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Confused or cynical about using social networking sites to get a job? Please read this…….

If you are then you’re not in the minority. 70% of the students surveyed would not want employers viewing their social networking profiles. “Is it ethical”, “why do this” and “who’s really using this” you may ask.

Ethics can be debated all day long, the fact is job seekers and professionals are using these sites to make more contacts, new opportunities and get headhunted. In the world of work you are now conspicuous by your absence on professional social networking sites.

Employers are using online networks more than ever and will continue to do so. One in three managers use social networking sites as part of their recruitment, and one in five would consider using it as their only method of recruitment in the future, according to new research. There are a lot of jobs you can’t see on job boards – this is how you get to them.
So please, please, please be open-minded and consider changing your opinion if you are cynical.

Remember, this isn’t just a trick to get a job. Once you start building an online network in LinkedIn the chances are you will use it daily in your work. Registering on a job board website (Monster, Milkround, etc) is a one-off trick to get a job. Building a network gives you a huge advantage over the next candidate or indeed employee.

In my previous job as head of sales for FTSE 100 company, almost overnight we started doing an incredible amount of business via LinkedIn. When I say business I don’t necessarily mean sales – identifying new employees, learning about other companies/industries, searching for partners, checking out suppliers (I could go on). I often ask contacts in my network questions when I’m stuck. That’s what it’s there for and people love to give their advice. I often get approached by head-hunters just because my profile is there, not because I’m any better than the next person in line.

So, here are a few simple tips to get started:

1. Register on LinkedIn – let me explain. Companies (like the one I worked for) buy subscriptions to LinkedIn (we didn’t buy or use any other). If you’re not in it, you may not be seen, even if you are perfect for the job. Secondly (and more importantly), this is the first of many uses you will get from LinkedIn. When you start work I guarantee you will use it weekly if not daily. Showing potential employers that you understand this and have the proven skills will give you a huge advantage.

2. Aim to impress with a full profile – don’t be half-hearted. Clearly state your skills and ask colleagues / friends to write you a testimonial. This is your advert and you own your own brand. Anyone looking at your profile will make judgements. Think of building your online profile and network as your first real-world marketing exercise.

3. If you ask questions and participate in discussions you raise your profile. You will look proactive, committed and be way ahead of the next student or grad applying for the same job.

4. Invite anyone you know who could possibly help you to join your network. Think laterally and be bold! To get going join ‘Groups’ on LinkedIn. They are a fantastic way to start building your network. You can access the abintegro group from the ‘Networking’ link in the member area or by clicking here.

5. Remember 2 things.
(1) This could clinch you the job, especially when a company is struggling to differentiate between 2 or 3 good candidates.
(2) This isn’t a recruitment trick – you are investing time in a skill and online service you will use every day.

So, please stop worrying and debating the ethics of using social networks for job seeking. I used to be cynical, but having seen the likes of LinkedIn in action at a big company, trust me when I say building your network and treating it like your own brand will be one of the most worthwhile and fulfilling things you do.

Tags: UKtemps website news by Paul // Add a comment »

Placements in public sector interim management have overtaken the demand in the private sector for the first time since 2006.

The Interim Management Association’s (IMA) Ipsos MORI report, showed that 51% of all completed interim assignments in quarter two were from the public sector. An increase of 43% from quater one.

Local government (30%), Healthcare (25%) and Non-departmental government bodies (10%) were key areas of the public sector pushing demand up for interim / temporary managers.

Tags: Government news, Public sector news, Council News, Industry, Healthcare News, Regional News by Fraser // Add a comment »

Google returns 39 million links to “Cover Letter Help”. So, there is an awful lot of information, advice and guidance out there for you to access.
To guide you through this maze, here are the fundamental things that we at abintegro think you need to know when developing your CV covering letter.
General
• Always send a covering letter – it is your chance to set yourself apart from others and get the employer to look at your CV
• If you are emailing your application, put the letter text into the email body and omit the recipient’s address and date. You’ll need to grab their attention quickly so make sure the first couple of paragraphs encourage them to scroll down to the rest of the letter and to read your CV
• It should be businesslike and formally presented – see our examples
Style
• It should be no longer than 1 side of A4 paper
• Use a legible font (Arial or Times) with a minimum size of 11 point
• Use clear, positive language – short, simple sentences, short paragraphs, action words
• Address the letter to a named person. Call the company to find out who it should be addressed to, and also check the spelling of their name and their job title.
• Check spelling, punctuation and grammar ‐ also ask someone else to read it to check for errors you may miss
• Always write it from the employer’s perspective – never send a standard covering letter. Tell them how you can contribute to their organisation, not what it can do for you

Content
• “WHY” ‐ the first sentence should make clear you intend to apply for the job. Make sure you include the job title, with any reference numbers. Mention where you saw it advertised.
• “WHAT” – outline what interested you about the organisation and the job and refer to your current situation. Pick the main responsibility from the job description and link it to an achievement within your CV. Tailor it to make it as relevant as possible.
• “HOW” – outline how you could contribute to the organisation, again linking this to the organisation’s aims and your experience/skill.
• “WHAT IF” – Close you letter by explaining what you hope will happen next.

Tags: UKtemps website news, Useful work information by Paul // Add a comment »

Morrison Supermarkets, the UK’s fourth largest grocer, said last week it would create 7,000 jobs in 2009, exceeding its initial target by 40 percent. 7,000 jobs in this market is great news and many of these will be shift and part time options.

Tags: Industry, Retail News, Regional News by Fraser // Add a comment »

Social care can be an extremely rewarding area of work to go into. However, because of a number of high profile cases it doesn’t always get good press. Real World looks at the changes in the profession following the recent scandals.

Social care is a broad umbrella term for the profession which includes social work. Other social care careers include: counsellors, probation workers, special needs support in schools and occupational therapy. One of the first questions you will probably be asking is what is the difference between social work and social care work? According to the website: www.socialworkcareers.co.uk, it can be defined as follows: ‘Social workers have to obtain a qualification, which from April 2003 has been an honours degree and are required to register with the General Social Care Council (GSCC). They will be involved at a high level with people who use social care services, working with them to assess their care requirements and working alongside other professionals such as doctors to make sure that every individual receives the particular type of support that he or she needs.’

The GSCC is the body that registers and regulates social workers. The chair of that body is Rosie Varley who took the helm just a matter of weeks before the Baby P scandal erupted. In an interview with the Guardian in February 2009 she said she had clear ideas about the role the GSCC could play in rebuilding the image of social work in the aftermath of the Baby P affair. She told the newspaper: ‘The theme that has run through all my professional work has been a commitment to raising standards in the services that are provided to vulnerable people, and particularly to improving the access to those services and promoting informed choice.’ She added: ‘[R]egulation of social care is new and has made a good start, but […] as it matures it needs to raise its profile.’

The individual role of social workers can be extremely diverse. For example, it can cover child protection, mental health, elder abuse or safeguarding adults. At present the degree is a general one, involving practical skills including a minimum requirement of 200 days’ on-the-job placement. Working with children can be one of the most satisfying areas of social work, but because of recent scandals, this area is being scrutinised to ensure the same errors aren’t made in the future. In March 2009, Lord Laming presented his review of child protection services in England calling for a creation of a specialist children’s social work degree. His recommendations were not welcomed by all however. Ray Jones, professor of social work at Kingston University, told Community Care magazine that specialisation at undergraduate level would be a ‘mistake’.

At postgraduate level some universities offer short courses leading to a Masters award, which will enable you to practise as a social worker. Some favour a degree in a relevant subject and most require at least a 2:2. Because of the short length of the course you will be going on your first placement very early on in the course, and you will need a certain amount of relevant experience before you start. Remember: employers look favourably on mature candidates. Students need to be fully prepared and suitable for their practice placements and universities may ask you to supply a reference from a social worker to confirm that you already meet the requirements concerning preparation for assessed practice.

While the future of specialised undergraduate courses remains uncertain, it is clear is that the only way for the reputation of social work to be restored in the UK is by the best possible candidates being attracted to the profession - and that could mean you!

Find out more about getting a graduate job at Realworld Magazine

Tags: Social Care news by Paul // Add a comment »