The Centre for Cities’ report last week revealing that there will be an uneven road to economic recovery across the UK will be hard news to take for jobseekers looking for a positive start to 2010.
The report showed that areas with highly educated workforces like Cambridge and Edinburgh are in a better position to recover than locations such as Stoke-on-Trent, Burnley and Newport with a less qualified population and fewer business start-ups in these areas.
For “non-University” cities the news isn’t all bad - Brighton has been tipped as one of the first places in the UK to see recovery with 20,000 new jobs added in the past decade. In other cities including Milton Keynes, Reading, Cambridge and Edinburgh the outlook is more positive as they have the key ingredients necessary for recovery; strong private sectors, high levels of entrepreneurship, highly educated workforces and large shares of knowledge intensive jobs.
Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk says that the research may be a setback for some people that are currently job hunting but it also sends the message to candidates that they need to be more flexible and open to relocation for a new role.
‘‘Job seekers need to realise that the perfect role may not be right outside their door and looking further a field should be seriously considered, especially in these areas of where recovery will be as they are where the opportunities lie.’ says Pilcher.
If you are looking for a new role or career path TheLadders.co.uk has produced five tips to help you in the right direction:
1. Do your industry research - firstly it’s important to read up on your industry – who are the major companies and where they are based. Find out who are the key people are, and any news and developments will help you in your job search. Have a look at industry associations, networking groups online and offline, read up on news and trade publications on stories about your chosen business.
2. Locate the jobs - The Centre for Cities report gives us an idea of where future job opportunities may be, however they may not be suitable for everyone. Start looking at job sites and in jobs pages to see where advertised roles are based, and increase your search area. Many job sites have regional search functionality or distance settings.
3. Search out the opportunities – If you are looking for a new direction you may need to take a new route to finding roles. Looking on sites that are suited to your specific skills and requirements will help for example TheLadders.co.uk specialises in executive jobs. See which companies and recruiters are advertising for positions and create a list of companies to target.
4. Have the tools to succeed – put yourself in the best possible position for success by making yourself as appealing as possible to potential employers. Create a CV that is concise, focussed and sums you up as it’s your chance to tell recruiters and employers who you are. For each role draft a short covering letter that states why you are perfect for job and company, why you’re different from other candidate applying, or what you’ve accomplished in similar positions in the past.
5. Weigh up the benefits of moving – moving to a new location for a job doesn’t have to be all bad. There are many benefits that can come from a change of scenery – a chance to meet new people and further your networks, broadening your horizons, better education opportunities for children etc. Also in some cases, especially at the executive level companies may assist with relocation or commuting costs.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
CIVIL SERVANTS MAY NOT AGREE BUT BRITAIN’S SENIOR MANAGEMENT PREDICT GOVERNMENT, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION HOLD BEST JOB SECURITY IN 2010
Whilst Britain’s most senior government minister may feel that his job prospects in 2010 are a little shaky, one in three senior executives believe government holds the best job security this year. In a study of over 3000 of Britain’s bosses by jobs site, TheLadders.co.uk, 32.5% of respondents said they felt that government held the best job security this year, followed by healthcare (30.2%) and education (20.6%).
Whilst retailers may have seen a boom Christmas, according to UK management this doesn’t translate into retail job prospects for 2010 with just 4.5% of bosses polled saying jobs were secure in the retail sector. If the UK’s big earners (£50K plus executives) are to be believed, the lowest performing sector for job security this year will be automotive. Just 1.5% of those polled thought jobs would be safe in Britain’s ailing car industry.
However 43% of bosses also reveal that their own organisations do plan to recruit in the next six months, up 28% from six months ago – a clear sign of increasing optimism in the economic climate.
And finally whilst last year’s election of President Obama inspired many US businesses, 73% of bosses here see the forthcoming UK General Election predicted for May as offering little hope to British business. Twenty percent say that the election may cause a temporary blip, whilst 30% believe that the UK economy is “in too big a hole” to spring back that quickly.
“It’s encouraging to see some signs of optimism in the job market,” says Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk. “The fact that twice as many senior management surveyed this year say they plan to hire compared to six months ago, is a clear signal of changing attitudes. It’s also interesting to see that whilst the public sector has been earmarked for many major cutbacks, those in the private sector still believe government holds some of the most secure job prospects in 2010.”
The percentage of British bosses who believe the best job security rests in the following sectors in 2010:
Government 32.5%
Healthcare 30.2%
Education 20.6%
Pharmaceutical 20%
Technology 18.9%
Food and Beverage 18.8%
Medicine 18.7%
Utilities 16.3%
Telecommunications 13.7%
Chemicals and Petroleum 13.1%
Internet 9.7%
Entertainment 7.4%
Science / R&D 5.7%
Finance / Insurance 5.5%
Transportation and Logistics 5.1%
Media 4.6%
Manufacturing 4.5%
Retail 4.5%
Advertising, marketing, PR 4.5%
Consumer / packaged goods 3.7%
Travel & Tourism 2.7%
Industrial products 2.3%
Automotive 1.5%
Whilst retailers may have seen a boom Christmas, according to UK management this doesn’t translate into retail job prospects for 2010 with just 4.5% of bosses polled saying jobs were secure in the retail sector. If the UK’s big earners (£50K plus executives) are to be believed, the lowest performing sector for job security this year will be automotive. Just 1.5% of those polled thought jobs would be safe in Britain’s ailing car industry.
However 43% of bosses also reveal that their own organisations do plan to recruit in the next six months, up 28% from six months ago – a clear sign of increasing optimism in the economic climate.
And finally whilst last year’s election of President Obama inspired many US businesses, 73% of bosses here see the forthcoming UK General Election predicted for May as offering little hope to British business. Twenty percent say that the election may cause a temporary blip, whilst 30% believe that the UK economy is “in too big a hole” to spring back that quickly.
“It’s encouraging to see some signs of optimism in the job market,” says Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk. “The fact that twice as many senior management surveyed this year say they plan to hire compared to six months ago, is a clear signal of changing attitudes. It’s also interesting to see that whilst the public sector has been earmarked for many major cutbacks, those in the private sector still believe government holds some of the most secure job prospects in 2010.”
The percentage of British bosses who believe the best job security rests in the following sectors in 2010:
Government 32.5%
Healthcare 30.2%
Education 20.6%
Pharmaceutical 20%
Technology 18.9%
Food and Beverage 18.8%
Medicine 18.7%
Utilities 16.3%
Telecommunications 13.7%
Chemicals and Petroleum 13.1%
Internet 9.7%
Entertainment 7.4%
Science / R&D 5.7%
Finance / Insurance 5.5%
Transportation and Logistics 5.1%
Media 4.6%
Manufacturing 4.5%
Retail 4.5%
Advertising, marketing, PR 4.5%
Consumer / packaged goods 3.7%
Travel & Tourism 2.7%
Industrial products 2.3%
Automotive 1.5%
Monday, 11 January 2010
Snow Business or No Business
With severe snowstorms across the UK causing road closures, flight cancellations and severe train delays, many employees have given up and stayed at home this week. Over three million people failed to show up for work in the worst hit areas and with forecasts indicating the freezing conditions for most of January, the weather is causing a major headache for bosses of Britain’s SMEs.
It is estimated that businesses will lose £14billion in revenue and productivity. But how can small employers reduce their losses at a time when the economy is as icy cold as the temperature.
Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk says that whilst this scale of wintry weather may be infrequent, having a “snow plan” – a contingency plan for staff who can’t make it in - is critical.
Firstly it should be clear to all employees that they must make every effort reasonable to arrive at work – be it by taking a different route or form of transport. It’s important to ensure that employees clearly understand the rules around not showing up to work due to poor weather affecting their journey – especially around pay and leave entitlement.
However, employers also need to be flexible and compassionate, for example allowing flexi hours, especially as many parents may need to be home to look after children whose schools are closed. Working from home can be an easy alternative for many employees and can even allow some staff to work more productively. Firstly keep an eye on the forecast and if it looks like heavy snow will affect journeys the next day then encourage staff to take work home in case they are snowed in, emailing reports or in-progress documents as well as key contacts for working from home.
But if transport cancellations and safety concerns prevent an employee from turning up for consecutive working days, some simple systems can help ease the pressure on Senior executives so the work doesn’t pile up.
These few tips can help make the transition from office to home much easier:
1. Working online – work with your internet/system provider to allow individuals to access the company server remotely from a home computer. This will allow them to access company files and emails so they can still get a majority of work done.
2. Phone lines – diverting work calls to mobile or home numbers will ensure you don’t miss any important calls.
3. Set up alternative meeting systems – there a lot of online meeting and phone conferencing programmes that mean you don’t have to miss important meetings.
4. Cover plans – look at who lives within walking distance of the office and can build a skeleton office staff.
5. Job-Share – work as a team and share the load during the difficult days. It is important to acknowledge and reward those employees who have to take on extra workload during this difficult period.
6. Motivation - Encourage a team spirit by bringing in hot soups, hot chocolates. Creating a team snowman building or sledging session and use the adverse weather conditions to bond in the workplace.
7. Shift work – reduce working hours to ensure the employees who live furthest away leave early to get home before the overnight freeze.
Finally remember that the chaos that the snow brings is often short lived and with good planning in place, even bosses and company owners can enjoy some fun in the snow!
It is estimated that businesses will lose £14billion in revenue and productivity. But how can small employers reduce their losses at a time when the economy is as icy cold as the temperature.
Derek Pilcher, Managing Director of TheLadders.co.uk says that whilst this scale of wintry weather may be infrequent, having a “snow plan” – a contingency plan for staff who can’t make it in - is critical.
Firstly it should be clear to all employees that they must make every effort reasonable to arrive at work – be it by taking a different route or form of transport. It’s important to ensure that employees clearly understand the rules around not showing up to work due to poor weather affecting their journey – especially around pay and leave entitlement.
However, employers also need to be flexible and compassionate, for example allowing flexi hours, especially as many parents may need to be home to look after children whose schools are closed. Working from home can be an easy alternative for many employees and can even allow some staff to work more productively. Firstly keep an eye on the forecast and if it looks like heavy snow will affect journeys the next day then encourage staff to take work home in case they are snowed in, emailing reports or in-progress documents as well as key contacts for working from home.
But if transport cancellations and safety concerns prevent an employee from turning up for consecutive working days, some simple systems can help ease the pressure on Senior executives so the work doesn’t pile up.
These few tips can help make the transition from office to home much easier:
1. Working online – work with your internet/system provider to allow individuals to access the company server remotely from a home computer. This will allow them to access company files and emails so they can still get a majority of work done.
2. Phone lines – diverting work calls to mobile or home numbers will ensure you don’t miss any important calls.
3. Set up alternative meeting systems – there a lot of online meeting and phone conferencing programmes that mean you don’t have to miss important meetings.
4. Cover plans – look at who lives within walking distance of the office and can build a skeleton office staff.
5. Job-Share – work as a team and share the load during the difficult days. It is important to acknowledge and reward those employees who have to take on extra workload during this difficult period.
6. Motivation - Encourage a team spirit by bringing in hot soups, hot chocolates. Creating a team snowman building or sledging session and use the adverse weather conditions to bond in the workplace.
7. Shift work – reduce working hours to ensure the employees who live furthest away leave early to get home before the overnight freeze.
Finally remember that the chaos that the snow brings is often short lived and with good planning in place, even bosses and company owners can enjoy some fun in the snow!
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