light. If anything, they may think that you’re just not suited to the job and recommend a dismissal.

Of course, these tips assume that your supervisor can be approached in a friendly way, to the point where you receive good feedback in return. If your boss is just too toxic, then you’re going to have to make sure that you document the incident, and then go higher up on the ladder. This is a lot smarter than trying to argue with your current boss — that attitude could really send you out the door so make sure that you think before you speak!

How To Find A Job In The UK

By admin

In the present harsh financial climate, finding jobs within the UK can be somewhat challenging for the uninitiated individual. Before setting out on this task, particularly if you are an immigrant from either within or outside the European Union, make sure you have the appropriate authorisation and paperwork to permit you to work within the UK.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

This document is an essential tool when seeking a job. Normally around two A4 pages in length, it lists your contact details, previous job experience and employment history, qualifications and most important, the reasons why a potential employer should engage you. The wording of this last section can make the difference between standing out to a future employer or being placed in the “also ran” pile. It is often a worthwhile investment to employ a professional service to create your personal CV.

Jobcentres

Situated in all towns throughout the UK, these establishments are government run. An applicant registers their details with a Jobcentre office thus enabling that office to search through available job vacancies, matching those that fit the expertise and qualifications of the applicant. It is then usually left with applicant to apply direct with the advertiser, in an endeavour to gain an interview and possible employment with that advertiser. Jobcentres primarily, although not exclusively, deal with vacancies for manual and basic office jobs and are an ideal place to start, particularly for those with limited experience or qualifications.

Newspapers and Internet

It is worth pointing out that Jobcentres make available current local and national newspapers as well as internet facilities. All newspapers have a “Jobs Vacant” section and a search through this will reveal what available jobs meet the applicant’s criteria along with application details. The internet allows access not only to Job Vacant sites for any location within the UK but also access to the websites of potential employers who advertise jobs. This enables any applicant to research an employer prior to attending an interview.

Recruitment Agencies.

You should always remember that these agencies only get paid when they fill a job vacancy. It is therefore in their interests to ensure the applicant meets any specific job requirements and succeeds at an interview. As well as being able to offer a wide selection of job vacancies, they will also assist in completing application forms and offer training advice in how to succeed when attending an interview.

Leaving Temping Behind

By admin

Ah the temp circuit. I’d been on it for about 8 months when I decided I needed a change. Something permanent. Something where I couldn’t turn up, having got up early, dressed smartly, got an expensive train and arrived bright eyed and bushy tailed only to be told “sorry, we don’t need you today and you won’t get paid”.

I’d had a fair few jobs of the typical temp nature. Some admin type stuff, some in nice companies, some in terrible places, and a lot of call centre work. Call centre work’s great for temps to make a bob or two particularly if they do a bonus scheme and you’re prepared to work hard for it.

It can be rubbish though. As a temp you generally get given the worst stuff. I particularly hated calling people at home. Ok, no-one wants to be disturbed at home but the way people reacted you would have thought I was calling to tell them I’d stolen their dog, rather than just trying to earn a meager living.

The business to business stuff I did, however, was different. Chatting to buyers at companies, IT people, Marketing Directors etc, about their business and how they could improve was quite rewarding. I even didn’t mind so much when I got the rude people who told you “not a chance”. It only made me more determined.

So I thought I was probably quite suited to a salesman’s life, so while I was still temping I started chatting to recruitment agencies and searching for sales jobs in Manchester, my hometown. My call centre work had given me great experience in the initial cold calling stage and working to targets, but I realised I had a lot to learn.

Working permanently for a company selling on their behalf means building up a pipeline, and it often means face to face meetings, presentations and sometimes even after-care, account management and upselling. I’d just been making calls, offering something and getting them to say yes or no, then and there.

So I practiced. I got friends, recruitment agencies, anyone who’d listen to watch me do presentations and give me advice about face to face communication. I looked at online resources and even paid for a half day training session in closing deals. Not only did this improve my skills, it should employers I was serious about being the best salesperson possible.

Most importantly, I prepared my case for why I believed I could do this. I had examples which I could back up, I had references, I had answers prepared to counter any objection. So I could close those interviews, and change my temporary work life for permanent, opportunity filled employment.