Tuesday 31 January 2012

Are graduate skills hitting the mark for top employers?

Despite some graduates struggling to find a position, top recruiters are still ‘falling short of recruitment targets’ according to a report by the Association for Graduate Recruiters, discussed on The Telegraph’s website.
Employers complained that some graduates lacked key skills although one respondent did say that “There’s a bit of panic out there so graduates are perhaps spending less time on their applications.” In the article, Carl Gilleard, chief executive of the AGR, says that he is still "cautiously optimistic for graduate recruitment in 2012” and that ‘employers do value graduates that have work experience and those students that have undertaken a year in industry as part of a four-year degree.” AGR also found the average starting salary to be £25,000 with a small rise expected in 2012. To maximise your opportunities in this year’s recruitment drive from key employers such as BAE Systems and Unilever, read the full article at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9036281/Third-of-companies-struggling-to-recruit-skilled-graduates.html

Monday 23 January 2012

Are you sitting comfortably?

If you’re sitting at your desk reading this then it’s probably time that you got up and got moving. Recent research presented last week at an Occupational Psychology conference, suggests that the average worker spends 5 hours and 41 minutes sitting at their desk, doing little for either their physical or mental health.
According to Dr Myanna Duncan and colleagues from the Work & Health Research Centre at Loughborough University, people who sit for extended periods at work are also likely to sit more at home with corresponding increases in their BMI scores and waistlines. In an 18 month survey, 70% of employees did not meet the guidelines for physical activity. Dr Duncan’s advice is to “go and talk to your colleagues face to face, it’s a lot more sociable and better for you than emailing them.” For more details about the survey, read this article and others on Occupational Health on the Psypost website http://www.psypost.org/2012/01/office-workers-spend-too-much-time-at-their-desks-9087

Monday 16 January 2012

Job search skills – new and old school

Are you using a wide range of techniques to get that new role? Even in just the last few years, techniques and opportunities to stand out amongst the crowd may have changed yet old ones are still relevant.
The article from the International Association of Administrative Professionals looks at what not to do and then what to try instead. Although best practice use of social media is discussed, it also advises considering an ‘old-school approach’ in some circumstances. One of the tips: ‘Sending your resume and cover letter on high-quality paper via the post office may seem outdated, but people receive so little mail today that your hard-copy materials could pay off.’ Other tips to stand out from a pool of applicants are follow-up phone calls ‘Don’t assume they’re not interested’ and thank you notes or emails. To review your approach to job searching and interviews see the full article at http://www.iaap-hq.org/press-release/officeteam-reveals-mistakes-could-derail-your-job-search

Monday 9 January 2012

Local Business Admin Courses

There are many qualifications to consider in business administration, depending on your current level of education. Locally in Gloucestershire, at Gloucestershire College, there are a number of Business Administration courses available, both part-time and full-time. The website page for these business diplomas also have details of the wide range of employment sectors available to someone with such a qualification.
If you already have a similar qualification, remind yourself of the range of employment sectors open to you. The website offers a list of careers that could be open to someone with a Business Administration or Management diploma: ‘Personal Assistant, Bilingual PA, Business Advisor, Business Analyst, Executive Officer, Office Manager, Practice Manager, Resource Manager, Senior Fund Administration Manager, Account Co-ordinator and Project Manager.’ The website also reminds potential students that opportunities lie in both small and large companies and also in local and national government. Get more details at http://www.gloscol.ac.uk/zenntrix.aspx?a_name=courses

Tuesday 3 January 2012

Internal or external job interview – the same rules apply

If you’re looking for a new job or career opportunity in 2012, you may be looking both external and internally for that move. For maximum job-hunting and interview success, make sure you approach either option professionally. In an article on the post-graduate careers blog from Salford University, there are tips on how to approach an interview for a position within your existing company along with a useful short video on how not to do it. A professional approach still applies, as well as researching the new position and remembering that your reputation, good or bad, may precede you.
The article also advises what approach to take if the interview is as a result of company restructuring. “Park any ambivalence at the door’ is one piece of advice as well as dressing to impress – ‘up a notch’ from your normal work attire. For interview tips that apply to a wide range of situations, read the full article at http://pgblog.careers.salford.ac.uk/2011/11/how-to-survive-an-internal-job-interview/