This is such a fantastic time of the year to be working as a career advisor because I get to work with teenagers who are looking for help and guidance in writing their university application personal statements.
In doing this work I have the privilege of joining these young people as they think about
- what they like studying,
- where their specific skills lie,
- what career they'd like to pursue and
- what they'd like to study at university.
I am lucky enough to hold in memory my own apprehension and concern balanced alongside excitement and hope when I was writing my own UCAS personal statement. Many people forget these feelings as they age, but twenty years on they're as fresh for me as they were then. This is a benefit to have, since I can help the young people accept these feelings and hold them as they progress, reassuring them that everyone feels that way and it's very very normal.
I suppose I could apply for another course myself, but working with these young people comes just as close; I learn about new subjects and careers, hear from this generation about the hopes and dreams and journey with them as they progress.
My hope is that after working with me these young people might have even a slight aspect of joy from the process, I do.
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Shortlisted for an Award - what an honour
We are thrilled to announce that Spinning Careers has been shortlisted for a Mum and Working Award 2011 in the category of Self Employed Parent of the Year.
The awards are being held at the Business Mums Summit in October, which I will be attending. The summit is an event not to miss if you are exploring starting your own business, to hear the fabulous speakers and network with other UK Mums in Business.
I have to admit to being shocked at being shortlisted for this award, but as it sinks in I am celebrating.
Celebrating in the awareness of Spinning Careers.
Celebrating in the raised profile of the services I offer.
And celebrating in the fact that through this shortlisting I will be able to help more people achieve their career goals in an avoidable and personal way.
Thank you Mum and Working Awards, I am truly honoured.
The awards are being held at the Business Mums Summit in October, which I will be attending. The summit is an event not to miss if you are exploring starting your own business, to hear the fabulous speakers and network with other UK Mums in Business.
I have to admit to being shocked at being shortlisted for this award, but as it sinks in I am celebrating.
Celebrating in the awareness of Spinning Careers.
Celebrating in the raised profile of the services I offer.
And celebrating in the fact that through this shortlisting I will be able to help more people achieve their career goals in an avoidable and personal way.
Thank you Mum and Working Awards, I am truly honoured.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Client Recommendations
We are thrilled to have received two client recommendations this month. It is the best news ever to see clients achieve the job they were aiming for.
The full review of our services can be found on her blog GeekMummy
If you would like to recommend our services we would love to hear from you. We are listed at The Best of Wokingham if you would like to add comments there The Best Of Wokingham
If you need to update your CV I highly recommend Spinning Careers run by Emma. She was professional, prompt and efficient, whilst being friendly and empathic. For the services she offers I think her prices are extremely reasonableRuth, Banking
The full review of our services can be found on her blog GeekMummy
I just want to say a huge thank you for helping me write my cover letter and cv when I was looking for a job. You changed my cv from sounding that of a student to having the vocabulary & mannerism of a young professional. And I truly believe that from your restructuring & re-wording of my cv, this helped me to succeed and to land me my dream job as a Wedding Co-Ordinator! Once again a huge thank you for your help!Hannah, Wedding Co-ordinator
If you would like to recommend our services we would love to hear from you. We are listed at The Best of Wokingham if you would like to add comments there The Best Of Wokingham
Time to think about personal statements
I know what you're thinking,
there's no rush,
it's not even the end of the academic year yet
there's plenty of time to think about applications to University
And yes, you're right
But.....it'll be September before you know it and then the race to submit applications will be upon you.
My advice:
start thinking about courses
start researching your options
start knowing your strengths and weaknesses
start jotting down ideas for your personal statement
It's never too early to start.
there's no rush,
it's not even the end of the academic year yet
there's plenty of time to think about applications to University
And yes, you're right
But.....it'll be September before you know it and then the race to submit applications will be upon you.
My advice:
start thinking about courses
start researching your options
start knowing your strengths and weaknesses
start jotting down ideas for your personal statement
It's never too early to start.
Saturday, 28 May 2011
100% success rate
Spinning Careers is thrilled to be able to confirm their 100% success rate at getting clients into their position of choice. It is a joy to see these people spin off into the career they deserve.
If you would like to do likewise then contact us for a chat, we are friendly and happy to share our our optimism for your future.
If you would like to do likewise then contact us for a chat, we are friendly and happy to share our our optimism for your future.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
how do I apply for university?
It may be more than six months before UCAS forms start being submitted for the September 2012 University intake, but it is never too soon to start thinking about how the application works.
The first three steps which you can start on now are:
1 - decide which course you would like to study
You will be studying your chosen course for between 3 and 5 years, make sure it's something you are interested in and have a natural affiliation with.
2 - short list which universities you would like to attend
campus or city?
relaxed or formal?
near to home or further away?
Start to think about how you feel about those options and perhaps visit a few universities to get a feel for what they are like.
3 - register with UCAS
You need to register with UCAS if you want to apply to university, they handle all the applications.
The first three steps which you can start on now are:
1 - decide which course you would like to study
You will be studying your chosen course for between 3 and 5 years, make sure it's something you are interested in and have a natural affiliation with.
2 - short list which universities you would like to attend
campus or city?
relaxed or formal?
near to home or further away?
Start to think about how you feel about those options and perhaps visit a few universities to get a feel for what they are like.
3 - register with UCAS
You need to register with UCAS if you want to apply to university, they handle all the applications.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Develop networks
There is no doubt that we prefer to work with people we like; as colleagues, suppliers, consultants, partners, clients. But if you don't meet people, make contacts and sustain relationships then your network will be less able to promote you.
I know this sounds like an old boy network. That's how I felt about it when I was a young professional, and as a female I obviously rebelled against it. But in reality it's just having work related friends. I have over 250 people I send Christmas cards to, people who i appreciate as friends and/or colleagues. And these people often bring work and job leads my way.
So here's a top tip; make sure you use the networks you have to your advantage, by keeping up with them.
Task:
Email one person in your network every day
Today email them this blog post, then comment and let us know what response you got.
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Five reasons to keep your CV up to date
1. You never know when the dream job might arise and you want to be ready to apply for it, TODAY!
2. You would be amazed by how your skills and experience change month by month, make sure your CV represents ALL you can do.
3. A regular CV review helps you see yourself as you really are, helping you focus on your goals and select career development opportunities.
4. We are not in a world where we have a "job for life" anymore; make sure that if you get the redundancy letter you are ready to be the first on the desk for a new job.
5. If you don't know how great you are, how do you expect your boss to know; updating your CV is the perfect preparation for your annual appraisal.
If you'd like your CV reviewed or would like to work with a specialist to improve it, then contact us at spinningcareers@gmail.com
2. You would be amazed by how your skills and experience change month by month, make sure your CV represents ALL you can do.
3. A regular CV review helps you see yourself as you really are, helping you focus on your goals and select career development opportunities.
4. We are not in a world where we have a "job for life" anymore; make sure that if you get the redundancy letter you are ready to be the first on the desk for a new job.
5. If you don't know how great you are, how do you expect your boss to know; updating your CV is the perfect preparation for your annual appraisal.
If you'd like your CV reviewed or would like to work with a specialist to improve it, then contact us at spinningcareers@gmail.com
Sunday, 27 March 2011
What your online presence says about you
You will no doubt have read or heard this weekend how social network pressure on ING has changed their policy on banker bonuses.
You might cheer at this, you might despair; but either I'm sure you have realised how much power in our 'real' lives our social network presence has.
And with power must come caution!
Ask yourself a few questions:
1. Do you think about what current and future employers, colleagues or clients might think of you if they saw a summary of your Facebook statuses?
2. Would you be happy for your mum or kids to read your tweets?
3. Do you project a positive impression of yourself online? Is this positive in both your social and professional life?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it would be advisable to consider what and how you share in the future. Don't let one comment on a Facebook profile, out of context, get between you and your next promotion, job or contract.
You might cheer at this, you might despair; but either I'm sure you have realised how much power in our 'real' lives our social network presence has.
And with power must come caution!
Ask yourself a few questions:
1. Do you think about what current and future employers, colleagues or clients might think of you if they saw a summary of your Facebook statuses?
2. Would you be happy for your mum or kids to read your tweets?
3. Do you project a positive impression of yourself online? Is this positive in both your social and professional life?
If the answer to any of these questions is no, then it would be advisable to consider what and how you share in the future. Don't let one comment on a Facebook profile, out of context, get between you and your next promotion, job or contract.
Sunday, 20 February 2011
Why would I need another cv?
The simple answer is ... You Might Not!
But if, like me, you have a range of skills and therefore a number of different opportunities which you could turn your hand to, you should have a number if CVs which demonstrate yourself appropriately.
Let me use myself as an example.
In my pre-motherhood life I worked as a civil engineer, project manager, programme manager, risk analyst, risk manager, value manager, facilitator, workshop organiser, mentor and coach, business owner, academic, lecturer, author, and probably a few more I can't remember.
I had at least four versions of my CV; each was accurate, up to date, factually correct and truthful; but each focussed on a different area of my expertise. I never knew what opportunity might arise which I would want to apply for, I wanted to be ready. So I had a general project management one which showed my breadth of skills and detailed my experience in this field. I had a value and risk management one which detailed my workshop facilitation and procedure experience. I had a version for my work at universities and writing papers and books, this was much more brief about my professional projects but detailed about my writing and presenting skills. Then there was the business and people management version which was for possible roles in a business management context.
I know the concept of multiple CVs might be terrifying, but at the least you should have one version for use if applying for s new role in your current employers organisation and another if a great opportunity elsewhere arose.
But if, like me, you have a range of skills and therefore a number of different opportunities which you could turn your hand to, you should have a number if CVs which demonstrate yourself appropriately.
Let me use myself as an example.
In my pre-motherhood life I worked as a civil engineer, project manager, programme manager, risk analyst, risk manager, value manager, facilitator, workshop organiser, mentor and coach, business owner, academic, lecturer, author, and probably a few more I can't remember.
I had at least four versions of my CV; each was accurate, up to date, factually correct and truthful; but each focussed on a different area of my expertise. I never knew what opportunity might arise which I would want to apply for, I wanted to be ready. So I had a general project management one which showed my breadth of skills and detailed my experience in this field. I had a value and risk management one which detailed my workshop facilitation and procedure experience. I had a version for my work at universities and writing papers and books, this was much more brief about my professional projects but detailed about my writing and presenting skills. Then there was the business and people management version which was for possible roles in a business management context.
I know the concept of multiple CVs might be terrifying, but at the least you should have one version for use if applying for s new role in your current employers organisation and another if a great opportunity elsewhere arose.
Monday, 17 January 2011
What's a CV for anyway?
What's a cv for anyway?
It is very simple, your CV is your promotional material, an advert for yourself. After reading your CV a potential employer should WANT to interview you.
It is a clear, straightforward document that tells your potential employer the important things about you including:
- full name
- postal address
- email address
- telephone number
- age
- marital status
- executive summary: one paragraph synopsis tailored for job sought
- education and qualifications in reverse order including dates and grades
- work history including role, company worked for and responsibilities
- referee names and addresses
But a CV is not just about providing information about you, it is a document to sell you.
To do this a CV needs to be:
- up to date
- clear and easy to navigate
- accurate and honest
- achievement based
- skills focussed
- relevant for the job sought
The worst CVs are vague, incomplete, contain holes in dates, raise more questions than they answer, dishonest.
Employers are used to reading CVs; make sure yours shows you at your best and stands out from the rest.
For help writing your CV contact spinningcareers@gmail.com
It is very simple, your CV is your promotional material, an advert for yourself. After reading your CV a potential employer should WANT to interview you.
It is a clear, straightforward document that tells your potential employer the important things about you including:
- full name
- postal address
- email address
- telephone number
- age
- marital status
- executive summary: one paragraph synopsis tailored for job sought
- education and qualifications in reverse order including dates and grades
- work history including role, company worked for and responsibilities
- referee names and addresses
But a CV is not just about providing information about you, it is a document to sell you.
To do this a CV needs to be:
- up to date
- clear and easy to navigate
- accurate and honest
- achievement based
- skills focussed
- relevant for the job sought
The worst CVs are vague, incomplete, contain holes in dates, raise more questions than they answer, dishonest.
Employers are used to reading CVs; make sure yours shows you at your best and stands out from the rest.
For help writing your CV contact spinningcareers@gmail.com
Friday, 14 January 2011
Parents: how you can help your child apply for university
The last blog post provided some tips for writing the university application personal statement. This is the number one fear for most UCAS applicants, and their parents, but it's only one part of quite a long process through which parents have a key role to play. This post will break down the process into understandable chunks, focussing on the parental role at each stage.
Stage One: Deciding whether university is right for your child
This is, to my mind, the most important stage and one that is often over looked. University is not right for everyone, and for many it will be right after a year or two out of education but not now. As a parent it is all too easy to get caught up in the flow of applying for university places, but the most valuable thing you can do is to talk to your child about how they see their future and help them make the right decision for them.
Stage Two: Selecting the right course for study
So we assume that university is the right way forward for your child. Now comes the part which is easy for some, particularly those following a vocation such as medicine dentistry, engineering or law, but hard for many. Which course to study? Is there a natural interest, in which case it is well worth purusing that. Is there a subject in which your child excels, perhaps that is the obvious route. More likely though is that you and your child will feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of courses available and what they offer. UCAS publish every course at every university, this is the data you will need. It is well worth meeting with a careers advisor either within or outside school at this time and allowing them to help your child to work through the various options that their A-level options lead to.
Stage Three: Shortlisting upto five universities for application
This stage depends to a large extent on stage two, after all you can only go to a university to study film and media if the university offers that course. Once you know which universities offer your course try to write a few lists along the following lines:
- campus or non-campus universities;
- city or town based;
- large or small; within an hour, two hours, or more from home;
- offering halls of residence or not;
- lots of sports/music/drama/clubbing etc activities or not
I was clear when I applied; I didn't want to be too close to home, I wanted to be in a city and I wanted to be able to play my flute in bands. This really did help narrow my choice of universities from over 100 to about 10.
Once you have a shortlist of say 10 I would recommend visiting them. There is no better way to get a feel for a place than visiting, it let's you see where it is in it's town/city, let's you see the students there and allows you to be less daunted if/when you are called for interview. As a parent this is your job; driving or accompanying your child around the country and helping them experience the different universities.
Stage Four: UCAS form and personal statement
The last blog post provides lots of tips on writing the personal statement, and the UCAS form is pretty self explanatory. As a parent it is tempting to want to fill in the form for your child, but please resist the urge. This is a job only the applicant can do, it needs to be their thoughts, their feelings, their desires and their words. Of course you might well be chief checker and editor and no doubt will be making sure it all gets written on time, but let the content be your childs.
Stage Five: Interviews
Not every university will interview every applicant. Some students will be interviewed by every course, some by none; and it is difficult to know which bracket your child will fall into. However it is worth planning for an interview and the first thing that means is you taking your child for a shopping trip to get a smart outfit, a suit or similar. The second thing you can do is to help your child know what they wrote in their personal statement so that it is second nature to them, they can expect to be questioned on what they wrote. The third thing you can do is to reassure your child; interviews are a two way street, helping the course determine if the applicant is right and helping the applicant decide if this is where they would like to spend the next 3 or 4 years.
Stage Six: Selecting preferred course
At the end of all this your child will hopefully have a number of university offers on the table. They may well be asking for different grades, or maybe not. And now it is all down to your child to select which they would like to go to, which did they feel most comfortable at when they visited, which is asking for the most achievable grades, which is the one they want to attend.
It is not easy helping your child think about leaving home and going to university, it is a stressful time for everyone; but by supporting your child and helping them when they want, it can be an amazing experience upon which you embark on the next phase of their life together.
Stage One: Deciding whether university is right for your child
This is, to my mind, the most important stage and one that is often over looked. University is not right for everyone, and for many it will be right after a year or two out of education but not now. As a parent it is all too easy to get caught up in the flow of applying for university places, but the most valuable thing you can do is to talk to your child about how they see their future and help them make the right decision for them.
Stage Two: Selecting the right course for study
So we assume that university is the right way forward for your child. Now comes the part which is easy for some, particularly those following a vocation such as medicine dentistry, engineering or law, but hard for many. Which course to study? Is there a natural interest, in which case it is well worth purusing that. Is there a subject in which your child excels, perhaps that is the obvious route. More likely though is that you and your child will feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of courses available and what they offer. UCAS publish every course at every university, this is the data you will need. It is well worth meeting with a careers advisor either within or outside school at this time and allowing them to help your child to work through the various options that their A-level options lead to.
Stage Three: Shortlisting upto five universities for application
This stage depends to a large extent on stage two, after all you can only go to a university to study film and media if the university offers that course. Once you know which universities offer your course try to write a few lists along the following lines:
- campus or non-campus universities;
- city or town based;
- large or small; within an hour, two hours, or more from home;
- offering halls of residence or not;
- lots of sports/music/drama/clubbing etc activities or not
I was clear when I applied; I didn't want to be too close to home, I wanted to be in a city and I wanted to be able to play my flute in bands. This really did help narrow my choice of universities from over 100 to about 10.
Once you have a shortlist of say 10 I would recommend visiting them. There is no better way to get a feel for a place than visiting, it let's you see where it is in it's town/city, let's you see the students there and allows you to be less daunted if/when you are called for interview. As a parent this is your job; driving or accompanying your child around the country and helping them experience the different universities.
Stage Four: UCAS form and personal statement
The last blog post provides lots of tips on writing the personal statement, and the UCAS form is pretty self explanatory. As a parent it is tempting to want to fill in the form for your child, but please resist the urge. This is a job only the applicant can do, it needs to be their thoughts, their feelings, their desires and their words. Of course you might well be chief checker and editor and no doubt will be making sure it all gets written on time, but let the content be your childs.
Stage Five: Interviews
Not every university will interview every applicant. Some students will be interviewed by every course, some by none; and it is difficult to know which bracket your child will fall into. However it is worth planning for an interview and the first thing that means is you taking your child for a shopping trip to get a smart outfit, a suit or similar. The second thing you can do is to help your child know what they wrote in their personal statement so that it is second nature to them, they can expect to be questioned on what they wrote. The third thing you can do is to reassure your child; interviews are a two way street, helping the course determine if the applicant is right and helping the applicant decide if this is where they would like to spend the next 3 or 4 years.
Stage Six: Selecting preferred course
At the end of all this your child will hopefully have a number of university offers on the table. They may well be asking for different grades, or maybe not. And now it is all down to your child to select which they would like to go to, which did they feel most comfortable at when they visited, which is asking for the most achievable grades, which is the one they want to attend.
It is not easy helping your child think about leaving home and going to university, it is a stressful time for everyone; but by supporting your child and helping them when they want, it can be an amazing experience upon which you embark on the next phase of their life together.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Personal Statement Writing
If you want to study for a degree at university then you are going to need to write a personal statement for your UCAS form. We know this fills you with dread, the idea of filling a piece of paper with a statement about yourself; but fear not, help is on hand.
The applicants advice book provided by UCAS click here reminds you that your personal statement is "your opportunity to tell universities and colleges about your suitability for the course that you hope to study. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that you stand out from the crowd."
There are three important things to remember when writing your personal statement:
1. It is your work - UCAS and Universities check the statements against databases for plagarism.
2. It is about you - the universities want to know about you; what you want to study and why, where you want to study and why, what experience you have that will help in your studies, what you like to do in your free time and why, and your goal from your university studies.
3. It will form the basis for any interviews you are asked to attend - then it will be obvious if you have not be involved in writing your personal statement.
When we help people write personal statements we take a paragraph breakdown approach. This makes it easier to focus on the content, ensures nothing is missed out, and in the end ensures the statement provides what is needed for the readers. The paragraph breakdown we use is as follows:
P1 - what you want to study and why you are interested in that
P2 - what you have done that relates to your course subject
P3 - details of your work experience
P4 - details of your school experiences
P5 - your outside school interests focussing on responsibilities held
P6 - focus on your goal of studying at university and a closing statement
We hope that this short article will start to remove some of the fear associated with writing personal statements. If you think some professional input would be valuable then please email spinningcareers@gmail.com who are happy to help you in the writing process.
Good luck with your application and future studies.
The applicants advice book provided by UCAS click here reminds you that your personal statement is "your opportunity to tell universities and colleges about your suitability for the course that you hope to study. You need to demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that you stand out from the crowd."
There are three important things to remember when writing your personal statement:
1. It is your work - UCAS and Universities check the statements against databases for plagarism.
2. It is about you - the universities want to know about you; what you want to study and why, where you want to study and why, what experience you have that will help in your studies, what you like to do in your free time and why, and your goal from your university studies.
3. It will form the basis for any interviews you are asked to attend - then it will be obvious if you have not be involved in writing your personal statement.
When we help people write personal statements we take a paragraph breakdown approach. This makes it easier to focus on the content, ensures nothing is missed out, and in the end ensures the statement provides what is needed for the readers. The paragraph breakdown we use is as follows:
P1 - what you want to study and why you are interested in that
P2 - what you have done that relates to your course subject
P3 - details of your work experience
P4 - details of your school experiences
P5 - your outside school interests focussing on responsibilities held
P6 - focus on your goal of studying at university and a closing statement
We hope that this short article will start to remove some of the fear associated with writing personal statements. If you think some professional input would be valuable then please email spinningcareers@gmail.com who are happy to help you in the writing process.
Good luck with your application and future studies.
Monday, 10 January 2011
So that's enough study, time for a job....
You might be 16, 18, 21 or older; perhaps you've got some qualifications you want to use, perhaps not. What you do know is that you've had enough studying and want to get a job, so where do you go from here?
Well the first thing of course is to see what qualifications you have and what use they can be for an employer. Write them down, with the grades and put them to one side.
Next you need to think about your skills. What are you good at?
are you a sportsman?
a social organiser?
quiet and good at concentrating?
or confident and excellent with people?
do you like to have your DVDs in alphabetical order?
can you fix your computer problems without thinking twice?
these are all skills, valuable skills which can be applied to the work environment.
The next thing is to write down what you love to do in life.
a job is something you will do for more hours a week than your social life will take up, make sure you enjoy it. be clear about whether a quiet office would be better for you than a noisy call centre; or whether working outside would make you happier than being in a warehouse.
Now you have three lists:
1 - your qualifications
2 - your skills
3 - your passions
put those together and you have the basis for a CV, a covering letter and an application form; everything you could need to apply for a job.
want to know more, want some help? contact spinningcareers@gmail.com
Well the first thing of course is to see what qualifications you have and what use they can be for an employer. Write them down, with the grades and put them to one side.
Next you need to think about your skills. What are you good at?
are you a sportsman?
a social organiser?
quiet and good at concentrating?
or confident and excellent with people?
do you like to have your DVDs in alphabetical order?
can you fix your computer problems without thinking twice?
these are all skills, valuable skills which can be applied to the work environment.
The next thing is to write down what you love to do in life.
a job is something you will do for more hours a week than your social life will take up, make sure you enjoy it. be clear about whether a quiet office would be better for you than a noisy call centre; or whether working outside would make you happier than being in a warehouse.
Now you have three lists:
1 - your qualifications
2 - your skills
3 - your passions
put those together and you have the basis for a CV, a covering letter and an application form; everything you could need to apply for a job.
want to know more, want some help? contact spinningcareers@gmail.com
Sunday, 9 January 2011
Ten good questions to ask an interviewer
Ten good questions to ask an interviewer when the opportunity presents.
An interview is not just about a prospective employer deciding whether you are right for the job; it is also an opportunity for you to decide if the job is right for you. Next time an interviewer asks you if you have any questions take the time to find out more about the company and role in question.
Here are ten questions that any interviewer should be able to answer and should be encouraged by:
1. Why has this position come available?
2. What are the three things you most like about working here?
3. What would you change about this job if you could?
4. Why is this company better than its competitors?
5. What is the most important element of this job?
6. How do you evaluate employee performance?
7. What are the opportunities for promotion from this position?
8. What are the most important skills for this position?
9. What is the staff turnover rate for the department/company?
10. How are employees inducted into their new roles?
An interview is not just about a prospective employer deciding whether you are right for the job; it is also an opportunity for you to decide if the job is right for you. Next time an interviewer asks you if you have any questions take the time to find out more about the company and role in question.
Here are ten questions that any interviewer should be able to answer and should be encouraged by:
1. Why has this position come available?
2. What are the three things you most like about working here?
3. What would you change about this job if you could?
4. Why is this company better than its competitors?
5. What is the most important element of this job?
6. How do you evaluate employee performance?
7. What are the opportunities for promotion from this position?
8. What are the most important skills for this position?
9. What is the staff turnover rate for the department/company?
10. How are employees inducted into their new roles?
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Yahoo's 25 weirdest interview questions
The-25-weirdest-interview-questions-of-2010: from Yahoo! Finance http://yhoo.it/fGn0d0
Wow what a list.
I have had at least 50 interviews in my life and never been asked anything like these; and no one I know has ever come back from an interview with horror stories of these sort of questions. But I am fascinated by this article.
1. Because clearly there are organisations asking these questions. These are companies who have thousands of applicants for every position so they are looking for a way of finding that special candidate.
2. Because I would suggest that the organisations are interested in seeing how the applicant thinks through the question, copes with the panic and comes to some sort of answer. I doubt the answer itself matters. It is more about whether you stat calm under pressure and how your personality responds to the impossible.
3. Because I like a challenge and have had some fun thinking through some answers.
I would not start panicking that you might get asked these sort of questions at interview. But it would certainly tell you a lot about how you will cope under pressure if you try and answer a few. Give it a go, how does it feel, how would you respond?
Wow what a list.
I have had at least 50 interviews in my life and never been asked anything like these; and no one I know has ever come back from an interview with horror stories of these sort of questions. But I am fascinated by this article.
1. Because clearly there are organisations asking these questions. These are companies who have thousands of applicants for every position so they are looking for a way of finding that special candidate.
2. Because I would suggest that the organisations are interested in seeing how the applicant thinks through the question, copes with the panic and comes to some sort of answer. I doubt the answer itself matters. It is more about whether you stat calm under pressure and how your personality responds to the impossible.
3. Because I like a challenge and have had some fun thinking through some answers.
I would not start panicking that you might get asked these sort of questions at interview. But it would certainly tell you a lot about how you will cope under pressure if you try and answer a few. Give it a go, how does it feel, how would you respond?
Friday, 7 January 2011
Testimonials
KD (Oxfordshire) - sales
Emma helped me completely redo my CV showing all the skills I didn't know I had. She made it fun and helped me realise what I could do in a different job. Working with her helped me make the career change from admin work to sales from which I have never looked back. If you think you could do more in your job than you are I recommend asking Emma to help you.
SD (Hampshire) - marketing
I always planned to work in marketing but hadn't managed to sell myself into the field. I was working as a PA when Emma helped me see that I was developing skills that I could use in a marketing department. Emma produced a marketing focussed CV and covering letter and helped me find my first role as an assistant marketing assistant. The CV Emma produced for me is The one I still update many years later.
EE (Surrey) - project management
I was working in project management but felt I wasn't being given opportunities to move my career on. Emma helped me understand what responsibilities I was managing, many above my role requirements; she then worked with me to speak to my employers and present my request for promotion. I was promoted and also given additional training by my employers which has continued over the following years. I was ready to try and find a new job but with Emma's input I was able to progress without having to leave my employer.
VE (London) - account management
I was facing redundancy after many years with one company, I was scared of how to look for new jobs. Emma made the process of writing my CV fun, it wasn't painful or difficult. She really helped me feel confident about what I could do and supported me through interviews and salary negotiations. Working with Emma is a great experience.
JF (Hong Kong) - mechanical engineering
I met Emma at a conference she was speaking at in Hong Kong. We got talking and I told her how I wasn't getting promoted whilst colleagues were. Emma is so easy to talk to and I was thrilled when she gave me her email address and said she'd look at my cv for me if I wanted. By email we looked at my job, my skills and my career hopes; Emma then wrote a one page career summary for me and updated my CV. I used these to apply for new jobs and moved for a promotion within 3 months. Emma did all this for me as a favour, I am thrilled she is now going to offer it as a business.
ZM (Manchester) - software development
Emma has a way with words, she takes my skills and experience and makes it sound amazing. When she first showed me her redesign of my cv I thought it was for someone else; but when she talked me through it I realised how she just showed my skills more professionally. The confidence boost that I had working with Emma on my CV carried into my interview and I am now enjoying my new job.
Emma helped me completely redo my CV showing all the skills I didn't know I had. She made it fun and helped me realise what I could do in a different job. Working with her helped me make the career change from admin work to sales from which I have never looked back. If you think you could do more in your job than you are I recommend asking Emma to help you.
SD (Hampshire) - marketing
I always planned to work in marketing but hadn't managed to sell myself into the field. I was working as a PA when Emma helped me see that I was developing skills that I could use in a marketing department. Emma produced a marketing focussed CV and covering letter and helped me find my first role as an assistant marketing assistant. The CV Emma produced for me is The one I still update many years later.
EE (Surrey) - project management
I was working in project management but felt I wasn't being given opportunities to move my career on. Emma helped me understand what responsibilities I was managing, many above my role requirements; she then worked with me to speak to my employers and present my request for promotion. I was promoted and also given additional training by my employers which has continued over the following years. I was ready to try and find a new job but with Emma's input I was able to progress without having to leave my employer.
VE (London) - account management
I was facing redundancy after many years with one company, I was scared of how to look for new jobs. Emma made the process of writing my CV fun, it wasn't painful or difficult. She really helped me feel confident about what I could do and supported me through interviews and salary negotiations. Working with Emma is a great experience.
JF (Hong Kong) - mechanical engineering
I met Emma at a conference she was speaking at in Hong Kong. We got talking and I told her how I wasn't getting promoted whilst colleagues were. Emma is so easy to talk to and I was thrilled when she gave me her email address and said she'd look at my cv for me if I wanted. By email we looked at my job, my skills and my career hopes; Emma then wrote a one page career summary for me and updated my CV. I used these to apply for new jobs and moved for a promotion within 3 months. Emma did all this for me as a favour, I am thrilled she is now going to offer it as a business.
ZM (Manchester) - software development
Emma has a way with words, she takes my skills and experience and makes it sound amazing. When she first showed me her redesign of my cv I thought it was for someone else; but when she talked me through it I realised how she just showed my skills more professionally. The confidence boost that I had working with Emma on my CV carried into my interview and I am now enjoying my new job.
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
I don't have the skills for a new job!
I don't have many skills to find a new job!
Of course you do, we all do.
Do you always meet your friends on time? Then you're punctual.
Do you make complex social arrangements? Then you're a planner and a time manager.
Do you use email and text messaging and social networking? Then you're a communicator.
Do you keep to your budget when shopping? Then you're a financial manager.
Do you speak on the phone whilst cooking the dinner and keeping an eye on the kids? Then you're a multi-tasker.
Do you work hard on your homework to make it the best it can be? Then you're motivated.
So you get all your Christmas cards out on time to family and friends? Then you're organised and efficient.
Do your friends call on you to help them work through their problems? Then you're a good listener and possibly even a facilitator.
Do you have ideas all the time for new projects in life? Then you're inventive.
Do you always finish a task you start? Then you're a completed finisher.
Do you review your day and what you've achieved? Then you're reflective.
Do you beat yourself up? So do we all, it's called self improving.
You have skills, many of them, you just need to identify them. Let spinning careers help.
Of course you do, we all do.
Do you always meet your friends on time? Then you're punctual.
Do you make complex social arrangements? Then you're a planner and a time manager.
Do you use email and text messaging and social networking? Then you're a communicator.
Do you keep to your budget when shopping? Then you're a financial manager.
Do you speak on the phone whilst cooking the dinner and keeping an eye on the kids? Then you're a multi-tasker.
Do you work hard on your homework to make it the best it can be? Then you're motivated.
So you get all your Christmas cards out on time to family and friends? Then you're organised and efficient.
Do your friends call on you to help them work through their problems? Then you're a good listener and possibly even a facilitator.
Do you have ideas all the time for new projects in life? Then you're inventive.
Do you always finish a task you start? Then you're a completed finisher.
Do you review your day and what you've achieved? Then you're reflective.
Do you beat yourself up? So do we all, it's called self improving.
You have skills, many of them, you just need to identify them. Let spinning careers help.
Tuesday, 4 January 2011
Your role in your spinning career
We can assist you every step of the way.
Or we can provide as little as a single discussion.
It is only you who knows where you are,where you want to go and what you need from us.
All we ask from you is honesty, motivation and knowledge of you.
Skills identification session—one hour meeting £15
We will talk with your about your experience and skills, helping you to see the skills you are not even aware you have.
This is invaluable; successful people do it on an annual basis.
CV review—by email £10
We will review your CV and provide a brief report on our findings.
CV revamp—one hour meeting and CV production £25-£50*
Skills identification session, followed by a redesign of your CV to ensure it includes all your skills and makes a lasting impression.
CV production—two meetings and CV production £35-£175*
Production of a unique CV by our experienced CV writer. Includes skills identification session and follow up meeting to explore and elevate all your education, experience, skills and ambitions.
Job application form-one hour meeting £15
The base service is a one hour meeting to discuss the form and provide ideas for how the questions might be answered. Further services can be provided on an hourly basis.
Personal statement development—one hour meeting £15
Preparation of a personal statement for university or job applications is always easier when assisted by someone who has produced them before. We know what they are looking for.
Cover letter writing—add on to CV services £5, individually £10
Interview preparation and careers guidance priced per hour.
* fees vary according to age, experience and career aim.
Or we can provide as little as a single discussion.
It is only you who knows where you are,where you want to go and what you need from us.
All we ask from you is honesty, motivation and knowledge of you.
Skills identification session—one hour meeting £15
We will talk with your about your experience and skills, helping you to see the skills you are not even aware you have.
This is invaluable; successful people do it on an annual basis.
CV review—by email £10
We will review your CV and provide a brief report on our findings.
CV revamp—one hour meeting and CV production £25-£50*
Skills identification session, followed by a redesign of your CV to ensure it includes all your skills and makes a lasting impression.
CV production—two meetings and CV production £35-£175*
Production of a unique CV by our experienced CV writer. Includes skills identification session and follow up meeting to explore and elevate all your education, experience, skills and ambitions.
Job application form-one hour meeting £15
The base service is a one hour meeting to discuss the form and provide ideas for how the questions might be answered. Further services can be provided on an hourly basis.
Personal statement development—one hour meeting £15
Preparation of a personal statement for university or job applications is always easier when assisted by someone who has produced them before. We know what they are looking for.
Cover letter writing—add on to CV services £5, individually £10
Interview preparation and careers guidance priced per hour.
* fees vary according to age, experience and career aim.
How Spinning Careers works
Spinning Careers provides support for each individual separately.
We are different. We care about you and your future.
We are not an impersonal CV writing company.
We do not mass produce cloned CVs.
We will not work from written words alone.
We care about your success and look forward to celebrating with you as you achieve your future career.
We get to know our clients.
We make the process enjoyable.
We agree with you what service you need.
We work with all ages and experience levels.
We enjoy our work and the process of helping our clients.
We talk with you, in person or on the phone and learn about:
- your experience,
- your skills,
- your weaknesses,
- your personality,
- your uniqueness,
- your future aspirations.
You relax and dream of your future spinning ahead of you.
We email what you need within one week, for your approval.
We get to know the you the world should see; then we help you show this to your future educator, employer or client.
We hope that you will enjoy the process, despite your doubts.
We know that you will learn more about yourself then you expect.
Our clients tell us that our help has been invaluable for their careers.
Let Spinning Careers be invaluable for your career.
We are different. We care about you and your future.
We are not an impersonal CV writing company.
We do not mass produce cloned CVs.
We will not work from written words alone.
We care about your success and look forward to celebrating with you as you achieve your future career.
We get to know our clients.
We make the process enjoyable.
We agree with you what service you need.
We work with all ages and experience levels.
We enjoy our work and the process of helping our clients.
We talk with you, in person or on the phone and learn about:
- your experience,
- your skills,
- your weaknesses,
- your personality,
- your uniqueness,
- your future aspirations.
You relax and dream of your future spinning ahead of you.
We email what you need within one week, for your approval.
We get to know the you the world should see; then we help you show this to your future educator, employer or client.
We hope that you will enjoy the process, despite your doubts.
We know that you will learn more about yourself then you expect.
Our clients tell us that our help has been invaluable for their careers.
Let Spinning Careers be invaluable for your career.
What can Spinning Careers do for you?
Spinning careers is a personal career service, working FOR you in the way YOU need to get the career YOU deserve.
We work on a person by person basis, providing the input each individual needs. Our services include:
- skills identification
- CV production
- job application completion
- personal statement development
- cover letter writing
- interview preparation
- general career guidance
We get to know you:
your experience,
your skills,
your weaknesses,
your personality,
your uniqueness,
your future aspirations.
We get to know the YOU the world should see; then we help you show yourself to your future educator, employer or client.
We work on a person by person basis, providing the input each individual needs. Our services include:
- skills identification
- CV production
- job application completion
- personal statement development
- cover letter writing
- interview preparation
- general career guidance
We get to know you:
your experience,
your skills,
your weaknesses,
your personality,
your uniqueness,
your future aspirations.
We get to know the YOU the world should see; then we help you show yourself to your future educator, employer or client.
Who are Spinning Careers?
Spinning Careers is the brainchild of Emma Major, that'd be me!
It is a sole trader enterprise bringing my experience of starting, developing, changing and enhancing careers to those who want to improve their work prospects and opportunities.
The success of my technique is relationships; simply getting to know you, my client, allows me to help you know yourself better. It's not complicated, I'm no rocket scientist, but it works as some personal testimonies will show in the coming days.
But what about me....
My USP for this work is my varied experience in a number of different careers, fields and working environments.
I left school at 18 with 4 A-Levels and headed off to University to study Civil Engineering with Management at UMIST. I got my 2nd class honours and promptly moved to the University of Birmingham where I obtained a Masters with Distinction in Project Management.
My first step on the career ladder post academia was as a graduate project manager for Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Ltd in Basingstoke, Hants. With SW I gained project management experience on Private, Public and Defence projects and was promoted to the position of Project Manager running a number of projects value circa £5Million.
My first move came about 3 years into my career; less of a change and more of a concentration into a specific area of project management. I moved to become the assistant value and risk manager at Capital Value & Risk Limited (CVRL) in Henley, Oxon; a small limited company managed and run by it's two then owners. I was lucky enough to have a full year of fantastic on the job training at the hands of the two owners, at the end of which I was a certified project manager, value and risk manager and workshop facilitator for civil engineering, transportation and public works projects. I spent the next 2 years working as a paid employee for CVRL but with responsibility for marketing my services, sourcing clients, obtaining contracts, delivering services and collecting payments for myself and my PA. I also worked on the business systems, obtaining ISO quality achievement for the organisation.
This is when things really got exciting for my career. One of the partners of CVRL retired and the other was not looking for a new partner, it therefore became a one man owned organisation with me as the main income stream working upwards of 60 hours a week. Something had to change! I needed to get balance into my life and more control over the work I did.
So I started my own company, Major Value Consultancy Ltd, in 2003. Starting up on my own was challenging, stressful and scary but rewarding, exciting and a whole new way of working. I have never looked back. I'm not sure I'd make a very good employee any more! I dramatically reduced the hours I worked, often only working 50 hours a week. I am sure I spent many more hours thinking about the business, but that never felt like work. I was no longer away from home 3 or 4 nights a week, I could pick and choose my clients and projects. I took proper holidays, scheduled into my diary well ahead of time and held sacrasanct. And I made a nice living thankyou.
The philanthropist in me also came loose, I could finally include some voluntary and academic work into the mix. I taught a number of risk management courses around the country, both for students and professionals. I was co-author of two text books, consulted on project management best practice guides and became heavily involved with the Institute of Value Management and the International Association of Facilitators. And the huge joy of this part of my career, I wrote at least a dozen articles on value management and stakeholder consultation and was invited around the world to present them at international conferences.
In 2006 I made the decision to close MVc and focus on motherhood. Not an easy decision but definitely the right one and one which I have never regretted for an instant. I transferred my clients to other professionals with whom I had worked and happily closed a chapter in my life. There's nothing like ending on a high.
In the last 5 years I have been kept busy, both by motherhood but also in the voluntary sector. I volunteer for 3 charities in the local area, building relationships with young mums, families and children who need befriending and boosting in confidence. I am a trustee of two charities including chair of a local pre-school which is going from strength to strength despite governement cuts. And I have just completed my training to become a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England; a calling I follow passionately and excitedly.
And now a new chapter starts on the business front. Spinning Careers.
The idea developed after a number of ex-employees, now friends, had asked if I could help people they know with their CVs. I have always helped employees, friends and family members with their CVs, job applications and interview preparations. I love it. I don't know whether it's working with an individual to help them see their potential, or the challenge of working with words to wow readers. Whatever it is, it's a joy. And I learned long ago that life is too short to do anything other than things which you enjoy. So now I offer my services to the world at large, let me help you spin your career wherever you would like it to go.
That's me in a nut shell, not as formal as a CV, more of a biography. But I think it provides the things that matter.
It is a sole trader enterprise bringing my experience of starting, developing, changing and enhancing careers to those who want to improve their work prospects and opportunities.
The success of my technique is relationships; simply getting to know you, my client, allows me to help you know yourself better. It's not complicated, I'm no rocket scientist, but it works as some personal testimonies will show in the coming days.
But what about me....
My USP for this work is my varied experience in a number of different careers, fields and working environments.
I left school at 18 with 4 A-Levels and headed off to University to study Civil Engineering with Management at UMIST. I got my 2nd class honours and promptly moved to the University of Birmingham where I obtained a Masters with Distinction in Project Management.
My first step on the career ladder post academia was as a graduate project manager for Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick Ltd in Basingstoke, Hants. With SW I gained project management experience on Private, Public and Defence projects and was promoted to the position of Project Manager running a number of projects value circa £5Million.
My first move came about 3 years into my career; less of a change and more of a concentration into a specific area of project management. I moved to become the assistant value and risk manager at Capital Value & Risk Limited (CVRL) in Henley, Oxon; a small limited company managed and run by it's two then owners. I was lucky enough to have a full year of fantastic on the job training at the hands of the two owners, at the end of which I was a certified project manager, value and risk manager and workshop facilitator for civil engineering, transportation and public works projects. I spent the next 2 years working as a paid employee for CVRL but with responsibility for marketing my services, sourcing clients, obtaining contracts, delivering services and collecting payments for myself and my PA. I also worked on the business systems, obtaining ISO quality achievement for the organisation.
This is when things really got exciting for my career. One of the partners of CVRL retired and the other was not looking for a new partner, it therefore became a one man owned organisation with me as the main income stream working upwards of 60 hours a week. Something had to change! I needed to get balance into my life and more control over the work I did.
So I started my own company, Major Value Consultancy Ltd, in 2003. Starting up on my own was challenging, stressful and scary but rewarding, exciting and a whole new way of working. I have never looked back. I'm not sure I'd make a very good employee any more! I dramatically reduced the hours I worked, often only working 50 hours a week. I am sure I spent many more hours thinking about the business, but that never felt like work. I was no longer away from home 3 or 4 nights a week, I could pick and choose my clients and projects. I took proper holidays, scheduled into my diary well ahead of time and held sacrasanct. And I made a nice living thankyou.
The philanthropist in me also came loose, I could finally include some voluntary and academic work into the mix. I taught a number of risk management courses around the country, both for students and professionals. I was co-author of two text books, consulted on project management best practice guides and became heavily involved with the Institute of Value Management and the International Association of Facilitators. And the huge joy of this part of my career, I wrote at least a dozen articles on value management and stakeholder consultation and was invited around the world to present them at international conferences.
In 2006 I made the decision to close MVc and focus on motherhood. Not an easy decision but definitely the right one and one which I have never regretted for an instant. I transferred my clients to other professionals with whom I had worked and happily closed a chapter in my life. There's nothing like ending on a high.
In the last 5 years I have been kept busy, both by motherhood but also in the voluntary sector. I volunteer for 3 charities in the local area, building relationships with young mums, families and children who need befriending and boosting in confidence. I am a trustee of two charities including chair of a local pre-school which is going from strength to strength despite governement cuts. And I have just completed my training to become a Licensed Lay Minister in the Church of England; a calling I follow passionately and excitedly.
And now a new chapter starts on the business front. Spinning Careers.
The idea developed after a number of ex-employees, now friends, had asked if I could help people they know with their CVs. I have always helped employees, friends and family members with their CVs, job applications and interview preparations. I love it. I don't know whether it's working with an individual to help them see their potential, or the challenge of working with words to wow readers. Whatever it is, it's a joy. And I learned long ago that life is too short to do anything other than things which you enjoy. So now I offer my services to the world at large, let me help you spin your career wherever you would like it to go.
That's me in a nut shell, not as formal as a CV, more of a biography. But I think it provides the things that matter.
Welcome
Spinning Careers
"spin off into the career you deserve"
Does cv writing make your head spin?
Do the words for application forms spin away from you?
Do personal statements leave you in a flat spin?
Do you spin out of control at interviews?
Does you future feel like it's spinning away from you?
Does your head spin with ideas for a future you wish you could have?
Then it's time to stop the spinning top; see your skills clearly; and spin off into the future you deserve, with confidence and a little help from spinning careers.
Spinning careers; working FOR you in the way YOU need to get the career YOU deserve.
"spin off into the career you deserve"
Does cv writing make your head spin?
Do the words for application forms spin away from you?
Do personal statements leave you in a flat spin?
Do you spin out of control at interviews?
Does you future feel like it's spinning away from you?
Does your head spin with ideas for a future you wish you could have?
Then it's time to stop the spinning top; see your skills clearly; and spin off into the future you deserve, with confidence and a little help from spinning careers.
Spinning careers; working FOR you in the way YOU need to get the career YOU deserve.
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