When you’re looking for a new job, it’s important to find a role that fits with your skills and experience – and the way you want to work.
We’ve interviewed hundreds of people from all sectors and right across the UK. So whether you’re just entering the workforce or have decided it’s time for a career change, we know what employers are looking for.
From starting your job search, to preparing for job interviews; and from choosing your references, to resigning from your current role – here you’ll find top tips and useful career advice to help you find and secure the job you’re looking for…
Life as a temp.
Flexibility and variety: two of the reasons hundreds of thousands of people work in temporary roles in the UK.
Whether the role lasts for a couple of days or several months, taking on a temporary job opportunity can allow you to test-drive jobs in different industries, maintain an income while looking for a permanent role, or simply fit your work around your lifestyle more efficiently.
We’re constantly recruiting temporary employees to work with some of the UK’s best-known companies.
Writing a CV
You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. Your CV is your chance to show you have the right experience, knowledge, skills and drive to do the job. So, it’s worth taking some time to perfect it.
How to write a winning CV
- Start with your personal information
Your name, address, phone number - List your career history
How long you were employed for and your key achievements - Detail your education
If you have a degree there’s no need to list each module results - Interests
Relate these to the skills the job you’re applying for requires - Proof read
Check your spelling and grammar and use short sharp sentences - Formatting
Keep your CV under two pages long and use subheadings and bullet points - Register with us
Click here to register an account with us
Do
- Showcase your achievements
Companies are results-orientated so emphasise how you made a difference in your previous roles - Tweak your CV
Make sure your CV suits the specific position you’re applying for - Commit it to memory
It will be the basis of your interview, so be prepared to discuss everything you’ve listed
Don’t
- Exaggerate
Honesty is the best policy, make sure all the information is accurate and up-to-date - Leave gaps in your employment history
Let them know why you weren’t in work, for example travelling or redundancy - Use jargon or abbreviations
You’ll risk making your CV difficult to read.
Not sure where to begin? Take a look at this example CV for a template to get you started.
Your recruitment agency
Whether you’re just starting out, returning to work, or beginning a new chapter in your life – it’s not always easy to work out what the next step in your career should be.
Sometimes you need to talk through the opportunities; see what your options are, and work out what kind of role would be best for your needs. That’s what we do every day. What else can you expect when you try through us.
Training and Development
You’ll have access to a lot of skill development courses through us. We will help you to find a suitable and affordable Training and Development Centre, so you can enhance essential skills such as communication, negotiation and desktop software.
Paid leave
We employ every member of our temporary workforce, which means you’ll benefit from holiday pay, sickness benefit, paid maternity/paternity leave.
Assessments
We use our comprehensive suite of assessments to clarify what skills you have, and the kinds of roles you’d be a great fit for.
Benefits to aid your working life
If your job requires it, we’ll provide you with necessary equipment.
Choosing your references
References are used to help determine if you’re right for the job, so it’s important to choose people who can speak knowledgeably about your professional and personal attributes.
Who should be your reference?
Your reference should be someone who knows you well and who you would be happy to answer these typical questions:
- How would you describe [name]’s professional style?
- What was [name]’s major contribution to the organisation?
- Why did [name]’s leave your company?
- What are [name]’s strengths? Weaknesses?
- What transferable skills can [name]’s bring to this position?
- What type of management style would best fit with [name]’s approach?
Commonly used referees
- Your most recent/current employer
- Long-time professional contact
- Colleague
- University/College tutor or lecturer
Managing your career
From time-to-time, it’s important to re-evaluate where you are and where you want to go in your career. Putting together a career plan is a great way to formalise your aspirations, and work out what you need to do to take the next step in your career. To develop a career plan you need to consider:
Where you are
Start by updating your CV with new responsibilities and achievements and then use this as a starting point to think about how satisfied you are with your current job. Are there new skills you want to learn? Do you want to build on your list of accomplishments?
Where you want to be
Think about what motivates you? What do you like to do? What experiences do you enjoy? What’s going to happen in your industry? What skills/knowledge will be needed? How can your skills transfer to other industries? What type of company do you want to work for?
How you’re going to get there
Think about the short and long term goals that help you achieve your aspirations. Short term goals, such as organising your working day more effectively, should move you closer to achieving your long term goals. Next, write down the steps you need to achieve them with a timeline and deadline.
Once you’ve put your career plan together, it’s worthwhile going back to it every few months to check that you’re on track, and heading towards meeting your long term career goals.