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March 25, 2005
Quote of the day
Choose a job you like and you will never have to work a day of your life.
Confucius
Posted by Mark at 07:42 AM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2005
Job market optimism
FIRMS are optimistic about creating jobs, with the brightest outlook in construction and transport, according to a new report today.
But pressure to find the right staff is leading to the prospect of increased wage inflation, a survey of 2,000 employers found.
The labour market is 'positive and stable', with three out of four firms planning to maintain their staffing levels.
Mark Cahill, managing director of employment firm Manpower, said its research showed a picture of stability, adding: 'The strong labour market indicates that employees are happy to move jobs, while employers are happy to replace them.
'However, there is a prospect of growing wage inflation as the labour market tightens.'
Firms in most industries surveyed said they planned to take on workers in the next few months, especially those in construction, transport and communications. Utilities was the only sector expected to cut jobs.
The study, however, also revealed fewer London firms plan to hire new staff than at any time in the past five years. It showed a net 5% of firms intend to increase head count over the next three months - the lowest balance since 2000. The national average was 15%.
The report said a skills shortages was pushing up wages in the capital, making firms think twice about taking on more staff. In particular, pay for top secretaries, sales managers and account managers was said to be soaring.
The fear of higher wages has given the Bank of England monetary policy committee food for thought. A pick-up in pay inflation would increase the pressure for further rate rises. Most economists expect the next hike, to 5%, to come in May.
Meanwhile Public Recruitment Group, which specialises in education, health care and social work jobs, reported full-year turnover had leapt to £53.8m from £22.8m a year earlier as it cashed in on the boom in public sector employment.
The Aim-listed company, which saw profits more than double to £1.5m from £0.7m, says the outlook was positive for all three of its sectors.
Posted by Mark at 02:59 PM | Comments (0)
Who Learns at Work?
A survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) investigates what 750 people who participated in a training activity at work in the 12 months before the survey - the customers - thought of the training they received. It looks at who received the most training opportunities, preferred training methods and how successful the training was.
Of the 750 respondents, 78% had received some form of training in the previous 12 months.
• Just over three-quarters (79%) of people say their employer provides them with enough training opportunities.
• Ninety-four per cent believe the training they received had helped them do their job better.
• Sixty-two per cent of respondents who have undertaken training in the past 12 months have explored with someone how useful it was to them in their work.
• The most common forms of training received are training held in a meeting room or classroom and on-the-job training. But on-the-job training is by far the most popular method, with over half (54%) of respondents rating it as their preferred method of learning.
• Only 16% of respondents have declined the offer of training in the past 12 months. The main reasons given by people for turning down the offer of training are that they are too busy (43%) or that the training is not relevant to their job (28%).
• Nearly a quarter of respondents have undertaken training outside work in the past 12 months.
• Those working in small businesses are less likely to receive training.
• There remains inequality in learning provision. Those with higher levels of qualifications are more likely to receive training, as are those in younger age groups. Part-time workers are as likely to receive training as their full-time counterparts, yet the evidence suggests they receive marginally fewer days per year.
Related links:
findacourse.co.uk
Posted by Mark at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2005
10 job interview tips
Great ways to impress prospective employers
By Courtney Muir
homemakers.com
Is the prospect of having to go through another job interview putting a damper on an otherwise productive job search? Brushing up on the latest interviewing techniques can build your confidence and help you land the job of your dreams.
According to Marla Goddard, a human resources specialist at Adecco Employment Services Ltd., a notable human resources consulting company, today's trend in interviews is determining whether a candidate is the right "fit" for a job. Follow these 10 tips to fitting in perfectly at a job interview.
1. Research the company
Goddard says she frequently asks people what they know about the company while conducting job interviews. Familiarize yourself with the company and the interviewer's name prior to the interview.
2. Practise answering interview questions
Devise a list of potential interview questions and practise answering them. Remember to incorporate what you learned about the company into your responses. Enlisting the help of a friend to perform a mock interview is a good way to practise aloud.
3. Look the part
Ensure that you are well groomed, and that you are dressed neatly and appropriately. Find out the dress code before the interview, and bring along an attaché case with copies of your resume, a notebook and a pen.
4. Be on time
Never show up late, but try to be no more than 15 minutes early for an interview. With schedules as busy as they are these days, the time slot you have been allotted should be respected.
5. Be succinct
Many people make the mistake of talking too much during an interview. Don't hesitate to ask the interviewer if they require you to elaborate or provide another example.
6. Be honest
If you don't have an example or do not know how to answer a question, admit it.
7. Show what you know by providing examples
Specific examples lend credibility to your answers. Behavioural interviews -- where you are asked how you would react in a number of different work-related situations -- are very popular. Employers know that one of the best ways of predicting future behaviour is by understanding past behaviour.
8. Keep your guard up
Even during a casual interview, it is important to maintain a sense of professionalism throughout.
9. Ask great questions
Well-informed questions demonstrate to the interviewer your interest and knowledge of the company and is an excellent way to help set you apart from the other candidates.
10. Follow up
At the end of the interview, get some kind of closure says Goddard. Get time lines and more details about the interviewing process. Also, ask the interviewer if it would be OK to follow up in a week and their preferred medium of contact.
A job interview is just as much about determining whether the company fits you as it is about you fitting into the company, says Goddard. With the right preparation, you can turn a potentially stressful interview into an empowering opportunity.
Posted by Mark at 03:18 PM | Comments (0)