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Social Media For Business 101
Social Media For Business 101
Now the most diligent of readers will recall a blog we posted a few weeks ago about the LinkedIn, how to get started and its many benefits. In the introduction, we discussed how LinkedIn has been able to stay the course of the ever-changing social media world and has kept its function and purpose focused while other platforms dilute there USP with too many features. Contrary to this, research has shown that different types of content perform better on different platforms, thus showing that social media has yet to become fully indistinguishable. A company must maintain a strong social profile for a number of reasons, such as advertising a product, building a brand, engaging with customers, providing updates, and strengthening reputation. So, with this in mind, we’re going to strip everything down to basics and highlight the key social media channels a company should use, what to post, and why you should use them. Now there are a many different platforms to explore, so we’ll start with the four most obvious, and then revisit this concept on another blog. So, if we’re starting with the most popular social media platforms, it seems only right we begin with… Facebook At the time of writing this, the population of Earth sits around 7.753 billion people. Facebooks active user count sits at around 2.934 billion, meaning around 36.9% of the Earths population are Facebook users. I’ll give you a moment to digest that one The point of this somewhat sinister metric is that you would be hard pressed to find somebody that hasn’t used or even heard of Facebook. The Meta company as a whole havs dominated the internet space for a long time, and with their recent plans to move forward to Web 3, they are showing no signs of slowing down. With this in mind, it would be wise for a company to establish a presence on Facebook. Not only is it easily the biggest platform in terms of active users, thus leading to fruitful marketing opportunities, it also supports a wide range of media formats, with the option of linking other social channels to your Facebook content. How You Should Use Facebook Facebook is a great platform to provide information and updates to your clientele, and with a character limit of 63,206, you have plenty of space to play with, however just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Most people aren’t going to read a massive document of information on social media, so use Facebook to convey information about the company in a max 500-word format. You won’t be penalised for using images or videos either, and with Meta’s Business Manager feature, you can ascertain insights and important analytics about how your posts are performing and engaging with users. Pros Massive active user count Business Analytics Supports multiple media formats High character count Cons Market is becoming saturated Lack of understanding of paid promotion can lead to loss of funds Instagram Continuing with Metas internet Monopoly, Instagram is another fantastic tool for building a brand identity and further engaging with your customers. Given the expansive range of brands, accounts, and content, a ‘slightly less formal’ approach is encouraged. As a visual platform, Instagram is the place for showcasing your products or services with photos or videos. On the app, you can share a wide range of content such as photos, videos, Stories, reels, live videos, and IGTV for longer-form videos. How You Should Use Instagram Now you’re still trying to build a reputable brand, so hold fire on the Friday Night Cocktail Hour videos (unless your brand is a bar), however, we encourage you to explore your creative flair with your content. Keep your brand colours and design present, by try to get the context of your updates across in visual form. About to launch a new product? Share an exciting reveal photo. Staff day out? Share a few pictures of them having a good time. National saint day or celebration? Find a way for your company to celebrate and mark the event. As a brand, you can create an Instagram business profile, which provides you with rich analytics of your profile and posts and the ability to schedule Instagram posts using third-party tools. You should also take advantage of Instagram’s Story feature to further advertise your posts and to keep your followers engaged with daily content Pro’s Very visual More freedom to post Strengthen branding Use of stories for to keep daily engagement Con’s Less optimised to convey detailed information Danger of being ‘lost in the feed’ depending on post time Bots Twitter For a period of time, Twitter was THE hot social platform to use. What makes Twitter different from most other social media sites is it strongly emphasizes real-time information — things happening and trending right now — and in just 280 characters. Celebrities, business magnates, brands and figures of authority were able to share quick, in the moment information and insights that punctured their separation from the common man and reminded users that these people still go about day to day lives enjoying many of life’s simple pleasures, such as watching Netflix, visiting coffee shops or expressing admiration for a sports team. Despite the sudden impact of TikTok, and ever-growing users on Facebook, Twitter has still managed to enjoy a steady incline in users each year. How Should You Use Twitter? There are a number of ways that a business may utilise Twitter. Many brands use Twitter as an alternate customer service channel. According to advertisers on Twitter, more than 80% of social customer service requests happen on Twitter. Having a member of your marketing or social team check Twitter on the daily for customer queries will help show your brands care to the customer and dedication to their service. You can also use Twitter to provide quick updates that can build up towards company announcements or events, such as “only a week to go before (***), whose got their tickets?” or “We can’t wait to show you what we’ve been working on! Here’s a sneak preview.” Pro’s Real time updates Build up hype towards company announcement Easily digestible format Con’s Voted ‘Most Toxic Social Platform.’ (Poll conducted by Forbes Magazine) At least 10% of accounts are spam Information can get lost in the feed. YouTube Never underestimate the value of video content. Having crisp, professional, and high-quality video marketing tools will improve the legitimacy and credibility of your company tenfold. We all watch engage with video media in our spare time, be it Netflix, YouTube or even TikTok as it allows us to easily absorb stimuli. How Should You Use YouTube? YouTube content can be shared across social media channels via a quick link in a post and provides a nice switch of content from regular photos or text. You should definitely try to get some video content to promote your workplace, be it a marketing package, adverts for vacancies or just interviews with employee’s discussing their time in the company. Production quality will separate you from the others, so its worth investing in videography if you have any big events or festivities to celebrate. It helps give your company a sense of scale. Pro’s Format easily shared across other platforms Monetisation from original content Con’s Algorithm can cause viewership to drop Consistency is needed to build
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The Benefits Of Contract Work
The Benefits Of Contract Work
The jobhunting period can at times feel quite negative, and many people will be put off contract work as they know they have a date where they will be out of employment after the role expires. Also, jumping between different industries in quick succession can prove a challenge for the Wallflowers in this blogs audience. However, Contract work does have benefits that should not be overlooked both to the short and long-term trajectory of your career. Here are a number of reasons why you should accept contract as well as some added benefits you may not have considered. Make Connections The nature of contract work dictates that unless you’re offered a permanent position, you will be moving between places of work every 6 - 12 months. The benefit of this, is that you are likely to become acquainted with many business leaders, executives, CEOs, and industry experts along the way. This will prove invaluable as building your contact list of reputable business leaders will provide new connections, long lasting business relationships and an impressive list of references for your next employer to contact. In a world where a person’s experience in the field can be the deciding factor in being chosen for interview, having connections to add to your credibility will only ever benefit your application Find your job passion It is not uncommon for young professionals to work a variety of roles before settling into a more permanent fulfilling role. This method can provide a multitude of valuable experience, references, and insights into the nature of the industry. Contract work is a good way to dip your toe into the pool of the industry and find out if you are best aligned with the culture and work involved in the industry. Salary Contracted roles will get you better pay. They offer a higher basic salary in lieu of a benefits package. You can make your experience really work to your advantage. Employers are typically willing to pay you generously, providing you meet their requirements, if you solve their problem or need quickly. Employers tend to really value experience, since they want to bring onboard someone who can jump right in and hit the ground running. Faster Employment Now this of course does not cover all contract work, and you shouldn’t apply for a contract position assuming you’re going to be accepted by 9:30 and start work at 10:00. However, the creation of a contract role may have resulted in a sudden urgency and vacation that needs to be filled, so the onboarding of contracts does move faster than permanent roles. More Freedom As you are not bound by the standard contracts of the business, you have more negotiating room when discussing hours, pay and location. You may have been brought into the contract role to assist with a sudden influx of work, therefore If you can assure your employer you will complete the work, you can choose working hours that fit for you, which can provide more time out of work for looking at more roles, building your professional profile and networking. In Conclusion There are many business professionals who have built there who career around contract work and it’s not too hard to see why. Contract work offers more flexibility, better pay, more variation, and greater chance of networking and building a profile within the industry. Understanding the process and careful planning can ensure you are never out of work for lengthy periods of time, and with the flexibility contract work offers, you can use any free time to plan ahead once your contract expires. If you are keen to build your professional CV, build strong industry connections, gain experience and entertain a higher pay, contract work is definitely worth your time
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How To Prepare For Your Video Interview
How To Prepare For Your Video Interview
A few years ago, its fair to assume that 90% of your job interviews happened in a face-to-face capacity, normally in a small room resembling that of a doctor’s clinic. You would arrive in business fit and spend 30-45 minutes discussing your employment, skills and success with a company’s recruitment team or a manager. COVID put an immediate cease to this practice in 2020, and companies had to quickly adapt to the uncertainty of the pandemic in order to stay afloat. Non-essential businesses were closed unless they could operate from home, and those that had the ability to work from home had to adapt new methods of communication with their employees, using Teams, Zoom, Meet and online Document Sharing. Now that our daily lives, both working and leisure, are returning to a more familiar time, some companies are still choosing to conduct some if not all of their interview process via a video call using the aforementioned programmes. However, just because these interviews are not held in person, the formality has not changed, and not only should you prepare the same as you would for an in-person interview, but you also now have other things to consider: Test Your Equipment Your interviewer will have contacted you via email with a link to the meeting on whichever platform they use, be it Microsoft Teams, Skype, Google Meet or Zoom. To save any embarrassment at the start of the interview, make sure you test your equipment beforehand. Are you using headphones or the computers speaker for sound, and is that sound clear? Are you using an internal or external microphone, what is the quality, and does it cause any feedback or distortion when you’re speaking? If you are using your computer for both Audio In (Microphone) AND Audio Out (Speakers) feedback is likely to occur, and quality will drop. If this is your only option, be sure to mute your microphone when you aren’t talking. Most applications will present you with a screen to confirm your microphone and speakers in respective dropdown menus before you jump into the call, so make sure you have the right source selected. Grab a friend or family member for a 5-minute call to test your quality before the date and time of the interview. Background and Lighting Before you do anything, get rid of that auto generated beach Bahamas teams background, its not professional. If you are without a dedicated workstation in your home, then its time to improvise. Find a nice, neutral, and clean background free from any distractions or activity. The focus of the frame should be on you, and not the object in the background of your webcam shot. Lighting is worth special consideration and again may require some ingenuity if you don’t happen to have any photography studio style ring lights around. If you’re using a laptop, place a few light sources behind the laptop so they illuminate you without lens flare, or sit underneath a bright ceiling light. You want to make sure the video your interviewer sees isn’t dark and dingy, and they can see you’ve made an effort for the occasion to appear well groomed, presentable and neat. Speaking of which… Appear Well Groomed, Presentable, and Neat Dress for success, dress to impress. If you want respect, you must look respectable. If you were attending an in-person interview, chances are you would have made an effort to look smart, I should certainly hope so. A video interview still an interview and should be treated as such even if you are ‘attending’ in the comfort of your own home. We aren’t suggesting a suit and tails, nor an evening dress if you are a lady. However, in most cases, smart casual as a minimum should see you over the line. The best way to gauge the desired wardrobe is to think about the context of the job, chances are you already have an idea of the level or formality your employers are expecting. Remember to keep a good posture too. Judge the Distance You should be seated in such a way that the camera can see from the top of your head to the middle of your ribcage/upper chest. Don’t sit too far away, you risk your microphone not picking up on what you are saying. Neither do you want to be sat too close to the camera in such a way that your interviewer cannot see you. If you have followed the previous steps advice, you’ll want to make sure your interviewer can see the effort in appearance you have made. Show Up Early As the saying goes, its better to be an hour early than 5 minutes late. Now an hour may be slightly excessive for a video interview, however, get seated and be ready to go 10-15 minutes before the call. I personally would recommend 15 minutes, as this will give you 10 minutes to do your final camera and sound checks, practice your responses, and be ready to join the call 5 minutes early. Those 5 minutes will show your employer that you are punctual, scoring you points on your interview before conversation has even begun. Use Notes Sparingly Alright let’s not pretend that we don’t know what I’m referring too. One of the many advantages of a video interview over a face-to-face interview is being able to discreetly place reference notes and crib sheets out of the camera’s eye. Now we of course encourage you to know your onions before entering an interview situation, however if you really must refer to notes, do so sparingly. Consistently shifting your gaze away from your interviewer shows you are easily distracted; you appear disinterested in what the interviewer is saying and sooner or later they’re going to clock onto what you’re doing. Use notes like a PowerPoint i.e., bullet point information that will jog your memory rather than writing out sentences that, when reading them, appear to obvious to your interviewer. In Conclusion Now you may have noticed that this blog post contains information leading up to the first introduction of your interview rather than discussing how to conduct yourself as the interview progress.’ If you are looking for a more comprehensive guide on how to navigate through a job interview in the best manor possible, I highly recommend you read our blog ‘Mastering Body Language for your Job Interview’ which can be found here (LINK). However, be sure to adhere to the advice and preparation listed in this post, and you can enter the video interview in the best way possible.
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Refining Your CV for Interview Success
Refining Your CV for Interview Success
The CV is the key that opens the doors of opportunity, and like many (if not all keys) they must be a perfect fit in order to turn the lock. In simpler terms, this badly explained metaphor demonstrates that like keys and locks, you will need a CV tailored to a particular job in order for it to benefit your application. Admittedly a mistake I made when taking my first steps into the working world, was to fill my CV with every award, accolade, and skill I’d obtained in my life in order to appear like the most impressive candidate possible. I had moderate success with this approach, however, as I started to work towards specific roles within the industry, I realised the importance of keeping my CV focused and specific to a particular field. We here at Sigmar Recruitment receive hundreds of CVs every day and it can be the difference between being invited for an interview or missing out on the shortlist for candidates. Here are some key points to include in your CV. Presentation The layout of your CV should be neat, easy to read and consistent in format. Keep the same fonts and sizes for all your headings, titles, and text. Try not to stretch text boxes outside of the boundary guidelines in the document editor you are using. Large companies may use an automatic CV scanning system which collects and sorts the information from your CV into key sections, so make sure you keep the headings and content of your CV clear and focused. A little colour goes a long way in breathing a little life into your CV. Blue, dark brown, olive green and beige work particularly well for headings as it will help keep your CV professional whilst drawing attention to key areas of information. Intro Keep your introduction focused, short and relevant. Potential employers will be sifting through a number of CVs searching for specific information that is applicable to the role, so make sure you include your main profession, key skills, and brief examples of work. You have the rest of your CV to list your varied skillset, so try to focus on specialities and the core of your work. There will be time to dive deeper into your backstory when you make it to the interview stage, but for now, keep your intro short and sweet. Imagine you are writing text for a billboard that advertises your business. You’re going to want to include all the key points that sell you to clients. X. I have been interested in creating content since I was 9 years old, and it started when I used to edit images and videos on my iPad. I used to create marketing tools for my friends, like memes, YouTube videos and photos and eventually decided to focus on a career in marketing. I am proficient in a number of content creation tools, such as Adobe, Final Cut, Canva and Office and have been able to utilise these skills in a number of assignments for clients in music, clothing, and events management. I work well in a team but am also capable of setting my own goals and completing tasks within a given timeframe. ✓. Passionate and experienced digital marketer, specialising in both audio and visual content creation using Adobe, MacOS and Office. Competent, adaptable, and focused, I have worked for a number of clients in a wide range of industries, such as clothing, music, events, and professional services. Work Experience When I first started to apply for more specific industry positions, the first thing I did when tailoring my CV to certain roles was to include only work experience, I felt was relevant. This proved to be my downfall, as in leaving out parts of my professional career, the naked eye would assume I was simply out of work and not doing anything for lengthy periods of time. Try and include all of your previous work experience in your CV and explain any gaps i.e., if you took a year out and went traveling. If your previous jobs were in an industry different to that which you are applying for, list various responsibilities and acquired skills that are transferrable. In the case of myself, I had worked a number of roles in hospitality and catering before I started to focus more on a career in marketing and content development. Now pouring the perfect flat white isn’t that important when it comes to designing and executing marketing strategies, however, skills such as time management, brand awareness, consistency and building brand awareness are some of the necessary skills needed in marketing and were therefore, noteworthy. References When selecting candidates for interview, employers will often research the applicants further, so the best way to steer them in a direction that benefits you is to provide contact information for work references. This can be anybody that you have worked with, or for, in a professional capacity, though it’s advisable to provide details for senior management, such as managers, directors or executives (after obtaining permission to do so) rather than listing your friends. This will help remove the illusion of bias. Hobbies and Interests Make sure to include a short list of the things you like to do outside of work, be it socialising, or holidays or what you like to do in your downtime. Of course, a CV is a formal document and the more professional you come across the better, however, you are not a robot. You are a human being; you are ALLOWED to have interests outside of work. A short list of 4-5 hobbies will help get your personality across to your employer and show that you will bring passion and positivity to your place of work. Other Experience This is where you are able to list any further experiences that will aid in your application. The President’s Award, travelling or any other notable accomplishments can help you stand out as a person who is looking to enrich their mind or go out of their way to help others. Employers will likely entertain candidates who have a certain zest for life and bring a positive attitude and mindset to the work environment.
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What Is LinkedIn?
What Is LinkedIn?
It’s difficult to comprehend what our lives in 2022 would be like without the various platforms and interconnectable mediums we use every day. The Nokia 3210 has been replaced by the iPhone. TV Cable has made way to streaming platforms, and much of our music is consumed via Spotify, iTunes and YouTube. However, the most poignant example of the increasingly connected age we live in is that of Social Media. In the race to dominate the social platform, businesses are constantly updating their sites and apps with new ways to digest content, integrating features such as videos, shops, posts, blogs and stories. Though the intention of drawing in a diverse clientele is understandable, it results in a saturation of the market, thus making it difficult to ascertain the USP of a certain platform. Snapchat’s quick photo/story update features can now be found on Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger command our 4G instant messaging services, and Facebook, well, Facebook does everything. However, there is one of few platforms that’s focus has managed to remain consistent since its creation, and that platform is LinkedIn. LinkedIn is the world's largest online professional network. You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, connect and strengthen professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to succeed in your career. In essence, LinkedIn is the main social media hub for employers and businesses. For some, checking LinkedIn every day is like checking the newspaper, except unlike other social media platforms LinkedIn is optimised, professional, well presented, practical, focused and ultimately good. Now I have not been monetarily compensated by LinkedIn to write anything on their behalf, however I do believe that the importance of LinkedIn cannot be stressed enough, especially if you are looking to progress into the upper echelons of the corporate world. To those who have yet to utilise this platform, or simply want an overview of what it is and how it works, read on. Who Should Use LinkedIn? Given that the main focus of the site is to connect businesses, establish relationships and help companies advertise jobs, your average LinkedIn user will fall into the category of ‘business professional.’ It is a platform for people looking to advance their careers, including people from various professional backgrounds, small business owners, students, and job seekers. LinkedIn members can use the platform to tap into a network of professionals, companies, and groups within and beyond their industry. Though LinkedIn’s homepage features a feed where users can post updates and developments in their personal lives as well as photos and videos, the content still centres around the professional working life, so you may have to look elsewhere to get your cute animal fix. Why You Should Join LinkedIn LinkedIn is the key that will open the door to the interconnected landscape of business. Your profile will display your various accolades, previous work experiences, qualifications and personal bio, along with any personal hobbies and interests you wish to share. Now you might be thinking this sounds a lot like the criteria one would find on a CV, and that is not an unfair comparison to make. Many job seekers use LinkedIn as their primary tool of self-marketing to send to companies who have advertised jobs, and employers can use it to search for candidates and present them with opportunities to work. Thus, a fleshed-out, optimised and slick LinkedIn profile can prove to be an invaluable tool as you progress through your professional life. Where Do I Start Like many social media platforms, the best way to learn more about the features of the site is to simply jump in with a freshly created profile and click your way around the site's menus. However, we have a few suggestions to get you started: 1. Create a Profile Though this may seem obvious, LinkedIn does allow you to explore most of what the site has to offer without the need of completing a profile. However, having a cprofile will allow the algorithm to tailor your experience on the site to your own personal preferences. Jobs advertised will become more closely linked to your current profession, and industry-related content will appear more frequently on your feed. Naturally of course, if you already have a reason in mind for signing up to LinkedIn, then one assumes your profile is ready to go. Do take time when creating your profile. As previously mentioned, LinkedIn can function as an online CV, so consider this when uploading a profile photo and writing your bio. Include all relevant experiences and skills you have within your profession to add further employability to your page. 2. Build your Connections The network you create will play a crucial part in unlocking the power of LinkedIn as it will help you understand what is happening in your industry and professional circle. You can begin by adding your family, friends, past or current classmates, and co-workers to your network. You can also follow people, companies, or topics by navigating directly to the "Follow fresh perspectives" page, which displays recommended sources to follow. 3. Browse the Catalogue of Jobs The job search is one of the standout features of LinkedIn. You can use the job search to research companies in preparation for an interview, reach out to hiring communities or simply see what current roles are being advertised for. LinkedIn is one of the top platforms when it comes to advertising vacancies, so there’s a high chance a specific role or a role in a less well-known or advertised industry will appear in your searches. You can also save job searches and/or notify your connections and recruiters that you’re open to job opportunities. 4. Engage in Conversation Though LinkedIn as a platform caters more to the professional world than traditional social media, you can still connect and talk to people as you would on any other platform. Feel free to engage in updates and posts from the companies or individuals you follow. This can even work as a catalyst to establish further connections with new like-minded individuals. 5. Post Content And finally, post stuff! Don’t be afraid of uploading content onto your page. Keep your connections updated with any recent developments in your professional career, reach out to industry experts for advice, stimulate debate and even alert people to vacancies in your place of work. In Conclusion LinkedIn is an invaluable tool used by many as a catalyst to progress further in their working life. The benefits of LinkedIn should never be understated, and once you’ve begun to explore the site and engage with content, you’ll wonder how you ever navigated the job market without it.
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The Benefits Of Journaling
The Benefits Of Journaling
Let’s first dispel any preconceptions you may have had before clicking on this post. This post will not be outlining the benefits of keeping a diary of sorts to document your thoughts and feelings. Of course, if you already do that, then more power to you, but in this blog we will be focusing on why using a journal is the most effective medium in keeping track of any upcoming events and increasing productivity. But I Have Notes on My Phone… Smartphones manufacturers are continuously updating and innovating their products with the intention of streamlining our day to day lives. However, they can also provide distractions and reduce productivity. It can be all too tempting to tap on the YouTube App next to your Notes or Calendar. Having an actual notebook to write in reduces the temptation to get side-tracked and allows you to be present and focused as you document information. Smartphones also allow mistakes to be erased or things to be rewritten, which of course has its benefits, however, writing with pen and paper encourages a certain commitment to the process and taking time to document information in this manner allows information to be subconsciously registered. So what are some benefits of journaling? Organisation Traditionally, people would associate a journal as a daily record of news and events amongst other things of a personal nature. In essence, it’s a diary. However, rather than use journaling as a way to document the past, instead, use it to plan for the future. For instance, when applying for jobs, you may need to remember important dates such as interview's, online calls or tasks to complete. And whilst in employment, use it to remember deadlines, meetings, commitments and work based social events. Business and work-related alerts can become lost in the void of the other notifications on your devices, so having all important information contained in an accessible, easy to use portable format is guaranteed to avoid such occurrences. Productivity There can be slow times during a period of work and the temptation to scroll through social media or watch videos online can be all but too enticing. This is where a Productivity Journal can help. By tracking habits or division of time spent on tasks throughout the day, your working hours will ultimately be more focused with less wasted time. Time Management and Reaching Goals Journaling provides a way of breaking down a seemingly herculean task into obtainable goal by distributing time across a number of dates. Having all your important tasks and commitments scribbled down will allow you to quickly identify spaces in your schedule and allow you to dedicate time accordingly. Without question, planning your time effectively will increase productivity and decrease stress. Reflection Of course, it is worth mentioning that though you may journal as a means of planning ahead, it can be nice to look back through the previous weeks and months you have documented and reflect on previous projects. It can help instil a sense of pride to look back at your past accomplishments and completed tasks, which will motivate you to continue to work hard and not feel daunted when presented with a lengthy task. Viewing previously completed tasks retrospectively can provide good hindsight in preparation for similar projects in the future. Stress Relief A simple but important point of note, Journaling in this method can also be quite meditative, and is a sure way to keep the stress levels down. As previously mentioned, removing the ability to delete mistakes requires you to focus more on what you’re writing. This means you are present in the moment and focused on one specific task. The world of work can present many matters that require your attention and in a busy week of work full of deadlines, meetings and commitments, it can be nice to take 5 minutes away and just focus your efforts on one task. Doodles and Drawings In a similar fashion to the traditional diary, your journal isn’t just for handwriting, its your own personal document that you can shape and customise however you like. Studies have shown that drawing or doodling in your journal enhances your memory and can also provide further stress relief. A lot of people have strong visual remembrance and are more likely to recall information from an image than a written document. Aside from these benefits, personalising your journal is ultimately enjoyable and will encourage you to use it more often! In Conclusion Its difficult to list exactly how journaling can affect your professional life, as everybody uses a journal for different things. Some to plan ahead of time, some to document, and some as a way to take a few minutes out of there busy schedule to just focus on one task. Chances are as you read this blog post (thank you for reading to the end by the way) you already had some idea of what you would use a journal for, or maybe you’ve observed a close friend or colleague viciously scribble away in a notebook whenever they have a few seconds away from a call. We’ve mentioned a few practical uses of journaling, however, the best way to get started is just to get stuck in and see what works for you. Buy yourself a notebook and pen and get writing, it’ll help, trust me!
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Why You Should Research The Company Who Want To Interview You
Why You Should Research The Company Who Want To Interview You
Before entering into an interview situation, we HIGHLY advise that you research your prospective employer as thoroughly as possible. Not only will this increase the chances of your interview being successful, it can also help you decide if the business is a good cultural fit for you, and also offer peace of mind that the company has good intentions. Provide Company Authenticity Allow me to briefly divulge to you a personal experience I’ve had. During my years of studying I was signing up to agencies in the hope of getting some money to help with living expenses. I was contacted by an agency that said a company was looking for assistants to help out in their studio. I went along to the interview and after the usual questions and formalities, I was offered the job on the spot! Amazing right? Well, shortly after I verbally accepted the position, I was informed that before they would send a contract over, I was required to send £500 to the company accounts team to cover any potential ‘damages and expenses’ to equipment inside the studio. Naturally, this was some cause for concern, and long story short, after a quick flick through their online social presence, I found that most of their followers were paid for/bots and the company address listed on their website was actually a room above a laundrette 50 miles from where it should be! It is the unfortunate truth that there are some undesirables who will pray on the good intentions of jobseekers by offering opportunities in industries that are traditionally challenging to enter. Prior research into a company that has contacted you will provide peace of mind that the company exercises lawful practices and that their business is authentic and genuine. In the case of my own experience, it's certainly a rare occurrence, but unfortunately, not an impossibility. Is The Company Right For You? The average person will work for around 37.5 hrs pw, some more and some less. This is a long time to be spent at the workplace, so in order to avoid any negative feelings or resentment towards work developing, you must make sure that the company’s culture aligns with your own. Ask yourself the following questions, am I able to complete the level of work required, can I work within company deadlines, am I able to handle the demands of my role, can I adhere to the company's work location i.e. work remotely, in office or hybrid? All these things will help you determine whether you can meet the demands of the role and perform consistently. Demonstrates an Interest in the Company As an employee of a company, you will be expected to act in a way that reflects the company’s best interests and core values. Employers will be looking for candidates in interviews that they feel best resonate with their core company ethics and philosophy. Demonstrating knowledge of the company’s history and expansion and recognising its achievements and accolades is sure to impress your potential employers. It conveys your own passion for the brand and desire to be a part of a company’s growth. This will help show your employer that you are committed to the future of the company and intend to work within the business for a long time. It helps you prepare meaningful questions Now you may have seen a post on our knowledge centre about questions you should ask your interviewer. These are all tried and tested ways to go the extra mile in an interview by seeking additional insight about your employer and demonstrating an interest in the company ethos. However, if you truly want to go above and beyond to impress your interviewer, mould your questions in such fashion that they directly relate to the business. Example: I recognise the company’s overall mission is X. But can you share some of the company's short and long-term goals during the next 3 years. What part would I play in helping the business to achieve these targets? Formulating your questions about matters directly concerning the company shows your employers you are eager to become an asset to the business. This will also provide an opportunity to match the business goals with your own! It can help you learn more about the industry If you’ve decided that you need a change in your career path and want to pursue a role in a different industry, research into a company can help provide insight into what the work actually entails and how the industry and company itself operates. Learning the ins and outs, the rough and the smooth of the job you’re looking to apply for will help you make the right decision for both your career and wellbeing. If a company advertises a fast-paced quick response attitude, will you be able to keep up? Similarly, if the role operates within both high-pressure and relaxed periods of work, are you ok with an irregular balance of fast and slow-paced environments? Researching the company and role you wish to pursue will help answer some of these questions that should always be considered when trying something new. In Conclusion As you can see, there are many benefits to researching your employer. Prospective employers are always going to be looking for candidates that will go the extra mile, so this is good practice into the mindset of always going one step further to impress and prove why you are an important asset to any team.
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Best Questions To Ask At The End Of Your Interview
Best Questions To Ask At The End Of Your Interview
"So, do you have any further questions you’d like to ask us?" Yes. Yes, you do! This part of the interview is a very clever way employers can gauge your interest in their company, and briefly switches the ‘Question and Answer’ roles associated with the interviewer and candidate. Of course, when presented with this question, your initial answer would be no. I mean, you’ve just spoken about the role and the job for the last 45 minutes, no doubt outlining your various experiences, skillset, responsibilities, salary expectations and company history. So, all bases should have been covered right? INCORRECT! Employers aren’t looking to hire somebody that simply performs the bare minimum of work and walks away with the pay, they want to see your passion for their business, your recognition of its achievements, and your desire to help the company grow. Here are some questions to ask at the end of the interview that will provide further insight into the culture of the company, whilst conveying further interest in the role to your employer. What Are The Plans For The Business In The Next 3 Years? This is a great question that shows not only your commitment to the company but also the development of the business. In an ever-changing, ever-evolving market, asking this question to your employer shows that you demonstrate a knowledge and an awareness that a business’ longevity rests on its ability to move with the times, never settle in one place and constantly expand and grow within the field. This can also provide a heads up on any major upcoming projects and will give you a general idea about job security. Can You Describe The Working Culture Of The Organisation? Asking this question is a good way to assess the working environment of the company and whether you’ll fit in. You will learn how the company prioritises employee happiness and wellbeing, the work-life balance, and any benefits rewarded to employees on behalf of the company. If I Were To Be Successful, What Advice Or Resources Would You Recommend That Would Help Me Prepare For This Role Further Be careful how you word this question, as you don’t want to come across as arrogant and that the interview is a foregone conclusion. However, this is a great question to ask for both yourself and your interviewer, as it will show them that you are keen to perform in the role to the best of your ability. It also provides you with resources to help you prepare for employment so the first few weeks of work are less daunting, and you can start your new job feeling prepared. Will There Be Opportunity To Progress Further Down The Line? This question shows your employer that you have ambition, and you are conscious of your further career goals. Knowledge about opportunities to progress within the company will provide scope and allow you to look forward to the future. You don’t want to realise too late that there is little to no scope of progression into new roles and responsibilities, or that the only way to ascend the company ladder is to wait for somebody higher up to leave. Can You Describe A Typical Day or Week In The Job? Asking this question will provide an opening to address any queries or concerns you have found while reading the job description. Maybe a certain task wasn’t presented clearly, or you want to find more specifics when the job description alludes to a ‘variety of responsibilities.’ You’re going to want to know exactly what will be expected of you on a day-to-day basis, so you are prepared for what each week of work entails. Some interviewers will respond to this question by saying ‘Every day is different.’ In this instance, your best bet is to politely push for an answer by providing a period of time to draw experience from. Can you tell me more about what the last month looked like for the person in the job currently? What took up most of their time? In Conclusion It is impossible to cram every single piece of information into a job interview, so there will always be a question you can ask your employer at the interview's conclusion. We will follow up this blog post with some more questions soon, however, those aforementioned are a great way to learn more about the company you’ll be working for, what is expected of you, and the plans to grow the business, whilst also conveying your own excitement to be a part of that journey!
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So You’re The ‘New Guy’ In The Office? Here’s Some Tips For Your First Week
So You’re The ‘New Guy’ In The Office? Here’s Some Tips For Your First Week
The first few weeks of work can be very intimidating. You have been placed in an unfamiliar environment full of people you don’t know who all seem to get along like a house on fire. You’re being presented with many new ideas, practices, and methods of work, complemented with a self-inflicted sense of pressure to not disappoint the people who have placed their faith in you. Your natural inclination may be to simply lay low and not draw too much attention to yourself. However, this may make things even worse! Below are a few points worth noting as you begin the next stage of your career and will hopefully make the first few weeks of your new job less stressful. Remember, we’ve all been in your shoes before! The Company Believes In You The interview process is not just a chance for an employer to see whether you are best suited for the role, but also whether you are a good fit for the company and its culture. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that an employer will have offered you a job if they didn’t think you would be able to ingratiate yourself with your new colleagues. Business is built upon strong foundations and values; therefore, an employer will build a team around individuals who resonate with the values of the company and put them into practice during their work. So, if you have been offered a role within the business, your employer believes that you and their team share common values, attitudes to work, and encourage the interests of others. So, with that in mind, your new work colleagues may not seem as mysterious or as enigmatic as you first thought! Everyone Was Once the New Guy Everybody has been in your place before. It’s that simple! In the world of employment, navigating through a new work environment is a shared experience that everyone has had at some point in their lives, which is good news for you! Your new team will know exactly what you’re going through and understand that your first few days may leave you feeling quite overwhelmed. You may find that you receive messages of welcome and encouragement from the workspace as your name is passed around. Make sure to acknowledge these and respond by saying that you look forward to getting to know them better! Your transition into your new role will be made so much easier if you accept the support of your colleagues. Just Say Hello! You may be a socialite. You may be a wallflower. Regardless of the level of enjoyment you gain when interacting with others, sooner or later, you are going to come into contact with the people you work with. So when faced with a new colleague, just say hello! You’ll no doubt be seeing a lot of each other in the coming weeks, and it's much easier to work alongside people you know you can have a chat with, and vice versa. Once your new team knows you are approachable and communicative, they’re likely to stop by and say hello or offer a conversation that may take the stress off the workday. We’re all human after all, so find out who you’ll be working alongside and make contact! Take Advantage of Team Socials Similar to the previous point, the best way to ingratiate yourself with your fellow work colleagues is to take part in any activities, events or social gatherings your team will organise. This could be as simple as breaking bread together during the lunch hour or joining members of the team for gatherings outside of work. For instance, you may find that an impromptu Friday night cocktail hour helps to ease social stress. In addition, it also removes the notion that the only thing you share in common with your colleagues is work. Establishments will often organise team-building events or days out for employees to enjoy, or company-exclusive classes and workshops. Take advantage of these opportunities, as the more you spend time with your team outside of the work environment, the more you’ll get to know them and vice versa. Work is always easier when you’re surrounded by friends! Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help I have no doubt that at least one member of your new job will have mentioned this to you, but it is worth reiterating. You need to dispel the idea that your new employers are expecting you to fully acclimate yourself to the companies’ practices and methods on the first day, then start raising turnover by 70% on the second. You have the collective knowledge and experiences of the members of your team at your disposal, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or check your work with them for any errors. Employers would rather you ask questions and get things correct than let mistakes slip through. You Will Make Mistakes, And It’s Only Natural Continuing on from the previous point, sooner or later, you may find yourself making an error with a particular task or piece of work assigned to you. The important thing to remember is that your employer will be prepared for this. Now, this isn’t a personal attack on your ability to perform within the role, but more so acknowledging that when dealing with the information overload that comes with learning a new business, mistakes may slip through. Now, of course, we’re not suggesting that continuous errors will go unnoticed, however, your team will be far more understanding if, after you are shown the correct method of practice, you actively take it upon yourself to avoid the mistake in the future. Ultimately, just don’t be too hard on yourself, these things happen! In Conclusion If ever things get too overwhelming, take a moment to remember; you managed to capture the attention of your new employers with a standout CV, bested your competition by providing a great interview to the employers, and now here you stand, ready to begin your new role. You should be immensely proud of yourself and what you were able to achieve! The first week of work can be quite draining, but the number one thing to remember is that the same colleagues you see chatting and laughing amongst themselves and going off to lunch together were once in the very same position as you are in. It will take time to acclimate yourself to your new surroundings, but know you are surrounded by a plethora of support every day.
Resource centre
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CV Tips
CV Tips
How to get an employer's attention and land an interview
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Interview Tips
Interview Tips
How to ace that upcoming interview
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Personal Branding
Personal Branding
Building your brand online and offline
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Salary Guides
Salary Guides
Benchmark your salary
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Career Planning
Career Planning
Job Hunting Tips
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Work Smarter
Work Smarter
Productivity and workplace wellbeing tips
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Jobs Market
Jobs Market
Market commentary and industry analysis
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Graduate Advice
Graduate Advice
Career advice for graduates
