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5 Tips for Job Seekers

5 quick and easily applicable tips to improve your job search

  • Written by Lavinia Appadoo
  • •
  • March 30th, 2021
  • •
  • 3 Minute Read

Finding a new job can be a challenging experience. That’s why we have provided 5 tips to get you on the right track and making the most out of your time. 

Expand your search

Don’t limit yourself. Apply for jobs that are outside your comfort zone. Try not to focus on one area of work, go for something different. When applying for new roles, expand your filters and sign up to different job search companies such as CV library. 

Get organised

Set yourself targets and plan ahead so you can achieve your goals. Prioritising important tasks will help you make the most out of your time and keep up your motivation.

Eat, sleep, apply, repeat

How you spend your time determines the course of your life. If you don’t have a job or any other major commitments, concentrate on spending a lot of your time looking for jobs and researching online.

Work on your CV

CV’s play a huge role in whether or not you succeed in your applications. Spending time to create and update your CV regularly and making sure all the information is clear is vital. Alongside applying online, why not try contacting companies directly to get your foot in the door.

Be kind to yourself and have patience

Employers receive many applications, meaning that the competition is quite high. Acknowledging this will arm you to be more patient in striving to do your level best whilst searching for a suitable job. Aim to apply for a considerable number of jobs each day. Prepare yourself mentally as you may be in it for the long haul. Remember to be consistent but also kind to yourself and take regular breaks to help your concentration.

Related Articles: How to stand out from other applicants 

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Making The Workplace A Safer And Healthier Place

Play your part in making the workplace a safer and healthier place

  • Written by Lavinia Appadoo
  • •
  • April 26th, 2021
  • •
  • 5 Minute Read
health and safety

World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual celebration on the 28th of April to promote the prevention of diseases and occupational accidents worldwide. How important is it, you may ask? Every day, 6,400 people die from an occupational accident or disease, amounting to 2.3 million deaths each year. However, with the economies slowly re-opening after the last lockdown, it is even more important to address health and safety in the workplace, and how to build a better future of work during and after the pandemic.

Protecting the life and health of workers globally

We have written how Covid-19 impacts businesses and employment, here, I take a different angle and look at what needs to change. In July 2020, the ILO hosted the largest online summit with its constituents – workers, employers and government representatives to address the impact of COVID-19 on the world of work. The strategies adopted by all will play a crucial role in combating the outbreak, ensuring the safety of individuals and the sustainability of businesses and jobs. This is to ensure that the core ILO standards such as adequate protection for the life and health of workers in all occupations and prevention of discrimination and exclusion will be protected.

Emerging risks – are you prepared?

COVID-19 has deepened the occupational health crisis in workplaces. With every industry affected, both employees and employers have struggled with work-life balance, wellbeing and job security during this pandemic.

Key workers have been affected more due to an increase of work in their workload and insufficient time for rest and recuperation. These demands resulted in chronic fatigue and lack of energy. Overload on NHS workers, in turn, impacted many people with existing health conditions have experienced a deterioration as regular access to healthcare services has been curtailed because of the pandemic. Many may have not been able to see a GP and, at the same time, their condition may not have warranted a visit to the A&E department.

We are also seeing new and emerging occupational risks due to new working conditions and new working arrangements. For instance, we have seen work intensification from downsizing and workplace stress which can lead to burnout leaving them feeling exhausted, unproductive and unable to cope with the demands of life. Safe physical distancing at work and working from home have had adverse consequences on the mental health of employees since we are inherently social and enjoy having a good cup of tea with others here in Britain.

New health and safety rules for everyone

With vaccinations taken across the world to manage COVID-19, workplaces are beginning to re-open again. Nonetheless, employers have an even greater responsibility to ensure safe and healthy work conditions to protect the wellbeing of employees. Building barriers, organising regular environmental clean-up and disinfection, avoiding business face-to-face meetings and restricting employees and visitors contact are a few measures that all employers will be adopting to run their businesses.

These rules also apply to visitors and customers. From a personal experience in these last few months, going to the shop requires that I use a hand sanitiser upon entry. While all retailers provide cleaning products, some offer wearing disposable gloves, too. In a gym, I now have to wipe down the equipment before and after use and always wear a mask while keeping socially distant. Employees are also responsible for working safely, protecting themselves and not endangering others. These might seem like minor changes, but we are all accepting them and adjusting to a new way of living.

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The Impact of Technology on Employment

The impact of technology on employment and businesses in the UK

  • Written by Safa Nawaz
  • •
  • April 26th, 2021
  • •
  • 5 Minute Read
People in virtual meeting - Image for impact of technology on employment

How is technology changing our workplace?

Over the past few years, we have seen technology rapidly changing and affecting the way we work. Not only has an advancement of technology affected our work life, as we have seen recently, but it also has been playing a significant role in a hiring process. 

 Making the candidate selection more efficient

Technology aids the recruitment process with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as more businesses are using AI to create algorithms when hiring. This means employers and recruiters can scan and filter through CVs at a faster rate, only selecting the most suitable candidates for the role.  

An applicant’s social media activity also plays a significant role during the hiring process. To get a better understanding of the candidates, majority of employers and recruiters use social media to look beyond the CVs of the potential candidates. 

Speaking to people not CVs

Although it is more common for businesses to invest more money into technology to aid the recruitment process, many small businesses and recruitment companies prefer and value building relationships with the candidate by handpicking the most suitable applicants and talking to them on an individual basis. This relationship allows employers to decide whether the candidate would fit well into the company’s culture. This works both ways as knowing the candidate means recruiters can look for a suitable company and secure the most rewarding role. 

Demand for a technically skilled workforce is growing

With businesses relying on technology, employers expect their employees to have the necessary skills.

As technology is rapidly advancing, there has been a demand for candidates with programming languages, mobile development, cybersecurity skills and so on. This fast development of technology has created a shortage of qualified tech individuals and an increase in demand for positions that require those skills. 

The need for practical skills alongside tech skills should not be underestimated. For instance, many young graduates who have the technical skills lack experience and practical skills such as time management, teamwork, and communication. Both the employees and candidates need to work together to narrow this gap.  

Work-life balance is becoming more important

In the past, employees have been quite reluctant to fully embrace remote working. COVID-19 has tested employers in many sectors and many had to adapt fast. Despite the earlier hesitation, technology has proved, once again, to be helpful and allowed people to carry out their jobs faster and more efficiently.  

Businesses have been using ‘Zoom’ or ‘Teams’ platforms to continue to have direct contact with their employees. What is more, technology has provided access to all the information and resources office workers would need from their workplace and allowed them to carry out their job equally effectively. What is more, digital technology allowed employees to have flexible schedules and work from home, providing them with a better work–life balance and allowing them to spend more time with family which we all value so much. 

Are modern technologies a threat to the workforce?

Due to advancement in technology, certain repetitive tasks can now be computerised. This reduces the risk of error and improves the performance and efficiency of the business. On the other hand, some argue that the development of AI has caused people to lose their jobs. However, the modern technology also creates new jobs for people who have the tech skills or want to re-train, therefore, AI does not need to be the cause of an increase in overall unemployment.  

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Thinking About Going Remote?

Thinking about going remote? Here are all the pros and cons of working from home.

  • Written by Lavinia Appadoo
  • •
  • June 7th, 2021
  • •
  • 10 Minute Read

The virus has passed through many technological and cultural barriers whereby businesses all over the world had to send their employees to work remotely as far as practicable, which has become a huge shift from the traditional way of working. Is this just a passing trend or something that is here to stay?   

Yes, it was a hard adjustment for employees to begin with, but soon after they settled in, it became apparent to many office-based teams that employees were more productive and attentive when working from home. Some of the points listed below you might already be aware of; however, some may enlighten you to the positive and negative impact remote working has had on employers, employees, and the economy.  

Whether you are looking for remote working or commuting to work, look at our blog on  5 quick and easily applicable tips to improve your job search  along with  some  Covid’s impact on employment. If you are looking for remote working check out our website for openings.   

The Pros:

• Flexible Work Schedules 

Many remote working jobs come with the perks like flexible schedules, greater independence, and improved work-life balance. Some offer the flexibility of employees deciding when they start and finish as long as the work is fully completed. This flexibility over your work schedule can be invaluable when it comes to attending to the needs of your personal life. Whether it is running some errands, going to the gym, dropping the kids off at school, and so on. This greater independence positively impacts employees’ relationships and opportunities to practise their hobbies in their spare time.   

If you need to work specific hours, break time can be your own personal time to use however you like! Even if it is just for ten minutes, you can do something that would not be possible in a traditional office: doing a couple of squats, playing a few tunes on the piano, or read a couple of pages from your favourite book. You are guaranteed to feel more refreshed than you would after spending ten minutes at your desk flicking through Instagram.  

Do you dream about ditching the 9-5 routine, travelling the world, surfing during the day, and meeting like-minded people from different cultures? This particular remote working style has been popular among young people who wish to travel around the world. Having a rucksack and a laptop with internet connection is all they need. Digital nomads, as they are known, have the freedom to travel anywhere at their own pace. They apply for online gigs as a freelancer or work part-time or full-time to finance their hobbies and travelling.   

Being a digital nomad means you get all the perks of a regular job but more flexibility and the ability to choose your location and hours you want to work. There are more benefits than just travelling as you get to create your own plans and have a greater level of independence, making global connections, meeting like-minded people along the way, and taking inspiration from it.   

• Improved Productivity & Performance

According to Finder, 65% of employees said they would be more productive in a home office than a normal office environment. Working from home makes employees more productive as there are usually fewer interruptions, a quieter noise level and fewer office politics. Because idle chatting and clicks hanging around the break room aren’t possible, remote workers tend to avoid the gossiping and ostentation that can happen in traditional work settings…which is a huge bonus for everyone right? Likewise, with quieter surroundings and serenity the environment lends itself to employees being more creative thinkers with higher concentration level. In addition, a reported 72% of employers state that remote working has a high impact on employee retention and this will help employers keep trained staff in the job for longer.   

• Eliminating Travel Time & Location Independence 

We all get used to hearing about the dreaded commute, so one of the colossal benefits of working from home is the time you save by not commuting to work. The average time it takes for a person to travel to work is 59 minutes . So, you can save nearly an hour per day doing something productive. You can avoid the anxious rush hour traffic, trains being cancelled or the bus not showing up, which can all cause unnecessary stress and anxiety. Research proves that commuting to work each day results in health problems such as high cholesterol, elevated blood sugar levels, and an increased risk of depression. Working from home helps to support your physical and mental health as it allows you to focus on priorities outside of work.  

Other health benefits include:  

  • Less susceptibility to ill health  
  • Having the option to create a comfortable environment   
  • The ease of caring for a health issue or disability   

Working remotely also reduces your travelling costs, which means you can spend more of your money on things you love, which results in a happier, healthier, and more motivated workforce. These health benefits can also reduce the amount of absence from and turnover at work which can save businesses money.   

Another benefit of working from home is having more access to job opportunities that are not limited to where you live. This can be especially helpful for employees living in small towns and rural communities where there are few available local job opportunities. However, if you want to get the best of both worlds, you could be offered the chance to be telecommuting part-time, by your employer, meaning that aside from working on-site, you can spend time working at home.  This will give you more flexibility and freedom. 

• Accommodating People With Special Needs

People with physical disabilities who work from home will find it easier and less challenging not having to commute to work. It gives them a sense of independence and freedom, and gives them the chance to work from home if they wish. This will drastically improve their lives as working from home can be a less stressful environment.   

However, it is also important to acknowledge the disadvantages too. Many people may not have the workspace to support their physical needs which leads to them having extra strain on their body. Technology can also be an issue as they are required to use work computers and not their own devices that they would normally use. This creates a huge barrier especially if the devices are not compatible for those who are visually impaired or have dyslexia. In which case, working in an office means more help and support given and also more communication to meet their needs than just online.  

• Helping The Environment

One of the fastest and cheapest ways for both employees and employers to reduce greenhouse emissions and their carbon footprint and help slow climate change is by working remotely. This past year, we have seen a significant reduction in pollution, congestion and traffic which have all had a positive effect on the environment. Looking at some recent statistics we have learnt that since COVID-19, 88% of the organisations worldwide made it mandatory or encouraged their employees to work remotely in which 99% of remote workers would like to continue telecommuting in the future. 

• Saving Money

Especially if you have a long commute, travelling to work and back is expensive. By working remotely, you will be saving money on petrol, parking costs, buying food and drinks from stores on lunch break, even to the extent of buying clothes for work. All these things add up. Research suggests that office-based employees in the UK save around £500  a month by working from home. Figures from The Office for National Statistics (ONS) demonstrates that the UK saved £157 billion over the three months of full lockdown. This major economic benefit of working from home could be continued as more companies are making it a long-term solution

• Comfortable & Personalised Environment

Working remotely means you can have your own personalised office space that reflects your personality. It is all about entirely customising your work area, whether it is putting up your favourite plants or putting pictures of your family and friends on your wall. Spending many hours in an environment you love to spend time in can increase your output. Remote employees can make their workspace as bright or plain as they see fit. You do not have to worry about colleagues complaining about you if you are untidy. Or if you are obsessively tidy you can focus on your area. Many employees are much more productive in their own home environment. You can set up your desk wherever, close the door if you wish, and listen to music if it helps you express your creativity. Not having the restrictions that you would normally have in a traditional workplace will help you feel more relaxed and comfortable working, unlike when you first start a job and the stress of having to find your way around.  

• Getting Work Done After Hours

One of the biggest benefits of remote working is the flexibility that work can be done outside office hours. Having this option, for instance, can benefit parents with small children, or people who devote a lot of their time outside work to other activities. Fewer restrictions mean you can be more productive, creative, and more relaxed. This is useful for some larger industries in IT and marketing for instance, as there will always be someone around to answer any queries or problems that a customer may have.   

• Technology Can Facilitate Working From Home

Another benefit of working from home is the use of technology. It has advanced rapidly over the years whereby employees can reap the benefits from working at home as they have access to all apps and business suites such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, Zoom calls, messaging apps and so on. Tools like these have made the communication between employers and employees much easier at times and can lead to more effective meetings. Technology provides the ability for teams to collaborate in real-time via cloud systems which makes for more productive working. The future of remote work will be dictated by the younger generation as remote working is largely technology driven. It can be predicted that hybrid working will happen as businesses will adopt to both office and working at home. This will mean getting the benefits of both.

The Cons:

Now that we have looked at all the pros of working remotely it is important to look at why remote work can also have its disadvantages. Here are a few reasons why not to work from home. 

• No Face-to-Face Interaction

This can be seen as a missed opportunity to work side-by-side with your colleagues. Working at home can be also distracting leading to reduced productivity by not having a schedule that you would be working to in a traditional workplace. But working in a busy office can be a good way to meet new people and establish new friendships since we all need human contacts. We are social beings after all. Working in a team helps employees achieve their work goals more effectively and can also be quite enjoyable. With regular interaction with staff, we can develop good interpersonal skills and improve self-confidence and assertiveness at work. It can be easier to talk to someone in a traditional office setting asking questions or concerns they might have. However, depending on your job, this might not be an issue for you as you might prefer to socialise less and communicate only online. Either way, communication is essential to be the most productive and getting things done in time. Daily calls and video chats will help to communicate effectively.

• Limited Advancement

Working remotely makes it hard for employees to feel seen and heard on a daily basis, which can make it harder for them to advance through the business and receive promotion or pay-rise. However, if you are consistently providing quality results you will be recognised by your employer.  

• Lack of Structure

Even though working remotely provides more flexibility it can lead to potential loss of structure. Always set a plan of action of what you want to achieve every day, as you are more likely to achieve your goals, which will set the tone for the day. Just how you would plan your day preparing to go to the office, you can do the same for working at home, prioritising the most important tasks first.   

Everyone works differently. However, preparing and planning your day at home by using sticky notes, having regular catch-ups with the rest of the team, or having meetings with your employer to make sure your whole team are heading in the right direction. Utilising business calendars or writing a plan for the rest of the week or month will keep you updated on meetings and help you get more organised. This will help you have a structure and get the most out of your day. Being present through your telecommunications and working in a team will also ensure that everyone is on the same page.  

Summary

Now we have looked at the pros and cons of remote work, it is time for you decide what you think is most relevant and applicable for you. What are your thoughts on remote working? Is it something you currently do or something you think you could take on? You may not consider working at home right now, although you might consider it in the future. As working remotely becomes more conventional, businesses are increasing their positions with flexible hours.   

In my view, remote working has more advantages than disadvantages as it offers more flexibility and you can work from the comfort of your own home, which is, incidentally, a lot less stressful. It is a trend a lot more businesses are likely to adopt and will point to a positive direction. On the negative aspect, it can be tough working from home as you can feel isolated, missing real time interaction with colleagues. With this newly-acquired freedom and greater choices, it is important to weigh up the pros and cons as described above before making the right decision. 

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Mental Health Matters

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2021

@mentalhealthUK

  • Written by Lavinia Appadoo
  • •
  • May 7th, 2021
  • •
  • 3 Minute Read
Mental Health

Celebrated annually by the Mental Health Foundation, this year’s focus is on the theme of nature and the environment. It is reported that 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems of some kind each year in the UK. For this reason, mental health is it at every stage of life, from childhood up to adulthood. Following a difficult and repetitive year of being in lockdown, this week allows everyone to discuss all aspects of mental health and providing help and advice. COVID-19 has made us realise that having access to nature is crucial to our health. Especially after a year where we have seen more of our four walls than the four seasons. As doors close, socialising stops and silence falls, people started to feel isolated and alone.

We have seen more people in parks, outdoors, cycling, but some of us watched Netflix! (myself included) in the past year. Here are some soothing benefits that green outdoors spaces offer:

  • Being outdoors helps to prevent stress and makes us reflect and value our life and experiences
  • Taking notice of the small things and showing appreciation can help you have a positive mentality
  • Expands our creativity and helps with empathy

Mental Health at Work

Mental health problems affect many employees, which often gets overlooked as people usually hide them. At the same time, employers might want to help but are not sure how to. Work is the greatest cause of stress in people’s lives. 1 in 5 people feel unable to manage stress and pressure at the workplace. Everyone experiences having tough times when they feel low, stressed or frightened. Normally, those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into anxiety or depression. As a result, mental health disorders often go unrecognised and untreated, which is not only damaging an individual’s health and career but can also affect one’s ability to engage and perform at work at a consistently high level. This indicates that employers need to try harder to communicate with their employees about the support that is available for them about stress but also to educate them and explain how to manage it.

Raising awareness of possible mental health issues in the workplace is part of creating an unhindered workplace, where employees feel comfortable bringing their own character to work. Good mental health enables employees to thrive. Research studies offer strong evidence that businesses with high levels of mental health awareness are more prosperous. According to research by the University of Warwick, addressing wellbeing at work increases productivity by up to 12%. Having good well-being at work then relates to the business goal of being mindful and improving everyone’s mental health in the workplace, so that everyone feels supported and included, particularly in the more difficult times.

Support Network at the Workplace 

One of the fastest ways to reduce stress at work is if an employer can remove an employee from a stressful situation by letting them take short breaks. It is simple but effective. But more can be done to raise awareness of how to manage stress and improve wellbeing by:

  • Inviting professionals from a leading charity to talk about how to manage stress at work
  • Setting up a permanent Mental Health Awareness Team at work so employees can discuss their feelings in confidence
  • The power of just listening should not be underestimated.
  • Promoting mental health charity helplines and making them visible in the workplace
  • Training an HR team or a Mental Health Awareness Team to be able to recognise when someone is struggling and to promote a culture of wellbeing

From a business perspective, having a positive approach to mental health can often lead to a reduction of staff absences and turnover. In the long-term, it can increase productivity and time management, which normally only takes a couple of small adjustments. This includes but is not limited to: opening up a conversation, ensuring confidentiality, encouraging professional support, working together and developing an action plan. Taking necessary steps like these can help improve people’s mentality towards work and how they behave.

Useful Helplines

If you are struggling with mental health issues there is help available for you to contact, you do not need to suffer alone. Below are some confidential helplines you can call:

  • Minds is a UK charity that is a leading force for change and is there for everyone who wants to talk. Starting a conversation will be the first step to improve your well-being and mental health. Contact them on 0300 123 3393
  • Another charity is Samaritans which is an around-the-clock helpline for people struggling with mental health. Its mission is to prevent and lower the numbers of death due to suicide. You can call them on 116 123 for free or email jo@samaritans.org.
  • YoungMinds supports mental health issues who are 24 years old and under, indicating a necessity for early prevention. This helpline specifically addresses concerned parents and they can call too on 020 7089 5050
  • CALM is a leading movement against suicide. They run a free and confidential helpline for anyone who wants to talk about their life’s problems. This campaign aims to support men aged between 15-35, however, help is available to everyone. You can call them on 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat service. 

Related Articles: Nurturing Effect of Nature During Covid-19

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Nurturing Effect of Nature During COVID-19

The Impact of Covid-19 on Mental Health

  • Written by Safa Nawaz
  • •
  • May 7th, 2021
  • •
  • 3 Minute Read

Many people sought a nurturing effect of nature during COVID-19

The outbreak of the global pandemic that occurred at the start of 2020 has forced many people to work from home. People who switched to working from home due to COVID-19 experienced an impact on their mental health and well–being. Bereavement, loss of income, fear, not being connected to colleagues and preventative measures like quarantine have proved to be difficult to deal with.  

Impact of working from home during COVID-19  

Although standard home working has its benefits, lockdown-enforced home working can have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of a person. A recent survey by the Royal Society for Public Health revealed that 67% of people who worked from home during COVID-19 felt less connected with their colleagues, and 56% saying they found it harder to stop thinking about work. However, more people felt standard working from home was better for their well–being through avoiding the commute.  

Using nature as an escape

Spending time outdoors boosts our health and well-being. We feel energised and happy for days, after spending time on a beach or amongst nature. The national lockdowns were a harsh reminder of that. As people were not able to leave their houses, unless it was considered essential or was a part of their daily exercise, they had to find a way to cope with the mental pressure or find a way to relieve stress.  

As a result, we saw many people seeking a change of scenery by turning towards nature to help them release mental pressure and take their mind off work.  

Outdoor activities such as walking and cycling became more common amongst people. The lockdowns also gave people more time to connect with their pets in parks and open spaces. Litter-picking walks also became more common as they allowed people to clear their mind by being amongst nature whilst helping the environment at the same time. People who owned allotments were able to utilise them to escape from indoors and help reduce stress levels. The lucky ones had more time to sit in their back gardens and appreciate the nature around them. 

Bringing nature inside

The strong connection between being around nature and having lower stress, anxiety, and depression levels cannot be underestimated. Therefore, it was only natural that many people decided to bring nature within their homes. Social media was full of people buying flowers or potted plants for their homes or growing flowers and vegetables on their window sills to help improve their mental health.  

Many people who did not own a garden, or have any outdoor space where they could carry out some gardening, decided to grow plants inside their homes instead. Some parents thought of gardening as a great way to keep their children entertained during the lockdown, as schools were closed, and as a result the sales of fruit and vegetable seeds, bulbs and indoor plants significantly increased. One plant store claimed its sales had increased by 500% during lockdown and the well-known DIY chain store said the number of fruit and vegetable plants purchased had risen by 45% compared with the same time the previous year.  

From this, it is clear to see that people are naturally drawn to nature in tough times. Simple things like tending to a house plant, planting fruit and vegetables, smelling flowers plays a huge part in improving people’s mental and physical health and gives people a sense of happiness and hope during a challenging time.

Related Articles: Mental Health Matters

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