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.

With a variety of Accounting firms across the country there are many routes you can take to get into the industry.

Resume Surgeon talks with Gemma Pilkington, an Accountant from the UK, to find out how she did it and to ask for some job search advice.

Did You Always want to be an Accountant?

I hadn’t planned on becoming an Accountant. When I went to college I took Psychology, Sociology and Law as I thought I wanted to become a Solicitor. I didn’t mind Maths at school but it’s not something I thought I was really good at! I applied to Colleges to do an Accounting and Law degree as I thought that Accountancy was something I would be interested in.
I then got a job in a firm of Solicitors as a Receptionist. This didn’t work out as I really didn’t enjoy it so I decided to go to College and begin a course. During my time at College I really enjoyed the accountancy side of the course and that’s when I knew it was for me.

How Did You Get Into the Industry?

After completing my degree in Accounting and Finance I joined an Accountancy firm which offered to pay me to train for the ACA qualification so I could qualify as a Chartered Accountant. I got this job after completing some work experience during the summer holidays before my final year at College. This really helped me get an understanding of the industry before I completed my final year and I think helped with my work and assignments.

Are There Other Ways of Getting Into the Industry?

There are different routes; You could complete your AAT to become an Accountancy Technician. You can do this straight from school after completing GCSE’s or after A levels. After this, you could then complete the further accountancy exams in ACA, ACCA or CIMA accountancy bodies.

What’s The Hardest Part of the Job?

All the exams! It is hard work trying to study for them whilst working. Although you get the study leave to go to college you then have to work your revision etc around your workload. I was lucky because my job was 9-5 and therefore I did have the evenings free but it is common in larger accountancy firms for you to have to work longer hours. It takes a lot of dedication.

There Are a Lot of Companies Out There – How Do You Know When You Have Picked The Right One?

It is difficult. There are a lot of companies and a lot of different aspects of the industry that you can get into – this does make it flexible but it can be hard to decide. I decided to join a practice where I knew I would have a varied role; compiling statutory accounts, bookkeeping, preparing management accounts, cash flow projections and auditing. I have now worked for a large Accountancy firm too and I have decided that I am better suited to the smaller firms where my workflow is more diverse and I have a more day-to-day involvement with the companies and their owners. You are likely to have more progression in a larger firm although I think you are given more responsibility in a smaller firm. It’s personal preference.

Is Everyday Different?

Yes. I enjoy having a varied role rather than auditing every day. It’s nice to go out on audits as you get to visit different businesses and get out of the office. It’s also a good insight into different industries and how different businesses operate.

What’s The Best Part of Your Job?

Going out to visit clients. I also love the company – it’s a nice environment to work in because it’s such a close team.

Is There a Lot of Progression in the Industry?

There is a lot of flexibility because you can transfer to different areas – the main two being Industry and Practice. Industry is where you work as an Accountant as part of an accounts department in a company and Practice is where you produce the accounts or audit a variety of company accounts.

What Is Your Advice to Candidates Applying for Jobs?

Work hard to gain your qualifications and be dedicated. There are quite a few different qualifications; CIMA – Management Accountant, ACCA – Certified Chartered Accountant or ACA – Chartered Accountant. From there the opportunities are vast – you could set up a business on your own or provide freelance work for an accountancy firm.

What Are Your Aspirations for the Future?

I just want to work for a firm that I enjoy working for and where the people are fun to work with. I have no fixed career path. I have been qualified for a year so I am just looking to gain some good post-qualification experience which continues to challenge me and develop my skills – who knows what my future will hold!

Job interviews are all different but the formula for each one is pretty similar. You want to impress the interviewer, show your skills and demonstrate your knowledge and interest in their business. But there are a few myths floating around about job interviews and you shouldn’t always believe them…

First Impressions Are Everything

While first impressions are crucial, they are not everything. Yes – many people will make assumptions upon first meeting you but many people will actually remember the last few moments of when they met you. So ensuring you make a positive impact at the end of a job interview is vital. Leave them with a positive thought, emphasise your skills on your resume template or chat to them about something you know will grab their attention. It’s true that people buy people but remember it’s not all about first impressions – it’s about how you perform during the entire day.

It’s What You Do During the Interview That Counts

This is of course true but you need to consider what you do before and after as well. Picture this: you attend a job interview and perform brilliantly. You answer the questions well and strike up a good rapport with the interviewer. But before the interview you had a funny five minutes with the receptionist after you asked where you could place your chewing gum. After the interview you leave the building and ignore all of the other staff on the way out. As soon as you are outside (but not out of earshot) you yawn and sigh in relief that it’s over. The interviewer can see all of this. Would you hire you? Just like when you are writing a cover letter you need to remember what assets and personality traits you want to demonstrate and you shouldn’t let this slip until you are home from the interview.

 It Doesn’t Matter What You Wear

Considering what to wear during a job interview is a crucial part of your success. If you turn up wearing bright, casual clothes it could give off the wrong impression. You need to remain smart – for more information on this watch our career video on how to dress for a job interview.

If You Don’t Hear Straight Away, You Haven’t Got the Job

Some interviewers will take a while to get back to you depending on the amount of people they have had apply and the urgency of the role. If you haven’t heard anything for a few weeks don’t despair – this doesn’t always mean you haven’t got the job. There could be a number of other factors to consider; the interviewer might want to conduct a group interview, they might have to compare your resume with other candidates or they might want to organise a workshop interview.

Wait For Them to Contact You

Why not contact them? Writing a follow up letter or email is a great way of reaffirming your interest and ensuring the interviewer doesn’t forget your name. Writing a thank-you note a few days after the job interview is also another way of refreshing their memory. You don’t have to wait for them to contact you!

A recent report has suggested that small businesses in America are hiring less.

A survey by Intuit reports that 50, 000 jobs were added in January – 10, 000 less than in December.

72, 000 businesses took part in the survey throughout the winter period.

Working with a recruitment company while you are looking for a job can be a really positive step. They will have access to the latest jobs and might even know of vacancies that are not being advertised. But in order to find work through a recruitment company you need to trust them and you need to pick the right one for you.

There are thousands of different recruitment companies across the country and all of them will be focusing on different things. Firstly there are temp and perm recruiters – so you need to assess whether you are looking for a temporary role or if you want something permanent.

Once this decision has been made you need to think about your career progression and what kind of industry you want to work in. There are a variety of different recruitment companies that cover different fields;

• Industry specific
• High street
• Administration
• Apprentices
• Manual work

After you have decided these you are in a position to approach a recruitment company. But here are a few other things to consider before you send off your resume template;

• Network. Using your professional network try and find out which recruitment companies have a high success rate. By speaking to other candidates about recruitment companies you can get a firsthand account of what they will be like to work with.
• Consider meeting them and taking your resume in person. Interviewing with a recruitment company is a great idea because not only does it give you extra job interview practice, but it allows you to find out more about the recruiter and the company’s work atmosphere. (If you want more advice about this topic read interviewing with an employment agency).
• Distance is a big factor. You shouldn’t be looking to join a recruitment company that is miles away from your house. There is every chance you will need to go in and see them, especially if you’re writing a cover letter for a specific job. So make sure they are not too far away from where you live.

A report on the BBC website has detailed how 200, 000 new jobs were added to the US economy in December 2011.

The Labor Department said that the unemployment rate (8.5%) is now at a three-year low.

The increase in jobs beat a lot of predictions and vacancies were added across a number of sectors including transportation and retail.

Working for a charity can be very rewarding however it is also a very competitive industry to break into.

Samuel Callum is the Global Safety and Security Coordinator for Save the Children UK and is currently based at their Headquarters in London. He talks with Resume Surgeon to share his advice and some job hunting tips.

Tell Us About Your Career Background

My work background is pretty varied; hospitality and office based. I studied International Relations at university and then worked in a very average sales role for a year afterwards, supplementing my income with a second job in a pub. When I’d saved enough I packed my bags and spent a year overseas travelling in Southeast Asia and living in Australia on a working-holiday visa. It was a great experience but I had to come home in late 2009 in the midst of a recession. That was a shock. I eventually found some office work near my home town for a few months before I moved to London in search of something more exciting.

So Have You Worked Abroad?

Yes, I love to travel. My first big trip was a gap year when I was 18. I volunteered for a charity and worked in schools on a sugar plantation in central Tanzania for six months. It was one of the best experiences of my life and gave me such a good grounding for the years ahead. I would recommend a stint in Africa to anyone for just that reason. My last big trip I mentioned earlier; backpacking in Southeast Asia followed by a working holiday in Australia. I found myself most at home in Sydney so settled there. I worked in a hotel as Concierge there which was hardly a challenge, but it helped me fund my busy social life so perfect really. I’ve always travelled off my own back, working and saving hard in numerous jobs along the way. There’s nothing more annoying than meeting the lucky ones who seem to get similar experiences handed to them on a plate!

How Did You Know You Wanted To Work For a Charity?

I suppose I decided I wanted to work for a charity while I was on my gap year. I fell in love with Africa when I was there. I hate to sound corny, but Africa did get into my blood a bit and I always saw myself working for an international charity after that. I’ve considered other things of course, but here I am. I wanted a career where others benefit as a result of my efforts and where I gain a sense of job satisfaction knowing that I’ve made – no matter how small – a contribution to a good cause.

Is It a Competitive Industry?

Yes! Despite the comparatively lower pay, getting into this line of work is very competitive. I actually think the not-for-profit sector must be one of the most competitive in the UK in fact. At least that’s how it seems. There is a variety too – fundraising is just one part of working for a charity and not really related to what I do at all. I just earmarked a number of organisations I wanted to work for and applied for every role I felt I had a shot at.

Do You Need Charity Work Experience?

This depends on what area you want to move into. If you want to move into a specialist field like Logistics or Policy, then yes, you do. I started out as team assistant in the HR department however which was broad enough role that didn’t demand very specific work experience. There’s that Catch 22 though isn’t there? Work experience in the sector is preferred, but how can you get that work experience if no-one gives you a chance?
I was able to prove that the skills I’d gained in previous office based roles fitted the role I was applying for and let my enthusiasm come through. They liked my gap year experience also, but a degree wasn’t even a requirement. There will always be someone with better qualifications and experience than you, so you play to your strengths.

What Does Your Role Involve?

We have a lot of programmes overseas in some complex environments across the developing world, in Africa and Asia mainly. It’s my responsibility to make sure that staff who work in or visit these programmes are prepared. We run security training sessions and provide pre-departure briefings as required. I also track staff travel, manage a couple of grants and communicate security alerts through the appropriate channels.
Much of what I do is routine and quite admin-heavy, though people come to me for security or travel advice on a daily basis. Recently I’ve been involved much more in the implementation of security policies across the organisation and have assisted in the coordination of getting security staff deployed in current humanitarian crises.

What’s The Best Part of Your Job?

Definitely the people. The people are driven, capable and due to the competitive nature of the sector, they tend to be at the top of their field. I work with people from a range of backgrounds both here in London and overseas. The experiences people have had are so interesting, you really do feel part of a team. Or a movement even.

Is There Progression?

There certainly are opportunities here. I moved from a support role in HR to a much more operational role in less than nine months. I believe you need to seek out opportunities as they rarely just come along. Of course there are roles that are more suited to some people than others, but I suppose if you have a plan you can get on. That’s the way it feels here at least. As so many of my colleagues are based overseas I’m lucky enough to have travelled with work also. I attended a meeting in Thailand last year and will be attending another in Kenya this year. I hope to be able to build my experience further to the point where I can take part in future emergency responses.

Can You Share Some Job Hunting Tips?

Do your research and keep applying! I researched what sort of charities I wanted to work for and checked their vacancies on a daily basis, applying for everything I stood a chance at. Of course I was knocked back (including by my current employer) but you have to be persistent and believe you will get there. Do as much as you can to make your resume stand out. Employers like rich experience, volunteer work and want to employ someone who they can see developing in the role; even if it’s an entry-level role far below what you think is your potential.

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 might be a number of reasons why you are looking for a part-time role instead of full-time. Lifestyle, career choice and family commitments are all reasons for searching for part-time work – but how and where do you find it?

In today’s economic climate part-time work is actually more readily available. Many companies are looking to hire individuals for a few hours a week and this is particularly true during Christmas and other holiday periods.

Where to Find Part-Time Jobs

There are a variety of places to look. Generally speaking stores, restaurants, hotels and the high street will have part-time vacancies all year round. You could also interview with an employment agency and ask them to look out for temp positions for you – it’s not uncommon for temp positions to turn into permanent employment. Searching the internet and job boards is also essential. Here are a few other tips;

• Look at signs in your local store and see if they are advertising
• Check the local paper on ‘job day’ to see who is advertising
• Network – ask your friends including those in full-time employment. Perhaps they know of something temporary at the company they work for?

Sending an Application

Just like any job application it’s crucial that you look over your resume template and establish what experience you have that is relevant. Try to draw upon this when you are writing a cover letter. Ensure you make it personal to the employer and detail what skills you can bring to their organisation. If you have some relevant work experience make sure you highlight this. If you have spotted the vacancy in the paper then send your application in the relevant way but if you have seen it on a notice board in a store why not take your resume in personally? This might give you the opportunity to meet the employer face to face.

Now that you’ve got some more information on applying for part-time jobs you’ll need to create a resume and cover letter, why not start with our resume builder tool today?

Writing a cover letter is an essential part of the job application process.

A cover letter is designed to show the employer your personality and to give them an idea of why you want to work for them and why you would be good for the role.

Sending a cover letter alongside your resume template is vital and can help you to secure a job interview. But there are some mistakes that can be made and so we’ve listed them below to help you avoid them!

• Don’t write too much. This is a common mistake made by a lot of applicants. It might be tempting to write lots about your experience and why you want the job but the employer simply won’t have time to look through this. Keep it as brief as possible but get to the point – the employer should want to know more about you from reading your cover letter and resume so don’t include everything.
• Don’t be vague – relate it to the employer. Don’t just write information about you – ensure you relate it to the job role. Perhaps you have done some previous work experience or volunteering that suits the position?
• Don’t exclude your skills. It is crucial that you highlight key skills. Of course you should also do this in your personal statement on your resume so don’t repeat yourself, but ensure you extract the relevant skills they will be looking for. Before you apply think about the kind of knowledge or experience you would need to succeed in the position and focus on this when writing your cover letter.
• Don’t lack knowledge of the company you are applying to. You stand a better chance of securing a job interview if you can demonstrate your knowledge of their business, what their goals are and what their history is.