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More than a quarter of women have never requested pay rise and find process ‘awkward’, study finds

More than a quarter of women have never requested a pay rise and women are substantially more likely to find the process of doing so “awkward”, a new study has found.

A poll of 2,000 people found 41 per cent of men have talked about a salary rise with their manager in the last six months,  whereas just a third of women have.

The study, carried out by Good Money Week, a campaign which shines a light on ethical finance, found nearly a third of women feel “awkward” about asking for more money but just a fifth of men feel uncomfortable.

It also discovered men are far more likely to feel “excited” and “empowered” about asking their boss to up their salary than women.

Nearly a fifth of men will request a rise twice or more each year and only eight per cent of women will do the same.

 

Read More – www.independent.com

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Thomas Cook staff begin legal action over job losses

Over 1,000 Thomas Cook staff will take legal action after losing their jobs when the airline collapsed.

At an event in Manchester on Friday, around 1,000 former employees came to sign up to legal action under the Protective Award, which is being co-ordinated by union Unite.

More unionised ex-workers are expected to sign up next week at events around the airline’s other UK hubs.

The firm’s liquidators said they will co-operate with any tribunal process.

The Unite-represented employees join around 100 non-union staff who earlier today said they will take legal action.

Both groups argue the airline and tour company acted unlawfully by not offering a Protective Award, a form of compensation given to staff of larger companies who are made redundant without being properly informed or consulted with.

Like the Unite-affiliated staff, the non-unionised Thomas Cook employees believe the firm acted unlawfully in the way they were dismissed and have appointed lawyers to seek redress through an employment tribunal.

Unite was meeting with former staff in Manchester to also inform members of their rights, how to begin redundancy claims with the government and to advise laid-off workers on job opportunities and updating their CV.

The union said it was calling on other airlines currently recruiting staff to “fast-track” the job applications of former Thomas Cook workers.

One ex-senior manager told the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire programme Thomas Cook was still offering jobs just days before going bust.

Lawyers from one firm, Simpson Millar, told the BBC that thousands of former workers at the firm could be due some money.

Employees are entitled to a Protective Award if they are made redundant from an office of more than 20 people without being properly informed – and are entitled to up to 90 days’ pay.

 

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk

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MetaCompliance creates 70 new jobs in Londonderry expansion

A cyber security firm is creating 70 jobs in Londonderry in a £4.5m investment.

MetaCompliance develops software that firms use to minimise risk from cyber attacks.

It is looking to expand its business into new markets in the US and Europe.

Chief Executive Robert O’Brien said: “We have seen a rapid global increase in the demand of cyber-security products and services, particularly since GDPR has been implemented.”

Invest Northern Ireland has offered £695,000 of support towards the new roles.

It said this expansion will generate £1.9m a year in salaries to the local economy.

Mr O’Brien said InvestNI’s support “has been fundamental to our continued growth” to match the demand for cyber security products.

John Hood of Invest NI, said the new jobs will allow MataCompliance to “build upon its previous success and help the company to expand its presence in the North West, the cybersecurity market, and in new markets”.

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk

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Minimum wage: How high could the lowest salaries go?

The National Living Wage will rise to £10.50 an hour by 2025, the government has said. So, how high could the lowest wages actually go?

What happens to the minimum wage already affects lots of low paid people – from bar staff to waiters and nursery nurses to sales assistants.

But the planned increases – announced by Chancellor Sajid Javid – mean the wage will increasingly affect many more.

When it reaches £10.50, it will be two-thirds of the median (middle) wage. It is likely to affect one in four employees and will be extended to all employees aged 21 and over by the mid 2020s.

But is there a limit to increasing the lowest wages and what are the benefits and risks of paying more?

How high is the minimum wage?

The UK already has one of the world’s highest minimum wages.

For workers aged 25 and over it is currently £8.21 an hour – a level known as the “National Living Wage”. There are also lower rates for younger workers, ranging from £4.35 to £7.70.

 

Read More – www.bbc.co.uk

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13 Ways to Show Your Boss You’re Ready for the Big Promotion

If you’ve been at the same job for some time, it’s all too easy to just assume that a promotion will come along every year, like a bonus for time served. But you have to do more than log hours to make it to the next level. More responsibility means actively showing (and sometimes telling) your boss that you’re ready to take on a new role.

To show you just how it’s done, 13 entrepreneurs from Young Entrepreneur Council weighed in with tips on getting promoted, based on their own employees they’ve seen rise through the ranks.

1. Make Your Boss Obsolete

It’s ironic, but the best way to get promoted is to make your boss’ job easier. And the best way to do that is to make his or her job obsolete. You’re not really putting your manager out of a job—you’re allowing him or her to trust your work. In turn, he or she can focus on new areas that the higher-ups have needed to address for some time. Strong work goes up the chain, improves the company, and gets you noticed.2. Summarize Work Visually

2. Summarize Work Visually

When talking about your work, give us something to look at. When you answer the question, ‘Why are people buying?’ show a chart of the top responses as well as how many people gave each response. It makes everyone a believer when we can see a quick visual snapshot that backs up what you’re saying.

3. Own Projects From Start to Finish

Organizations place a premium on individuals who follow through on tasks. If you can prove that you can consistently own projects from start to finish, you will not only get promoted, but you’ll also make yourself indispensable.

4. Keep a Positive Attitude

The people who typically get promoted keep their cool under stress. They also act as a role model to everyone around them. They meet deadlines and ask relevant, intelligent questions that help clients be happier with our services. When an issue arises, they want to solve it and work to avoid future problems by learning from their mistakes.

Read More – www.themuse.com

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Tailor your CV to get more interviews

If you were going for an interview at a big City law firm, it is unlikely you would turn up wearing sandals, swimming trunks and a tee shirt. Likewise, if you were going for an interview to be a Lifesaver for the RNLI, it may come across as slightly odd if you turned up for your interview in a pinstriped suit and bowler hat. If it’s important to tailor your approach to interviews, it is equally important when it comes to your CV.

It is a common mistake to rely on just one generic version of your CV for every application. How much the CV needs changing depends very much on your circumstances. A professional looking to further their career within a similar role and industry may need to tweak the CV for different applications. If you are a graduate or changing career, then you will need to refocus completely the information in your CV to demonstrate the right skills and qualities for different career paths.

Recruiters are often time strung and under pressure. It is therefore up to you the job seeker to make sure the information in your CV immediately connects. The first thing the recruiter wants to see is that your CV is relevant to the role applied for, this is where a Professional Profile comes into its own as this acts as your introduction and enables you to clearly position yourself in line with the job you are applying for.

 

Read More – www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk

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CV Key Skills

Everyone knows you never get a second chance to make a first impression. But what some job seekers do not realise is that a CV is the first impression you leave on a prospective employer so it is no exaggeration to say that a bad CV can ruin your chances of being hired.

It is also important to have a CV because of the following 3 reasons:

  1. It is a Record: Keeping a CV and updating it regularly will help you keep track of all of your minor accolades, many of which you might forget if you don’t organise them all in one place.
  2. It Demonstrates Professionalism: Skills aren’t everything when you are on the job market. Often it isn’t about what you can do so much as how you can do it. Companies want employees who present themselves as polished professionals.
  3. It is a Reference: For employers, a CV is helpful simply for keeping track of candidates. Your CV is the point of reference that keeps you visible to employers during the hiring process.

What Do Recruiters Look For in a CV?

Successful CVs stand out for many reasons, but recruiters primarily look for the following traits when evaluating the document you give them:

  • Presentation: Aesthetics are the first thing anyone reading your CV will notice. Does it look like a typical, cookie-cutter template? Is it easy to read at a glance? Is the information organised in a thoughtful manner? Is the document clear, efficient and precise? Inconsistent formatting, typos, and uncommon file formats are all quick ways present yourself in a negative light.
  • Relevance: Employers are interested in the relevant aspects of your professional history. So they probably don’t need to know about your part-time high school job as a car washer or that you are interested in collecting coins unless those things are directly related to the job for which you are applying. Don’t include things just to fill out the CV; every item on your list should be relevant to the task at hand.
  • Experience: Of course, the contents of your CV are critical too. Employers want to know what experience you have in the profession, or what skills you possess that will help you thrive in the role.

Key Skills to Highlight in Your CV

When putting together a CV, it can sometimes be hard to determine what skills or experiences to include and what to leave off.

The following types of information are relevant examples of what skills to highlight on a CV:

Administration Skills

  • Arranged meetings with senior management personnel
  • Distributed and filed new employee paperwork
  • Contacted customers and suppliers to arrange deliveries and receive orders
  • Managed transition of data from Microsoft 98 OS to Windows XP
  • Undertook digitisation project to scan the physical file and transfer to the cloud-based servers.

Communication Skills

  • Successfully mediated conflicts between staff members
  • Drafted and distributed interdepartmental memos
  • Read market reports and trend forecasts and 1-page business abstracts laying out all the key data and conclusions
  • Evaluated candidates for new positions and wrote brief reviews during hiring process
  • Recorded minutes of all executive level meetings

Managerial Skills

  • Oversaw customer service, financial, and administrative operations in the main office
  • Managed and trained two administrative assistants
  • Ordered raw materials and managed the receipt of all orders, confirming correct amounts and products
  • Arranged optimal scheduling for shop floor staff and filled vacancies when employees were sick or on holiday
  •  Coordinated deadlines and completion estimates between customers and production staff

Interpersonal Skills

  • Managed and trained multiple new staff members
  • Took charge of account management for several customer accounts
  • Coordinated business lunches and special events (such as concerts and sporting events) for key clients
  • Planned and hosted the annual holiday party
  • Hosted weekly employee lunches with staff members from multiple departments

IT Skills

  • Coordinated social media marketing campaigns
  • Built company website using interactive web design elements with HTML and CSS
  • Oversaw backup of company files to a cloud-based storage service
  • Managed transition from CD install software to new, scalable SaaS systems
  • Managed and organised Excel databases with performance analytics data

Problem-Solving Skills

  • Identified issue in IT systems and provided alternate solutions
  • Drafted a report providing ways to streamline office functions, which were later implemented by management
  • Replaced traditional office desks with standing desks for all willing employees, which led to an 8% increase in office productivity
  • Addressed customer complaints in a timely manner, providing store credit for faulty products
  • Implemented flexible scheduling and reduced overall energy consumption by 14% in six months.

Creativity Skills

  • Set up and maintained a company blog online, with more than 5,000 daily visitors
  • Drafted new design plans for a product that sold more than 1 million units
  • Designed new labels and logo for the company
  • Created invitations to the annual holiday party
  • Designed brochures and product catalogues for distribution by mail.

Finance Skills

  • Oversaw payroll for more than 80 employees
  • Paid taxes on both federal and state levels
  • Utilised Quickbooks for invoicing and accounts payable
  • Kept track of profitability via Excel spreadsheets
  • Implemented new credit card payment scanners

Read More – www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk

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5 signs your CV is underselling you

On average, recruiters receive 250 applications per corporate job opening. With a statistic like this, it is essential that your CV is up to scratch, because if you’re not selling yourself on your CV, you can bet that the next candidate is.

If your CV includes one or more of the following signs, it might be time to step it up.

  1. Your CV is missing a skills section

When it comes to passing an applicant tracking system, your skills section is your best friend. This is the easiest way to insert keywords into your CV and highlight to the recruiter (and software) that you have the necessary skills for the role. If you don’t have a skills section on your CV, or if you are listing irrelevant skills, then you are likely underselling yourself.

  1. You’ve yet to master the art of the humble brag

It’s not always comfortable to talk about your achievements, but when the whole point of a CV is to sell yourself, you need to step it up.

Enter the art of the humble brag.

The goal here is to brag about your achievements, qualifications and skills in a way that is professional and polite (and doesn’t necessarily feel like bragging). If you’re struggling to talk about your accomplishments, you could be underselling yourself.

  1. You’ve listed your duties but not your achievements

Recruiters are looking for candidates who can demonstrate relevant experience and offer a positive contribution to the hiring company. When listing your previous work experience, you shouldn’t be writing it like a job description. It’s fine to list your responsibilities, but recruiters will be looking for your achievements. What did you contribute to your previous roles? What impact did you have? If you can list specific accomplishments and figures to demonstrate the quantifiable impact you made, chances are you’ll move ahead of the competition.

  1. You forgot to include a cover letter

When your CV is only two pages in length, you want to make sure you are using every tool you’ve got to impress a recruiter. So why wouldn’t you submit a cover letter? Unlike a CV, your cover letter is an opportunity to speak directly to the hiring manager and address exactly why you’re the perfect candidate for the role. Even if the job application lists a cover letter as ‘optional’, it’s always recommended to submit one. If you don’t, you’re probably underselling yourself and limiting your opportunities.

  1. You skipped the proofread

Errors and spelling mistakes are a major pet hate for 71 percent of recruiters, so you’re certainly selling yourself short if you don’t take the time to proofread your CV. Use spell check on your word processor, read it through slowly at least three times and, if you can, get a friend to read it too.

Read More – www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk

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8 things to remove from your CV right away

Getting your CV right is essential for job-hunt success as it’s the first stage of convincing a prospective employer that you’re the one for the role.

To make sure you present yourself as the talent they need to bring on board, here are eight things that should not be included on your CV. Remove them right away and you’ll create an impression that lasts for the right reasons.

  1. Age and date of birth

As your age doesn’t affect your ability to do the job you’re applying for, it has no place on your CV. Employers should measure your ability on years of experience, not how old you are.

In the UK, under the Equality Act 2010, it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against candidates because of their age. Therefore, recruiters should not ask for this information during the job-application process, and they should not base their decisions on hiring or not hiring you based on how old you are. Don’t give them the fuel to do so by including your age on your CV.

  1. Marital status and dependents

Like your age, your marital status and the number of children you have don’t affect your ability to do a job. Therefore, you don’t need to include this information on your CV. Plus, these are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.

  1. Personal circumstances

Most candidates are extremely lucky to experience a smooth career trajectory, as most of us go through a few bumps here and there. Your reasons for being out of work have no place on your CV for two reasons.

Firstly, your CV is a two-page document filled with your most relevant skills and abilities to show why you’re a great fit for a vacancy. You don’t want to waste precious space with details that could convince the prospective employer why you might not be so great. This is particularly pertinent if you were dismissed from your last role.

Secondly, some personal circumstances are also protected characteristics, such as being pregnant or on maternity leave. It’s worth noting that you’re legally protected by the Equality Act if you’re associated with someone who has a protected characteristic, such as if you were caring for a family member or friend with a disability. Even if your reason is protected, don’t open yourself up to potential discrimination by listing it on your CV. There are better ways to fill the space.

  1. A photo

In some countries, a headshot is customary. However, in the UK, a photo of yourself is not required.

Firstly, employers should judge you on your skills and experience, not what you look like. Therefore, it’s more beneficial to fill the space with the details they’re looking for.

Secondly, a photo can often reveal your age, or at least give a general idea of it. Avoid the possibility of age discrimination by not including a headshot on your CV.

  1. Your address

Once upon a time, listing your address on your CV was a requirement. Today however, you simply need to list your town and county of residence.

Most application forms ask you to fill in your address separately, so there’s little point in adding it to your CV too. But your general location can be a nice addition to your CV if your locality is deemed a selling point.

If you think your location might negatively affect your chances of landing a job ‒ if you live quite a distance away, for example ‒ you can omit your location from your CV entirely.

  1. ‘Curriculum vitae’ as the title

Many job hunters make the mistake of titling their CV with the phrase ‘curriculum vitae’ or ‘CV’. This is outdated and unnecessary.

As most CVs are sent digitally, the file name of the document should be enough to signal to the recruiter what it is. Plus, if you’ve formatted your CV correctly, a prospective employer will know that it’s a CV with one glance.

Treat your name as the title of the document. After all, your CV is all about you. Place it at the top of your CV in large lettering, followed by your email address, phone number, location and your LinkedIn URL.

  1. Irrelevant work experience and qualifications

It’s extremely important to tailor your CV to the job for which you’re applying. Therefore, don’t be afraid to cut irrelevant details from your CV. This includes work experience from over 10 years ago or positions that are unrelated to the industry you’re entering, for example.

I’d also encourage you to avoid listing every single qualification to your name if you’re a few years into your career. Summarise your qualifications where you can; for example: ‘four A-Levels, grades A to C’.  And if you’re an experienced professional, it’s perfectly acceptable to list only your most recent or weighty qualification, such as your degree. The rest of your education is suggested.

  1. References

How useful is the line ‘References available upon request at the end of your CV? Not very.

Across the UK, there is a mutual expectation between past and prospective employers that an exchange of references may be necessary when a new hire starts their role. Therefore, as everyone is in the know, it’s redundant to say at the end of your CV that you have references at hand.

If your new employer wants a reference, they’ll ask for it, so use that space on the page for more important points to show recruiters what a great hire you’d make.

Read More – www.jobs.telegraph.co.uk

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Competition for Emirati talent reaches record levels

Competition for Emirati talent is the highest it has ever been, according to recruitment giant Hays.

An update on the firm’s Middle East operations, released this morning, reveals that hiring of UAE nationals – as opposed to expatriates – has risen over the past few months, with increased demand in both the public and private sectors.

The growth is occurring against a backdrop of ‘Emiratisation’ in support of the ‘Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030’ plan across private organisations and industry sectors, with around 30,000 private sector jobs expected to be created for UAE nationals in 2019.

As a consequence, Hays says the competition for top Emirati talent is hotting up, with organisations having to assess their attraction and retention techniques to ensure that they have the most effective processes in place for securing talented employees. The three core ‘pull’ factors are learning and development opportunities and initiatives, organisation culture, and employer brand.

The hiring of UAE nationals differs from that of expatriates and has its own complexities and requirements. Hays underlines the importance of the onboarding process being managed as professionally and efficiently as possible. Otherwise, employers can lose candidates because the hiring process takes weeks or months longer than anticipated, resulting in a lack of trust in the organisation and loss of interest in the role.

Consequently, Hays calls on employers to manage candidates’ expectations, communicate on the status of their application regularly and enforce the value that they foresee in them. If in doubt about the process for hiring UAE nationals, employers should work with a trusted recruitment partner that can provide support.

While there are many Emirati candidates available for work in the local employment market, there is a skills shortage in technical engineering roles, digital marketing and communications, finance and HR.

Read More – www.recruiter.co.uk