I am delighted to renew my membership of the British Association of CV Writers for the second year. Continue reading “Into my second year as a member of the British Association of CV Writers – the benchmark in high-quality UK CV writing”
Tag: career development
How to get the most out of your end of year review
Annual reviews can sometimes be seen as a box-ticking exercise, a chore to be prepared for, endured and then set aside – but what should be on every employee’s mind is how to get the most out of your end of year review.
Continue reading “How to get the most out of your end of year review”
Personal development in a VUCA world
The term VUCA has been used for a while now to describe the modern business world. Originally coined in the US Military to describe the uncertainty of the post 9/11 world, futurist Bob Johansen adapted the term for the business world in his 2009 book Leaders Make The Future.
There are many forces at work which lead to the instability and turbulent nature of the business world: the downturn in the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic, the current energy crisis, changes in legislation and politics, the innovations in technology, rising costs, changing customer demands and the climate crisis – all factors that help create a VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous – an ever-changing, complicated, unclear world. Continue reading “Personal development in a VUCA world”
How to build a career in a new industry
The interview process is done and dusted, references all taken up and the contract’s been signed – now you need to know how to build a career in a new industry. Your new job might be a familiar role, but if you’re moving sector, there may well be a lot to learn and assimilate. In this previous blog I gave tips for switching industries, but now you’ve landed the job, how do you establish yourself in a new sector? Continue reading “How to build a career in a new industry”
Why employee retention is important
In a fast-changing job market with roles harder to fill than ever, it’s no wonder organisations are focusing on why employee retention is important.
With estimates of the cost of recruiting a new person into a role ranging from £7,000 to more than £22,000, being able to hold on to your people, even for a little bit longer, makes financial sense.
From a cultural point of view, having a stable group of employees gives you more chance of having an embedded and secure culture than if there’s a constantly revolving door.
And recent research publicised by the World Economic Forum links employee turnover to decreases in product reliability in the manufacturing sector. Continue reading “Why employee retention is important”
Using an interview to find out more about company culture
Many people consider an interview a one-way process. You’re there to be grilled by the organisation; your role is reactive. The onus is on you to show what you can do for the prospective new employer, how you might fit into their setup. In your preparation, you might think about questions the interviewer may ask you and draft some thoughts about your replies.
But interviews can – and should – be more of a two-way deal. It’s not just about successfully returning answers to questions served at you across the metaphorical tennis net; an interview can also provide a golden opportunity to take control and discover more about the company’s culture – and whether it’s going to give you what you need. Continue reading “Using an interview to find out more about company culture”
The benefits of being a mentor
In my last blog (link), we looked at the many benefits that being mentored can bring, from boosting your confidence to enhancing your knowledge and learning. But it’s not just the mentee who can reap the rewards; being a mentor can have positive effects on your own career, too. Continue reading “The benefits of being a mentor”
The benefits of being mentored
Mentoring has come a long way since the traditional picture of a young upstart being schooled by an older executive. In the modern business world, the concept of mentoring has had to adapt and become more relevant to careers that do not follow a straight line trajectory; it’s a more fluid, less easily defined concept these days, but undoubtedly, when it works well, it can be exceptionally – and mutually – beneficial.
Built on trust, respect and communication, mentoring is a supportive relationship between two individuals, exchanging and exploring ideas, discussing progress and setting goals for further development. Continue reading “The benefits of being mentored”
