The Workthing+ blog

Hot sectors: August 2009

If you’re looking to explore new career options, it’s in your interest to research different sectors to identify those hot sectors you could transfer to. Trends in executive appointments are a key indicator of activity levels in individual sectors. Overall, this month’s report (source: Alert Data Management Moves) shows that there are more appointments than departures, indicating a positive upwards trend in the economy.

For the first time in our analysis, Public Sector has been knocked off the top spot in terms of the number of appointments made – perhaps a sign of things to come in 2010? Some active employers include the Competition Commission, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Office of Fair Trading.

Prove that you can do the job

When employers look to hire candidates, there are three things that they want you to demonstrate:

1. Can this person do the job? The employer wants to find out if you have the relevant skills, ability and experience.
2. Will this person do the job for us? The employer wants to know what personally motivates you and what your longer-term plans are.
   
3. Will this person fit into our culture? The employer will judge you on your interpersonal skills.
   
   

The purpose of a face-to-face interview is for the employer to establish if you can do the last two things. If you’ve been invited to an interview, then they already know that the first point has already been ticked off. This is a good point to keep telling yourself if you’re feeling nervous. Motivate yourself with the fact that the employer already thinks you can do the job. You should then be able to go into your interview with confidence.

"Jobseekers forced to accept pay cuts of 10%"

"Jobseekers are being forced to accept pay cuts of up to ten per cent, or more than £2,000 on average, to find employment in the difficult job market. With unemployment at its highest rate since 1996, finding permanent work is not easy.

According to online career managing website Workthing+, would-be employees are prepared to make both financial and lifestyles compromises to find a new job. Nearly half would accept a pay cut of ten per cent while one in ten respondents would take a pay cut of up to 30 per cent."

Printed in The Mail on Sunday, 13th September 2009, Business Briefing section

"What are my career options in the field of sport and leisure?"

Can you help? Leave your comments below.

How far should I go for a new job?

I am being quite literal here. “How far do I have to travel to do something new?” is a question that a lot of people are asking themselves. This is not only an issue for people whose jobs are being ‘regionalised’, of which I seem to know quite a few. But it can also be a question for people with great opportunities in strange places. And in some big cities, like London, a new job on a different tube or train line can have sizable lifestyle implications too.

I believe there are two ways of looking at the issue. One is to think in terms of what you obviously would have to give up. That list can grow in length very rapidly, usually late at night on your tube ride home.

Many people have never filed taxes in another country, don’t know if their cat could survive in a new climate, really like their local takeaway, or have an in-built prejudice against something about ‘that other place’.

This is usually a process that doesn’t lead to a very happy place.

"How do I turn down unsuitable temporary roles without offending my agency and losing out on future roles?"

Can you help? Leave your comments below.

"IT workers for rent? Avoid a paycut with Workthing+"

"An unemployed IT worker has grabbed the attention of bosses by putting up roadside adverts asking for a job. Gordon Wild Flynn has tackled the recession head-on by placing estate agent-style boards outside hi-tech firms in Reading stating: ‘IT/Project Manager FOR RENT.’

... - Nearly half of Reading’s job seekers would take a 10 per cent pay cut – or £3,000 a year - to get a new job, according to research.

One in five unemployed folk quizzed by Workthing+ said they would accept a 20 per cent slash in pay to return to the world of work."

Printed in The Bracknell and Ascot Times, (published online on Get Bracknell), 16th September 2009


Read the rest of this article here...


Also printed in The Reading Evening Post, (published online on Get Reading), 16th September 2009


Read the rest of this article here...

Interview with Laura Thomson - Training and Development Consultant

Laura Thomson has extensive experience in recruitment, training and development. She has worked for Lloyds TSB, Office Angels Ltd, Adecco and Ann Summers and is currently a freelance trainer. She has inspired many individuals over the years to sharpen their sales and management skills to optimise their performance.

Laura now balances her time running Phenomenal Training (delivering training for clients including DHL, Ann Summers, Fired Earth, Macmillan Cancer, AGA Rangemaster, Nightfreight) with pro-bono work for worthy causes, and learning the art of swing-dancing…

How important is training for career development?

Training is crucial for career development for two reasons. Firstly, it helps you acquire skills and confidence. Secondly, it gives you the energy, focus and commitment you need to demonstrate to a potential employer.

Learning and acquiring new skills is a key competency that is vital for you to have if you want to keep up with the changing pace of the workplace.

Interview with Dr. John McGurk - CIPD Adviser on Learning, Talent and Development

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people.

Dr. John McGurk is the CIPD Adviser on Learning, Talent and Development. Having been through many career transitions, he’s currently a qualified career and business coach with a background both in academics and as a skilled labourer.

He talks to Natalie Harris about how you can practically find and apply for jobs and how you should always be focussing on the next stage of your career.

How many jobs are out there?

There’s a government figure that 20,000 plus jobs are advertised on Jobcentre Plus every day, although this has obviously fallen in recent months.

Bear in mind that there are always companies looking out for new talent, whatever level you’re at, and so there are always jobs available.

Issue 5 - Should I switch to the public sector?

Q.    Should I switch to the public sector?

I’ve just been made redundant and I’m thinking of heading in a new career direction. I used to hear lots of good things about the public sector, but recently it’s had a bit of bad press … is it an option worth pursuing?

N.U., Milton Keynes

Success Story: "I felt like I was reading my exact story, down to the offer. Wow."

You guys are so right.
 
I recently got a job offer from a small to medium enterprise (SME).
 
Everything you said (in your last newsletter) about being interviewed by SMEs actually applied and I felt like I was reading my exact story, down to the offer. Wow.
 
Regards,

E.C.

Hello readers!

I do enjoy a good success story.

Has my advice helped you with your career?

Get in contact with me, The Career Insider, and tell me all about it. If your success story is selected for publication, all personally-identifiable information will be removed from the published synopsis.

Keep an eye out for my next newsletter, and don't forget to keep commenting on this blog.

Yours,

TCI

"I can't afford to work a four day week - but my contract prevents me from looking for work with a competitor."

Can you help? Leave your comments below.

"I feel a bit cheated out of my part-time hours following maternity leave."

Can you help? Leave your comments below.

"I want to work hard knowing that what I put into my job will be reflected well in my pay."

Can you help? Leave your comments below.

Success Story: "How I cracked the toughest job market for 20 years"

“After two redundancies in 12 months, 140 days of unemployment, 162 job applications, 15 unsuccessful interviews and three retracted job offers, I realised I needed to do something radical to succeed in my job search.”

Johanna Courtney, 31, South London


Why did you sign up to Workthing+?

“I was lucky enough to get a sneak preview of Workthing+ and joined a beta version of the site having worked with an affiliated organisation in the past. I used Workthing+ to gain reassurance that I was doing everything correctly and to get tips and tricks on how to hone my skills. I also wanted to get expert advice and to keep motivated by taking a proactive approach to managing my career.