Getting a seat on the board - advice for women

What does it take to get to a senior level as a woman? In an interview in the Telegraph, Alison Robb, group director at Nationwide Building Society, talks about making yourself heard and getting connected. Interviewed by Louisa Peacock, Alison Robb explains how she took decisive steps from university choices to taking a range of roles that would give her a wide range of experience.
She explains that women need to be resilient saying, ‘things will always go wrong and it is how you deal with these challenges that makes you stand out.” She also stresses the importance of networking especially for women and is a member of Everywoman, a women’s business networking association. These contacts help you to “work out who is influential and talk to people about what success looks like and how they have achieved their goals.” For more tips on getting to the top read the full article at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9069950/Careers-advice-How-Nationwides-Alison-Robb-made-it-to-the-top.html

Warning on apprenticeship schemes

During National Apprenticeship Week, some organisations and employers are urging government to ensure that future apprenticeships have real value. According to an article in The Daily Telegraph by Louise Peacock, employers warn that ‘the value of apprenticeships is being dragged down by “quickie” courses that do not lead to proper jobs.’
Official figures showed that one in five apprenticeships lasted less than six months, often with jobs going to existing workers meaning that few new jobs were being created. Some companies involved with a range of apprentice schemes include Morrisons, Asda, BAE, Siemens and Starbucks. A good apprenticeship scheme is seen as a real benefit in many areas. The article includes comments from Semta, the skills council which said ‘ more businesses should invest in apprenticeships to give them a competitive advantage.’ To read the full article visit http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/jobs/9062660/Employers-warn-on-quickie-apprenticeships.html

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

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

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

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

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/