A strong network can help in various aspects of your life. It can increase your chances of securing a new job, help you progress your career, and allow you to connect with like-minded people. If you are self-employed, having a solid network around you is crucial, as this can help support your mental health. You may feel that everyone around you seems to have a strong network, but you don’t have a big group of supportive people around you. Don’t worry; there are many ways you can start building your network.

Reach out to current connections

Whether it’s friends or acquaintances, it is essential to keep these relationships active. Finding time to meet up with people can often be challenging, especially if you have a stressful job, but this is a vital aspect of building a solid network. You may feel overwhelmed or anxious about meeting up with people, but this is an excellent step to take when creating a network. Reach out to people you know and get something in the diary.

Find people in your industry

It is a good idea to connect with people in your industry, as you can share ideas and tips. You may even find a new career opportunity or a new client. You can do this by adding LinkedIn connections, joining relevant social media groups, and searching for specific industry-led events on platforms like Eventbrite.

Networking events

Networking events can often seem daunting, but they are a great way to meet people. There are different networking events; some are structured, and others are more relaxed. Find the one that best suits your style, or you may even consider setting up a networking event of your own. Networking events don’t to involve everyone sitting nervously around tables, pitching to their audience. If you join groups with like-minded people, such as a running or book group, you will also get the opportunity to network. Charity work can also be helpful for networking.

Engage with Network

You can increase your presence and, therefore, your network by engaging with others and, for instance, sharing, commenting, and liking posts from connections on your professional network. People will soon start to take notice of you and may even reach out with opportunities.

Having a solid network is crucial when you are job searching. You should also ensure you have a high-quality, professional CV. At Inspired CVs, we can provide you with a CV that will help you reach the interview stage. You can order your new CV today or contact us, and we will arrange a free consultation.

The whole process of job searching can be soul-destroying; especially if you feel you are getting nowhere fast. If you are looking for work, it is crucial that you use a variety of job-searching strategies to improve your success. These are some job-searching strategies to consider when you are looking for a new role.

Job Sites

There are a range of job sites that can help support your job search, including Indeed, S1 Jobs (for Scotland), and Total Jobs. You should aim to apply for at least a few jobs each day, and importantly, don’t forget to take note of the jobs you’ve applied for. At the end of the week, you may want to follow up with the employers you have applied to, to check if they have received your application and if they have any feedback they can share.

Company Websites

Job seekers often forget to look at the company website, instead of general job sites. Not all companies will post jobs on other websites, as it can be extremely costly. If there are specific companies you’d like to work for, make sure you check out their website to see if they are recruiting. There may also be the option to send your CV to a general mailbox.

Networking

If you are not using LinkedIn, it is time to set up an account. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for networking. It allows you to connect with recruiters, and you can use the ‘open to work’ banner to let people know you are interested in hearing about opportunities. You can also share a status to inform others about what you are looking for and ask people to let you know about any opportunities they have.

Previous Employers

If there are previous companies you enjoyed working for, don’t be afraid to reach out to them to enquire about any vacancies they have. You never know where it may lead and at least you’ll know what to expect if you do gain employment.

Recruitment Agencies

You can also register with recruitment agencies to give your job search efforts a boost. Many employers use recruitment agencies to save them the time and hassle of dealing with recruitment, so they may have access to opportunities you haven’t found online. They can also actively look for suitable employment for you. This approach allows you to cover all bases.

Job Fairs

Job fairs are a great way to meet employers face-to-face and target your approach. Job fairs can usually be found at football stadiums, Universities, and colleges. You can find out which employers are attending before the event, so you know which ones will be of interest. Some employers will do a quick interview with you on the day, others will take your details. Make sure you have a professional CV with you!

Face to Face

It is not practical to walk into an office and ask about jobs, but if you are looking within the service industry, such as retail, hotels, etc, it is perfectly acceptable to enquire about vacancies at the reception desk. You never know, you might even get an interview on the day if they are looking to hire urgently.

Social Media

Many companies advertise their vacancies on social media, so this is another option you can utilise. For instance, if you search “Jobs in Glasgow” or “Jobs in London”, you will find a whole array of posts and groups advertising jobs.

Friends and Family

Job seekers often feel embarrassed about being out of work, and although it is perfectly natural to feel this way, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. We have all found ourselves out of work at one stage or another so don’t be afraid to utilise your network. Let your friends and family know that you are looking for work. They may be able to put the word out in their workplace.

Consider Temporary Work

Although you may want to secure a permanent role, you should not close yourself off to temporary opportunities. Temporary assignments can help ensure your CV is kept up-to-date, while also giving you the opportunity to have an income while you look for a more stable role.

Open Days

Employers often run open days, which candidates can attend to get a better insight into the company and their vacancies. Attending these will show that you are eager to gain employment and that you are willing to step out of your comfort zone. You can also find out if it is the right fit for you before you decide whether to progress with your application.

With any of these job searching strategies, it is vital to have a professional, high-quality CV to enhance your prospects. At Inspired CVs, we have experienced UK writers who will help enhance your experience and skills through our CV writing services. You can order your new CV today or contact us and we will be in touch to discuss your options.

There is nothing more frustrating than attending interview after interview without success; especially if you don’t receive any feedback. Employers are often reluctant to give feedback for several reasons. They may not want to say something that could hurt your feelings, they may be worried that it will escalate into an argument, or they may just be interviewing too many candidates. It is difficult to understand where you went wrong without this feedback though and it can be extremely demoralising. These are some of the possible reasons you are not being offered the job.

Lack of research

Unbelievably, some candidates attend interviews with absolutely no idea about the company. Not only does this seem lazy, but it also raises questions as to why you are even interested in a job you know nothing about. Make sure you know the company, what they do, and key information – such as the size of the company and the locations they operate in. It is within your best interests to understand the company and whether they are a good fit for you too.

Uninterested in the job

When asked why you want a job, it is important that you come across as enthusiastic. Saying things like ‘I wasn’t really looking, but thought I would just apply anyway’, is not going to positively impact the interviewer. Make sure you go into the interview with enthusiasm about the role and the company.

You do not have the right skills

Make sure you read the job description properly before applying and ensure you fit ALL the essential requirements of the role. If a recruiter has approached you, ask them what the non-negotiables are before you attend an interview. It can be embarrassing to be asked if you have certain skills during an interview when you don’t have them.

Negative attitude

The employer wants to hire someone who has a positive attitude that will benefit their business. The last thing they want to hear during an interview is a negative attitude and negative chat about a previous employer. Bring your best self to the interview – even if you are not feeling in the best mood on the day.

Making requests

The interview is not the time to start making requests to the employer. For instance, saying things like ‘I can only work 2 days in the office’, or ‘I need a week off every two months.’ If you have specific needs, wait until you receive a job offer before you go into these types of discussions. If you need to work remotely, make sure you know if this is possible before attending the interview, otherwise you are wasting both your own and the employer’s time.

Not the right fit

It might simply be that you don’t seem like you would fit into the culture of the organisation. This is not something to take personally; every company is different in this regard. We can’t have a good relationship with everyone, and it might just be that your conversation with the interviewer didn’t flow the way they’d have wanted

Internal hire

Some organisations go through an interview process which also includes an internal candidate. Of course, they are most likely to get the job, but they may just need to go through this process.

You talked too much

The interview should be a two-way street and while it is important to come across as enthusiastic during the interview, it is also vital that you listen to the interviewer. If you keep talking over the interviewer, it shows disinterest in what they’re saying and may come across as rude. Most people do this because they are nervous, but you should be aware of this before you attend the interview.

One-word answers

An interview is a conversation and if the interviewer asks you a question, they expect an in-depth answer. For example, if they ask if you are experienced in using social media, you should discuss how and when you use it, as well as the platforms and any success you have had with it.

Not enough experience

We cannot account for the other candidates who attend an interview, and it may just be that another candidate had more experience than you. There is nothing much that can be done about someone having more experience.

It is important to ask for feedback after an interview – and if you don’t receive it – ask again. Let the recruiter know that you want to improve your interview skills and their feedback would really enable this.

The first step in achieving an interview is to ensure you have a high quality. At Inspired CVs, we provide candidates with high-quality professional CVs. If you are looking for a new CV, you can order today or contact us for more information.

If you’re applying for jobs and never achieving an interview, it is likely to be down to the quality of your CV or your job search strategy. The CV is the only thing an employer can use to assess your relevant skills and experience, and therefore, it must be impactful. Many candidates undersell themselves on their CVs or fail to highlight their main achievements. These are some reasons you may not be getting invited for an interview.

It’s too long

If your CV is more than 3 pages long, it could put the recruiter off. The recruiter wants to be able to read something that is concise, so they can easily pull out your relevant skills. If it is too lengthy, it can be difficult to decipher, and therefore, the recruiter may give up and move to the next candidate. You don’t need to mention every job you’ve ever done, especially if you have a long career history; 10 years of experience is sufficient on your CV.

Spelling errors

When your CV contains errors, it can look unprofessional, and it may seem that you haven’t taken much time over it. Your CV should be as polished as possible, and there should be time and effort spent on it. It is the only thing the employer knows about you, and it is the first step to achieving an interview invite.

Blanket approach

It is important to make small tweaks to your CV if you’re applying for diverse types of roles. For instance, if you’re open to both admin and care roles, you might need to make minor changes to your CV to align it with the role. A blanket approach might not work for different types of roles as you may not highlight the right skills for the role.

Failing to follow up

Most of us have been in a situation where we have applied for a job, and it seems to have fallen into a black hole! There is no acknowledgment, so you don’t even know if it’s been received by the recruiter. Thankfully, we have resources like LinkedIn at our disposal nowadays, allowing us to connect with employers directly. If you have applied for a job, there is no harm in reaching out to the recruiter to ask if they’ve received it. When job searching, it is important to be proactive.

Many candidates use our professional CV writing service in Glasgow to create a high-quality CV. It can be time-consuming to do it yourself and we often don’t see the woods for the trees when writing our own CVs. Our professional CV writers will ensure your key skills are highlighted and that you are really selling yourself to the employer. You can order your CV here, or contact us and we will get in touch. Our CV writing services are available globally, with a fast turnaround.

If you are working hard day in and out, and exceeding the expectations of your role, it is understandable that you might consider asking for a pay rise. Aside from the obvious reason that you would like to earn more money (who doesn’t!), we all need to feel valued at work and a good salary is part of that. Asking your manager for a pay rise can be a daunting prospect and it is important to take a considered approach to it.

Do I have a chance of a pay rise?

Just because you want a pay rise, doesn’t necessarily mean you will get one. For instance, if you’ve had one within the last year, the company may not have the option within its budget. Similarly, if you’ve had poor attendance, even through no fault of your own, it may be worth holding off until you’ve improved this. With that being said, there is never any harm in asking for a pay rise. The worst they can say is no. However, choosing the right time will give you a better chance of success.

Steps for asking for a pay rise

You can’t keep asking for a pay rise, so it is vital that are well-prepared and that you follow a process. These are steps you can take to ask for a pay rise.

Research market rate

Conduct some research on the current market rate for the job and location. The decision on your pay rise won’t just come down to what others are paying, but it can give you a good base for asking for a pay rise. If you are underpaid, compared to competitors in the local area, your manager might be scared about losing you to one of them. Wages have grown in the UK by 6.6% (although this is much less based on inflation.) Average weekly earnings in the UK are £623.

Basis for salary increase

Understanding the reason you think you should get the pay rise, will give you a starting point for the conversation. For instance:

• Are you going above and beyond the requirements of the role?
• Are you being paid the same as new recruits, even though you’ve been in the role for some time?
• Have you gained new qualifications since you started in the role?
• Have you been offered another job and want to see if your employer will match it?

Make sure you have any evidence to support a pay rise, such as your achievements/additional responsibilities. Your manager may not even be aware of how much you have been doing. If you have saved the company money in any way, this is also good ammunition for asking for a pay rise.

Choosing the best time

There are optimum times to ask for a pay rise. These are times when your manager is going to be most receptive to the prospect. You should not ask for a pay rise if the company is going through redundancies, only ask when the company is in a strong financial position. Another good time to ask is when you have just completed a project or achieved something for the company. You should also ask when your manager doesn’t have a lot on their plate. If they are in the middle of a major piece of work, they may not be able to give your request for a pay raise, the attention it deserves.

Setting up a meeting

You can’t just go up to your manager and ask for a pay rise. Well, you could, but you probably wouldn’t have much success. It is better to have a more formal meeting with your manager, where you can get the chance to present your case in a more structured manner. Your manager is more likely to dismiss the idea if you send them an email about it. They are less likely to do so if you are face to face.

Whether you are actively looking for a new job or interested in hearing about employment opportunities, it is always a good idea to have a professional CV prepared. At Inspired CVs, we can provide you with our professional CV services. If you want to get your CV ready to send to potential employers, you can order directly here, or contact us to find out more.

If you are struggling to get an interview but you have the required skills for a role, it may be down to your CV. Candidates often undersell themselves in their CVs, and therefore, it may not be a true reflection of their abilities. There is no underestimating the importance of a CV. It is your marketing tool to get you in front of potential employers and as such, it is important to ensure your CV is professional and reflects your abilities to undertake the role.

Do you need a CV?

When applying for jobs, most employers will ask you to submit a CV. There are very few who will invite you for an interview without a CV, as they would have no insight into your experience and skills. Regardless of the industry or requirement for a CV, it is a good idea to have one prepared incase you ever need it.

What is the purpose of a CV?

Your CV should be viewed as your tool for marketing yourself. It is the main way you show potential employers that you can do the job. Employers may not want to pour over a CV for hours, but they do expect it to be concise, attractive, and professional. If you have any errors in your CV, it will not reflect well on your professionalism. Conversely, if the employer feels that you have spent a lot of time and effort on your CV, they will feel more comfortable about inviting you for an interview. A good quality CV shows a great deal of professionalism.

How to ensure you stand out

There are several ways you can help ensure your CV stands out from the others. If your CV is colourful and contains graphics, it will make an instant impact with employers. Graphic CVs will stand out more in a pile of traditional black and white CVs, so this is an option worth considering. You can also ensure it contains keywords that are relevant to the role. The employer may just quickly scan your CV and therefore, these keywords need to be visible. Your CV can be tweaked to suit the company and role you are applying to.

What should be included in a CV? 

CVs shouldn’t be more than two pages unless it is impossible to tell your story without it being longer. The reason for this is that most employers don’t spend much time perusing CVs and they may have a pile to get through. Therefore, you want to ensure that it doesn’t become an essay. Here are the main elements of your CV:

• Personal details – your CV should contain your personal details, especially your telephone number and email address. You may also include your social media links if you think they’re relevant (but remember that they might view things that you don’t want them to see!)
• Profile – the profile is a short summary of your main career achievements and aspirations.
• Experience – your career history should include the name of the employer, your job title, and the dates you were employed. You should then list your main duties within the role.
• Education – the education section should list the qualifications and dates and you may want to also include some of the modules and the grades.
• Achievements – you may also wish to include an achievements section, especially if you have some that you really want to shout about.

Most candidates prefer to get a professional CV, so they can ensure they stand out and make an impact with their CV. If you are interested in a professional CV service, you can order here or contact us to find out more about our CV services.

Once you have your CV prepared and ready to go, it is now time to start sending it to potential recruiters. Whether you are applying for a job or sending a speculative application, it is important to create the right first impression. It is best to email your CV, instead of sending it via post, as most people like to have electronic access to applications.

How to address the recruiter

The first step is to ensure your email address is professional. If it’s currently along the lines of, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or something equally cringey, you should consider changing it. If you are applying for a job, you should send your email to the email address they have specified. However, if you are sending a speculative CV, you might want to try and direct it to the hiring manager. If you are applying to a small company, it is likely that the hiring manager will be the director. However, if it’s a large organisation with a recruitment department, try and find a specific person. LinkedIn is a useful resource for locating this key information.

Subject of email

The email subject is important as it will alert the recruiter to why you are applying. If you don’t make this clear, the recruiter may ignore it. If you have a job reference, you can put this in the subject, as well as the job title. If it’s a speculative application, you may want to include your desired job title.

Reason for the email

You should then state your reason for sending the email. For example:

Introduction

“Dear Mr Williamson,

I am writing to enquire about any administration roles you might have in your esteemed company. I have strong administration skills, together with experience working within the education sector, which I feel would be highly desirable for this role.”

The body of the email

There is no need to go into huge detail about why your skills and experience, as you will also include your cover letter and/or CV. Here is an example of an email you might consider sending:

Dear Mr Williamson,

I am writing to enquire about any administration roles you might have in your esteemed company. I have strong administration skills, together with experience working within the education sector, which I feel would be highly desirable for this role.

I am highly organised, with the ability to work to tight deadlines and I have experience in dealing with a wide range of people.

I would relish the opportunity to discuss any potential opportunities in more detail and would welcome an initial conversation.

Please find my CV attached for your reference.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Kate Smith

To cover letter or not to cover letter

There is a lot of debate about cover letters and whether there is any point in including them. You should always include a cover letter if it is requested on the job application. It is also a good idea to include a cover letter if it is a speculative application, as it can give the recruiter an initial insight into your skills and experience.

When to send your email

It is best to avoid sending your email over the weekend, as there is a good chance the recruiter will miss it amongst the other emails they have received. The best time to send it would be Monday morning as this is the day that most people spend going through their emails and other administrative tasks.

If you need a new professional CV, we can help. You can order here or contact us to find out more about our CV services.

It can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of being offered a job, especially if you have been out of work for a while. However, it is important that the job aligns with you, otherwise, you will end up miserable and want to leave anyway. These are some red flags to look out for before you decide whether to accept a job.

High Turnover

Good employers don’t have a high turnover of staff – that is a fact, and contrary to popular belief, most people don’t leave jobs just because of the salary. The main reasons are down to flexibility and management. It is important to find out the reason for the vacancy. Is it a brand-new role or have there been several people in the role in the last few years? If it is the latter, it should ring alarm bells. There is a reason people don’t stay in the role. You may want to delve a bit further into why the previous employees left.

Communication Style

You will get a good understanding of the employer throughout the hiring process by looking at their communication style. Are they leaving you hanging without an update? Do they take a long time to respond to texts/emails? Are they contacting you at inappropriate times, such as late at night? If the communication style is unprofessional, it may be a strong indicator of how they will be when you are employed.

Reputation

There are plenty of ways to check information on companies these days, and it may be worth looking at reviews. Glassdoor and Indeed are good sources of information to find out about the experience of previous employees. It might not completely put you off, but it may give you some indicators of what obstacles to look out for when you are employed.

Interview Process

The interview process can give you an understanding of how the business operates. A strong decision-maker will usually only need one interview to decide, particularly if it is not a management role. If you are being expected to attend multiple interviews, it may suggest that they are indecisive, or there is a lack of trust in the line manager.

Culture

What is the culture, and does it align with you? You can get a good idea of this from your interactions during the hiring process. For instance, do they seem to be working around the clock? Are they relaxed with communication? Make sure the culture aligns with you before you accept the job.

The first step in getting to the interview stage is to create a professional CV. With our professional CV services in Glasgow, you will benefit from a high-quality CV that helps you to stand out from the crowd. You can order here or contact us to find out more about our CV services.