There are a number of things you can do if you want to be recognised in the work place and in order to secure career progression. But there are some things you should steer clear of too.

In any job there is likely to be career progression opportunities available. Whether it’s working in a management position, moving departments or increasing your salary – there are always development opportunities.

It’s natural to want to get recognised as a stand-out employee because not only will this lead to career progression but it will help you to gain more work experience and it will boost your resume template.

Here are a few things you should try and avoid if you’re aiming to get promoted:

• Refusing to take extra work on; It is crucial that you accept any extra responsibilities if you want to progress within your job. It will show you are dedicated and interested in progressing within the organisation.
• Turning up late; Being punctual at work might sound obvious, but it makes a big impact on your progression. If you turn up early most days to work it will demonstrate you are reliable and trustworthy – two traits that are vital to success.
• Being unsociable at work; If you don’t interact with your colleagues and network you might be left out of any job news.
• Hiding away new ideas; Hiding away new ideas will be a hindrance to your progression – you need to show the employer that you are creative and forward thinking.
• Not having a voice in the company; This will mean you might go unnoticed. Speak up and ensure you voice any extra work you’ve done.

If you have attended a job interview and you find out a few days later that you have got the job it can be a great feeling. But before you jump in feet-first you should assess the offer carefully and send back an appropriate response.

Usually after a job interview (if you have been successful) you will receive a call from the interviewer congratulating you on the interview. Sometimes they will start by giving you feedback on your resume and cover letter writing skills. They will then usually offer you the position verbally and inform you that a job offer and contract will be sent through the post.

When you receive the offer here’s a few things to consider:

• Take your time to assess the offer and whether it’s right for you. Look through your resume template and ensure that this job will really enhance it and that it will help your career progression.
• Assess whether the organisation is definitely somewhere you can see yourself growing. Try and recall the atmosphere and the people that you encountered during the job interview – can you imagine yourself working there?
• Salary is very important. While it isn’t everything you need to ensure the salary is enough for you to live on, so doing your maths before accepting is a good idea.
• Work out your daily routine including commute. Because of the current climate many people accept job offers before they have really worked out the logistics. Ensure the travelling won’t cost too much and won’t disrupt your life and look at the working hours to ensure they fit in with your lifestyle and commitments.

Accepting the Offer

After you have considered the above and decided you would like to accept the offer there a number of ways you can do this. Initially it is a good idea to phone them directly and verbally accept the offer. You should follow this up with a written letter of acceptance or an email. Sometimes employers set conditions i.e. a time limit, so just check you’re within this. File your contract and any written correspondence and inform any recruitment agencies that you have found employment. Then get ready to start work!

There are pros and cons to taking an internship position and you should weigh these up before you start in the role.

An internship is a great way of boosting your work experience and meeting contacts but it can also hinder your career – if you don’t choose the right one.

Generally there shouldn’t be many disadvantages to working in an internship as you should only really do it if you want to know more about the industry and the job role. We’ve listed below some pros and cons of accepting an internship to help you decide if it’s the right step for you.

Pros:

Networking: This is definitely an advantage of accepting an intern position. Networking will allow you to meet lots of like-minded individuals who share your passion for the industry and enjoy the same work responsibilities as you. Whether you are an intern for a few weeks or a few months you should try and network with as many people as possible and meet new contacts as this could help when you are looking for a job.

Work experience: This is the main reason why lots of people accept internship positions. It is usually because you are looking to crack a specific industry but you know you need more experience on your resume template.

Career portfolio: Depending on the industry you should be able to build on your career portfolio and keep it fresh. Ensure you keep a copy of any work you have completed and ensure you add it to your career portfolio.

References: If you network and show enthusiasm for the position you should be able to secure a good reference. This will be really valuable when you are looking for jobs in the future and could help you gain a job interview.

Cons:

Salary: Many internships (not all) are unpaid and therefore you need to make sure you can afford to work in the position. If it’s a role you really want why not save up to work there?

Lack of knowledge: If you inadvertently end up working for a company that doesn’t pay much attention to you or that doesn’t have a firm plan for your time there then you could end up leaving with no extra knowledge. You need to make sure you can join in with as many office tasks as possible so you can increase your experience.

Time wasting: If you choose an internship that is not remotely related to the industry you want to work in you could end up wasting time and putting your resume and experience on halt. Assess whether it’s the type of internship you will gain value from.  

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Career progression often relies on identifying what your perfect job role would be and working towards it.

Many people believe that there is no such thing as the ‘perfect job’ because each role comes with trials and tribulations. But by recognising key themes and factors that make you happy in a job role, you can work towards securing the perfect job.

It could be that you are looking to progress in your current company or that you want to make a change. Either way, if you keep in mind what you want you will be able to progress towards a role that both makes you happy and rewards you intellectually.

Here are a few things to consider;

Culture

Look back at your resume template – are there any jobs that stand out because of the company’s beliefs or working culture? This is really important in increasing job satisfaction. If you work for an organisation that you believe in you are more likely to progress.

Opportunities

If you’re looking for career progression there isn’t much point in working in a position that is stagnant. Think about whether there are obvious progression steps. Is there a management role? How long would it take you to get there? Can you take on more responsibilities then you have previously had?  

Environment

Your working environment is crucial to your progression. If you are surrounded by like-minded people and you enjoy their company you are more likely to work harder towards promotion. A good working environment will also encourage longevity in the position.

Salary

Negotiating salary can be difficult but if you are looking to progress within your current company you need to know if there is room to improve financially. Although salary isn’t everything, you need to know this will be able to progress too as this will cultivate brand loyalty.

Work Satisfaction

Looking for a job is a daunting task but when you finally get one it’s fantastic. What is even better is when you find a job that you really believe in and you enjoy. If you have a chosen an industry that you want to stay in ensure you gain good work experience and build up your resume to ensure you continue to enjoy the work.

Temping opportunities are usually easier to find than full time work. You can look for jobs through a Temping Agency or by applying directly to a company. These jobs are usually more available because they do not require a long term commitment from an employer. But how do you turn a temp position into a full time opportunity?

If you work in/have ever worked in a temp position you will know that it’s flexible, you can meet new people and it can be very versatile. However a temp position can leave you feeling less secure, financially, as usually positions last only a few weeks.
Without a long term contract from the employer you can be left feeling vulnerable. Here are some tips to turn a temp position into a more permanent role;

Know Your Workplace

If you move from company to company it can be difficult to do your research. But this is crucial if you want a full-time position. Take the time to assess the company’s ethos, look on their website and get to know the staff. This will demonstrate your commitment.

Update Your Resume

Having a good resume template can help with securing any position. But if you really want to work for this company full-time ensure you update your resume to incorporate key goals and skills that are relevant to them. This will also prepare you for any job interviews that might come up.

Stay in Touch with HR

The HR Department is likely to know all of the positions within the company, including ones that are not advertised. Building rapport with the team is a good way of keeping up to date with all possible vacancies.

Construct a Cover Letter

Writing a cover letter to outline why you want to work for the organisation and what you can bring to the team is a good idea. This will allow you to focus, hone in on your strengths and will prepare you for any opportunities that might come up.

Work Hard

This is a given. As a temp you need to stand out from the crowd. Why not pitch some ideas? Why not send an email to your team leader with suggestions for improvement? Ensure you take the time to work hard as this will get noticed.

Network

As with any job, networking is essential. Ensure you meet and socialise with other colleagues as they are likely to recommend you for future positions.

If you do not succeed in securing a full-time position straight away, don’t be disheartened. Temp roles are a great way of gaining work experience, perfecting your skills and keeping your professional resume current. Just don’t give up.  

As we say hello to another new year you may be making some New Year’s resolutions. And one of them might be to find a new, more rewarding job or to change your career path altogether.

If you’re thinking of looking for a job or a career change in the New Year, whether you are currently employed or unemployed, here are some things you should consider:

• Read through your resume template and pick out the roles you really enjoyed. Is there something in there that you want to pursue? Is there a contact on there that you could talk to? Either way study your resume and ensure you know your own career history inside out.
• If you’re employed think about why you want to look for a job. Is it simply because it’s a new year so you think you deserve a fresh start because you’re bored? Or is it to progress your career? Really think about motivations for wanting to change jobs to ensure you are moving for the right reason.
• Study the job market. Although work opportunities are quite rare at the moment, this time of year is popular for companies wanting to hire new staff. Many companies would have re-assessed their budgets so start looking at companies you want to work for or the industry you want to work in.
• Put in time. Finding a new job takes time – be patient and ensure you allow yourself enough time to find the right role.
• Think about what your new role might require – do you need refresher training? Do you need certain qualifications? Ensure you look into this and gain the right experience – you could even look at work experience or volunteering in this industry to boost your resume.
• Attend networking events and get your name out there.
• Write a cover letter and make it stand out. Click here for more help on this.
• Make it happen. If you have been wanting to change careers for a while then there is obviously a reason!

If you’d like help creating a new professional resume how about using our online resume service? It takes you through creating a resume step-by-step and you can choose from a wide range of eye-catching graphic designs. What are you waiting for? Get started today!

Getting fired from a job, although not desirable, is actually quite common. Most employees will have been fired at some point throughout their career. It can dent your confidence and leave you feeling low but it shouldn’t stop you from applying for future vacancies.

There are a number of reasons why people get fired – lateness, not meeting the job requirements and work attitude are all relevant reasons.

But if this has happened to you throughout your career do not get disheartened. It would have happened to a lot more people than you think and it doesn’t necessarily mean you were doing a bad job. Maybe the company was not right for you, maybe you didn’t gel with your boss or maybe the work atmosphere was not what you expected. Either way it’s crucial to stay confident and begin your job search again.

Here are some tips to help you continue your job search:

Be Confident
Most importantly you need to remain confident. Don’t be afraid of emailing your resume to employees and applying for vacancies. The next role that you step into might be your dream job.

Update Your Resume
Updating your resume template is vital. At the top of your resume you are likely to have the job you have just been in. But if you’re worried about having this as the most recent work place why not try some work experience? You may not be paid for the role but it will allow you to gain more experience, re-build your confidence and you can put this at the top of your resume. You can also gain some good references from your placement. If this does not appeal to you then you could try volunteering. Helping out in a volunteer role will allow you to update your resume and will ultimately help you in your job search.

Be Honest
Do not lie to prospective employers. It is always going to be awkward if someone asks you why you were fired from a position but be honest. Mention that you are looking for a career that you can have longevity with. If you lie at this stage your employer will find out and it could further damage your career path.

Take the Positives
If you have been fired from a previous position it is easy to take away the negatives of the job and feel disheartened by the whole process. But it is crucial that you seek out the positives and use this for future job experience. Take away the skills and experience you have learned. Focus on positive work you did for the company and learn from mistakes you made. This will only help you to strengthen your career in the future.

There will be times throughout your career that you will find yourself wanting to negotiate a salary increase.

This could be because you have been in the role for some time and believe you deserve a salary increase or it could be because you are approaching an annual appraisal and need to prepare. Either way, there are a number of reasons why you should approach salary negotiations throughout your career.

Experience
If you’re highly experienced in your industry then your employer should recognise this and reward you with a salary increase. Ensure you keep your resume template up to date and you can refer to this during meetings.

Length of time in the company
If you have been with a company for a long time and have shown loyalty to their brand then you are in a good position to negotiate your pay. Many employees will come and go but if you have shown longevity and commitment you can use this in your review to help you gain a pay rise.

Career Prospects
Do you have career prospects at your company? Have you been working towards a job promotion? Well, this is an ideal opportunity to look at your salary. If you have been working hard towards a new role and progressing in the organisation then you are demonstrating your commitment to the company and should use this as evidence that you deserve a salary review.

Meeting The Job Spec
When it comes to annual appraisals and salary reviews an employer will look at your job role and assess whether you are meeting the requirements. If you are meeting them well or going over and above what is expected of you, this will stand out to your employer.

Previous Salaries
Your boss may look at your salary history within the company or indeed within your career and assess whether you are being paid accordingly. If your previous salaries were higher or you were being progressed more quickly, then you need to bring this up in your meeting.

If you’d like help creating a new professionally templated resume how about using our online resume templates? It takes you through creating a resume step-by-step and you can choose from a wide range of eye-catching graphic designs. What are you waiting for? Get started today!

If you are looking to progress within your organisation and work towards a promotion, you must put a lot of preparation and time into securing it. Many employers will operate a 6 month or yearly appraisal process where you will have the opportunity to assess your job role, comment on your performance and discuss salary.

These types of meetings can be quite nerve-wracking but if you prepare for them in advance and put in the time to stand out from the crowd you can come away with your desired result.
Here are some tips on how to secure promotion:

Edit your CV
It is not always essential to do this during an internal interview but it might help you become more focused. Your resume template would have changed during your time within the company so it’s important to note down all of your extra responsibilities (so you know exactly what to mention in the meeting). You don’t have to take your resume into the meeting but it is good practice to update it and write things down. For more resume advice take a look at our resume templates.

Make an Impression
Most people who gain promotion will not only be dedicated to a company but they will show it. Taking on extra projects is a great way of showing your boss that you are committed to the company and want to progress. Staying late, asking for more work, helping colleagues and assisting your manager are all crucial in helping you gain promotion and a prosperous future at the company.

Share Ideas
Don’t be afraid to voice your opinions or share ideas. You need to demonstrate a creative flair and show that you have an active interest in helping the company to grow.

Make a Difference
In the current climate it’s more important than ever to show you are valuable to your company. Before your meeting write a list of all of your achievements within the role, improved results, ways you have helped to cut costs and all of your ideas. It is also worth writing some ideas of where you think you can fit within the organisation moving forward and where you see the role progressing.

Think Like Your Boss
When you are preparing for your meeting it’s important to put yourself in their shoes. What would they like to know? Have they set you personal targets to achieve? What are their business objectives? Identifying all of this will help you to prepare some good answers.

Don’t Get Lazy
At all internal interviews it is easy to get complacent. You know the company, you know your manager and you know the role. But that doesn’t mean you know everything. Make sure you do your homework on the position you are looking for. Ensure you have prepared some questions and don’t assume you are going to be instantly promoted.

If you do not gain promotion, do not get disheartened. Just prepare yourself for the next meeting, practice resume writing, build up more responsibilities and approach your next meeting with positivity.

We’ve already discussed how making an after interview follow-up call can increase your chances of employment. But you can also write a follow-up letter – often these will be read by your interviewer and they will automatically see your dedication and commitment. It will also demonstrate your eagerness for the role.

When to Send The Letter

There are a number of different stages. You could send the letter after you have sent your professional resume to a recruiter. You could send it after you have had a telephone interview or after a face-to-face interview. It’s completely up to you!

After You Have Sent Your Resume

So, the employer has your resume and accompanying cover letter on their desk. It has been several weeks since you have heard anything. Don’t assume you’re out of the running – you need to stand out from the crowd. Why not send a follow-up letter, reinstating your interest in the job and asking for feedback. This will prompt the recruiter to look at your resume again and, if they haven’t already decided, perhaps invite you to interview. If they have already made their decision then this letter may still prompt them to send you some constructive feedback that you can work on for future applications.

After The Interview

There is no point waiting weeks and weeks after you have been for a job interview. You need to send this letter the day after your interview. Back up your resume, highlight your key skills and thank the employer for their time. If there is anything you missed out in the interview why not add it in the follow-up letter?

Other Follow-Up Letters

There may be occasions where you write several follow-up letters to one employer. They may not have a job advertised but you may really want to work for them. In this case sending a letter is fine – as long as you keep it short and don’t do it too frequently. One every three months should suffice. Just remember – check grammar and don’t be too pushy. You never know, if they see your name and a job comes up, you may be the first person they call! With all follow-up letters, stay positive, courteous and be persistent.

If you’d like help creating a new professionally templated resume how about using our sample resume templates? It takes you through creating a curriculum vitae step-by-step and you can choose from a wide range of eye-catching graphic designs. What are you waiting for? Get started today!