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.

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.

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

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.