Career Advice
Moving on
What are the essentials you need to consider when applying for a new job. Workingmums’ careers expert Linda Whittern gives some advice on the key things you need to consider when looking for a new job:
What are the key things to consider before applying for a new job?
You need to look at the short and medium-term pros and cons of the new job (for instance, will it help your long-term career aims and give you more security and/or a better income? How financially secure is the new employer? Will a job move lose you important employment rights or privileges such as permission to work from home when you want to)?
What is the best way to brush up or acquire new skills if money and time is limited?
Investigate opportunities for learning/developing new skills in your current workplace by volunteering to do particular projects, taking the initiative to talk to colleagues with those skills (ask them for a short tutorial) and exploring online training programs provided by your Training Department.
Investigate free online IT training programmes provided by Learndirect and any other local free classes [check with your local authority about adult skills training courses on offer].
Investigate opportunities for learning/developing new skills in your current workplace by volunteering to do particular projects, taking the initiative to talk to colleagues with those skills (ask them for a short tutorial) and exploring online training programs provided by your Training Department.
Investigate free online IT training programmes provided by Learndirect and any other local free classes [check with your local authority about adult skills training courses on offer].
How important is having confidence in your abilities?
It's essential - if you doubt your ability to perform well in the job, you won't be a convincing candidate. See our advice on building your confidence.
It's essential - if you doubt your ability to perform well in the job, you won't be a convincing candidate. See our advice on building your confidence.
Is there a secret to doing a good interview?
There are four vital things to remember:
- Preparation.
There are four vital things to remember:
- Preparation.
- Adopt the perspective of the employer - what business benefits do they get, what problems do they solve if they have a good performer in this role? What sorts of "evidence" (eg information about your earlier successes in similar roles) prove you are capable of turning in a good performance in this role?
- Go through your career history in detail so that you can easily give examples of personal achievements relevant to the job you're applying for.
- Practice, for instance, practise answering the questions a sensible employer would ask you.
Linda Whittern is Director of Careers Partnership (UK), a careers consultancy for people at all stages of their careers. Email lw@careers-partnership-uk.com for a private consultation.
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