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5 signs it’s time to leave your job
Everyone has bad days at work, it’s normal! What is not normal is to be having more negative days than positive. But how do you know when to bite the bullet and hand in your notice? Take a look at our top tips to knowing when to resign… #1 – You don’t want to get out of bed in the morning Whilst it’s very common to go through periods in your life where you feel miserable in your role, it should not be a daily occurrence. Staying in a role you find un-motivating and uninspiring will slowly eat away at your mental health and self-worth. When you feel like this – it is a strong sign that it’s time for you to resign. #2 - It’s taken its toll on your health Can you see your sick days adding up? Are you taking as much time off as humanly possible? Is this because you’re working so many hours that you don’t have any ‘you’ time? No job is worth sacrificing your mental and physical health for. So if you’re noticing that you’re feeling run down or ill a lot of the time, you should take a look at your situation at work. #3 – The work environment is negative/toxic If your co-workers and/or boss is constantly complaining and is unhappy, the probability of you being content is extremely low. A negative atmosphere can even kill the passion you have for the industry you love. If you find yourself in this environment – get out as soon as possible! #4 – You vent about your job way too much Have a think about your most common conversations. Do you feel yourself constantly complaining about your work load, your colleagues or your workplace? A job should be giving you more positivity than negativity, and if it isn’t then you need to decide whether you want to stay or find somewhere more suited to your character. #5 – There’s no room for progression There is no point in wasting your time in a job trying to prove yourself and work your way up when there is simply no possibility of it happening. If you’re asking about promotions and nothing is coming of it – it might be time to move on. Do any of these ring a bell? If they do, it is a strong sign that you need to leave your job and find one more suited to your personality and skill set. If you’re in the middle of your new job search and you’re struggling to keep motivated, take a look at our top tips on how to keep motivated here!
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The top 6 HGV Driver interview questions
The interview is the toughest and most nerve racking part of the recruitment process – but if you can get through it, you can get through anything. But, if you’re super nervous, take a look at our blog for tips on how to ace it! So, you’re probably wondering what kind of questions to expect when you attend your HGV Driver interview. We have put together the top 6 questions you could be asked. If you're wondering what being a HGV Driver entails, click here!
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3 ways to cope with shift work in Healthcare
Shift work is becoming more and more popular throughout the Healthcare industry. Although, this flexible approach to working can take its toll on some employees. It’s not easy stuff. It involves working against your body clock and your natural rhythm. However, it has to be done. So follow our top tips on how to cope! #1 – Ensure you are getting the right amount of sleep Getting the right amount of sleep between shifts is essential. You want to regulate your sleeping pattern as much as possible. Whilst you may not be sleeping at the same times each day/night, it is important to at least get the same amount (or close to). Ensure you are getting around 7/8 hours sleep! #2 – If you’re on a night shift – don’t eat a heavy meal before hand Sometimes eating a full meal before having to go and do something puts you in that dreaded Food Coma that we can all only deal with after a big roast on a Sunday afternoon! Eating a full and heavy meal before going to work can unfortunately do this to you, making your feel tired and giving you fatigue – making you not actually want to work! If you are hungry, try eating a lighter meal before your shift and ensure you are prepared with snacks and a meal for your breaks! #3 – Try not to sit down for too long Sitting down when you have an active job is not the best thing to do for too long. This is because it can make you feel deflated and sleepy. It’s best to be moving around and keeping active to stay awake. If you are in a job where you’re sitting down for a majority of the day (like an office job) then it might be a good idea to get up and go for a 5 minute walk around the office or workspace to keep alert! If you’re currently looking for work, why not visit our vacancy page by clicking here? We are recruiting for Healthcare jobs near you!
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5 Times Candidates Aced their Job Application
Standing out from the crowd when you are looking for a new role can often be tough, however with some creativity and determination it is possible to almost guarantee some traction with your job search. Check out these examples below for some inspiration to help you land your dream job! #1 - Iris Iris Dudek applied for an internship role with the purrfect confectionary company Candy Kittens, she didn’t just submit a bog standard CV though, she spent lots of time and effort perfecting a perfectly branded Candy Kittens CV that was sure to secure to grab the attention of the hiring team! Since applying her application efforts have been recognised by celebrity owner Jamie Laing who shared the application with his 875k instagram followers – a sure fire way to get noticed! #2 - Nina Nina’s dream employer was Airbnb, but after multiple attempts of trying to get a call back, she decided to get creative. Nina created an application in the same format as Airbnb’s website and spent time researching how she could make an impact at the company and where there were gaps in the market. Nina secured an interview by Tweeting her efforts to the CEO and CMO who were impressed by her creativity. (source: www.resume.com) #3 - Adam Adam Pacitti was a Graduate struggling to land a job. He decided to invest in his own future with the little money he had and placed a billboard advertisement with a link to a website hosting his CV and a contact form. Adam’s investment and creativity paid off and he was reported to receive 60 interview offers. (source www.resume.com) #4 - Robby Interactive Designer Robby Leonardi’s Interactive fully playable Gaming Resume was sure to get him to the top of the shortlist! The game took hirers on a tour of his virtual CV, highlighting his key skills and showcasing his Design capabilities at their best! (www.codegrape.com) #5 - Ryan Ryan Dunkle was applying for roles in the Automotive industry, with experience under his belt he really wanted his application to stand out from the crowd and he managed to persuade more than 10 people to give him a video testimonial about why he should be hired. The combination of creativity and authentic social proof of his credentials was a sure fire way for Ryan to secure his next role. How will you apply for your next role? Whether you go all out with an interactive job application or simply sass up your CV, make sure you stand out from the crowd!
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3 reasons why you’re not getting a response to your job applications
In an ideal world, each application you send in would get an email or some form of contact from the hiring manager to let you know if you have been successful or unsuccessful. However, nowadays this is rarely the case. Your confidence levels can be so fragile in the recruitment process so job seekers can quite easily jump to the worst conclusions when they don’t hear anything regarding their application. There can be a number of reasons as to why you’re not getting a response to your job applications and we are here to explain them for you, take a look… #1 – The role was already filled Sometimes we see adverts for companies on job boards such as Total Jobs or CV Library that may have kept the advert active for longer than the company actually wanted. This means that even if the role has been filled or the company decide they don’t need to hire for that role any longer, some job boards will keep the advert on their websites available for job seekers to apply for, unless the company request it to expire. This is one of the most common reasons why the hiring manager has not got in contact with you. #2 – The hiring manager was flooded with applications As we all know, there can be hundreds of applications per job role that is advertised. This means that the hiring manager has to skim through each application until they find the most qualified candidates, which may mean that if you’re CV is hard to read, or the relevant bits are not clear, it may not pass their shortlisting process. Make sure you include a bespoke and personalised cover letter with your CV which highlights the key reasons you are suitable for the role. You could also make your CV stand out from the crowd… watch this space for our upcoming blog on Superstar CV’s! #3 – You didn’t tailor your CV to the job role you have applied for Today, many employers are using application tracking systems (ATS) to sort job applications. This software programs work by searching for certain keywords, which typically appear in the job posting. This is why you should be matching your application to the requirements stated on the advert. Follow our CV writing master class here for top tips on how to tailor your CV to each job role! Okay, but what should I do now? If you request feedback and still don’t get a reply, don’t hound the hiring manager. Move on. As much as it pains you to see that job slip from your grasp, know that there are plenty of other awesome opportunities out there. Need some help? Register with Swanstaff here to see what jobs we have available for you!
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Job searching lessons from Love Island 2019
It’s official – Love Island will now be airing a winter show as well as it’s beloved summer show! Hopefully this will soften the blow that the summer series came to an end last night. With Love Island 2019 winners Amber and Greg having been crowned victorious. I think we can all admit that we became a little too emotionally invested in a few certain Islanders *cough* Amber and #TeamTolly. So it only makes sense that we reflect on what lessons we have learnt from this years islanders and show how these can help us in our job search. #1 – Always seek moral support Ever since the first episode and the shocking late arrival of Tommy and Curtis – the dancer has always been seen as the ‘dad’ of the villa. He is always there to provide advice and support, although his recent advice to Jordan may have got him into trouble – he was still there to talk nonetheless. Like the Love Island villa, job searching can often be a lonely and frustrating place to be in, so get yourself a Curtis, even if it’s just to go through interview questions or to help you pick your best frock for an upcoming interview. #2 – Always be willing to take a risk We have seen many risks being taken over the years Love Island has aired, however we can all agree that in this years’ Casa Amor the Michael, Amber and Joanna twist had us all like … Michael went with his gut feeling and took the risk, instead of playing it safe and sticking with Amber. Job seekers can learn a lot from this. You should never just stick with a job offer because it’s an easy option if you feel like you could find a better option. Always take a risk if a good opportunity presents itself. #3 – Something new and possibly better will always come along Amber has been through a huge journey in the villa this year and following Anton leaving Sunday night, was the only original Islander left in the final four couples. She struggled with her breakup with Michael and spent days having to watch him crack on with Joanna. However her luck changed when she got a text saying Greg was waiting on the hide away terrace! Now they have won the £50,000! The moral of the story is, something better will always come along – if you have been rejected for a role you thought you were perfect for, don’t worry – it just means your one step closer to finding the right job for you! #4 – Laying it on factor 50 is not always the best idea Previous to being coupled up with Belle, Anton didn’t have much luck with finding a romantic connection with the other girls, even though he ran around like a headless chicken making tea, coffee and toasties trying to win over the girls. Sometimes less is more, Anton! Anton has taught us that laying it on thick can sometimes push people away. So, if you’re waiting for a response from a hiring manager about the role you interviewed for a week ago, don’t spam them with phone calls every day asking for an update; maybe send them an email similar to the example below. “Hello (hiring managers name), It was a pleasure to meet with you last week, I enjoyed learning more about the (job title) position you have available. I haven’t heard anything for a while so I thought I would drop you an email to see if you had made a decision or if you are still deciding. If you require any further information from me please email me or call me on (your number). Kindest regards (Your name)” Hopefully like us you’ve learnt something from the islanders this year. Remember, just because Love Island is over, doesn’t mean your job hunt is! So follow these top tips and you’ll be well on your way to finding the job that is 100% your type on paper.
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CV Masterclass: Creating a tailored CV for each role
Wouldn’t it be amazing if every CV you sent out got accepted straight away? Unfortunately, this is not the reality of it! The majority of roles you come across in your job search receive hundreds of CVs and applications come through each day. So what will make your application stand out from the others? Why is a tailored CV important? A recruiter will take only a minute or two to review each CV they receive (at most) therefore you need to make sure that the details they are looking for stand out straight away. You can do this by matching your skills to each job you apply for and make sure your CV showcases everything your prospective employer is looking for! Follow this step by step process to get it right every time! Is the job actually worth applying for? Does my experience match what the role is looking for? Do I meet the minimum criteria (e.g. Minimum years experience/qualifications) Does the salary/working hours etc meet my needs? Make a list of everything the advert asks for. Edit your CV using the useful infographic guide below to make sure that you include the IMPORTANT information in the right places on your CV Cut out any irrelevant information, or include minimal details. Do this for each job that you apply for – even if it is a similar role the next job advert may emphasise specific skills and experience so it is always worth tweaking your CV to match these! Research the company and make some notes so that if they call you or ask you to come for an interview you are already prepared We have put together a generic CV and a targetted CV for you to take some inspiration from, take a look below! Click here to zoom in inin Generic CV Targetted CV If your CV is still not getting the attention it deserves, take a look at our top 5 favourite CVs that we have come accross over the years to see if you can spruce yours up to stand out from the crowd!
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Fatigue in Nursing
Nursing is an incredibly rewarding and meaningful career with many, many great aspects. However, with the long and demanding shift schedules and poor rest ratio it can be easy for Nurses (and other Healthcare professionals) to experience and suffer from fatigue. Inadequate sleep and the resulting fatigue can have major implications for the health and safety of both Nurses and the patients in their care. So let us fill you in on everything you need to know all the way from what fatigue is to how you can prevent it… What is fatigue? Fatigue is not just occasionally feeling tired or sleepy like most people think. Fatigue is where you are permanently exhausted with no energy or drive to do anything. Inadequate rest and a stressful work environment can result in fatigue levels rising and being apparent. Why is fatigue bad? Fatigue can lead to a number of medical issues. It causes poor focus or inability to concentrate which puts the patient’s safety (and Nurses) in jeopardy. Another important note is job satisfaction! Don’t ever push yourself beyond your limits, physically and emotionally in your job role as this can result in you resenting it and therefore not putting your 100% attention and care into it. How can I spot fatigue? Tired constantly No “get up and go” mentality Lack of energy Muscle pain and discomfort Sore throat Headache / migraine Unrefreshing sleep / rest Memory loss Struggled concentration How can I prevent fatigue? Fighting the fatigue battle is a lot easier said than done but there are steps you can take to overcome it! Firstly, keep an eye on your health. Having a duty of care for others can make it easy to take a back seat with your own health (physical and mental). Eating well can help you to increase energy levels. You should consider including fruit and vegetables into meals and snacks. Here are some high energy snack ideas… Bananas Fatty fish such as Salmon or Tuna Brown rice Sweet potatoes Eggs Dark chocolate (in moderation) Spinach Thirdly, find your boundaries and learn what triggers your fatigue coming on. If you can get to know this then you can avoid them in the future! You could keep a diary of everything you do, eat or drink that makes you feel run down which will then help you to know what you should avoid in the future! Hopefully this has helped you to understand fatigue and its dangers a little bit more. Fatigue can affect anybody but there are steps to follow to avoid it! If you’re an experienced Nurse reading this, please click here to see what roles we may have available for you!
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5 ways to ACE your next interview
As we are half way through the second fun filled and intense week of Wimbledon, we have served you another one of our trusty top tip blogs! Do you have an interview for your dream job approaching? We know it's a big day, so here are our 5 top tips to make sure you ace it! Know the company and the interviewer Just like tennis players should know the court they are playing on – you should know the company you are interviewing for! You can do this by checking out their website and social sites. It is also a good idea to find out key things about the person who will be interviewing you. You can do this by searching them on LinkedIn to find out how long they have worked there and what their achievements are. If you want to go down a more personal route, you could also look into their hobbies and interests by having a cheeky peak at their social media. Ask questions To build a rapport with your interviewer, don’t just answer their question and wait silently for their next one. Build on their question and start a conversation. Ask them about their job role and how they overcome problems they face. Also listen to what their answers are to your questions, as they will be paying attention as to how much you’ve been listening. Remember if this is a face to face interview, to keep good eye contact to keep the conversation flowing or if it is a telephone interview remember to smile. You can hear the difference! Show your passion It’s not enough to simply want a job; you need to be able to express your enthusiasm and your desire for that position at this particular company. Being able to answer the common interview question “What do you know about us?” in detail will show that you have put the time in to researching the company and you are passionate about working for them. Wear appropriate attire Wearing the appropriate attire can make or break an interview. If you are unsure on what their usual work attire is, then why not send a quick email to double check with your interviewer what you are expected to wear rather than just guess and get it completely wrong. If in doubt, dress in smart business wear or alternatively check their social media feeds. This all comes down to good interview preparation. Imagine you are in a group interview and all of the other candidates are in professional clothing and you're in casual clothes - embarrassing right! Ask about their company culture In any job interview you should always ask about their company culture to see if you could see yourself working in that specific environment. Here at Swanstaff we have a work hard – play hard culture, we go over the top on birthdays and we have some of the craziest team members in our Head Office and Branches located up and down the UK. Now that we have prepared you for your interview, it’s your turn to go and smash it out of the park! Just remember to smile, be yourself and be confident and you’ll ace it! If you are looking for a new role with us at Swanstaff, check out our vacancies here!
