Job searching itself can become a full time job and not a very enjoyable one at that! There are many different avenues you can use to help you find a new job, including job sites, recruitment agencies and using your network. Many people forget that there is also the option of attending careers fairs. Careers fairs give you the opportunity to meet with potential employers face to face, and it can give you the chance to find out more about a range of different companies. If you have never been to a careers fair before, these are the ways you can use them to find a new job. 

Finding a Careers Fair

A quick search on Google will give you information on upcoming careers fairs. You could also use prospects.ac.uk. Some careers fairs are general, covering a wide scope of industries, while others are specific. If there is a specific company you want to work for, you might find events on their website.

Research Attendees

With careers fairs often bustling with activity, it's crucial to be well-prepared and have a clear understanding of the companies you're interested in. Creating a shortlist of these companies before the event will help you approach them with confidence and make the most of your time at the fair.

Prepare Questions

You may want to prepare a list of some questions you’d like to ask the employers, including the type of roles they are recruiting for, the ideal candidate and locations. In some cases, the employer might even interview you then and there for the role or at the least, they might take a note of your contact details.

Choose the Time

If the careers fair is at maximum capacity, it will be difficult to get a chance to speak to anyone. Therefore, it is best to choose your time wisely. For instance, first thing in the morning or at the end of the event. In the middle of the event is probably not the best time to attend.

Dress to Impress

You don’t need to wear a suit to a careers fair, but it is a good idea to dress smartly to make the right impression, especially if you are looking for an office job. Dressing appropriately also shows respect for the event and the potential employers, which can help you stand out.

Take your CV

You should also have a professional CV with you to hand out to potential employers. This not only makes it easier for them to remember you but also increases the chances of them contacting you if they already have your details.

Why You Should Attend a Careers Fair

There are many reasons why you should consider attending a careers fairs if you are on the market for a new job:

• Face to face conversation - there are not many opportunities to speak directly to an employer, face to face. With a careers fair, you get their full attention and you have the chance to ask any questions you may have. This personal interaction can help you stand out and make a lasting impression.
• Get feedback - if you have applied for a job and received an instant rejection, this is the time to ask the employer why. You never know - you might even be able to turn the no, to a yes!
• Step out of comfort zone - Approaching a potential employer can be nerve-wracking, but the sense of accomplishment and personal growth that comes from it is unparalleled. Stepping out of your comfort zone at a careers fair can be a transformative experience, boosting your confidence and opening doors to new opportunities.

If you are looking for a professional CV for attending careers fairs, consider seeking professional CV writing services. We can help you create a CV that highlights your skills and experiences, making it easier for potential employers to remember you. This can increase your chances of getting contacted after the careers fair. You can order directly here or contact us to find out more about our CV writing services.

When applying for a job, it might seem like the most sensible option is to write your entire career history on your CV, but this differs from what recruiters are looking for. It is thought that recruiters only spend about 6 seconds looking through a CV, and while it must make a great first impression, they won’t take the time to read an essay. That’s why it is essential to make it as concise as possible. These are some tips for reducing your CV to make it more readable.

Straight to the Point

Make sure your sentences contain only the necessary details. There is no need to complicate your sentences and add unnecessary information. Keep it punchy and to the point while ensuring it contains relevant keywords. The recruiter is only skimming the CV, so long paragraphs will probably not even be read.

Reduce Experience

Your work experience need not go back more than ten years. Employers only want to see what you’ve done recently; they are not interested in your experience from 20 years ago when you left school.

Recent Education

The same applies to your education. If you possess a degree and have also undertaken various courses at work, you can eliminate your school grades from your CV. School qualifications are only relevant for school leavers or students.

Stay Relevant

Only focus on the content relevant to the role you are applying for. There are probably various elements you can take out of your CV that won’t help you get the job. Keep it relevant. You can tailor it to suit the job you are applying for.

Focus on Structure

Altering the structure of your CV can significantly reduce space. Eliminate any white space and reduce the font size where possible. Your CV should be easy to read and without large spaces.

Delete Hobbies

There is no need to mention your hobbies and interests on your CV. The recruiter is only concerned about what you do in your spare time unless it relates to the role. For instance, if you run a sports club and are applying for a role in childcare, mention this on your CV. Otherwise, leave it out.

Remove References

You don’t need to detail your references on your CV; this will occupy space. References are only necessary if you are being offered the job.

The best way to ensure you have the best CV is to get a professional to do it for you. At Inspired CVs, we provide CV writing services in Glasgow, throughout the UK, and globally. If you are looking for a new CV, you can order it directly here, or contact us for more information.

If you have handed in your notice to your current employer, you may be asked to participate in an exit interview. Employers that conduct exit interviews usually want to make positive changes in the workplace. Interestingly, over half of employers are not offering exit interviews and are missing a big opportunity to make positive changes to the role or the culture. If you have been asked to participate in an exit interview, it is understandable that you may feel apprehensive. However, you can use the exit interview to share your opinions on your experience.

What is an exit interview?

Employers that conduct exit interviews are interested in why people leave. They may use them to improve the workplace culture and the role, and help with recruitment and retention. The exit interview allows you to share your experiences and can be an excellent way to release any tension about your reasons for leaving. Although you don’t want to go into an exit interview with anger towards the company; honesty is essential. If you have enjoyed your time with the company, an exit interview can be an excellent way to leave the door open in the future. It would help if you remembered that the exit interview is voluntary; the company cannot force you to undertake this.

Common Questions in an Exit Interview

Employers don’t want to lose good employees, and as such, when this happens, they want to know the reasons why. These are some of the likely questions you may be asked during an exit interview:

• Why are you leaving the company? Resist the temptation to make personal attacks against colleagues if you are leaving due to the environment. Instead, you could comment on the general culture. If there are other reasons, for instance, the type of work you do, be specific about what areas have caused you to want to leave your role.
• Did you feel supported by your manager? Although it is essential to be honest, refrain from personal attacks here. The interviewer wants to know if the manager’s style suits you and if not, they may need to rethink their recruitment strategy. For example, some people hate being micro-managed and only want to speak to their manager when required. If the style doesn’t suit you, explain that to the interviewer.
• What have you found most challenging about the role? Consider the areas of the role that interested you and those that felt more difficult.
• Would you consider working for us in the future? It is good to keep positive relations with your employer so that the door is open in the future. However, this is not always possible, so if you do not work with them in the future, say so. You could even word it to mean that you would consider if the management changes in the future.

Exit interviews are a two-way street and can be a good learning experience for you and the employer. It can allow you to express yourself and get your feelings off your shoulders so you can happily move on to your next employer.

If you are moving on from your role and need a new, professional CV, we can provide you with a traditional or graphic CV with our CV writing services in Glasgow. You can contact us or order your CV here today.

At Inspired CVs, we are often asked about an ATS and whether or not our professional CVs will be written in a way that helps them pass through these systems. Some candidates have heard about the ATS but are still determining its significance. Hopefully, This blog will give you more information on an ATS and how we can help you get your CV through these systems.

What is an ATS?

An ATS (applicant tracking system) is software that helps to improve the recruitment process. When you apply for a job, and the employer has an ATS in place, the software will scan the CV to ensure you have the right experience and skills for the role. It will do this by using keywords from the job description. For example, if you are required to have Excel experience and have not included this on your CV, the chances are that your CV will be filtered out of the process. As you can imagine, this is frustrating if you know you have the right skills and expertise for the role.

Why do employers use an ATS?

Large organisations mainly use an ATS with a high number of vacancies. They may be receiving hundreds or even thousands of applications for each role, so the ATS allows them to quickly sift through the applications without having to do it manually. The remaining applications are those that will fit the basic criteria of the role, leaving the recruiters to go through these in more depth so they have a shortlist to invite to interview.

How to ensure your CV is ATS-ready

When we create CVs for our candidates, we always ensure they are ATS-ready. These are some ways we can help your CV pass through an ATS.

Relevant keywords

Most candidates don’t have a job they wish to apply for when they use our professional CV writing service - but they usually have a general idea. With our knowledge and experience in CV writing, we can adapt the CV to ensure it covers the main elements of the roles you will be applying for. Of course, you can always make minor tweaks when applying for roles to help improve your success.

Common job titles

Job titles come in all shapes and sizes, and with our professional CV service, we will adapt your job title to ensure it fits with the most common that an ATS will recognise. For example, if you are a ‘sanitation worker,’ we may change this to ‘cleaner’ to reflect a title the ATS will understand.

Clear design and layout

A clear design and layout of your CV are important both for aesthetic reasons and functionality. If your CV is not clearly laid out, the ATS may not be able to pick out the keywords it needs, and therefore, you may fail to pass through the system.

What else do you need to know

Although it is vital to ensure your CV passes through the ATS, we also write the CV in a way that ensures it relates to humans. After all, a human will always look at the CV at some point during recruitment.

If you need a professional CV, contact us to learn more about our services. Alternatively, you can order your CV here.

Your success in landing a job is not just about the skills and experience you offer, but also you as a person - your characteristics. Employers want to be confident you can do the job, but they also want to ensure you will work well within your team. As such, there are some personal qualities that are valued by employers and will help you make a good impression. You can highlight these personal qualities throughout your CV and ensure they stand out to a potential employer. These are some personal qualities employers look for when making hiring decisions.

Proactive

The employer wants to be sure that you are proactive and you can reflect this quality in your CV and during an interview. Someone proactive will present ideas to improve their success in the role; they won’t just wait for instructions. A proactive person will also ask questions when they don’t know the answer. You won’t just follow a tick-box exercise; you will be focused on continuous improvement, both professionally and personally. One way to show this in your CV and an interview is to provide examples of when you have gone above and beyond in your role. Also, showing a genuine interest in the role and the company will give the employer a positive impression of your ability to be proactive.

Supportive

Employers want to recruit people into the business who will support their colleagues. You can show your willingness to undertake duties outside your day-to-day job and provide examples of when you have helped your colleagues. It is particularly important for small businesses that need everyone to work together towards a common goal, regardless of their role within the company. They can’t afford to hire people who won’t be willing to help out their colleagues when required.

Positive Attitude

Attitudes are infectious, especially in the workplace, and it only takes one negative person to affect the entire business. Using positive language throughout your CV and during your interview will show the kind of positive person you are. People are naturally attracted to others with a positive disposition, and consequently, this can lead to increased productivity in a business and overall greater success.

Calm

Things change within a business, and employers want to recruit people with a calm demeanour and the ability to work under pressure. Adaptability is an important personal skill for any business, as is staying calm in the face of adversity.

Professional

Employers also value the ability to handle situations professionally, including challenges within the business. They expect you to be able to liaise with clients in a professional manner. Reliability is also imperative for any employer.

It is important to showcase your personal qualities on your CV, and at Inspired CVs, we can help you achieve this through our professional CV writing services. You can contact us to find out more or order your CV directly here.

If you were fired from your previous job, you might be worried about how to approach this during an impending interview. It might make you feel uncomfortable, as it does with most people, but you can approach this in a positive way - no matter the reasons for the termination. This blog will discuss how to deal with awkward interview questions when you have been fired from a previous role.

Reasons for Being Fired

Many different reasons can result in the termination of your contract, including:

• Unable to meet the requirements of the role
• Poor attendance/sickness
• Not fitting with the culture
• Negative attitude
• Gross misconduct

Honesty is the Best Policy

Regardless of why you were let go from your job, it will help if you are upfront and honest with the interviewer. These things can get out anyway, so it is better to be upfront. They will appreciate honesty and may see this as a sign of integrity and strength. Explain the situation and what led to you being let go. You don’t need to go into detail, but stating the essential facts is important.

Positive Spin

It can be easy to let negativity get the better of you when explaining why you were let go, but this won’t make a good impression on the interviewer. Instead, keep the conversation positive and resist the temptation to berate your previous employer. 

Explain Progress

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” as they say - which is vital when discussing your termination during an interview. The termination might have been challenging, but you can explain what you learned from the experience and accept your own mistakes. People who take responsibility for mistakes are thought of much more highly than those who never take responsibility.

Example Responses during Interview

“After some time, we realised that my skill set was not right for the role, and they could not offer sufficient training. However, I liked the company and have since undertaken my own training to update my skillset.”

“We mutually decided that the culture wasn’t the best fit for me to be the best I could be in my role. Although I liked the people and the job, the company was very formal, and I prefer a more relaxed working environment.”

“Unfortunately, circumstances in my family resulted in many absences, which I understood was not sustainable. These circumstances are no longer an issue and will not affect future employment.”

If you are looking for a new job or career change, the first stage is to ensure you have a professional CV. At Inspired CVs, we provide high-quality CV writing services. You can buy your CV here or contact us to find out more.

Transferable skills are skills that can be transferred to another career or even multiple careers. As opposed to technical abilities that may be job-specific, your transferable skills can be carried around with you to a range of different roles. This blog will discuss transferable skills and how they can be used on your CV when looking for a career change.

Examples of Transferable Skills

If you want to change your career, you should focus on how you can use the skills you have accumulated throughout your career, especially if you need training on the technical side of things. These are some examples of transferable skills and how you might use them in your CV.

Customer Service

You may want to move from a call centre role to a role within retail. You may have no experience within the retail sector or dealing with customers face-to-face, so this is where your transferable skills come into play. For example, you have dealt with customer queries and complaints and may have been responsible for upselling products. These are all skills you can mention on your CV as transferable skills for a role within retail.

Teamwork

There are many roles where working as part of a team is integral to the role. If you decide to move from a freelancer to a permanent role, for example, you might be concerned that an employer will disregard you as they feel you won’t be able to work as part of a team. However, you can highlight transferable skills on your CV by discussing working with different departments remotely, juggling a number of clients, being part of team calls, etc.

Management

Regardless of the industry, the skills required in management are fundamentally the same. As a manager, you manage a range of personalities, manage a workload, and delegate responsibilities. Your key responsibilities are generally the same and should be highlighted on your CV.

Initiative 

Suppose you are changing careers to a role where you fundamentally manage your workload and schedule—from working as a school teacher to counselling adults. The role will be different, but you can highlight your ability to work on your initiative and manage your workload.

What to do next

It is a good idea to write down and list the essential skills you have developed throughout your career and the skills you will need in your next job. You can then understand the transferable skills you have and identify the skills you don’t have. You may be able to undertake a training course to help you gain those skills while you are applying for new jobs. Doing this will show employers you have transferable skills and undertake training to help you achieve the necessary skills.

At Inspired CVs, we can provide a professional CV that can help you make your career change. Our writers offer CV writing services to clients throughout the globe. If you’d like to make a career change, need assistance, or need a CV refresh, you can order your CV here or contact us to learn more.

Feeling anxious and apprehensive on your first day at a new job is perfectly natural. After all, you are going into the completely unknown. The first day sets the tone for how you will get on for the rest of your work tenure, and therefore, it is important to make a great first impression. Here are some ways to ensure you make a good impression at work.

Dress Professionally

You should dress professionally on your first day and wear an outfit that is in accordance with the company's rules. If you are going into a construction job, you wouldn't be expected to wear a suit on your first day, for instance. However, you should still ensure you are well turned out. The way you dress and project yourself says a lot about the respect you have for yourself, and this can help you make a strong impression on your first day at work.

Be Punctual

Aim to turn up 10 minutes before you are due to start on your first day. Good punctuation will set you on the right foot. If you are late on your first day, your manager may be concerned that this is a sign of things to come during your employment. If you are unsure of the exact location of where you are going on your first day, run a test before your start date to avoid mishaps.

Smile 

If nerves get the better of you on your first day, you may end up coming across as a little rude. When we are nervous, we tend not to smile and can be easily distracted. Try to be mindful of how you are coming across to people, smile, be friendly, and try to remember names. Sometimes, a first impression can be difficult to change. If someone initiates a conversation with you, converse back and show interest in them.

Socialise

If you suffer from anxiety, the thought of going for lunch with a bunch of strangers probably feels crippling. However, if you start off by rejecting offers to go for lunch with your colleagues, it will set you on the wrong foot at work. Once you are settled, you can do your own thing, but at least for the first day, show that you are willing to get to know your team.

Listen

The first day is more about listening and taking in information than doing work. It is unlikely that you will do any work on your first day. Try to absorb as much as possible, and show that you are actively listening. When nerves take over, it can be easy to get side tracked and forget to listen, especially with the volume of information you are given on your first day.

Observe Culture

Every workplace has its culture, and observing that on your first day at work is essential. You will get a good understanding of your colleagues' behaviours so you can replicate them to fit in with the culture. Of course, this can take a while to fully understand, but showing your interest in fitting in with the culture will help make your first day successful and enable you to make a good first impression.

If you are looking for a job and need a professional CV, we can help with our CV writing services in Glasgow. You can order your CV here or contact us to arrange a consultation.