Just as you would when preparing a meal, you must have the right ingredients for your chef CV to whet the appetite of recruiters. Chefs are always in high demand and an integral part of the hospitality sector. However, only 17% of professional chefs in the UK are female and 8% have Michelin-starred restaurants. Chefs are not only experts in culinary delights; they have many other crucial skills that help keep kitchens and restaurants running smoothly. If you are applying for a chef role and wondering how to write a chef CV, these are some tips for creating the perfect chef CV.

CV Structure for Chefs CV

Your cook chef CV should be around two pages in length. Sometimes, it might be a little longer but you should try not to go above three pages. If you are a trainee chef, you are more likely to find two pages sufficient. A Head Chef CV or Executive Chef CV may span three pages.

The standard structure of a chefs CV includes:

• Name and personal details (including telephone number and email address)
• Profile Summary
• Key Skills
• Work Experience
• Education
• Achievements (optional)

Chef CV Summary

Your summary is situated at the top of your cook chef CV and it is a brief introduction to who you are and what you have done so far in your career. With the summary, you want to make an impact straight away. As standard, you would usually mention how long you have been working as a chef, in what position and type of restaurant. For instance, ‘10 years of experience as a Head Chef in the Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay Restaurant.’ 

Key Chef CV Skills

The key skills section is where you detail the skills you have which are relevant to the role. It is important to use some keywords from the job advert so you have a better chance of passing through the ATS (Applicant Tracking System.) For instance, if you are creating an executive chef CV and applying for a similar role, you would be expected to have skills in people management and may be responsible for budget management. If the role is working in a pizza parlour and you have this experience, you will want to highlight this in your key skills when creating your pizza chef CV. Other keywords may include creativity, working with fresh produce, and understanding food safety. You can use bullet points to describe your key skills.

Experience for Cook Chef CV

Your work experience on your chef CV should be in chronological order and contain the name of your employer, your job title, and the dates of the employment. You can use bullet points to detail the main aspects of the role, while also keeping keywords from the job spec in mind. For example:

• Working in a busy restaurant with a footfall of around 500 customers per day
• Managing a team of 20 servers, ensuring that meals were served promptly
• Responsible for preparing creative meals using fresh produce

As in the example above, it is a good idea to quantify your experience so that the recruiter understands your abilities. For example, stating the number of employees you manage, the standard of the restaurant, and the daily footfall. 

Chef CV Education

Your education should be situated below your experience unless you don’t have much experience and want to highlight the education section. In general, the education should be in chronological order and should cover your most recent/most important qualifications. It may also include professional courses you have completed if you feel these are relevant to the role. For example, if you have a sous chef CV but you want to apply for an executive chef role, you may want to focus on the training you have completed to take you to the more senior position.

Achievements for Chef CV

You can choose whether or not to include an achievements section on your chef's CV. If your CV is already over two pages long at this stage, you may decide to omit it. However, if there is something you are keen to highlight, this would be the best section. For example, ‘awarded employee of the year for 3 consecutive years in chef role in the Ivy’ Again, it is important to quantify your achievements.

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It is impossible to fully know how an interview has gone unless you receive an offer outright. Interviews are a chance for the recruiter to get to know you and understand how your skills and experience align with the role. They also allow you to find out more about the organisation and the role and to decide if it is something you wish to progress with. Whether you receive a job offer or not, there are usually some telltale signs that an interview went well. It is important to remember that even if you do not receive a job offer, it does not mean the interview went badly. The decision often comes down to margins. These are some signs your interview went well.

Conversation Flowed

Just like any conversation you have in day-to-day life, you know whether it flows or whether there are awkward silences. It is how we determine the people we have a rapport with and those who are not quite our cup of tea. Within the realms of an interview, a conversation that flows well and lasts longer than expected is a positive sign. If you are already on the bus home within 15 minutes of the interview commencing, it's probably a sign your interview went bad. A lengthy interview indicates that the interviewers want to discover more about you and may be a sign of interview success.

Asking Questions

If people are interested in you, they tend to ask questions, and the same applies to interviews. It is a positive sign your interview went well if the interviewers ask questions outwith the standard scripted questions, such as, ‘Why do you want to work here.' It is particularly positive if they discuss your outside interests. It signifies that you have built rapport with them and is a strong indicator of interview success.

Meeting Colleagues

Although it may be part of a standard process, it is not usual for interviewers to introduce candidates to their potential colleagues if they do not see them as a good fit. If you have been given a tour of the building and introduced to those you would work with, it does not mean you have the job, but it is certainly a positive sign your internal interview went well.

Positive Language

It can be difficult for interviewers to hide their feelings when interviewing candidates. If they are impressed with you and can see you in the role, they may start using language such as 'when', instead of 'if', when referring to you starting the role. This is one of the positive signs that you will get the job after interview.

Explaining the Next Step

Interviewers will often dismiss candidates they have no interest in, whether subconsciously or otherwise. If the interviewer explains the next steps to you during the interview, it shows they respect you and your time, and this is always a positive sign of interview success.

A strong, professional CV is the best way to reach the interview stage when you apply for jobs. At Inspired CVs, we provide both traditional and graphic CV options. You can order your professional CV here or contact us for more information on our CV writing services or one-to-one consultations.

It is estimated that around 2.6 million people are living with ADHD in the UK. It might seem like ADHD is a new phenomenon or a current trend, but it was initially diagnosed as early as the 1980s. At this time, it would have been labelled as hyperactivity, low attention span, or similar, rather than by the diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficiency/hyperactivity disorder.) In the workplace, ADHD can be problematic, but there are ways you can overcome these challenges. 

What is ADHD?

ADHD is usually present in childhood and may include restlessness, inability to concentrate, or acting on impulse. As ADHD can often improve in adulthood, it might go undiagnosed. However, it can present itself in many ways in the workplace. ADHD at work symptoms may include difficulty concentrating on a task, managing time, and focusing on instructions.  These are some tips for working with ADHD.

Speak to Your Manager

If you are concerned about the effects of your ADHD in the workplace, you should inform your manager. Speak to your manager and let them know about the issues you face; so that they can make ADHD workplace adjustments UK to support you. 

Set a Timer

As people with ADHD often have difficulties focusing on tasks for long periods, you could set a timer for tasks for 30 minutes so that you are productive for shorter bursts; but able to complete tasks promptly. After 30 minutes, you may decide to go for a short walk or speak to a colleague as a distraction.

Listen to Music

Someone with ADHD is easily distracted, so it is crucial to make dull tasks as interesting as possible. If you listen to music while you work, it will help make it a little more enjoyable.

Rewards

Focusing on tasks can become a bit easier if you know there is a reward at the end. For example, if you work on a specific task for 30 minutes, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea at the end. Giving yourself something to look forward to as you get through the day can make focusing much easier.

Work from Home

As people with ADHD are often much more easily distracted, it can be difficult to focus in the workplace. One way to combat this is to ask to work remotely for a part of the week; or perhaps in a quieter room. Since the pandemic, employers have become more flexible regarding working patterns, with 28% now working on a hybrid model. Remote working with ADHD can often feel less stressful than working from an office with ADHD

If you are looking for a new job that is more aligned with your needs, it is imperative to have a professional CV. Your CV is the shop window to your skills and expertise, to help you achieve your career goals. At Inspired CVs, we provide CVs in both traditional and graphic formats. To find out more, you can contact us or order your CV online today. We offer top rated CV writing services and can provide online appointments cv writing services.

If you are asked to manage a budget within your day-to-day job, it shows that you are trusted with a high level of responsibility. Most departments within an organisation will have their budget, and the aim is to keep your spending to a specific value and ensure you are spending responsibly. If you have never been responsible for budget management before, the prospect may seem a little daunting. These are some tips for how to manage your budget effectively and how to develop budget management skills.

Understand Goals

When you are asked to manage a budget, the first step should be to understand the business's goals. If you don’t know the expectations, it will be difficult to make positive changes. For instance, the objective might be to reduce spending by £5,000 a month or to reduce spending in a specific area, such as marketing. Ensure you know what is expected before you start the budget management process.

Review Current Budget

The next step in the process is to review the current budget to gain a better understanding of where the money is being spent. In doing this, you can get a clear idea of the areas of the spending that might need to be looked at more closely and where to make good financial decisions. For example, if the majority of the budget is being spent on marketing, it would be prudent to understand whether the areas of marketing are providing positive outcomes. If not, you might want to reduce spending within this area.

Assess Needs

Speak to colleagues within your department to ascertain any needs they have. As a budget management example, you might conclude that there is a lack of stationery within the department and as such, you might want to reduce your spending in one area and prioritise this.

Negotiate Terms

Analyse the current terms you have with your suppliers and try to negotiate the terms so that you can reduce your spending. For example, if you buy your stationery in bulk, can you get a discount? If you are using the same taxi firm frequently, can you agree to a retained fee that reduces your costs? It is always worth asking the question!

Monitor Budget

It is not enough to check your spending every month as costs can add up without even realising it. You should monitor your budget weekly to ensure awareness of any unexpected costs that may have affected your spending. Monitoring your budget regularly will give you a chance to make tweaks to it as and when required, and efficiently manage the budget management system.

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Managers play a crucial role within an organisation, especially when you consider that 1 in 3 employees will leave their jobs because of a bad manager and a toxic working environment. A survey by The Chartered Management Institute and YouGov revealed that 82% of managers were “accidental managers" meaning they became managers without management or leadership training. If you have found yourself in a management role without formal training, you will need to know how to overcome challenges at work.

Lack of Structure

One of the first actions you should take as a manager is to ensure a clear structure for new starts. A structure will allow your team to clearly understand where they fit into the team and who they should be liaising with. It is also paramount that there is a structure to the role otherwise, it will lead to management issues in the workplace. Create a structure and plan for moving forward. Employees will soon head to the exit if the role is not refined. Set your expectations so there is no confusion.

Understanding Communication

As a manager, it is important to be aware of how you communicate with your team and understand that everyone communicates differently. Your communication should be positive, and any criticism should be constructive. Some people are more sensitive than others, for instance. A good manager should be able to alter their communication style to suit each individual.

Conflicts

Unfortunately, not everyone gets on, and conflicts are commonplace in the workplace. As a manager, you should try to resolve arguments, and foster good relationships . When conflicts filter to everyone else in the team, it can lead to low productivity and difficulty retaining staff. Arrange a meeting with the employees and mediate between them to resolve the situation

Performance Issues

Managing poor performance in the workplace can be challenging. However, it is crucial to deal with performance issues professionally without being confrontational. There are all kinds of reasons why an employee may be underperforming. They may be unsure of their role, experiencing personal issues, or they might need additional training. Ensure you have a sensitive discussion with them before proceeding to the more formal route.

Leadership Without Micro Management

There is a fine line between showing leadership and micromanaging your employees. Micromanaging shows a lack of trust and can be extremely frustrating for employees. Make sure they have a clear structure to work with when they join your team, and as they get to grips with the role, regular check-ins are sufficient. Employees are more likely to leave if they feel their manager is constantly on their case. This is one of the most prominent of the current issues in management in the workplace.

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Without even realising it, we constantly make small decisions throughout the day. These decisions, while seeming meaningless at the time, can combine to determine our quality of life. For example, if you spend time with a person who drains your energy regularly, you will end up feeling low. If you eat chips most days, it will soon affect your weight and your health.
It is no wonder that many of us find decision-making quite challenging. Effective decision-making is valuable in the workplace, as it can allow you to become more efficient and a strong leader. These are some ways for how to make effective decisions in the workplace.

Understand the Outcomes

Instead of diving into a decision, ensure you understand the potential outcomes first. Write these down so you are clear about the risks and challenges. You may even want to list the pros and cons of your decisions. For instance, imagine that a customer has sent you an angry email, accusing you of being inefficient and using profanities. The natural reaction would be to respond in the same tone, but if you do this, the situation could escalate. Therefore, the best course of action would be to take some time to assess your response, when you are making decisions at work.

Second Opinion

If you’re unsure about a decision you’re making, you might want to ask for a second opinion. Decisions are often more informed if you discuss them with others as you can see from a different angle. It doesn’t mean you need to change your decision but it may give you more food for thought and help you to understand how to make better faster decisions at work.

Take Action

When you are unsure about a decision you make, it can be easy to procrastinate on it. Avoidance won’t make it any easier though, it will just cause you stress and worry in the long run. If you have a decision to make, do it quickly, while also weighing up the outcomes and as such, you will learn how to make effective decisions in the workplace.

Confidence is Key

The key to making better decisions is not only to consider them carefully and get other opinions but also to have confidence in your own ability to make decisions. Once a decision is made, be confident in it and stick to your guns. People tend to respect those who are strong in their decision-making skills, and not easily swayed or led astray.

Improve Your Skills 

Information is king when you are making decisions in the workplace. The more informed you are about the subject, the easier it will be to have confidence in your decision. You can do this by improving your skills. For example, if you need to decide on the most effective social media content to use, but are a novice in marketing, a relevant course will help you make better decisions.

Self Care

Hasty decisions can be made if you are not properly rested and getting enough sleep and nutrients. If you want to understand how to get better at making decisions at work, make sure you are looking after yourself and practicing self-care.

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Most employers will ask the dreaded “Why do you want to work here”, during an interview. The main reason for this question is to determine how prepared you are for the interview and to understand your motivations. The recruiter wants to determine whether you will fit into their culture and future aspirations. If you go into the interview without preparation, this will become very clear you should do your homework. If you are wondering how to answer why you want to want here in an interview, this blog will help.

Discuss the Culture and Values

As part of your research, you should understand the company culture and values of the organisation and how these align with your interests. For example, Amazon has the values: of customer service focus, invention, and ensuring excellence. You can usually find the values on the company website. To understand more about the culture, you can look at websites such as Glassdoor, where you will find reviews directly from employees and previous employees. You can mention the culture and values and how these align with your own. For example, if you are interested in sustainability, find out what the company does to become more sustainable, as this will help the conversation flow during an interview and show that both parties are aligned. Discussing the culture and values will help you with how to answer why do you want to work here questions.

Focus on Achievements

Research the main achievements of the company if you really want to impress the interviewers and make them feel good. For instance, if they have picked up any recent awards or even if they have a 5-star Google rating, these are worth mentioning. Not only will you show that you have prepared, but you will also give them a boost and open up the conversation to discuss these achievements in more detail. Everyone likes to hear what they’re doing well and it is a great option for how to answer why you want to work here questions.

Mention Relevant Attributes

When asked the question “Why do you want to work here”, you could also talk about attributes you possess that are relevant to the company structure, values, or mission. Companies always tend to gravitate towards candidates who are familiar with the setup of their business, as it can make the transition much easier.

Understand Future Goals

You can also gain an understanding of the future goals, which can then furnish you with information to answer the question “Why do you want to work here.” For instance, if they are going through a period of growth or recently changed their products or service, this is something you can mention to show that you have done your research

How to Answer Why You Want to Work Here Sample Answer

“I have worked in the public sector before, and your values of putting the customer first and focusing on efficiency align with my own values. These are values I have considered when determining my next role.”

“I was interested in the fact that your company consistently wins customer satisfaction awards which shows your customers are a priority, which is important to me”

“I have previous experience of working within start-ups and I enjoy helping to support businesses as they grow and all the challenges they face along the way. As a start-up within an industry, I am passionate about, your company, and the role appealed to me.

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The average weekly earnings for full time workers in the UK is around £728. If you feel that you are exceeding the requirements of your role, you may decide to ask for a pay rise. You should consider asking for a pay rise if you are going above and beyond in your role, you are being paid less than others doing the same role, or you are being paid below the market rate. If you have had no pay rise in 5 years or more, you may also decide it is time to ask for a pay rise. It takes courage to ask for a pay rise, as it can be a daunting experience. It is important that, if you do ask for a pay rise, you communicate it in writing, in addition to any verbal discussion. In the unfortunate scenario that your pay rise is refused, these are some steps you can take.

Request Feedback in Writing

If you have had your pay rise request rejected, you can request feedback on why they feel you are not eligible. In doing this, you can understand the reasons for the pay rise rejection and any steps you can take to achieve this in the future. For instance, if the rejection is due to performance issues, some feedback will help you make improvements. Ask your manager to help you set some performance goals if you are being refused a pay raise.

Negotiate Other Benefits

Your pay rise may be rejected for financial reasons. Your manager might decline your pay rise if they don’t have the budget or if there are concerns that everyone will request a pay rise. In this case, you might be able to negotiate other benefits, such as extra holidays, flexible working or end-of-year bonuses. If you are happy to compromise, it might be worth determining if this is an option, if you are disappointed with with salary raise decisions.

Appeal Decision

You can appeal the decision if you believe it is unfair. For instance, if other colleagues are getting paid more than you and the reason for the rejection is financial. You may wish to organise a second meeting with your manager to discuss your concerns and find out if there’s anything you can do to change the situation of having a pay rise refused.

Consider Moving On

If you are unhappy with the decision and there is no room for movement, it might be time to consider other options. Moving on from your job can be challenging, but if you are not rewarded for your efforts, you’ll probably find that another company will. 

At Inspired CVs, we can provide you with professional CVs, both graphic and traditional, as well as one-to-one consultations and CV workshops. You can order your CV here for the best CV writing service UK, or contact us to find out more about our resume CV writing services.