The Best Person For The Job

“I need a new job.” “How do I get a promotion?” “How do I negotiate a higher salary?” “Help, I need a complete change of career!” Welcome to Jobsite’s Career e-Book 2005. Do any of the statements above apply to you? There is a very good chance they do, as they’re situations we all face at one time or another. Usually we just muddle through, hoping it all works out well in the end, when really all you need is someone to point you in the right direction. Jobsite is all about making the job hunting process as easy and convenient as possible, so that’s why we’ve gone out and partnered with the best career experts to bring you the advice you need. Each month, we publish our ‘WorkLife’ email newsletter containing our experts’ articles and send it to over 500,000 candidates. We receive such great feedback from visitors to our website regarding the articles that we thought we’d bring a selection of the very best together just for you. These articles cover such subjects as interview techniques, CV writing tips, career planning and continued learning - something for everyone looking to improve their career prospects. We hope this e-book is of use to you in your job hunting, please do let us know what you think. If you would like to see more articles each month, click here to log in to your ‘My Jobsite’ now and sign up to the ‘WorkLife’ newsletter. Best wishes

Gary Robinson WorkLife Editor

Career e-Book 2005

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Contributor profiles Sarah Berry – Career Consultant Sarah Berry is an internationally recognised career consultant and the author of five career titles. Sarah is Managing Director of Career Consultants OnLine Ltd, a website dedicated to offering career advice and career services including CVs, Career Consultancy, e-books and personality profiles. For further advice and individual help please click here to contact Sarah Berry

Vision2learn Vision2learn are the providers of free online courses, covering topics such as IT Skills, career success, money management and entrepreneurship. All courses can be done in your own time and at your own pace and can earn you a recognised qualification. For more information and to sign up click here.

Career e-Book 2005

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Contents CV Guidance

Let that job be mine Is your CV powerful enough to deliver the desired result? How to be a confident candidate on paper Sarah Berry’s Perfect CV Tips

Interviews

Getting ahead at Interview Interview Questions and Answers Body Language

Covering Letters

Most common covering letter mistakes

Salary

Negotiating an improvement in your salary

Selling Yourself

Improve your Communication

Career Management

Make a Career Action Plan

Continued Learning

A new way to look at learning

Contents

1 3 5 6

8 11 17

18

21

24

26

32

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CV Guidance 1

Let that job be mine The difference between job hunting success and job hunting failure is small. Sarah Berry, Jobsite’s Career Guru and best selling writer reveals that it is all down to how the candidate personalises their CV and interview performance. ‘Put yourself in the employer’s shoes’, says Sarah ‘and imagine having to read a stack of 100 CVs. What would you be looking for? What would make you sit up and take notice?’ It is a fact that most candidates account for their time in a factual and nonpassionate way. This is OK but it isn’t going to inspire employers to pick up the phone. Employers are looking for candidates who can rise above the mundane and show that they love what they do and that they can add value to the organisation. Ideally the focus needs to be on the employer and not on you. So how do you go about creating a personal approach? 1. Prepare yourself for success. Forget the past and focus on the present. Start to prepare yourself for success. What has overshadowed your career to-date? What opportunities are you missing out on? How have you limited your job prospects? What boundaries have you put around yourself? Over what time scale are you looking to improve things? Begin to be very clear about who you are and what you have to offer. 2. Think about that job you are after? It is not enough to say that you want a certain job. You have to show that there is more to you than this. To do this you need to show that you have depth of character. Why do you want this job? What do you expect to gain from this experience? Is it job fulfilment, additional skills or a bridge to another job? How will this job live up to your expectations? Will the job keep you up at night worrying or excited about the day ahead? What will be the high points of this job? And what will be the low points? What will you do if you realise that you have made a terrible mistake in landing this job? How will this job change your career? Instead of focusing on the things you can see now, focus on the longer-term issues such as personal growth, experience, commitment and dedication. 3. Recognise your own potential. Get used to defining who you are. How do you deliver your work? How do you have a positive impact on the organisation and the people around you? What do you like most about you? 4. Be committed. Having a vision is great but actioning it is even better. Now that you have defined what you are worth, how committed are you to achieve it? Do you have the resolution to commit yourself to whatever it takes to achieve it? What are you willing to do to ensure that you do achieve it?

CV Guidance

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5. Replace your job demands with your job passion. Forget your list of demands for a second and remember that passion for your job. Winning candidates love what they do. They are less demanding of the employer and ooze positive energy by focusing on what they deliver, achieve and contribute. Yes, they too get a company car, health care benefits, travel expenses and bonuses but they wouldn’t list this on their CV. Their CV would reflect their market rate by showing how they deliver tangible results. Enthusiasm is vital if you want to be snapped up quickly. 6. Show your expertise. Your CV must reflect your expertise. Companies are prepared to reward people who know their stuff. The world is full of selfproclaimed experts, so you will need to rise above them and show the depth and value of your knowledge. Try not to just scratch at the surface but show that your experience has a basis and has come from observing, questioning, studying, consulting and reading. Show that you are an authority on what you do. 7. Be grateful. It is a fact that grateful people attract more job offers and opportunities that ungrateful people. Grateful people who love their work are both positive in terms of themselves and also in terms of others. They are people who really appreciate what others do for them and they appreciate their world, industry, colleagues, circumstances and of course their job. As a result they attract even more good into their working lives and even more job opportunities. How many times did you feel grateful last week for the people, organisations and contacts who are helping you in your job hunt? Did you go so far as to express your thanks? 8. Make your CV personal. Demonstrating your personality in your CV is vital to your attractiveness as a candidate. Employers like to interview all candidates and 90% of the final decision is based upon the candidate’s personality. On their own, virtues such as being positive, influential, communicative, dependable and logical may not get you a job, but you could be eliminated from the selection process if you appear to lack any of them. In marketable terms, you need to answer how, where and when you use or demonstrate your personal qualities thereby turning your CV into one which has meaning and power. Don’t underestimate how you can reflect your personality on paper. 9. Get on the front foot. So many candidates run their job search campaign from on the back foot. They write their CV, post it to a web-site and they wait. Is this a clear goal? Is this demonstrating initiative? Is this being personal? Sometimes you may need to go further than this to create the best result for yourself. Now the big one. Go and re-read your CV with fresh eyes and be honest with yourself. Does it address the nine above points? By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

CV Guidance

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Is your CV powerful enough to deliver the desired result? 3

What are you looking for from your next career move? Power questions will help you to discover exactly what you need from your next job. No matter where you are or what you are doing at present, you want ‘more’ from your next job and your working life. Are you looking for more money, prestige, respect, value and self-worth, progression, opportunity, power, calmness, clarity, quality, freedom, safety, recognition or perhaps something else? Whether you achieve what you need depends upon how well you communicate your message in your CV. Re-read your existing CV. Would the employer be aware of what you are looking to achieve career wise? Does your CV show your ability to see things clearly? Is your CV a hotch-potch of ideas? How have you sold the idea of taking you on as a member of the company’s team? Have you packaged yourself correctly? Would the reader be able to see within the first twenty seconds of reading your CV where your main areas of expertise lie? Have you shown your depth of character and expertise rather than relying on buzz words? Have you sold your strengths in a positive way? It is often when the candidate focuses on his/her strengths that the biggest blunders are made. For example, ‘Received a plague for Salesperson of the Year’, ‘Lets meet, so you can ooh and aah over my experience’, ‘I have an excellent track record, although I am not a horse’, ‘I am loyal to my employer at all costs... Please feel free to respond to my CV on my office voice mail’. Do candidates forget how to sell themselves? Or are they unused to valuing their skills and experience in a positive way to win them work? Are you making the most of on-line job hunting? The Internet has changed the way candidates look for work. At the press of a button you can have easy access to a far wider range of jobs in your chosen profession. Equally the employer has access to more candidates. It is now much easier to match the right person into the right job. Have you left it to chance for the right employer to pick up your CV? Have you given your CV some memorable personal touches? Does your CV have passion? Passion is what drives a career forward. It is about having the maturity to understand what works in the business sector that you are in but also possessing the sensitivity and flexibility to make things happen. How passionate are you about your work? Have you got this over in your CV? Does your CV reflect your reputation? Your reputation is important. You will always be judged upon what you have achieved rather than on what you meant to do or what you could have done. How strong is your track record? Have you done a good job at promoting yourself on your CV?

CV Guidance

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Do you deserve a good job? Do you take action to deliver what you want or need? Owning your own power is crucial to your career success. What do you need to focus on?

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If you change your CV to reflect your expertise and what you can deliver, this will change the response you receive from employers. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

Will your CV beat the competition or let the competition through? What does your CV promise your prospective employer? Would you like to know what you have to do to transform the response from employers? Let us advise you how you can give your CV maximum impact and ensure that you are picked out in 2005. Click here for more information.

CV Guidance

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How to be a confident candidate on paper 5

Confident candidates perform well at interview but how confident are you of being chosen? No one likes to feel left out, past their sell by date or over looked, even if temporarily. Jobs, careers and promotions are sensitive issues. Sarah Berry, Jobsite’s Career Guru says, ‘You have to work at it if you want to be picked out for a job’. There is altogether too much change in the business these days for things to remain static. Getting selected in business is about developing the right skills, attitude and most importantly profile. 1. What is your business profile? What does your CV say about your current business profile? Where have you pitched yourself within the market? Have you rambled on about yourself or portrayed a consistent image? Employers measure your profile on some of the following areas; decision making, technical expertise, assertiveness, maturity, image, networking and value. How have you sold yourself? Does your CV demonstrate your strengths? 2. What is your professional reputation? How have you sold your skills and achievements? Take a look at your CV now. Are you coming across as a low, moderate or high achiever? High achievers look beyond today and they capture the future. They are expressive, positive and skilful in terms of conveying their professional expertise and message. What professional challenges have you overcome? How have you shown extra-ordinary levels of commitment and service? 3. What salary figure are you commanding? By linking your career experience with your accomplishments, vision, drive and passion you can command the salary figure you deserve. What value have you placed on yourself? Is it time to re-evaluate your value? 4. What is your vision for your career? Confident candidates are clear about their values and beliefs. They keep people and projects on course by behaving consistently with these values and modeling how they expect others to act. What is your focus? How easy is it for you to achieve your goals? What example are you setting for yourself and others? 5. How do you network? How do people respond to you? Are you ‘out’ for what you can get or for what you can contribute? Do you attack or nurture others? Do you gain approval and give approval? Are you a high, moderate or low maintenance employee? Your CV says a lot about ‘you’ the person and ‘you’ the professional. It’s worth taking another look at your CV now. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

CV Guidance

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Sarah Berry’s Perfect CV Tips 6

The most common request I get from job hunters is ‘Can you please show me the format of your winning CV?’ Apart from this demonstrating the candidate’s fear of getting the CV wrong, it also demonstrates the candidate’s inability to recognise his/her own value. Having a successful career is all about your ability to recognise your worth and to make decisions based upon that. Job hunters often get caught in the trap of not making decisions. ‘I’ll just wait and see whether this CV does it’. Is this a good decision or a bad decision? Job hunters who achieve success have set out to achieve their success. They don’t think, ‘My dream job will turn up’. They take action to achieve this dream job. The closer you look at this, the closer you get to the truth. The successful job hunter has the ability to improve his/her sales tactics and to take the necessary action. Listed below are some top CV tips to help you to realise where your current CV is letting you down. Remember you need a CV that promotes, sells and opens doors for you. You cannot afford to have a CV that accounts for your time and is the similar to everybody else’s CV. Check out the points below and if necessary take action to ensure that your CV has the right style and slant to be successful in your profession or field of work. 1. Give your CV some “personality” Avoid profiles sections at all costs. These are too self-orientated and convey a very lazy approach to CV writing. Remember, most candidates can say that they are ambitious, motivated and well-educated, so the trick is to go one stage further than this. If you can demonstrate your personal qualities throughout your CV you will automatically increase your attractiveness as a candidate. You need to make yourself seem special and different by conjuring up a picture of yourself. Choose words applicable to you, words that reflect something about you as a person. Avoid words such as “responsible” or “involved” but use active words, which communicate what you are like as a person. Be honest about yourself, focus on your strengths and answer the how, what, when and where questions and your personality will be communicated to the reader. 2. Ensure your CV is “slim” Employers don’t have the time or inclination to read “fat” CVs. Be succinct and never express in ten words what can be said in three. Trim down your CV to ideally two/three pages depending upon your level of experience. Leave out the excess “fatty” bits, which add nothing to your overall appeal. 3. Think as the employer Targeting is key to writing a first class CV. The truth is you’ll never be able to write a highly effective CV if it isn’t targeted towards the job in question. Employers want to see that you have a clear idea of what you want, what you can do and what you’ve previously done. Focus on what you can offer the employer and above all focus on what value you will add to the organisation.

CV Guidance

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4. Make it easy for the reader to “spot” your talents Write your CV in such a way that it is easy for the employer to get what he/she wants quickly. Employers want to be able to understand very quickly what you are offering the organisation. Project yourself into the job and remember that your focus needs to be on the employer and not on you. How have you presented your capabilities to show that you have the skills, expertise and passion that the company is looking for? 5. “Convince” your reader Your CV must be convincing. Has your CV gone beyond surface level? Have you demonstrated and highlighted what you are offering? Have you given the reader more reason to say ‘YES’ to you than to say ‘no’? 6. Demonstrate your level of “experience and expertise” Employers ask for credentials and experience in order to ensure that you are right for the job on offer. Promote your experience to-date and clearly highlight your measurable achievements and conquests. 7. Be a “safe” decision Employers want staff who can be relied upon and who can follow instructions. Ensure that your CV is accurate and complies with the requests of the advertisement. If it doesn’t you may be viewed as someone who is prone to error, difficult to manage and difficult to satisfy. How have you conveyed the fact that you are a safe and sensible choice? 8. Be professional Use the CV to promote your professional skills. Although you may have an active social life the CV is not the place to broadcast this. Be smart. What is your employer looking for? What have you missed to-date? What haven’t you seen before? What questions have you not asked yourself before now? What strategy have you relied upon and exhausted to-date? Is your CV a smart CV? Has your CV answered the concerns the employer would have about employing you? 9. Play down your demands It is not necessary to list your salary, perks and bonuses on your CV. If you feel you are worth £50K then your writing style, presentation and business acumen must reflect this. 10. Remember you change not the market The only thing that will help you get the job you want is your sales tactic. If your CV is promoting you effectively then you will achieve success. If you are not getting what you want, then you have to change your tack. What signals is your CV sending out? “The worst part of losing a job over a weak CV,” says Sarah Berry, “is that it is the one aspect of your job search over which you have complete control. If it fails to show you off in the best light - you are doing yourself a grave disservice.” By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd. CV Guidance

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Interviews 8

Getting ahead at Interview A brilliant CV and cover letter create employment opportunities but they will not secure you a job. The interview is your chance to back up in person everything that the employer has read about you. This will probably be your first direct contact with the company and will give you an insight into its workings and the chance to meet with its personnel to see if it is a place that you would like to work, should you be given an offer. There are several forms of interview with varying degrees of formality, but in essence they consist of a conversation, allowing the employer to get to know you and for you to see what they are like. Whilst interviews can be nerve wracking experiences, it should be remembered that the interviewer is only human and it is possible that they are nervous also. Enter with a confident air, be friendly and open, most importantly don’t forget to smile.

One-on-one interview To get to this stage you would have succeeded in qualifying the preliminary screening processes. The selection process will have been narrowed down and the company has recognised you as an attractive prospect. Usually this interview will be carried out by department supervisor, but sometimes with human resources personnel. Be prepared to talk about yourself in detail, why you want the job, and what you can contribute to the company. In advance of the interview carry out research into what the company does, and think of some questions you want to ask. Do not volunteer information that the interviewer doesn’t ask for. Tips: You want them to want you on their team, therefore you have to impress them with your personality, your qualifications and your career ambitions. Dress conservatively to impress and arrive punctually, be chatty with plenty of eye contact. Establish a rapport with the interviewer.

Lunch interview An interview over lunch will be more casual than in an office; however do not let down your guard. Make your life easier by not ordering messy food and order something that is in a similar price range to the others in attendance. The decision whether to smoke or drink alcohol should be based upon the location and what the interviewer is doing. Tips: Follow the lead of the interviewer in behaviour, tone and ordering.

Interviews

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Screening interview

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A brief meeting with the company used by them to weed out unqualified and uninterested candidates. Screening interviews occur if there is a huge number of job applicants, however on the whole candidates are rarely asked to attend them. Interviewers are usually human resource professionals and the format is usually that of straight questions and answers. Tips: Confirm to the interviewer what they have already read in your CV, do not deviate from the truth. Providing facts is more important than building a rapport.

Telephone interview Sometimes if a candidate lives a great distance from the offices of the company then it may not be practical to attend preliminary interviews in person. In this case an interview can be conducted on the telephone. Alternatively some companies use telephone interviews as a screening process to eliminate the weaker candidates early on. A telephone interview is not to be treated as an easier option, it should be conducted in an equally professional manner as a standard interview and the same rules apply. The only difference is that your body language no longer applies. Do not let the interviewer totally lead the conversation, if it is appropriate push for a face to face meeting saying something like “I would appreciate an opportunity to meet with you in person so we can both better evaluate each other. I am free either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday morning. Which would be better for you?” How to behave: Speak in a clear voice, answer the interviewer’s questions precisely and try to elaborate without talking too much; exude controlled professionalism.

Group interview Often group interviews are used to introduce the company and describe the job to an assembled audience of candidates. As this form of interview is not one-on-one there is not so much pressure on an individual candidate, however the aim is to stand out from the crowd and be noticed. Tips: Ask questions, speak to company personnel afterwards to establish a brief rapport.

Committee/Panel interview Companies use this method when hiring for advanced positions or if they are just feeling nasty. During committee interviews candidates are questioned by several company personnel at once, this can be daunting but try to keep cool. Be sure to impress all of the interviewers, do not cater to just what one or two want to hear. Interviews

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Tips: When an interviewer addresses you with a question, respond to the person that asked that question, while being conscious of how the others will interpret what you are saying.

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Deliberate attempts to unnerve you Interviewers may try to test your nerve to see how you handle yourself under pressure. The interview may start out in a relaxed fashion with standard questions being posed, then the interviewer may change tack to launch into a hostile assault, for example “So you failed your A-levels, what makes you think you can handle the pace at our company?” You should be prepared for this and when it comes don’t take it personally. Calmly answer each question as it comes.

General preparation before any interview Carry out research into the company. How many people do they employ and what is the company philosophy? Know the company’s origin, is it a family company, where and when was it established? Study any recent press cuttings about the company, and try to slip your up to date knowledge into conversation. Prepare some question topics in advance. Prepare your interview resources before the day, you will need to take a couple of copies of your CV, a reference list and, if possible, some examples of work you have done in the past. Dress professionally, even if you are going for an interview at a funky Dot Com Company, you should still portray a smart business image. It is recommended that both men and women wear a suit and sensible shoes. Women wear a moderate amount of makeup and simple jewellery. Men should be clean shaven with a conservative tie and ironed shirt. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

Get qualified for free! Are you interested in gaining a qualification that can be completed in your own time and at no cost? In association with Vision2Learn, Jobsite are offering you a choice of free elearning courses, each leading to a recognised qualification. From beginners through to advanced, a suitable course to help you further your career is just a click away. For more information and to sign up, click here

Interviews

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Interview Questions and Answers 1. Tell me about yourself

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Keep your answer to one or two minutes; don’t ramble. Do not go back to childhood experiences, just give a brief outline of where you are from, and where you want to be going. Use your CV introduction as a base to start. Respond in a way that leaves no doubt that you are well adjusted, stable and positive. Say only positive statements 2. What do you know about our company? Show that you have done your research, know what their products are, how big the company is, roughly what their annual revenue is, what reputation it has within the industry and on the street. Know the company’s history, image, goal, and philosophy. Project an informed interest and let the interviewer tell you some more detailed aspects about the company. 3. Why do you want to work for us? Don’t talk about what you want; first talk about their needs, what you can do for them. You wish to be part of their company project. You would like to solve their company problem and relish the challenge. You can make a definite contribution to specific company goals: identify its management talent, etc. 4. What would you do for us? What can you do for us that someone else can’t? Relate past experiences that represent success in solving previous employer problems that may be similar to those of the prospective employer. Stay positive

Interviews

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5. What about our position do you find the most attractive? Least attractive?

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List three or more attractive factors and only one minor unattractive factor. Aspects to pick up on could include, office location, company reputation, the chance to work with esteemed colleagues. 6. Why should we hire you? Because of the knowledge, experience, abilities, and skills you possess. Be very positive and confident in your reply, not vague. 7. What do you look for in a job? An opportunity to use my skills, to perform and be recognized. The opportunity to develop further skills, throughout life we should be constantly learning. Relate it to the job to which you are applying “I am especially interested in producing a software solution to your problem” 8. Please give me your definition of a ... (the position for which you are being interviewed). Keep it brief, actions and results oriented 9. How long would it take you to make a meaningful contribution to our firm? Very quickly after a little orientation and a brief period of adjustment on the learning curve. 10. How long would you stay with us? As long as we both feel I’m contributing, achieving, growing etc.

Management and Experience Questions 11. What is your management style? For example ‘Management by Coaching and Development (MBCD)’ when Managers see themselves primarily as employee trainers. ‘Open door’ is a good one.

Interviews

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12. Are you a good manager? Give an example. Why do you feel you have top managerial potential? Keep your answers, achievement and task oriented, emphasize management skills-- planning, organizing, controlling, interpersonal, etc.

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Describe relevant personal traits. 13. What did you look for when you hired people in the past? Skills, initiative, adaptability 14. Did you ever fire anyone? If so, what where the reasons and how did you handle it? You have had experience with this and it worked out well. Describe how you spoke to the person and explained precisely but tactfully where they were underachieving. 15. What do you see as being the most difficult task in being a manager? Getting things planned and done on time within the budget. Do not imply that these are insurmountable difficulties. 16. What is your biggest weakness as a manager? Be honest and end on a positive note.

Industry Trend Questions 17. Why are you leaving your present job? No longer provides a suitable challenge, time to move on, I wish to move into… (the area this company specialises in) Give a “group” answer if possible, e.g. our department was consolidated or eliminated. 18. How do you feel about leaving all your benefits? You feel the challenge and satisfaction this new role will bring outweigh benefits lost. 19. Describe what you feel to be the perfect working environment. Where people are treated as fairly as possible.

Interviews

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20. How would you evaluate your present firm? An excellent company which afforded me many fine experiences. Quantifying your Experience and Accomplishments

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21. Have you helped increase sales? profits? how? Imply many occasions, then concentrate on describing one in detail. Quote percentage profit increases facts and figures. 22. Have you helped reduce costs? How? Same as above. 23. How much money did you ever account for? Be specific and recount a particular contract with facts and figures. 24. How many people did you supervise on your last job? Be specific - the more the better. 25. Do you like working with figures more than words? Be honest but positive. 26. In your current or last position, what features did you like the most? Least? Relate your response to what the new job can offer 27. In your current or last position, what are or were your five most significant accomplishments? You could refer to the key accomplishments already identified in your CV.

Your Work style and habits 28. If I spoke with your previous boss, what would he say are your greatest strengths and weaknesses? Emphasize skills - don’t be overly negative about your weaknesses; it’s always safe to identify a lack of a skill or experience as a shortcoming rather than a personal characteristic. 29. Can you work under pressures, deadlines, etc.? Yes. Quite simply, it is a way of life in business.

Interviews

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30. In your present position, what problems have you identified that had previously been overlooked? Keep it brief and be sure to say how you overcame the problems.

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31. Don’t you feel you might be better off in a different size company? Different type company? Depends on the job - elaborate slightly. Reiterate how your previous experience lends itself to the job you are applying for with this company. 32. How do you resolve conflict on a project team? First discuss issues privately and tactfully. If the problem is not resolved then action would need to be taken which could mean removing a member of the team in a severe case. 33. What was the most difficult decision you ever had to make? Attempt to relate your response to the prospective employment situation.

Salary Questions 34. How much are you looking for? Answer with a question, i.e., “What is the salary range for similar jobs in your company?” If they don’t answer, then give a range of what you understand you are worth in the marketplace. 35. How much do you expect, if we offer this position to you? Be careful; the market value of the job may be the key answer e.g., “My understanding is that a job like the one you’re describing may be in the range of £X.” 36. What kind of salary are you worth? Have a specific figure in mind... don’t be hesitant.

Interviews

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Personality Questions 37. What was the last book you read? Movie you saw? Sporting event you attended?

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Talk about books, sports or films to represent balance in you life. Stick to something fairly mainstream or classic 38. How would you describe your own personality? Balanced. Fair, honest, reliable, friendly, outgoing etc. 39. What are your strong points? Present at least three and relate them to the interviewing company and job opening. Tailor your answer to meet the needs of the employer. “I see myself as a goal orientated individual” discuss how in your previous role you achieved above projected results. 40. What are your weak points? Don’t say you haven’t any. Try not to cite personal characteristics as weaknesses, but be ready to have one if interviewer presses. Try to transform your response and the question into strength. “I’m the kind of person who likes challenges and gets involved. Some people may see that as butting in, ‘ but I’m sure it could be looked at as a strength because I like to make sure the job gets done correctly.” You should also be prepared to answer questions about your health, more technical questions related to your qualifications, research or current job, plus any interests you have mentioned on your CV or application form.

The Benefit of a Professional CV Has your CV got the right balance? Have you got the right sales approach, for the level of job you are going for? With an estimated 7.5 million other on-line UK job hunters, your CV needs to be very good to stand out. Let us work with you to write the perfect CV. Click here for more information

Interviews

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Body Language 17

Going for an interview is in many ways similar to a first date. If you want to make a good impression then you need to send out positive non-verbal signals: 1. Make eye contact - don’t stare, but maintain a reasonable amount of visual contact. 2. Sit up straight - no slouching and lean slightly forward. Keep your body language open. 3. Smile and nod during the conversation (but not too much) to show that you’re listening. 4. Don’t fiddle. Try and relax by regulating your breathing. 5. People’s voices sometimes become monotonous when they are nervous or talking about something they’d rather not remember. Try and subtly vary the pitch and tone of your voice in such circumstances. 6. Empathise with the interviewer by mirroring their posture or tone of voice. Don’t take it too far. When you do feel a natural affinity with someone this sometimes comes naturally. 7. Do your words and body language match? Don’t be tempted to lie when interviewed. Your tone of voice or your body posture will reflect your level of sincerity. Feet are probably the most honest part of the human anatomy and despite your chosen facial expression your feet will reveal your true feelings. Foot shifting or jiggling during interview can indicate boredom or a desire not to discuss a touchy subject any further. 8. Don’t close off the interviewer by using negative signals. A combination of crossing your arms, sitting back and sticking your feet forward implies that you have switched off and are no longer interested. 9. Most of all just try and be yourself.

Get qualified for free! Are you interested in gaining a qualification that can be completed in your own time and at no cost? In association with Vision2Learn, Jobsite are offering you a choice of free elearning courses, each leading to a recognised qualification. From beginners through to advanced, a suitable course to help you further your career is just a click away. For more information and to sign up, click here

Interviews

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Covering Letters 18

Most common covering letter mistakes Most candidates do express difficulty when faced with having to write an effective covering letter. The covering letter is the toughest letter that you will have to write because there is the question of the right style, format and how to empower the employer. It is obvious that a good covering letter can help you to clinch the job, so why do so many candidates not write effective ones? There is a lot of mystery surrounding the covering letter. The most common question I get asked is ‘Do I need a covering letter if I am applying on-line?’ If you send in a CV or upload a CV without a covering letter you run the risk of your application been over-looked. Employers may conclude that you are unreliable because you: Can’t complete a task Can’t present yourself properly (so how could you then represent the company?) Can’t express yourself in writing Can’t write letters A covering letter is an absolute necessity. Without it, the application is incomplete. A CV is not a stand-alone document; it needs a covering letter to confirm and draw out the relevant detail of the CV. The purpose of the covering letter is to: Introduce yourself to your prospective employer Advise that your CV is attached Sell your strengths Show your value Confirm your enthusiasm Explain your background and level of expertise Supply any additional information that is requested in the advertisement. Cover any concerns that the employer might have about you perhaps your age, experience, level of expertise, health or family circumstances Ask for an interview Covering Letters

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The thing to bear in mind is that there are many different types of covering letters. Each type of letter has a different tone, approach and message. What are the different types of covering letters?

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The covering letter in response to an advertisement This is perhaps the easiest letter of all to write. The advertisement will give you an indication of the type and amount of information that is required. This letter has a standard format and style. You will need to consider how you are going to include things like why you consider that you are the best person for the job, why you are enthusiastic about the position, why your expertise will be of benefit to the employer and to cover, not hide any disadvantages that you may have as a candidate.

The cold/speculative covering letter Your job target or the job market you are working within may mean that you have to introduce yourself to companies in the form of a speculative letter as there are not too many jobs advertised. If you can write a good business letter and fulfil the company’s needs you are likely to receive a positive response from employers. It is advisable to try several different approaches to discover what is the best approach for you. You will need to be selective in your approach, to deliver a good opening, which focuses on the employer not on you, to explain and sell your experience.

The friendship covering letter A friendship covering letter is perhaps the hardest of all of the covering letters to write. Friendships are won and lost on poor letter writing so make sure you get it right. Friends are not just your closest and dearest pals but anyone who knows your name - in fact anyone who can help you in your job search. Don’t rule anyone out prematurely, because they may be able to help you. At this stage it doesn’t matter where your friends live, because your friend’s friend may live near you. Make sure you rebuild old times, explain your situation, tell them how they could help you out, and ask for advice and ideas and end on a friendly note.

Does your covering letter REALLY sell you? Most covering letters are very poor. How strong is your covering letter? Do you take the opportunity to sell your professional contribution, your personal style, and your technical competence? Discover how you can write a winning covering letter. If you would like advice on your CV and covering letter please click here for further information.

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Things to avoid

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Most covering letters fail because they don’t empower the employer. In others words the candidates focuses too much on their needs and not on the employer’s needs. So the covering letter doesn’t add anything to the application and sometimes it can even destroy the message of the CV itself. Is this because the letter is: X - A ‘weak’ letter, which states only that the CV is enclosed, rather than reconfirming your areas of expertise. This type of letter gives the power back to the employer: the power to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to your application. Unfortunately, most covering letters fall into the ‘weak’ category. X - An ‘arrogant’ letter, which will put off employers. Perhaps it implies or states why the employer should take on the applicant, or explains how the company should run its business. Try to avoid this approach, as it normally gives the employer a negative image of yourself. X - A ‘humorous’ letter, which will normally misfire. The joke will almost certainly be on you. Save your sense of humour for the times when you are face to face with the recipient. You can then judge the response and modify your approach accordingly. X - A ‘creative’ letter, which has its place in the PR, advertising and marketing fields. Here almost anything goes and a letter of this kind will be appreciated, rather than going over the top of the employer’s head. However, if you want to be creative and this is not your line of work you can still allow yourself to be different, but more subtly, by choosing a different ending to ‘Yours sincerely’ or ‘Yours faithfully’. You could try ‘With confidence’, ‘With great interest’, ‘Your friend’ ‘With warm thanks’ and so on. X - An ‘old fashioned’ letter, which puts the reader off. So many candidates change personality in their covering letter. They use terms, which were probably used over fifty years ago including ‘in the furtherance of’, ‘for your perusal’ and ‘prior to migrating my career’. Only use words in your covering letter that you would use when you talk to the employer. You will increase your chances of success if you write a really good covering letter, so it is worth spending some time getting it right. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

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Salary 21

Negotiating an improvement in your salary Money plays a big part in determining whether you stay put in your current role or start looking for a new job. There is always a balance between job satisfaction and what you get paid. Only you can decide whether the balance is right. Employers (current or future) are usually open to negotiation as long as you make a good case. The key is to be realistic at the same time as being prepared to negotiate with your employer. Salary negotiations are never clear cut. You have to be well prepared and remain cool. A lot of whether you win or lose your negotiations depends upon how prepared you are to negotiate. As a general rule, salary is determined by: What the company is accustomed to paying. What your current salary is. What level of experience and expertise you offer. In terms of a salary increase when changing job, you can normally expect 10-20 per cent increase on your current salary. It would probably not be as high as this, however, if you are changing profession or have been out of the workforce for a long period of time. If your new salary offer doesn’t satisfy your desires and needs, you can accept it, say nothing and enter your new job with feelings of resentment, or you can take action. “Shed any embarrassment and stand up for what you want and feel you deserve,” says Sarah Berry. “Be bold and enter into a negotiation phase with the employer. This is something that a lot of people are worried to do because they are worried that they will lose the job offer.” The basic principles are the same whatever you are negotiating. Successful negotiation is about achieving a win-win situation not a win-lose one, i.e. a conclusion that satisfies both parties, not where one party is forced into submission or withdrawal. So consider your own needs but also take into account the employer’s needs and constraints. If you adopt and adapt the following principles you will increase your chances of success.

Salary

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Decide who holds the power

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Who holds the power - you or the employer? Don’t leap to conclusions because the answer may not be what you expect it to be. How much power you hold determines how high your demands can be. You hold the power if: The interview went exceptionally well. You are convinced you are the best candidate (perhaps you have been told). The offer came in very quickly. You are a specialist in your field. The company have a particular problem that urgently needs resolving and you both know that you are the person to sort out the problem. You hold competitive information. You have knowledge the employer wants. The employer approached you, not the other way round. The company holds the power if: You are just the best of the bunch. The employer was nonchalant at the interview. The employer was distant. The employer was vague at the interview and wouldn’t disclose certain things about the job or company. The offer took a long time to come in. You know there is another strong internal candidate. The position is newly created - they don’t have to fill it. The employer has held a number of interviews. The balance of power will determine how high or low you pitch your opening bid.

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Decide what you want

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You can’t enter negotiations unless you know what you want. Decide what it is you are after and also know what you would be prepared to accept if your demands aren’t fully met. So know what you want, but also what your “walkaway” position is. A “walk-away” position is the point at which the negotiation breaks down; this will be different for each individual, according to personal circumstances. For example, one person might not accept a job unless the conditions are changed; another might give negotiations a try and even if their demands aren’t met they will accept the job. For example, a client of mine was verbally offered a salary in the interview of between £30K and £33K. However, the offer letter quoted a salary figure of £29,500 - the same as his current salary. He was disappointed that there was no increase in money, especially as it had been hinted at in the interview. The client decided he wanted an increase of some sort, and his “walk-away” position was that unless he achieved this, he wouldn’t take the job.

Putting your case forward It is advisable to test the water verbally first, to arrange a discussion/meeting and then if need be put your case in writing. Adopt a businesslike manner and choose your wording carefully. Thank the person for the offer and say how keen you are to accept the job once the salary is finalised. Share your disappointment and suggest a meeting to discuss it. At the meeting, you can state your figure depending upon who you feel holds the power. What tradeables would you accept? A salary review after a specified period of time. Overtime pay. A shortening of the period of time after which you will be able to buy company shares. Benefits of a higher grade, such as pension entitlements, medical or company car rights. A greater holiday entitlement. Share your ideas and offer your tradeables, if you need to negotiate further. Money is important but how important it is, only you can decide. Generally speaking money matters should be a lower priority than career issues. Employers think in terms of what value you offer to their business. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

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Selling Yourself 24

Improve your Communication Communication is power. It is quite simple, if you can communicate your message you get what you want. The purpose of this article is to help you to get what you want out of your career. ‘Since 1992, Career Consultants has helped thousands of people advance their careers. Isn’t it time we did something for you?’ asks Sarah Berry. But is it that simple?’ Is career success really down to how you communicate your message? ‘Yes it is - truthful, honest and open communication is your answer to any career issue’. Let’s look for a minute at a successful person, a person you admire and a person you take an interest in. Do you have a picture of this person in your mind? In your view, does this person: Spend more time doing the things you would like to do? Have things that you would enjoy too? Spend time ‘being’ the person you would like to be? This current age is the ‘communication age.’ In the society that we all live in now, the people who have what they want are the people who are able to communicate their message the best. They are master communicators. The fastest growing companies are the companies who are able to get their message across to the world on a day-to-day basis. Take companies like Vodafone, ARM, Carphone Warehouse, Travelex, and Sophos as examples. There are two basic forms of communication, internal communication and external communication, and both types of communication have an effect on you and others. Internal communication is what you picture, feel, and say to yourself. And external communication is what you experience and show the world in terms of what you hear and say and how you express that in your body language and facial expressions. Now last Friday I had an opportunity to meet a very special guy called Tim. Tim had created a fairly successful career model for himself but there were flaws in Tim’s model. What were these flaws? Tim had no idea: Who he was modelling himself on; What he was achieving from his model? And what actions he needed to take to change his performance.

Selling Yourself

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Now Tim’s case isn’t unusual because although Tim felt things inside, he wasn’t able to communicate his message to the people around him. In Tim’s case his communication had become too internalised and Tim’s interpretation of what was happening wasn’t a true, real and complete reflection of the events. The result was that I was able to give Tim the tools to enable him to take the necessary actions to change his circumstances. Enough of Tim, let’s turn and focus on you and your needs now. Can I ask you a series of questions? Are you able to communicate exactly what you want? Do you achieve positive results? Do you have a career vision or a career goal? Are you on the salary you want to be on? Are you happy with how your job or career is turning out? Are people responding to you in a way that pleases you? Is finding a job a rewarding and easy experience? Do you know what motivates and drives you? Do you have all the information you need on yourself in order to take action? The only difference there is between the people who have and the people who don’t have, between the people who do and the people who do not and between the people who can and the people who cannot is the way they communicate with themselves and the actions they take as a result. Sarah Berry says, ‘First of all you need to decide if you could benefit from learning more about external and internal communication and next you need to decide if you are willing to pay the price. The price of course may involve money, time or effort on your part. If you don’t take the second step, you’ll never achieve what you want in the long term. People who take both steps are the ‘people who do’ and the people who only take the first step are the ‘people who talk’. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

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Career Management 26

Make a Career Action Plan The New Year is not the only time of year to make a resolution to improve your career. Whatever the day or month, now is the perfect time to take control and map out a great future for yourself. And forming your career action plan couldn’t be easier - you can simply get started by setting yourself some realistic goals. Try the following ideas to help you think about setting goals for your working life. An easy-to-use approach to goal setting is to apply the SMART acronym. This means that your goals should always be: Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timed For example, if you’re looking to change jobs you may be planning to improve your skills. So, if your first goal is to take a course, then make it: Specific, i.e. it’s a real course that will you will actually learn something from. Measurable, e.g. it leads to a nationally recognised qualification. Achievable, e.g. it counts towards the qualifications you need to get the job or to go on to further study. Realistic, i.e. you know that you can really give the time required to your studies and achieve your qualification within the timescale. Timed, i.e. give yourself a deadline to complete the course. As well as using SMART in your goal setting, you should also: Be accurate. If you want a certain job, name the role, the salary and the skills that you will need to have. Challenge yourself. Make your goals stretching and don’t settle for something that’s within easy reach, but also be realistic about what you can achieve. Check that your career goals are desirable. Ask yourself if it’s what you Career Management

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really want and don’t be swayed by others’ expectations, e.g. parents, teachers, friends or partners Remember to keep a sense of balance. Cover all of the things that are important to achieve a good work/life balance.

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By following the guidelines, you can become very precise and specific about what you want to achieve. This significantly increases your chances of finding the right job. Writing down your career goals can also help. Try defining where you would like to be in one month, six months and one year’s time and set out realistic actions that you need to take to achieve your goals. For example, in one month you could have completed research on the job opportunities that are available to you. By six months you could have gained some relative work experience and after a year you could be working in your chosen field and in a position to further your career in the future. Once you’ve decided on your goals, it’s important to stick to them. Try the following tips to help you out: 1. Write each goal on a piece of card and place a sticker of a coloured shape next to the goal. Stick the same shape in a place where you will see it frequently, such as your mirror, in your diary or on your mobile phone. Seeing the shape will trigger your memory of the goal and keep you focused on achieving it. 2. Completing the action points to help you achieve your career goals is really vital, as is a weekly review of them to help you stay focused. 3. You could send a copy of your goals to a friend and get them to ask you for a progress report once a week to help you keep on track. So, if you’re feeling a little undecided about your career, try setting some, clear and realistic goals now to help you on your way. Even small, short-term goals can lead to a happy and successful career! By Zoe Crellin, Vision2learn

New Year – New Look If you want a new job, you will need a new look. Drag out that CV of yours and send it to us for some professional advice. We will tell you what you need to do to give your CV a 2005 look. If you are a serious job hunter we would like to help you. Now is the perfect time to change job. Click here to discover more

Career Management

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5 Motivational Tips Listed below are Sarah Berry’s ‘top’ five motivational tips for job hunting:

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1. Be Logical. ‘Why are you doing all this?’ It is a simple question but you need to know why you want to achieve your goal. Knowing why you want something is key to your success. Keep asking yourself the question until you get to the root cause - ‘Why do you want a new job?’ ‘Because I want a new challenge.’ ‘Why do you want a new challenge?’ ‘To feel better about myself.’ ‘Why do you want to feel better?’ ‘So I can do more things.’ ‘Why do you want to do more things?’ ‘So I can have more FUN.’ As the real answer emerges you can be much clearer about how to best satisfy your need. Have you gotten to the bottom of your issue?’ 2. Flex your Mind. Your mind has a huge impact on how you feel about yourself and how you tackle and reach your goals. Most people use their mind in a negative way. They use it to fuel their fears and anxieties. For example, they may ask themselves, ‘Would I be able to cope with that?’ However, if they asked themselves, ‘What would I enjoy about that?’ the answer would be much more amazing and inspirational. Are you using your mind to fuel your anxieties or to fuel your ambitions? 3. Think like a Star. Does your favourite star give up? Does he/she limit his/her earnings? The key to achieving is finding lots of ways to boost your motivation and drive. Are you going to achieve what you want this time? You’re damn right you are! 4. Use your Senses. Your senses are vital to your success programme. What is your best sense - sight, sound, taste, touch or smell? Are you using the most appropriate sense to help your case? Playing ‘you are stuck in a rut’ may help you to focus on your goal if you are an audio person whereas sticking a picture of your favourite car on the fridge would drive a visual person more. Use your senses to stay on track. 5. Trick your mind. Fooling your mind into thinking everything depends on your resolution keeps the focus on success. Tell all your friends that you will be starting a new job in the New Year, now not only will you be willing yourself on, you also won’t want to let your friends down either. Now is the perfect time to take a long hard look at your working life. Is it time to change your job? And could you do with a boost in income? It is all about making plans and taking action to revolutionise your life. Just a few subtle changes can make a big difference to the way you will be perceived by employers. By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

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Assertive or Aggressive Communication? 29

Good communication is crucial to achieving effective working relationships. How you choose to communicate with your colleagues can seriously affect your job and ultimately your career progression. When your communication is in top form your relationships will feel relaxed, open and honest but when your communication is poor the relationships can feel cold, strained, tense and as if one person is withholding from another in some way. Do you need to modify things slightly? Check out the different styles below.

Communication Styles Let’s look at the difference between aggressive and assertive communication. They are both forceful forms of communication but assertive behaviour has a more positive impact on other people than aggressive behaviour. Aggression What is aggressive behaviour? It is standing up for yourself in such a way that disregards the other person’s feelings, position, or interests. Aggressive behaviour therefore comes across as an attempt to humiliate, control, hurt, belittle or disregard the other person. Whether the aggressive behaviour is conscious or unconscious it will encourage the recipient to be more aggressive in his/her response. What do aggressive people say? ‘I am tired of being the only person in this organisation who can keep on top of things.’ ‘It surprised me that you did not discuss this matter with me. You insulted my professional experience by taking action without consulting me.’ ‘Why haven’t I heard from you by now? You are not giving me the service or response I expect. It is obvious that you just don’t know what you are doing.’ ‘Let me know why this is happening or sort this problem out. If you cannot do this then refund the money you have already taken by credit card.’ ‘I am sick and tired of the management of this company. It is obvious that you don’t care about other people.’

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Exercise Being honest with yourself means that you can be more relaxed about adapting your communication style for your own and other people’s benefit.

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1. I was too hard when dealing with ‘name the person’ Next time I will... 2. I took ‘name the incident’ too seriously Next time I will... 3. I reacted too personally when... Next time I will... Passive Aggression What is passive aggressive behaviour? Passive aggressive behaviour is the indirect expression of anger or frustration. On the surface the person looks passive and content as there is no visible sign of aggression but in reality the person is quietly boiling below the surface. Examples of passive aggressive behaviour include: Giving someone a wide berth or ignoring the person. Slamming doors or drawers hoping that someone will notice. When asked ‘what is wrong?’ just snapping ‘nothing’ in reply. Making hurtful sarcastic comments about someone. Assertive Behaviour What is assertive behaviour? Assertive behaviour is standing up for yourself in such a way that is does not violate the rights of the other person. It is means that you can be direct and honest when expressing your feelings and opinions. By adopting an assertive approach you will encourage others around you to be more assertive too. The simple rule for effective communication is the KISS rule. Keep it short and simple.

Good communication is crucial to achieving effective working relationships. If you would like to improve the way you present your ideas at work, Sarah Berry’s latest book, ‘Thank God It’s Monday - How to love the job you do’ will help you stay assertive in the workplace. Click here for more information

Career Management

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What do assertive people say? ‘I like our business relationship the way it is. I would like to present some ideas to you about how it could be enhanced further. When would be a good time to do this?’

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‘Excuse me, Bob. I would like to finish off what I was saying.’ ‘I think some of the points you raised are true. I hadn’t quite seen it that way before. I would like to prevent this happening again and would therefore like you to be less personal about my shortcomings in future.’ Being positively assertive all the time can be tricky - we can all slip on occasions. However, on the whole it is worth remembering the following points: Talk from I. It is always best to talk from ‘I’. ‘I see it differently’ or ‘I remember it differently’. Be for something, not against. When expressing a different opinion give positive reasons for your view rather than arguments against the other person’s views. ‘I believe we can produce results more quickly if we make this a team project.’ Rather than, ‘Your idea of giving one person responsibility for the project won’t work.’ Look for areas of agreement. You can make others more receptive to your ideas if you recognise their ideas as well. ‘I want to incorporate as many of your ideas on people and resources. I would like to discuss further these specific areas so that we can move towards agreement’. Express yourself. State your reaction to the other person’s behaviour directly and clearly without becoming negative. ‘I find it frustrating’. ‘I think that it is unfair.’ Specify your wishes. Get your point over calmly. ‘’I would prefer that you …’ By Sarah Berry, Career Consultants On-Line Ltd.

Career Management

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Continued Learning 32

A new way to look at learning Information Technology has revolutionised our everyday lives, from the way we communicate or search for information to how we shop and even the way we learn. It is estimated that nearly 10 million UK households now have access to the Internet, and IT is now as important a part of our education as Maths and English. So exactly what impact has IT had on the way we learn and how could you benefit? More and more education providers are realising that, for many people, attending college is just not an option. Class times don’t always fit around work or family life, the college may not be easily accessible from where you live and, let’s face it, for some people the idea of going back to the classroom can be pretty horrifying. This is where online learning comes in. Online learning puts the learner first and you’re firmly in control. You can study what, when, where and as often as you want - all you need is access to an internet-connected computer. By its very nature, online learning involves methods other than face-to-face interaction in a classroom. That doesn’t mean that you’re totally on your own though, it’s just that the interaction occurs in different ways. For example, through emails to tutors, email discussion groups, chat room discussion with fellow students, telephone calls or even video conferencing. Some courses also have face-to-face meeting times so you can touch base with tutors and study mates. Online learning is different to any other type of learning. When you study online you won’t always have a tutor breathing down your neck or classmates nearby to prod you into action. Online learning is sometimes referred to as self-directed learning and that means you can set your own pace and choose what to learn and when to learn it. This gives you a lot of freedom of choice. So the good news is that online learning is nothing like going to school. But what makes a good online learner and how do you know if it’s for you? Here are some of the characteristics that will help: A pioneering spirit - you can be part of a groundbreaking movement in new learning Courage - to learn about new technologies and ask for help if and when you need it Determination - don’t let technical hitches and frustrations put you off your learning goals

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Self-discipline - be as self-disciplined and self-directed as possible, which will enable you to take charge of your own learning and development

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Keeping in touch - don’t become too isolated, use chat room and discussion group facilities to keep in touch and learn from others. You may also be relieved to hear that you don’t need to be a computer whiz to benefit from this type of learning. Learning online is bit like learning to drive. Once you’ve mastered the controls you can totally concentrate on the content of your learning journey. A good online course will be user-friendly with clear instructions about how to send emails, contact tutors, where to store work and how to retrieve marks and feedback from your tutor. The level of technical skill you will need is low and easy to master, particularly if you’re willing to ask for help when you need it. The important thing is not to let a fear of technology put you off if the content of the course is what you need most. Remember, technology is just a tool that makes this form of learning more accessible and suitable for you. So if you’re thinking about developing your skills and want more flexibility and freedom of choice, then online learning could be just what you’re looking for. By Claire Graham, Vision2learn

Get qualified for free! Are you interested in gaining a qualification that can be completed in your own time and at no cost? In association with Vision2Learn, Jobsite are offering you a choice of free elearning courses, each leading to a recognised qualification. From beginners through to advanced, a suitable course to help you further your career is just a click away. For more information and to sign up, click here

Continued Learning

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