Social media no-nos when starting a new job

Posted by Monique Holtman
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We’re all well aware that when looking for a new job it’s important to be incredibly careful with what we’re posting on our social media pages. How you manage your online presence after you’ve secured that job is just as crucial however and experts say that new hires often make the mistake of forgetting the incredible impact that social media can have on their careers.

Read below to find out some of the biggest social media no-nos employees make when starting a new job and how you can avoid them.

Friend request your boss

We all find it a little bit exciting when we get a new Facebook friend but leave your boss well out of it. As tempting as it may be and no matter how well you get along, it simply isn’t worth it. You may post something you thought was perfectly innocent but could actually get you into trouble and furthermore, if they’re not particularly active on Facebook it’s easy to forget they’re there and all it takes is one status update where you’re moaning about your job or boss to land you in the deep end.

Delete old colleagues

Even though you’ve moved on, don’t delete old colleagues as soon as you’ve walked out that door. It can be a sign that you’re the type of person who is prone to burning professional bridges and keeping these connections can actually be beneficial because social media can be such a strong networking tool.

Bad-mouth your previous employer

All the contracts have been signed and it’s official – you have a new job so now it’s safe to say what you really thought of your old job/boss. This is never a good idea no matter how much time has passed. If your current employer happens to see it you will come across as incredibly unprofessional and chances are they will worry what you’re saying about them as well.

Checking social media at work

Different companies have varying policies when it comes to checking social media at work – some strictly forbid it whilst others turn a blind eye providing that all work is being completed. When you are new to a job it’s best to avoid it altogether however. You want to come across as professional, hard-working and enthusiastic but being seen updating your status in your first few days will convey the exact opposite. Even once you have been there for a while try to keep it to a minimum otherwise people will rightly assume that you have nothing else to do.

Update your privacy settings

Trying to understand social media’s privacy settings can be a full time job in itself and we have all been caught out posting something we thought only our connections could see but actually it was open to the whole world. It’s always wise to check your privacy settings every once in a while but it’s even more important to ensure this when you have started a job because you don’t want your new employer reading something about you that you didn’t want them to see.

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The A – Z guide of smart recruitment

Posted by Monique Holtman

As the world becomes increasingly digital, the way many companies do business has changed dramatically. With social media and smart phones being used more than ever, the recruitment industry has seen some of the biggest changes that have taken place.

When changes take place it’s important for any business to adapt to them in order remain successful so the infographic below provides a helpful A – Z guide of smart recruiting.

Smart Recruiting Guide

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What recruiters are thinking during your job interview – infographic

Posted by Monique Holtman

Job interviews are a nerve-wracking experience and no matter how much preparation you do, it’s perfectly normal to have a few last-minute jitters before meeting your potential future employer.

This fantastic infographic that was put together by theundercoverrecruiter.com highlights exactly what makes a recruiter think you’re either perfect for the job or not such a great candidate. Bear these in mind at your next job interview and chances are that you will walk out feeling much more confident.

Job Interview

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The things you do every day at work that are a complete waste of time

Posted by Monique Holtman

Relax at workMost of us will admit that we’re guilty of wasting time at work every once in a while. Whether it’s checking personal emails, having a sneaky peak at our Facebook page or prolonging a tea-making session to have a gossip with colleagues, a staggering 89% of us admit to wasting time in the office.

Although there are some glaringly obvious ways of wasting the day away, there are a number of things that many businesses do every day without realising is a complete waste of time and resources. Are you guilty of any of the below?

Meetings

Frequent and prolonged meetings are without a doubt one of the biggest drains on small business efficiency. How many times do you find yourself in back-to-back meetings or find that even a one hour meeting ends up taking over your whole day because of travelling and the preparation involved?

Although meetings can be essential, there are many things you can do to prevent them from becoming counter-productive. Start by having an agenda – a set time the meeting starts, a set time it will finish and a clear outline of what will be discussed and what the objectives are.

Try not to involve too many people because this is often why meetings end up turning into a day-long event. If it involves clients, customers or employees from other sites, think about whether it would be more time-effective to have a video or phone conference.

IT Issues

How often does your business face down-time thanks to a computer or Internet related issue? Unfortunately, no matter what you do, from time to time this is going to happen. However, there are a number of things you can do to reduce the frequency of this happening and the amount of time you are affected for.

A lot of companies swear by Macs because they are easy to set up and require little, if any, external support. Cloud computing can also help to make your business run more efficiently because something like Google Docs for example makes it very easy for your whole team to work on the same document. Business accounts can be handled by a range of competitively priced cloud services while Dropbox is great for saving time and hard disk space when storing and sharing large files.

Paperwork    Businessman Overwhelmed with Paperwork

Whether you’re a business owner, manager or employee, we all know that paperwork can take up hours of our day. Although all these admin tasks are a necessary evil, you can help to make life a lot easier for yourself.

Consider using a document management tool to help you catalogue and search the items you need to file. Make sure that you have a system in place and that everybody sticks to it. If everyone is using their own method it becomes complicated and time consuming. Finally, if your business really does deal with an abundance of paperwork, consider employing someone to handle this to free up some of your time.

Do you have any helpful time-saving tips? Feel free to share them with our readers below.

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The most common mistakes employers make when it comes to recruitment

Posted by Monique Holtman
www.freedigitalphotos.net

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The recruitment process is a difficult one to get right and even if you’re using an agency to help, it’s still important that you get your part right. Making mistakes can be costly and very time consuming but fortunately, we have over a decade’s worth of experience when it comes to this so below we have listed some of the most common recruitment blunders so you know how to avoid them.

Poor pre-screening

The number of applications job vacancies receive is at an all-time high which means that companies are frequently left sifting through dozens of cvs without a clue who to interview. Recruitment agencies can prove to be incredibly valuable at times like this because they can screen and meet any candidates before putting them forward to you. If you don’t want to use an external recruiter, consider doing a quick phone interview with those you think are the most suitable. Immediately eliminating candidates who are looking for too much money, are lacking the right experience or you simply don’t click with will save you a lot of time in the long-run.

Lack of preparation

Whether you are the one conducting the interview or attending the interview, everyone will agree that a large part of them is taken up by explaining the company’s history and what the job will entail. The problem with this is that many employers overlook the fact that the more a candidate knows about the role and the business, the better they can prepare for the interview and the more likely you are to find that perfect candidate.

It’s not just candidates who have to prepare for the recruitment process however. A disorganised interviewer could miss out key information, will put quality candidates off and is highly unlikely to hire the right person.

Looking for personality over skills and experience

If you are going to be working with someone every day for the foreseeable future, it’s obvious that you’re going to want to hire someone that you like and get on with. While having a new pal at work would be great, unfortunately, hiring the strongest, smartest and all-round best candidate is far more important. If you do interview someone who on paper looks great but upon meeting them you and your team feel strongly that you couldn’t work with that person – then sure, listen to your instincts. However, if you want your recruitment drive to be successful, it’s vital to think with your head and remember that you’re not recruiting a new pub buddy – you need someone who is going to be great at their job.

Settling for an average candidate

When you have a pile of work stacking up and an urgent vacancy to fill, it’s incredibly tempting to hire the first person that walks through the door and hope for the best. You might get lucky but more often than not, you just end up with an even bigger problem – an employee who isn’t suitable for the job so you have to let them go and a job vacancy all over again. If you find yourself in this situation you’re much better off hiring a temp so you can take the time you need to find the right person. Plus, you never know – that temp very well could end up being your perfect candidate.

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UK Recruitment – all the latest facts and figures

Posted by Monique Holtman
Jobs

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Early on in January, we published a blog revealing that analysts were predicting continued job growth in 2014 and it’s safe to say that they certainly got that one right. The news that everyone has long been waiting for is finally here – UK recruitment is well and truly back on the rise.

Below are all the latest and most up to date facts and figures about everything you could possibly need to know about UK recruitment.

  • Figures released by a Total Jobs survey show an eight per cent rise in the number of jobs available across the UK for the first three months of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2013.
  • This has triggered a fall in competition for jobs, with the number of applications per job falling by two per cent over the same period.
  • The sectors that have witnessed the biggest growth include education with a 22 per cent rise, property with a 19 per cent rise and graduate jobs with an 11 per cent rise.
  • Sectors that have witnessed a decline in job opportunities over the last year include catering and hospitality (10 per cent) as well as travel, leisure and tourism (22 per cent decline).
  • The accounting/financial sector took the top spot in May’s demand for permanent staff – overtaking engineering.
  • Demand for staff in the private sector has remained considerable stronger than the public sector. However, both sectors have witnessed faster vacancy growth for permanent staff than temporary staff.
  • Hourly pay rates for temporary and contract staff are rising at the fastest pace since December 2007.
  • Blue collar workers suffered the slowest growth rate despite these being the most in-demand when it comes to temporary staff.
  • The availability of permanent candidates has fallen at the sharpest rate since November 2007. Furthermore, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC)’s monthly Report on Jobs has revealed that the number of candidates applying for permanent jobs is at its lowest rate for more than 16 years now. With the number of job openings continuing to rise, it can become very difficult for companies to find the high quality candidates that they need. If you find yourself struggling, please don’t hesitate to contact Choralis and we will be more than happy to help.

Commenting on the latest findings surrounding UK recruitment, REC’s CEO, Kevin Green said:

“The UK’s boom continues with vacancies increasing as employers look for new workers to meet increasing demand and to replace staff that have been snapped up by competitors. The creation of these jobs, combined with the return of job fluidity, is creating a dynamic labour market. However, the big issue remains that employers are finding it hard to find the talent and skills they need”.

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Recruitment Market Analysis – Infographic

Posted by Monique Holtman

In April 2014, the UK’s job market witnessed a decline in both permanent and temporary vacancies on a month-by-month basis.

Education & Training, Health & Safety and Recruitment Consultancies have taken over as the top three sectors with the strongest quarterly growth for permanent roles. Graduates & Trainees and Building & Construction are the top performing sectors for temporary.

The infographic below which was produced by Broadbean Technology, details the recruitment market analysis for April 2014.

RMA

RMA4

RMA2

RMA3

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The jobs that are predicted to become extinct within the next 10 years

Posted by Monique Holtman
Supermarket

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Last week we brought you five rather interesting jobs that are predicted to exist in the future. While industries continue to evolve thanks to changing technologies, this also means that there are a number of roles that are predicted to become extinct. Below are some of the disappearing jobs that experts envisage won’t be around to see in the next decade.

Supermarket Cashiers

Shopping for groceries has changed so much in recent years and advancing technology means that it’s set to change even more in the future. With more and more people using self-service checkouts and online shopping, there’s a huge possibility that there will be very little or absolutely no demand for supermarket cashiers within the next few years.

Freight/Stock Workers

Unloading trucks and unpacking shipments creates hundreds and thousands of jobs all around the world and provides fantastic opportunities for those who have language barriers or educational limitations. People who have been predicting that robots are going to end up taking over the world are right in this case. Kiva Robotics, the most advanced company in its industry, makes robots that can run stock rooms with minimal human intervention. From an employer’s perspective, this is great news because they save on wages and high insurance costs but for workers it’s not such great news because thousands of these valued positions are set to become redundant.

Newspaper Delivery    

Newspaper

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The sale of newspapers is already in rapid decline thanks to the phenomenal popularity of the Internet. Once upon a time people used to get their morning paper delivered to their front door and would enjoy catching up on the news with their breakfast. These days however, online editions have taken over and people will read the news on their smart phone, iPad, tablet or laptop.

Travel Agents

Once again, the Internet has had a huge impact on the travel industry. Back in the day, if people wanted to go on holiday, they needed to go into a travel agent to book one. These days however, flights, accommodation, car rental, insurance and anything else you could possibly need for a trip abroad is available quickly and easily at the touch of a button.

Word Processors/Typists

There has always been a requirement for those who type up meeting notes, contracts and any other important documents that a company might need. Whereas there will always be a demand for this kind of service, the problem is that dictation technology is becoming increasingly advanced. Apple already uses Siri and many other companies are following suit which means that sure enough, before we know it, a computer will be typing up our notes for us.

Do you think it’s a good thing or a bad thing that technology looks set to replace a lot of the jobs we are used to seeing people doing? Let us know your thoughts below.

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Jobs that are predicted to exist in the future

Posted by Monique Holtman
Robot

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With technology advancing at an incredible pace, the workplace has seen huge changes over the last decade. As well as improving the way we work, many new jobs and industries have been created as a result. For example, SEO experts and website designers are in high demand as are online shopping and price comparison websites. What can we expect for the future however? Below are just a few jobs that are predicted to surface within the next 15 years.

Telesurgeon

Telesurgery, also known as remote surgery, will allow trained surgeons to operate on patients remotely using robotic arms, a master controller and a sensory system that provides feedback back to the surgeon. Although this makes it sound like studying to become a surgeon will become a whole lot easier, in fact, as well as a degree in medication, surgeons will also need to have a background in robotics and telecommunication technology.

Rewilder

It’s no secret that concerns are growing for the effect that humans are having on the environment. Although there are many charities and groups who are already doing everything they can to help reverse the damage, in the not too distant future, this is likely to go one step further. The job of a rewilder will be to help undo the damage that we have caused to the countryside. Duties are set to include tearing down fences and ripping apart roads and replacing them with forests and natural greenery.

End of Life Therapist

As people continue to live longer and longer, planning for the last stages of life is not only going to become standard practice, but an absolute necessity. It will be the role of End of Life Therapists to act as a guide for those planning the years before their death.

Robot Counsellor

As robots start to play an even bigger role in our lives, it’s predicted that it won’t be uncommon for those with a healthy bank balance to own robots that act as servants or caregivers. It won’t be as simple as walking into a shop and buying your very own robot however. Those looking to purchase one for their home will need to work with a robot counsellor who will help to determine which model is best suited to the family’s needs. If a particular robot doesn’t fit in with the family, the counsellor will be on hand to determine better options as well as provide additional care and customer service.

Localiser

As technology has continued to advance over the last few decades, there is no question about it that the world has become increasingly globalised. Believe it or not, by 2030 it is predicted that the focus will shift back to local communities who are going to rely less on the global marketplace thanks to breakthroughs in solar and wind power, at home 3D printing and the return of gardening.

What are your predictions for the job market over the next 15 years and which roles would you like to see introduced? Let us know your thoughts below.

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The seven deadly job hunting sins

Posted by Monique Holtman
Job search

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Regardless of whether this is your first time job hunting or you have been there and done that many times, unfortunately, looking for a job never seems to get any easier or quicker. It can be a long-winded and time consuming process but that’s because it’s important that you find the right job and company for you. Jump into something without thinking about it and chances are you will find yourself looking for a new job once again before the year is over.

What are the other mistakes candidates make when looking for a job? Below we reveal the seven deadly job hunting sins – steer well clear of them and you may even speed up the job hunting process.

Ignoring hidden opportunities

Nobody likes to shout about it when they’re unemployed but completely hiding it can massively hinder your job search. Mention it to friends, family and any relevant contacts you have because you never know – they might just know someone recruiting in your field.

Not updating your skills

When we leave a role, we tend to add the details of our latest job to our CV and that’s it. The problem with this is that the skills you gained in a job 10 years ago may have absolutely no relevance in today’s economy. Have a good read through your CV and make sure that you’re only including information that is going to help you secure a new job.

Furthermore, recruiters tend to search job boards using keywords (job titles, skills and qualifications) so it’s vital that your CV contains the right ones. Make sure you’re up to date with your industry terminology and include it in your CV because without it, there is an incredibly high possibility that recruiters will never even know you exist.

Not communicating with your references

Whether you list your references on your CV or pass on their details once you have been offered a job – make sure you do two things. Firstly, ask the person if they’re happy for you to put their name down. If they get a completely unexpected call they will be taken aback and unprepared which could be detrimental to you. Secondly, don’t be afraid to let them know the kind of roles you are going for so they know the relevant achievements, strengths and skills to discuss with your prospective employer.

Making it all about the money

If you turn up to a job interview and the first thing that comes out your mouth is asking how much the job pays, you can pretty much guarantee you will be unsuccessful. No employer wants to feel like the only reason you’re there is because you need money. Take your time in understanding the role, its objectives and the opportunities it will provide you with. Once you are confident that the role is worth pursuing and you have built a rapport with your interviewer, then you can bring up the topic of money. Try to leave it until the very end because chances are the interviewer will have already mentioned it by then.

Getting too personal

Chances are that at some point during your interview you will be asked to tell your interviewer a bit about yourself. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking this means they want to know what you like doing at the weekend and what you watch on TV. Whatever your answer, relate it to the job you are interviewing for. For example, you can say you went to university to study in your field, mention any courses or seminars you have attended and any leisure activities you do try and relate it to your work. Competing in a race for example can show an employer that you’re ready for a challenge and can be focused and determined.

Talking too much

Bored

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In your first interview try to limit your conversation to what you can bring to the company. At this stage all the employer wants to know is if you’re the right fit by keeping them there talking for hours they are likely to become bored which may affect your chances of getting a second interview.

Not approaching companies directly

Job boards are a great way of finding and applying for jobs. However, don’t limit yourself just to this. If there are any particular companies you really want to work for, keep an eye on their website for vacancies. There is nothing wrong with approaching companies directly and it shows you have initiative which is going to impress any employer.

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