Looking for a role this January?
Kelly Piggott
I offer a free 3-month replacement on any person I place in your business because I’m that confident in the people I place!
It’s 2024!
A brand new year and brand new opportunities are coming thick and fast already.
So if you are thinking of looking for a new job, or that next big step up in your career, then now is your chance.
And the best way to prepare yourself for this? By really getting good at the fundamentals.
Go back to basics and don’t overlook these steps.
By taking your time with these steps you are so much more likely to achieve what you set out to do.
Don’t Be Hasty
Before you start on the whole New Year New Job train, consider this fact; the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Are you truly unhappy or are you just bored? Is it worth speaking to your manager or boss about your pay or prospects?
You should always consider if there is anything more that can be done before deciding to move roles.
You might wonder why we are “talking ourselves out of work” with a statement like that but we don’t want to just place people. We want them to be happy and sometimes that means staying where you are.
Think About What You Really Want
This might sound obvious but what is it you want?
Think deeply and carefully about what it is you want from your next job.
Is it more money? Is it more flexibility? Is it more opportunities to grow and develop? Is it a mix of all these points?
Whatever it may be, thinking deeply about what you are after in your next job will help you define the specific criteria that will make your job search a lot more effective.
At the end of the day, it is estimated we spend a third of our lives at work, so you might as well think about what you truly want and enjoy your work.
Go Back to Basics
Your CV doesn’t get you a job.
It really doesn’t.
What it gets you is an interview.
And it’s the interview that gets you the job.
With your CV you want it to be effective and clear.
It doesn’t need to have all the fancy trimmings and colourful fonts and progress bars and selfies attached to it.
We have found that a clear, well laid out, well written word document of a CV is incredibly powerful.
Keep it clear, easy to read, and well formatted and that is all you need.
By keeping things simple and basic it also makes it easier to adjust and tailor it to specific roles and job descriptions.
You are also the interviewer
When you get to the interview it’s easy for the nerves to take over.
But remember they are asking questions to get to know you, to understand you, and see if you will be a good fit for their team.
It is also true the other way around. You should ask questions of the interviewer too.
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You need to know that the place you are joining, the people that will be your colleagues, and the job that you’ve applied for is going to work for you.
This is a vital time for you to assess if the change to this particular role is right for you.
In The News
Job Availability continues to rise
The tail end of last year saw increased availability of workers for the ninth straight month of the year, countered by lingering economic uncertainty and hesitancy to commit to new hires.
According to the KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s (REC’s) latest ‘UK Report on Jobs’, the rise in candidate supply of both permanent and temp staff was the quickest for almost three years.
However, at the same time rates of starting salary and temp pay inflation slipped to nearly three-year lows.
Link: https://www.recruiter.co.uk/news/2023/12/availability-continues-rise-both-perm-and-temp-candidates
Beware Of Job Scams
With more than 100 job applications submitted per second on LinkedIn, scammers are increasingly targeting jobseekers with fake job opportunities. Indeed, according to research from security firm NordLayer, nearly two-thirds of British users have been targeted.
And the fake job ads aren't by any means restricted to LinkedIn, with scammers also exploiting other genuine, reputable job websites, as well as targeting university students directly by email.
The problem of fake job ads is especially rife when it comes to students and new graduates.
Retail Hit Hardest
Almost 120,000 jobs were lost in the retail sector in 2023, according to data from the Centre for Retail Research.
More than 10,000 shops closed last year, including high street names such as Wilko as businesses battled inflation and consumers reduced their spending due to rising living costs.
In the war for talent, however, some have announced substantial pay rises for their lowest paid workers, including Sainsbury’s and Aldi.
National Insurance Cut
The government’s reduction in employees’ national insurance contributions took effect from Saturday (6 January 2024), after the chancellor announced a cut by two percentage points, from 12% to 10%, in the Autumn statement.
The Treasury says that around 27 million people will benefit from the tax cut, which sees a ￡450 saving this year for an average salaried worker on ￡35,400. An average full-time nurse will save ￡520, a junior doctor ￡750 and a teacher ￡630.
Workplace Wellbeing to increase
According to our 2023 Healthier Nation Index, 44 percent of us said our jobs had negatively impacted our mental health at some point this year.
Employers have a responsibility to help individuals manage both their physical and mental wellbeing. But it’s clear businesses still need to work harder to provide targeted support to their employees.
But the good news is that changes in the corporate world are trying to make this possible. Previous Nuffield Health research showed that 2 in 3 businesses offer physical and mental wellbeing to their workplaces.
Looking for a new role?
If you’re looking for a new job then now is the best time to get in touch.
We can help find you your next great role and support you every step of the way.
Interested? Call either Damian: 07866 987587 or Kelly: 07896 976239.
Speak to you soon.