Archive for March, 2009
Tips for counting the pennies
March 10th, 2009
Finding well-paid work isn’t quite as easy as it was a few months ago and it is likely to get worse for a while before the economy starts to improve. In the meantime you should be looking to making your money go just a little bit further. There are many things you could do:
- Economise on energy use – switch off unnecessary items and fill the kettle with just enough water to do the job.
- Walk or cycle whenever possible – Spring really is on its way and it’s a good excuse to get fit by using your car or public transport less.
- Use the Internet more for job hunting instead of buying newspapers – you can also find the latest sports and general news items online (as they happen).
- Make do and mend your clothes whenever possible.
- Cook fresh food instead of buying the expensive ready-made stuff which is generally fattening or don’t even contain healthy ingredients.
- Visit your local library more instead of buying books – you can also learn new skills which will help you when applying for jobs.
- Stop borrowing money you can’t afford to pay back by cutting up and destroying your credit cards. Use debit cards instead.
- Give up smoking – yes it can be done (you’ll feel much better for it too).
- Cut down on your drinking – a clearer mind will help you a lot more when looking for work. When you get a job then it’s time to celebrate!
- Need a suit for your job interview? If you have a job interview coming up and can’t afford a suit, ask your local job centre if they still run a discretionary grant system. If they no longer run one by the time you read this post then visit your local charity shop. You’ll be surprised at what you can find for little money (you’ll also be giving money to good causes too!).
There are lots more things you can do to save money. I highly recommend that you also bookmark this site and even sign up to their newsletter:
In the meantime, if you want to discover more efficient ways of finding jobs then get a copy of Get Me Off The Dole.
7 FAQs About Job Hunting
March 9th, 2009
During my coaching sessions with job hunters, I get asked many questions relating to job applications. Here are some of the most frequently asked ones:
Should I include salary information on my CV?
No. If a prospective employer specially requires to know this information, you should ask yourself why? In some cases, unscrupulous employers do so in order to attract the prospective employees that will accept the least money. In other words, they will filter out the people who earn the most and focus on getting the job done on the cheap.
Should I include my reason for leaving each job?
Not on your CV or covering letter. However, many application forms do ask this and so you should answer this with care. The way you answer this question will affect your chances of being short-listed for an interview. However, you should not lie as you can be caught out sooner or later.
Should I send a photo with my application?
Not unless your personal looks is important for you to carry out your job. Unfortunately, some employers will use photographs to discriminate against some candidates.
Should I include references in my CV?
No. Bear in mind that you may be sending off quite a few applications for jobs. If your referees are contacted every time you send off an application for a job, they will soon get tired of this. It is far better to allow the employer to contact your referees after you have been to the interview or better still, after you have been selected for the job ’subject to satisfactory references’.
Absolutely. However, be careful that you do not give them the vague impression that your activities will take up so much time that you are unable to perform your job well. Also, if you do include hobbies and interests, make sure that they give a balanced, and positive, impression. For example, cover something from the following five areas but don’t use the headings though:
- Physical activity (i.e. walking, canoeing, cycling, mountaineering, swimming, jogging)
- Mental agility (i.e. reading, crosswords, logic problems, sudoku, chess)
- Creativeness (i.e. painting, drawing, writing, digital video production, diy, photography)
- Awareness (i.e. current affairs, genealogy, archaeology)
- Membership (i.e. Church, Parents and Teachers Association, School Governor, Magistrate, Women’s Institute)
Should I include my date of birth in my CV?
No. Although it is now illegal in the UK to discriminate against age, there is no need to encourage employers to do so. However, some jobs do require that you are within certain age groups and are exempt (i.e. HM Forces, Police etc.). In these cases, they will require you to complete an application form rather than accept a CV.
Should I include driving licence information?
Only if the job you are applying for requires you to drive a company vehicle.