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Advice & Resources

/ Promotions & Raises

Career success: it’s all a question of timing

You might know from experience that you work best in the morning and find it harder to concentrate after lunch, but did you know that there's an optimum time to do certain tasks depending on your age and chronotype? From analytical work to creative brainstorming, there's a right and wrong time for everything, even when to attend an interview and ask for a pay rise. If you want to get ahead, you need to get your timing right. Here are our tips for success… Understanding your body clock Scientists are only now discovering the extent to which our physical and mental performance is governed by our body's circadian rhythm. Located in the hypothalamus, at the base of the brain, our body clock is ruled by a group of cells that switch on and off over a 24-hour period, sending electrical pulses into the nervous system. 'Every one of our body's systems of performance and health are controlled by our circadian rhythm. Our body clock, therefore, has an enormous impact on how well we perform at ...

/ How to Search

Job opportunities in Exeter

The beautiful cathedral city of Exeter is surrounded by award-winning countryside and has a UNESCO world heritage coastline on its doorstep, but the city has much more to offer than just its glorious setting and thriving tourism industry. Exeter is home to the Met Office, which attracts world-leading meteorologists and climate change specialists to the region, and is fast becoming a centre for financial services and digital tech.If you're looking for jobs in Exeter, read on to discover some of the opportunities available in our latest city guide.Main public sector employersLike many parts of the South West, Exeter has a substantial public service sector. Some 38 per cent of jobs here are in public services, with Exeter City Council, Devon County Council, Devon Community Housing Society and the NHS Foundation Trust some of the biggest employers.Exeter University employs more than 1,000 people – which helps to explain why the education sector accounts for 10% of employment in the city...

/ Interviews

What an interviewer is secretly thinking about you

Interviews are tough enough but if you're faced with a hiring manager who's hard to read, the experience can be even more daunting. Here are six things an interviewer is likely to be thinking about you - and how to use the information to your advantage.1. Do you actually want to work here? It might sound obvious – you turned up for the interview after all – but a hiring manager is looking for signs that you are keen to carry out the potential role. Anna Budner, Talent Acquisition Specialist at NonStop Recruitment, says: 'When we interview for candidates to work for us we are always looking to identify the same factors - namely that the person is motivated to work here. Not just interested in gaining interview experience, testing the market, or hoping for a stop-gap position.'The lesson: Make sure your enthusiasm comes across. Sit up straight, lean forward slightly when you answer a question and remember to smile. Nod your head to show that you're listening and ask questions about th...

/ How to Search

Job opportunities in Swindon

Swindon may be small compared to cities like Leeds and Birmingham, but it punches well above its weight in economic terms. Considered one of the UK's most successful cities, Swindon has earnt a place among The Centre for Cities "Fast Growth Cities" group (alongside Cambridge, Oxford, Milton Keynes and Norwich) thanks to an enviable productivity rate and high number of knowledge-based jobs. Some 18% of Swindon's employees work in these roles, which tend to be highly skilled and well paid - around the same proportion (19%) of people that work in the public sector. If you're looking for jobs in Swindon, read on to discover some of the biggest employers and strongest sectors in our latest city guide.Business is boomingA good indicator of a city's economic strength is the number of new businesses opening and closing in a region - and the rate of business start-ups in Swindon has increased by twice the national average during the past 10 years. Despite its relatively small size, the town ...

/ Workplace

How to be a good team player – and not the office doormat

Working in a team requires give and take and sometimes you might need to put in extra for the sake of the group's success. But that doesn't mean you should always be the one who's landed with grunt work or having to put in long hours. Jamie Miller, UK Legal Recruitment Manager at Clayton Legal, explains: 'Being a good team player is a crucial attribute to have in the modern working world and there are few roles that don't require you to collaborate with others in one way or another.'However, there is a fine line between being a team player and becoming a doormat, and willingly taking on peoples' tasks will inevitably lead to a situation where you're overloaded and can't do what's actually expected of you.'If you feel that you're getting walked over, here are six ways to re-draw the boundaries.1. Know exactly what you are responsible for If you're unsure where your duties end and a team member's begin, ask your manager. 'Everyone in the team should know who is responsible for what pa...

/ Who's Hiring

UK digital tech industry sees salary boom

Britain's continuing IT success story is good news for digital tech employees, who are now being offered some of the highest wages in the country. According to the Tech Nation 2016 report, the average advertised salary in digital roles is now just under £50,000 - 36% higher than the national average - while IT workers in London can expect to take home around £60,000. Not only did advertised pay for tech roles increase by 13% over the last three years, IT workers took home the second-highest pay rises (behind construction) of all sectors in 2015 - with some roles seeing double-digit growth in Hays' UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2016. Jobs in UK tech industry It's not just salaries that are increasing. The number of positions in the digital tech economy increased almost three times faster than the rest of the country between 2011 and 2014, and the sector now accounts for 1.56 million jobs across Britain. As digital technologies impact on everything bus...

/ Resumes

Help! How do I put together my first CV?

Writing a quality CV is one of the most important skills you can have as a young job seeker. But if you're like many students or recent graduates, you may have no idea where to start. Here are five keys to putting together a world-class CV.Organize your informationThe toughest part of any project is often just getting started. For many job seekers, that first hurdle involves deciding how to organize the CV. The best solution? Start with the basics."The CV will typically lead with education and follow with professional experience such as any part-time jobs or volunteer work," says Elaine Krehmeyer, president of career coaching business Career Revelations. "An early job seeker should focus initially on their academic experience and extra-curricular activities. Employers are attracted to volunteer experiences particularly when the job seeker has a leadership role."Keep it short and conciseWhat many young job seekers may not realize is just how briefly hiring managers will look over a g...

/ Job Trends

How to land a job in gaming

The UK has long been a leading force in the world videogames industry - from the 8-bit heyday of the 1980s, right through to Edinburgh-based Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto V generating a staggering $800m within 24 hours of its release in 2014.But as you'd expect from a global industry now making more money than Hollywood, competition for jobs is fierce. If you're hoping to enter the games industry, here's how to land your first job.Testing, testingOne of the best ways to get a foothold in the industry is to start with a position in games testing.But forget idle fantasies of getting paid to blast your way through the latest unreleased shoot-em-up, because the actual work is more likely to involve repeatedly running into a corner in a bid to replicate a bug reported by somebody else.If the less-than-glamourous reality hasn't put you off, then you'll need an analytical mind and a methodical approach to tackle the work involved. Some form of higher education is usually required, such...

/ Salary

Top-paying roles in construction

If you work in construction, things are looking up. Having come through the recession, the industry is now enjoying a boom with both the number of jobs and wages on the rise. According to Hays' recent research into the salaries of contractors in construction, pay for contractors increased by an average of 5% for some professionals over the last year – more than double the 2.3% average increase across other industry sectors.Other surveys tell a similar story. In January this year, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) reported a 6% rise in construction workers' salaries over the previous year, three times the average wage rise for UK workers. Others put the figures even higher. Construction jobs advertised on CV-Library saw a 10.2% salary increase in 2015, nearly double that of retail workers and four times that of those in hospitality and manufacturing.Skills shortageEarlier this year, David Thomas, chief executive of Barratt Developments, described the skills shortage...

/ Job Trends

Job opportunities in Leeds

With a population of around three-quarters of a million people, Leeds is one of the UK's largest cities and home to England's biggest financial centre outside of London. Forecast to see 25 per cent growth over the coming decade – with finance and business services making up half of that – now is a great time to be looking for a job in Leeds.Read on to discover some of the strongest sectors and job opportunities in our latest city guide.High productivityOnce famous for textile production, Leeds has successfully transitioned from post-industrial decline to become one of the stars of the much-vaunted "Northern Powerhouse".Productivity measured in GVA (gross value added) is among the highest in the UK at £45,460 per filled job – putting Leeds behind only Bristol and Glasgow among the nation's core cities.The service and financial sector is particularly strong, as is healthcare and medical technology, housing and construction, retail, manufacturing, and media and digital technology.The c...

/ Interviews

Seven interview mistakes that will lose you the job

You can recover from many things in an interview – being late or even spilling your coffee over the hiring manager won't necessarily lose you the job – but interviewers are less likely to forgive a candidate who asks inane questions, bores them, or makes empty brags. Here are seven interview mistakes that can see a candidate instantly rejected – and how to avoid it happening to you. 1. You seem moody and you mutter 'You can lose the job in the first minute of the interview by not thinking about your initial impact, warns John Lees, author of a wide range of career books including The Interview Expert. 'Sounding flustered, confused, irritated, being too loud, or inaudible – any of these could lose you the job from the outset.'Don't underestimate the importance of building rapport with the interviewer as you wait for the lift or walk to the interview room. If you're not great at small talk, practise and get better. Make eye contact and be fully present (stop running over question scen...

/ CareerBuilder Updates

How to land a job in the hospitality industry

Hospitality is a people-orientated industry with customer service at its heart. Whether you choose to work in accommodation and food services, health and fitness, or bars, clubs and pubs, there are great employment opportunities available to those who have a passion for people and service.Academic qualifications vs experienceThere are many routes into hospitality jobs and you don't always need qualifications to get them. Some people start with on-the-job training while others complete a graduate scheme, and then go on to gain extra qualifications as they progress.Ben Bengougam, Vice President of Human Resources for Hilton Worldwide says: 'Academic qualifications have their place, particularly when the degree has included practical time in industry and provides a managerial entry point and fast track to senior roles. However, nothing can ever be better than work experience, time spent learning and doing the job or delivering brand propositions and customer service through all of the ...

/ Promotions & Raises

5 ways to use ‘bridge days’ for career success

Many businesses close down during the quiet period between Christmas and New Year. If you're lucky enough to have some "bridge days" away from work, why not put them to good use? With a little smart thinking, you can maximise downtime during the holidays to help further your career.1. Network and send e-cardsThe festive period is a great opportunity to meet up with friends and ex-work colleagues you haven't seen in a while. 'While you're catching up on old times, you can share what is happening with you work-wise,' says Corinne Mills of careers consultancy Personal Career Management and author of Career Coach.'Perhaps they can be a sounding board for some of your ideas or give advice on your current career challenge. They might even know of some new opportunities or useful contacts for you to talk to.'Many jobs are never advertised, and often it's "not what you know, but who you know" that can make all the difference. According to a survey by career management consultancy Drake Beam...

/ The Right Job

Job opportunities in Bristol

Bristol is one of the most economically productive cities in the UK. Known for its successful aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries, the city also boasts a thriving media and tech scene. As companies in the area know, business in Bristol is booming. Between 2004 and 2013 the number of firms in the city increased by 22.8% (against a national average of 15.5%), making Bristol one of the top 10 cities for business growth in Britain.If you're starting your job search in Bristol, here are just some of the job opportunities available.Job opportunitiesProfessionals searching for jobs in Bristol will find their prospects are good. The city boasts a world-class knowledge economy – 20% of jobs here are classed as knowledge-intensive, placing it amongst the UK's top 10 cities on that score. Between March 2014 – March 2015, the number of people in employment increased by 4.1% (twice the rise for UK jobs as a whole), and companies are continuing to hire.'Bristol has one of the most thr...

/ Workplace

Will a robot be doing your job in 20 years?

Whether you work in a shop, office or factory, there's a good chance that a machine or high-tech robot could do your job one day. And that day may come sooner than you think. According to a recent Oxford University study, 35% of UK jobs are at risk of computerisation in the next 20 years. Machines won't just do our future jobs better – they'll work without needing a break, salary or sickness pay.Think that sounds like science fiction? It's already happening. Half of all secretarial roles in the UK have been lost in the past decade, as software is able to perform the same tasks, while machines that can scan thousands of pre-trial documents are already threatening the role of legal assistants. Having analysed a variety of occupations, Oxford University researchers Carl Frey and Michael Osborne suggest that millions of office roles will become obsolete, with call centre operatives, office administrators, legal secretaries and bank clerks all "highly likely" to be replaced by computers....

/ Who's Hiring

7 jobs that pay the UK average salary (£26,500) and how to get them

Are you happy with your pay-packet? The average UK salary is £26,500 per year. If you're starting your job search, here are seven jobs that pay around that amount, and what it takes to get them.1. Metal machining setters and setter-operators £26,976 Metal machining setters and setter-operators set up, operate and tend machines used to drill, bore, grind, cut, mill and shape metal. A knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair and maintenance, and an interest in production and processing is useful. Those who know how to operate multiple machines have the best employment opportunities.Qualifications required: There are no formal academic entry requirements but some employers may prefer candidates to have GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. Training mainly involves practical experience, which is usually provided on the job. SVQs and NVQs and are available at level 2 and 3.2. Speech and language therapists £26,765 Speech and language therapists (SLT) assess an...

/ Who's Hiring

Job opportunities in Cambridge

Cambridge has enjoyed phenomenal success over the last 40 years, transforming itself from a prestigious university town into one of the biggest technology and biomedical clusters in Europe. Today, Cambridge is one of the few UK cities driving national economic growth. According to a recent Centre for Cities report, an impressive 12,400 jobs were created in the city between 2004 and 2013 – almost a third of them in knowledge-intensive industries.Last year, Cambridge had the second highest employment rate (second to Warrington) and the lowest number of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance of any UK city. Unsurprisingly for a university town famed for innovation, it also boasts the highest number of residents with high-level qualifications and the highest number of patents granted per 100,000 people. Not only are Cambridge workers the most highly-skilled in the country, they also earn some of the highest wages. The average tech professional earns £42,004 – the highest in England, outs...

/ Negotiation

How to negotiate a higher starting salary

The job is fantastic and you're perfect for the role – there's just one problem. It doesn't pay enough. The prospect of salary negotiation strikes fear into the hearts of many candidates, but raising the subject of remuneration doesn't have to be painful. Here's how to improve your interview negotiation skills and secure a higher starting salary.While many job seekers shy away from talking about money, the good news is that employers are more willing to negotiate salaries than they were 12 months ago. Two thirds (67%) of HR directors said they were willing to negotiate salaries with leading job candidates, according to a recent study by recruitment specialist Robert Half.In the past, candidates were dissuaded from discussing potential salary during the recruitment process, but attitudes are changing. Less than one in 10 (7%) of HR directors believe the company should always be the first to ask about hiring salary. In fact, many employers welcome candidates being upfront about money,...

/ Promotions & Raises

Is it time to ask for a pay rise?

You have a great job – you're good at what you do, you're well-respected by your peers and company leaders, and you have a clear cut path for advancement. Yet, you still don't truly feel successful. Why? If you're like the majority of workers recently surveyed by CareerBuilder.co.uk, it may all come down to money.According to the new survey, 63 per cent of workers say they do not currently make their desired salary.While the majority of both men and women surveyed are unhappy with how much they make, female workers are more likely to feel dissatisfied. Sixty-six per cent of female workers say they do not currently earn their desired salary, compared to 61 per cent of male workers.When asked what motivates workers in their job, the top responses cited were money (54 per cent) and the ability to provide for myself and my family (48 per cent). Yet, while salary is often used as a benchmark for success, money isn't the only factor motivating employees in their jobs. Thirty-seven per cen...

/ Job Trends

9 of the hottest tech jobs in the UK

The UK technology industry is booming. If you're looking for a top tech job that pays well, here are nine of the best jobs in technology that are currently in demand.1. Software engineer(Java and .net)Software engineers design and build software for large applications, combining their knowledge of maths, engineering and computer science to design, develop, test and evaluate software.'The growth in demand for these roles is so strong that we're now entering a skills shortage in the UK,' says Richard Knights, Regional Sales Manager at ReThink Recruitment. 'The demand mainly stems from businesses continuing to invest in their online systems in an effort to capitalise on a buoyant economy.'More organisations are looking to get their products into new markets and across new channels with mobile and e-commerce driving much of the growth. In addition, businesses are increasingly using technology to drive cost-saving initiatives, which is increasing demand.'Average salary: £41,5002. Informa...

/ Salary

8 jobs that pay £15 – £20 per hour

The average employee in Britain earns £13.03 per hour – but there are lots of well-paid jobs that offer more money per hour. If you're starting your job search and want to improve your salary, here are eight roles to consider when choosing a career.1. Chartered and certified accountantsAverage earnings: £19.84 per hour (£38,692 per year)Job description: Chartered accountants provide trustworthy financial advice with the aim of maximising the profits of their employer or client. The role can include the management of financial systems and budgets, undertaking financial audits and detecting and preventing fraud.Entry requirements: While entry to the profession without a degree is possible, candidates with a degree are generally preferred by larger companies. Some employers train students to do the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) Accounting Qualification which does not require a degree, and can lead on to training for chartered status.2. Veterinary surgeon Average earnings:...

/ CareerBuilder Updates

Job opportunities in Southampton

Southampton is one of the best-performing cities for economic growth in the UK, ranking in sixth place (of 39) on PwC's Good Growth for Cities index 2015. If you're starting your job search in Southampton, here are some of the key industries and job opportunities available.Growth industries Famous for its thriving port and recognised as the cultural, retail and business capital of the south of England, Southampton's economic success is driven by a range of industries, including aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing and transport and logistics. Ann Swain, Chief Executive of The Association of professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) says: 'Our members in the Southampton area – firms such as Advanced Resource Managers and Matchtech - are telling us that there are a number of key sectors enjoying continued growth and consequently demand for professional skills in the region continues to be high.'One of the most in-demand skill sets in the city is engineering, with both the marine a...

/ Work/Life Balance

5 reasons why New Year’s careers resolutions are overrated

Whether health and fitness or career-related, most of us forget our New Year's resolutions within weeks. This year, why not break with tradition? Stop making the same old promises to yourself, and you might actually achieve some long-lasting changes next year.Still not convinced? Here are five reasons why your New Year's job resolutions are over-rated.1. The promises you make are vagueYou're fired up to make a new start, but the problem with New Year career resolutions is that they tend to be woolly and vague.'It's all very well to declare that 2016 is the year when you will find a new job or achieve a promotion, but airy sentiments won't be translated into success unless the detail is there,' warns Corinne Mills of careers consultancy Personal Career Management and author of Career Coach.'What exactly is the kind of job you want next? The more specific you can be the better. In addition, resolutions aren't always that strong on the practical planning side.'If you really want to be ...

/ Interviews

How to succeed at management interview tests

Whether you're an experienced manager or applying for your first managerial position, you can expect to face some stringent tests as part of the interview process. More industries are subjecting candidates to psychometric tests, completed online as a pre-assessment before the actual interview.Rob Williams, chartered occupational psychologist and independent psychometric test developer, reveals the three types of tests you're most likely to encounter and how to perform at your best.Personality questionnaires These kind of tests have no right or wrong answer. Instead, they are designed to ascertain your management style and see if it fits with the job.The best way to prepare is to thoroughly research the position (and similar roles in the company and across your industry) to get an idea of the personality traits they most value.These kind of tests are often used to generate question prompts for recruiters to probe your weaker personality traits. 'Big discrepancies will probably be fla...

/ CareerBuilder Updates

8 best-paid graduate jobs by sector

The average starting salary for graduates in the UK is £28,000. That's according to the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) – other surveys place it as low as £25,000 and some as high as £30,000. While money is by no means everything, if you're thinking about re-training or deciding what to study, it can pay to know which business sectors offer the best rates.(If the figures below sound optimistically high, keep in mind that many AGR members are blue-chip companies that pay relatively high salaries and may not give a true indication of pay across the UK.)Law firms: £37,000Law came out on top as offering the best starting salaries in the AGR survey. A recent High Fliers survey (which focuses on the leading 100 employers in the UK), put the median starting salary for law firms at £40,000, behind the best paid sector – investment banks, at £45,000.Starting salaries for solicitors varies greatly across the country. At the lower end, the going rate for trainee solicitors can be £16,...

/ Who's Hiring

Job opportunities in Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is growing faster than any other place in Britain. Over the past decade, the town has experienced massive population growth (16.5%) - more than double the national average - while the number of job opportunities has grown by 18.2%, faster than any other UK city. If you're interested in starting your job search in Milton Keynes, read on for city series guide to the town.Business is boomingAn impressive number of firms have their UK headquarters in Milton Keynes, including Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Volkswagen Finance, Home Retail Group, Domino's Pizza, Red Bull Racing, and Konecta - while many more have a strong presence in the town, including John Lewis, Santander, Coca-Cola, Siemens, T-Mobile, Yamaha, the Open University and Network Rail.Low start-up costs, a booming property market and good transport links to London and Birmingham have made the town a desirable location for businesses and investors. Today, Milton Keynes is home to more than 780 foreign-owned companies, w...

/ Who's Hiring

Beyond London: Best UK cities for IT jobs

The UK's digital technology industry is booming. The sector is predicted to outperform all other sectors in terms of job creation by 2020, according to a recent report by Tech Nation. If you're an IT professional looking for your next role, there's good reason to extend your job search outside of the capital.According to a recent Experis Tech Cities Jobs Watch report, two-thirds of UK digital companies and 28% of the latest tech jobs are based outside of the city – and the numbers are set to increase.Geoff Smith, MD of Experis Europe, explains: 'As technology continues to filtrate into every aspect of a business, regardless of industry sector, this trend is only likely to gather pace in 2015 and beyond.'While London remains a hotbed for tech start-ups, other areas of the country are experiencing even more rapid growth. Take Bournemouth, for example. One of the fastest-growing tech clusters in the UK, the town and has seen a 200% increase in the number of digital companies over the l...

/ Who's Hiring

Job opportunities in Edinburgh

Now is a great time to be looking for jobs in Edinburgh. According to jobs site CV-Library, the city enjoyed the highest employment growth in the UK last year, with posted vacancies rising by 56% from June 2014 to June 2015. Massive ongoing investment, a well-established financial services sector and a booming IT industry make Edinburgh the city of choice for many professionals starting their job search.City regenerationEdinburgh is set to undergo massive transformation in the next few years, with a number of multi-million pound projects promising to change the city skyline and create thousands of job opportunities.John Donnelly, Chief Executive of Marketing Edinburgh, sets the scene: 'Edinburgh is the most prosperous city in the UK outside London and there is tremendous confidence in investing here. Billions of pounds worth of investment is being ploughed into the 'Edinburgh 12' key development sites, which include Edinburgh St James, New Waverley and The Haymarket.'Foreign direct ...

/ Networking

8 Business online networking mistakes to avoid

Online networking is a great way to make business contacts and widen your professional network. Get your social media activity right and it could help you land a job. Get it wrong and it could damage your professional reputation. Here are eight mistakes to avoid.1. Having a dodgy photo (or none at all)Employers and recruiters like to put a face to a name, and people are less likely to accept an online invitation if they can't see who it's coming from. Use the same image across all of your networking sites to help create a strong personal brand.The only thing worse than no photo? A snap of you sipping cocktails, where you've cut other people out of the shot, and selfies taken with your pet, child or spouse. A little personality is allowed, especially in creative industries, but as a rule you should use a well-lit professional headshot that clearly shows your face. Don't be tempted to use a photo from 10 or 20 years ago. You don't want the interviewer to meet you and wonder what else ...

/ Workplace

How to respond to negative feedback

No one likes to receive negative feedback at work – but handled the right way, you can use it to your advantage to improve your performance and relationships with colleagues.The next time you get negative feedback…'Listen patiently to what they are saying and don't interrupt so that the person feels they can speak openly and honestly. It can be quite difficult for them too – so if you start getting defensive and arguing your case too early, you won't get to hear what they feel it is important to communicate,' says Corinne Mills, Managing Director of Personal Career Management and author of Career Coach.Once they have finished, Corinne suggests thanking them for their comments and for speaking so candidly. 'Again this will reassure them that you are listening to, and taking on board what they are saying. Then ask questions where anything is unclear. For instance, you might ask them for an example of when you behaved in the way they described.'When you show that you have listened, you...
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