Planning and organisation Before you start searching for a new role it is extremely important that you know what you are looking for. What type of position do you want? What sort of company do you want to work for? What are your career aspirations and long-term goals? What is important to you? Once you have decided that you can focus your job search to ensure that your next career move is taking you on the right path. Organisation is also key, make sure that you are tracking who you have applied to, so you do not send out duplicate applications which can be detrimental to your application. Research, advice and guidance If you are looking to change industry sector or progress to a different role then it is a good idea to gain advice and insight into what this will be like. Recruiters will be able to give you up to date advice on the market and different job roles and sectors. You should also speak to friends, family, colleagues and network connections to find out their views and experience. It is also important that you are realistic about what your next career move looks like so research all aspects and then be honest with yourself about whether you have the skills and experience to work in that role. Update your CV Your CV is one of the first things a company will see from you, so it is vitally important that it is up to date and accurate. It isn’t just your last position that will need updating but also any new achievements and skills that you have gained since your last career move. CV feedback is always helpful so again ask friends or colleagues to read through and let you know what they would change and if they feel it sells you as an individual. For more CV writing tips please see our separate CV Writing page (Can we hyperlink this?) The importance of social media Employers will often check all social media accounts, so you need to ensure that they are all up to date and accurate. LinkedIn is the most obvious and important profile to consider and needs to match your CV in terms of career details and skills. However other accounts such as Twitter and Facebook can give more personal insight into you so ensure that you are happy with the information you have shared and delete anything that you’re not. Cover letters Cover letters should be bespoke for every role you apply for and offer an excellent opportunity to pass on additional information about yourself and your suitability for a role. It can be useful to create a template which you adjust as required to save yourself the time of writing one from scratch with every application. Market yourself and network To be effective at securing a new role you need to network with as many people as possible and allow yourself to be found and contacted. Anything in person is useful but you will also see a great benefit online. Recruiters and companies utilise LinkedIn and online job boards to find suitable candidates for roles, so it is useful to have your CV available on them. You should also make the most of your contacts in the industry to let them know you are available for new opportunities, so they can recommend you and share information. For more networking tips please see our Networking Tips Page (Hyperlink) Make yourself available and be proactive It is important to make yourself available and easily contactable during job searching. A mobile phone number with a voicemail facility is imperative along with a personal email account that you regularly check and use. You also cannot rely on sending off a job application and hearing something back. Work with your recruiter to target suitable companies, follow up for feedback and register your interest. Interviews Interviews are your opportunity to make a good first impression, so preparation is everything. Know where you are going so that you are on time and dress appropriately in a professional manner. Consider your answers to interview questions in advance so you are armed with good responses. Make sure you have researched the company, so you can use the interview to find out more about them and portray exactly why you want the job. Finally make sure you know your CV, so you can easily answer any questions around your experience, skills and achievements. This is your opportunity to show why you are right for this role and to check it is the correct position for you. For further interview advice please see our Interviewing Advise Page (Hyperlink) Cover all bases The most important part of job searching is making sure that you dedicate enough time to it. You need to ensure that you are organised and prepared in all aspects of searching for a role. Take on board feedback and utilise this in future applications and remain on top of the roles and companies you have applied to. Engaging with a specialist recruitment agency will really support you with this.

Networking takes on many forms and is an incredibly important part of both the recruitment process and career development in general. Business networking is now a regular place for hiring conversations to begin and often companies find you rather than you searching for jobs. Online Social networking is one of the most important aspects of todays’ business world – this includes LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and numerous online forums On LinkedIn, connecting with and following people, groups and companies in your sector allows you to gain insight and knowledge and remain up-to-date. Use social media to help you to determine the target companies you would like to work for and follow them to keep on top of their business news Raise your profile by participating in online discussions and forums Join relevant industry groups to keep abreast of the sector, meet new contacts and remain relevant. These include communities on LinkedIn and Google+ Research your interviewers before meeting with them to see their work background, qualifications and interests. In Person Preparation is key for networking events – you should plan conversation starters and ice breakers in advance as well as any key questions you would like to discuss Body language is extremely important so try to keep eye contact, act confidently and try to avoid crossing your arms and fidgeting Following up on new contacts is extremely important so swap business cards/ contact details with anyone you engage in conversation with Schedule time after events to follow up with emails, social media contact and or phone calls depending on what is the most relevant.

First impressions count and your Curriculum Vitae is your first opportunity to impress an employer. A well-constructed CV should highlight your skillset and experience, as well as communicating any key achievements and attributes. The following tips should help ensure that you present a professional document and maximise your chances of getting the opportunity to attend an interview. Presentation Your CV should ideally be no more than 2-3 pages long The font type and size should be easy to read and consistent throughout the document Type all job titles in a bold to make them stand out Put all information on jobs and education in reverse chronological order as the most recent information is the most relevant for potential employers Include the month/ year of employment for each individual job and ensure the dates run sequentially. Explain any career gaps Make sure the overall presentation looks neat and tidy and align paragraphs and margins When you have finished ensure you check the spelling and punctuation and if possible ask a friend or family member to proof read for you. Key Information to include A personal statement or list of key professional attributes is a good way of highlighting your key skills Make sure your specific duties are covered in all roles A career objective can be useful that highlights exactly the type of role that you are looking for Wherever possible include quantifiable facts and figures – particularly when highlighting your key achievements A summary of your education and membership of any relevant professional associations Information to exclude Salary – a figure could be too low or too high and you could get ruled out – negotiable is adequate if you must put a salary down Reasons for leaving a job – if this information is required it can be discussed at interview stage Referees – your CV is there to sell you and show that you are suitable for a role. Referees details or references and testimonials can be passed across at a later stage in the process Photographs – there is no reason why you need to include a photograph unless it is specifically requested Any personal information relating to your age, religion, race or sexual orientation Going the extra mile Ensure that your CV is achievements orientated and highlights all your key successes Include keywords to allow your CV to be found on job boards and by recruiters more easily Transferable skills are just as important as key achievements so include things like communication skills and management ability Tailor your CV for each individual application so you can ensure that the most relevant experience and skills are highlighted

Working as an interim can be an on-going career choice or short-term solution. The benefits of working as an interim can include: The opportunity to add new skills or different projects to your career to date as well as expanding your remit and getting better visibility of how different parts of the industry works A way to try out a new geographical location before committing to relocating long-term The opportunity to experience new industry sectors and different aspects of roles Better flexibility over working and more control over your career as a whole – you choose which contracts to take and can fit your work around your lifestyle for a better work-life balance More autonomy and working in greater delivery focused positions – most interim roles are project based so there are greater deliverables and clearer expectations than in some permanent positions Financially there are pros and cons to working as an interim. It is often the case that interims earn more money than their permanent equivalents but the costs of running a business need to be considered, along with potential time between contracts when you might not be working. If you have decided that working as an interim is the way forward for you then you need to consider how it works and the processes you need to follow. Working as an interim you have two options – to run your own limited company or to utilise the services of an umbrella company. Limited company Setting up your own limited company makes sense if you are looking at working as an interim on a long-term basis You will need to seek advice on the best way to manage your finances and to ensure that you have all the relevant insurances in place as well as legally ensuring that you are covered This is the most tax efficient method of contracting Umbrella Company If you are new to the interim market and unsure of the longevity of this as a career choice, then you can utilise an umbrella company. They will provide you with insurance, legal and financial cover. There are a number of companies and options available, so it is worth researching and considering the level of service you require and the associated costs

You only get one chance to make a first impression, so it is important to get it right. The following tips should help ensure you are in the best position to maximise your chances of success from your interview. Preparation The more prepared you are for an interview, the less nervous you will feel and the better you will present yourself. Always research the company thoroughly before an interview – look at their website, press releases and on social media. Make sure you pay attention to their values and culture, so you can see if you will be a good fit Plan your journey well in advance, consider a practice run and aim to arrive early Make sure you know your CV and be prepared to discuss the content of it. Make sure you take a copy with you to the interview Prepare a brief overview of your career to date so you are prepared if asked. This should be no longer than 10 minutes and is a real opportunity to sell yourself Prepare some questions to ask the interviewers – for example; Questions around specific duties or accountabilities of the role The company’s future plans Career progression and development opportunities Consider some of the questions you are likely to be asked and plan your answers – for example; Your achievements Strengths and weaknesses Why you are interested in the role and the company Dress in smart business attire unless advised otherwise The Interview Arrive 10 minutes early to allow you time to collect your thoughts – always call ahead if you are going to be late Greet your interviewer with a smile and a firm handshake Maintain good eye contact throughout the interview and smile often Be aware of your body language – avoid folding your arms, fidgeting or biting your nails If you are being interviewed by more than one person, ensure you engage with everyone in the room when speaking Listen carefully to the questions asked and answer concisely, relating your response to your own experience Always use the STAR technique when answering competency-based questions (explain the situation, the task, the action taken and the result) Make sure your answers are specific and highlight your own experience. Always use positive language and be aware of the tone and pace of your voice Take the opportunity to ask the questions you prepared before the interview At the end of the interview let the interviewer know that you are interested in the role Things to avoid Long answers that do not directly answer the question Controversial jokes or remarks Discussions about salary/ package expectations unless the interviewer brings it up Second Interviews Second interviews vary significantly between companies, so it is difficult to provide a lot of advice on how to prepare. However, there are some common denominators that will always help you: Request feedback from your 1st interview and prepare for more in-depth questions around any areas of concern they have Prepare questions to ask the interviewers based on additional information that you didn’t get in the first round Do not assume that a 2nd interview means you have the job – it is often the case that companies are choosing between 2-3 candidates therefore it is more important than ever that you prepare and sell yourself Frequently asked questions It is very rare that you will know in advance of an interview what questions you will be asked, so we have compiled a list of commonly asked questions to help you to prepare: Career history What are you looking for in a new role? Why are you looking for a new position? Describe your best achievement in your career to date? Where do you see yourself in one/ five years’ time? Company information What do you know about the company? Why do you want to work for us? What attracts you to this role? Why do you believe that you are the best person for this role? Personal information Tell me something about yourself? What are your hobbies/ how do you spend your time out of work? What are your key strengths and/or weaknesses? What are the key things that motivate you? Describe your management style? What do you look for in a manager?

A lot of organisations require all potential employees to undertake some form of testing as part of the application process. Psychometric and aptitude tests measure your cognitive ability and the most common type of these tests is SHL. Practising these tests will help improve your scores so make sure you visit www.shl.com as part of your preparation. Other testing includes assessment-centre based tests and various online assessments. We have put together some tips to help you to prepare: Always practice in advance so you are familiar with the style, format and how the timings work Request in advance what test publisher employers will be using so you can familiarise yourself with how they specifically work If you have been given an online test at home, then make sure you have everything you need to hand and complete it at a time when you will not be interrupted If you are in an assessment centre, then request a calculator and/or dictionary Make sure you are awake, alert and able to concentrate with no distractions The number of correct answers is usually more important than the percentage of questions answered correctly so know when to move on to the next question The difficulty level of questions is varied throughout the test so if a question looks challenging then move ahead and come back to it Make sure you fully read and understand the question properly, so you don’t get caught out Numerical reasoning tests Always use the rough paper to write things down as it is easier to double check your workings our and spot any mistakes Double check the information you are given in tables, graphs etc…. ensure you have checked the units and bases so you don’t miss something and give an incorrect answer Sanity check your answers before moving on Verbal reasoning tests Take everything literally and do not make assumptions – you can only consider what you have been told in a particular statement or passage There are three potential responses for verbal reasoning tests: True, False or Cannot Say. The key to all of these is only looking at what you have been told and if there isn’t enough information to decide on true or false then it must be that you ‘cannot say’. Finally Always ask for feedback so you can prepare better next time Never get someone else to complete the test on your behalf

Personality tests aim to analyse your character fit with a role and an organisation. They use questions and statements to explore your values, motivation, behaviours and emotions in a variety of situations. There are no right or wrong answers and you cannot really influence them as it is essentially showing who you are as a person. There are however still things you can do to ensure that the results are as accurate as possible: Always practice in advance so you are familiar with the format and the types of questions they ask Consider the position you are applying for and the organisation and what they are looking for before undertaking the test Fully read the instructions and questions and ensure you fully understand what you are being asked Work quickly and accurately - ignore any questions that you do not understand Make sure you answer honestly and consistently and trust your initial reaction Think about your answers from a work context as opposed to social situations as your responses may vary Try not to answer too many questions with ‘neither agree or disagree’ The test is unlikely to be timed however you should expect to spend 15-30 mins answering 50-200 questions

Whilst getting job offers are exciting and exactly what you have working towards, managing the offer stage can often be one of the most challenging parts of the recruitment process. Salary negotiations can be a difficult if you do not feel that you are being offered what you are worth, and at the same time considering more than one offer can be a confusing process. Below are some tips to help you through this process: Negotiating on the salary It is important to have a figure in your head of what you will accept financially Always be realistic and bear in mind the current market rates If the salary is just short of your expectations look at things like salary review timescales to see how quickly you can look to increase this Consider other areas of the package that can be negotiated – not just salary. E.g. holiday allowance, bonus, flexible working etc… More than one job offer If you are considering more than one offer then make sure you have all the package details to compare, along with information such as the commute, the role itself, career progression opportunities, training & development etc... Always be honest about other opportunities and/or job offers but do not play them off against each other. Other things to consider Remember your motivations for searching for a role in the first place and consider the importance of your salary vs. ticking those boxes It can be useful to revisit the reasons why you were interested in the role in the first place and consider that alongside the financial package on offer Accepting an offer Always get the job offer in writing including the salary, any benefits, the proposed start date, and the job title. Once you have reviewed the above information send confirmation of your acceptance Request a copy of your contract and thoroughly review, sign and return Once contracts have been signed you will need to resign from your current position and agree your notice period and finish date. See our tips on resigning for further help on this.

It can be an incredibly difficult decision to move on from a company and handing in your resignation can be quite an unnerving prospect. We have put some tips below on how best to handle this situation:​ Before handing in your resignation it is a good idea to read through your contract to confirm your notice period and any other specific information you need to be aware of You should always provide a written resignation letter detailing the position you are resigning from, the last date of your employment and any other key information you would like to add It is common for employers to hold exit interviews or send out exit questionnaires to understand your reasons for leaving. Honesty is key in these situations but try to remain constructive and as positive as possible. Wherever possible you should leave a company on good terms. You never know when you will come across previous colleagues again and you may wish to return to the company at some point in your career. Counter Offers During the process of resigning, your employer may take the opportunity to counter offer you with a promotion or salary increase. This can be a difficult proposition to consider so we have put some information below to help you make the right decision: Before handing in your notice ask yourself if there is anything your employer can offer you to stay. If no, then stay strong and do not entertain conversation regarding counter offers during the resignation process. If yes, make sure you are clear in your head what these reasons are and see if their proposal ticks the boxes. The most important point is to remember the reasons why you were leaving your current employment – unless it was due to financials or a promotion then it is very unlikely that your underlying issues for moving on have been resolved and nothing will actually change for you. It is worth considering that if you choose to accept a counter offer then your relationship with your manager may not recover. They will question your loyalty and your reasons for being there and feelings of resentment and/or distrust will set in. After all, you have made it clear that you were planning on leaving the company and have only stayed due to financial incentives. If it takes your resignation for a company to offer you a pay rise or promotion, then you have to question if its somewhere you want to work. You should be valued and rewarded for your performance on a day to day basis, not just because you have threatened to leave. There is a real concern over job security once you have resigned and then decided to stay. If there is a situation where the company needs to cut costs or make redundancies, then it is likely you will be higher up the list of those to be exited. Finally, you really need to consider the consequences externally of accepting a counter offer as you are likely to be burning bridges with the company you were due to join and your professional reputation will be at stake. Whilst there are number of compelling reasons to reject a counter offer, there will be some situations where it makes sense for you to accept. If you are offered a counter offer which makes you reconsider resigning then make sure you have it in writing before you accept and that your contract of employment is updated accordingly. Ultimately accepting a counter offer is often a short -term fix and more often than not you will be looking for another job within six months. Statistics suggest that as many a 70% of people that accept counter offers leave or are let go within a year. Always take the time to reflect on what has been offered and consider all the pros and cons of the whole situation before making a decision.