Starting a new role can feel daunting. You might not know anyone, and there’s always a settling-in period as you adjust to your responsibilities. While it’s not essential to become best friends with all your colleagues, building good relationships in the workplace is crucial. Positive workplace relationships can help you succeed in your role, maintain a strong company culture, and increase overall productivity. Here are some practical tips for building good relationships at work.

Fit into the Workplace Culture

When starting a new job, it’s important to observe and adapt to the existing company culture. For example, if you join a laid-back company where casual banter is common, trying to impose a formal culture can create tension. While workplace improvements are possible, your initial focus should be on fitting into the culture rather than changing it—unless your role specifically involves organisational change.

Build Trust and Reliability

Being reliable and trustworthy is key to forming strong workplace relationships. Attend work consistently, meet deadlines, and follow through on commitments. Colleagues value dependable team members, and trust forms the foundation of professional relationships.

Be Personable and Engaging

Work conversations don’t always have to revolve around tasks and deadlines. Sharing light topics, like hobbies, TV shows, or other interests, can help you connect with colleagues. Avoid potentially divisive topics like politics, religion, or sports rivalries until you get to know your coworkers better. Don’t engage in office politics. Being personable helps foster rapport and a positive work environment.

Maintain a Positive Attitude

A friendly and positive attitude goes a long way in building good workplace relationships. Everyone has challenging days, but consistently displaying optimism and professionalism will make you approachable and well-liked by your team.

Offer Support to Colleagues

Simple acts of support can make a big difference. Offering to help with tasks, taking extra calls during busy periods, or staying a little later when deadlines loom demonstrates teamwork. Supporting colleagues not only helps the business but also strengthens your professional relationships.

At Inspired CVs, we provide professional HR support to help you thrive in your role. Whether you need advice on workplace relationships or assistance with HR tasks, our team is here to help. We also offer professional CV writing services, including traditional and graphic CVs tailored to your career goals. Contact us today to learn more or order your CV online.

The interview question “tell me about yourself” is common in job interviews. As an interviewee, you would reasonably expect this question to relate to your professional background, work experience, and suitability for the role. However, when employers use this question to uncover personal information, it can be inappropriate and problematic.

While it may seem like a friendly way to get to know a candidate, a job interview is not the right time or place to explore someone’s personal life. Below are key reasons why employers should avoid asking personal questions during job interviews.

1. Personal Interview Questions Can Create Discomfort

Candidates attend interviews to secure employment—not to discuss their personal lives. Many people value their privacy, and unexpected personal questions can cause discomfort or confusion. Even when asked with good intentions, such questions may lead candidates to wonder why the information is being requested, potentially creating distrust and anxiety during the interview process.

2. Personal Questions Increase the Risk of Bias in Hiring

Asking personal questions can introduce conscious or unconscious bias into recruitment decisions. Interviewers may feel more positively toward candidates who share similar interests, values, or lifestyles.

For example, discovering that a candidate supports a rival sports team or holds different personal beliefs could unfairly influence hiring decisions—despite having no relevance to job performance.

3. Sensitivity Around Personal Topics in Interviews

There are many sensitive reasons why candidates may not wish to discuss their personal circumstances. Questions about marital status, children, or family plans can be emotionally charged and intrusive.

For instance, asking if someone has children when they are unable to, or asking about relationship status when they are unhappy with their situation, can leave a negative impression and discourage talented candidates from wanting to work for your organisation.

4. Personal Life Is Irrelevant to Job Performance

A candidate’s personal life has no bearing on their ability to perform a job. Job interviews should focus solely on:

• Skills and qualifications
  
  
• Relevant experience
  
  
• Competency and cultural fit (in a professional sense)
  
  

What someone does outside of work is irrelevant and should not factor into hiring decisions.

5. Risk of Discrimination Claims in Job Interviews

Employers can expose themselves to legal and discrimination risks by asking personal questions during interviews. Topics such as:

• Marital status
  
  
• Children or pregnancy
  
  
• Religion
  
  
• Age or family background
  
  

may be protected under employment and equality laws. If a candidate feels these questions influenced a hiring decision, employers could face serious legal consequences.

A key question would be: Why was this personal information needed in the first place?

6. Maintaining Professionalism in the Interview Process

A job interview should remain a professional conversation. Crossing the boundary into personal matters can appear unprofessional and inappropriate. Employers will have opportunities to get to know employees once they are hired—not during the interview stage.

Final Thoughts: Best Interview Practices for Employers

To ensure fair, inclusive, and effective hiring:

• Focus on job-related questions
  
  
• Avoid personal or intrusive topics
  
  
• Create a comfortable, professional interview environment
  
  

By doing so, employers not only protect themselves legally but also improve the candidate experience and attract top talent.

At Inspired CVs, we offer professional interview workshops designed to help managers conduct effective, structured interviews while ensuring candidates feel comfortable and engaged throughout the interview process. Our interview training helps organisations get the most value from every interview. Contact Inspired CVs today to learn more about our interview workshops.

Do you ever find yourself looking around at other successful people, feeling like you are putting in all the hard graft without achieving the same? It is common to feel that you are the only one stuck in a rut, but these feelings are not unusual. However, if you want to strive for real success, career growth, and long-term personal development, there are some actions you can take to boost your productivity and mindset.

Get up Early

You’ll hear many stories from successful people about how they get up at 5am, have a smoothie, go to the gym and journal—all before they start their day. Although this high-performance morning routine might work for some people, for most it is far from reality. It is, however, important to get up early, as sleeping in can leave you feeling sluggish and demotivated. Establishing a productive morning routine is a proven strategy for increasing motivation, success, and overall career progression.

There are, of course, exceptions to this—such as people working overtime or those who naturally work better at night. You need to find the most productive way to work for your lifestyle. For many people, rising with the sunshine and getting the most out of the day helps support both mental well-being and career success.

Spend Wisely

Most highly successful people watch what they spend. They won’t go beyond their means, which allows them to stay financially secure. They are careful with money and know the best ways to maximise every penny—such as investing their money wisely and planning for long-term financial stability. Smart money management is a crucial habit for success and career development.

Consistency

True success comes from staying consistent, whether in your work, habits, or personal goals. Think about it: if you exercise once a week, you will get some benefits, but these will be minimal. If you train your body three or four times a week and do it consistently, you will eventually notice a big difference.

The same applies to your career. When you commit to your job, skill development, or your business and put in the effort daily, it will eventually add up. Consistency in work ethic, productivity, and goal setting is one of the most powerful success strategies.

Reading and Learning

Successful people always strive to learn. They read often, take courses, and absorb as much information as possible. They ask questions, seek feedback, and stay open to personal and professional development. Continuous learning and upskilling are key components of long-term career advancement and personal success.

Positive Attitude

It is easy to fall into a negative mindset, especially when you are trying to achieve something and your efforts don’t seem to be working. However, to be successful, you need to remain positive even when facing setbacks. A positive mindset helps you find solutions when challenges arise, rather than getting stuck in frustration or self-doubt. Maintaining a resilient, success-focused attitude can significantly improve your productivity, confidence, and career opportunities.

If you are looking to grow your career, we can help by providing you with a professional CV designed to help you land your next interview. Order your CV directly and we will give you a call, or contact us to learn more about our CV writing services, career support, and job search guidance.

Office politics can make the workplace difficult to navigate at times. They can lead to a toxic workplace, unnecessary drama and tension, and a culture that feels more competitive than collaborative. Most people come to work simply to do their job and get paid, while others may rely heavily on their work environment for social connection—making workplace politics even more intense. Navigating office politics can be challenging, but there are effective ways to do it.

What are Office Politics?

Office politics often carry negative connotations. When you hear the phrase, you might think of favouritism, toxic behaviour, manipulation, or people stepping on each other to progress their careers. However, office politics can be either positive or negative depending on the environment and how you choose to navigate workplace dynamics. Understanding the power dynamics at work is the first step in protecting your professional reputation.

Build Good Relationships

It’s important to build healthy, professional relationships with colleagues while still maintaining appropriate boundaries. You can easily get swept up in negative office politics without even realising it. Instead of choosing sides or forming cliques, aim to create positive, respectful relationships throughout the organisation. This doesn’t mean you need to be close friends with everyone, but staying neutral is often the best strategy when dealing with workplace drama.

Ignore Gossip

Gossip spreads quickly in most workplaces, and it’s one of the biggest contributors to a toxic work environment. While open communication is healthy, getting involved in gossip can harm your reputation and pull you deeper into unnecessary conflict. Some colleagues may try to draw you into negative conversations, but it’s important to stay professional. Avoiding gossip is a powerful strategy for navigating office politics with integrity.

Positive Communication

Positive office politics can encourage open dialogue, healthy debate, and the sharing of new ideas. But in workplaces where negative politics dominate, it can be tempting to withdraw and simply keep your head down. No matter what is happening around you, it’s important to maintain your voice and share your ideas. Strong communication skills help you stay visible for the right reasons and contribute to a healthier workplace culture.

Focus on Work

While relationship-building is important, your primary focus should always be your performance. Keeping your personal life private and prioritising your daily responsibilities will protect you from unnecessary workplace drama. If you want to advance your career, your work performance, reliability, and professionalism matter far more than participating in office politics.

At Inspired CVs, we can provide general HR advice to employers and employees. We also offer a professional CV writing service, tailored to suit your career goals and fully ATS-compliant. Contact us to find out more or order your CV directly.

When employees are engaged in the workplace, they are more likely to have good attendance levels, increased motivation, and higher workplace productivity. When employees become disengaged, they are more inclined to call in sick and, when they do attend work, may display negativity and low production levels. Employee engagement is vital for a happy workforce, strong company culture, and the overall success of a business. Unfortunately, global employee engagement is declining, with the number reaching just 21% in 2024, marking only the second drop in employee engagement in the past 12 years.

The Importance of Employee Engagement

Employees are the backbone of every organisation, and for a business to be successful, the workforce must be engaged and motivated. An engaged employee is more productive, provides better customer service, and is passionate about the success of the business. Disengaged employees, however, often feel disconnected and indifferent—something that can significantly harm business performance. Below are several reasons why improving employee engagement is essential.

Increase Employee Retention

When employees are engaged and happy in the workplace, they are less likely to leave. Low engagement often results in employees dreading the workday, increasing turnover. If your organisation is experiencing low employee retention, it may be time to assess your current HR engagement strategies and find ways to better connect with your employees.

Fresh Ideas

Businesses benefit significantly from an engaged workforce. Engaged employees care about the business and want it to succeed, making them more likely to contribute innovative ideas and fresh perspectives. This kind of proactive behaviour helps drive continuous improvement and supports business growth.

Simple and Affordable Ways to Boost Employee Engagement

While there are many employee incentive programs that employers can introduce, not all are affordable—especially for smaller businesses. Luckily, there are simple, low-cost employee engagement strategies that can still make a big impact.

Employee of the Month

Some employees consistently go above and beyond but may not feel valued if their efforts go unrecognised. Recognition doesn’t always require financial rewards—often, a simple acknowledgment of their contribution can significantly boost employee motivation and engagement.

A peer-nominated Employee of the Month programme can highlight top talent, strengthen company culture, and improve both engagement and retention. This can be as simple as presenting a framed certificate or offering a small gift card.

Work Anniversaries

Recognising work anniversaries—such as 5 or 10 years of service—helps employees feel appreciated and valued. You don’t need elaborate gifts; even a thoughtful card or small gesture can reinforce a positive employee experience and build long-term loyalty.

Communication

Effective communication is essential for improving employee engagement. Employees should always have someone—whether a manager or HR representative—they feel comfortable approaching with concerns, ideas, or feedback. Clear communication channels help build trust and promote a supportive workplace culture.

Learning and Development

Offering learning and development opportunities is a powerful way to increase employee engagement. Providing training, mentorship, and clear career progression pathways helps employees feel supported in their career growth. This not only boosts motivation but also improves retention.

Team Building

Although some people may cringe at the thought of team-building activities, they can play an important role in strengthening workplace relationships. Team building doesn’t need to involve elaborate games—it can be as simple as organising a team lunch, breakfast, or coffee break. These small interactions help create stronger teams and foster a positive work environment.

At Inspired CVs, we provide expert CV writing services for candidates in every industry, anywhere in the world. If you're looking for a new job, exploring a career change, or currently unemployed, our professional CV writers can help you stand out and secure more interviews. Contact us today and start your journey toward a stronger career and better job opportunities, or order your CV here.

Many candidates get stuck when they start writing their CV and aren’t sure how to avoid using the same action verbs repeatedly. Words like assisted and managed are often overused and don’t make the most impact.

Using the right action verbs on your CV helps demonstrate your achievements and gives your application a stronger, more professional tone. It’s important to consider the job description and the company culture you’re applying to — this helps you choose verbs that reflect the right skills and attitude.

Here are some powerful action verbs for CVs that can make your application stand out to recruiters.

Achieved

Use the action verb “achieved” to highlight measurable accomplishments in your role. For example:

“Achieved employee of the month on six occasions” or “Achieved a 50% increase in online sales through a targeted marketing campaign.”

Whenever possible, quantify your results — it gives your CV credibility and shows you deliver tangible outcomes.

Negotiated

Many roles require strong negotiation skills, whether you’re managing contracts, client relationships, or internal policies.

For example:

“Negotiated contract terms with new suppliers to secure cost savings and long-term value.”

Using negotiated as a CV keyword demonstrates communication skills, confidence, and emotional intelligence — all traits that employers value.

Improved

Employers are drawn to people who can identify problems and make improvements. Using “improved” on your CV shows initiative and forward-thinking.

For example:

“Improved employee retention by introducing a new staff incentive program.”

This action verb signals that you are proactive and results-driven — something every hiring manager wants to see.

Translated

If you have language skills or have worked in international contexts, translated is a valuable verb to include.

For example:

“Translated marketing materials from English to French, helping expand our services to new markets.”

This demonstrates versatility and cross-cultural communication skills — highly desirable in today’s global job market.

Implemented

If your role involves project management, leadership, or change management, “implemented” is a strong choice.

For example:

“Implemented a new customer relationship management (CRM) system to streamline client interactions and boost efficiency.”

It suggests confidence, innovation, and the ability to deliver results — all of which enhance your professional image.

If you want to ensure your CV uses the right language and structure, we can help. At Inspired CVs, we offer professional CV writing services — including graphically designed and traditional CVs — tailored to your career goals.

Contact us today or order your new CV here, and we’ll arrange a consultation to discuss your needs in more detail.

It is thought that recruiters spend only seconds assessing a CV. You may think that this means you don’t need to make an effort with your CV, but the opposite is actually true. The fact that recruiters don’t generally pour over a CV for hours means that you can’t afford to make mistakes. Recruiters are busy, and with piles of CVs to go through, you have merely seconds to make a great impression.

As a professional CV writing service, we’ve seen many small but costly errors. Here are some common CV mistakes that could cost you an interview — and how to fix them.

Spelling and Grammatical Errors

Spelling and grammatical errors give the impression of a lack of professionalism and carelessness — a major red flag for recruiters. Your CV is a key professional document, so you should take time and care over it. Make sure you proofread your CV carefully before applying for any job. It’s even better to ask a trusted friend or a professional CV writer to review it.

Including Irrelevant Details

The recruiter doesn’t need to know how many children you have or your dog’s name — so leave these out. Irrelevant information on your CV can make you appear unfocused or unprofessional. Keep your CV concise, highlighting only skills, experience, and achievements relevant to the role.

Ignoring Keywords

Many organisations now use an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) to filter applications automatically. If your CV doesn’t include the right keywords, it may be rejected before a human even sees it.

To avoid this, use keywords from the job description — especially job titles, software tools, and core skills. For example, if PowerPoint or Excel is listed as an essential requirement, make sure it appears naturally in your CV.

Submitting a Generic CV

If you’re applying for multiple jobs, it can be tempting to send the same CV to every employer. However, a one-size-fits-all CV rarely works. Tailor your CV for each application by aligning your experience and achievements with the specific requirements of the role.

For instance, if you’re applying for marketing roles but your CV focuses heavily on sales, it may not appeal to hiring managers, and therefore, you may not reach the interview stage. A targeted CV always performs better than a generic one.

Job Hopping Without Explanation

Recruiters look for reliability and commitment. If your CV shows frequent job changes without explanation, it can raise concerns.

Be transparent — if you worked in short-term contracts, temporary roles, or were affected by redundancies, include this context on your CV. Recruiters won’t always follow up to ask for details, so it’s important to explain short tenures clearly.

At Inspired CVs, we provide professionally written and graphically designed CVs tailored to your individual career goals. Whether you’re applying for your first job or aiming for an executive role, we’ll help you create a standout CV that gets results.

Contact us today to learn more about our CV writing services, or order your new CV directly here.

Interviews can be a daunting experience, and according to Hays, the recruitment agency, more than 51% of working professionals have had a negative experience during the interview process. This poor candidate experience has turned almost half of candidates away from potential employers. If you want to attract top talent, the only way to get the best out of the interview is to make it as enjoyable and positive as possible. Below are some effective interview tips for employers to help you conduct interviews candidates genuinely enjoy.

Comfortable Setting

A hostile environment creates apprehension from the start, which is why it is crucial to create a comfortable interview setting. Smile when the candidate enters, offer a coffee or water, and don’t be afraid to use a touch of humour. Building rapport during interviews helps candidates relax and perform better.

For virtual interviews, encourage the candidate to get comfortable and clearly set out the interview agenda so they know what to expect. Whether the interview involves competency-based questions or a more relaxed discussion, clarity helps create a better candidate journey.

Conversational

Whether competency-based or informal, the interview should feel like a conversation. Many people assume that interviews are designed solely for candidates to impress employers. However, modern recruitment best practices show that interviewers must also impress candidates to strengthen their employer brand.

Treat the process like a two-way conversation instead of an interrogation. You can still ask structured questions while keeping the discussion flexible and natural. After the initial question, follow up with prompts to learn more about the candidate. Candidates are more honest and confident when the interview feels conversational—which ultimately helps you make better hiring decisions.

Personalise the Process

Candidates often feel like they are just another number during the hiring process, so personalisation is key. Highlight what you liked about their CV, mention what stood out, and explain why they were shortlisted. These small actions build trust and deliver a more positive candidate engagement experience.

Take it Slowly

Even well-prepared candidates don’t know what questions they’ll face, so take your time. Allow them space to think and form their responses. If they struggle, offer supportive prompts or smoothly transition to the next question. Remember, nerves can easily impact performance. A patient, supportive interviewer helps create a positive interview experience, leading to stronger, more accurate assessments.

At Inspired CVs, we create professionally designed CVs to help you land more interviews. Our UK-based writers will consult with you to understand your goals and craft a standout CV that captures the attention of recruiters and hiring managers. Contact us today or order your CV here.