The Workthing+ blog

Issue 44 - 10 ways to job-hunt during work hours

I’m about to fly off for some late summer sunshine, but there’s one topic I wanted to address first – the rights and wrongs of looking for a job during work time. After all, we know over 90% of job applications are made on company time – in fact, the single most popular time is Tuesday morning!

Job hunting at work is a risky business, as well as a moral and ethical minefield that I’ll neatly sidestep. If you’re going to do it, follow my practical tips to doing it right:

Issue 43 - I've got a criminal record - will it stop me from getting a job?

Q.   I’ve got a criminal record – will it stop me from getting a job?

I was convicted six months ago and now have a criminal record. I’ve just started looking for a job – do I need to tell future employers? Will my conviction stop me from getting a job?

E.R., Essex

Issue 42 - How do you present multiple jobs in the same company on a CV?

Q.   How do you present multiple jobs in the same company on a CV?

I’m a Finance Director and I’ve been ‘climbing the career ladder’ in the same company for twelve years. In that time, I’ve had a series of different jobs. How do I present these on my CV?

M.P. Brighton

Issue 41 - Debunking reference myths

References are an employer’s method of validating you. It’s a way for them to verify your work experience, professionalism and reliability, and it’s a crucial part of your job application.

Here’s everything you need to know about getting references right:


Myth #1 – You should include references on your CV

Your CV is a snapshot of your career achievements, skills and experience; it’s not the place for references. References are typically squeezed on the end of a crowded CV, and writing “References available on request” just states the obvious. Employers ask for references once an offer of employment has been made rather than at the first stage of the screening process.

Issue 40 - What's the best way to work with recruiters?

Q.   What's the best way to work with recruiters?

I’m signed up to recruitment agencies but I find their attitude towards their candidates extremely frustrating and haven’t had much success so far. What’s the best way to work with recruiters and search for jobs?

S.M., Cheltenham

Issue 39 - How can I make the most out of a networking meeting?

Q.   How can I make the most out of a networking meeting?

I’ve managed to secure a meeting with someone from a company I’d really like to work for. The thing is, I’m not a natural networker – can you advise me on how to play it?

P.K., Birmingham

Issue 38 - I went for a job interview during work hours and got caught - help!

Q.   I went for a job interview during work hours and got caught – help!

I told my manager I had a doctor’s appointment so I could go to an interview. Not only did I not get the job, but my manager found out and now he doesn’t trust me. How can I stop this from ruining my career?

F.T., London

Issue 37 - I’m going to enjoy handing in my notice!

Q.   I’m going to enjoy handing in my notice!

TCI – I’ve had enough. My manager is a tyrant; my salary is a joke, and I’ve been offered a decent new job. I’m going to hand in my notice and really going to tell the boss exactly what I think of her – what have I got to lose?

O.F., Manchester

Issue 36 - How to spot duff career advice

I can tell from my mailbag that not everybody likes what I have to say, but I tell it like it is because it helps you better understand what is expected of you as a jobseeker. What really gets my goat is when so-called ‘experts’ skirt around the issue and offer inane advice. Have a look at this Q&A scenario I read the other day:

Q. I’m tired of always just missing out. Could it be my face doesn’t fit?

A.

It’s an almost irresistible human instinct to look for patterns, to try to make sense of the otherwise confusing … you are beginning to believe … that there must be some common reason [for not getting the job]; but, in fact, you’re looking for a pattern where almost certainly none exists.

The danger of this line of thought is that it becomes destructive, and therefore self-fulfilling. Come to believe that your face doesn’t fit – that you’re destined to be the perpetual runner-up – and you’ll come across at interview as despairing and defeatist.

Issue 35 - Why do people moan about recruitment consultants?

Q.   Why do people moan about recruitment consultants?

Why do some people persist in moaning about recruitment consultants when we are doing everything we can to match the right candidates with the right jobs?

P.I., Hertfordshire

Issue 34 - How to spot bogus job adverts

I get many emails each month concerning fake jobs adverts, scams or ‘bait and switch’ fishing schemes. They’re annoying at best, illegal at worst – but not hard to spot if you know what to look for.

Jobseekers want to believe that the perfect job is out there for them, which makes them more susceptible to attacks from scammers. The potential consequences of not being vigilant can be as serious as ID fraud and theft.

When it comes to bogus job adverts, there are some common warning signs:

Issue 33 - What's more valuable - the job you do or the people you work with?

Q.   What’s more valuable – the job you do or the people you work with?

I’ve been offered a really interesting job that’s a logical career step. I was surprised to get the offer as although I gelled really well with one interviewer, I didn’t get the same vibe from the other. Now I’m not sure whether to take the job – what if all the team are like the person I didn’t click with?

P.W., Weston-Super-Mare

Issue 32 - How can Job Alerts boost my job search?

Q.   How can Job Alerts boost my job search?

I was looking on a jobsite and it kept prompting me to sign up to Job Alerts. Will these help with my job search? Is it worth signing up?

P.N., Warwickshire

Issue 31 - You are what you sell

It’s called ‘the job market’ for a reason: you need to sell. Think outside the ‘traditional’ jobseeking box and come up with new ways to sell yourself as a unique, innovative product. These days, there are better ways to impress employers than just a competent CV.

Desperate times have called for desperate measures. Some have chosen sandwich boards to advertise themselves to potential employers. Others have blagged free billboard space in central London. Even my waffle-free CV competition (#wfcv) inspired a successful Twitter recruitment campaign; here was the nifty tweet that won our Designer his job:

@xxxxxx (#wfcv) - My portfolio does all the talking. Either online (link) or downloadable pdf (link) - tweet me! 5:41 PM Mar 10th via web

Issue 30 - How to score your next job

Once you get past all the recent media excitement about the election results, the subject left dominating the news is the beautiful game. St. George’s flags, mugs and T-shirts have started cropping up in anticipation of the World Cup, Cameron’s backing England’s 2018 World Cup bid and Chelsea have knocked Man U off their Premiership perch.

But I’ve noticed in many of the interviews with pundits and footballers alike how they talk about the game using the same rhetoric that we use when we’re applying for a new role. Am I a footballer or an interviewee when I talk about the need to be “well prepared with only one chance to show people what I’m made of”, that there are “tough challenges ahead but with the desire and passion to get the job done I can prove my worth”, and “it’s all about knowing that I’ve done my best and being satisfied with the outcome”?

Issue 29 - Should I become a contractor?

Q.   I’ve just lost my permanent job in IT. Should I become a contractor?

I’ve just been made redundant from my job after ten years working for the same company. I work in the IT sector; should I apply for contract positions, or are these too volatile at this stage of my career? I’m worried it’s a young person’s game.

S.B., Middlesex

Issue 28 - Will the election affect my job search? ... THE RESULTS ARE IN

In a previous newsletter, I asked you about the upcoming election, and whether you think it’s going to have an effect on your job search. The results make interesting reading:

Who do you think is going to win the general election?
 

Issue 27 - There are no UK jobs – should I move abroad?

Q.   There are no UK jobs – should I move abroad?

I can’t find a job in the UK and I’m seriously considering emigrating. Where do I start?

R.T., London

Issue 26 - I haven't had a job for nearly a year - help!

Q.   

I’m unemployed but feel like my full-time job is looking for a job. It’s all I’ve done day-in, day-out, for almost a year now. I used to get recruiters phoning me for interviews, but I haven’t had a single lead for two months. Help!

T.M., Worcester

Issue 25 - Will the election affect my job search?

Q.   

I’m thinking of postponing my job search until after the election. Is this a good idea?

T.D., Middlesbrough