When you think of ‘sales’, what often springs to mind is an image of a pushy man in a suit trying to flog you something you don’t need or want. You may think that working in sales isn’t the most glamorous job or does it have a positive reputation, yet 1 in 10 Brits work in sales.
Three-million people in the UK spend their days cold calling, canvassing, upselling or stopping people on the street with the intention of convincing them to buy. They have to persuade them to consider an alternative to their current preferences of convince them they require a new product in their lives. It’s not easy, but not every sales person is a sleazy trickster trying to grab your money. They aim to get your attention and influence your decisions. So in a way, aren’t we all sales people? Read Article »
It’s Monday and you wish you’d called in sick because you’ve got ‘the world’s worst’ cold. Perhaps you should have done…
The average person suffers from three colds a year. If you have kids, the chance of catching a cold is considerable higher because of the contact your child has with so many other children who have so much contact with other children. We all know germs and diseases are spread through contact/touching something grubby/sneezing in someone’s face. A recent study also shows that there’s no such thing as the ‘five second rule’, so if you drop that biscuit on the floor, blowing the ‘dust’ off it isn’t going to guarantee you won’t feel a bit queasy tomorrow. Read Article »
The recruitment industry doesn’t boast the best reputation. Clients are disappointed with applicants possessing irrelevant skills and candidates are disappointed with having their time wasted. However, recruiters don’t all feel the need to offer lousy service. You know you’re a great recruiter when… Read Article »
What did you do for you school work experience? I ‘worked’ at a primary school. I cleaned the sandpit, switched on the computers and was told to stay out of the staff room. Did it benefit me? Not in the slightest. Did I enjoy it? Not one bit. What did I learn? Nothing. Read Article »
The Jobcentre replaced Winston Churchill’s 20th century Labour Exchanges. In 1910, 62 labour exchanged opened their doors to the public who had previously knocked on factory doors asking for work. The first and second World Wars kept employment rates stable, but they began to creep up again in the 1960s. Labour Exchanges were rebranded as Jobcentres. Back then, you’d talk through your skills and experience with an advisor who would flick through job descriptions written on cards and choose which ones you should go for. Offices were scruffy, smoky and divided by gender. Benefits we’re paid cash-in-hand. The Jobcentre and the Unemployment Benefits Offices were two separate buildings which came together in 2001, forming Jobcentre Plus.
Those who watched the Jobcentre grow and change think it’s now much better than it used to be. Although the crisp, green logo suggests a positive, helpful place but unfortunately that’s not always the case. My experiences with today’s Jobcentre have been pretty lousy. Read Article »
When I was unemployed, jobseeking was tough. Looking at the ever-rising unemployment figures, it’s not getting any easier. In some parts of the UK, there are as many as ten jobseekers for every available vacancy and an average application rate per job of twenty-three in parts of London.
I spoke to my Dad about this, who said the recruitment process today is nothing like it used to be forty years ago. Back then you’d approach a business and ask if they had any jobs going, but instead of being asked to fill out an application for or send your CV to… they’d respond with “you can start on Monday.” My Dad got his current job by writing a letter to the company – no CVs (they weren’t invented then) and no interview. Basically you asked and you got. Today, the popularity of job boards has meant the recruitment process has become long-winded and a great candidate experience doesn’t exist anymore. Read Article »
