Simply Hired UK Blog

3 Costumes Job Seekers Wear Everyday

Guest post by Tony Morrison

Halloween is here and we all know what that means--costumes! 

Halloween provides children and adults alike the opportunity to become someone entirely different for a day. From ghoulish ghosts to wicked witches, your Halloween costume can be just about anything you want to be.

What some people don't realise is that, for the other 364 days of the year, job seekers have to wear their own costumes, just on the inside. They might not be flashy, but when used correctly, these costumes help job seekers get noticed and into a new job.

Check out these three costumes job seekers wear everyday:

Ballerina
In your job search, sometimes you need just a little finesse and flexibility to land that interview. Just like a ballerina, job seekers oftentimes need to perform complex maneuvers quickly and effortlessly to attract the right employers.

As a job seeker, jump into a new opportunity like it’s a performance. Practice what you’re going to say, dress your best, and develop your overall technique.

Robot
A robot never stops going, and as a job seeker, you shouldn't either. Of course, you need time to relax, but when you're on the clock, you need to be 100% in your job search. 

Persistence and energy are two important "cogs" in the job search robot you want to be.

Superman
We all know Superman is the man of steel. He can fly and has heat vision. Keeping his Kryptonite allergy under wraps, Superman appears to be unbeatable. Just like Superman, job seekers need to become a super version of themselves. 

We all have weaknesses, but it's up to us to keep them close while showing off our strengths. Instead of focusing on what you can't do, focus on what you can accomplish.

What do you think? What other costumes do job seekers have to wear every day? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

Tony Morrison is the Vice President at Cachinko, a unique professional community where social networking and job opportunities come together. Tony is focused on helping job seekers find their ideal job and employers attract and engage rock star candidates. Find him on Twitter and Talent Connection. And, connect with Cachinko on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Inclusive Management – What it is and Why it Matters

While new business and management terms seem to appear with the regularity of sunrise, not all are to be dismissed as meaningless. For example, 'inclusive management' is a term very much in vogue at the moment, most notably because a recent survey found that more than 84% of UK employees found it to be significant in improving their performance within the workplace. So what exactly is inclusive management, and why is it so influential amongst the modern day employee and job candidate?

What is Inclusive Management?

In purely definitive terms, inclusive management is a style and practice of leadership where staff members, industry experts, consumers and members of the public contribute fully towards resolving issues and helping an organisation to grow. While this provides a succinct summary of inclusive management as a concept, how exactly does this translate into everyday life and work?

• An inclusive manager will consult their staff and public bodies on a regular basis, and is unlikely to make authoritarian decisions or courses of action without debate and discussion. They will take numerous opinions on board in the course of their job, and actively seek these opinions from less proactive individuals.

• This type of management technique is associated largely with the public sector, however recent surveys and case studies are suggesting that it must become more prominent within the private sector also. This may help to improve the motivation of staff and consumers alike, and help to feel like they are contributing to an organisations success rather than simply acting as another cog in the wheel. 

• Inclusive management generally leads to a more open style of business operation and communication, with much more transparency in terms of a company’s code of conduct, recruitment strategies and its interaction with staff. Similarly, staff members are often afforded far more opportunities to improve themselves and their place within the organisation.

Why the Call for Inclusive Management Now?

While this type of management practice is clearly beneficial to employees and an organisation’s reputation, the question that remains is why has there been a sudden call for more UK firms to implement this into their businesses?

• The increasing pace of technological advancement (think of the period between 2005 and 2010 in particular) has made concepts such as crowd sourcing extremely popular amongst modern businesses and consumers. As every employee is also a customer at some time or another, they are used to participating in commercial growth and having their opinions recognised. 

• Socially, the world is a much more liberal place than it was even 20 years ago, where management was often authoritarian and staff were expected to simply complete their work and follow strict orders. Individuals today are far more informed and aware of their improved employee rights, and therefore increasingly respondent to empowering and inclusive management techniques.

• UK citizens have far more online tools at their disposal to boost their personal income, whether through freelancing or using their sales skills through sites like eBay. This independence has changed the employee’s mind set, and now is the time for organisations to recognise this and encourage collaboration between managers and staff.

Do you have an inclusive management style at work, and do you prefer this to others?

Using a Break in Employment to Pursue Your Dreams

Periods of unemployment can often be daunting for the job seeker, especially if they occur during times of economic hardship or recession, but a positive frame of mind is crucial to progressing your career goals and ambitions. In fact, the way in which we perceive situations and specific circumstances can dictate how we deal with their consequences, so there are many benefits to treating breaks in employment as launch pads for new and exciting career opportunities. So how do you make the most from your time in between jobs?

Regardless of whether you have a week or month in between positions of employment, this time can be used to actively improve your credentials as a candidate. Consider the following aspects as potential benefits of time out of work:

• A career path needs to be planned effectively, and periods of unemployment can be used to organise and plot the routes towards your future goals. Consider the industry in which you would like to work, the types of jobs that exist within this market and the most effective way to make your mark on potential employers.

• Even with a goal or career in mind, you may find yourself lacking a specific skill, requirement or requisite level of experience to achieve your aims. So use your time as a job seeker to find avenues of self-improvement and personal growth, and create the portfolio of a candidate who is ready to break into a chosen field or profession.

• As a precursor to beginning a new career or pursuing the role of your dreams, why not take the time to build up significant contacts amongst industry leaders, relevant web resources and recruitment bodies? This way, when the time to apply comes, you can call upon a supportive network of knowledge and practical advice.

With these benefits in mind, you’re probably already beginning to consider your flirtation with unemployment as more of an opportunity than a crisis. This positive and proactive outlook can prove to be a springboard for affirmative action, and help you to take steps towards your ideal career.

Sign up to as many UK news and information websites as possible, and configure alerts relevant to your industry or job market of choice. Then, as news breaks about employment trends that may influence your choice of career pursuits, you can remain informed and make well-considered and ultimately beneficial decisions.

Be specific when evaluating your skills or experience, and highlight genuine weaknesses that can be solved with a specific course or voluntary placement. This makes it easier to source a relevant program of learning or target a potential brand that may employ you, and it will provide you with a tailored plan and timeframe for improvement.

Networking is built upon the principle that you can never have too many industry contacts, so be proactive in finding and engaging potential employers of the future. Use Linkedin and other professional networking sites, and do not be afraid to create blog posts or relevant articles on your industry of choice to help forge connections and display your passion and knowledge.

With these steps in mind, time out of work need not be a harrowing or unduly stressful experience, and in fact provide the foundations for a long and satisfying career. What are your experiences of time spent in between jobs, and would you do things differently if you were in that situation today?

Changing Jobs? How to Write your Resignation Letter

Leaving a job is never an easy task. Writing your resignation letter can stir many emotions, especially if you are leaving an organisation that you have represented for many years, and it can be a challenge to reflect these feelings in a concise and professional manner. So, exactly what goes in to delivering the perfect resignation letter, and how do you ensure that you part with your employers on positive terms?

What is the Purpose of a Resignation Letter?

As a formal document, a resignation letter officially announces your intent to leave an organisation after an agreed notice period. It is usually the culmination of initial discussions between yourself and your employer, and is crucial in ensuring a swift and amicable separation before you begin your new job role. 

A resignation letter is a must whenever you leave a job or position of employment, and is a simple act of courtesy towards your employer. It is a gesture that is both professional and polite, and reflective of how you would like to be treated if an organisation chose to terminate your contract.

A resignation letter can also help to maintain good relations with your employers, and ensure that that you will receive positive references and letters of recommendation in the future. The world of employment is extremely variable, and it’s always wise to maintain as many contacts as possible.

Resignation letters are also useful legal documents, and offer clarity and protection to yourself and an employer alike. It may be filed for as a reference for any disputes over salary to be paid or an agreed notice period, and also established an official leaving date in writing for both parties. 

How to Write the Ideal Resignation Letter

While you may write a different style of letter depending on the nature of the job that you are leaving, there are certain fundamental details that should always be included. These will form the foundation of any resignation letter, and ensure that it provides the employer with as much information as they possibly need.

Remember to include every item of crucial information in your letter of resignation, and you can ensure this by making a brief list of these points before you begin writing. These must include your official leaving date, period of notice and any holiday that you deem to be outstanding.

It is also important to keep your letter of resignation as brief and succinct as possible, as this makes the purpose of each sentence stand out and clarifies your position clearly. Be sure to write your letter in formal English, delivering a document that is extremely professional and clinical.

Finally, it may be good practice to include a more informal thank you note with your letter, as this provides a necessary personal touch and displays a warm appreciation for your employer. This can help maintain future relationships, as well as advancing your reputation in your field of expertise. 

Share your own advice in the comments below.

Simply Hired Partners with Viadeo for a More Personalized Job Search Experience

Simply Hired is excited to announce the international expansion of its social job search feature, Who Do I Know®, with the integration of Viadeo, the professional social network with over 35 million members worldwide. Job seekers can now leverage their Viadeo contacts throughout their job search to see their connections in-line with their search results, allowing them to gain the inside track on getting hired.

The Viadeo social integration is available in 12 countries, including: 

• Argentina
• Austria
• Belgium
• Brazil
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Italy
• Mexico
• Netherlands
• Spain
• Switzerland 

To see your Viadeo connections in-line with your search results on one of the above Simply Hired sites, simply click connect on the right side of the search results page. You'll then be prompted to sign-in to your Viadeo account - don't worry, all activity will be kept private and won't be published on Viadeo. 

Voilà! After signing in you'll see your Viadeo connections alongside your search results. For more information on Simply Hired's Viadeo integration, read the full press release.