The top courses to help you get hired August 2017

The top courses to help you get hired August 2017 by Michael Cheary You don’t have to wait until September to go back to school…   There might not be a better time of year to start a new qualification than August. Not only is it a more productive way to spend your extra time than sitting in pub gardens (cheers Great British summertime) â€" but as course providers are gearing up for the new educational year, there are a whole host of excellent discounts and offers available to keep the costs down.To help you discover your new passion, here are three of the hottest courses you can find on reed.co.uk this month.Child Psychology DiplomaAlways wanted to work out what young children are thinking? You’re in luck.This CPD certified Child Psychology Diploma provides you with everything you need to start thinking about thinking full-time.No previous knowledge or experience is required to get started, making it perfect for anyone looking for a new calling. It even comes with an NUS card whilst you study, giving you access to hund reds of discounts across some of the UK’s biggest brands.Modules covered include physical and emotional development, gender roles and behavioural problems, through to key life stages, from toddlers’ right up to the difficult ‘teenage years’.So, whether you want to know the best way to react to unpredictable mood swings, or just the definitive way to deal with an incredibly inquisitive child (thank us when you have to answer ‘are we there yet?’ for the eighty-seventh time), this course has you covered.Long car journeys may never be the same again…What do I need?  An open mind about the mind.How long will it last?  There’s no time limit â€" so you can study at your own pace.Perfect for:  People who think, therefore they are (willing to buy a course).Child Psychology courseDigital Marketing YOU LITERALLY WON’T BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TAKE THIS COURSE…Actually, if you guessed that it would end up in you gaining a Digital Marketing Diploma that will instantly ma ke your CV stand out to employers in the industry, you’re pretty much bang on.That’s because it covers a range of key digital marketing disciplines (and/or impressive sounding acronyms) including SEO, PPC, CRM and GA. Also, you know, social media marketing, digital marketing strategy, copywriting and email marketing. Those too.And it isn’t just the content that’s impressive. Studying with the Learning People comes with a wide range of benefits included as part of the package, with everything from webinars, expert mentor support and even a CV detox thrown in for good measure.Want to become a Digital Marketing maestro? Just want to get past Penguins, Pandas and Hummingbirds*? Insert incredibly enticing call-to-action here…What do I need?  An interest in building engaging digital marketing campaigns.How long will it last?  Around 30 hours (part-time and full-time options available).Perfect for:  People who have got their white caps on.Digital Marketing courseNail Technician c ourseIf you’re interested in health and beauty (see also: want to get salon-quality nails for free), we’ve got you covered.There are a wide range of Nail Technician courses available on reed.co.uk all throughout August that focus on getting closer to your cuticles. And manicures are just the (French) tip of the iceberg.Every certification offers something different, going right from basic steps like preparing your clients for treatments and cleaning correctly, through to applying artificial nails, overlays and accessories. There are even options which include instructions on setting up your own business and managing finances.And with courses available from just £19 â€" and lasting as little as three months â€" you can go from filing nails to filing accounts quicker than you can say Shellac.Nail-biters need not enrol…What do I need?  An interest in building a career in the beauty industry.How long will it last?  Anywhere from three months to a year (depending on the course).Pe rfect for:  People who know their Butterfly Queen from their Beckoning Begonia.Nail Technician courses*Google itNot sure which course is right for you?  View all available courses now.Find a job What Where Search JobsSign up for more Career AdviceSign up for moreCareer Advice Please enter a valid email addressmessage hereBy clicking Submit you agree to the Features

What can I do with languages UoM Graduate Emily tells her story University of Manchester Careers Blog

What can I do with languages UoM Graduate Emily tells her story University of Manchester Careers Blog By Emily Fenlon When I graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in Chinese Studies last July, I was both excited and terrified at the prospect of finding a “proper job”. I already had some summer work lined up and I had secured a place on the British Council’s ELA programme in China for a year to improve my Chinese with the view of returning to work as a translator. That was until I woke up one morning and began doubting the plan that had been set in stone since my return from my year abroad. These doubts led to me question what I actually wanted to use my Chinese for or if I actually wanted to use it at all. I withdrew from my place on the British Council’s ELA programme in China and started to have a long hard think about what I was going to do now I was no longer a student. Having a degree in any language opens you up to so many different job opportunities, whether you use your language or not. Here are some of the options that I have considered in the past and would recommend looking at if you are just getting started or need a back-up plan: Translator/Interpreter: For me this seemed like the most obvious choice having naively believed that it was the only real option with my degree. I attended various talks by GCHQ and MI6 in my final year which gave me a better insight into the daily life of a translator. I would wholly recommend going to as many careers talks as possible as they help you to understand what the job is really like from somebody who actually works there. Listening to somebody else’s experiences can be invaluable in helping you decide whether you want to do that job or not. Teaching: Another popular option for languages students is going down the teaching route. There is a high demand for languages within schools and there are currently bursaries of up to £20,000 if you have a first class honours degree. There doesn’t seem to be much demand for Chinese in the world of secondary school teaching, but I am hopeful this will change. There are however opportunities aplenty for European languages and you even have the opportunity to intensively study the language and visit the country before you start your course/training for those of you who are worried your language might not quite be up to scratch. TEFL: TEFL or Teaching English as a Foreign Language is becoming increasingly popular for language graduates (and other graduates alike) wanting to swap rainy England for a sunny paradise. Although you may not be using your language in your job (you will be expected to speak English to the students), it provides a paid opportunity to see the world, improve your language and make lifelong friends. To get a good idea of whether this would be something you would be interested in post student life, I would recommend trying a bit of teaching on your year abroad, either officially as an ELA or voluntarily if you have chosen to study. I taught English in Hong Kong which not only showed that my knowledge English grammar rules needed some improvement, but also added some valuable experience and transferable skills to my CV. What did I decide to do? After working at Manchester Airport for 6 months after graduation, I decided that 2am starts weren’t for me so I started looking for the elusive “9-5”. I decided to try and use my degree and improve my Chinese so I started working for a Chinese company based in Manchester doing some translation work.  Six months of translating terms and conditions was enough to make me realise I missed the customer service environment so I booked in to have an appointment at the Careers Service to see what options were available. It was there that I found out about my MGIP opportunity to work in the Careers Service and I’ve now been here for almost 9 months. I still get to use my language as I run the Weibo account (Chinese version of twitter) but I’m also learning a lot of useful skills that I can take forward when I apply for something more permanent. So if you’re coming the end of your degree, you decide actually quite like rainy England and that you’re not interested in translation or teaching, don’t panic. It may be a cliché to say that “the world is your oyster” but it truly is. To explore what you can do with your language(s) beyond what I have already talked about, check out the Prospects page on languages and our guide on Careers using Languages. If you’re still unsure on what to do or want to have a chat, you can call us on 0161 275 2829 to book an appointment with a careers adviser. All Manchester Made Me Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted career planning careers China international jobs job hunting languages my story

Effective job applications the importance of grammar

Effective job applications â€" the importance of grammar The speed with which employers assess applications is well-documented, you may only have up to 30 seconds to make a good impression. You could be the ideal candidate but if the first thing an employer sees is a poorly prepared application, with spelling mistakes and grammatical errors, it  suggests an  applicant who is not really motivated and lacking the interest and enthusiasm that all employers require. Good grammar gets your application noticed for all the right reasons! Around half of all CVs received by recruitment consultants, according to the Recruitment and Employment Commission, contain spelling or grammatical errors and these are most likely to be made by those aged between 21 and 25. In this age group, graduates are twice as likely to make mistakes as those who did not go to university. (1) When putting your job applications together always check and then double check your grammar and spelling. Many applications are let down and rejected because of simple grammatical errors. Let’s start by unravelling the confusion over the use of personal pronouns during specific stages of the recruitment and selection process specifically, when and how to use ‘I’, ‘we’ or ‘me’. CVs need to be consistent Searching online for definitive advice on whether CVs should be written in the first or third person reveals conflicting opinions. Clearly, employers and careers advisers are not one homogeneous group. However, the majority of careers advice and recruitment professionals would advise you that it is good practice to avoid using the words I or me repeatedly throughout your CV.   It might feel unnatural, but it is quite obvious that your CV is all about you, so you can leave out the personal pronouns ‘I’ and ‘me’. While there are a number of basic guidelines to crafting your CV, it is also very subjective. There are no hard and fast rules for writing graduate CVs but whatever style you do choose, make sure it is consistent throughout. As a Job Search Adviser at the University of Warwick I review hundreds of CVs and find that students who include ‘I’ and ‘me’ tend to write long rambling prose. This can make it difficult for an employer to filter out the applicants skills at a glance. First impressions matter! The average time it takes an employer to form an impression from your CV is just 10 seconds! So make it easy for them, use bullet points to break down your work experience and start with active, positive words to ensure that your CV reflects the skills the employer requires. The following examples show how the unnecessary inclusion of pronouns is a distraction, making your skills more difficult for an employer to spot at a glance. Not like this I liaised with key stakeholders to inform the social media element of my marketing strategy. I designed and I also developed printed resources and marketing materials. I led digital marketing activity via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube which helped me achieve an increase in recruitment rates by 16% during 2014. Go for this Liaised with key stakeholders to inform social media element of marketing strategy. Designed and developed printed resources and marketing materials. Led digital marketing activity via Twitter, Facebook and YouTube resulting in an increase in recruitment rates by 16% during 2014. Applications The personal pronoun conventions for completing application questions should not be confused with those for CV writing.  Many employers devise their own application forms and questions, usually with a specified word count. For example, you could be asked,  Why do you want to work here?, What is your greatest achievement?, What is unique about you?  Here there is an expectation that you do use the personal pronoun ‘I’. Application forms generally ask for basic biographical information but will also contain open questions which often require research. Employers will want to see that you have identified a clear link between the work they do and your interests and skills.  Take a look at the Student Careers Skills website for more application top tips. Interviews Carefully consider which personal pronouns to use in response to this competency type interview question,  â€˜Tell us about a time when you have led a group or team?’  You are being asked to set the scene, give brief context to the situation and task you were given as a group, then move on to describe the actions you took as leader and the end results. Interviewees often slip into answering this type of question framing all the response and description of actions using the personal pronoun ‘we’.  The interview question is posed in this way to assess your leadership competencies, so describe what you did and how you did it using the pronoun ‘I’. Leave the employer in no doubt that you have the leadership skills they are looking for. Finally… One other key grammatical point to consider, do ensure you use the correct tenses throughout your CV and applications. Avoid confusion, include details of any work experience you are currently involved in using present tense (e.g. organise meetings), but use past tense for any previous roles (e.g. organised meetings).  People judge you on how you write and speak; by submitting clear, concise and accurate applications you will significantly increase your chances of getting noticed for all the right reasons. (1) https://www.theguardian.com/careers/cv-mistakes

Thinking of changing courses

Thinking of changing courses Changing Courses Ok, let me set the scene. You’ve started a degree and you are well into your  first year. Every day you dread going in and you feel completely lost or uninspired. The thought keeps cropping up that you should change course but at the moment you’re employing the ostrich technique of sticking your head in the sand! So, what next? Thought of changing courses yet? Changing Courses Image: writemania.net/ In this post I am going to discuss some of the things that you should do to ensure that you move forward in a positive manner. Think about why you chose the course in the first place   Sometimes studying may be very different to the role you are aiming for. Ask yourself whether it is worth just cracking on because the end goal is worth it. Identify what you don’t like about your course â€" If it is a small element of your course, you may be able to change a module and take on something that you are more interested in. Get some help  before changing coursesâ€" Talk to your friends, tutors and university careers service. Don’t suffer in silence; your friends may have some good advice for you or your tutors may be able to offer some support to help you to keep up. Your careers service will be able to discuss your options in more detail and help you to make the right decision. Check your finances â€" Changing course may have financial implications. The best thing to do is to pop over for a chat with someone at your universitys finance office to see where you stand. What do I do if I decide to change course? Explore your options â€" If you decide to change courses, you’re going to need to think about whether you want to change your course  only, institution, or both. When exploring changing courses, it would be worth having a chat with tutors on the course, and if possible, people already on the course. See what the course is like; get information on the modules, opinions about the tutors etc. This will help to ensure that you don’t get into the same situation again.   Keep up-to-date Ensure that while you are making the move, you still keep up-to-date with your current course; that way you can be sure of a good reference from your tutor if you need one. What if I want to leave university altogether? There are many reasons that you might want to leave university altogether rather than changing courses. If this is the case, don’t worry it isn’t the end of the world. Some people aren’t suited to university or it might just not be the right time both mentally and financially. Get in touch with your head of year or personal tutor Check whether you can get credit for what you have already done. This way, if you decide to come back, you may be able to start where you left off. It is also worth checking how long such a credit would be valid for. Get a plan together â€" Developing a plan of what you are going to do once you leave is crucial. What jobs are you going to apply for? Have you got the skills and experience that you need? Have you got a CV that shows off your skills? Are you thinking of changing courses? Have you changed courses and it was the best decision you have ever made? Did you leave university to enter the world of work and are now a high flyer? Let us know and get involved in the discussion.   You May Also Like How A Postgraduate Degree Can Help You Stand Out From The Crowd Do You Know Your Internship Goals? Graduate and Unemployed? Try these to boost your calibre Image Credit:  www.writemania.net 36

Using the Proper Technique For Writing a Resume

Using the Proper Technique For Writing a ResumeMany new writers start off with their first project in a hurry and use poor or improper technique for writing a resume. The result?They begin their job search and never get to work, never take the next step and finally quit working for any reason. The result? Well, this is often the outcome when readers read a job advertisement that has the candidate in the job position.When a candidate starts out with a job search, he should use the appropriate technique for writing a resume. This should include using what is called the 'formula' which is simply a way of organizing all of the information he should have about the specific position he wants.He should then start with the job description and move on to the accomplishments, training and education that will be needed to be a successful employee in a particular field. This part of the resume should be completed at least three-quarters of the way in and should have been completed at least three -quarters of the way through the resume. If it has not been completed, the applicant has to do it again at the very end.The next part of the resume will have to be an example of one of the best examples of work he can provide. It must demonstrate a knowledge of the job description and the way in which to carry it out. This part can be explained and the reader should be able to identify that if he were applying for the position he is applying for, that candidate would make the same resume the applicant will have to make.Finally, the reader should read and carefully consider the requirements of the position. This is where the actual format of the resume should be followed. The first section of the resume will be a head-end heading followed by a list of the qualifications for the job and the employment history and job description.The following portion of the resume should contain a summary of the type of experience the applicant needs to bring to the job and what experience he has had in his current employment. The employer should be made aware of his successes and failures in his current position and other positions in the past. Finally, he should give the employer enough information to give the employer confidence that he can perform the responsibilities of the job and this is to be done in a manner that is not rambling but precise and in the format that the employer will appreciate.To be a successful candidate for a job, the applicant should use a proper technique for writing a resume. He should use what is called the 'formula' for the resume and follow the outline to the letter. If he does not follow this format, he is not getting the most out of his resume.

Under Attack What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You - Pathfinder Careers

Under Attack What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You - Pathfinder Careers Under Attack: What To Do When An Office Mate Is Out To Get You The other day, I was off on a bike ride around the city, pedaling away and minding my own business. It was a beautiful day and I was passing by some wetlands that I hadnt been past before. All of a sudden, something hit my helmet with such force that I thought that I had been attacked from behind by a bad guy. Freaking out, I looked behind and didnt see a soul.  Puzzled, I swung my head around and immediately connected the hit with a blackbird that just landed on a nearby post and was glaring at me. At first, my defensive hackles were up; on alert for more trouble, but once I realized the source, I let my guard down. A little, but not too much Just in case Mr. Attack Bird decided to come in for a second dive-bomb run on me. But in reality, this incident seems eerily similar to being attacked completely out of the blue at work.  You never see it coming and it leaves you completely off-balance as you struggle to understand exactly why it happened. While sitting in my bike saddle, I put two and two together about my current route past the wetlands. I realized that the likely underlying motivator for this bird to attack me was that it was likely defending a nearby nest. When someone attacks you at work, they usually feel threatened as well. The trick to understanding those motivations is to analyze what might make them feel threatened to hopefully cut them off at the pass. Ask yourself: Are you excelling to a point where your performance is making them look bad by comparison? Are you stepping on their toes? Are your actions threatening their authority or autonomy? Have you been treating them fairly and respectfully? Do you have something that they want? Are you standing in the way of what they want to have? No one can ever predict the precise reason as to why some people dive into the dark side of office politics and make the workplace a melodrama filled with conniving, back-stabbing tactics. But the key is to always remember what the motivating factors are, and start working from there to erase those defensive tendencies.  By acting as a shared knowledge base and a conduit helping everyone use the means to the end rather than a resolute silo, you might just avert an unforeseen attack and instead, win their trust. *Photograph  By Andreas Trepte  via Wikimedia Commons

Book review Microserfs - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Book review Microserfs - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog In Microserfs by Douglas Coupland, a bunch of geeks working at Microsoft (hence the title of the book), decide to change their predictable, stable, profitable yet somehow unfulfilling lives in Seattle for a leap into the unknown, starting their own company in California. Some things remain the same: They still work way too much. Theyre still geeks. They still obsess about small things, as geeks do. But something starts to change. They get lives. The fundamental isolation made possible by the corporate lifestyle at Microsoft is replaced by confusion, frustration, identity crisis, dating disasters, jealousy but also by friendship, community, loyalty, trust and most of all love. Re-reading this novel right before finishing Richard Sennetts book The Corrosion of Character made me see, that Microserfs can be read as a practical application of the themes in Sennets book, which deals with some of the same issues:How stable, long-term, predictable careers are being replaced with something much scarier. Heres a group of people, so lovingly and accurately depicted that you feel you know each and every one of them and all their talents, faults and idiosyncracies, each reacting to the changes in their own unique way. I have read Microserfs countless times, and I till think its brilliant. It is one of the most romantic books Ive ever read, showing some of the countless ways love can appear between people. It also has the best ending of any book Ive read and while Im not much of a romantic, I dont mind saying, that the last couple of pages brings a tear to my eye every time I read them. The book has extra resonance for me, because I used to be a geek myself. Ive gone through a journey very much like the ones taken by the characters in this book, and I can vouch for the accuracy of the description of the geek lifestyle and way if thinking. Yes, we can be that obsessed. Yes, we can be that dull. Yes, we can focus our lives around one thing (typically work) almost to the point where we don?t have lives. Yes, we can change. Yes, its worth it. Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related